Fulcrum 100908

Letters Searching for equality Re “In support of women’s rights“ (Letters, Oct. 2) LIKE THE WOMEN’S Studies Students Association (WSSA), I too am in favour of women’s rights. I believe all women—and everyone—have the right to safety and security here on campus. However, instituting women-only gym time at Montpetit is counterproductive to the struggle for women’s rights. This policy promotes segregation and isolation. If there is a conflict of perspectives between two groups (or a small fraction of members therein), it is not intelligible to quarantine the groups. This will not solve the ongoing dilemma of “feeling uncomfortable” faced by women in the gym. Men and women need to spend more, not less, time together to better understand each others’ beliefs and behaviors. By isolating the two groups, we are just exacerbating the problem. This policy is a reactive one of discrimination. The WSSA belief that women-only gym time is not discriminatory against men is baseless. Their message is clear: some men make some women feel uncomfortable, therefore all men are forbidden from entering gym facilities at certain times. I propose that those men who make remarks or are inappropriate in their gym behavior be suspended from the premises. It is important to punish bad behavior to set an example for what is expected of both men and women on campus. Policy cannot be based on the often-

wanton subjectivity of emotions. People “feel” things every day and simply because someone has a “feeling of being watched and appraised that leaves [them] feeling uncomfortable” does not necessarily mean they are being watched and appraised. There are nights walking home when I don’t feel safe, but am I any less safe than I was the night before? Likely not. It is the responsibility of the university to provide an environment where people are not uncomfortable, but no institution can ensure that everyone feels a certain way. Finally, equality is about treating people the same in the long term. The WSSA believes we need to “recognize differences … in society and account for it.” I agree, but the idea is to come together as one cohesive, comfortable society that does not feel the need to fragment itself to solve problems. It will only work to reinforce the divide between men and women and will likely lead to a rise in more male-induced “uncomfortableness” elsewhere. Individuals who find themselves the objects of discrimination in the gym should be able to speak to the Montpetit staff. Moreover, staff should have the authority to suspend or ban individuals for inappropriate behavior. But if this is about “feelings”, as the WSSA has argued it is, let us talk about these feelings openly instead of coddling those who merely do not like the idea that someone might be judging them. That is the only way to build a truly equal society. Tyler Turek, Master’s history student

Contents

Election extravaganza

News

The Fulcrum presents all seven Ottawa-Vanier candidates running in the Oct. 14 election. p. 6–7

p. 4

What are the federal political parties doing for students? p. 8

Intense in tents

Arts

Jaclyn Lytle takes you inside The Encampment. p. 9

p. 9

Hisham Kelati goes Gonzo. p. 12 Tessa Wallace snitches on Quidditch. p. 13

Troubled times

Sports

Football team loses second straight game. p. 17 Inari Vaissy Nagy discovers the U of O’s ultimate competitive club. p. 18

p. 17 Feature

Our democratic right A look at youth’s decreasing political participation. p. 14–15 Dear Di goes cyber. p. 26

p. 14

Frank Appleyard Editor-in-Chief [email protected] Oct. 9–15, 2008 On the right road Re: “Choosing the best road” (Editorial, Oct. 2) LAST WEEK’S EDITORIAL denigrating campus activism was uninformed and reckless. It failed to truly understand the work and motivations required of activist and successful mobilization campaigns. As a participant in the Ontario Campus Activist Assembly and a director on the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa’s (SFUO) Board of Administration, I can say that the Activist Assembly was a truly enriching experience for new and experienced student activists alike. With sessions addressing issues as well as skills, students received a holistic understanding of the ins-and-outs of campaigns, mobilizing, and organizing for student causes. This weekend also brought together many new students eager to further their causes and, perhaps more importantly, the conference offered an opportunity for regional dialogues, which saw the SFUO and Carleton University creating several working groups to address issues faced at both schools. Through this experience we can better our union’s effectiveness at mass student mobilization, something that we have arguably been fairly effective at in recent years. To say that the Feb. 7 Day of Action for Lower Tuition or the No to the Code rally were isolated incidents is to entirely ignore their results, the months (or tireless weeks) of organization, and continued momentum. Moreover, none of these or any campaigns have been conducted without continual lobbying efforts by the SFUO, an integral part of the executives’ duties. To allege otherwise is truly irresponsible, although this is not as irresponsible as giving blanket credibility to the students sitting around the table with the administration. It is undeniably necessary to have student representation on bodies such as the Board of Governors, but when that single undergraduate representative fails to support or recognize actions of the SFUO and various other student causes, and when that representative does not believe in additional student representation of the Board of Governors, it is fair to say that this individual is not a true representative of student interest and student voices. It is a shame that the Fulcrum is choosing to undermine the student Business Department The Fulcrum, the University of Ottawa’s independent English-language student newpaper, is published by the Fulcrum Publishing Society (FPS) Inc., a not-forprofit corporation whose members consist of all University of Ottawa students. The Board of Directors (BOD) of the FPS governs all administrative and business actions of the Fulcrum and consists of the following individuals: Ross Prusakowski (President), Andrea Khanjin (Vice-President), Tyler Meredith (Chair), Peter Raaymakers, Nick Taylor-Vaisey, Toby Climie, Andrew Wing, and Scott Bedard. To contact the Fulcrum’s BOD, contact Ross Prusakowski at (613) 562-5261.

movement. Perhaps we do have a president at the U of O willing to take our concerns to heart and act them through diplomatic channels, however this is absolutely not the same as what is happening on the provincial level. Thus far, the Drop Fees provincewide campaign has garnered 70,000 student signatures in petition for dropped fees, the SFUO’s share of which is approaching 9,000. We are a part of something great. We are a part of the Student Movement. Amy Kishek Third-year political science student

Welch replies Re: “A second opinion for Palestine” (Letters, Oct. 2) FIRST OF ALL, I do not deny the existence of the Palestinian people, nor do I deny their right to self-determination. That said, I concede that my previous letter did make light of a serious subject, and for that I apologize. I appreciate the efforts of my fellow students to “educate me”. However, to say that my facts were not straight, and to imply that newspapers should not publish my opinions because they are lies is ridiculous. And as a matter of public record, I’d like to declare that I am not a racist. Ms. Mourad, you are absolutely right in saying that Palestinians are fighting against oppression. However, you are wrong in saying that Palestine is recognized as a state by international law. That Israel is in violation of international law does not make Palestine a state; Palestine does not fulfill the qualifications set out by the Montevideo Convention in 1933. It fails the litmus test of statehood. There is a reason the Palestinian Authority only merits observer status at the General Assembly; only independent states can be members. My previous letter compared Palestine to various separatist movements because they also are not recognized as states by international law, even though their peoples may constitute nations. To have Palestine as the only flag representing a people with a de facto state is for the University of Ottawa itself to don the mantle of a specific political cause. Likewise, it is not a falsehood to say that Palestine has never existed as a state. Even though I may be able to find Advertising Department Deidre Butters, Advertising Representative phone: (613) 880-6494 fax: (613) 562-5259 e-mail: [email protected] Check out our rate card online. Go to www.thefulcrum.ca and follow the link for “Advertisers”. Multi-market advertisers: Campus Plus: (800) 265-5372 Campus Plus offers one-stop shopping for over 90 Canadian student newspapers. The Fulcrum is a proud member of Canadian University Press: www.cup.ca

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Palestine on a map (thank you for the suggestion, Ms. Carpinone), it would be found under Roman, Ottoman, and British rule before 1948. The Romans coined the name, Ms. Carpinone, because they needed something to call their newly acquired vassal, not because they needed a name to describe an independent state. After 1948, the Gaza strip was ruled by Egypt, and the West Bank and East Jerusalem were allotted to Jordan. Thus my conviction that Palestine has never existed as an independent state is merely a fact of historical record. But don’t take my word for it, Ms. Carpinone, put down your maps and try a history book. The opinion that my letter (“The Palestinian question”, Sept. 18) sought to convey is that the U of O has no business taking sides on political issues. Perhaps the flags should represent identities, but they are supplied by the International House, so I’d imagine them to be more country-oriented than identity-oriented. To mount the Palestinian flag amongst flags of the world is to advocate a political conviction. It is a shame that the U of O as an institution refuses to be politically neutral. In the end, my argument has little to do with the Palestinian question (I have no issue with Palestine), but has much to do with the audacity of the U of O. Matthew Welch Fourth-year political science student A “no” vote for SFUO ad I OBJECT TO the full-page, studentfunded, colour advertisement the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO) placed in the Fulcrum’s Oct. 2 issue, promoting the allcandidates debate. In this criticism, I will set aside the inclusion of the “free food” bullet, which suggests that at least some students will only attend to fill their bellies in lieu of their brains. The way the advertisement ran, the SFUO distorted the truth by suggesting that all the items on the picture of the ballot—tuition fees, health care, the environment, Afghanistan, more doctors, transit, and education—are federally regulated and managed matters. Indeed, not even half of these portfolios are federal ones. LETTERS continued on p. 3 Got something to say? Send your letters to [email protected] Letters deadline: Sunday, 1 p.m. Letters must be under 400 words unless discussed with the editor-in-chief. Drop off letters at 631 King Edward Ave. or e-mail [email protected]. Letters must include your name, telephone number, year, and program of study. Pseudonyms may be used after consultation with the editor-in-chief. We correct spelling and grammar to some extent. The Fulcrum will exercise discretion in printing letters that are deemed racist, homophobic, or sexist. We will not even consider hate literature or libellous material. The editor-in-chief reserves the authority on everything printed herein.

LETTERS continued from p. 2 The member of the SFUO in charge of setting the ad should be ashamed of himself or herself for misleading students. Although, in all likelihood, he or she probably won’t feel too bad about himself or herself. After all, this is the same SFUO whose members felt no shame as they led the way to strip decisionmaking powers from the Fulcrum’s advertisement department. With its gratuitous left-wing bias, the SFUO’s advertisement left out a topical and crucial matter that students (as voters) should consider in this election: the economy. Without a strong economy, how are students supposed to find jobs after graduation? Few post-secondary degrees or diplomas will insulate job-seekers from the potentially devastating Canadian economic downturn caused by the current American financial industry crisis. I urge voters to decide who they feel will be the best prime minister to strengthen the economy. Furthermore, I urge the SFUO to not only better research facts for future runs of political advertisements, but to be more balanced in its political views. This ultimate point, should it be implemented, would make me feel my SFUO levy was being spent in a disinterested manner. Nicolas Fleet Third-year mathematics and economics student Why no one said a word Re: “This campus’s silence is deafening” (Opinion, Sept. 18) AS AN ALUMNUS of the U of O, I can tell you that if my experiences while a student were an indicator, I couldn’t be bothered to join in the same-sex athletic hours kerfuffle. We had this same pseudo-issue while I was a grad student at the University of Toronto at least 10 years ago. The reasons students won’t write to you are as valid then as they are now. Here are some: First, people are afraid of joining any discussion that would make them look like single-issue jerks, parroting the ideological lines that people on both sides of the gender debate hammer to death. Their battle cries tend to follow fossilized versions of the inherent weakness or vulnerability of one gender as opposed to addressing the systemic causes of gender bias in academic settings. Usually, the same types who scream and rant in favour of same-sex athletic hours are totally mute when it comes to faculty representation, differential treatment for academic tenure, and standards of hiring and evaluations for university administrative positions. They are also generally incapable of holding a conversation on course-content guidelines and how they should reflect a more diverse view of knowledge and learning standpoints. Second, the reality of student life is that university newspapers like yours are incapable of fostering debate because of the infantile way in which the issues tend to be presented. Simplistic dichotomies of “for or against” permeate your coverage. Instead of taking the time to do some in-depth research, to inform people about what has been the experiences elsewhere, to document and explain the background to perceived or real gender biases, a few self-appointed editorialists use the pages of their papers to poke people into putting on the same ideological make-up and validate the papers’ raison d’être. People don’t join artificial debates while the paper is unable to tap into any real community trends and it ends up proclaiming that nobody wants to talk about important issues. Your readers are young, not stupid. They can see clearly through the one-liners and punching-bag editorials. Lastly, in the new-media era, I suspect that there are far more influential voices on the Web than the usual collections of gender ideologues on campus. I suggest your paper tap into this vast ocean of opinions and thinking regarding these issues. You’d be surprised to find an enormous

Oct. 9, 2008

reservoir of views, analysis, and even provocative ideas regarding gender equality at U of O. Carlos Ruano U of O alumnus Allan Rock and OCP Re: “Ottawa Cinema Politica banned from campus“ (News, Sept. 4) IN SEPTEMBER, ALLAN Rock and his administration banned Ottawa Cinema Politica (OCP) from campus. The Fulcrum’s Emma Godmere reported on the conflict. OCP is an open forum that uses campus space to promote free expression. More importantly, OCP helps reveal the U of O as the corporate machine it really is, and educates members of the institution to recognize and fight against systems of illegitimate power present in their immediate environment that threaten fundamental human rights. And so Rock and his administration banned OCP from campus. Why? Rock explained it all to Godmere: “In view of the fact that [Macdonald Hall] was used in such a way that gave rise to a human-rights complaint, the university said that the hall can no longer be used by Cinema Politica.” The university said that the hall can no longer be used? Either the university is an independent entity that coerces and controls its population, or Rock is a mindless drone under the influence of his administration. Or both. By banning OCP, the Rock administration has attacked free speech on campus spaces. By banning OCP, the Rock administration has hijacked education. By banning OCP, the Rock administration has replaced democracy with domination. But OCP fought back. OCP resisted the Rock administration’s attempt at bureaucratic control. And OCP won. Ottawa Cinema Politica is now uOttawa Cinema Academica. The Rock administration did not retract the ban, and the event goes on with greater force. So why was OCP banned? The absurdity of Rock’s logic requires reiteration: “In view of the fact that [Macdonald Hall] was used in such a way that gave rise to a human-rights complaint, the university said that the hall can no longer be used by Cinema Politica.” The hall was used in such a way that gave rise to a human rights complaint? Yes. And now Rock and his administration are under tribunal investigation for violating the Ontario Human Rights Code. Rock and his administration are instigators of injustice. Rock and his administration are perpetrators in power. By banning OCP from campus, Rock and his administration have engaged in the institutionalized control of expression that will lead to the destruction of true education. Rock is the enemy of academic freedom. Allan Rock is the enemy of our university. Joe Kelly Fourth-year science student

thefulcrum.ca poll

Last week’s results:

How do you plan to vote in the Oct. 14 Federal election? Conservative: 30% Green: 9% Liberal: 30% NDP: 26% Other: 4% This week’s question:

Have you followed the federal election?

Yes: No: Moderately: Go to www.thefulcrum.ca to vote.

