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Editorial
THE MIKE
Letter from the Editor
Remember, remember This November marks the 96th anniversary of the end of the First World War. More than 60,000 Canadians lost their lives in the war, a catastrophe for everyone back home. Since then Canadians have fought in a number of international conflicts, the largest of which was the Second World War, during which 37,000 Canadians died. I think we should take these numbers with a grain of salt. In a city where half of us are immigrants it's important to acknowledge the diversity that comes with that. Not all of us had family who fought on behalf of Canada during the Second World War, but it doesn't mean that our families weren't affected. In the Soviet Union, 10 million military deaths mirrored the additional 10 million civilians lost to the war. China lost 2.5 million soldiers and 7.5 million civilians. By last estimate, 1 in 20 Torontonians identifies as being from the former Soviet Union, and about 1 in 10 identifies as Chinese. When we talk about War, we often talk about what our country has done.
I believe we should also talk about what our people and their ancestors have done. If Canada chooses to identify itself as a diverse nation, we should be addressing the diverse contributions of our population. At an institution like UofT, it's just as important, with students from more than 150 countries, each with their own unique experiences and backgrounds. So this Remembrance Day, don't limit yourself to thinking of soldiers who fought a hundred years ago, but remember that war is still a reality in many countries and that many of your peers here have experienced some form of it. Reflect on the opportunity you have to better the world you live in. Be critical of government action to invade. Question the effectiveness of war. Question its evitability. Be respectful of the past, and learn from it. It sounds like a cliché but the histories we've all experienced shape the way we perceive our present and will determine our futures. --
In this issue of the Mike, you can read about changes to student government, at the local St. Mike's level, and at the national Canadian Federation for Students level, and how these changes will affect you. In our Arts section, catch reviews of a few new and (very) old films and read about what our Arts editor, Louis Train, thinks about T. Swift's new aesthetic. Our centrefold is a late introduction to our (mostly) brand new staff and a plea for contributors, writers, illustrators, photographers and web, photo and news editors. If you're interested in getting involved with the Mike, email me at editorinchief@readthemike.com. I will sit and talk to you about every possibility at the Mike, if you're open to that. Our sports section features an awesome opinion piece by talented new contributor David Rouben, challenging the popular belief that the Premier League is, in fact, the best soccer league and a summary of injuries already sustained in the
NHL. Our Living Editor, John Castellarin, gives tips about adapting your computer habits for better sleep, and staff writer, Alex Wichert stops in with a monthly update about what's going on with Trek for Teens, UofT's organization dedicated to helping homeless youth. Contributor Dane Saunders lists Remembrance Day events and John explains how to wear a Remembnrace poppy. Three strong pieces are featured in our opinions section, explaining the gender role dynamics of street harrassment, probing the ethical side of euthanasia, and questioning the future of Burkina Faso without its longtime president, Blaise Compaoré. As always forward criticism and comments to me, your EiC at editorinchief@readthemike.com.
Alekzia Hosein | Editor-in-
chief
Interested in getting involved?
News
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Masthead Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief Alekzia Hosein
editorinchief@readthemike.com
Managing Editor Vacant
News Editor Vacant
news@readthemike.com
Arts Editor Louis Train
arts@readthemike.com
Opinions Editor
Psylent Night November 5 Lily Lounge, 656 College St., 10pm
Do you wish that there was a bigger psy-trance scene in Toronto? Now your dark psychedelic wishes have come true. Features performances by Primal Instinct, DJ Mayfair, and DJ Lizard Organic Family Psy. It costs $5 before 11, but it's free before that.
Melissa Morgado
opinions@readthemike.com
Doctor Who Tavern November 6
Sex T-REx Presents: A Night at the DriveIn
November 5
Pauper's Pub, 539 Bloor W., 7:30pm
November 6
Good for Her, 7pm-9:30pm
A bunch of nerds get together and talk about Dr. Who and all things related. If you don't think people who watch Dr. Who are nerds, you are probably one of them and you are probably lying to yourself. Maybe you should go to this event though!
Bad Dog Comedy Theatre
Burlesque at Cherry Cola's
A Very Special Afternoon In Paradise With Adam Gorham and Gibson Quarter
Movember campaigns were created to raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer. This month, ask yourself not what you can do for the prostate, but what the prostate can do for you. Learn about anatomy, intimacy and massage of the P-spot.
November 7
Toronto International Antiquarian Book Fair
sports@readthemike.com
Spoke Club, 600 King W., 7:30pm
November 7-9
Senior Copy Editor
Fussy, complicated drinks and dresess you can't afford? It's like your Pinterest account to life. Interested in the connection between traditional and new fashion? Get on this guestlist.
AGO, 5-9pm
Living Editor John Castellarin
living@readthemike.com
Sports Editor Peter Galka
Palakh Chhabria
Illustrations Editor Vacant
illustrations@readthemike.com
Web Editor Vacant
Cocktail Crawl Autumn Fashion Show
Prostate Pleasure Workshop to Benefit MOvember
Do you love old books? You don't even have to love buying them or owning them to come to this event. Just inhale the aged lignin. Free with standard AGO admission.
