The McGill Tribune Vol. 27 Issue 26

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Published by the Students' Society of McGill University

Volume 27 Issue 26 • April 1,2008

www.mcgilltribune.com

Some serious clowning around on stage McGill Drama Festival celebrates student theatre Ezra G unter The M cGill Drama Festival is presenting its 21st annual collection o f student plays this week at Players' Theatre. Taking the over-arching th e­ matic title o f Clash, the festival includes six different works under the subheadings o f "Family," "Friends," and "The Clowns."The plays were culled from ap­ proximately 15 proposals and are written, directed and acted in by M cGill students.

As opposed to Players' regular season which sees directors producing their ow n projects from start to finish, MDF helps lesser-experienced con­ tributors with som e o f the more technical aspects of theatre production such as lighting and set de ­ sign.

"It gives people an opportunity to create a show w ithout having to run all the production el­ ements on your own," said MDF producer Nat Stigler, w ho directed his first M cGill play at the 2006 festival.

"It's a forum for aspiring writers, directors and actors to try hew work and develop ideas," added U3 drama student Tyler Rumi, w hose play A Snake Eats its Tail: A Play on 9/17 is being featured in this year's festival. Rumi also contributed to last year's event, but believes that the overall quality o f the festival's offerings has im proved this year due to the lack o f English' Departm ent directors' projects.

"There's way more people with higher energy.

The calibre is a lot higher than last year," he said.

"We have a w ide variety o f different types of plays this year com pared to other years,"added Stigler. "We have satire, we have science fiction, we have drama and we have comedy, all in six differ­ ent shows. There really is som ething for everyone."

See MCGILL on page 15 Pim p by pals: A lex G ravenstein and Laura Freitag in F r ie n d s f o r R e n t.

TAs vote to strike in Special General Assembly 79 per cent 'Yea' vote indicative of solidarity within labour union T homas Q uail & Ken Sun In a Special General A sse m ­ bly last night, th e A ssocia tion o f G raduate Studen ts E m plo yed at M cG ill vote d o v e rw h e lm in g ly in fa­ v ou r o f a general, u n lim ite d strike.

Frustrated by se e m in g ly fruitless talks w ith the a dm in istratio n, th e

la b o u r u nion h opes th a t th is sh ow o f solida rity w ill sw ay th e a d m in is­ tration and pave th e w ay for viable progress. AGSEM has been in n e ­ g o tia tio n s w ith th e a d m in istra tio n since O cto b e r 2007, try in g to piece to g e th e r a n e w contract, w ith lim ­ ited success.

In th e end, 79 per ce n t o f the

300 TAs th a t sh ow e d up for th e th ree h ou r m e e tin g vote d to "give th e m a nda te to th e e xecu tive c o m ­ m itte e to start a general u n lim ite d strike at th e m ost o p p o rtu n e m o ­ ment," a cco rd in g to th e m otion.

T w o -h u n d re d and forty TAs vote d for th e strike and 63 v ote d against.

"This is o n e o f th e m ost im p o r­

tant m e e tin g s in AGSEM 's history," said AG SEM President Salim Ali. "Since w o rk in g on all this, I have learned w h a t e d u ca tio n and c o m ­ m itm e n t really mean."

Lydia Bourouiba, th e b argain ­ ing representative for AGSEM , pre­ sented her report d ra w in g u p o n co n cern s th a t AG SEM has had since

b e g in n in g talks w ith th e M cG ill a d­ m in istration last O cto b e r in clu d in g lo w wages, o ffice space, sick leave and general te a ch in g co ndition s.

AG SEM d re w u p a final draft o f th e ir proposals and su bm itte d this to th e university in S e pte m be r See NEGOTIATION on page 4

A P R IL SA LE $10 O N A LL T-S H IR TS M c G ill ATHLETI CS

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$25 O N ALL H O O D IE S w w w .ath letics.m cg iit.ca

N ews

COVER PHOTO BY MATT PARK

CAMPUS

CITY

Montrealer freed from prison Campaign to begin for FOPS candidates Release approved after area bombings

can have a profound impact, and you cannot trivialize that,''Steinmetz said.

Last May, Itzhayek was handed After 10 m onths in a northern a three-year sentence for entering Indian jail, Saul Itzhayek, a Montreal India on an expired visa. He had been businessman, returned hom e last in neighbouring Nepal on a business Friday. He was released from the trip when he sent his driver across the M otihari prison in the Bihar state on border with a rental car and his travel Wednesday. docum ents to collect m oney that "It feels incredible to be home," was being wired to him for his flight Itzhayek said after arriving atTrudeau home. However, Indian border police International Airport."I'm very happy stopped the vehicle and seized Itzato see my family; it's the only thing I yek's travel docum ents, including his wanted to do."

Canadian passport. W hen Concerns about ItItzhayek, w h o said that he zhayek's safety grew last week was assured safe passage follow ing a pair o f b om bings to retrieve his docum ents, and a round o f gunfire that crossed into Indian terri­ killed another inmate at the tory, he was arrested and Motihari. charged, despite claims "After the bom bing in he was a victim o f entrap­ the jail, w hich really put his ment. He has said in a life in som e danger, we let it sworn statem ent that he be known that we consider was asked by Indian police the Indian governm ent re­ to pay a bribe, but did not sponsible for his life, and we have enough cash to se­ consider those w h o put him cure his freedom. in jail to be responsible for his Bihar is one o f India's life," said Rabbi Chaim Steinpoorest states, rife with m etz o f Congregation Tifecorruption and violence. reth Beth David Jerusalem Three days after the b o m b ­ in Côte St. Luc, a m em ber of ings, Itzhayek's lawyers an interfaith group of M o n ­ successfully argued his treal religious leaders that case to an appeals court, had been cam paigning for Itand his sentence was re­ zhayek's release. "That sort of duced to the tim e he had a message m ade a profound already served. im pact and the appeals court Following his release realized that they had to let on Wednesday, Itzhayek him go."

WWW.CBC.CA was accom panied by His case had been raised Canadian consular of­ with Indian officials by Prime Itzhayek, n o w free, is s till lo o k in g to cle a r h is nam e. ficials to Nepal's capital M inister Stephen Harper, Kathmandu, w here he began his Itzhayek also had widespread M inister of Foreign Affairs M axim e long journey home, After arriving in support at the grassroots level, espe­ Bernier and Secretary o f State for For­ Montreal, according to CJAD radio, cially from media and spiritual lead­ eign Affairs and International Trade Itzhayek said he is looking to clear ers from various denom inations.

Helena Guergis. his name, but first just wanted to "If a group o f people band to ­ "Canada and India have a strong, rest, have a shower and dine with gether and they are determ ined to long-standing relationship with a his­ his family. ■ speak out against an injustice they tory o f mutual values o f freedom, de ­

J ames G ilm an

mocracy, human rights and the rule o f law," M inister Bernier said in a state­ m ent follow ing Tuesday's ruling.

Irwin Cotier, M em ber o f Parlia­ m ent for Itzhayek's Montreal riding and a professor o f law at McGill, had also taken up the case and had cam ­ paigned for his release on humanitar­ ian grounds.

"We are pleased that justice has prevailed in India, and that Mr. Itzahayek is free to return to Canada," he said.

One candidate confirmed T ho m as Q uail As o f late Sunday night, Tobias Silverstein, U2 a cco u n tin g and finance, a n n o u n ce d that he w ill officially be ru nn in g for th e position o f Students' S ociety V ice-President Finance and O perations. Rum ours specu latin g his prospective ca n d id a cy had been spread fo llo w in g Peter N ew hook's d e ci­ sion to d e clin e th e p o sition just days after the SSM U elections, citin g per­ sonal reasons. "lthasbeensom eth ingthatlh avebeen th in kingabou talotrecen tly,"S ilverstein sa id ."lfin a llyd e cid e d toa cta n d rilb e h an d in g m ya p p lica tion in to m orro w ."

The d e a d lin e for a pp lica tio n s is set for to m o rro w at m idn igh t. Yahel Carm on, th e SSM U C o u n cil speaker, had also been nam ed as a potential can ­ d ida te in the rumours.

"At this point, th e d e cision to run is m ore a personal one. The fac­ tors under co nsideration are not such that I'll m ake a w h im sical decision.

W hat I'll d e cid e w ill be w h a t is right for me,” C arm on said. He. added that he was still g a thering signatures and plan ned oh m aking a d ecision closer to th e deadline. "Now, I'd say it's 50-50 in term s o f w h e th e r I d e cid e to run or not."

Current VP Finance and O peratio ns Imad Barake spoke h ig h ly o f Silverstein and was "Tobias [Silverstein, SSMU pleased that he w as su bm ittin g VP FOPS candidate] is a an application . num bers person. He'll "Tobias is a num bers per­ bring an even b etter m an­ son," he said. “He'll b rin g an ag em en t perspective to even better m a n a g e m e n t per­ th e position th a t I th in k it spective to the p o sition that I th in k it really needs. I th in k that really needs." he'll d o a great jo b — he just — Im ad Barake, SSMU VP needs to be e du cated in h ow Finance and Operations SSMU fu n ctio n s and that's w h y w e have this transition time."

In term s o f th e portfolio's big g e st financial co nu n drum , Haven Books, Silverstein stated that he did not have sufficient inform ation at this tim e to e lu cida te u pon details.

"I'd love to m ake it less o f a fin an cial burden. A n d ultim ately, m ake it turn a profit, bu t I really don 't have the n um bers to extrapolate u pon my ideas,"Silverstein said.

For Haven Books, Silverstein w o u ld be b u ild in g u p on th e business m od e l and th e fiscal infrastructure that Barake has set up this past year. ■

C am p aign in g for the by-election begins on A pril 2 an d w ill last three days, follow ed by ad vanced p o llin g from A pril 4 to 7, an d three days o f regular p o ll­ ing from A pril 7 to 9. Results are to be released on A pril 9 at 5:00 p.m.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW— JOAN HADRILL

Protesting Granny unleashes her Rage Septagenerian Siren sings songs of peace, justice and the environment Joan Hadrill is one o f the founders of the Montreal chapter o f the Raging Grannies, a hum an rights group known best for their colourful outfits and protest songs. The 77-year-old grand­ mother had been working on the peace movement and organizing educational events for several years before deciding to look for something that was more fun and different. Hadrill sat down with the Tribune to talk about her work with this unique group of ladies.

to people, you don't reach nearly the num ber o f people that you do than if you get in the media.

We're very non-threatening. We look like nice little old grannies and we've found that we've got into an awful lot of particularly political meet­ ings where we m ight not have, had we just been wearing street clothes.

Also with the singing, there have been several times when they've seen pickets and so forth and they’ve tried to kick us out and we start singing.

People are taken aback and they are forced to listen. You can't tell som e­ one to stop singing.

The Raging Grannies are p ro b ­ ably already very n oticeable in pro­ tests because o f your age. W hy is it also necessary for you to dress so As a g rou p that consists o f outrageously and to sing protest m em bers w ith different interests songs? figh tin g for m u ltiple issues, h ow do I thinkforthe past five years, we've you choose w h ich causes to su pport worried that the media is going to get and w h ich protests to g o to? sick of us— been there, seen that.They The original Grannies— and haven't; we still get very good media we've carried on from their prem­ attention and that's so im portant be­ ise— work for peace, justice and the cause that multiplies our message. If environment. A lot of [the Grannies] we're only talking to people or singing

cam e from the environm ent m ove­ ment, but if you think about it, war is the most harmful thing you can do to the environment. If you don't have justice, you'll never have peace, which really has to work for justice as well; you can't separate the two. We've re­ ally kept it to those three major issues and they're quite large and we don't deviate from those. We've had Gran­ nies who've joined and they wanted to work on abortion and other things and we said no; that's just a personal thing and w e have enough to do working on peace and the environ­ ment.

D o you th in k dem onstrations and rallies are the best w ay to get political leaders to listen and m ake change happen?

We used to think that. Bill Moyer recently had an excellent show on w hat happened when the American governm ent decided to attack Iraq.

Before they decided to do that, there

were all kinds of protests; there were thousands o f people on the streets.

But the media gave the American ad­ ministration a free ride and they didn't show that kind ofthething.That's part of the problem — if the media does not w ant to go along and try and at least to be truthful and show tw o sides of the story, then it's not going to have as much im pact as it should.

If you're really concerned about an issue and you're just working by yourself and writing letters— which I think is an excellent way to reach politicians— there's som ething about being in a group. When that group joins other groups, it's really em pow ­ ering. It gives you hope because you feel that there are other people w ho care too.

D o you ever see the Raging Grannies m erging w ith Les M ém ées Déchaînées, the French Raging Grannies group?

The M ém ées probably work a

little more locally than we do; a lot of our issues are global. We do a lot of work together with the Mémées, but we each have our way o f doing things and our ow n issues.

I don't see the tw o groups merg­ ing. Geography w ould be one thing; quite a few o f us are com ing from the west end and m ost of them live more in the east end, so it's not that easy.

Also, we don't want to becom e too huge as it could becom e too un­ wieldy. We'd like to have a few more members than we have at the m o­ m ent... so we could always get a group out. However, when you get a lot o f independently thinking w om en all together, it can get a little out of hand. There was a tim e when we were a bigger group that we had to put a feather in the m iddle o f the table and say only the person holding the feath­ er could speak because everyone was speaking at the same tim e.»

— Com piled by Vincci Tsui

01.04.08 • The McGill Tribune • 3

www.mcgilltribune.com

CITY

CAMPUS

Trib pushed to autonomy Protesters growl at S-203 Full financial independence by 2010 Activists claim Bill C-373 more effective against animal cruelty S ean W o od

After an exhaustive Council debate lasting nearly tw o and a half hours, the Students' Soci­ ety voted last Thursday to create a committee to work toward an independent McGill Tribune.

The motion, which came from the SSMU Executive Committee, stated that because the Tribune is editorially independent, but supported

by SSMU, the relationship was a "less-than-ideal situation" and moved to separate the tw o enti­ ties.

Before passing by a 2i-to-4 vote with one ab­ stention, the motion was amended several times, changing the projected date of independence to Jan. 1, 2010 and creating a com m ittee including both councillors and editorial board members to create a viable business plan with input from the newspaper and transitional support from SSMU. "Originally, we'd thought that the Tribune would want to oversee its own independence," said Vice-President University Affairs Adrian Angus. "Now from the new motion it's clear... that the onus is on the SSMU executive to make the Tribune independent and we are going to go forward with doing that."

Nearly half of the Tribune's editorial board was on hand to object to what they saw as the underhanded nature and unviable timeline o f the original motion.

"The [original] motion, as a whole, was sneaky," said Byron Tau, opinion editor o f the Tri­ bune.

The editors claimed that they had received the motion on Tuesday night, when it was sent out on Council listserv, while the motion was only made public on the day o f the Council.

"The Tribune received zero consultation on this issue," said Tiffany Choy, Tribune Editor-inChief.