LETTERS

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News

Emma Godmere News Editor [email protected] Oct. 9–15, 2008

Sisters in Spirit raises awareness for missing Aboriginal women

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What the U.S. financial crisis means for Canadian students by Kelwryn Ord Fulcrum Contributor

photo by Matt Johnny

Supporters gathered at Parliament Hill on Oct. 4 in memory and to raise awareness of missing Aboriginal women. by Megan O’Meara Fulcrum Staff ON THE MORNING of Oct. 4, hundreds of aboriginal community members and supporters gathered at the third annual Sisters in Spirit vigil on Parliament Hill. The event was hosted by the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) and was organized to raise awareness of the ever-relevant issue of missing and murdered Aboriginal women across the country. According to Jordan Leichnitz, coordinator of the Women’s Resource Centre, the event was not just a memorial, but also a rally. “[The NWAC] will memorialize the women who are missing and murdered, and also call for change,” Leichnitz said. In memory of these women

and in an effort to put faces to the The rally portion involved issue, attendees held signs with speakers detailing how this issue pictures and names of the miss- of missing women has affected ing, along with the years they dis- them. Among the speakers were appeared to emphasize the length several Aboriginal individuals of time the issue has persisted. who had lost loved ones, includSome dates went ing Beverly Jacobs and other as far back as the “There has been herself, supporters, such 1970s, and several no sustained as Paul Dewar, women are still missing. government action Ottawa Centre Hundreds of NDP candidate on [these cases].” and incumbent balloons were Jordan Leichnitz member of Parliadistributed to all U of O Women’s ment. in attendance. Resource Centre This issue is NWAC President Beverly Jacobs exmore prevalent plained that each balloon symbol- among Aboriginal women than ized one aboriginal woman who the rest of Canada’s female pophas disappeared. At the end of the ulation. According to Amnesty vigil, the balloons were released, International Canada’s website, which, as Jacobs explained, sym- “young Indigenous women with bolized “[the] letting go of their status under the Indian Act are spirits”. five times more likely than all

other women to die as a result of violence.” “In terms of ratio, many more women are missing from Aboriginal communities than from the general population,” explained Leichnitz. “One of the big issues with the missing and murdered women is that there has been no sustained government action on it.” The Sisters in Spirit event is growing each year and was hosted in 40 locations across Canada on Oct. 4. The NWAC emphasized the lack of government attention this issue has received, but expressed hope that this growth will encourage the incoming government to attend to the issue more diligently so that the unsolved cases can be concluded and the disappearances can be prevented from occurring in the future.

SFUO to bring only one amendment to CFS THE STUDENT FEDERATION of the University of Ottawa’s (SFUO) Board of Administration (BOA) rejected two motions aiming to amend by-laws of the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) at the board’s Oct. 5 meeting. BOA member for the Faculty of Arts Ryan Kennery initially presented three motions to the board at the Sept. 14 meeting. Two of the motions, dealing with bilingualism and referendum timing with the CFS, failed to pass, while the third, dealing with the timing of referendum

processes, passed with an amendment. “I was obviously disappointed. I thought they were three fair resolutions,” Kennery said. “They were three things that I feel our students would want to see changed within the CFS, but the board disagreed … I’m pleased that the one will go in and I don’t see any reason why the other prospective members and member locals shouldn’t support that.” Several other motions, including policies dealing with conflict of interest for board mem-

bers, dietary accessibility for students, and employment equity, were tabled and will return to the agenda for the Nov. 2 meeting. The SFUO executive also presented their latest plans for increasing student space on campus, including their goal to eventually build and be the exclusive owners of a student-services building on campus. More information about their student space objectives and plans will be covered in the next issue of the Fulcrum. —Emma Godmere

BILLIONAIRE INVESTOR WARREN Buffet has called the current financial crisis gripping the global economy a “financial Pearl Harbor”, and former Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan has described it as a “once-in-acentury event”. What exactly has happened and how does it affect students at the University of Ottawa? The answer to these questions, like the problem itself, is multi-faceted and complex. In order to evaluate how the credit crisis will impact students, it is imperative to understand how it impacts the Canadian economy and how the crisis came to a head. On Sept. 29, the Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged 777 points—the largest single-point drop, albeit not the largest percentage drop, in history—when the U.S. House of Representatives rejected the original US$700-billion bailout plan that aimed to purchase primarily mortgage-backed securities from American banks. This lack of credit is the central problem behind the financial crisis. Banks and companies have stopped lending to one another, or will only do so at extremely high rates, which slows financial business and transactions. U of O economics professor Mario Saccareccia suggested that, despite the fact that the origins of the crisis lie outside of the Canadian system, we should still expect to suffer from its consequences. “While the practice of sub-prime mortgage lending, which is at the heart of the crisis, was almost entirely centered in the United States,” he said, “the deep integration of the American and Canadian financial sectors leaves us quite vulnerable to the fallout from the crisis.” Any student can relate to financial crunch times, especially at the end of each semester, when December rolls around, the money starts to dry up, and the unpaid bills start to collect. In these times of financial hardship, students tend to seek an injection of liquidity—which is essentially the capability to readily convert assets into cash—in the form of loans from their parents or banks, and some resort to the dreaded part-time job. Picture this same financial crunch on a global economic scale but with no parents, banks, or part-time jobs to provide the required infusion of cash. This lack of liquidity is at the heart of the problem, as banks have become almost completely reluctant to provide loans to other banks, let alone businesses and consumers. Saccareccia identified that the credit crisis arose because sub-prime mortgages—which no one knows the actual value of—were packaged into securities and sold to other financial institutions around the world as safe assets. “These securities are essentially anonymous and banks simply do not know or trust that other banks are clean of the potentially toxic assets and thus are very apprehensive about risking lending them money,” explained Saccareccia. “Thus, it has become imperative that the government intervene in the markets to ensure that capital flows continue.” CRISIS continued on p. 5

CRISIS continued from p. 4 Saccareccia, however, remained skeptical about the capabilities of the Canadian political leadership in this crisis due to the parties’ collective failure to accept that deficit spending may be necessary during such a volatile economic time. A Canadian deficit is more likely to result from the slowing of U.S. demand stemming from the credit crunch rather thanas a direct result of the credit crunch. “Someone has to pick up the hot potato, and without the private sector taking on debt, the government has to,” he said. “Even former freemarket fundamentalists accept the need for greater government intervention and deficit spending in order to retain jobs and stave off potential large-scale unemployment.” U of O law professor Errol Mendes suggested that the U.S. might be so overloaded by these toxic assets that any government bailout package could come up short. “The amount of bad debt currently in the financial system could be into the tens of trillions of dollars and the existing bailout packages are likely insufficient,” he said. “The much her-

alded recent US$700-billion bailout package will do little to stem the tide of [personal mortgage] foreclosures in the United States, and thus the financial crisis itself, as it doesn’t actually do anything for homeowners.” Ultimately, both Saccareccia and Mendes agree that the global economic crisis is the worst since the Great Depression and that recovery may be a long and difficult affair. In fact, according to a CNN opinion poll released on Oct. 6, 6 in 10 Americans believe that an economic depression is likely. Consumer confidence south of the border is low and this does not bode well for a global economy still somewhat dependent on U.S. consumer spending for growth. As far as Canada’s economy goes, Canadians are caught in the middle of this financial storm like everyone else and will likely be in a rather unpleasant economic environment for some years to come. Mendes contended that, if this crisis is not managed correctly, the global economy is “potentially on the precipice of a major collapse”. The Canadian economy, he explained, “has thus far been relatively insulated by high

commodity prices; however, with a global economic recession appearing imminent, commodity prices have declined substantially over the past few weeks, as evidenced by the massive drops in the Toronto Stock Exchange.” The Canadian economy will likely be hit hard, or at least

Canadians are caught in the middle of this financial storm like everyone else. strongly affected in certain regions, by the crisis in the coming months. Saccareccia believes the Canadian economy is already in recession due to significant drops in exports to the U.S., which account for approximately one-third of Canada’s Gross Domestic Product. “Due to the deep integration in the financial sectors, Canadian access to credit is likely to reflect the growing trend in the United States,” he said. “Therefore, whatever freezes up in the United States will also freeze up

News in Brief photo by Ahmed Mumeni (CUP)

Students pay tuition in small change VICTORIA (CUP) – TWO STUDENTS FROM the University of Victoria attempted to pay their tuition with wheelbarrows full of change on Sept. 25, five days before the fee cut-off date. In an effort to make a statement about the inconvenience of not being allowed to pay tuition with a credit card, the two students demonstrated that paying with hundreds of rolls of coins is another option.

www.thefulcrum.ca

UVic’s accounting services currently accept only debit transactions, cheques, money orders, bank drafts, and cash. The university stopped accepting credit payments last June due to credit-card companies’ transaction fees. By eliminating credit-card transactions, UVic estimated that it will save $2.5 million in fees. Students are consequently faced with the difficulty of coming up with enough money upfront to pay for tuition fees. For those who cannot make the pay-

ment before the deadline, UVic charges 1.5 per cent interest on the amount owed each month. Currently, the University of Northern British Columbia is the only university in B.C. that accepts credit card transactions. —Kat Eschner, The Martlet Researchers uncover oldest ice ever found in North America EDMONTON (CUP) – THE CUR-

in Canada.” However, he doesn’t believe that Canadian banks, which are wellleveraged, will experience the same level of crisis as the banks in the U.S., but the potential for some volatility still exists. Like all Canadians, students can expect to find it more difficult to obtain loans from banks and find employment both now and possibly even after graduation. With parents potentially losing more money, students may also experience greater difficulty in wrestling away that much-needed cash come December. Furthermore, despite the best efforts of the Drop Fees campaign, students are highly unlikely to receive much reprieve from high tuition fees. The prospect of a recession means that government revenues from taxation should fall while expenditures—due to higher unemployment and welfare service costs—should rise. Mendes suggested that we are currently “six months to one year away from recording a budget deficit”. This is particularly true for Ontario where, he explained, “exports to the United States have dropped substan-

tially and recent layoffs in the manufacturing sector reflect the difficulty ahead.” The need for increased government intervention in the western financial markets in order to ensure continued capital flows is also likely to carry a hefty price tag. Economists today have a far greater understanding of the economic and financial systems than they did in 1929, even though many regulators did not foresee just how dangerous credit default swaps could become. Saccareccia explained that the failure of government to intervene decisively in the economy following the 1929 collapse, when they chose instead to limit spending, exacerbated of the crisis as capital flows dried up. As far as this country is concerned, both Saccareccia and Mendes agreed that if the crisis is managed correctly, Canadians will escape the worst of the recession. It is now up to the national party leaders in this federal election campaign, where the financial crisis has become a key issue. Canadians will have to count on the successful candidate to lead Canada through financially challenging times.

RENT GLOBAL-warming model is being called into question by the discovery of 740,000-year-old permafrost—the oldest ice ever found in North America—south of Dakota City, Yukon. Because atmospheric carbon levels and global warming are positively correlated, permafrost is important to the global-warming model since it stores carbon that will be released into the atmosphere if it melts. In the current model, it is thought that all ice melted in the interglacial period that occurred between 120,000 and 400,000 years ago. The Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Alberta, however, says this model over-predicts the instability of permafrost. Since this new discovery pre-dates the interglacial period in question, it demonstrates that rapid thawing of the permafrost may not have occurred. While not directly stating current global warming models are incorrect, the discovery points out they are missing pertinent information from the permafrost period. —Matthew Schoettle, The Gateway

year is extended. Following students’ support for BUFA at the meeting, the Students’ Union met to address the issue and changed its stance from one of neutrality to support for BUFA and its strike action. —Maryann Buri, The Quill

Students take action as Brandon strike heats up BRANDON (CUP) – ON THE THIRD day of the Brandon University Faculty Association (BUFA) strike, over 200 students gathered to discuss the protest and how the fall semester will recover from the time lost. BUFA is composed of 230 full- and part-time staff including professors and librarians. The strike has led to classes being cancelled for many students. Students at the meeting had concerns relating to their areas of study, including prep classes for education students, lack of coaches for athletics, and housing options for students if the

Oct. 9, 2008

Camouflage sparks debate over police image MONTREAL (CUP) – MONTREAL POLICE CHIEF Yvan Delorme is worried that camouflage pants some members of his force are wearing will worsen interactions between police and minority groups. The pants are the newest phase of silent protest tactics used by officers in an ongoing labour dispute. For nearly two years, the officers have been working without a contract, but have been unable to strike because they provide an essential service. The city issued a formal complaint to the Essential Services Council (ESC) stating the camouflage pants put the police in danger and deprive the public of their right to an essential service. Bernard Larin, a press representative for the mayor, explained the public could be confused, since the camouflage clothes the officers are wearing are not police uniform. Worries have also been voiced about the possible undermining of police authority due to the camouflage pants, particularly in the area of Montreal North where tensions between residents and police have been high since riots broke out in August. For now, the city has ruled in favour of keeping police officers outfitted in camouflage pants, adding that the ESC will observe the pants’ influence on the public’s ability to access the police service. —Shannon Kiely, The McGill Daily

NEWS

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Federal election 2008

Four candidates from the major national political parties gathered for the all-candidates debate at Desmarais Hall on Oct. 3.