November 9 Cherry Colas, 9 pm
Apparently this is a weekly event. This Sunday, check out burlesque artists Franny Panties, Pastel Supernova and Mr. Capital Pride as they perform for you. No cover, but a collection plate will be passed around (PWYC).
This is a stage performance of what could be a few of your favourite horror films. If you've been missing Halloween, this event promises to bring back the memories you've wanted, but in a funny, notdangerous way. All for only $5!
November 8 Paradise Comics, 2-6pm
Two comic book artists collaborated on a shared "Undertow" collection. Ask them questions about their work.
Photos Editor Vacant
Writers Mark Matich, Regan Mcneill, Saad Shah, Alex Wichert
Business Staff
SMC students are invited to join The Mike's Board of Directors
Business Manager Yasir Mustafa
business@readthemike.com
Ad Manager Vacant
Ad Execs Vacant
Apply by email to editorinchief@readthemike.com
Board of Directors BOD Student Reps. Vacant
Alekzia Hosein| Editor in Chief
BOD Alumni Rep. Andy Lubinsky
BOD College Rep.
Vatican City
The international Catholic community is in an uproar over perceivably "Protestant" comments made by Pope Francis about family structure, suggesting that remarried Catholics may be readmitted into full communion. As some Catholics vocally favour former Pope Benedict's views on family structure, religion writers warn that the controversy could lead to a real schism.
Washington
As the American Democrat party prepares for midterm elections, it released an Emoji-embellished ad campaign targeted at millennials. Although the infographic has been removed from campaign materials, many young voters feel insulted by the party's insensitivity.
Los Angeles
During a test flight for its maiden space journey,Virgin Galactic's SpaceShip Two exploded broke apart only 13 seconds after the engine started due to a failure with the ship's aerobraking system on Friday. The commercial space airline has revealed that about 3% of the airline's 700 reservations were cancelled after the crash, which left one pilot dead.
TURKEY
In an exclusive interview with Germany newspaper, Der Spiegel, Islamic State recruiter Abu Sattar, made claims that "a real Muslim is not a democrat because he doesn't care about the opinions of majorities and minorities," illustrating a a narrow perspective of the political affiliation of most international Muslims. He sums up his views with the claim that "democracy is for infidels."
OTTAWA
The Harper government has come under criticism for an act barring people from Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea who want to emigrate to or travel in Canada, as well as foreign nationals who have visited those countries in the past three months, from receiving Canadian visas.The ban was developed as a means of preventing the spread of Ebola to Canada, but is criticized for being a violation of international agreements.
Steve Hoselton
@readthemike The Mike is the Official Bi-weekly Student Newspaper of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto, publishing since 1947. The Mike has a circulation of 2000, delivered to over 40 newsstands across the University of Toronto: St. George Campus and is published by The Mike Publications Inc. The Mike is printed by MasterWeb Inc on recycled newsprint stock and is a member of Canadian University Press. Copyright: 2012 The Mike Publications Inc. All Rights Reserved. All editorial inquires should be sent to editorinchief@readthemike.com. The Mike reserves the right to edit all submissions
looking to contribute? drop us a line! editorinchief@readthemike.com www.readthemike.com 416-926-7272 • 81 st. mary st. • toronto on • m5s 1j4 •
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THE MIKE
News
Why vote in SMCSU elections? Q&A with Chief Returning Officer, David Han
Alekzia Hosein | Editor in Chief The Mike: Hi David Han, I heard you're the CRO in this year's upcoming SMCSU election. Want to talk about it/answer a few questions that I can run in the issue that comes out on Wednesday? David Han: Hi! I am indeed
the CRO, and I would be willing to answer some questions. What's up? TM: First, tell us a bit about yourself. What do you study? What year are you in? DH: I'm in my 3rd year. I have a specialist in biological physics, with a minor in math. TM: And what exactly does a CRO do?
DH: My job basically involves facilitating an election. I am an employee of SMCSU, and my responsibility is to produce any number of candidates whilst abiding to the electoral bylaws that SMCSU council has adopted. I run almost every aspect of the SMCSU election. The dates are set by me, I advertise for candidates, I set up the forums,
everything. It's all done by me. Of course, I also refer to SMCSU if I have any questions, or if there's anything I'm unsure of. TM: So, why is SMCSU having an election anyway? DH: Now, SMCSU is having elections to fill 6 general councillor positions. We have 1 Loretto Rep, 2 First Year Reps, and 3 other general councillor positions. TM: Why do you think it's important for a student to participate in these election, through running for a position or through voting? DH: I feel it is so critical for students to vote is because firstly, the vote is the cornerstone of democracy. In addition, the legitimacy of the SMCSU government can only be cemented by a democratic vote.It's a civic duty of our students to make
a call for what sort of government they want. And if we have low voter turnout, then it suggests that a government may have lost touch with its students, and therefore may be indicative of a need for change. TM: I agree! Is there anything else you think students should know? DH: Yes! Polling is online, at voting.utoronto.ca. The locations and times for polling are as follows: Thursday, November 6, 2014. Brennan Lounge: 10:00 - 19:00 Kelly Library Cafe: 16:00 - 19:00 Friday, November 7, 2014. Brennan Lounge: 10:00 - 19:00 Kelly Library Cafe: 16:00 - 20:00 Loretto Residence: 16:00 - 19:00 TM: Thanks for the information! I'll pass it along to SMC students. Good luck with everything and don't forget to vote, St. Mike's!