The original motion proposed that SSMU offer"sufficientassistance"totheTribune until the

beginning of the winter 2009 semester. Its many supporters included SSMU President Jake Itzkowitz, w ho claimed that the idea of a separation had existed since before the term of the current ex­ ecutive.

"We've had the 'How's our relationship?'talk for the last tw o years,” he said. "This is the break­ up talk."

Itzkowitz publicly apologized for not inform­ ing the Tribune o f the motion before it went to Council, saying that the issue had become o b ­ scured by the SSMU Executive Committee's other tasks.

The Council members in favour o f extending the deadline argued that it would take far more time than one semester to make the Tribune au­ tonomous. They expressed specific worry about the Tribune's ability to hire a new advertising manager and to pay rent in the Shatner Building.

"I don't think the current business model would work should theTribune go independent," said Kelly McAndrew, Management Undergradu­ ate Society president.

Imad Barake, SSMU VP Finance and opera­ tions, circulated an estimate of the Tribune's hy­ pothetical costs without SSMU support. He said the deficit, based on theTribune's current budget, would be approximately $83,000, which would be compensated by a student fee of at least $2.00.

Several representatives called attention to the potential of the students having to choose between a fee and the survival of the Tribune, as they did for the Daily earlier this month.

"This is not the way to go about initiating this type of change,"Choy said.

The discussion went for so long that the Council voted twice to cut speaking time.

"Certain political balls were dropped to make [this discussion] go for that long,”said SSMU Speaker Yahel Carmon.

The SSMU has had a student-run newspaper in some form for the last 97 years.»

V in c c iT su i Die-hard animal rights activists and casual pet lovers alike rallied against Bill S-203 at Phil­ lips Square on Sunday as part of a Canada-wide dem onstration. Protesters claim that S-203, w hich aims to am end the country's ancient an­ imal cruelty laws, is really a "diversion"and does not address the real issues.

"S-203 will do nothing and will only make future changes to the present animal cruelty legislation harder," said Laura Jane of Anim al Liberties at M cGill. "No hum ane society is be­ hind S-203. Anybody dealing with animal w el­ fare or animal rights agrees that S-203 is use­ less."

Concordia Anim al Rights Association CoPresident Lucas Soiow ey had harsher words for the bill.

"The legislation is detrim ental to animals," he said. "It reinforces the status quo."

Jane said that one o f the biggest issues is that under S-203, animal cruelty crimes will still be tried as crimes against property.

“M ost Canadians don't see animals as property," she said. "They see them as feeling, sensitive beings."

Cyrus Showkati, the Montreal representa­ tive for Canadians for Effective Anim al Cruelty Legislation, said that animals should remain property for ow nership and com m ercial pur­ poses, but argued that crimes against animals should be considered more seriously.

"Crimes against animals should not be just considered as crimes against property," he said.

"Animals should have more w eight than say, a toaster, or any other inanimate object."

Both Jane and Showkati stressed that be­ cause S-203 only recognizes animals as prop­ erty, animals that do not have owners, such as strays or wildlife, will not be protected.

"What the legislation is saying now is that when animals aren't property they don't mat­ ter,"Jane said."The law is inconsistent."

Activists are instead pushing a similar private member's bill, C-373, w hich was intro­ duced to the House o f Com m ons by Liberal M em ber o f Parliament Mark Howard. Showkati said that C-373 includes the same clauses as S203, but closes loopholes that are not covered by the latter, such as crim inalizing dog fighting and broadening the definition o f animal cruelty to include negligence in addition to wilful ne­ glect, w hich is harder to prove. Although some may argue that C-373 can still be adopted after S-203 passes, Showkati responded that barring m inor revisions in 1956, Canada's animal cruelty laws have not been changed since 1892.

"Animal cruelty am endm ents don't hap­ pen every day," he said. "If som ething passes, I guarantee that nothing else will pass anytime soon."

Despite the relatively low turnout o f about 100 protesters, organizers and participants alike were happy with the outcom e and were able to collect 300 signatures to add to the 2,000 collected nation-w ide toward the cause.

"This was one o f the first Canada-wide dem onstrations for animal cruelty legislations," Jane said."On the w hole I was happy."

"We only announced it four to five days in advance and we only used online marketing.

If w e had tw o or three weeks, we could have easily had 1,000 people," Showkati said, stress­ ing that this is an issue that ail Canadians can relate to.

"This should not be confused with ani­ mal rights activism," he said. "It's not about the seal hunt; it's not about fur; it's not about eat­ ing meat or vegetarianism. We're talking about going after crim inals because our laws are in­ adequate."»

SPEAKERS ON CAMPUS

Students learn tips for running in elections Liberals' former PM advisor talks campaign strategy I n e s B e a t r ix For Warren Kinsella, politics is a winning game for anyone w ho follows his advice. A former political strate­ gist for Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, Kinsella was invit­ ed to share with students what he claimed were "super important tips” for successful political campaigning, stating that while his advice is"extremely self-evident"it is often disregarded.

In his lecture, "Kicking Ass in Canadian Politics,” given in Shatner's Lev Bukhman room last Tuesday, Kinsella stressed the im portance of making political strategies com patible with the time restrictions o f the average citizen and made suggestions for drawing vot­ ers'attention. He warned against a com m on elitist ten­ dency to disregard those at the "bottom o f the pyramid of power".

"It's not that people are dumb, they just don't have time," he said. "You have to get them to stop [to listen to you]."

Com m on mistakes that he discussed included a tendency for candidates to flood voters with an excess of numbers and figures. Rather, Kinsella emphasized the need for creating a narrative o f the candidate that vot­ ers can relate to. Similarly, he warned against employing long, drawn out statements.

"Keep it simple, stupid,” he said, "it may be cliché, but it's true."

Kinsella also cautioned against politicians attempt­ ing to take on the issues of their fellow running-mates, instead advising candidates to advocate issues only along their proper party lines.

"In a campaign, it does not matter if you look like a million bucks. You make sure you talk about the issues that work for you," he said. "If a conservative stands up

and says they want to improve health care, they are going to get laughed at."

Kinsella further stipulated to leave, "no charge un­ answered." He highlighted the pertinent example of Hilary Clinton's success at diverting attention from her recent political gaffe; namely, her fabricated story in which she claimed to narrowly escape death upon her arrival in Bosnia. The truth o f the matter was that she was actually greeted warmly by Bosnian children. To avoid the criticism sure to ensue from such a misstep, she made the astute political decision to denounce Barack Obama's close relationship with his controversial Reverend in an attempt to divert attention away from the negative media attention she was receiving.

“I really appreciate seeing cam paigning in a more scientific manner," said Richard Tseng, vice-president organization o f Liberal McGill. "But it's also somewhat sinister in the way that parties have it dow n to a science and it's not about principles."

At the close of his lecture, Kinsella lauded the cur­ rent blog revolution as an efficient m edium for political campaigners. Blogs are, "pithy as heck," because "you can spend 30 seconds on a blog," and get the message.

He also brought up the increased media attention given to specialist bloggers.

"Journalists are turning to them for expert advice," he said. "[Bloggers] can be found interviewing leader­ ship campaigns."

Students in attendance had mixed feelings toward the lecture.

Max Reed, Law 1, had been a regular reader of Kinsella’s blog.

"He's one o f the few commentators w ho really has something unique and insightful to say but I wish he had been a bit more specific," Reed said. ■

WWW.JOHNWMACDONALD.COM Kinsella im parts som e o f his cam p aig n savvy to p o liticaily-m in ded students.

The McGill Tribune

4 • News • 01.04.08

Negotiation changes to be seen immediately

CAMPUS BUZZ

How important is it that cafés on campus are operated by students?

Executive expects administration's response C o n tin u ed from COVER

b u t d id n ot receive a response until tw o m on th s later.

"After tw o m on th s o f w a itin g for the proposal and in n u m e ra b le cancellations, M cG ill p ro m p tly re­ fused th e vast m ajority o f ou r d e ­ mands," Bourouiba said.

A cco rd in g to AG SEM V iceP resident External Natalie KouriTowe, o p p o sitio n to th e m o tio n for a strike d re w p re d o m in a n tly from a sm all n u m b e r o f TAs w h o focussed on th e ir o w n experiences.

"Som e people's m ain points w ere that th e ir o w n personal c o n ­ d itio n s w eren't bad. There w ere p e o p le w ith differing o p in io n s a b o u t logistics, b u t m ain ly I th in k m ost o f th e o p p o sitio n had to d o w ith p e o p le th in k in g o f th e ir ow n conditions," said Kouri-Towe, w h o h o p e d to see th is m andate affect ch a n g e im m ediately.

"I'm really h ap p y w ith th e re­ sults,"she added."I co u ld n 't be h a p ­ pier. We're h o p in g that it w ill affect th e negotiations. W e had approval o f nearly 8o per cent, and that's a really strong number."

The strike is seen by th e AG SEM e xecu tive as a strong re­ spon se from th e ir co n stitu en ts th a t m ay turn th e n e g o tia tio n s

in th eir favour. Since th e TAs have resolved to strike at an "o ppo rtu ne m om ent", th e m ove w o u ld be su b ­ je c t to th e n e g o tia tio n s at th e table and th e adm inistration's responses.

M e m b e rs o f th e e xe cu tive and bar­ g a in in g c o m m itte e all expressed en thu siasm to w ard th e n e g o tia ­ tio n s ta kin g pla ce this w eekend.

"The 'o p p o rtu n e m o m e n t' re­ ally has to d o w ith w hat's h a p p e n ­ ing at th e table," Kouri-Towe said.

"If [the adm in istration] does not m ove at all, w e co u ld p o ten tially

a p p ly m ore pressure."

O n e o f th e a tten dees at the as­ sem bly, G illes Bourret, a ch e m istry Ph.D. ca n d id a te and an analytical ch e m istry TA w as im pressed w ith th e tu rn o u t and th e qu ality o f th e assem bly.

"I am French and this is th e first assem bly that I a tte n d e d in North America," he said. "If you co m p are [this] w ith w h a t h appe n s in France, I th in k it w as a really fair assem bly.

You had both sides and different view s for everyone." ■

I don't think it's that important. I mean, it's a good idea in terms of creating jobs for students, but when it comes down to it, it's not that im­ portant to me.

— Danielle Cazabon, Ui environmental studies I was disappointed when the Architecture Café closed. More in the fact that the administration felt that they could walk all over a student-run initiative that was a popular spot on campus.

— Lauren Cook, U3 anatomy and cell biology The fact that Chartwells holds a monopoly on campus leads to overpricing, poor quality and curmudgeonly staff.

— Dan Stoker, U3 psychology [Chartwells] leads to higher prices for stu­ dents— students know what's better for them than these external businesses would.

— William Roman, U2 physiology I think that student run food on campus is fairly important. These student-run initiatives are more likely to have local organic food than say, big corporations.

— Heidi Monk, U3 international development studies

MATT PARK TAs w ant YOU to suppo rt them after voting 79 per cent in favour o f a strike.

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01.04.08 • The McGill Tribune • 5

CAM PUS

McGill research paper reaches new sugar high New diabetes-related genes help profs to better understand disease T r ip Y a n g A M cG ill research team's dis­ covery o f four new genes and their co n n e ction w ith type 2 diabetes was lauded as one o f th e internet p u b ­ lication Science Watch's 2006-2007 Red-Hot Research Papers. The study, published in th e February 2007 issue o f Nature, was led by Professors Rob Sladek and Constantin Polychronakos, and ranked fifth overall.

"We were m otivated to find diabetes-related genes because the gen etic causes o f diabetes were unknown," Sladek said. "Initially, we searched for specific candidate genes. Later, w e expanded our m eth­ od to look across th e entire gen om e

for genes related to diabetes."

Science Watch's annual ranking is intended to be a measure o f a pa­ per's scientific influence and was as­ sem bled by assessing the n um ber o f tim es the study was cited in its first 10 m onths o f publication, 92 in this case. Sladek has found the study to be well accepted by his peers.

"Many o f my colleagues w h o have read it have been impressed w ith the presentation," he said. "We were careful in our analysis and clear in our writing."

Polychronakos referred to the study's Impact Factor, th e average num ber o f tim es it has been cited w ithin tw o years o f publication, w hen assessing its influence.

"The average Nature article has an IF o f 29. M ost scientific studies have an IF o f less than 5. O ur study was cited 92 tim es in its 10 first m onths, w hich means there is a lot

Three additional genes have been discovered since Sladek's study.

Using a tech n ique called genotyping microarray, co m m o n ly known as D N A chips, Sladek and colleagues

and 11. Polychronakos hopes his dis­ covery w ill lead to a m ore thorough understanding o f diabetes, so it can be m ore effectively treated and pre­ vented.

"W ith a b e tte r understanding o f th e causes o f diabetes, w e w ill be able to b e tte r predict w ho has diabetes. In th e long term , w e hope to create drugs th a t w ill affect th e diabetes-related genes."

— Professor Constantin Polychronakos o f interest in our discovery," he said.

Sladek and his colleagues' dis­ covery o f four new genes that fur­ thered the risk o f type 2 diabetes in­ creased the total n um ber o f known genes related to diabetes to seven.

scanned the hum an g en om e w ith D NA tests for diabetes-predisposing genes, using samples from both dia­ betic and non-diabetic subjects. The four diabetes-related genes were discovered on chrom osom es 8, 10

"With a better understanding o f the causes o f diabetes, w e w ill be able to better predict w h o has dia­ betes. In the long term, w e hope to create drugs that will affect the dia­ betes-related genes,” he said. ■

P■ t |o

u sp e e d Happy April Fools' Day! An April Fools prank backfired on a small French suburban tow n that ad­ vertised an April 1 concert by Ger­ man pop group Tokio Hotel. The concert announcem ent spread quickly throughout the internet, but the Vincennes tow n hall had to adm it that the announce­ m ent was not true after co m ­ plaints from the band's official fan club. • A reverend from Lyndonville, NY w ho had been missing since W ednesday was found in an O hio strip club on Friday m orn­ ing. Craig Rhodenizer, 45, had originally told his wife that he was getting his com puter fixed. When found, the reverend appeared disoriented and told police that he felt "emotionally guilty". • Ajail in the southern state o f Chiapas, M exico is now hom e to a bull.

The animal was thrown into jail after it was found grazing on corn fields and destroyed tw o wooden shops. Officials say the bull will not be released until the owner pays for the damages, w hich will be determ ined by a local judge.

• Wisconsin cops thought they had an underage boozing party on their hands when they bust­ ed 18-year-old Dustin Zebro's rural Wausau hom e last Saturday night. Although nearly 90 breath tests were done, all the kids were found sober as the keg contained root beer. Kronenwetter police ch ief Daniel Joling adm itted that the bust was a waste o f tim e and manpower, but said the cops were just doing their job. • A book called If You Want Closure in

Your Relationship, Start with Your Legs w on in a British poll for o d d ­ est book title o f the year. I was Tortured by the Pygm y Love Queen took second place while Cheese Problems Solved came in third in the poll organized by Bookseller magazine.