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NEWS

photo by Ian Flett

Meet the Ottawa-Vanier candidates Mauril Bélanger Liberal Party of Canada “GET OUT AND vote” was the key advice given by Liberal party candidate and incumbent Mauril Bélanger in an attempt to get students politically active. As Ottawa-Vanier’s member of Parliament since 1995, Bélanger brings experience with him into this federal election. Raised in Mattawa, Bélanger came to the University of Ottawa in 1973 to study English, and has been closely connected to the university ever since. He was the president of the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa from 1975–1977, has spent time on the U of O’s Board of Governors, and remains a member of the Alumni Association. As far as post-secondary education is concerned, Bélanger and the Liberals’ platform highlights include a 20-year education endowment fund worth $25 billion, which would include 300,000 needsbased bursaries each year; guaranteed access to loans for all students, regardless of their financial situation; a $1,000 annual grant to all students, paid in three installments through the year; guaranteed student loans of $5,000 for all students; and a lower federal student loan interest rate coupled with an extension of the grace periodto begin repayment from six months to two years. “We want to make education accessible to everybody,” he said. Bélanger expressed his optimism in students’ participation in the upcoming election. “Vote, even if it’s not Liberal,” he said. “[It’s important to] get involved from an early age.” For more information about Bélanger and the Liberal Party, visit mauril.ca. —Greg Jackson Patrick Glémaud Conservative Party of Canada PATRICK GLÉMAUD, CONSERVATIVE candi-

Oct. 9, 2008

date in Ottawa-Vanier, takes pride in his strong ties to the University of Ottawa community. During his seven-year stay at the university (1988–1995), Glémaud was immersed in much of the student life on campus—he wrote articles for La Rotonde, hosted a radio show on CHUO 89.1 FM, held the position of vp communications for the former Social Sciences student union, and represented students at the Social Sciences Faculty Council. The bilingual businessman, lawyer, and active community member currently lives in Sandy Hill and noted that the Conservative Party holds its student appeal in its own youth involvement. “What I like about the Conservative Party is that we, as a political party, have the youngest members of Parliament,” he said. Glémaud highlighted the amount of youth participating in this campaign and volunteering for the Conservatives, especially in Ottawa-Vanier. “What we’ve done in our campaign is make sure that approximately 30 per cent of our volunteer calls is [to] students,” he said. “This is the first time in this riding where we’ve taken [U of O] students … and [brought] them in to be volunteers.” Glémaud also believes that he can be the change Ottawa-Vanier students may be looking for. “[Students] live in a society where change is the most constant factor,” he said. “We need to have new candidates, we need mobility [and] change.” For more information about Glémaud and the Conservative party, head to patrickglemaud.ca. —Emma Godmere Trevor Haché New Democratic Party TREVOR HACHÉ HAS lived in Ottawa for five years, having spent four of those in the Sandy Hill area. A current member of Action Sandy Hill and a supporter of the Vanier chapter of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now

(ACORN), Haché also once held a position on the board of directors of the Ontario Public Interest Research Group on campus, and has been active with the Student Coalition Against War. “Fundamentally, I’m someone [who has] always been a politically aware person, who has been watching what’s been going on in Ottawa, and not going on in Ottawa, for a long, long time,” he said. Haché’s party, the NDP, recognizes the need to lower student tuition fees and, he explained, “believes education should be as close to free as possible.” He also noted that the Canadian Federation of Students “recently recognized the NDP’s plans as being the best plan with regards to helping students.” In addition to the NDP’s plan, Haché has a clear idea about how he will personally represent students in the House of Commons. “I would meet with the different student federations—the [Student Federation of the University of Ottawa] as well as the [Graduate Students Association]—regularly, and I would fight for a national education act which would mandate the federal government to provide dedicated funding to all the provinces across the country specifically designated for lower tuition fees,” he said. For more information about Haché and the NDP, visit trevorhache.ca. —Amanda Shendruk Christian Legeais Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada CHRISTIAN LEGEAIS, A veteran of the MarxistLeninist Party (MLPC) since the 1970s, is the party’s Ottawa-Vanier candidate. A 15-year resident of the area, Legeais is running on a platform of increasing social programs, CANDIDATES continued on p. 7

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Candidates across Ottawa OTTAWA CENTRE

OTTAWA-VANIER

John Akpata (Marijuana Party) Penny Collenette (Liberal) Paul Dewar (I) (NDP) Jen Hunter (Green) Brian McGarry (Conservative) Pierre Soublière (Marxist-Leninist)

OTTAWA– ORLÉANS Royal Galipeau (I) (Conservative) Marc Godbout (Liberal) Paul Maillet (Green) Amy O’Dell (NDP)

OTTAWA SOUTH maps courtesy Elections Canada

CANDIDATES continued from p. 6 empowering the Canadian working class through directly involving them in the political process, and electing an anti-war government. Connected to the University of Ottawa through a party chapter on campus, Legeais and the MLPC plan to guarantee all students the right to postsecondary education and allow them to attend school without having to depend on their personal finances or on loans from banks. “Education is a right which belongs to all students,” he said. “This right must be provided with a guarantee.” In addition to guaranteeing post-secondary schooling, Legeais is also looking to promote society’s responsibility to all its members and, as part of that initiative, focus on education—particularly higher education—as “a centrepiece of modern society” deserving of attention. To find out more about the MLPC, visit mlpc. ca. —Kenny Dodd Akbar Manoussi Green Party of Canada GREEN PARTY CANDIDATE Akbar Manoussi has made it his objective to bring his message of environmentalism and social justice to students in Ottawa-Vanier. “My goal is a fair and just society in balance with nature, which values the health and vitality of our families, local communities, and economies,” Manoussi said. Manoussi, who was at the University of Ottawa for the Oct. 3 all-candidates debate, argued that he has the edge over his opponents on students issues due to one principal reason—he works with students every day. For over 25 years, he has taught business

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management at both the U of O and Carleton University. Manoussi has dedicated his life to academia and believes in the importance of post-secondary education and making it affordable for all. “It is important to me that we have a system of government that can protect the rights of students,” he said. When Manoussi—who ran to represent the Ontario provincial Greens in 2007—isn’t teaching or on the campaign trail, he dedicates himself to several community and academic organizations, such as the Ottawa Muslim Association, where he has twice been elected vice-president, and the Iranian Scholar Association of Canada, where he holds the position of director general. Manoussi detailed his optimism that voters will look at the Green Party as a viable choice come election day. “We are all in this together,” he said. “It’s a time for change—not change of power, but a change of culture and values.” For more information about Manoussi and the Green Party, check out manoussi.ca. —Laura Clementson Mike St. Onge Canadian Action Party CANADIAN ACTION PARTY (CAP) Vice-President Mike St. Onge is the party’s candidate in Ottawa-Vanier. A former resident of Ottawa-Vanier who now lives in Hull, St. Onge decided to run in this riding because he feels that he relates best to its citizens. He plans to move back to the region if he is elected. In regards to students, St. Onge and the CAP would institute a program that would give all Canadians access to post-secondary education regardless of their financial situation.

“We believe [that] we could provide a brighter future to young people by working towards implementing a Universal Postsecondary Education Plan, much like elementary and secondary schools [have] now,” he explained. St. Onge expressed his intent to make himself available and approachable to University of Ottawa students, and hopes to work towards preventing infringement on their free speech, citing the recent on-campus banning of film-screening group Ottawa Cinema Politica as an example of what he would work to avoid. For more information about the CAP, visit canadianactionparty.ca. —Kenny Dodd Robert Taylor Larter Independent THE INDEPENDENT ON the ticket is Robert Taylor Larter, a candidate in the 2006 Ottawa municipal election and a resident of Ottawa-Vanier since 2002. The concerns of university students do not play a key part in his campaign, though he hopes that raising awareness on campus about his platform will encourage students to become a part of it. “[Hopefully they will] get involved if they read this,” he said. Taylor Larter’s campaign is primarily concerned with homeland security, particularly on giving law enforcement the ability to uphold their “twin pillars”—service and protection—and on managing immigration more tightly. His additional platform concerns include promoting unity among Canadians, placing restrictions on the use of tasers, and revisiting the War Measures Act. —Kenny Dodd

Oct. 9, 2008

Jean-Serge Brisson (Libertarian Party of Canada) Hijal De Sarkar (NDP) Qais Ghanem (Green) Al Gullon (Progressive Canadian Party) David McGuinty (I) (Liberal) Elie Salibi (Conservative)

OTTAWA WEST– NEPEAN John Baird (I) (Conservative) Frances Coates (Green) Alex McDonald (Communist Party of Canada) David Page (Independent) David Pratt (Liberal) Marlene Rivier (NDP) (I) denotes incumbent

NEWS

7

The four major political party platforms on post-secondary education

Ottawatch

Conservative

Green

Liberal

NDP

THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED release of the Conservative Party’s platform revealed modest expenditures over the next four years, with a significant portion of the $8.7-billion plan targeting the struggling Canadian manufacturing sector. The cautious platform, unveiled amid increasing global economic turmoil, presented initiatives to address the needs of post-secondary students in the country. The primary objective of the Tories’ strategy to support university education in Canada will be to offset the costs of attending school. In this respect, the Conservatives intend to provide students from low-income households with a $250-permonth grant, while students from medium-income households will receive $100 monthly. This education policy intention follows the Conservative government’s introduction of a textbook tax credit that was implemented in January 2006. The platform also communicates a plan to expand the existing Registered Education Savings Plan, which aims to increase the ability for charities and not-for-profit organizations to work with children from low-income households to establish savings for university. Lastly, the Conservative Party’s plan includes objectives to modernize institutions that affect post-secondary students, including the studentloan process and granting councils. For more information on the Conservative Party and their platform, check out conservative.ca. —Andrew Bouffard

EVERYONE KNOWS THE Green Party is extremely environmentally oriented—it’s spelled out in their party name. They intend to implement things like a “green tax” on CO2 emissions, reduce greenhouse gases to 30 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020, and generally promote sustainability—propositions that are important to the entire Canadian population, but especially students who will be the next generation responsible for the world we live in. As far as more short-term student interests are concerned, the party outlines on its website that it would create an “access-to-education plan” to replace the now-defunct Millennium Scholarship Foundation that would increase Canadian National Student Loan funding and lower interest rates. Once a student finishes his or her degree, the Greens also plan to erase half of that student’s loan. The party also believes more money should be invested in universities to create more teaching positions in all disciplines. Additionally, the party platform mentions student jobs. The Greens would like to fund industry-based job training to address the current shortage of trained workers. They also plan to expand the government’s student summer job program. More information about the Green Party and their platform can be found at greenparty.ca. —Aaron Kozak

THE LIBERAL PARTY has explained in great detail the steps they plan to take to improve post-secondary education in their comprehensive, student-focused platform. One of Liberal Party’s goals is to make post-secondary education accessible to more Canadians. According to the party’s website, they plan to provide “100,000 access grants of up to $4,000 per year … for those who are under-represented in postsecondary education”. They also plan to ensure that “every student is eligible for a $5,000 student loan regardless of parental income”, in an effort to spread funding out to more students across a range of income brackets. The Liberals not only plan to help students financially, but they also have plans regarding post-graduation interest rates. They plan to not only guarantee lower rates, but also extend the repayment grace period from six months to two years. They have also included several goals related to academic research, such as “increasing support for the indirect costs of university-based research by more than 60 per cent to $500 million a year”. For more information about the Liberal party platform, check out liberal.ca. —Megan O’Meara

THE NEW DEMOCRATIC Party has consistently attempted to appeal to student voters by making tuition fees a primary platform issue, and they are continuing with several proposals for post-secondary education offered in the current campaign. On the official NDP website, the party lays out their post-secondary education promises. The goal, according to the site, is to “ensure that students don’t have crippling debts when they graduate”. The NDP would provide a $1,000 grant for students who qualify for student loans, which would be paid at the beginning of the school year. Layton also plans to relieve students by promising to reconstruct the Canada Student Loans program, which would involve an interest break geared towards students who are in work placements or internships. The Canadian Federation of Students has come up with a report card to assess the federal parties and their commitment to lowering tuition fees, as well as look at broader education issues. The report, found at voteeducation.ca, gave the NDP a B+ on the issue of tuition fees, making them the only party to garner a passing grade on that issue. To find out more about the NDP platform, visit ndp.ca. —Laura Clementson

photos by Meaghan Walton, Oker Chen, Chad Yong, and Jennifer Zhou (CUP)

Vote of confidence

The press will always be present

Emma Godmere News Editor FREEDOM OF THE press is unquestionably one of the strongest pillars in the solid foundation of a free and democratic society. I’m sure an overwhelming majority of students on this campus would also agree with this statement. I’m sure they would also consider free and independent student media an integral part of U of O campus life, not only for social reasons, but also for providing transparency for any level of administration and holding accountable those who make decisions on our behalf. The two student print media forums on campus, La Rotonde and

8

NEWS

the Fulcrum, are independent from both the university administration and the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO). It has been worked into the mandate of these media outlets to essentially keep an eye on the business of the SFUO, balancing fair coverage of their successes with fair commentary on their failures. One of the ways the Fulcrum often observes the inner workings of the SFUO is through attending regular Board of Administration (BOA) meetings. Just as it is important to observe the university administration through their Board of Governors (BOG) meetings, it is crucial to keep up with SFUO affairs by attending the meetings of their governing body. At the BOA meeting that took place at the Roger Guindon campus on Oct. 5, a peculiar question from the board chair worked its way into the regular opening proceedings. Somewhere between roll call and the adoption of the agenda, BOA Chair Federico Carvajal asked all student media in the room

Oct. 9, 2008

to identify themselves. When I, along with a journalist from La Rotonde, proceeded to raise our hands, the chair subsequently asked if any BOA members had any objection to our presence at the meeting. While nobody at the board table presented any objections, I was still astonished by this action. Meetings of the BOA are open to the public, and anybody is invited to witness the discussions and debates of its elected members. The idea that student media needed to be identified at such an obviously public forum is unsettling. When I spoke with Carvajal—who is also the external commissioner for the Graduate Students’ Association (GSAÉD)—at a break in the meeting, he stated the question was part of “procedure”. After searching through the SFUO’s constitution, nothing was found on handling relations with independent student media on campus, nor is anything regarding the

media mentioned in conjunction with the BOA. There is also no evidence of anything in Robert’s Rules of Order—a comprehensive document of guidelines the SFUO uses at all BOA meetings—that explicitly states members of the media, or even the general public, must identify themselves while observing a meeting, notwithstanding in-camera sessions, where non-board members are asked to leave the room. This type of “procedural” question hasn’t been raised at any BOA or BOG meeting in recent memory, although it has been raised at GSAÉD council meetings. “If someone’s in there as a student observer and another one’s in there as a student, but not a student observer, they’re representing the media—I think it’s good for board members to be aware of that,” said Carvajal. If the requirement for the media to identify themselves at the beginning of the meeting really was solely to remind board members of the public nature of their meetings, there is no

need. Even while some may consider the members new to their job, the BOA has been meeting and working together in a public forum since May. Why is the BOA suddenly so concerned with media coverage? Excluding in-camera sessions that are private to deal with sensitive or confidential information, what difference does it make if the student press is present to let the public know what the SFUO and its governing body is working on? September’s BOG meeting witnessed rows and rows of empty chairs begging for observers to fill them, whether by students or media or both. This week, the BOA appeared unnecessarily concerned with the presence of the press. Everyone at the board table should realize, by now, that their actions in that time and place are going to be observed. It’s the responsibility of student media to be there, and that’s not going to change any time soon. [email protected] 613-562-5260

www.thefulcrum.ca

Arts & Culture

Peter Henderson Arts & Culture Editor [email protected]

Oct. 9–15, 2008

9

Art in the shadow of Parliament

photo by Amanda Misko

The Encampment is an innovative exhibit that shatters expectations for outdoor art by Jaclyn Lytle Fulcrum Staff A HANDFUL OF volunteers were busy in the heart of Major’s Hill Park on the afternoon of Oct. 2 setting up 70 canvas tents. At 7 p.m. the park lit up with the glow from 70 lanterns placed inside those tents, marking the opening of the travelling participatory art installation The Encampment in Ottawa. The piece was created by Canadian artist Thom Sokoloski, with help from fellow artist Jenny McCowan. The two artists worked in partnership with the National Capital Commission and the Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL) to bring an illumination of Canadian history to the capital. The aim of the large-scale outdoor exhibit

was to create a metaphorical exploration of the history of those with intellectual disabilities. No details were spared in the planning of the Ottawa exhibit, which features exactly 70 tents in order to represent the cut-off IQ point for persons with intellectual disabilities. The Encampment made its first appearance at Toronto’s Nuit Blanche in 2006. It originated as a large-scale expression of the hidden stories of those who were treated for addiction and for problems related to mental health in the Toronto area. There were 68 tents in the original showing. The piece then moved to New York’s Roosevelt Island, where it grew to 100 tents. There the piece became a representation of the persons that suffered in the various institutions that formerly stood on the island. Now, in Ottawa, The Encamp-

ment has become an illustration of the diverse history of intellectual disability in Canada. From 7 p.m. to midnight on October 2–4, the cluster of tents created a massive, brilliant visual experience. The Alexandria Bridge offered an idyllic view of the installation as a whole. Up close, the purpose of the piece is revealed to participants as they make their way into each tent and are shown its individual story on a small slip of paper. The installation, which was free to visit, allowed observers to physically enter the tents, each of which contained an account of an individual or a group of people dealing with intellectual disabilities. The stories were strung up on the outside of the tent in both French and English, with an attached flashlight, for visitors to read. The interior of each

tent housed an artist’s expression in response to the story. The participatory concept of The Encampment allows the audience to experience and consider what each tent reveals in a personal way. The exhibit features the work of over 50 artists from across the country, each of whom contributed to the contents of at least one tent. The inclusion of such a large variety of artists creates a sense of diversity within the piece. This particular production of The Encampment was intended to be the central event of the CACL’s Diversity Includes campaign in celebration of the organization’s 50th anniversary. It now heads back to its city of origin, Toronto, where it will be placed on display by Community Living Toronto in the summer of 2009.