CFS AGM addresses membership questions, plans for year ahead Sabrina Nemis | The Fulcrum (University of Ottawa) OTTAWA (CUP) — Despite last year’s protests and dissatisfaction with Canada’s largest student lobby group, this year’s Canadian Federation of Students’ (CFS) fall annual general meeting focused on planning new campaigns in light of the federal election. After an initial discussion, focus shifted away from membership questions brought up last year. In September 2013 more than a dozen member unions expressed their desire to leave the organization via media release followed by protesters picketing and chanting outside last year’s fall AGM. Members still having trouble disaffiliating The dissatisfaction was centered around student unions having difficulty leaving CFS, with several going to court in order to disaffiliate. This fall, the McGill Post-Graduate Students’ Society won the right to have their referendum recognized by CFS in court and the University of Toronto Graduate Students’ Union reached a settlement allowing their referendum to go forward as well. Jessica McCormick, chairperson of the national executive, said most members leave without issue, pointing to Capilano University’s student union, which left earlier this year with little apparent difficulty. She said, “when we have members of student associations who dispute the decision of the national executive” it is usually “cases where the individual
member who submitted the petition or the student association hasn’t followed the bylaws.” This fall, only representatives from the Dawson Student Union (DSU) at Dawson College requested recognition of the referendum needed to disaffiliate from CFS. In order to disaffiliate, members of student unions must petition their membership and present it to the CFS for ratification. Sarah Drouin, external affairs director of the DSU and one of the representatives at the AGM, said the bylaws make it hard to obtain a referendum. She said they’ve been trying to hold a CFSrecognized referendum for four years and demanded CFS give them a referendum date this fall, adding if they were not able to hold one, “we will have to go to court.” According to current CFS bylaws, only two members may have referenda between semi-annual general meetings and those referenda must be recognized by CFS. With two referenda now recognized as a result of the legal battles, the national executive declined to consider a third referendum at this meeting. There was also disagreement as to whether the DSU was up to date on all fees. Drouin said Dawson College had no outstanding balance except the current semester for which they are still collecting from the student body. A petition will not be recognized in the event that a member is found to owe anything to CFS, according to their bylaws. McCormick said CFS and the DSU have been in frequent
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Reviewing Annabelle The demon is in the details Louis Train | Arts Editor It’s 1969, and sideburns are in. Mia and John are a cute-as-pie Catholic couple who are expecting a baby in a few weeks, but they have so much more to deal with: John’s upcoming medical school residency, for one, and the cult murder of the couple next door. We’re in the wake of the Tate-Labianca killings, and at the start of a decade that will bring radical political and social change, and also unprecedented atrocities at home (John Gacy, Ted Bundy) and abroad (Jonestown, Southeast Asia). Annabelle is a typical horror movie in an excellent setting. In an era when hope seemed gone – or when those who had it had to make it for themselves – the supernatural fits naturally in the nooks and crannies of the changing and unknown. The murder of the neighbours turns out to be a plot by their daughter to summon a demon, who finds its link to the earthly world in one of Mia’s dolls. If a cult or serial killer can knock on your door and kill you, surely Satan can too. The evil doll shifts position, sits on a rocking chair, and re-appears after it’s thrown out. If this doesn’t sound scary, it’s not – the doll, whose scenes are as tame as the Twilight Zone episode from which they were ripped off, is a decoy for the real monster of the movie (cleverly omitted from the previews). A demon, 8-feet tall, with branch-like fingers and glowing eyes, steps into focus in the last act, finally giving us something to scream about. Which we do, and then it’s over. All it takes is the sacrifice of a human soul and the plot is resolvedish. The story is weak, but the setting is strong, and the technique is clever. One recurring device involves closing doors as sinister things
approach, allowing us to see what’s coming (and enjoy the suspense) but still be surprised when it gets there. Annabelle Wallis and Ward Horton as the leads are cute and convincing. Horton is especially good as the supportive husband who happens to be at work whenever something scary happens. He witnesses the initial murder but never sees the demon, can’t verify that the stove turned on by itself, and has no clue how that writing got on the ceiling. He supports his wife every step of the way, but every line he speaks seems to have the script direction “dutifully” in front.