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O pinion

OFF THE BOARD

Get your coffee to go

TINTED GLASSES

Canadians should all learn French

K ate S pirgen

K at G ibson KAPPALBrTA@HOTMAIL.COM

M

y French is terrible. Like so many other Ontarians, I opted to drop French in grade nine, thinking, in all my 14-year old wisdom, that drama was the superior choice. This is, w ithout exaggeration, one of the greatest re­ grets of my life. My weakness in French is acutely shameful to me, and though I have struggled to learn in my tim e here, my clumsy adult brain pun­ ishes me for not taking advantage o f those early years when my mind was fully primed for lan­ guage acquisition. Not that I can't get by in some sense; I can hack my way through a conversation and will never be com pletely lost in a French speaking place. Above all, I desire the ability to breeze through the language, to read Stendhal in its original form and to broaden my w orldview in a way that only speaking m ultiple languages can do.

To be clear, Iwant to speak the French o f Q ue­ bec, not of France. I am a Canadian and should therefore speak both languages of my country. I firmly believe that every other Canadian student should do the same. Canada is a bilingual coun­ try in name and thus should be in practice. No student graduating from a Canadian high school should leave ignorant of French. Period.

Former New Brunswick Premier Bernard Lord agrees. His recent report submitted to the federal governm ent suggests that when the current fiveyear plan ends this year, the federal governm ent must spend an extra $190 million on education, immigration and cultural programs that foster the developm ent and growth o f Canadian bilingual­ ism. The Government's response is not yet avail­ able.

Also this month, however, New Brunswick made the controversial decision to abolish early French immersion programs. The only officially bilingual province in Canada has decided to elimi­ nate French-immersion for children below grade five, drawing fierce criticism both provincially and

nationally.The decision itself is unsettling, but the response is reassuring. Evidently, some Canadians really do care about bilingualism— how can the rest be made to care, as well?

If the fact that the language divide may lit­ erally split the country apart is not enough o f a motivation, if historical and cultural consider­ ations cannot convince skeptics o f the need for a com pletely bilingual country, then perhaps some practical realities will. In today's increas­ ingly globalized marketplace, speaking one lan­ guage alone, even if that language is English, is a handicap. While critics may suggest that students w ould be better off learning Mandarin, Spanish, or perhaps Hindi, studies have demonstrated that the ability to speak tw o languages makes a sig­ nificant difference to the ease with which others are learned. If Canada is going to be an econom ic force in the international marketplace, its youth must be equipped with the language skills neces­ sary to succeed. W hy not start by teaching them the language that they should already know; the language that they must know in order to hold any federal position in their ow n country?

Bernard Lord requests that a billion dollars be spent on fostering bilingualism in Canada. If this price tag seems too steep,-consider the cost o f al­ lowing the present condition to persist.The French language is a defining aspect of Canadian identity and its neglect is only further pulling the country apart. Som ething needs to be done and it is going to require a change in bothfinancial policy and na­ tional priority. Go to almost any country in Europe and you will be hard pressed to find young people w ho only speakone language.The majority switch effortlessly from their mother tongues to English in order to accom m odate our ignorance, and this is in countries with only a single official language.

How much more shameful for us, then, that in our officially bilingual country most o f us can only speak one? ■

love my daily coffee breaks, not just for the tem porary caffeine high that helps get me th rou gh my day, but also for the half-hour or so I get to catch up w ith friends and have a g o o d laugh, especially w hen paper season hits and leaves me w ith little to no free time.

W henever I head dow n to th e local Second Cu p or Starbucks— yes I know I'm giving in to the corporate devil, but it's just so g o o d — there are invariably at least five or six tables w ith over caffeinated typers p lu g g in g away on their laptops. Now, I don't have a laptop so m aybe it's just the jealousy talking, but cafés are not an ideal w o rk space. If you w ant to actually get w o rk done, th e li­ brary is p robably your best bet for peace and quiet, but hey, w hatever works. The problem I have is that the lines betw een th e library and the café are slow ly disin ­ tegrating.

The other day I was at Second Cup catching up on the regular relation­ ship gossip w ith a friend and, honestly, probably being louder than absolutely necessary, but it was 1 a.m. on a Friday night, w h ich I deem to be to o late for any real w ork to get d on e anyway. A frazzled-looking girl cam e up my table and rudely dem anded that we "keep it dow n" because she was trying to w ork on her thesis and w e w ere disrupting her th o u g h t process.

Now, correct m e if I'm wrong, bu t I was under the im pression that coffee shops w ere pu blic spaces. If you really

want to get work done, a central meet­ ing place of student life is most likely not the best place to do it. You'll inevitably run into friends, get distracted by ran­ dom pop songs playing over the radio or yield to the overwhelming desire to eavesdrop on the juicy gossip going on at the table next to you.

What's the draw of the coffee shop anyway? Are we so addicted to caffeine that we can't stand to go five minutes without the sweet smell of dark roast filling our lungs? Is anyone really more productive when sitting where everyone can watch you work?

It all seems like an elaborate form of procrastination.

This whole working environment seems a little less than ideal. O f course, one could say the same for the library.

No one has qualms about high-fiving each other over last night's drunken an­ tics or answering cell phone calls in the middle of the Redpath stacks and it's even worse at Concordia's library.

So allow me to clear up the ap­ parent confusion. Libraries are for real studying. Cafés are for group meetings or the fake kind o f studying when you really feel like you should get some­ thing done but you just aren't moti­ vated. Live and let live as they say, but don't expect others to accommodate the ridiculous idea that just because you have decided to bring your work into my social arena, I should accommodate this notion. ■

±40°

Practicing what you preach D avid L evitz D AVID .LEVITZ@ M AIL.M CGILL.CA

I

never thought of my m om as having very m uch in co m ­ m on with Groucho Marx. However, resemblances became more apparent over Easter weekend when she called me, rather upset, to tell me that the Catholic Church had denied her membership.

After working at Catholic schools for years and having gone through the conversion process for several months, M om was supposed to be confirm ed into the Church on Eas­ ter. Instead, she was informed that unless she could have my father annul his first marriage— w hich ended 30 years ago— her marriage w ould be illegitimate and she therefore could not enter the Church or receive com m union.

W hen she told me this I had to laugh. “But the fact that you and Dad haven't lived together for over a decade doesn't affect the validity o f your marriage?"

"Apparently not,"she replied.

I told her it was okay and that she,didn't need their stale wafers or cheap wine, anyway. M om laughed, but she was still sad at being denied access into what she considers her com m unity and I was pissed off because o f it.

One of my favourite phrases is "religions are just cults with political power." I w onder how religions evolve from radical sects into stagnant, regulated political entities. How is it that Jesus'teachings o f love and tolerance (and the an­ drogynous egalitarianism o f early Christianity) got m orphed into the Eucharist and then into denying the Eucharist to

spouses of divorcés— not to m ention all the tithes and wars in between?

Just to clarify, I am not a blasphemer, but a heretic. It's not G-d or the Divine that I take issue with, just the people w ho claim to represent them. Furthermore, I don't mean to express a bias against any religion in particular. I'm just pre­ senting the examples I am familiar with (it's only too bad I don't know more about Scientology). While m y m om was raised Protestant, my dad is Jewish. They decided to raise me Jewish, so I w ent to synagogue and had a Bar Mitzvah.

Nowadays, though, w hile my m om is being turned dow n by a retrograde Bavarian in silk gowns, I find myself identifying less and less with Judaism. This is not because o f the religion itself.

Because in Judaism the child traditionally has the same religion as their m other (this is where Judaism blurs the lines between religion and ethnicity), a few years after my Bar Mitzvah, my parents had m e undergo a "conversion cer­ em ony" into Judaism, so that my religious status couldn't be contested by others. At the tim e I th ou ght it was ridiculous and I couldn't imagine that it w ould ever be necessary. Since com ing North, however, I've discovered the opposite to be true. I've met so many Jews here w h o have been raised in a way that encourages exclusion and suspicion o f outsiders.

Growing up in the South, I heard Jewish friends joking about JAPS (Jewish Am erican Princesses), but I had no real concept

o f the term until I came here. Unfortunately the Jewish co m ­ m unity at M cGill tends to be only o f a certain brand and less practicing or traditional Jews looking for a com m unity find extremely traditionalist cam pus groups w hich can be very in­ tim idating— and according to som e stories I've heard, even confrontational— to those with less traditional backgrounds.

W hile no one should have to water dow n their religion for others, many w h o are looking for a religious experience un­ fortunately only find themselves alienated.

An article in the New York Times M agazine a few weeks ago tells a far more serious tale about how many heterosexu­ al Israelis are denied the right to marry because they cannot prove themselves Jewish enough for the Rabbinate, w hich is the only authority on marriages in Israel and will only marry Jews. Even those with Jewish names w h o have grown up Jewish in Israel and served in the Israeli Defense Forces ap­ parently have trouble proving themselves to the Rabbinate if their parents are American. In that case, they generally need testimony from an O rthodox rabbi w ho has known the par­ ent her w hole life. O f course, the Rabbinate w on't even trust some Am erican Orthodox rabbis to give truthful testimony.

If religion and religious authorities are meant to co n ­ nect laypeople with the Divine, shouldn't m ethodical exclu­ sion take a som ew hat lower priority? I am not convinced that it's G-d's wish for us to hold our fellow humans in such contem pt.*

www.mcgilltribune.com

T r ib u n e

01.04.08 • The McGill Tribune • 7

EDITORIAL

Breaking ties with backroom politics

ww w.m cgilltribune.com

Editor- in-C hief T iffa n y C h o y editor@mcgilltribune.com

M anaging Editors E liza b e th P erle Kate S p irg e n seniored@mcgilltribune.com

P roduction M anager A n d r e w D a th a n Fran kel production@mcgilltribune.com

N ews Editors T h o m a s Q u a il Ken Sun V in c c iT s u i news@mcgilltribune.com

O pinion Editor B yro n Tau opinion@mcgilltribune.com

Features Editors M e g h n a M a rja d i C a ro ly n Yates features@mcgilltribune.com

A rts & Entertainment Editors Ezra G lin te r J o h n S e m le y

hen students elected the current Stu­ dents' Society executives, they cast their ballots based on w h o they thou ght w ould best represent their interests, concerns and values. Unfortunately, recent actions taken by the executive to force independen ce upon the M cGill Tribune seem contrary to this mandate.

W ithout being consulted and w ith only 48 hours before the m otion hit the floor, the Tribune found ou t via a mass e-m ail to Council m em bers that the Executive C o m m ittee was m oving to elim inate all associations w ith the paper. In such a short tim e span, it was im possible to discuss the advantages and drawbacks o f breaking away and for all councillors to inform them selves properly for the debate. This left both editors and co u n cil­ lors w ith m inim al tim e to consider options as well as the im pacts and consequences o f the poorlydrafted proposal if it were passed.

The problem with the.situation is not the no­ tion o f th eTribune g oing independent, but rather the m anner in w hich this m otion was initiated.

The SSMU executive maintains that the rela­ tionship between SSMU and th e T rib u n e is non­ functional. Lack of co m m un ication on the part of the executive is the clear reason-for this situation.

Last year, the Tribune Board o f Directors, consist­ ing o f SSMU councillors, editorial board m em bers

W

arts@mcgilltribune.com

and students-at-large, was established to address this problem along with any other com plaints.

However, this board, w hich w ould have been the proper channel to facilitate independence, has never had reason to m eet in all the tim e this m o­ tion was being drafted. President Jake Itzkowitz claims that we have already had the "how is our relationship going" talk, but this is sim ply untrue; the Tribune and SSMU have never before under­ gon e any discussions on the issue.

If consultation had occurred, many o f the more unpractical and ridiculous clauses, such as those asking full-tim e students to create a busi­ ness model, sign a M em orandum o f Agreem ent with M cGill and find an advertising manager and legal counsel in a single semester, w ould have been more feasibly worded and Council w ould not have had to sit through tw o-and-a-half hours o f debate in order to make necessary am end­ ments.

It has been said by several executives that this argum ent is irrelevant because the decision was not theTribune's to make.The editorial board's re­ sponse is it should have been, or it should have at least been up to the students w h o pay 50-cents per semester to help specifically support the paper. By forgoing input from students and theTri­ bune, SSMU is setting a dangerous precedent for

the way it treats groups under its purview. Espe­ cially considering the recent referendum reaffirm­ ing SSMU's constitutional dedication to clubs and services, the decision to boot the Tribune w ithout any warning or consultation is inexcusable. Any clu b or service could find itself in the same posi­ tion if SSMU executives deem it beneficial for the society to cut ties w ith the organization.

SSMU w ould increase their revenue by charg­ ing th eTribun e for its office space. W hile students will be the ones paying out-of-pocket for these costs, the SSMU base fee will not be lowered.

SSMU, w hich has been m andated to lower stu­ dent fees, is essentially asking students either to pay an additional fee for som ething they already finance or end th eTribun e and thus restrict rather than support student media, neither o f w hich is desirable.

Luckily, many councillors ceded their speak­ ing tim e to the Tribune in order to have an open debate on the issue and help create a situation that is both feasible and fair. The editorial board w ould like to thank everyone w h o spoke to us both before and during the debate and w h o gave a voice to our concerns. We can only h ope that next year's executive will learn from the mistakes o f this year's and put the interests o f students and student-run organizations ahead o f their own. ■

2 7 issu es fo r 2 7 years!

S ports Editors M a tt C h e s s e r A a ro n S ig al

T his is y o u r last c h a n c e to be a T rib c o n trib u to r. Ever.

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U n le ss y o u 're h ere fo r a n o th e r year.

P hoto E ditors N ik i H y d e Sara Y o u se fn e ja d

F u lfill y o u r life lo n g d re a m a n d have y o u r n a m e p rin te d n ,o o o tim es.

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C all 398 -D O O M

C opy Editor C ry sta l C h a n copy@mcgilltribune.com

O nline Editor Fem i K a ssim

VOX POPULI

online@mcgilltribune.com

Bush wasn't so wrong on Iraq, after all

D esign Editors S a m a n th a C h a n g C o n o r G ra h a m design@mcgilltribune.com

A dvertising M anager Paul S la ch ta advmgr@ssmu.mcgill.ca

P ublisher C h a d R o n a ld s

C ontributors Kathryn Amey, Ines Beatrix, Andrew Burt, Jamie Dodd, Lindsay Frank, Kat Gibson, James Gilman, Carolyn Grégoire, Jamie Goodm an, Jacob .

Kanter, David Levitz, Ben Lemieux, Janet M cM ullen, M att Park, Nebojsa Petrovic, William Robinson, Adam Scotti, Renée Sutton,Trip Yang, Sean Wood

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A n drew B urt 1e last tw o weeks have been milestones for Bush’s Iraqi misadventure. Just one week I afl after the five-year anniversary o f the war, the Am erican death toll to pped 4,000. Yet, no occa­ sion has proved tragic enough for the president to adm it that. His speech on March 19th proved no exception.