Watch out Hogwarts, here comes McGill University

photo courtesy stevemease.com

Competitors get dirty during demonstration Quidditch matches in Middlebury, Vermont.

Quidditch team unites sports fans and literature lovers by Tessa Wallace The McGill Daily MONTREAL (CUP) – YOU CAN FIND them on the playing field, practising hard. They warm up, choose sides, and start a scrimmage. They could be any sports team, except that the game they’re playing comes straight out of the magical world. With broomsticks between their legs and Quidditch bats (called Bludgers) clutched in their hands, this group of sports stars is bringing Quidditch to McGill University in Montreal. Quidditch, a fictional sport once confined to the Harry Potter series, is difficult to explain. It is a mix of rugby, basketball, and dodgeball, played entirely on broomsticks. Although there are basic scoring rules involving several balls, the main goal is to seek out a small golden ball called the Snitch, which wins the game for the team that finds it. Muggle Quidditch is the non-fictional variant of the game, named so because “Muggle” is the word in the Harry Potter universe for those without magical powers. Now that the rules have been adapted for non-magical, non-flying participants, McGill students are joining in on the action. If you think this is some elaborate joke, you’re not the only one. “Usually—when we tell them what we’re doing—people’s first reaction is: ‘Are you kidding me?’ and the next reaction is: ‘This must be a joke’,” says Karen Kumaki, a founding member of the club at McGill. The novelty, and of course, the absurdity, of the game is enough to gather a group of spectators at each practice. They stop by to catch a glimpse, and a laugh, as the team plays. “It looked a little ridiculous,” says Tony Kwan, a McGill student who sat down to watch the game. “We wanted a photo.” Other spectators wanted to get in on the action. “It looks challenging to [play with] a broom. I like it. I’m jealous,” said Jake Hoffman, another McGill student and avid Harry Potter fan. The club was started by six first-year students and has yet to get official club status. Still, 30 people attended the last practice, more than 100 people are in the club’s Facebook group, and the local dollar store is sold out of broomsticks.

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One member, Clara Thaisson, had a decorated broom and a lightning-bolt scar drawn on her forehead. “I think it’s going to be a magical time,” she says. “I love Harry Potter, and I love sports, so why not combine the two?” The sport’s sudden increase in popularity means novice players are joining at every practice. As a result, this new and highly complex game has to be constantly re-explained. There are five balls, six upright Hula Hoops, and four different positions. Players score by throwing one ball through an opponent’s Hula Hoop, while avoiding the Bludgers—balls thrown by opposing players that knock whoever they hit out of play, dodgeball-style. To keep the game true to its Harry Potter roots, there is a player clad in gold from head-to-toe serving as a stand-in for the golden Snitch. Two players, called Seekers, attempt to catch the Golden Snitch, whose movements are not limited to the playing field but to a wider area agreed upon before the game, sometimes even the entire campus. It may seem confusing, but according to another founding member of the team, and its “Vice Warlock” Wren Laing, “knowledge of the books definitely helps everyone play since it’s pretty similar [to the story].” Despite the influx of beginners, the craze surrounding the Harry Potter books means it’s not hard to find those familiar with the particulars of Quidditch. In fact, most players have gotten so into the game that it’s already getting serious— dive tackle, injured knee, broken broomstick serious. “It’s really intense because the only official rules are to be creative. When it comes to violence and physical contact, it’s whatever you think is appropriate in the game,” said Laing. Sure enough, the ground was littered with broken dollar-store brooms by the end of practice. Away from the field, the club executives—or warlocks, sorceresses, and goblins as they prefer to be called—are planning big for the new team. “Hopefully we’ll go to the Quidditch World Cup in Vermont at Middlebury [College] and then we’ll go from there,” said Laing. The tournament is scheduled at the end of October and the club already has more players signed up than they can afford to take. Clearly, this Muggle Quidditch team is well on their way to fulfilling their mission: “Bring[ing] together sports enthusiasts and Harry Potter fans alike.”

Oct. 9, 2008

The Neins Circa C.S. Rippen

C+

The Buttless Chaps Cartography

C+

THE BUTTLESS CHAPS’ latest album, Cartography, sounds like a touchy-feely acoustic CD, the one a band makes to show that they suffer from deep emotional pain and heartbreak. Acoustic tracks such as “Water By the Wayside” and “Coal Grey Sky” anchor the album with lyrics about lost love and fleeting romance. The track list boasts a few promising ballads like “For The Night It Buries You” and “Are We Forgiven Now?”, but the songs are mostly choppy, tame, and filled with cliché-ridden lyrics. The track “Broken Transit Broken Soil” seems out of place, with its heavy emphasis on drums and electric guitar. This track harkens back to their past albums, while the rest of Cartography sounds like the Buttless Chaps are making a light romance album just because they’re looking for pop success. —Hisham Kelati

Young and Sexy The Arc

B-

DON’T LET THEIR name fool you. Vancouver indie rock group Young and Sexy aren’t exactly youngsters and their music isn’t necessarily sexy. Rather, on their fourth record, the band comes across as melancholic, spiritual, deeply lyrical, and refreshingly odd on many of the cuts, particularly “Demon Dreaming” and “Peer Through The Lock”. Lucy Brain and Paul Pitman share vocal duties and conjure up beautiful, lingering melodies together. The standout track “The Poisoned Cup” is sung and arranged with heartbreaking delicateness. Unfortunately, many songs on the latter half of the album melt into one another, not wielding any truly memorable melodies to bob your head to. What The Arc lacks in ear-catching ditties, it makes up for in setting a sobering mood—one to ponder love’s many travails. —Nigel Smith

The Starting Line Direction

Album reviews

IT’S WEIRD TO hear a band maing a concept album about a person you’ve never met. Cameron Dilworth, the lead singer and songwriter of The Neins Circa, decided, after writing a song about his friend Chris Rippen, to dedicate a whole EP to him. However, the band’s apparent devotion to Rippen doesn’t make up for the lack of passion actually put into each song. There are upbeat and energizing melodies on songs like “It’s Cold” and “C.S. Rippen”, but the songs are superficial and the lyrics lack depth. C.S. Rippen doesn’t represent the best this band has to offer—go buy their full-length Sleeves and Wigs and take pleasure in the much better execution of their upbeat and whimsical tunes. —Alessandro Nahon

B-

THE LATEST RELEASE from Philadelphia pop-punk band The Starting Line, whose teen-angst albums have earned them notoriety amongst heavily pierced and prematurely tattooed crowds is, at best, mediocre. Direction offers listeners no variety, and is by far their tamest work yet. Though the boys of The Starting Line have never produced anything remotely interesting, this album marks an unwanted return to the melodramatic lyrics and simple instrumentals of their earlier releases—particularly 2003’s Say It Like You Mean It. “Island” and the title track are the best that Direction has to offer, but this album doesn’t have anything fresh to win over new fans. There is nothing exceptionally terrible about Direction—it’s just middling, average, and kind of boring. —Jaclyn Lytle

www.thefulcrum.ca

Oct. 9, 2008

ARTS

11

Film reviews

A-

Flash of Genius

TO MOST, FLASH of Genius’ plot does not have much appeal in comparison to the overblown fictional storylines spotting the box office, but this true story of the invention of the intermittent windshield wiper is both engaging and intelligent. Greg Kinnear gives a commendable performance as Bob Kearns, a father of six who experiences the so-called flash of genius when driving home from church on a rainy Sunday. He develops a prototype and shows it to several companies, but he has no takers. His idea is stolen by Ford Motor Company two years later, and the rest of the film tells the story of Kearns’s ten-year battle to receive compensation and, more importantly, credit for his idea. Lauren Graham plays Kearns’s wife, whose character provides a soft contrast to her husband’s drive. The film covers a large period of time in only two hours, and the passing time is emphasized by how quickly Kearns’s six children seem to age in comparison to how slowly his lawsuit progresses. Overall, the film is excellent, with a top-notch script and well-selected cast that make this true story from the 1960s resonate in today’s world. At a time when big business is once again screwing over the common man, it’s inspiring to see someone who fought back, regardless of the odds. —Megan O’Meara

Blindness

B

IN BLINDNESS, DIRECTOR Fernando Meirelles films Portuguese Nobel laureate José Saramago’s riveting apocalyptic novel in which an epidemic of milky-white sightlessness suddenly plagues the population of an unnamed city. The blindness in the film is an allegory for the selfishness, violence, and desperation that emerges when humans are left to their own devices. The increasing loss of each individual’s dignity as the society resorts to thievery, rape, betrayal, and murder gives insight into the dark side of human nature. Mark Ruffalo, Julianne Moore, and Gael García Bernal give admirable performances, but the only real artist in the film is Meirelles. He shoots scenes in his inimitable murky, gritty, yet visually intense style, and the way he uses soft colours, contrasting lighting, and editing techniques is ingenious. The only problem with Blindness is that it fails to surprise. After challenging the audience in its first half, the film forgoes metaphorical musings and becomes simplistic, consequently shedding the weight of a colossal philosophical concept—the only one to blame for that is Saramago. —Michael Olender

B+

Religulous

RELIGULOUS TEAMS POLITICALLY incorrect comedian Bill Maher with director Larry Charles, famed for producing and directing Borat, to produce a comedy about the irrationality of religion. Actually, Religulous is a mostly non-fiction comedy in the style of a documentary. The charismatic It’s a must-watch for and witty Maher targets anyone wanting another religion from all sides— perspective on religion he interviews Catholic priests, an anti-Zionist or simply a hearty laugh. Jew, and even the founder of a cannabis church in Amsterdam. Many of the interviews are obviously abridged and edited to emphasize the absurdity of religion and to set up quick punch lines. The comedy doesn’t just emerge from Maher’s ingenuity, but also from Charles’s directing. You know it’s a Larry Charles picture when absurd clips interrupt the interviews, just like a Family Guy flashback. It’s a must-watch for anyone wanting another perspective on religion or simply a hearty laugh. —Alessandro Nahon

images courtesy Universal Pictures, Alliance Films, Lions Gate, Columbia Pictures

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Next Information Sessions: October 16, 12-1 pm Carleton University 906 Dunton Tower

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Oct. 9, 2008

October 22, 5:30-7 pm Brookstreet Hotel 613-520-2807

Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist DON’T BE FOOLED into thinking that Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist is some director’s attempt at making a cooler, more hipster-oriented Juno. It isn’t. Instead, it’s a great hipster love story. Starring Michael Cera and Kat Dennings as Nick and Norah, Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist is the story of two people brought together by serendipity. They end up running through the late-night streets of New York searching for both Norah’s drunk, gum-chewing best friend Caroline, and the sensational underground band Fluffy. The film is a great update of the classic boy-meets-girl love-story, with an insane night and crazy supporting cast of characters providing great comic fodder. Coming through on the promise of the title, the film hosts an excellent and eclectic soundtrack. And because it’s a hipster movie, the soundtrack is filled with alternative rock bands rather than the rap and hip-hop playing in most teen–oriented movies. Except for the unfortunately cliché use of “You Sexy Thing” by Hot Chocolate, the soundtrack was perfect. Cera, the Canadian who finally gets a muchdeserved role as a leading man, plays the bass player of a queer-core (sexual identity-based punk) band, who is heartbroken and trying to get over his shallow bitch of an ex-girlfriend. Like his previous roles in Arrested Development

Aand Juno, Cera mixes sincerity and desperation with such ease that the viewer can’t help but have their heart ache every time he comes on screen. That—coupled with his brilliant deadpan delivery and his Andy Kaufman-like comic timing—makes him the quintessential awkward teen. Dennings does an excellent job playing Norah, the lonely daughter of a music-mogul, who finds comfort and acceptance with Cera. Unfortunately, a lack of emotional range for the character doesn’t give Dennings very much to work with. The scene-stealer in Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist has to be Ari Graynor, who plays Norah’s ever-elusive friend Caroline. After having one too many cocktails, she proceeds to run amok in late-night New York City, leaving a trail of destruction in her path. In addition to Nick and Norah’s entertaining journey across New York City, there’s a very touching, albeit incredibly awkward almost-sex scene; hilarious cameos; and side-splitting dialogue that makes the film a worthwhile romantic comedy. Forget the inevitable Juno comparisons. Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist is a movie of its own, and is one of the best teenage romantic comedies to date. —Hisham Kelati