Mia is at home all day, alone except for the baby, and John doesn’t have time for her. She shuts down his suggestion that she see a shrink before he even makes it, suggesting that it’s been brought up before. It’s as throughout the movie John is weighing the odds of an actual demonic encounter against his wife’s doing all the shocking things she blames on the monster. And let’s not forget that their story begins with a reference to the Manson “family”, an unencouraging comparison; and with the murder of parents by their daughter. Mia’s encounters with the demon are at most
literal metaphors for her domestic torture and at worst totally imagined. The only other witness is Evelyn, a new neighbour who shoehorns in a parallel theme about maternity and sacrifice before she jumps out a window. We’re not sure if the beautiful sacrifice of motherhood is meant to disprove or displace the Satanic horror of domestic life, or if these two conflicting themes are meant to compete for the viewer’s entertainment. But anyway, there’s a demon.
School got you stressing? John Wick’s struggle is not real like yours but it is indeed entertaining Regan McNeill | Contributor
discussion over fees, but said it still unclear whether or not there remain any outstanding. The CFS treasurer will be in contact with the financial executive member of the DSU to clarify what information will be needed to confirm whether all fees have been paid. “I don’t think there’s been a decision, on our part at least, as to whether or not there are or are not fees to be remitted,” she said. CFS planning for busy year in light of federal election Aside from the defeated membership motion put forth by the DSU, the atmosphere was positive and enthusiastic from members in attendance. This year, students at affiliated campuses will see campaigns combating rape culture, supporting racialized and LGBTQ students, supporting missing indigenous
women across Canada, going fossil fuel-free on campus and a special focus on next year’s federal election with the It’s No Secret campaign. “The discussions at this meeting brought something different to the table than what I’ve heard before,” McCormick said, pointing to conversations centred on the need to ensure discussions at the AGM are representative of their membership. For example, the No Means No campaign was amended to ensure the experiences of racialized and indigenous women are recognized explicitly, regardless of whether they constitute a large percentage of a campus’ population. McCormick said CFS intends to bring education and outreach about the coming federal election to campuses, have a student-centered question brought to one of the televised leaders’ debates and “the
very ambitious goal of increasing voter turnout.” She wants to ensure students feel they can bring their individual voices into the national conversation surrounding the election so they can impact “the kind of country that we want to have.” Next year’s national executive was also voted in at the meeting. Bilan Arte, who is now the deputy chairperson, will take over for McCormick in the spring. Former president of the Kings’ Student Union at the University of King’s College, Anna Dubinski will take over the vacant treasurer position immediately, as well as continuing in the role for the coming year. Current president of the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa, AnneMarie Roy will be deputy chairperson.
Normally I describe a “good” action movie as a one with thorough character development, well choreographed and appropriately placed fighting scenes, a head aching but energizing soundtrack, and most importantly, a stimulating storyline. I have reason to believe that the latter is not often characteristic of contemporary action films. But the newly released David Leitch and Chad Stahelski film John Wick has proven me wrong. At it’ core, the film is a revenge story where John Wick (Keanu Reeves) is looking to kill the son of his ex mafia boss. The John Wick we see at the very beginning of the film is vulnerable; however after a brutal altercation, he transforms into his coldblooded persona known as “The Boogeyman” who will not accept death until he avenges himself one last time. Sounds typical right? The way I describe John Wick makes it seem as if it is a typical revenge story but this is not the case. As the film progresses and we dive deeper into John Wick’s plight for revenge, we gain access into the underpinnings of a secret society where killing is treated as banal and at times, a sadistic pleasure. What comes with this is a story about New York’s underworld of crime
and sick individuals. Even though John Wick kills many of these “sick individuals” and is in fact one of them, the narrative allows for you to become emotionally attached to Wick’s struggle and ultimately rooting for him from the start. And so, I have come to the realization that Keanu Reeves, even with that blank look on his face most of the time, is a great actor. After viewing the film one of my friends remarked that “In his movies Keanu Reeves does not transform into the characters, but instead the characters become him”. I have no doubt that this movie would’ve lacked its subtle intensity if Keanu Reeves had not played John Wick. The desublimation of all of Wick’s rage comes out in his fighting, which for reasons related to kung fu I think Reeves had involvement in choreographing. I also appreciated the fact that aside from kung fu the characters war with guns, cars and even pillows. Though what I appreciate most about the violence in this film, is that it was well placed and that the whole film was not a frenzy of fireballs; it was much more dark than that. The hysteria of combat in John Wick is always complimented by the most percussive of sound effects and a booming soundtrack. One of my favourite fight sequences in the
film follows John Wick through a nightclub and the sound of bullets is perfectly remixed into storm of EDM. This clever interplay between the soundtrack and sound effects, accompanied by visual madness, is an artform in this film. For all its artistic but dark tendencies, John Wick is an exceptionally entertaining
and at times, funny film. In other words, it is definitely worth spending your money on to go see in the cinema. Take a break from your papers and tests, and confide in the rage of the most dangerous man alive, John Wick.