"Removing Saddam Hussein from pow er was the right decision,"Bush said. "And this is a fight that America can and must win." Bush also yet again asserted his unwavering certainty in the success of the "surge" in Am erican troops in Iraq.

For his part, the surge has fostered som e sta­ bility in Iraq. General David Patraeus's "clear and hold" strategy has provided m uch-needed secu­ rity, w hich com es as w elcom e good news. Yet, ac­ cording to Slate's Josef Joffe, there are tw o other reasons w hy violence has decreased in Iraq since the surge began.

First, a new political situation has em erged in Iraq. The political reintegration o f Ba'athists, along with m inor reconciliations between Sunni and Shi­ ites groups, have led to a new, although extremely volatile, political climate. The flow of oil into Sunni provinces has begun to assure the Sunni minority that the Shiite majority is w illing share their power.

This oil flow has, in effect, turned the Sunni "disen­ franchised" into "stakeholders" in a stable outcom e to the civil strife.

Second, the isolation o f Al-Qaeda and other foreign terrorist groups has m ade their opera­ tions more difficult. Indiscriminate civilian killing lost them the "hearts and minds" of the Iraqis and the popular support that foreign terrorists need to

TÏ

operate. The cease-fire agreem ent o f Shiite cleric M uqtada Sadr's M ahdi Arm y has had no small role in increasing security as well.

Despite the im proved situation in Iraq, how ­ ever, the war was clearly a mistake, as history is sure to judge. There is no likely ou tco m e that plac­ es the United States, the Iraqi people, or the world at large in a better position than it was with Sad­ dam still in power.

Yet Bush's bum bled war has been vindicated in ways that the media has forgotten, if not simply ignored. The war was originally justified based on three premises..The first was that Saddam Hussein was known to have WMD's intended for Western targets. The second was that Hussein provided arms and assistance to terrorist organizations, threatening Western lives and interests. Last but not least, Bush argued that regim e-change would lead to a flow ering o f dem ocracy across the M iddle East, bringing stability, prosperity, fresher breath and whiter teeth for everyone involved.

Sure, the first and third justifications were em ­ barrassingly wrong. But it turns out that the sec­ ond justification was spot on.

According to a curiously remised Novem ber 2007 report issued by the Institute for Defense Studies, "the Iraqi regime was involved in regional and international terrorist operations" prior to Sad­ dam's ousting.

The Iraqi paramilitary used its training camps to train terrorists for activities inside and outside Iraq. Such activities included suicide operations, assassinations, and the financial and managerial support for international terrorist organizations. A

captured internal sum m ary o f the Iraqi Intelligence Service reveals that Saddam cooperated with the follow ing organizations, am ong others: the Pales­ tinian Liberation Front, Force 17, Renewal and Jihad Organization, the Afghani Islamic Party, Pakistan Scholars G roup and the Islamic Scholars Group.

The report goes on to state that"Saddam sup­ ported groups that either associated directly with Al-Qaeda (such as the Egyptian Islamic Jihad, led at one tim e by Bin Laden's deputy, Aym an al-Zawahiri) or that generally shared Al-Qaeda's stated goals and objectives." It's worth noting that this is the same Zawahiri that, just last Monday, called on "true Muslims" to "strike Jewish and Am erican targets"all over the world.

It com es as a surprise, then, w hy the media has failed to acknow ledge that Saddam was a le­ gitim ate threat to the West, albeit one deceptively exaggerated by Bush and his cabal. Perhaps the media wants to make up for its previously mis­ guided enthusiasm for the war. Perhaps the media, and the public, have sim ply lost collective interest in reassessing the justifications for war. Perhaps we've becom e too averse to the war's massive shortcom ings to d o anything but m ove on.

But the truth is that the justifications for the Iraq war are not as specious m ost o f us now be­ lieve. G oogle the report if you don't believe m e— or have you m oved on as w ell?»

Andrew Burt is a U3 linguistics and philosophy student and a de facto Trib columnist. He doesn't know it, but we're running out o f witticisms to put here.

The M cG ill Tribune is an editorially autonomous newspaper published by the Students' Society of McGill University in collaboration with the Tribune Publication Society. Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of the Students'Society or McGill University. Letters to the editor may be sent to letters@mcgilltribune.com and must include the contributor's name, program and year and contact information. Letters should be kept under 300 words and submitted only to the Tribune. Submissions judged by theTribune Publication Society to be libellous, sexist, racist, homophobic or solely promotional in nature will not be published. The Tribune reserves the right to edit all contributions.

Editorials are decided upon and written by the editorial board. AN other opinions are strictly those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the M cG ill Tribune, its editors or its staff. Please recycle this newspaper.

8 -T h e M c G ill T rib u n e • 01 .04.08

iiiiiiiiiiiii

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Letters to the editor the EU's human rights envoy as a 'smaller version o f Guantanamo'.

What's the actual count o f US mili­ tary bases worldwide, because it must be in the hundreds?

It can be very easy to fall under the spell of US propaganda if one does not realize the extent o f USA's global strategic interests.

In the case of'Vive la Kosovo libre!', it is much too soon to cheer. The US war on terrorism may have de ­ liberately derailed in the Balkans due to USA's ow n selfish interests in its quest for yet more client states.

Regards, — Liz M ilanovich Edmonton, AB

T ribune go t Serbed by US propaganda m achine Regarding your editorial, March 26, 2008, "Vive la Kosovo libre!"

Perhaps you are also prepar­ ing to cheer for: 'Vive la Eelam libre!'

'Vive la Basque libre!'

‘Vive la South Ossetia libre!1 ‘Vive la Chechnya libre!'

But, perhaps you may be pre­ paring to cheer loudest: 'Vive la Quebec libre!'

Now, let's get dow n to seri­ ous business. In the body o f your editorial is the sentence "...Koso­ vo's strongest supporters, such as the United States, acknow ledge that this is a special situation with special circumstances, w ithout w hich Kosovo's independence w ould not have been acceptable.

In particular, they point to the vio­ lent Serbian regime o f Slobodan Milosevic, which killed, raped and displaced thousands o f Kosovar Albanians... "...According to such critics, the real backing for Kosovo's inde­ pendence is the Am erican desire to have a foothold in the Balkans and yet another client state at its disposal...." Certainly, w hat hap­ pened from 1999 onward is a w hole lot to do with yet another US military base on foreign occu­ pied territory, i.e. the huge Cam p Bondsteel in Kosovo.

Cam p Bondsteel has been described by

CALL FOR COLUMNISTS T hink M aureen D ow d, Charles Krautham m er or D on M artin w ent right to th e co m m entary big-leagues? They proba bly g ot th eir start at th eir local, frie n d ly university new spaper (in fact, Charles Krautham m er w orked for th e Daily!).

The Tribune is lo o k in g for colum nists for th e 2008-2009 year. The co m m itm e n t is one co lu m n every other week.

Interested candidates sh ou ld send three relevent w riting samples, a resum e and five future co lu m n ideas to editor@ m cgilltribune.com by M ay 1,2008

Q uail ruffles som e feathers • I was disappointed that the M cGill Tribune again dem ­ onstrated its isolation from real­ ity and poor ability to undertake journalistic research in not asking why the Q uebec legislation was put in place to regulate ancillary fees ("Caps placed on ancillary fees" 26.03.08). Mr. Quail should have taken the effort to at least contact the Q uebec Federation o f University Students whose efforts succeeded in putting this policy in place. News stories can have a bias, but this bias should not ex­ tend to a com plete ignorance of the facts.

— Eric van Eyken U2 Law

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Campus

CHATTERBOX

Movement in movies

pod

Liberation rock

Professor Thain explores dance on film

Now that the Tribune is on the rocky road to independence, it seems fit­ ting to assemble a playlist to inspire our transition away from SSMU's guiding maternal hand.

McGill University Alumna Alanna Thain returned to McGill this past Fall to teach Film and Cultural Studies in the English Department. Originally from Ottawa and Regina, Professor Thain com pleted her undergraduate studies in McGill's English department ’ and then pursued her PhD in Litera­ ture at Duke University in North Caro­ lina. She has since taught at Duke and at Dawson College in Montreal while writing her dissertation. Some o f her favourite films include Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With M e (Lynch), A Chairy Tale (McLaren, starring Claude Jutra) and D irty Dancing.

Could you please elaborate on som e o f your current projects?

cc

It's M y O w n Business

— Chuck Berry

Libe rty Bel

M aggie's Farm

I— Superfurry Animals

— Bob Dylan

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— Woody Guthrie Free Failin'

— Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers M o v in ’ O u t (Anthony's Song)—

Billy Joel Restless Farewell

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— Bob Dylan

1% — Jane's Addiction T.H.I.N.K.

— Aretha Franklin The Idiot

— Stan Rogers D eportee

— Woody Guthrie The Great C om prom ise

— John Prine

— Com piled John Semley

by

SARAYOUSEFNEJAD Thain encourages students to explore o u tsid e th eir current interests.

Right now I'm working on a proj­ ect that looks at dance on film and live performance that incorporates multimedia elements. I'm interested in the way that two arts of movement (film and dance) that seem to have very dif­ ferent ideas about what movement is can help us rethink ideas about bodies and what they can do. I'm also inter­ ested in melodrama and war films that are hybrids of fiction and documenta­ ry and the desert in Canadian cinema.

Relax, take your time and explore everything, even those things which seem unrelated to your interests— it's the best way to find that "thread" that will tell you what you really care about.

like your steak cooked?

I'm a vegetarian, although I am waiting for the day they can clone me a filet mignon, bleu.

W hat are your plans for th e sum ­ mer?

News; If you haven't checked o u tT V M c

Spending as much time as pos­ sible at the beach and on the terrasse, even if I do have to lug all my work with me!

complete coverage of the SSMU Elections results already, visit www.tvn Fokus Film Festival

itions to all Fokus Film Festival entrants and winners! Check t www.tvmcgill.com/fokus to view all submissions!

W hat is you r idea o f the perfect date?

One that surprises me.

W hat w o uld you be d o in g if you were not a professor at M cGill?

Aside from explaining to my fam­ ily why I got a PhD? Making films.

— Com piled by Sara Yousefnejad

Do you eat meat? If so, how d o you

Wednesday

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Free Bird

C him es o f Freedom

Tuesday

Monday

Liberty

— Lynyrd Skynyrd

— Rush

If you could say one th in g to your students, w hat w o uld it be?

If you could ask him on e question, w hat w ould it be?

How does animation change the way you think about cinema?

Hit th e Road Jack

— Ray Charles

S o m e th in g For N othing

W ho is your favourite film m aker?

An impossible question! But my top five would include David Lynch, Francois Truffaut, Norman McLaren, Wong KarWai and David Cronenberg.

W ho is your favorite theorist?

Gilles Deleuze.

Rock th e Boat

— Hues Corporation

— Grateful Dead

H ow did you becom e interested in film studies?

M y husband was studying film production and whenever he was writing papers I always found myself doing all the research along with him and of course, watching movies for homework! At McGill I was studying literature, but I took a class in my final year with Janine Marchessault on the visual culture o f science that opened up an entire new way o f thinking for me. W hen I arrived at Duke, I had the chance to study production with the great Chilean filmmaker Raul Ruiz, w ho is also one o f the most fascinat­ ing writers on the poetics o f cinema.

So my interest really evolved out of questions of practice.

If you could ask one o f your favou­ rites one question, w hat w o uld it be?

I would want to ask Lynch questions, except what I love about his films is precisely their mystery, so I would probably just ask him to tell me anything he wanted to. There's an extra feature on the Inland Empire DVD that is 30 minutes o f Lynch mak­ ing quinoa for his supper; it's totally fascinating!

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• Fri. - Sat. - Sun. 12-5 o n

Student L iving-----

GUIDE

Weekend escapes and summer trips Get out of town!

T h e M a ritim e s J anet M

c M u llen

W ith a few extra days on y ou r hands, you can easily plan a m ulti-stop road trip to Canada's East Coast. Rise w ith th e sun, tie back you r hair and g e t ready to enjoy the scenery on a

Take advantage of warming weather by grabbing a cou­ ple o f friends, some good tunes and the cheapest rental car you can find this summer. Road trip, anyone?

n in e -h ou r drive to Fredericton. S pen d th e next co u p le o f days e n joyin g Fredericton's characteristic M aritim e w ay o f life by renting a can oe or kayak to take a pa ddle around th e St. John River, catch in g a play at th e S u m m e r Theatre Festival (daily from Ju ly 2 to A u gu st 29) and visiting th e Historic Garrison Dis­ trict by th e river for free n ig h tly entertainm ent.

Cross the Confederation Bridge and arrive in C h arlotte ­ tow n, th e quintessential M aritim e tow n. G o for a jo g along th e boardw alk to th e Victoria Park lighthouse, sp ort a b ib and e n jo y a lobster din n e r at Peake's W h a rf or play a round o f g o lf at th e renow ned Fox M e a d o w G o lf & C o u n try Club.

After a brief visit to th e island, return to th e m ainland and m ake you r w ay to Halifax, you r final destination. C o n tin u e to relax and enjoy th e fresh coastal air by visiting M artinique Beach, said to resem ble a C aribbean coastline, ju st on e h our

WEBSHOTS.COM Q uebec's dow ntow n core is a collage o f historic buildings.

from th e city, or g ra b b in g a H arbou r Taxi on th e w aterfront and m aking y o u r w ay over to Fisherman's Cove.

Population:i, 825.060 (for all 3 provinces

firsts (metro, park and public library, that is). After parking your car at the hotel, board the "T" a.k.a. the metro, and make your way to Faneuil hall and Quincy Marketplace in the northern part o f the city. There you will find a plethora of shops, gal­ leries, outdoor cafes and restaurants, including the infamous Cheers (this one is fake).

Wander through the cobblestone promenade to the New England Aquarium, just five minutes away in the Central Wharf area. Prepare to be awed by the "Amazing Jellies" and other creatures of the sea. If you are feeling especially am bi­ tious, purchase a ticket to venture aboard the Voyager III for an afternoon o f whale-watching.

While you're still at the bay stop by Legal Sea Foods.

There's one just near the harbor. Legal has served its famous New England Clam chowder at the last few Presidential Inaugaurations.

For shopping visit posh Newbury Street and the Pru-center.Take the Greenline and get off at Copley.

Make sure to plan a visit to the Green monster before you leave. Join diehard fans o f the defending World Series cham pi­ ons at historic Fenway Park and catch a Red Sox game, tickets are hard to com e by but cam ping out at bars around the park

Q u e b e c C ity Begin you r stay by seeing som e historical aspects o f the city, currently celebrating its 400th anniversary, w ith a visit to Place Royale and M usée de la Civilisation, both located in the picturesque Basse-VMIe. If sightseeing isn't you r cu p o f tea, take a stroll around Rue St-Paul and peek into its qu aint shops and art galleries.