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Going gonzo “I wouldn’t recommend sex, drugs or insanity for everyone, but they’ve always worked for me.” New book tells the twisted tale of Hunter S. Thompson through images and interviews by Hisham Kelati Fulcrum Staff GONZO: THE LIFE and Times of Hunter S. Thompson is the biography of a man who author Tom Wolfe called the greatest American writer of the 20th century. Hunter S. Thompson was an American journalist who created gonzo journalism, a style of writing wherein the reporters involve themselves in the story which they’re writing about. He is also famous for his contempt for authority, his legendary consumption of psychedelics, and his book-turned-movie, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Gonzo was commissioned by friend and onetime editor Jann Wenner, founder and current editor of Rolling Stone magazine. The biography is an oral history, consisting of stories and tales told by his friends, acquaintances, enemies, and passers-by. They try, to the best of their abilities, to explain the man and the legend that was Thompson. The biography gives a very detailed history of Thompson, from his birth and adolescence in Louisville, Kentucky to his suicide in February 2005. The biography starts with childhood friends recounting how Thompson managed to get himself thrown into juvenile detention as an accessory to robbery the night before his high school graduation, and how he subsequently chose enlistment in the military as a substitute for jail time. Gonzo is one of the better Thompson biographies because the story is told by people who were part of the action. The reader is placed directly into the story, through the eyes of the participants who partook in Thompson’s frivolity. This is a better way to approach Thompson’s work than other, more objective biographies, as the reader is treated to the stories and memories of the people who were actually there—a subjective approach that would have made Thompson himself proud. The book moves through his fledging writing career as a military reporter, until his rebellious streak ended up getting him a recommendation for an early honourable discharge. Thompson eventually moved on to a string of freelancing jobs in the Caribbean and South America, which would end up catalogued in his second

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novel, The Rum Diary, which wasn’t published until 1998. The stories in the book are very detailed and explanatory, giving insight into Thompson’s writings and the method behind his madness. Thompson’s ex-editor at Rolling Stone and the editor of Gonzo, Wenner, talks about the essays that ended up becoming Thompson’s legendary exploration of the American zeitgeist, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. There are a half-dozen anecdotes from fellow residents and supporters of Thompson in his bizarre bid to become sheriff of Aspen City on the Freak Power ticket, and even former senator George McGovern’s account of Thompson’s political report of the senator’s run for President, which became the book Fear and Loathing: On The Campaign Trail ’72. Gonzo is essentially a testament to how Thompson’s larger-than-life personality managed to affect everyone and anyone who was near him. Ralph Steadman, an artist and Thompson’s long-time best friend, tells the tale of their first job with one another, a story that Thompson chronicled in the now-infamous Scanlan’s Monthly article “The Kentucky Derby Is Decadent and Depraved”. Steadman recalls how Thompson managed to turn him, an otherwise straight-laced Englishman, into a raving lunatic thanks to the influence of booze and psychedelics. There are also stories from Jack Nicholson, upon whom Thompson played a horrific practical joke involving several shotguns and an elk heart; from Johnny Depp, who lived for a few months in Thompson’s basement while researching his role in the film version of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas; and from Ed Bastian, one of Thompson’s oldest friends. It’s amazing to hear that the insane stories Thompson told about his life were not always embellished, and that his lifestyle really did live up to the extreme standards set out in his writing. There are even stories of Thompson’s unseen tender side told by those very close to Thompson—his ex-wife, Sandy Thompson, his son, Juan Thompson, and his best friend, the aforementioned Steadman. He may have lived his life on the edge, but Thompson was still very much human. Gonzo is a fitting tribute to an author and journalist who defies definition. The stories aren’t always reliable, but they’re always entertaining—just the way Thompson would have liked it. In seeing Thompson through the eyes of the people around him, we get a fuller picture of a man who fundamentally changed journalism and the way stories are told. Be warned, Gonzo is one hell of a trip. Once you pick up this book, you won’t be able to stop—as Thompson would say, buy the ticket, take the ride.

I want you. I want you so bad.

[email protected]

Oct. 9, 2008

ARTS

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by Hilary Caton Fulcrum Staff

W

ITH THE CANADIAN CANA federal election Oct. 14, many people are in an indecis frenzy. Election season can become ov times, as party volunteers sp bearing at time political brochures pile up in t signs into lawns and polit election buzz and shameless pa mail. But with this electio promoting encompassing the country, why is it t taking notice? Whether you young Canadians aren’t ta with work, si are swamped at school, overwhelmed ov care, one thing is cle ply uninformed, or just don’t do the majority of Canadian youth are not voting.

Exercising your democratic right

As Canadians, voting is a part of our civic respon as citizens of a dem bility and our exclusive right r to a recent survey, t cratic nation, but according accord is drastically fad sense of duty and responsibility respon with today’s youth. voters under 24 actually cas “Less than 44% of vote and that number w ballot in the last federal election e probably go down, rather than up, on Oct. 14. This extremely troubling,” said Marc Chalifoux, execut director of the Dominion Institute, an institute d knowledge of Canadian histo voted to promoting know Results of the Dominion Institute poll, published the Ottawa Sun n on Oct. 1 1, indicated that the num of 18 to 24-year olds who wh said they would definit vote on Oct. 14 may drop by up to seven per cent. why the drop? la “I think it shows the lack of civic education in t high schools. Not all students s have taken tho courses and therefore are more focused on their sp Beh cialties,” said Michael Behiels, the university resea

Cast your vote Why many youth don’t participate in elections 14

FEATURE

Oct. 9, 2008

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chair in Canadian federalism and constitutional studies at the University of Ottawa (U of O). “They don’t develop a better understanding of their civic responsibilities, Canadian history and the Constitution. I think that problem has been there for far too long, and the provincial governments simply have not remedied that situation. As a result, everybody complains about the youth participation rate.”

says that votes, all the votes put together are going to make a huge difference.” What many youth seemingly fail to realize is that as adults, they are no longer sitting on the sidelines but play a dynamic role in the everyday lives of Canadians.

What can be changed Politics pushed aside “Young people are engaged in political activity, ti it but b t not in the traditional sense,” said Catherine Côte, a political science professor at the U of O. “They buy coffee that is fair trade, they recycle and buy environmentally friendly products. Their politics is more day– to–day and is now a different kind of political activism than the older generations.” More young Canadians are finding their own innovative ways to be politically active through podcasts or blogs, and are moving away from more traditional involvement like reading or watching the news. Youth are more interested in doing their part, whether through petitions or interest groups, by coming together with others who share their concerns. Ilona Dougherty, executive director of Apathy is Boring, a website designed to inform young voters, believes that the use of technology by youth is a great way to stay on top of election news. “[It’s] important to keep [the information] diverse and to use art and technology to get young people involved,” she said. Patrick Fafard, a U of O social science professor, believes that the political parties don’t do enough to cater to this new wave of political awareness. “We know youth are not likely to get their news from the newspaper or television anymore,” he said. “To raise the level of understanding in civic literacy or even change the way youth see politics, you have to reach out to [young people] where they are, which is increasingly online.” Youth today do what they want in their own unique way. This includes politics. They want to transform it into something appealing and fun while continuing to voice their concerns. “[Students] are less interested in traditional ways of being politically active, it doesn’t attract them in the ways that this new form of political activism does. This is a big shift,” states Côte. “The system itself will have to change and adapt to the way young people are seeing politics and their values; the new generation will help with that.” Even a single vote in an election counts, contrary to what many believe. Martine Robitaille, the Elections Canada youth coordinator for the U of O, has talked to many students about the elections and the importance of voting. “People don’t think it matters to vote and they don’t think that by voting they will make a difference,” she said. “That’s basically what I’ve been getting when I talk to students. ‘It doesn’t matter if I vote because it’s not going to make a difference.’ If everybody that

Even Canadian celebrities seem to have lacklustre enthusiasm when it comes to promoting the idea of voting. Compared to other countries like the United States, Canada’s celebrities are silent. Getting these celebrities or popular Canadian shows to endorse and emphasize the importance of Canadian elections could be a potential springboard for engaging youth voters in the upcoming election. Spencer Buchanan, a second-year linguistics student, believes this point is incredibly important. “Celebrities are extremely influential for young people especially; many aspire to be like them so they would probably listen to them if they talked about it,” he said. This influence is clearly visible in the United States where movie star Leonardo DiCaprio put together a public service announcement concerning registration for the upcoming U.S. election. The ad is made up of celebrities who volunteered their time because they have a strong interest in getting people to vote. Communication from peer to peer, or, in this case, youth to youth, is another effective way to get the politicians’ election messages across said Caitlin Crowley, a second–year communications student. “The government should bring back the student assembly, where students were voted into an assembly and were then used as teachers, to inform other youths about the political system in Canada. I think hearing this information from your peers helps. “The election isn’t really geared towards students. I don’t feel that they are doing enough,” Crowley continued. Fafard had a similar notion. “All political parties don’t do a good enough job of explaining how the policy preferences that they advocate are relevant or linked to the real lives of young people,” he said.

events. The Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO) hosted Wake Up and Vote on Sept. 26, combining wakeboarding with political awareness. Information tables for four federal political parties were set up so that students could get a general sense of what each party represented. “Not everyone wants to go to a debate,” said SFUO VP University Affairs Seamus Wolfe. “We’re trying to make the election more fun, trying to add fun to what some people may see as boring.” Fafard agreed with Wolfe. “All political parties need to experiment with new and different channels of communication and participation to increase civic literacy, knowledge, and understanding of the political process in youths,” he said.

Why it is important to vote With the election now only days away, politicians are in a frenzy to garner as many votes as possible. Those citizens who wait until the last day to decide who they’ll vote for can make a significant difference. “If young people don’t vote, then the issues that are relevant to them are being decided by people who are a lot older than they are. Basically, our grandparents are making decisions for us about education, about arts and social policies, about the environment, etc.,” said Dougherty. “It’s not our generation that has a say in that because we don’t decide who gets elected. The cool thing is that if young people did vote, we could sway the election. [There are] enough young people in Canada that we could decide who is prime minister, and that’s pretty amazing.” “If all of the students at [the] U of O voted, that could really change who in that riding gets elected,” said Dougherty. “It’s amazing to see the change that could happen if we did something rather than just assuming what we do have the power to do doesn’t make a difference. ”

Appealing to youth Media are putting in an effort to reach out to young voters. News sources such as the CBC are using various interactive media forms to get youth excited about voting and the election process. From offering youth-friendly news shows like The Hour with George Stromboupoulos to luring young adults online to read news briefs and download podcasts, the CBC is making an attempt to reach out to the 18–25 demographic. Local universities are also putting on student-run

Things you need to know to vote Where: Visit elections.ca and enter your postal code to determine your polling station. When: Oct. 14 - 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. How: Option 1 - Provide one original piece of identification issued by a government or

government agency containing your photo, name and address (e.g. driver’s licence). Option 2 - Provide two original pieces of identification authorized by the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada. Both pieces must contain your name, and one must also contain your address (e.g. health card and hydro bill). Option 3 - Swear an oath and be vouched for by an elector who is on the list of electors in the same polling division and who has an acceptable piece or pieces of identification (e.g. a neighbour, your roommate).

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Oct. 9, 2008

FEATURE

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You’ll never eat brunch in this town again

Arts funding, galas, and Stephen Harper’s television habits

Peter Henderson Arts & Culture Editor STEPHEN HARPER DOESN’T know what he’s talking about, at least when it comes to the Canadian arts scene. The man who would be a majority prime minister has a uninformed view of Canadian culture, one he expounded upon at a campaign stop in Saskatchewan on Sept. 23 after he was asked about his government’s cuts to arts funding. “You know, I think when ordinary, working people come home, turn on the TV and see … a bunch of people at a rich gala all subsidized by the taxpayers, claiming their subsidies aren’t high enough when they know the subsidies have actually gone up, I’m not sure that’s something that resonates with ordinary people,” he said. Now, I’m not exactly sure how a career politi-

cian like Harper knows what ordinary people think, or what television channel he’s watching, but I can say with certainty that he’s dead wrong about arts funding. Recently, $45 million was cut from the Department of Canadian Heritage, affecting all manner of artistic performances. Harper is a trained economist, so there’s no excuse for his thinking that $45 million in cuts is an increase. Of course, there’s also the gala issue. Just what the hell is Harper watching? I haven’t seen a gala on television in, well, ever. Maybe he flipped on the privately funded Junos one night and got confused—I’ve heard Ben Mulroney’s chin acts like a hypnotist’s watch for some right-wingers. I’ve been involved in the arts for many years, and after seeing the absolutely pitiful funding for things that are hugely deserving and valuable to the community—including local music venues and art galleries—I’m mystified by Harper’s comments. He’s either completely out of touch, or he hasn’t seen anything remotely artistic in

Canada in years. In fact, it may well be both. During a sadly deleted interview I conducted last week, I asked Canadian actor Paul Gross what he thought about Harper’s comments. He said the he hoped for the best—that Harper didn’t really believe what he said, that it was an off-the-cuff remark that didn’t correctly reflect the nuances of his position on the issue. I hope he’s right, because it’s scary to think that the leader of our country has a dim view of that which defines us. Canada is nothing without its unique culture. Our system of government, language, and even our food are inherited from our colonial forebears, Britain and France, and we have only a small amount of our own history from which to draw. Though some claim hockey is our most important national attribute, that couldn’t be further from the truth. It is our movies, music, and literature that make us who we are, and it’s hard to imagine a Canada without Fubar, the Tragically Hip, Cirque du Soleil, or Margaret Atwood. Our arts

America has most of the NHL, but Trailer Park Boys couldn’t happen anywhere but here.

and culture make us Canadian, not our sports. America has most of the NHL, but Trailer Park Boys couldn’t happen anywhere but here. The funny thing is that most artists are regular people. They do what they do because they love it, not because of the money or the galas. In fact, the large majority of artists have day jobs and mortgages. These artists have more in common with ordinary people than Harper, the Master’seducated oilman, does. These people enrich our cultural experience, sacrificing time and untold amounts of money to make Canada a more artistically vibrant place. Not only that, but their art creates jobs, whether it be in the film industry, through demand for materials, or even just hiring people to work at local galleries and theatres. These people are developing and expanding both our cultural experience and our economy—it’s amazing that Harper doesn’t believe we should give them the support they need. So, Steve, I’ll talk straight. You keep funding the very essence of what makes us Canadian, and I’ll quit devoting column inches to your screw-ups. Canadians need the arts, and we’re prepared to fight for them. [email protected] 613-562-5931

Debate night in Ottawa

Supporters of all political stripes rallied outside the National Arts Centre on Oct. 2 before the federal leaders’ debates in Ottawa. photos by Carl Meyer

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Sports

David McClelland Sports Editor [email protected] Oct. 9–15, 2008

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Gee-Gees anything but golden

photo illustration by Jack Wang

Gee-Gees running back Felix Desjardins-Potvin breaks away from the Laurier defence.