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THE MIKE
Silent Hitchcock comes to Toronto Early works from the master of suspense Mark Matich | Staff Writer
Perhaps somewhat overshadowed by the massive Stanley Kubrick exhibit that recently premiered at TIFF, BFI’s “Hitchcock 9” retrospective series is a unique film viewing opportunity happening now in Toronto. “Hitchcock 9” refers to the nine surviving silent films made by Alfred Hitchcock in Britain in the mid-to-late 1920s, which have been painstakingly restored by the British Institute, culling from their own archives and the extensive resources of the Eye Film Institute in the Netherlands. Travelling to Toronto this November, these nine films form the schedule of the 2014 Toronto Silent Film Festival, and include the famous thriller The Lodger (1927) and the boxing drama The Ring (1927). Today, November 2, saw two screenings, one of Hitchcock’s first film, The Pleasure Garden, and one of the under-seen drama Downhill (1927), a film that falls outside of Hitchcock’s usual oeuvre but does contain embryonic glimpses of his future brilliance. Brilliance in the future tense because the film is neither particularly strong nor weak, a metropolitan melodrama that was originally a play written by Ivor Novello, who stars in this film version. Part of why the film is not exceptionally great overall is its lagging midsection, which follows the slow decline of schoolboy Roddy (Novello) as he takes the fall for a friend caught in a pregnancy scandal. There is perhaps one decadent dinner party too many, at which the Novello
character recants his woes to a poetess (Violet Farebrother), the film becoming as soporific as its intended atmosphere before a bravura final act. This last part of the film, chronicling the delusions of the hero as he tramps in Marseilles and eventually boards a ship back to England, is the most audacious. It features inventive use of tinting, a crepuscular green denoting the point-of-view of Roddy as he has visions of his obstinate father and his misadventures. This scene overall is about the psychological toll of Roddy’s guilt over his excesses, and as such prefigures the thematic thread of guilt leading to skewed vision or surreal perception in Hitchcock’s later works such as Vertigo.
Other than this I found Downhill to be a drama of the perils of the high life for young men that is very much of its time in film and social terms. Despite the lack of script economy, it uses the facets of silent filmmaking well, including a hilarious set of title cards varying in size to represent Roddy’s shrinking inheritance. These are another inkling of a trend to come in Hitchcock, biting humor amidst scenes of angst or drama. The backdrop of a bustling London for the citybound scenes recalls a cinematic interest in cities that is also present in America in Sunrise and Germany in Metropolis in the same year as this film, 1927. These are tinted blue to connote the constant rain, another striking use of a silent-era technique.
In addition to the tinting, when viewing the film one should watch out for the times when Hitchcock uses odd angles to show character perspective and a powerful use of moving camera in the scene where Novello makes a pact not to reveal the truth about the pregnancy. Much of the rest of the film relies on the pantomime of the actors in static shots to convey meaning, and at this point it appears that the Master was still strengthening his command of film grammar (some of which he did not yet have at his disposal), later to employ it with consistently more effectiveness and panache than almost any other director.
25 years in the making Reviewing Taylor Swift's newest album, 1989 Louis Train | Arts Editor Where does a lyric fit into a song? The answer to that question varies across genres and media. In opera, lyrics complement notation to bring out a particular sound in vocalists, drawn from the natural musical qualities of human vowels and consonants. Let the set take you to some place, Ancient Egypt or modern China, and let the moods and feelings of the music guide you through it. On Broadway, lyrics share the stage with music, and their content is arguably more important than their sound (although an excellent Broadway lyricist takes both into consideration). The gentle melodies of Oklahoma! paint only a vague picture without the lyrical imagery of Oscar Hammerstein: “Where the wavin’ wheat / can sure smell sweet, / when the wind comes right behind the rain”. Where does a lyric fit into a pop song? This question seems to have stumped Taylor Swift, a gifted lyricist, in her latest album, 1989. Swift comes from the land of country music, where a clever lyric can earn a Pulitzer Prize, as it did for the late Hank Williams in 2010. In the country, simple chords and simple words come from the heart to make sincere, universal songs which are always about something. In the city, which is not coincidentally the setting
of Swift’s new album, words are mostly filler. There have obviously been some gifted pop lyricists, but I dare you to take the words of your favourite pop song and recite them without music. They’ll almost certainly be more self-conscious and forced than “I got a hot rod Ford, and a two dollar bill / And I know a spot / right over the hill”. Taylor Swift is at home in country music, where she is a distant descendant of Williams and others like Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynne. She’s written a love song using only 9th-grade cliches (“Cause you were Romeo – I was a scarlet letter”) and can sing about rue and failed romance as well as found love. “You Belong With Me” was the moment I knew Taylor Swift knew what she was doing, just as, a few decades before, “Jolene” convinced the world that there was more to Dolly PArton. Pop songs don’t speak from the heart, and pop listeners have learned to all but tune out the words. We know that a lot of it isn’t written by the singers, or even by practising performers, so sincerity doesn’t get the benefit of the doubt. In 1989, Taylor Swift tries unsuccessfully to balance her lyrical honesty with her foray into the world of pop. The first song, “Welcome to New York”, is meant to usher us into the world that its author has begun to explore. But “The village is aglow / Kaleidoscope of loud heartbeats / Under
coats” is hidden under thumping synthesizers. Ironically, the meaning would have been clearer without the words. If we’d simply heard the synthesizers we would have gotten thought of kaleidoscopic heartbeats anyway, even if not that exact image. In this way, pop is a lot like opera: it relies on music, of which the voice is just another instrument, to share
an emotional journey. But as much as I’d love to hear an opera composed by Taylor Swift, I’d like to see her conquer pop first.