G rab a bite to eat at a sidew alk café and spend th e afternoon w a n d e rin g around th e Terrasse Dufferin, a p ro m e n a d e over­ lo okin g th e St. Law rence River near th e Chateau Frontenac.

After a typical Q u e b e co is"so u p e r"in the Basse-Ville, catch on e o f m any o u td o o r e vening co ncerts th a t w ill be taking place this sum m er. The Q u e b e c C ity S um m er M u sic Festival, taking place July 3-13, is guaranteed to be a g o o d time.

Spend the night in an auberge and wake the next morn­ ing to a scrumptious pancake brunch at a cabane à sucre just outside the city.

Population: 528,595 D istance from M ontreal: 250 k.m.

Estim ated driving time: 3 hours Directions: O n the Provincial S econ dary Route 134 0 , take th e ram p tow ard Q uebec. Turn sligh tly right o n to Boulevard Taschereau/Provincial S econdary Route 134 E. Take the AUT20 E/ RTE-132 E ram p tow ard Sorel/Q uebec. M erge o n to A u ­ to rou te 20 E.Take th e AUT-20 E exit, EXIT 15-E, tow ard AUT-30/ Q uebec. M erge o n to A u toro ute 20 E/ A u toro u te Transcana­ d ie n n e E.Take th e AUT-73 N exit, EXIT 312-N, on th e left tow ard

PLETSCHER.COM

Pont P.-Laporte/Q uebec. M erge o n to A u toro ute 73 N.Take the AUT-440 E/ AUT. Charest EST exit, EXIT 139-E, tow ard Q uebec.

Dow n by the river Charles. Love that dirty water!

M erge o n to A u toro u te 440 E. A u toro u te 440 E b e co m e s Bou­

Distance from M ontreal: 820 k.m. to Fredericton

levard Charest 0 . Turn right o n to Rue D orchester/ Provincial

Estim ated driving time: 9 hours

Secon dary Route 175 S. C o n tin u e to fo llo w Provincial S e co n d ­ ary Route 175 S. End at Q uebec, QC

Directions (to Fredericton): fo llo w

Provincial S econdary

Route 134 O.Take the ram p tow ard AUT-20/ RTE-132/ La Prarie/ U.S.A./ Va rennes/ Q uebec. Turn slightly right o n to Boukevard

is just as enjoyable. Take the greenline and get off at Fenway.

Last but not least, be sure to visit the red brick Harvard campus. The campus is surrounded by quirky stores and res­ taurants. Be sure to take a peek. Check out the used book stores. Take the redline and get off at Harvard Square.

Taschereau/ Provincial S econ dary Route 134 E.Take th e AUT-20

Population: 590,763

E/ RTE-132 E ram p tow ard Sorel/ Q uebec. M erge o n to A u to ­

Distance from M ontreal: 523 k.m.

route 20 E. Take th e AUT-20 E exit, EXIT 15-E, tow ard AUT-30/

Estim ated driving time: 5.5 hours

Q uebec. M erge o n to A u toro u te 20 E/ A u toro u te Transcana­

Directions:Take University (becom es A u toro ute 10 E).Take

d ie n n e E. Keep right to take Provincial Secon dary Route 185 S/

th e AUT-10 E exit tow ard Sherbrooke. M erge o n to A u toroute

Route Transcanadienne E tow ard N o tre -D a m e -D u -L ac/C a b an o / D egelis/ E dm u nsto n N.-B. (Crossing in to N e w Brunswick).

10 E. Take th e AUT-35 S exit, Exit 22, tow ard Saint Luc/ SaintJean-Sur-Richelieu/1-89/ VERMONT. M erge o n to A u toro u te 35

Provincial S econ dary Route 185 S/ Route Transcanadienne E

S.Turn sligh tly left o n to Boulevard D 'Iberville/ Provincial Sec­

b e co m es Provincial Route 2 E/Trans Canada HW Y E.Take th e

on dary Route 133 S. C o n tin u e to fo llo w Provincial Secon dary

HW Y-8/ RTE-8 exit, EXIT 280, on th e left tow ard Fredericton/

Route 133 S (Crossing th e border into Verm ont). Provincial Sec­

M iram ichi. M erge o n to Provincial Route 8 N.Take th e Regent St. (N)/ HWY-101 N / RTE-101 N exit, EXIT 6 B. Turn slightly o n to

on dary Route 33 S b e co m es I-89 S (Crossing in to N e w H a m p ­

Provincial S econ dary Route 101/ R egent St.. End at Fredericton,

toll) (Crossing in to Massachusetts). Take Exit 24B-A tow ard RT-

NB

1A N / airport/ G O V 'T CTR.Take exit 24-A tow ard G O V 'T CTR to

shire). M erge o n to I-93 S tow ard M an ch ester/ Boston (Portions

end up d o w n to w n . ■ B o ston

WIKIPEDIA.COM Serenity awaits you alon g th e shores o f the M aritim es.

If you feel like crossing th e border, h o p on th e freew ay for a five -h ou r ride to Boston, h o m e to som e o f Am erica's greatest

A ll directions courtesy ofM apQ uest. The M cG ill Tribune is not liab le for accu racy o f in form atio n o r you r w rong turns.

01.04.08 • The McGill Tribune • 13

www.mcgilltribune.com

X VS Y

Pen vs. sword: the battle is on Day-to-day use: Variable, depending on profession. If it is ninja or land owner in medieval Europe, high. If cashier, medium to low. Hopefully there isn't one within five feet of you.

Day-to-day use: High, unless you've been

become so attached to your lap­ top that it might as well be an extension of your wrists. Likely there is a pen within five feet of you.

Low. Most people today will probably notice some guy hanging casually around with a bloody great sword, not to mention it's harder to sneak away or explain it to the police.

Effectiveness as a means of assassination:

Medium. Inconspicuousness and maneuverability score the points here, as would a jab to the eyes or neck. Beware of going up against anyone armed, aware, or awake.

Effectiveness as a means of assassination:

Grip:

Those weird-coloured flexo grip

Grip:

things.

Hilt.

Wielded by: Vlad the Impaler, Napo­

leon and Darth Vader.

Shakespeare, Milton, Austen and Danielle Steele.

Wielded by:

Famous uses: The Magna Carta, The

Famous uses: The Magna Carta, the

Battle ofThermopylae

Bible,

See Spot Run

Google fight results: 60,400,000.

Winner: Pen Google fight results: 112,000,000.

COMP-CONS.COM

You can buy sword-shaped pens, but you'd Communicability: High. To mis­ be hard pressed to find a pen-shaped sword. quote Al Capone, you can go further Communicability: Medium. Documents Stabbing someone with a pen is also entire­ written solely by pen rarely reach an audi­ ly possible, while you'd be hard-pressed to with a kind word and a sword than you can with just a kind word. ence larger than the writer's angst-driven write with a sword. ■ reading group and tend to accumulate on fridges.

ARCHIVES.GOV.ON.CA

— Compiled by Carolyn Yates

\

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Breathe-easy dinner Better than chicken noodle soup L in d say F r a n k

Every | year, I manage to stay healthy through the blistering cold of January and the depressing grey snowbank season that is February. As soon as March rolls around and the sun gives a little much-needed warmth, I get sick. Desperate for the ability to breathe out of my nose again and actually taste my food, I scoured the pantry in search of spices.

Then finally- relief! I give you the sinus clearer, in food form. If it’s been two weeks and your poor tastebuds still can't distinguish between peanut butter and mustard, use 1/4 tsp of red

2 large Brussels sprouts, cut into ribbons 1/2 cup shredded carrots 1tbsp hoisin sauce

pepper flakes. Otherwise, 1/8 tsp should be plenty.

Ingredients:

4-5 oz buckwheat soba noodles 1tsp toasted sesame oil 2 tsp rice vinegar 1shallot, chopped 1clove garlic, minced 1/2 tsp ground ginger 3 tbsp water 1/4 tsp sesame seeds (optional) 1/8 to 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes 1'A cups frozen mixed vegetables 2 tbsp oyster sauce, divided

5.

Steps:

In a small bowl, combine sesame oil and rice vinegar. Set aside.

Cook soba noodles according to pack­ age directions. Drain and set aside.

In a large saucepan or wok, combine shallot, garlic, ginger and water.' Cook until shallot starts to soften.

Stir in sesame seeds, red pepper flakes (start with 1/8 tsp and then add more to

taste—they will add a lot of heat), frozen mixed vegetables and one tablespoon of the oyster sauce. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until vegetables start to soften.

Add Brussels sprouts, shredded carrots and hoisin sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes, then stir in drained soba noodles. Add in the other tablespoon oyster sauce, and the sesame oil rice vinegar mixture.

Make sure noodles and vegetables are coated with the sauce, then serve.

Makes 2 servings. ■

LIKE FOOD? E

A

R

N

$

$

$

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T h e S S M U is se e k in g stu dents from April 30th until J u n e 30th to sell advertising s p a c e for the student h a n d b o o k an d other p u b lica ­ tions. T h e s e p ositions a re proven m o n e y -m a k e rs for talented, d yn am ic, articulate individuals w ho c a n c lo s e sa le s. *

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A rts & E ntertainment m u s ic

I wanna read 'n' write all night...

Montreal acts band together to support adult literacy initiatives holding a raffle for gift certificates to Fu­ ture Shop, Paragraphe book store and Kicking off Quebec Adult Learners' Week, the Scotia Bank Cinema, as well as opera Reading Council for Literary Advance in Mon­ tickets.

According to Tara Mandarino, key­ treal, a non-profit organization devoted to life­ long learning and raising literary awareness, will boardist and lead vocalist of Megalove, be holding their first-ever fundraising concert the Rock'n Fundraiser will be the group's this Friday at Barfly. The event will feature per­ first charity-benefit show.

"We've only ever played our own formances by Montreal-based groups Ancient Rhymes, The Broken Hearted, Freelove Fenner shows... This is the first show we've ever and Megalove with the goal of raising public done where the organizing has been out awareness of literacy issues and their impact on of our hands," said Mandarino, a McGill alum who formed Megalove with seven the larger Montreal community.

"It's the perfect opportunity to get people of her closest friends. Megalove made thinking about literacy," said Adrienne Smith, their debut at Vinyl on St. Laurent less chair of RECLAIM'S fundraising committee and than a year ago, and now play upbeat love songs written by Mandarino and cov­ administrator on the board of directors.

"This is the first event that we've done ers such as "Love Shack" by The B.-52's and where we've recruited our own bands, and the Alanis Morisette's"Hand In My Pocket."

"I'd like to say we're the new Fleetbands have been really great in supporting us," wood Mac, but that's not doing Fleetsaid Smith."It's also more student-oriented."

For over 25 years, RECLAIM has been work­ wood Mac enough justice," laughed Man­ ing to help provide adult learners with basic darino. Megalove is currently recording reading, writing, and arithmetic skills and cur­ their first album in their drummer's ama­ rently operates with a volunteer staff of over 75 teur recording studio.

Performing alongside Megalove tutors who work one-on-one with students.

"RECLAIM is very focused on real-life learn­ is The Broken Hearted, a garage bluesing that will help people transfer their skills to based rock band that has been perform­ the workplace," said Smith. Life-skills workshops ing in shows across Canada for over ten are a part of the organization's hands-on ap­ years. The Broken Hearted was selected to represent Canada at the 2006 Global proach to literacy.

Past fundraisers have included an annual Battle of the Bands in England, placing "Oodles of Noodles" spaghetti-dinner benefit fifth overall. Beau Kavanaugh, lead gui­ and a fundraiser for international literacy at tar and vocals, is familiar with the work Brutopia. This year, RECLAIM has worked with that RECLAIM does in the community.

McGill's Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, whose Kavanaugh co-owns a coffee shop in the same building as RECLAIM and eagerly philanthropic goal is literacy.

According to Smith, herself a McGill alum­ accepted when he was asked by one of nus, the“Rock'n fundraiser" at Barfly will be RE­ the organization's members to perform CLAIM'S most student-focused event. The orga­ for their fundraiser.

The Broken Hearted have been per­ nization is hoping to gain repute amongst the McGill and Concordia student communities and forming at numerous venues in Montreal, recruit students to tutor or help with fundrais­ and are now in the writing stage of their next album. "There's a blues route to the ing.

NIKI HYDE "We're trying to start relationships with rock that we write," said Kavanaugh.

RECLAIM hopes to attract students with the promise of plenty of bass, boomboxes and books.

Barfly, where RECLAIMis holding the people while they're at this age. We're always re­ cruiting volunteers," said Smith, who began her event, is a favourite of Kavanaugh's be­ Ancient Rhymes a n d Freelove Fenner w ill jo in Mandarino agreed. "It's somewhere I've involvement with RECLAIM while earning her cause it was originally a blues bar. "It's one of always wanted to play. It's this little hole in The Broken Flearted a n d M ega love on the stage this our favourite places to play. It's got a good vibe. I the wall place...shows end up being really Friday, A pril 4 a t 5:00 p.m. a t Barfly (4062 St-Lauundergraduate degree at McGill.

Co-hosted by CKUT, the show will also be like the way it sounds, I like the people." rent). Ado n a tio n o f $7-10 a t the do o r is suggested. great.”■ C a r o l y n G r é g o ir e

POP RHETORIC

The Hills have eyes on media domination K ath ryn A m ey

I

I

!

S

N

early five million viewers on Monday night alone, and then another 2.2 million streams from the website the following day. I am losing my faith in humanity, or maybe just in MW's hit "reality" show about Teen Vogue interns, record label receptionists, and night club promoters trying to make it in L.A. That's right, The Hills are alive! And rak­ ing in enough viewers that Monday's season 3-5 premiere was the highest rated cable telecast of the year.

Admittedly scripted, the show's star Lauren Conrad continually defends, on daytime talk shows and elsewhere, that her exploits are"reaL'and production has no impact. Past guest stars of the show beg to differ, as well as viewers not­ ing horrendously obvious inconsistencies across episodes and seasons. However, Conrad should get an Emmy for her "reaction”to news of ex-flame Brody Jenner's new girlfriend, which aired on Monday night. Actually, make that an Oscar; there are new reports that The Hills is now being considered for a full-length film, which Conrad notes in her latest MTV interview,"would be like a really long episode."

To be fair, Conrad (or L.C. for all you Laguna Beach alums) needs to be applauded for using her celebrity to launch her career as a fashion designer, instead of allowing infamy to catapult her into the nearest rehab facility. Conrad's L.A.

Fashion Week premiere was reportedly inspired by her recent trip to Paris and the runway show incorporated Parisian "ac­ cents.” According to the LA Times, models donned berets and Conrad was scrambling at the last second to find any D-list celebrity available to attend. As anyone in the fashion world knows, you are not a designer until Anna Wintour appears in the first row, harshly judging your line behind her signature Wayfarer shades. Wintour was nowhere to be found.