Win eludes men’s football team against Laurier Golden Hawks by Daniel Harris Fulcrum Contributor A YEAR AGO at this point in the season, the Gee-Gees men’s football team was riding high. The squad had just squeaked out a sixth straight victory and was looking to clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. This year, after a 22-21 loss to the Laurier Golden Hawks on Oct. 4, the Gees find themselves with a 3-3 record with only two games remaining. The game against the Golden Hawks was a defensive battle through and through. Though Ottawa conceded a safety in the first quarter, few points were registered until the second quarter of the game rolled around. After four straight punts and a string of poorly executed plays, running back Felix Desjardins-Potvin made a 52-yard run to set up the Gee-Gees on Laurier’s 21-yard line early in the second quarter. Two plays later, quarterback Josh Sacobie connected with receiver Gharone Mclean on a 15-yard touchdown pass, making the score 7-2. On the following drive, Gee-Gees linebacker Joe Barnes picked off a pass from Hawks quarterback Luke Thompson. Barnes was able to return the ball 46 yards. The play was capped off by a facemask penalty that placed the ball three yards from the end zone. It didn’t take much for Sacobie to hit Justin Wood-Roy for a touchdown on the following play. Just when it looked like the quarter

would end without any Laurier scoring, the Hawks mounted a late attack capped by a 26-yard touchdown pass to receiver Josh Bishop. The touchdown shifted the momentum in Laurier’s favour, despite the 14-9 score in favour of Ottawa at the half. Even so, the Gees came out strong after halftime, and kicker Luigi de Lellis scored a quick field goal, extending the Ottawa lead to 17-9. With their

next possession, Laurier looked as though they were pinned deep in their own end. However, on a broken play, Thompson scrambled towards the sideline and moments before being hit threw to a wide open Troy Leach, who sprinted to the end zone for a 75-yard touchdown. Laurier then tied the game 17-17 after Ottawa conceded a single point on the subsequent kick-off. From there Sacobie struggled, and

ended the game with just 16 completions on 33 attempts. Sacobie’s struggles almost certainly came from the fact that the team is heavily injured. The Gee-Gees have 12 players out, including fifth-year AllCanadian receiver Ivan Birungi and five other receivers. “They adjusted to what we were doing well,” said Sacobie. “They didn’t have to apply pressure because their

photo by Alex Smyth

Quarterback Josh Sacobie looks on as running back Davie Mason (34) tries to punch through the Laurier defence.

secondary was covering so well.” The Laurier defence then forced the Gee-Gees to concede a second safety, giving the Golden Hawks a 19-17 lead, and an advantage they would not relinquish. The Hawks scored a field goal but gave up two safeties in the final quarter. However, the Gee-Gees were never really within reasonable striking distance. Despite a last-minute field-goal attempt from 45-yards out that could have won the game for Ottawa, the Hawks controlled the action, as their defence refused to let the Gees get close to the end zone. “I wouldn’t feel any better if we had made that field goal and won the game,” said Gee-Gees head coach Denis Piché. “At the end of the day, we’ve lost three games by a total of seven points. This has been a day-today soap opera.” Piché knew exactly what happened to his team. “[Laurier] blew all the gaps to stop us from [scoring] and said ‘you’re going to have to beat us with your high school receivers.’ ” “We’re so close to being [a] championship team, but when you’ve got a lot of your superstars watching the game hurt, it’s tough to succeed,” added wide receiver Justin Wood-Roy. “We y have to refocus and try to get our guys healthy.” The Gee-Gees have only two regular season games remaining, including their next against the Queen’s Golden Gaels on Oct. 11. The loss leaves the Gee-Gees even at 3-3 and in a four-way tie for fourth in the Ontario University Athletics conference.

Autumn’s natural fireworks The fall weather is perfect for exploring all the outdoors Ottawa has to offer by Anna Rocoski Fulcrum Staff

photo by Martha Pearce

Going for a run on the Rideau Canal is just one of the many fall activities in Ottawa.

LEAVES ARE CHANGING colours and the summer weather is quickly vanishing—it is officially fall. It won’t be long until going outdoors may seem nearly impossible thanks to snowbanks encroaching on the sidewalks, so take advantage of the fine weather while you still can. Making the most of the fall weather can be as simple as taking one step outside your house, seeing that the brightly coloured leaves are falling to the ground, and raking up a mountain of leaves just for the sake of jumping in them. Running may not be for everyone, but it can be great in the fall just to see all the multicoloured trees (plus the cool weather makes it seem like less of a chore). There’s nothing like running along a path with large oak trees peppered with radiant leaves. The reds, oranges, and yellows of the trees will

often inspire you to embark on an adventure much longer than initially planned. There are scores of trails located around downtown Ottawa on which anyone can hike, run, and cycle, such as those along the Rideau River, or along the Ottawa and Gatineau Rivers in Quebec. Additionally, a number of great parks in the area can accomodate a range of activities such as football, soccer, and Frisbee. Mooney’s Bay, located near Riverside Drive and Brookfield Road, is a fall gem known for trails used for hiking, running, and biking (eventually cross-country skiing in the winter), and there’s no shortage of parkland. Nearby Hog’s Back Falls, found just to the north, where water cascades down the Rideau River, is one of Ottawa’s most spectacular natural sights. The area can be reached by taking OC Transpo bus 87 South Keys from Campus station. For the average student, there are parks closer to campus begging to be used. Tabaret Lawn is great if you don’t want to leave campus, but Strathcona Park along Range Road in Sandy Hill is fantastic if you want to enjoy a larger, quieter green space.

Playing sports on Parliament Hill is another experience that no one should miss while studying in Ottawa. Many countries won’t even let you get that close to their national parliament without passing through security, so don’t miss your chance to play a uniquely Canadian game of touch football. Don’t forget that the Rideau Canal is not just a place to strap on a pair of skates and practice your triple axels— along its length is a spectacular place to enjoy the outdoor fall weather. The Canal is right next to campus and well-maintained paths stretch up and around Parliament and down to Carleton University. If getting away from those textbooks is near impossible, bring your work with you. There are benches everywhere in Ottawa, which gives you a change of setting and allows you to get your work done while enjoying fall first hand. Even reading a book for pleasure is an excellent way to enjoy the outdoors. Fall is a great time to explore Ottawa, especially if you are new to the city. The trees turn gorgeous, vibrant shades of red and gold, so don’t hesitate to grab some friends and go out and enjoy all that fall in Ottawa has to offer.

The ultimate athletic experience by Inari Vaissi Nagy Fulcrum Staff OF THE MANY competitive club sports that exist at the fringes of the University of Ottawa’s sports programming, the ultimate Frisbee club, consisting of both men’s and women’s squads, may be one of the most humble. But be careful not to confuse humility with lack of intensity. Having attained club status at the university only four years ago, the hybrid of soccer, football, and Frisbee is still in its infancy at the U of O. Since its inception, the women’s side has achieved considerable success, even bringing home the Canadian University Ultimate Championships (CUUC) gold in 2006. But if “ultimate Frisbee” conjures up images of granola-munching hippies tossing a Frisbee around in the sunshine, think again. According to Philippe Boisvert, a third-year cutter (a player who runs downfield to catch passes from the disc handlers) for the men’s side, ultimate is “a complete sport—you have to jump, you have to run, you have to dive, and you have to throw”. The hippie reputation may come into play as a result of the sport’s grassroots organization as well as the “Spirit of the Game” policy that governs international ultimate competition. This principle aims to reinforce mutual respect and preserve ultimate as a game without referees, with

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players calling fouls on the opposing team and “observers” who help settle disputes if a call is contested. This policy is unique in the sporting world and, although teams occasionally run into problems with opponents attempting to abuse the self-refereeing rule, it creates a distinct atmosphere without diminishing the sport’s competitiveness.

“[It’s] a complete sport—you have to jump, you have to run, you have to dive, and you have to throw”

Philippe Boisvert, Cutter

“It’s a highlight-reel sport [with] big blocks,” said Boisvert. “Like in basketball when there’s a big block, this happens routinely in ultimate.” The CUUC, held annually in October, is one of two major fall tournaments for the brief ultimate season at the university level. Along

Oct. 9, 2008

with September’s Canadian Eastern University Ultimate Championships (CEUUC), the Gee-Gees have attended the CUUC most years since their inception, although funding issues held them back from the national championship in Edmonton this past weekend. As a competitive club, the ultimate teams receive support from Sports Services, including a cash sum and time (three practices a week) on the Sports Complex field. Hunkering down for a winter of gym practices, the men’s and women’s teams reconvene in the spring for up to three tournaments stateside, including the Ultimate Players Association (UPA) College Championships. The U of O’s women’s squad opened another strong season with their first-place finish in the 2008 CEUUC event in Montreal Sept. 27–28, upsetting the McGill Martlets—a team with varsity status—in the finals. Unfortunately, since competition is almost exclusively limited to out-of-town tournaments, there are few home games for Gee-Gees fans to attend. For now, ultimate continues to grow at the U of O, a grassroots sport with sky-high ambitions. Students interested in ultimate Frisbee at U of O can contact [email protected] or [email protected] for more information.

photo by Martha Pearce

Ultimate is an intensely physical sport, even though many people are totally unaware of what is involved.

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Gees fly past Ravens to begin season Women’s hockey easily handles Carleton in season opener by Megan O’Meara Fulcrum Staff ON OCT. 4, the University of Ottawa’s women’s hockey team hosted their season opener against the Carleton Ravens. As with any varsity team, fans and players were likely curious how the team would perform in the upcoming season. The Gees put any serious doubts to rest with a resounding 3-1 win over the Ravens. Ashley Burrill knocked home the first goal of the game at the 17:08 mark in the first period, and was aided by rookie forward Alicia Blomburg. Blomburg netted a goal of her own 42 seconds later. In the second period, Kristen MacDonald found the net for the Ravens but Blomburg notched another mark in the third period, adding to the Gee-Gees’ lead and sealing the team’s 3-1 victory. “I’ve never felt more welcome and more comfortable on a team than this team right here,” said Blomburg, a native of Timmins, Ont., after the game, her first at the Canadian In-

teruniversity Sport (CIS) level. “The veterans … came with open arms and were really good to the rookies.” The 2008 edition of the team consists of eight rookies and 16 returning players, creating a diverse group—especially in terms of age. “We’ve got a nice mixture of youth and veterans,” said Gee-Gees head coach Shelley Coolidge, who used veteran goalie Jessika Audet as an example. “The girls refer to [Audet] as ‘grandma’—she’s 32 and our youngest player is 17.” Audet contributed greatly to the victory, making several incredible saves, and stopping 21 shots throughout the first game of her fifth and final season with the Gee-Gees. Joyce Spruyt also had an impressive game, forcing a number of turnovers for the Gee-Gees. Fannie Desforges was also notable for her her solid defensive play. Although she thought her team played well overall, Coolidge mentioned that there were still things to improve on as the season goes on. “[It’s the] beginning of the season, we’ve got lots of room to grow,” she said. “They have to pass pucks harder and quicker, which will come with commitment to practice.” Coolidge was optimistic about the upcoming season, as she had much more positive feedback than than

photo by Martha Pearce

The Ravens found themselves under attack for much of the game, with three Ottawa shots finding the back of the net. negative feedback for her players. “This team is a way better puck flipping team than we’ve had in the past, so we’re pretty excited about where this is going to go,” said Coolidge. Though the Ottawa women’s

hockey team is successful more often than not in beating their Raven rivals sporting a 19-4 regular season record over the past five seasons, the win was still a promising sign for the Gee-Gees. Ottawa was also ranked 10th in the CIS pre-season

national rankings. The Gee-Gees will enjoy a two-week break, resuming play when they host the Concordia Stingers on Oct. 18 at 2 p.m. at the Sports Complex. Tickets are $4 for students.

Ravens spoil men’s opener by Maria Habanikova Fulcrum Contributor ON OCT. 4, the University of Ottawa men’s hockey team faced off against their cross-town rivals, the Carleton Ravens, in an energetic season opener in a packed Sports Complex arena. Carleton scored a decisive 5-2 victory. The first period opened with swift action, as play swung between both ends of the ice. Despite several great chances for both teams within the first 20 minutes of the game, it was not until the beginning of the second period that either team found their way onto the scoreboard. The Gee-Gees were able to capitalize on a power-play four minutes into the period, when left-winger Sean Smyth pushed the puck past Ravens netminder Alexander Archibald. After that, both teams caught their second wind and scoring picked up. However, the Gee-Gees were unable to score another goal during a five-on-three power play later in the second, which included a four-minute double minor to Ravens defender

Kyle Stanley. The Ravens took advantage of the Gee-Gees’ disorganization after the power play, and back at full strength with 8:41 left in the second, Ravens forward Andrew Gibbons slipped the puck into the Ottawa net, tying the game 1-1. The second Ravens goal came just under two minutes later, when forward Francis Walker scored on a penalty shot that came as something of a surprise to both the Gee-Gees and the audience, awarded after Mathieu Desjardins gloved the puck inside the the Ottawa crease. “The first goal they scored was an offside and there [should have been] no penalty shot in my opinion,” said Gee-Gees head coach Dave Léger following the game. The Gee-Gees recovered from the penalty shot and defender Winston Sharrif knocked a goal into the Ravens net with 5:32 left in the second. The third period was not as succesful for the Gee-Gees, as Michael Testa scored early to return the lead to Carleton. None of the eight Ottawa shots in the period got by Archibald, and the Ravens capped off the game

with two empty-net markers in the dying minutes of the period. “[The game had] great play not reflective of its outcome,” said Léger after the game. “I was pleased with how the guys played. This was the first game [with] a completely different team in terms of discipline and they managed it well.” Léger added that his team had good chemistry on the power play, an encouraging sign for the team’s future. “Overall, it was a very good and balanced game in which we fought [until] the very end and could have easily won had we a little bit more luck around the Ravens’ net,” said Gee-Gees left-winger Jakub Bundil, who appreciated the fan support. “I wish the benches were always as full and the audience as cheerful as tonight. Playing in such a supportive environment was great and I hope to see it more often.” The Gee-Gees will next play on Oct. 11, when they will host the McGill Redmen at the Sports Complex. Tickets are $4 for students.