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THE MIKE
THE MIKE
Meeting our 2014-2015 masthead Alekzia Hosein Editor-in-Chief
Photo: Alanna Iammarino
1. Fourth year, Book and Media Studies & German Studies 2. I write, design and take photos 3. A huge portfolio and learning everything there is to know about how a student newspape runs, along with the opportunity to define success on my own terms 4. More on edge than edgy 5.The walkway between St. George St. and King's College Circle through Knox College 6. Contemporary art, fashion, the effects of digital media on consumer behaviour, fake astrology
Palakh Chhabria Senior Copy Editor 1.Third year, political science 2. I revise and fix grammatical and stylistic errors before print 3. A greater sense of community 4. Indie film, tapas, policy, samba, beaches: 5. Hart House's reading room 6. Food and policy
Louis Train Arts Editor 1. Fourth year, philosophy and writing 2. I get the word out about what's going on! 3. Writing about art helps me to enjoy it even more 4. Arts Editor of the Mike!
Photo: Micah Gold-Utting
Every year, the Mike's staff changes based on elections held in the spring. After three issues, we've decided to finally formally introduce ourselves. Almost entire masthead is newly appointed this year, with the exception of our Arts Editor, Louis, who is in now in his second term. Alekzia has picked up the torch thrown down by Micah Gold-Utting as the Editor-in-Chief, after he held the term for two years. Over the years, she's held positions as a copy-editor, news editor, production manager and managing editor and hopes that this experience will help her fill the shoes that Micah has left behind. Although they're newly-appointed as editorial staff, our section editors have all been longtime contributors to the Mike. Last year, John, Peter, and Melissa were all staff writers before the second semester had begun.This dedication has already begun to show in their new terms as section editors and we can't wait to see what exciting ideas they'll bring to the Mike. Each of them is constantly scouting new writers who can bring another point of view to the respective sections.They're eager to coach their writers out of their shells and become the best contributors possible. Each of these section editors started exactly where you are right now, dear reader. Palakh is a newcomer to the Mike, and an expert copy-editor. If you hate grammatical errors, need stylistic pointers or just want to contribute to the Mike, consider joining her team of copy editors. At this point the positions of photo editor, news editor and managing editor are all vacant. If you're interested in photography, news around UofT and SMC, or working with our production team, contact Alekzia at editorinchief@readthemike.com. We're also always looking for designers and submissions of photos and illustrations from any UofT student. If you're unsure about your experience level, know that our current and former design team learned how to use Creative Suite here at the Mike. If you'd like to learn how a student newspaper works, the Mike is a great opportunity to get yourself acquainted. We've answered the following standard questions, so that you can get to know us better:
1. Field of study and year? 2. What do you do at the Mike? 3. What you've gotten from working with the Mike? 4. Describe yourself in five words: 5.Your favourite place on campus? 6. What's your favourite thing to write about?
John Castellarin Living Editor 1. Fourth year, specialist (Finance and Economics 2. I plan and develop content for the living section. 3. I've developed my writing in a lot of different areas 4. Harry Styles minus the voice 5. Brennan Hall 6. Student life
Peter Galka Sports Editor 1. 5th Year Teacher's College 2. I write, proofread and compile articles based on the most pressing issues within the sports world. I also have to stay on top of news and events in all major sports leagues. 3. Working for The MIKE, I've met a lot of intelligent, awesome people who share my interests in writing and sports. 4. BBQ, Beer, Basketball, Buddies, Beer. 5.The Maddy. 6. I love to write about how much I hate LeBron.
Melissa Morgado Opinions Editor
1. Fourth year, law 2. I take everyone's radical opinions on politics and make them family-friendly! 3. a drastic increase in my writing skills and a feeling of accomplishment every time I see my thoughts published in paper and ink 4. Forever stuck in TTC delays 5. the Bloor St stretch. I like to walk with the rich people and pretend I fit in. 6. Any sort of issue that has an ethical component
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Sports
THE MIKE
Early assessment of the 20142015 Toronto Maple Leafs Some predictions about the upcoming season Correction In our October 28 issue David Rouben wrote an insightful article about his predictions for the Toronto Maple Leafs' upcoming season. Unfortunately his name was not published with the article. The Mike apologizes for this error. His original article follows.