Conrad's nemesis on the show was, like Wintour, absent from the festivities, but coincidentally is also pursuing her ca­ reer as a fashion designer. Heidi Montag's clothing line will soon be available in discount stores throughout the United States. I have seen the press release for Montag's creations and as reasonably priced as they may be, you're better off leaving your cash in the bank, at least you'll make a couple cents. Conrad's signature designs are a self-proclaimed mix of "beach and big city" and are available through her web site.

Though stylish, these duds are basic jersey fabrics retailing for around $150 for an A-line dress. Go to Holt Renfrew and save yourself the online ordering fee.

Montag is also pursuing a singing career, along with manager/boyfriend/entrepreneur/disgrace to USC Spencer Pratt. Their homemade video for her first single is reminiscent

of Paris Hilton's "Stars Are Blind" beach video romp, with i/io,h of the budget. Her vocals are noticably enhanced (like much else on Montag) although the songs are admittedly catchy, in that fluffy Britney-esque type of way.

Now for the rave: Whitney Port, Conrad's partnerin crime at Teen Vogue and seemingly all around nice girl, is sadly often overshadowed by Conrad's mind-numbingly repetitive rela­ tionship with Jenner and the polarized rivalry between the Conrad and Montag camps. It's a shame really, since she seems to be the brains of the operation at Teen Vogue (often the reason Conrad doesn't get canned), and continues to be the show's style icon: always classy and composed. So you know she's getting kicked off any day now.

The Hills seems to be synonymous with fleeting careers in the fashion industry and as entertaining as the show may have been in the beginning it has deteriorated into a launch pad for celebrity tabloid obsession and chintzy fabrics. View­ ers can at least be thankful for the fact that Conrad's room­ mate, Audrina Patridge, recognizes her lack of talent and, after acting as receptionist for Sony BMG, hasn't tried to head up a record label. But you know MTV is waiting in the wings to finance these reality TV darlings, no matter what endeav­ our they lay their eyes on. ■

01.04.08 «The McGill Tribune • 15

www.mcgilltribune.com

M C G IL L D R A M A F E S T IV A L 2 0 0 8

Friends

Sahtayn

Written by: Amal Masri Directed by: Nina Pariser

"Sahtayn,"when roughly translated from Arabic, WILLIAM ROBINSON is best understood as "bon appétit". However, the translation does the word an injustice, as it loses its subtleties and richer meanings. Amal El Masri's Sahtayn works through the theme of appropriating the foreign and digs deep into the idea of misunderstanding the “other." Set in a Jordanian private English school, the play pits a young girl named Zayna (Riva Gold) against her teacher (Serena Spiegel) as she accuses her of stealing the stories she wrote for class a year ago.

Gold offers a skillful and playful performance rife with humor and her character's younger cousin and voice of reason, Jude, is rendered beautifully by Arantxa Lewis. Perhaps the only prob­ lematic aspect of the piece is the set design, which sticks out as a little under-developed as char­ acters clumsily interact with it. The play itself is perfectly written, however, well played and worth seeing. The director, Nina Pariser, succeeds immensely in producing this short, poignant and enter­ taining play.

Friends fo r Rent

Written and directed by: Murteza Khan Friends for Rent is a plot-driven science fiction play which posits a world where friends can be bought by the hour. Written and directed by Murteza Khan, the play received and deserved a standing ovation. Although at times characters seem strangely motivated and their scripting as well as development falls flat, the narrative shines all the way through as the unfolding story keeps the audience's eyes locked on. Saying anything more about the plot would risk misleading the potential viewer or risk giving away some of the surprising details which make the play so captivating.

The cast was quite strong and rather large. Whereas most acted rather well, Sam Hauslohner deserves special mention for his role as the receptionist, Jake. With explosive skill and powerful delivery, Hauslohner stole portions of the show. The set was well organized so that all characters remained visible while interacting with the props on stage. The lighting was well coordinated and at key "trippy" moments, amazing. In general, the play is dark, mature, comic and enthralling.

With Friends fo r Rent, Khan delivers something weird and a little different.*

Friends plays a t Players' Theatre on A p ril 3 a t 8:00 p.m. a n d A p ril 6 a t 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $6 for students a n d seniors a n d $8 for adults.

MATT PARK Serena Spiegal as a teacher facing accusations of plagiarism.

Family R en ée S u tto n

In Conversation With Megan's M other

Written by: Erica Smith Directed by: Amanda Farrish In Conversation W ith Megan's M o th ­

is a simple story of a mother, Marjorie Samson (Rachel Paul), and daughter, Megan (Emily Kashul), with very strong emotional undertones. Taking place in the mother's living room, we immediately sense the growing discomfort as her daughter sets up cameras for a documentary. Megan is a young woman who left home to pursue a successful career in broadcast­ ing. Exhibiting subtle signs of being an over-worked, repressed neurotic, Kashul succeeds in capturing the interesting aspects of the high-powered busi­ nesswoman. Contrasting with her mother, a dowdy and simplistic optimist, we watch as they struggle to make conversation and understand each other.

Their dialogue is very funny while capturing genuine frustrations between these two opposing characters.

While Megan tries desperately not to lose her pa­ tience, her mother tries desperately to remember the past and learn about her daughter.

The story concludes in a way that tells us that some problems in this relationship will never be re­ solved. Both Kashul and Paul effectively portray a cer­ tain distance and unspoken tension between them that rings true for many families.There is a very sweet and positive slant to the ending, because we see that despite the many issues there are still strong feelings of love and compassion in their relationship.

MATT PARK Serena Spiegel, Arantxa Lewis and Riva Gold in Sahtayn.

Law (According to Clown)

Written by: Michael Bick and Valerie Lippman Directed by: Simone Finch First in a pair of plays sharing the premise of clowns, Law (According to Clown) takes the most literal approach to its theme in spotlighting Clown (Sebastian Ronderos-Morgan), a clown, who also happens to be a lawyer. By taking an absurd situation and looking at it from an ethi­ cally realistic standpoint, this play tackles the is­ sues of discrimination and existentialism with a mixture of slapstick humour and thoughtfulness.

The crux of the plot is established when psychology teacher Kitty (Jacquelin Blakey) vis­ its Clown to discuss the potential of suing her previous employers for her dismissal. The ac­ tion, she believes, was a discriminatory attack based on her generously endowed appearance.

As someone who also struggles to pursue a ca­

Written by: Tyler Rumi Directed by: Alice Hayward

Where Megan's M othe r is more subtle and im­ plicit, Genie's Big Adventure proves more blatantly un­ ambiguous and openly dramatic.The story concerns a young girl named Genie (Joy Ross-Jones) who has developed a strong relationship with an imaginary friend Gabriella (Jessie Nickson). This playmate is also meant to represent Genie's inner conscience.

Gabriella is persistently hovering around Genie, act­ ing like both the angel and devil on her shoulders.

Genie's character really shines as a hyper-imagina­ tive but unfortunate spirit who is consistently losing her connection to the real world, being constantly manipulated by the sneaky, wildly adventurous Ga­ briella. The dynamic between the two characters ef­ fectively portrays the difficulties in making choices and deciphering right from wrong. Genie's upset­ ting and dysfunctional family (Lees Nickerson, Vinjay Kumar Mysore and Sam Hauslohner) is clearly connected to her dual personality traits, which are very believably played-out. Searching through her mother's room for cigarettes we see the struggle to act very gown-up and, on the other hand, she dis­ plays her innocent child-like nature as she plays in the trees.

The characters make interesting use of the min­ imalist stage-set as Genie goes on an unsuccessful trip to find her father. The story ends with intensity as Genie finally rids herself of Gabriella. In a sad but still somewhat hopeful manner, it is clear that Genie will move on and begin her own life.* Family plays a t

Players' Theatre on A p ril 2 a n d

5

a t 8:00 p.m.

Clowns C l a r e P id s l e y

reer in the face of prejudice, Clown's immediate empathy with Kitty inspires him to embark with her on a battle for justice and equality.

The fairytale aspects of the plot and its com­ edy are amalgamated with serious sentiments and Clown's empowering soliloquies as he fights to defend his own identity. Though Clown may indeed be a clown, the most successful comedy in the play originates in the performances of Peter Hibbs and Spencer Malthouse, a double act seen earlier in the year as Hortensio and Gremio in McGill's The Taming o f the Shrew. Whether or not you leave the theatre satisfied with the ambi­ tions of entrusting serious legal proceedings to children's entertainers, the issues and humour of the play are both accessible and entertaining.

A S n a ke Eats its T ail: A P la y o n 9/11

er

Genie's Big Adventure

Written By: Katie McMillan Directed by: Marie-Marguerite Sabongui

As elusive and intriguing as its title, A is an astutely written and unnerving play that befriends and betrays its audience like a child loves and tor­ tures a small pet. The innovative, fourth-wall shattering opening playfully introduces a pair of bantering businessmen to the stage before snapping quickly into the serious and fastpaced action of the plot. Ceaselessly bounc­ ing quips off one other, Stuart Wright and Dan Ruppel as the two businessmen charismatically seduce the spectator into a sense of trust that by the end of the play has been craftily torn apart and replaced with doubt and confusion.

The story of a widow (Stephanie Shum) searching for the truth about her husband's death amidst the political debris of 9/11 is incor­ porated into a pastiche of overlapping scenes utilizing various dramatic techniques. Linear Snake Eats its Tail: A Play on 9 /n

events set in an office as well as more imagina­ tive forms of presentation such as voice over testimony, projected video material and a Loo­ ney Toons-style chase scene culminate in the emergence of a harrowing 9/fl conspiracy the­ ory. Alongside Shum's character, Brian Beckett plays a naïve and.earnest Young Man who also gets dragged down into a dark governmental underworld that even his top university educa­ tion was not enough to prepare him for.

Intelligent insight and farcical satire char­ acterize A Snake Eats its Tail: A Play on 9 /n , and the mature acting of the cast effectively car­ ries the complexity of the script. Eye-opener or shit-stirrer, this play emerges as perhaps the most provoking performance of this year's festival. ■ Clowns plays a t Players' Theatre on A p ril 4 a t 8:00 p.m. a n d A p ril 5 a t 2:00 p.m.

The McGill Tribune

16 • Arts & Entertainment • 01.04.08

Previews

FILM

Music. The Sword. Gods of the Earth. Available in stores and online Apr. i.The much-awaited (well, in some circles) follow-up to 2006's Age of Winters drops today. Call it "hipster metal" or"doom lite'or whatever, but the Austinbased heavies can make or break their current rep with this record. Sure, it was leaked online last January, but ponying up the twenty bucks, walking to a brick and mortar record store and actually paying for music should be nothing to feel foolish about.

Fa t Boy Schwimmer's directorial debut sinks

Cursed. Apr. 4 at 7:00 p.m.; Black Dot (2035 St-Laurent). They graced the cover of Exclaim last month and now the Toronto-based hard­ core-metal outfit is coming to Montreal. Supporting their latest full-length, III: Architects of Troubled Sleep, the band's reputation for raucous, energetic live shows precedes them as they prepare to take the stage at the intimate (read: tiny, humid) Black Dot. With Black Ships, Kraken and Barnburner (who are reason enough to go). Tickets are $8 at the door.

Music.

Movies. Greenaway X 3; Apr. 4-10. Cinema du Parc (3575 Parc). Always promising programming you'll be hard pressed to find elsewhere, Cinema du Parc will be screening three "classics" by the Welsh-born director Peter Greenaway, whose often absurd and controversial films are a staple of the European arthouse. Greenaway X3 features screenings of the The Cook, The Thief, His Wife & Her Lover (the director's 1989 cannibalistic black comedy), A Zed&Two Noughts (his puzzling 1985 drama) and The Draughtsman's Contract (his 1982 period piece and breakout film). Check www.cinemaduparc.com for tickets and showtimes.

Reviews The Raconteurs. Consolers of the Lonely.

You may not have been aware that The Racon­ teurs released their second album last week, but that isn't surprising. Vocalist/guitarist Jack White apparently walked into Warner Brothers offices the week before, handed them Consol­ ers of the Lonely—an upbeat, raucous, rock show—and demanded that it be released in a week. White's raw, energetic voice, mixed with Brendan Benson's smooth harmonies and equally exciting indie yells, play among the guitars like sugar-high children running through a fancy dinner party. Weaving each song with spellbinding guitar riffs and a powerful bass, it sounds like these guys were born with a guitar in their hands.The Raconteurs keep their music simple and fun, although there's a dark, folky undercurrent to the album, amplified in "The Switch and the Spur"—the story of a man who escapes from prison only to die, poisoned, in the desert— and "Carolina Drama,"a trailer-park soap opera complete with redneck murder and banjos. "Top Yourself" is one of the best tracks on the album, with White's voice at its most emotive, and the near pornographic guitars sounding sinfully good. The band still keeps the simple, carefree feel that they ignited in their debut, but whereas Broken Boy Soldiers had the happy, innocent air of falling in love, Consolers has the feel of a relationship coming to a close, with our boys ready to break out and have some fun. The horn-busy "Many Shades of Black” has Benson celebrating the end of a relationship, while's On The 5" is a great end-of-the-world screecher, with raw vocals and fast-paced drums that sound like a man out to have fun and do some damage, which is what The Raconteurs seem to be out to do with this CD. —

Laura Tindal

D E P A R T M E N T O F ENGLISH C R E A T I V E W R I T I N G PRIZES A N D A W A R D S

The MONA ADILMAN PRIZE IN POETRY, worth $700~or $350 for two students, is open to undergraduate or graduate students registered in the Faculty of Arts for the best poem or group of poems relating to ecological or environmental concerns.

The C LARK LEWIS M EMORIAL PRIZE, worth $450, is open to m ajor or honours students in the Departm ent of English. The prize is awarded annually or from time to time for original plays staged in the course of the academic year.

The CHESTER MACNAGHTEN PRIZES IN CREATIVE W RITING (two prizes, one of $700 and another of $400) are open to undergraduate students of the University for the best piece of creative writing in English, i.e. a story, a play, a poem, an essay, etc. Printed compositions are ineligible if they have been published before April 11, 2008.

The PETERSON MEM ORIAL PRIZE, worth $2,000, is open to undergraduate or graduate students registered in a degree program in the Departm ent of English with distinction in English Literature (CGPA 3.30 o r above) who has also shown creative literary ability.

The LIONEL SHAPIRO AW ARDS FOR CREATIVE WRITING, three prizes of $1,500 each, to be distributed if possible among the genres of poetry, fiction, screen writing and playwrighting. Each prize to be awarded on the recommendation of the Department of English to students in the final year o f the B.A. course who have demonstrated outstanding talent. (A note from your academic adviser verifying you will have completed your program requirements and the minimum credits required by the Faculty of Arts (by April 2008) MUST accompany your submission.)