Shots on goal photo by Hilary Caton

Defender Winston Sharrif (right), who scored a goal for Ottawa, chases down a loose puck.

www.thefulcrum.ca

Period

1

2

3

Total

Ottawa

10

11

8

29

Carleton

12

16

14

42

Oct. 9, 2008

SPORTS

19

Only two tries needed to down Gees

THE UNIVERSITY OF Ottawa’s women’s rugby team is now in a mustwin situation if they want to qualify for the Quebec Student Sports Federation (QSSF) playoffs. The team visited the McGill Martlets on Oct. 5, and lost 10-0. The loss marked the Gees’ eighth straight defeat at the hands of the Martlets since 2004. The Gee-Gees did not go down without a fight, holding McGill to just one try in each half, scored by Ciara Briscoe and Amanda Mongeon. McGill was unable to make the conversion on either try. Ottawa head coach Suzanne Chaulk was happy with her team’s play. “Our defence kept us in the game— the girls were well organized and fired up,” said Chaulk. “They spent the en-

tire game in the faces of the McGill players, causing a ton of errors and creating plenty of turnovers.” The loss leaves the Gee-Gees in fifth place in the QSSF, with a 1-4-0 record. Ottawa will need to win their next game on Oct. 13, when they visit the fourth-place Sherbrooke Vert et Or for their final regular season game of 2008, if they hope to make the playoffs, which will begin on Oct. 18. —David McClelland and Andrew Hawley Women’s softball on a roll

THE GEE-GEES WOMEN’S softball team is having another strong season, capturing three wins and a loss during their trip to southwestern Ontario on Oct. 4–5. On Oct. 4, the team played a doubleheader against the last-place Waterloo Warriors. Waterloo put up

little effort against the Gee-Gees, and was easily shut out in both games by scores of 7-0 and 14-0. The next day, the Gee-Gees headed across town to face off against the first-place Laurier Golden Hawks. The Hawks didn’t roll over quite as easily as the Warriors, but the Gees were able to split the series, losing the first game 11-5, and winning the second 5-4. The weekend leaves Ottawa with a 12-4 record on the season, good for third place in the Ontario Intercollegiate Women’s Fastpitch Association, behind Laurier and the Western Mustangs. —David McClelland Rowing team crashes along Trent River THE UNIVERSITY OF Ottawa’s rowing team captured a silver medal at

the Head of the Trent regatta in Peterborough on Oct. 4, but was also involved in more than their fair share of collisions. The silver medal was awarded to the heavyweight women’s double boat, which finished the course in 15:19.23, less than two seconds behind the firstplace boat from the University of Toronto’s Mississauga campus. Meanwhile, three Ottawa boats were involved in crashes during the race. The heavyweight women’s eight, heavyweight men’s eight, and one of the two novice women’s eight boats all had collisions during their races, which cost them in the final results. While the U of O team escaped with no injuries and no damaged boats, the McGill team was not so lucky, as their heavyweight women’s eight boat developed a hole in the bow after colliding with the U of O boat. —David McClelland

A federal general election is taking place on October 14, 2008.

For information on where and when to vote, check your voter information card. It tells you where and when to vote. You’ll get through the voting process more quickly if you have it with you.

You will find the voting hours for your polling station on your voter information card or at www.elections.ca by clicking on “Voter Information Service”.

New identification rules to vote

If you haven’t received this card, you are probably not on the voters list. To register, all you need to do is go to your polling station on election day, where you must prove your identity and address.

For the list of acceptable pieces of identification authorized by the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, please see the pamphlet you received by mail from Elections Canada or visit www.elections.ca and click on “Voter Identification at the Polls”.

www.thefulcrum.ca

Around the horn

When you vote, you must prove your identity and address.

To vote, you must: • be a Canadian citizen • be at least 18 years old on election day • prove your identity and address

Vote. Shape your world. www.elections.ca

1-800-INFO-VOTE 1-800-463-6868 toll-free in Canada and the United States, or 001-800-514-6868 toll-free in Mexico

20

SPORTS

Oct. 9, 2008

TTY 1-800-361-8935 for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, toll-free in Canada and the United States, or 613-991-2082 from anywhere in the world

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Gees leap into first place photo by Matt Johnny

The Gee-Gees celebrate after Courtney Luscombe (centre on left) scored a breakaway goal against Queen’s.

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Pair of wins against Kingston teams extends women’s soccer winning streak to five games by David McClelland Fulcrum Staff THE UNIVERSITY OF Ottawa’s women’s soccer team attempted to takeover first place over the weekend of Oct. 4–5 as they downed the Queen’s Golden Gaels 1-0 and the Royal Military College (RMC) Paladins 6-0. Ottawa hosted Queen’s on the afternoon of Oct. 4. The two sides engaged in a pitched defensive battle with the teams’ midfields controlling much of the play. The Gee-Gees attempted to use long balls to cut through the Queen’s midfield, and although they were able to generate a few shots, there were few truly dangerous strikes. Meanwhile, the GeeGees defence was able to contain the Gaels’ attacks, as the ball rarely came

near the Ottawa net. It looked as though the game might remain scoreless up until the 62nd minute, when veteran Ottawa striker Courtney Luscombe intercepted the ball off a Queen’s corner kick, raced away from several Gaels defenders and overtook another before slamming the ball past Queen’s goalkeeper Kate McKenna. “I just need to learn not to think about it,” said Luscombe following the game. “I [play to] my strengths, keep it on my right foot, and I shot at the far post and it went where I wanted it to.” Despite the victory, Gee-Gees head coach Steve Johnson was disappointed with his team’s play. “Our team still has tons of work to do. We faced a team of higher calibre today, and we looked bad in the first half,” Johnson said. “I think at no time in the game did we put together enough passes to show that we were confident.” “I think we started off the first half a little rough,” agreed Luscombe. “We kind of made the other team look better than they were. We kept passing them the ball, and giving them our mistakes.”

The next day, the Gee-Gees were able to correct some of their mistakes against Queen’s as they dominated the RMC Paladins in a 6-0 romp during a visit to Kingston. The Gee-Gees wasted little time getting on the scoreboard, as midfielder Catherine Scott scored the opening goal in the 20th minute. Scott added a second goal near the end of the half, while Luscombe and midfielder Renee Jacques also added to the tally in the first half. RMC, who played part of the game shorthanded after midfielder Samantha Laplante received a red card, were unable to stem the tide in the second half as Ottawa kept on scoring. Midfielder Élise Dejardins and defender Nikki Moreau both scored in the second half to round off the victory for the Gee-Gees. The pair of wins puts Ottawa in sole possession of first place in the Ontario University Athletics East division, although the second-place Toronto Varsity Blues have two games in hand. The Gee-Gees play next on Oct. 10 when they visit the Ryerson Rams in Toronto.

Dear reader, Would you like to be a part of this wonderful thing called a newspaper? Then come to our staff meetings, Thursdays at 1 p.m. See you soon, The Fulcrum

*Must be 18 years of age or older with a valid student ID. Platinum and platinum plus clubs excluded. Membership expires 8 months from date of purchase. Offer ends October 15th, 2008. Other restrictions may apply, see club for details.

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Oct. 9, 2008

SPORTS

21

Scoreboard Team

Record

Standing

Last game

Next game

Football

3-3

4th in OUA (tie)

22-21 loss vs. Laurier

Oct. 11 at Queen’s

Women’s hockey

1-0-0

1st in QSSF (two teams not yet ranked)

3-1 win vs. Carleton

Oct. 18 vs. Concordia. 2 p.m. at the Sports Complex

Men’s hockey

0-2-0

3rd in OUA Far East (two teams not yet ranked)

6-2 loss vs. UQTR

Oct. 11 vs. McGill. 7 p.m. at the Sports Complex

Women’s rugby

1-4-0

5th in QSSF

10-0 loss vs. McGill

Oct. 13 at Sherbrooke

Women’s soccer

8-2-1

2nd in OUA East

6-0 win vs. RMC

Oct. 11 at Ryerson

The basketball season is almost here. Want to write about it? E-mail [email protected]

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22

SPORTS

Oct. 9, 2008

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Sarah Leavitt Features Editor [email protected]

Comics Blah

Oct. 9–15, 2008 by S2L2

23 by Daniel Kaell

Itch

by Alex Martin

Lego World

by Ian Binikaj

Your comic here. E-mail [email protected] with your multipanel critiques of society and relationships. Think Things

Last-Ditch Effort

by Jocelyn Robitaille

by John Kroes

sudoku answers from p. 26

The Fulcrum wants your comic creations. E-mail [email protected] to get the ball rolling.

Opinion

Michael Olender Executive Editor [email protected] Oct. 9–15, 2008

Death of a patriot

24

The Tom Brady story by Hisham Kelati Fulcrum Staff LONG HAVE I watched Tom Brady walk onto the field, and hoped that some gigantic dead bird would fall from the sky and knock him out, since no defenceman in the league seems capable of accomplishing such a feat. You can imagine how I felt on Sept. 7—the New England Patriots’ first game of the 2008–09 National Football League (NFL) season—when Kansas City Chiefs safety Bernard Pollard took Brady down with a hit that caused Brady to leave the game with a busted left knee. The next day, it came to light that the quarterback had torn his anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament. Brady was put on the injured reserve list and is classified as out for the rest of the season! It’s not that I dislike Tom Brady—it’s just that I hate everything about him. There’s something about the way that he carries himself that angers me more than watching Criss Angel Mindfreak. And now, finally, Brady will be nothing more than a vague memory. The first blow to Brady’s credibility was the removal of his masculinity. The moment he managed to pick up model Gisele Bündchen, the most famous live-action Barbie doll on the market today, must have been a good day for Brady. Until she began to suck away his manly essence. By early 2007 he had left Boston and moved into Bündchen’s place in New York City. What kind of patriot does that? True patriots live in the heart of Boston, where their team is. Brady has been continually caught on camera, a thick glaze over his eyes, four steps behind Bündchen, carrying her shopping bags. Those photos showed that he wasn’t a man but a butler zombie on a leash. The next strike was the New England Patriots’ 2007–08 NFL season. Brady, in all his wildest dreams, never thought he’d be able to recreate the 1972 Miami Dolphins’ glorious perfect season and Super Bowl win so early in his career. But Brady came incredibly close when he took the Patriots to a 16-0 streak and straight to a possible upset in the epic Super Bowl XLII showdown. Brady was up against the wildcard New York Giants, led by the lesser Manning brother Eli, whose sloped brow and hunched gait turned out to be nothing more than camouflage. What followed was the most savage and fantastical thrashing that Brady had ever taken during his time as the

illustration by Devin A. Beauregard

Favourite Son. Brady got sacked five times and the Giants took the game in a fourth-quarter upset, winning 17-14. This was the lowest point in Brady’s career. Or so he thought. It was that fateful Sept. 7 game, when Brady was taken off the field and onto the injury reserve list, that he finally fell off of his pedestal and hit the ground hard. As Brady was taken off the field, the entire New England Patriots’ fanbase hung their heads in communal sorrow. Their favourite son had been taken out in a savage, terrorizing attack, and a patriot amongst men had fallen. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was going to need to bring in another leader to save their team. Patriots fans are a fickle bunch and they would not settle for anything other than the best to lead their team. Belichick needed an Atlas of a man, whose shoulders were broad

and strong enough to carry the nowdashed and tattered hopes of the New England football institution. This person would need to fill some mighty big shoes, and there was only one man for the job—Matt Cassel.

It’s not that I dislike Tom Brady—it’s just that I hate everything about him. Cassel took the field, and the stadium erupted into applause and cheers, as their new QB picked the football from where Brady had dropped it, and took the team to a 17-10 win against the Chiefs. Brady wasn’t even halfway to the locker room before the fans were chanting “Ca-ssel! Ca-ssel!” at the top of their lungs! The look of defeat on Brady’s face was magnificent! What a spectacular

thing to have seen! The king is dead, so long live the new king! The wonderful thing about Cassel is the lack of career highlights and awards he has to his name. He was signed as the third-string quarterback for the Patriots during the 2005 NFL Draft. Usually, the only times Cassel plays are in the final quarter with the Patriots holding a substantial lead; Belichick substitutes him in just to give him some experience. Cassel hadn’t started a football game at QB since high school. The Patriots are literally playing with an untested, albeit talented, novice. And this is a wonderful thing because, with any luck, Cassel’s appointment is going to drive the glitzy NFL in another direction. The NFL has been giving more care and concern to its more popular and bankable star-athletes, and less to the actual team and franchises themselves. It wasn’t “The New England Patriots”;

it was “Tom Brady and the Pats”. When the NFL realized that they could make more money by exploiting certain aspects of football (read: young and attractive players), the shift went from team to money-makers. But with Brady gone and Cassel at the helm of one of the more spectacular teams playing today, hopefully another shift will occur, with the focus moving back onto the actual team and how they play, rather than the actions of one single man. There is no ‘I’ in team, but there is a ‘team’ in team. So, while Brady’s sitting dazed and confused on the sidelines for the rest of the season watching his team go on without him, Cassel will hopefully lead a new shift for the Patriots and the game, revolutionizing the U.S. pastime from flashiness and decadence back to its roots of teamwork, discipline, and good old-fashioned American aggression.

HECKLES by Katie DeClerq Fulcrum Contributor HAVE YOU HEARD? Angelina Jolie has adopted another child, Jennifer Aniston has broken up with yet another boyfriend, and more scandalous photographs of Miley Cyrus have been discovered on the Internet. Well... what’s the big deal? Every day, millions of people purchase weekly copies of Star and People to see pictures of celebrities’ newborn babies, search the web on the everpopular perezhilton.com for slip-ups, or flip their televisions to TMZ to watch with shock as the next ‘in’ celebrity confesses their childhood difficulties. Now you can even get news transferred directly to your cell phone so you don’t have to go through the suspense of waiting until next week’s issue to discover that Clay Aiken is gay. It has become the norm for society to follow tabloids religiously, anxiously awaiting the answers to worldly

Cancelling subscriptions to our favourite bedtime story

The tabloids cover celebrity ‘news’ questions such as: what is Brad Pitt’s favourite colour? My question is fairly but do people actually consider what these people do to deserve all simple: who actually cares? My aunt just had a baby, yet it isn’t this stardom? They basically prein the morning papers. Last year, tend to be other people for a living, my high school headed a fundraiser and are filmed on camera! Don’t get that raised nearly $900 for children me wrong, I have nothing against actors—I enjoy a with malaria, but no one from the press There is a difference good movie like the rest of us—but showed up for an between dignified is a difference interview. Yet when acting and flaunting there between dignified people like Oprah yourself for the acting and flaunting Winfrey or Angelina yourself for the paJolie donate money paparazzi. to charity or adopt a parazzi. People like child, they are suddenly classified as Paris Hilton or Brooke Hogan, who saints and appear on the front page I would like to point out don’t acof the tabloids. Well, I hate to break it tually do anything, besides walking to you, but they have so much money around in shopping malls wearing they can afford to give it away! That short-shorts and revealing tops, giv$900 my school worked so hard to ing strangers a big kiss on the cheek make was probably the equivalent to while waving to the many cameras $100,000 of a celebrity fortune. Plus, through the windows. These are have you ever noticed that a donation the people who get all the attenusually comes after a bad publicity tion while humanitarians, clinical day? doctors, teachers, and even journal-

ists get squat. How is it that regular people get shafted while girls in short dresses and high heels, with drug addictions and alcohol problems (sorry Lindsay), not to mention shirtless guys parading on the beach, get it all?! Yes Justin Timberlake and Matthew McConaughey, we all know you look good! Let me explain the tabloid circle of life. Tabloids pay celebrities for interviews. Each time you purchase a tabloid you supply the tabloids with money to pay the celebrity. The celebrity’s fortune therefore continues to grow while our pockets become lighter and lighter. According to the magazine Advertising Age, as of 2006 (the last year figures were available), People had a circulation of approximately 3.75 million copies in the United States. This extremely large number doesn’t even include the number of copies sold individually, or those sold here in Canada. Many students are on a tight budget, yet we

are continually attracted to spending money on the rich and famous. The life of a university student is filled with enough drama to satisfy any curiosity and voyeurism with politics, classes, relationships, and friendships. Seriously people, you are better off saving your money and writing in a journal or on your blog every night about things that actually matter in your own life. You may even find it a lot more interesting than you believed. If anything, you’ll find you have enough money to go g grocery shopping for once.