David Rouben | Contributor
It’s probably a bit early to fairly assess which direction the Maple Leafs are heading in this season, but it is Toronto, a city where everyone acts prematurely. Just last year, Tim Leiweke planned a Stanley Cup parade route before a game had been played, Toronto FC –now eliminated from the playoffs – was dubbed a “bloody big deal” because they signed two European league players, and two Leafs fans have thrown jerseys on the ice despite it only being five games into the season. So how good is this team? They’re not bad enough to have their jersey thrown onto the ice but they’re not good enough to make the playoffs. Even if they were bad enough, they don’t know how to tank properly for the first overall pick – the lowest pick they had in recent memory was second overall, and they traded it to Boston as part of the Phil Kessel deal. Heading into the season, that’s where I thought they would be. They did not make drastic improvements on the offseason, and largely kept the core from last season’s team that finished eighth-last. The biggest changes they made were off the ice. The Leafs were
historically one of the worst defensive teams, allowing an average of 36 shots per game. The main reason they won most of their games was because their goaltenders bailed them out, and their offense was able to score their way out of trouble. From October to February, it seemed to work. But anyone who followed the team last year knew that it wasn’t sustainable, and the team’s defensive problems were exposed when both Bernier and Reimer got injured towards March. One group of naysayers all season long last year were the online advanced stats community. They would continue to bring up numbers like Corsi, Fenwick, and PDO. I can’t say I know what those numbers mean, but they suggested the Leafs would suffer a regression at some point in the season. The Leafs defied analytics for much of the season, but when they collapsed out of the playoffs, the advanced stats community let out a collective “I told you so.” In response, the Leafs hired plenty of people who are experts of advanced stats from Kyle Dubas, former GM
of OHL’s Sault-Ste. Marie, Cam Charron, and the founder of the site Extraskater. And while the extension of Randy Carlyle came under heavy criticism, they took away his two assistant coaches – including the defensive co-ordinator – and hired Peter Horachek and Steve Spott, the latter being the former coach of the Marlies. These new hires translated well in the off-season, as the Leafs got rid of Colton Orr and Frazer McLaren, and replaced them with a real fourth line. The closest thing they have to an enforcer is Leo Komarov, but he is a valuable asset. For one, he is a great penalty killer, and he knows how to agitate opposing players without having to get into a fight. Komarov has mostly been playing with David Clarkson this season, who scored 11 points and got signed to one of the worst contracts in the NHL. However, alongside Komarov, they have become a shut-down line that opposing players are scared to play against. Defensively, Stuart Percy has been a diamond in the rough, who
has played his way up the ranks and has even played over newly-signed Jake Gardiner early on. He has shown no signs of slowing down, and having him and Morgan Reilly as two young defensemen who have a high ceiling show great signs for the future. As a group, they still have the same problems that were evident last season. Through their first five games, they have given up an average of 34 shots and have been outshot in four of those games. The one outlier was when they outshot the Colorado Avalanche 40-24 who, just like the Leafs, were one of the worst teams defensively and had to rely on Vezina-nominee goaltending from Varlamov. A lot of fans like to blame Phaneuf since he’s the captain and gets the most ice-time on the team, but in truth, players like Robidas and Polak have looked far worse. It is also not Bernier’s fault despite giving up some shaky goals. The team has to play better in front of him, and offensively, they should not have to rely on their top line in order to have a good game. As for the fans throwing their
jerseys on the ice, take a page from Aaron Rodgers’ book and R-E-LA-X. It’s only five games into the season, and if you keep throwing your jersey on the ice after a loss, it’s going to be a long season. Don’t prolong the game by doing something stupid and moneywasting. The team is fully aware that they played poorly and it is up to them to play better. You are not the coach of this team, and you shouldn’t be telling them how to play. There is still plenty of time for the Leafs to look like a playoff team, but they do not have what it takes yet. They can turn it around, but they don’t need something as idiotic as a jersey thrown on the ice in order to spark it. As Leaf fans know full well by now, it takes patience.
Peter Galka | Sports Editor
NFL
In their 17th head-to-head matchup Tom Brady outduels Peyton Manning as the Patriots trounce the Broncos 43-21 this past Sunday. The Arizona Cardinals improve to their NFL leading record of 7-1 with their win over the Dallas Cowboys.
NHL
The Anaheim Ducks lead the league in points early on in the season through 12 games with a record of 9-3-0 thanks in part to Corey Perry’s league leading 10 goals. However, Sidney Crosby leads all point scorers with a grand total of 18 (7 goals and 11 assists).
MLB
The San Francisco Giants win their 3rd World Series in the last five years cementing them as a bona fide dynasty. Madison Bumgarner took home MVP honours after a truly dominant performance throughout not only the World Series, but the entirety of the post-season.
NBA
The Oklahoma City Thunder were dealt terrible news when Russell Westbrook broke a bone in his right hand in the second game of the season. This news , coming off the heels of Durant’s broken foot, surely will put the Thunder in a hole to start off the season.
Sports
THE MIKE
11
Another season, another injury Joffrey Lupul out three weeks with broken hand Stephanie Posocco | Staff Writer Sidelined last season due to foot and groin injuries, it seems as though the injury bug continues to taunt Leafs forward Joffrey Lupul. After breaking a bone in his right hand during practice last week, Leafs Coach Randy Carlyle announced that Lupul will watch the next 3 weeks worth of games from the press box. Lupul will reportedly sport a cast for a minimum of 10 days before being cleared to wear a glove and get some mobility back in his hand. Lupul’s absence created some opportunity for a young Leafs prospect to make his NHL debut against the Blackhawks Saturday night. Sam Carrick, the Leafs’ 22 year-old, 5th round pick from the 2010 draft was called up after showing promise in both preseason Leaf games as well as in the minors.