These competitions are restricted to students who have not previously won the First Prize.

The forms to be completed for the creative writing prizes and awards submissions are available in the Department of English General Office, Arts 155. Submissions must be IN TRIPLICATE

DEADLINE: Friday, April 1 1,2 00 8

fails to peg Pegg

B en Lemieux

While watching Run Fatboy Run, it's hard not to feel bad for British funnyman Simon Pegg. In David Schwim­ mer's directorial debut, Pegg plays a snarky, overweight, down-on-his-luck security guard who spends his days wallowing over the mistake of abandoning Libby (Thandie Newton) at the alter for fear of being a disappointment to her. Sadder still, in real life, Pegg is a truly gifted comic actor and writer, poised to achieve sweeping mainstream success in North America, who has very tragically associ­ ated himself with a very mediocre film, v Best known for Shaun of the Dead and last year's sub­ lime Hot Fuzz (in which he not only starred but also co­ wrote), Pegg demonstrated his almost supernatural talent for making drab or otherwise unremarkable characters endearing, credible and side-splittingly funny. Though his efforts in making titular fatboy Dennis Doyle an equally charming and engaging character are commendable and largely successful, his charisma is ultimately squandered on a film with few other winning attributes. Similarly, Pegg's creative prowess cannot pull Michael Ian Black's lacklustre, formulaic script from the dredges of trite romcom territory.

The plot is simple and probably very familiar: guy gets/has girl, guy loses girl, subsequently realizes the error of his ways, sees girl with another dude, and finally de­ cides to make some grandiose gesture to demonstrate his commitment to bettering himself and in doing so dem­ onstrates his true worth.Though this narrative has worked swimmingly in some features {When Harry Met Sally, The Graduate), this has been due to dynamite comic scripts, trenchant social commentary and/or because the director paints the decisive portrait of a city or an era. Fatboy bears none of these attributes. Instead, we get to see Pegg in a fatsuit vying to prove his worth by running the London Riverside Marathon.That's it.That's the whole movie.

Pegg plays the flawed but lovable everyman with con­

siderable care, but he is surrounded by a dreary support­ ing cast. Thandie Newton seems content simply looking abominably thin, perpetually sporting a perplexed look on her face, sort of like, "Oh goodness. Whatever happened to my career?" Dylan Moran (a Shaun of the Dead colleague) rightly seems to only be thinking of his pay cheque, India de Beaufort accomplishes her task of looking pretty and doing little else, and Harish Patel (Dennis'landlord, coach, and inspirational figure) is such a woeful cultural cliché they might as well have shot his scenes against greenscreen and superimposed Apu Nahasapeemapetilon.

Hank Azaria (the voice of Apu), as it turns out, is the only other cast member pulling his weight, proving once again to be one of Hollywood's most polyvalent and dedicated actors.Too bad he isn't given anything funny to do.

There is much ado being made about Schwimmer's first picture being a (surprise!) britcom, but little about this movie is particularly British or funny. His direction is insipid at best, providing a narrow and largely dismal por­ trait of London, as if it were a dank part of New York City populated by people with fruity accents. British humour, known for its wry wit and absurdist flourishes, is here re­ placed by colourless quips, lifeless, stumbling dialogue and some penis jokes. It's hard to fault Pegg for any of this, given that his duties as screenwriter consisted mainly of adapting Black's draft to fit the British milieu, the cinematic equivalent of trying to pimp your Lada by throwing in a new sound system.

The whole thing is painful to watch, not merely because it's a pretty awful movie, but because it's truly cringe-inducing to see such a vivacious, likable talent in­ volved in it. Let's just hope Fatboy becomes an oversight and Pegg continues jovially on to killing more zombies with a cricket bat. ■ Run Fatboy Run plays at theatres throughout Montreal.

Check www.cinemamontreal.com for locations and showtimes.

FILM

Hit the road, artists!

Travellin g L ig h t follows C arolyn G régoire

"Go, go, go... Go somewhere. Go somewhere else."

Following this personal mantra, a nomadic artist named Jimmy, who has been on his own since the age of four, packs up and leaves Montreal for Barcelona, soon ventur­ ing on to Kobe, Japan. Wandering is a way of life and a vehicle for creative inspiration for Jimmy and four other roaming artists documented in director Tamas Wormser's new production, Travelling Light: Artists on the Move.

The documentary follows five itinerant artists as they wander across three continents seeking to discover life and reinvent themselves in the process. The tran­ sience and constant flux of a nomadic existence acts as an impetus for creative expression, allowing the artists to transcend the borders of physical space and access the boundless realms of the creative imagination. Wormser spent five years following these artists through n coun­ tries on their individual quests to live and create. By prob­ ing the lives of individuals who hold living as the highest art form, Wormser's captivating film both blurs the distinc­ tion between art and life and examines the interplay of escape and attachment.

From a Brazilian brothel to a traditional Japanese vil­ lage to the streets of New York City, the film moves seam­ lessly though space and time, creating the sense of an in­ creasingly postmodern society where the global becomes the local as time zones, oceans and continents are crossed in the blink of an eye.

We follow Quebec native Nathalie as she voyages through Southeast Asia, Australia, Europe and South America taking photographs for her"evasion"-themed col­ lection which features images of hotels, brothels, feminin­ ity and sexuality. The goal of her work is to "show things that people can't see." Swiss.-Bulgarian artist Christina voyages from the Rhine to the shores of the St. Lawrence River creating her mixed media "body-extension" art and sharing her personal philosophy that relationships are the most meaningful form of art.

artists on the go

The audience is then invited to a French street festival where Lundo, a musician travelling with his wife and two young children Tao and Zia, performs with his band, La Chango Family. For Lundo, music is a way of connecting to people's souls and living in the moment. His origina song, "Happily Desperate and Desperately Happy," cap­ tures the excitement and uncertainty of life as a travelling musician.

Although all of these nomads live on the fringes of society, the most hermetic of them is Laszlo, a Hungarian painter who inhabits a makeshift shelter of branches and garbage bags in a Quebec forest during the -40 degree winter. For Laszlo, art is a spiritual quest into the limitless­ ness of the creative mind. Gazing at the condensation of his breath collecting on the plastic garbage-bag walls of his tent, he reflects that living primitively, like ancient peo­ ples, stimulates creativity. For him, as with the others, his physical location is less critical than his mental state. Where he lives is"nowhere.. ..just somewhere on this planet."

The film offers many profound messages, but ulti­ mately begs the question, can we ever truly "travel light"?

Even these artists, for whom roaming the world is a means of fulfilling their insatiable urge to experience all that life has to offer, find that freedom is a double-edged sword.

To be a free spirit is also to be a prisoner of freedom. The attachments of home and family provide security in a complex world, and to forgo these comforts for a life of wandering and solitude is to travel a path littered with tri­ als and difficulties.

Though the artists have achieved varying degrees of commercial success, they seem to triumph in the true ob­ jective of nomadic life—being here now, and heighten­ ing one's consciousness so as to live entirely in the present moment. This noble striving, the film argues, is an art in itself. ■ Travelling Light runs from A p ril 4 - 1 0 a t Cinema du Parc (3575 du Parc). Check www.cinemaduparc.com for tickets a n d showtimes.

S ports CIS NEWS

Fields are greener on the other side of 49

UBC and SFU considering leaving CIS to join NCAA pilot program Both SFU and UBC cite scholarship flexibility as the main reason behind their interest in NCAA membership. NCAA univer­ sities have the ability to offer full-ride scholarships, which cover tuition, room and board, whereas Canadian Interuniversity Sport schools can only pay for tuition.

"I think that both UBC and SFUwould be excellent additions to our conference," said Richard Hannan, commissioner of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference—the NCAA league that both UBC and SFU would most likely join. “They're both presti­ gious universities that are close to most of our current schools, and would make excellent partners, especially in the sport of football.

Ithink we offer them a competitive conference, with scholarship rules that may better meet their needs and they would provide us with two more large, well-run sports partners."

Reduced travel, NCAA brand recognition and increased media coverage have also been cited as reasons behind par­ ticipation in the pilot program.

M a tt C h esser

The prospect of membership in the NCAA has several West­ ern Canadian schools eying greener pastures south of the border, hoping to take advantage of more lenient scholarship rules and the marketing allure of the collegiate athletic giant.

The University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser Uni­ versity are both expected to submit applications in June to join a 10-year pilot program that allows international schools to be­ come NCAA members. The pilot program, created at an NCAA membership meeting in January, opens the door for Canadian universities to compete in Division II athletics.

"We view it as an opportunity to give a student-athlete the best of both worlds: the ability to compete at the NCAA level, but also receive a Canadian education," said Scott McLean, media re­ lations coordinator at SFU. "We get a number of student athletes who go down to the States to pursue athletics, but end up com­ T h u n d e r b ir d s s e t t o f ly a w a y ing back to Canada because they haven't enjoyed the academic For the CIS, which counts McGill among its 51 member style in American universities. This could potentially be a chance for us to stop those athletes from leaving Canada schools, losing UBC would be especially damaging. Athletically the Thunderbirds have won 70 national titles in 11 sports and reg­ to begin with." ularly host championship tournaments—including being slated to host swimming and rugby nationals in the next few years. Academically, the school is also well regarded—it was ranked 27th in the world by Newsweek.

SFU would be a less significant loss to the CIS, as only five varsity teams currently compete in the CIS and the school is approximately half the size of UBC. In addition to the CIS, SFU competes as an independent university in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes, in which it fields nine teams.

"We obviously don't want to lose any member uni­ versities and we hope at the end of the day they will elect to stay with the CIS,”said Marg McGregor, chief executive office of the CIS. "We're extremely proud of the history of athletic and academic excellence that we offer our mem­ ber schools. Our goal is not to be exactly like the NCAA." McGregor pointed to the significant costs of compet­ ing in the NCAA as a deterrent to Canadian universities, stating that most would not be able to handle the finan­ cial commitment. The athletics budget of CIS member schools is typically between one and four million dollars per year, which is roughly the same as the average Division II school without a football team.-Division I universities typi­ cally spend upwards of $io-million on athletics, with some of the bigger schools, like Ohio State, spending as much as $ioo-million on their varsity program.

ATHLETICS.MINES.EDU UBC hopes to take advantage of rules that allow Divi­ sion II schools to play up a division in two sports, which The logo CIS executives see in their nightmares. would enable them to compete.against Division I universi­

PLAYFOOTBALL.BC.CA

T5N.CA Is it time to say goodbye to these West Coast teams?

ties in one men's and one women's sport. Eventually they would like to apply for full-time Division I status.

M c G ill u n in t e r e s t e d The McGill Athletic Department has not expressed interest in joining the NCAA, but has joined UBC and SFU in calling for the allowance of joint memberships— which would permit a school to designate some sports to compete in the CIS and others in the NCAA. The school's official position, as stated in a memo re­ leased to theTribune, is that"a university's ability to be a valuable contributing member of the CIS is not negatively influenced by its participation in other sports associations," and that schools should be allowed to pursue joint membership without "penal consequences within the CIS. "A similar duel membership agree­ ment exists between the NAIA and CIS. According to the Associated Press, four other Canadian schools have expressed interest in NCAA membership, although only the University of Alberta has gone public with their inquiries.

Alberta sent Athletic Director Dave Schulha to an NCAA meeting late last year, but talks are still in the informal stage and have not progressed to the school administration. ■

THIRD MAN IN

Attack of the blog have opinions I would like to voice and, thankfully, the McGill Tribune exists as a medium of expression. You, the loyal reader, undoubtedly, have opinions yearning to see the light of day as well,, but may be reluctant to deal with deadlines or picky editors or aspire to see your words stretch beyond the boundaries of the university gates.

For those amateur journalists and armchair quaterbacks with strong opinions, the internet has become the medium of choice; a forum for millions of people to voice their uncen­ sored opinions to the entire world. Blogs have enjoyed an incredible explosion in popularity in recent years and, sports blogs specifically, have been central to this growth. Unques­ tionably, there are and always have been blogs that are not worth reading, just as there are and always have been Web sites that are not worth visiting. Yet, each person deserves the right to voice his or her opinion and, on the whole, the blogosphere has been a boon to our society, if only for fos­ tering and enhancing a democratic and open climate for debate.

Notable sports broadcaster, Bob Costas, would have you think otherwise, however. In an interview with the Miami Her­ ald, Costas proclaimed that"[the blogosphere], in most cases, grants a forum to somebody who has no particular insight

or responsibility. Most of it is a combination of ignorance or invective... It's just a high-tech place for idiots to do what they used to do on bar stools or in school yards."

Granted, Costas and I, one who operates a blog, are on opposite ends of the sports media spectrum. I have never even interviewed a professional athlete while Costas has made a sizeable living off his interviewing skills and his voice has become a staple for sports in our generation. He is one of the most notable and successful members of the media and has been rewarded with multiple sports talk shows and the right to host the Olympics seemingly for as long as he's alive.

While he has rightfully earned his accolades and forum, by no means does that gap in experience render bloggers'opinions worthless. Eight years into the 21st century, Costas refuses to realize that he and his peers no longer own a monopoly on sports-related ideas and opinions.

Much to conventional journalists'dismay, bloggers'im­ pact on the sporting landscape is becoming more apparent and harder to ignore. Several Web posters have been grant­ ed press passes to prestigious and once-exclusive sporting events. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban recently banned bloggers from the Mavericks' locker room, citing a lack of space and professional credentials. Costas also took one step

Jacob Kanter

further in his diatribes, saying, "It's one thing if somebody just sets up a blog from their mother's basement... but now that pathetic get-a-life loser can piggyback onto someone who actually has some level of professional accountability."

Aside from the insults, however, perhaps the worst part about.Costas'words is that they are not without precedent or many of his colleagues' support. The Washington Post and Pardon the Interruption's Michael Wilbon, the Chicago Tribune's Sam Smith and countless other prominent news­ paper sports journalists have similarly engaged in frequent blog-bashing. Popular ESPN radio host Colin Cowherd once encouraged his listeners to unleash a DNS attack—when a Web site is reloaded repeatedly thereby overworking the servers—on a popular sports blog, The Big Lead which sub­ sequently crashed for over 24 hours.

You'll be hard pressed to find a group of people that at­ tacks its viewers, listeners and readers as openly and repeat­ edly as the mainstream sports media. Bloggers can and will critique Costas, and Costas will clearly continue to attack sports blogging from his bully pulpit. But by unleashing his words, Costas has proven that bloggers haven't cornered the market on "ignorance and invective;” journalists are just as likely to spew nonsense. ■

The McGill Tribune

1 8 -Sports *01.04.08

On deck, the boys of summer

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Central

Entering the iootn year of their championship drought. Cubs fans have plenty of reasons to finally believe that this season will be the last of suffering for the Lovable Losers. Anchored by a deep pitching staff spearheaded by stud Carlos Zambrano, a reliable second in lefty Ted Lillyand starter-turned-closer KerryWood, the Cubbies won't have to worry about outscoring their opponents. That being said, runs shouldn't be a problem as a powerful lineup, headed up by perennial 30-30 LFAlfonso Soriano, steady iB Derek Lee and incoming Japanese phenom Kosuke Fukudome, can put up serious numbers for Wrigley's faithful.