In debt… ed to these simple tips What to know before stepping into a casino by Mark Naser Fulcrum Contributor

photo by Lihang Nong

www.thefulcrum.ca

YOU’VE JUST LOST the money that you were planning on putting towards Christmas gifts for your family and friends, and it all came as a result of your decision to head to the casino on an otherwise quiet Sunday afternoon. The worst part is, you can’t blame the labyrinthine interior, the lack of clocks, or the symphony of sounds and lights. You can only blame yourself. This is precisely why gambling is so dangerous—it’s fun and addictive. It’s a simple notion: Casinos make money, and it takes a very responsible gambler to walk away unscathed. So how can you take a giant step towards the realm of responsibility? Losing at a casino means you’re likely to play more to try to get that money back. At all costs, avoid the temptation. Walk in with a set limit of how much you can afford to lose, and if you reach this threshold, walk away. Repeat the number in your head until the point where you feel extreme shame if you spend a penny more. Part of the reason why gambling is so dangerous is because of that desire to win. There’s the feeling

that the night will have been pointless if you walk away with $50 less. “So why not play a few more rounds of roulette?” you might think. No one wants to tell their friends that they lost money at the casino! Take the time to conduct a simple calculation in your head. Between feeling a bit of embarrassment and not being able to pay your rent, the former is by far the lesser evil. Pacing, too, is critical. Sitting down at blackjack tables, especially at peak times when the $5 minimum bet tables jump to $10, can often mean the money you brought

Like a date with a supermodel, don’t walk in with expectations of success. Expect to lose. will disappear in minutes. Try starting with the more time-consuming games, like keno or roulette. Figure out when the bus heads back to your house to avoid the temptation of playing a few more rounds while you’re waiting for your friends to finish up. Like a date with a supermodel, don’t walk in with expectations of success. Expect to lose. If you lose the amount you were prepared to spend in the first place, then there’s no real loss or shame. I remember

Oct. 9, 2008

countless times when I’d be cursing the good fortune the blackjack dealer would consistently display. My 17 would be met with the dealer’s 18, and my mood would be dampened until the cards came back in my favour. As inane as it is to allow something so trivial and arbitrary to affect you, though, it happens because we feel lucky. We expect reality to reflect these feelings, yet they hardly ever do. Furthermore, avoid subscribing to the notion of good luck, even if you are doing well. Expressions like “I’m getting the cards tonight!” only perpetuate the common belief that good luck will continue from its own momentum. $100 can vanish just as easily as it appears, so draw yourself a limit. If you’ve won $100, that’s a decent haul, and there’s no need to succumb to greed and gamble away your winnings. Of course, casinos are only one of many options to try to get something for nothing. These are days when online gambling—poker being the most popular—is soaring, and making an easy buck from the comfort of your dorm room saves both time and effort. Still, be sure to set yourself a spending limit. It’s easy to forget that your online losses will hit you at the end of the month, but they will, and for many this is a hard-learned lesson. Finally, inform your friends and family about your gambling habits. They’ll notice if it’s getting out of hand—especially if they’re not getting any Christmas presents.

OPINION

25

Distractions

Oct. 9–15, 2008

If you have a question for Di, e-mail [email protected]. Dear Di, I’ve been trying this online dating thing recently. But when I start talking with other guys, they’re very upfront, and after a short period of time they’re sending me photographs of their penises that I’m not asking for. How do I do this online thing without attracting all the pervs? I don’t want to be fucked, I just want to be loved. —Cock Shots Six, Quiet Dates Zero Dear CSSQDZ, I could make a case for the widespread horniness of the online community, but something tells me that the problem might be you. Online dating can be a rewarding experience if you’re upfront about what you’re looking for. If you’re actively proposing drilling for oil on your moon, of course all the horny guys will want to role-play a certain drillanywhere maverick. Even acting like you’re mildly interested in a lay will inspire some men to think that the next step is to send a cock shot to reel you in. People online don’t have much to go on other than poor spelling and subtle hints, and they really don’t want to scare you off. A cock shot might be merited if your profile is overly arousing and you constantly talk dirty. However, if your profile makes you out to be a wholesome every-boy looking for love and you speak casually, taking the time to get to know people, then those just looking for a lay will be weeded out. Make it very clear in your profile that your hand is just fine for the time being. Express exactly what you’re looking for—friendship, a relationship, whatever—and make sure you don’t come across casually enough to be considered a floozy. This should keep the perverts at bay, and if your profile is genuine, you’ll likely get some sincere smiles sent your way. Good luck! Love, Di

Dear Di, More and more, my boyfriend keeps demanding things in bed. He’s been asking me to deep-throat, do anal, and once he even asked if we could bring another girl into our bed. He’s such a harmless, charming person in real life, but he’s insistent even after I’ve refused. What’s going on with him? —Wet and Worried Dear WW, Your boyfriend could be bored in bed and looking for excitement, or he could be an emerging kinkster. But it sounds like your boyfriend has just been watching too much porn. Pornography is changing what men expect in bed. Porn often portrays women in a subservient fashion, showing them willing to, among other things, deep-throat, have anal sex, and do lesbian scenes. This is even happening in gay porn— not all men are looking for muscles and rough barebacking and not all women are looking for big tits and strap-ons. But these things have become the norm and aren’t likely to change anytime soon. I don’t want you to invade your boyfriend’s privacy and snoop on his computer, nor should you accuse him of watching too much porn. I just want you to stop him and his raging hard-on, and tell him that you’re not a porn star. Tell him you’re not interested in whichever activities he brings up that you don’t like, and be firm. This should set something off in his head. He should respect what you will and will not do in the bedroom. And this goes out to everyone reading this: as much as you want them to be, your significant other is not some loose porn star! If your boyfriend disrespectfully persists, he’s not worth your time. Dump his immature, undeserving little ass and tell him to head over to Sexaholics Anonymous to find the girl of his dreams. Love, Di

26

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Dear Di

Sarah Leavitt Features Editor [email protected]

sudoku answers on p. 23

Thursday, Oct. 9

Thryllabus

Master’s recital: Nick Rodgerson on piano. 8 p.m. Pérez Hall. Freiman Auditorium. Free.

Friday, Oct. 10 Digable Planets. 8 p.m. Barrymore’s Music Hall. 323 Bank St. $25 advance. Latin American cinema: Manuela Sáenz. 7 p.m. Arts Hall. Room 257. Free.

Saturday, Oct. 11 Men’s hockey: Ottawa vs. McGill. 7 p.m. Sports Complex. $4 for students.

Sunday, Oct. 12 Religulous. 6:50 p.m. ByTowne Cinema. 325 Rideau St. $9, $6 for members.

Monday, Oct. 13 Thanksgiving: Gobble like a turkey, or just eat one. SFUO Green Weeks free store. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Unicentre agora. Free.

Tuesday, Oct. 14 Film: A Centennial Review of the Development of China’s Film Industry. 7 p.m. Free. Desmarais Hall, room 1110.

Wednesday, Oct. 15 Academic Writing Help Centre (AWHC) presents: “Building a strong paper”. 1 p.m. 110 University. Free.

The Thryllabus needs lots of events to remain so thrilling. E-mail [email protected] with suggestions.

Frank Appleyard Editor-in-Chief [email protected]

Editorial

f

A rock-opera in three acts since 1942. Volume 69 - Issue 8 Oct. 9–15, 2008 phone: (613) 562-5261 fax: (613) 562-5259 631 King Edward Ave., Ottawa, ON K1N6N5 [email protected] www.thefulcrum.ca Recycle this paper or no lamb tacos this Snowflake Day.

Staff Frank ‘Abe Lincoln’ Appleyard Editor-in-Chief [email protected] Ben ‘JFK’ Myers Production Manager [email protected] Michael ‘Gandhi’ Olender Executive Editor [email protected] Martha ‘Joan of Arc’ Pearce Art Director [email protected] Emma ‘Cleo’ Godmere News Editor [email protected] Peter ‘Captain Lavender’ Henderson Arts & Culture Editor [email protected] David ‘Mr. Sheepman’ McClelland Sports Editor [email protected] Sarah ‘Marie Curie’ Leavitt Features Editor [email protected] Danielle ‘Helen of Troy’ Blab Laurel ‘Catherine the Great’ Hogan Copy Editors Amanda ‘Tom Green’ Shendruk Associate News Editor [email protected] James ‘Ponce’ Edwards Webmaster [email protected] Jessica ‘promposal’ Sukstorf Volunteer & Visibility Coordinator [email protected] Megan ‘Babe Ruth’ O’Meara Staff Writer Alex ‘Karl Marx’ Martin Staff Illustrator Inari ‘raisins’ Vaissi Nagy Jiselle ‘non-alcoholic beer’ Bakker Ombudsgirls [email protected]

Robert ‘Scangrade’ Olender On-campus Distributor Deidre ‘Geldhemoor’ Butters Advertising Representative [email protected] Ross ‘Skunky-Poo’ Prusakowski Business Manager [email protected]

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Scratching that democratic itch WITH THE FEDERAL election now less than a week away, the political handshaking, baby-kissing, and desperate campaigning in the country is reaching epic proportions. In fact, while you were reading that line, dozens of colourful promotional buttons were stealthily attached to every square inch of your body by overeager campaign volunteers. Yep, it’s starting to look like election season. Unfortunately, the election, which has caused multiple orgasms among national media, has seemingly held all the excitement of a trip to Winnipeg in many students’ eyes. According to a recent survey, the number of youth ages 18–24 expected to head to the polls in the Oct. 14 election is falling as fast as the stock market. The poll, conducted by Innovative Research Group, found that the number of young voters who said they would definitely vote in the upcoming election is seven per cent lower than in the 2006 federal election, in which only 44 per cent of eligible 18–24-year-olds actually cast a ballot. Basically, if you throw a stone across the University of Ottawa campus, you’re about as likely to hit a candidate as you are to hit a voter. Clearly the grab bag of attack ads, moustaches, and sweater vests that currently constitutes Canadian politics isn’t enticing to students. Elections Canada and the national parties alike need to dramatically spice up the country’s current democratic fare. In an effort to offer new ways of getting youth engaged in politics— and more importantly, out to vote— the Fulcrum has come up with a list of ideas to put the ‘party’ back in ‘party politics’, the ‘ball’ in ‘ballot’, and the ‘racy’ in ‘democracy’. • Replace month-long campaigns with a single American Idol-style TV show. Phone lines will open at the end of the show! • Instead of churches and schools, hold polling stations

Travis ‘X-Stream Blu’ Boisvenue Ombudsboy [email protected] Nicole ‘Marilyn Monroe’ Gall Staff Proofreader

Oct. 9–15, 2008

illustration by Devin A. Beauregard

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in laser tag arenas. For every vote received, instead of the party receiving $1.75 in funding, voters donate any two items from your local Dollarama to the party. You’re damn right you get change. Vote and receive a free calendar of Peter MacKay in various sultry poses. Every vote cast doubles as an entry for a golden ticket to visit Willy Wonka’s factory. Massive Oprah-style giveaways at polling stations. “Everybody gets a car!” Election day telethon. “Cast your vote now! Operators are standing by!” Offer candidates that pander to student fantasies. (ie: The

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Wayne Gretzky Party) Cast ballot, receive free sixpack. Institute a Facebook voting application. All election speeches must be made in haiku. Instead of televised debates, televised flip cup competitions. Use some crazy extreme sport to help promote the election. Let’s say, wakeboarding. All party leaders must bare at least a passing resemblance to Mr. T. “The 2008 Federal Elections: Brought to you by Chuck Norris” Voters are entitled to give one swift kick in the ass to the government official of their

choice. Vote via text message. “For Harper, text “HARP” to 55555!” Given that these measures are unlikely to be in place by Oct. 14, youth are going to have to find other reasons to cast their vote. How about just being responsible citizens? Do what you can to get informed, be aware of the issues, and know what’s at stake. In this vein, the Fulcrum has developed a simple three-step program for young voters: 1. Decide what is important to you in this election. 2. Research how you can be best represented. 3. Vote accordingly. •

[email protected]

Contributors Devin A. ‘Dave Coulier’ Beauregard Ian ‘flip the pool’ Binikaw Andrew ‘party platter’ Bouffard Hilary ‘sayyy what?!’ Caton Laura ‘Cloney Island’ Clementson Kenny ‘Teen Wolf’ Dodd Ian ‘eats babies’ Flett Phil ‘bring the beards’ Flickinger Maria ‘Black and Tan’ Habanikova Jacob ‘G-spot’ Hall Jolene ‘rocks’ Hansell Daniel ‘the G-spot’ Harris Andrew ‘Ashley Angel’ Hawley

Ted ‘Ur a G-old flag’ Horton Matt ‘gigantic boy’ Johnny Sarah ‘Grassy Knoll’ Jones Hisham ‘Green party’ Kelati Daniel ‘Doug Prepcourse’ Kaell Danyal ‘Geshy’ Khoral Aaron ‘catalogue only’ Kozak John ‘President Dog’ Kroes Steven ‘Larry Hardcore’ Lewis Jaclyn ‘The Pusher’ Lytle Steve ‘Sir slice-n-spear’ Mease Carl ‘John Stamos’ Meyer Amanda ‘Mr. Butlertron’ Misko

Allesandro ‘high fives’ Nahon Lihang ‘finger snaps’ Nong Dave ‘Giraffe’ Piccini Jocelyn ‘Blushi’ Robitaille Anna ‘snow sharks’ Rocoski Steven ‘It takes a hero’ Ryan Nigel ‘makeover!’ Smith Alex ‘pie fight’ Smyth Nick ‘knork’ Taylor-Vaisey Jack ‘watertower’ Wang Kristy ‘free pumas’ Welbourn

cover illustration by Alex Martin

University of Ottawa

Graduate Studies at the Faculty of Social Sciences

Open House

Wednesday, October 29, 2008 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. University of Ottawa, Tabaret Hall, Room 112, 550 Cumberland Street Graduate programs offered: t

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For more information: [email protected] | Telephone: 613-562-5800 ext. 2444 Please RSVP at www.socialsciences.uOttawa.ca/rsvp

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