"Chicago Cubs:

Milwaukee Brewers: Last year saw the unexpected rise of one of the Central's yearly doormats To playoff contenders so expea the BrewCrew to continue their ascent this season. Slugging iB Prince Fielder will have to prove that he can replicate his 50 home run performance from 2007 for this team to have a chance, but with young talent like Tony Gwinn Jr. and Ryan Braun protecting him in the order and ace P Ben Sheets look­ ing to regain his dominating form after some injuries, watch for Milwaukee to make another run for the wild card.

Cincinnati Reds: Ohce left for dead after injuries crippled his Hall of Fame career, CF

Ken Griffey Jr. rebounded in 2007 with a monster 30 home run, 81 RBI season and pa­ trolled his new digs in right with the grace of his earlier years. With the powerful 1B Adam Dunn and super 2B Brandon Phillips protecting Griffey and new skipper Dusty Baker providing some fresh motivation, Junior will continue his resurgence and press the Reds forward despite an alarming lack of quality arms.

East "New York Mets: After a historic collapse down the stretch last year, Mets fans received some sweet salvation in the form of ace P Johan San­ tana this off-season. Santana, acquired in a lop­ sided trade with the Twins, might be the best pitcher in baseball and gives New York a solid ro­ tation to compliment their potent batting order.

Staying healthy is a concern for the aging Mets, as is a dodgy bullpen, but the Kings of Queens should be able to squeak out a division title.

The Phillies don't have any reason to be concerned about their of­ fence—the potent trio of SS Jimmy Rollins, iB Ryan Howard and 28 Chase Utley is perhaps the best three-player combination in the NL—-but their pitching is a completely different story. The top of the rotation is solid, but any team asking for significant contributions from Jamie Moyer, 45, and Adam Eaton, who once stabbed him­ self in the stomach while trying to open a DVD package, is playing with fire. If they can get de­ cent efforts from those two and can rejuvenate recently acquired closer Brad Lidge, then Phila­ delphia will challenge for a wild card spot.

Philadelphia Phillies:

St. Louis Cardinals: Although the crippling Scott Rolen-Tony LaRussa feud is now over with the third-basemer\’s trade to Toronto, the Cards saw SS David Eckstein also leave for north of the border. The return player in the Blue Jays deal, 3BTroy Glaus, can Atlanta Braves: The Braves are a trendy"surprise" smack it better than Rolen but is a much bigger defensive liability than his predecessor pick, especially over at ESPN, though there's re­ and with CF Jim Edmonds also gone from the outfield, St. Louis will struggle to get ally nothing surprising about them. With Atlanta outs when needed. Don't count the Cards out, however, as All-Star 1B Albert Pujols it seems easy to know exactly what you're going will be looking to reestablish his dominance after a sub-par 2007...well by his lofty to get: a pair of excellent players at the corner infield spots (iB Mark Teixeira and 3B Chipper standards.

Jones), a deep rotation, a decent bullpen and a Houston Astros: While ace All-Star P Roy Oswalt is the most underrated player in all of good deal of unnecessary theatrics from man­ baseball, even he can't save this atrocious rotation that has Brandon Backe penciled in ager Bobby Cox. The top three in the East are all as a pitiful number-two starter. The lineup isn't much better, save for LF Carlos Lee and excellent teams, so don't be shocked if Atlanta is 35 home run man iB Lance Berkman, now that it's without scrappy 2BCraig Biggio.The still in the hunt in September. big question mark for this franchise will be off-season acquisition SS Miguel Tejada: will he be able to regain his 2002 MVP form in the softer hitting NL or will he continue his Florida Marlins: It's a steep drop from the top three teams in the NL East to the bottom two, precipitous slide as the weight of steroid allegations continue to dog him? where the sad-sack Marlins and the hapless Pittsburgh Pirates: It's the same old song for the always-pathetic Pirates who will Washington Nationals reside. Florida essentially once again patrol the Central's basement. One of the most passionate and loyal fan conceded this season by trading 3B Miguel Ca­ bases in the league deserves better than what this franchise gives them every season, brera and P Dontrelle Willis to the Detroit Tigers but the Bucs should achieve their MLB record-tying i6,h consecutive losing season. in the off-season and will dress an atrocious Look for Pittsburgh to unload unhappy Canadian OF Jason Bay before the deadline in pitching staff, that is perhaps the worst in the yet another rebuilding effort. As for pitching, any bullpen with gopher-bailer Byung- league. The one bright spot on this depressing squad is SS Hanley Ramirez, who is one of the Hyun Kim is one that needs not be analyzed.

—Aaron Sigal young stars in MLB, but even he can't save this team.

West "Arizona Diamondbacks: The

D-Backs won a surprising NL West title last year, be­ coming the first team in history to win a division crown when surrendering more runs than they scored. While that number should be fixed, offence will again be hard to come by in the desert with such a young lineup. The Diamondbacks won't have to worry about pitching however as the team boasts the best staff in baseball with 2006 CyYoung winner Brandon Webb leading the way, followed by Randy Johnson and for­ mer A's ace Dan Raren in an incomparable three-hole.

"Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers' most

significant acquisition this winter wasn't a player but he will nonetheless change the dynamic of the underachieving LAsquad.

Former Yankees manager and four-time World Series winner Joe Torre made the move from the Big Apple to Tinsel-town after his nasty Bronx divorce and high expectations have accompanied him. The Dodgers also paid huge money to ply All-Star CF Andrew Jones from Atlanta to give some pop to an otherwise speedy lineup. Watch for Cana­ dian All-Star C Russel Martin to build on last year and for LAto contend for a playoff spot.

Washington Nationals: Let s just be thankful this abomination isn't playing its home games at Olympic Stadium. The Nationals were so des­ perate for skill players that they traded for CF bastings Milledge and LF Elijah Dukes, two tal­ ented but extremely troubled outfielders. Dukes is the worse of the two, having been arrested six times, including once for allegedly threatening to kill his wife. Whatever skill he has won't make much of a difference, as Washinton's abysmal rotation will guarantee another losing season for the Nats.

—Matt Chesser

San Diego Padres: After missing out on last year's postseason fun by losing the play-in game against the Rockies, the Padres will have a chip on their collective shoulder this season. Stud P Jake Peavy, 2007's Cy Young winner and strikeout king, will head up a solid rotation which will have to, but can, carry the load for a lineup lacking firepower.

While Jim Edmonds looks to have lost a step in centre and may not even start in San Diego, watch to see if former Cubs saviour-in-waiting P Mark Prior can come back from injury and strengthen an already deep staff that has Chris Young and Greg Maddux.

AMERICAN LEAGUE Central "Detroit Tigers: The Tigers

made the biggest moves of any AL team in the off-season by landing 3BMiguel Cabrera and SP Don­ trelle Willis in a deal with the Marlins, as well as trading for SS Edgar Renteria. Cabrera and Renteria will bolster an offence that was already extremely potent last year and that will once again be asked to carry the team. Ifthe pitching staff can provide even average production, the Tigers should win the division.

Cleveland lndians:TheTribe came within a game of winning the

pennant last year and will return with essentially the same roster for 2008. Cleveland is weak at the corners, so the offence will rely on CVictor Martinez and CF Grady Sizemore repeating last year's performances, as well as DHTravis Hafner rebounding to his 2006 form. The rotation and the bullpen are solid, giving the Indians a balanced team and a good chance at the wild card.

The ChiSox are looking to rebound from a disappointing fourth place finish in 2007, but starting the ex­ tremely mediocre Juan Uribe and Joe Crede in place of more tal­ ented youngsters won't help. Picking up Nick Swisher and Carlos Quentin in the outfield bodes well for the future, but the rest of the roster is another year older. They should be better than last year, but if (read: when) Paul Konerko or Jim Thome hit the DL, things could get ugly, fast.

Chicago White Sox:

Minnesota Twins: After turning baseball's top arm Johan San­ tana into a bunch of mediocre prospects, losing CFTorii Hunter to free agency and then inexplicably signing CL Joe Nathan to a four-year contract, the Twins are a team without a clear direc­ tion. With no hopes for contention, the main goal in 2008 for the Twins will be keeping stud SP Francisco Liriano healthy after he spent all of 2007 on the DL. They could challenge the Royals for last in the division.

Kansas City Royals: Looking on the bright side, the eternally dis­ mal Royals should at least stay out of the race for last place overall in 2008. Unfortunately, they have the Orioles and the Giants to thank for that more than any improvement on their.own roster.

In yet another rebuilding year, the Royals will improve as much as second year players Alex Gordon and Billy Butler do. There sim­ ply isn't enough talent elsewhere on the roster, to hope for more than a fourth place finish.

— Jam ie D odd

W est "Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: The Angels

boasted a po­ tent lineup last year, led by 3BChone Figgins, RFVladimir Guerre­ ro and 2B Howie Kendrick, who all return this season.The major offseason addition to Hollywood's bail club is Gold Glove CFTorii Hunter. Manager Mike Scioscia's main concerns this year are in­ juries to top pitchers Kelvim Escobar and John Lackey, which will force him to rely on Jon Garland, who was acquired in a trade with the White Sox for SS Orlando Cabrera, to carry the pitching staff early in the season.

The Mariners focussed on shoring up their pitching staff this offseason as GM John McLaren sent highly touted outfield prospect Adam Jones to Baltimore for Canadian ace Erik Bedard. Seattle also added right-hander Carlos Silva to a staff that already featured "King" Felix Hernandez and closer JJ. Putz. With big seasons from CF Ichiro Suzuki, 1B Richie Sexson and 3BAdrian Beltre the Mariners could capitalize on the Angels' pitching woes and challenge for the division title.

Seattle Mariners:

Oakland Athletics: Slugger Nick Swisher and CF Mark Kotsay departed this offseason, leaving the A's hoping for a rebound season from 3B Eric Chavez and a strong return from injury for SS Bobby Crosby. Rich Harden shut down the Red Sox in his first start of 2008 inTokyo and UBS I Joe Blanton showed promise in 2007; however, with Hard­ en likely to struggle to stay healthy and a weak bottom DMSSSD of the rotation, the A's are not likely to compete.

The Rangers look as though they will be spending another season in the basement of the ALWest.

In keeping with recent tradi­ tion, the Rangers will rely on power to carry a very weak pitching staff. However, it doesn't look likely that veter­ ans SS Michael Young and 3B Hank Blalok and youngsters 2B Ian Kinsler and CF Josh Hamilton will be able to slug this team any further than a last place finish.

Texas Rangers:

Colorado Rockies: The 2007 pennant

winners blasted into the World Series with an unprecedented 21-1 stretch run but the achievement was likely just catching lightning in a bottle rather than a glimmer of Colorado's future. The Rockies were absolutely crushed in the Fall Classic by the Red Sox and we expect a World Series hangover to last the entire 2008 season. SSTroy Tulowitski looks like the real deal up the middle and NLCS MVP Matt Holliday is a beast in the lineup but with no pitching after mediocre Canadian Jeff Francis, the Rockies won't even repeat a playoff appearance.

San Franciso Giants: Let the post Barry Bonds era begin. Although no longer distract­ ed by Bonds's domineering personality or the media spotlight from a home run chase, the Giants will certainly miss his power in the middle of the order as this lineup simply can't hit the ball. The pitching staff is nothing to sneeze at either as astronomically-paid Barry Zito has copied his now lost curve balls and completely fallen off the table. Unless youngster PTim Lincecum can speed his development to reach his nickname of "The Franchise" it will be a horribly long year in the Bay Area.

—Aaron Sigal

GEOCITIES.COM

*Denotes p la y o ff teams

— Mike Vallo

2008 C G A

Cocktail

Student event of the year!

BIGARO.ORG East

The defending champion Red Sox will look to cement their place in baseball lore by making a run at their third World Series title in five years. Boston will field an al­ most identical starting line-up to last year's squad, minus the injured P Curt Schilling and with talented youngster Jacoby Ellsbury taking over at centre field from Coco Crisp. If the Sox's rota­ tion, which beyond ace Josh Beckett is barely above average, can improve from last year, then the big bats of DH David Ortiz and LF Manny Ramirez will lead Boston to another division title. *Boston Red Sox:

*New York Yankees: October brings with it two certainties: university girls will find innovative ways to make the most innocent ensembles into barely there costumes at Halloween and the Yankees will make a postseason ap­ pearance. For 13 consecutive seasons the Bronx Bombers have qualified for the playoffs and this will not be the year that impressive streak comes to an end. The Yanks have a star-studded line-up, led by reigning ALMVP3B Alex Rodriguez, but their success will hinge on a trio of pitchers in their early twen­ ties: Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain and Ian Kennedy. Look for a wild-card berth for New York.

Some 30 companies and organizations were represented at the job fair, more than double last year's figure!!

Toronto Blue Jays: More than anyfault

of their own, the Jays are hamstru ng by the ridiculous talent and payrolls of the two top teams in the AL East. Toronto had two decent acquisitions in the off­ season, picking up free agent SS David Eckstein and trading for3B Scott Rolen, but both struggle offensively and are battling injury problems. P Roy Halladay will continue to be one of the most outstanding players in baseball, but the Jays need right-hander AJ. Burnett to find a talented manicurist if they're going to have any hope of hanging with the Yanks and Sox. The devil is in the details for the Rays, who will need to spend another year teaching the fun­ damentals of the game to their young players before they can even dream of challenging for the division title.Tampa Bay has some talented young blood in the rotation, led by Scott Kazmir and James Shields and in the batting order, where last year iB Carlos Pena hit 46 homers. They could surprise some sceptics, but will struggle to finish with a winning record.

Virginie Coossa

2 0 0 8 :

News flash!

Board Chairman Pierre Samson, FCGA, marked the Ordre’s 100th anniversary and welcomed the new public accounting legisla­ tion authorizing CGAs to conduct audits of both private and public companies.

Under an agreement recently signed with the Ordre, the University of Sherbrooke will begin offering an online version of the Professional Expertise Program (PEP) in Fall 2008.

year of renewal

On February 21, the reception hosted by Virginie Coossa was a resounding success!

Approximately 400 students, CGAs and FCGAs attended the event.

Tampa Bay Rays:

Baltimore Orioles: The good news for Baltimore fans is that it can't get m uch worse than last year. Iwould be lying if I said that I recognized anyone on their roster aside from underrated 2B Brian Roberts, but apparently they have some talented prospects in the outfield. The O's weak rotation makes them a stone-cold lock for last place in the division and possibly a worse sea­ son than last year's 93-loss debacle.

— M a tt Chesser

T h e O rd re thanks th e 2 0 0 8 C G A M e g a C ocktail e v e n t partners

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