Lupul’s absence also forces Carlyle to switch up his lineup and rely on players like Daniel Winnik, David Clarkson and Peter Holland to pick up the slack. James van Riemsdyk will also be counted on to shine. The star forward
has fallen into the background as of late but will be looked to for added support especially with Lupul out of commission. James Reimer saved a stunning 26 shots in the 3rd period alone and the Air Canada Centre was electric,
however this has not been the case on a consistent basis. Despite the Leafs’ exciting win over the Blackhawks this weekend the team has struggled to find the net and win tight games consistently. With the loss of Lupul, we can only hope the team can hang
on to this latest win and ride that momentum into a successful run. The Leafs face off against the Vancouver Canucks, New Jersey Devils and Boston Bruins this week.
Why the Premier League isn’t the best in the world David Rouben | Contributor Practically every week, we are reminded by people who watch the Premier League, and it’s for a different reason every time. Whether it’s because of a thrilling match, or a lower-end team beating a top 4 one, or because of some team’s illustrious history, there is a constant reminder that the Premier League is the best league in Europe and that none of the others are worth watching. There are several reasons why the Premier League is not the best. It starts with the fact that it is an English league. There is this notion that England is the mecca of the soccer universe, that everything that has to do with European football starts and ends with England. But if that were true, maybe they would have actually won a game during the World Cup. Yes, we all know that Manchester United has won 20 Premier League titles, and that players such as David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Paul Scholes have played for them. But the past is the past, and how can you call yourself the best team in the world if you can’t even beat the MK Dons? Simply put, popularity does not equal success. Take two games from earlier this season, when Chelsea and Everton played to a 6-3 finish and Liverpool vs. QPR which ended 3-2 courtesy of two own goals. Since these games happened in the Premier League, they are considered a classic, but if those games happened in any of Europe’s other leagues, the teams would be criticized for lack of defending and sloppy play. It’s also no secret that the best players in the English Premier League are not English. What do Eden Hazard, Sergio Aguero, David Silva, Angel di Maria, Alexis Sanchez, Graziano Pelle, Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas have in common? None of them are English, and all of them have come from a different league. Players who come off the bench in La Liga
are able to come to the Premier League and become the new face of their respective teams. That is exactly what has happened with Alexis Sanchez who, for Arsenal, has already scored half the amount of goals he scored last year with Barcelona. But the Premier League will always attract the most attention on the transfer market. Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, and Luis Suarez have been sold for a combination of 275 million Euros because of the notion that they have emerged as the best players in the toughest competition. Contrast that with the Bundesliga, where a World Cup winner in Toni Kroos was sold for 30 million Euros. The best defender in the world in Mats Hummels is rumored to being sold, but the price tag attached to his name is around 25 million Euros. It’s also no question that the Premier League is the most-watched European league in the world, as evidenced by NBC’s lucrative $250 million TV deal. Americans will take to watching the Premier League over other leagues because it is the one being shown on their TV. In addition, coming out of the World Cup, they’d turn to the Premier League to see
their Secretary of Defense Tim Howard in action even though the majority of the United States’ World Cup players are in the Bundesliga. When they televise the Champions League, the competition between Europe’s top teams in the world, they decided to put Liverpool vs. Basel on the main Sportsnet channel while putting Juventus vs. Atletico (a game between the Italian and Spanish champions) on Sportsnet World, a premium channel. They also put the biggest matches in world football such as El Clasico on beIN Sport while on a free channel such as TSN you can watch a game between Sunderland and Southampton. We have established that the Premier League is the most popular and the most competitive league, but neither of those means that it’s the best in the world. In conclusion, while the Premier League is very enjoyable to watch, it is a far cry from being the best in the world in terms of the amount of world-class players or teams. Calling a league the best league in the world is open to debate, because that word can have so many meanings. If you want to call a league the best because of the quality of teams or players,
then you would call La Liga the best league and Real Madrid the world’s best teams since they have had the most success in Europe. If you want to call a league the best because of how close the teams are, or because of how popular it is, then the Premier League and Manchester United are the best in the world. But it would be wrong to call any league the best based on these merits. Because while La Liga is successful in Europe, the domestic competition suffers because two teams are head and shoulders above the rest and there’s one game to look forward to throughout the season. The Premier League may be the hardest to win out of all the leagues, but that does not translate to European success as the current title-holders Manchester City have yet to win a Champions League game this season. There is no clear answer as to which league is the best in the world, and that’s because football is a global sport. Every league has its own benefits and should be enjoyed equally. That’s what makes it the best sport in the world… see what I did there?
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THE MIKE
Living
Sleepy? Blame your electronics
Reclaiming your circadian rhythm in an age of blue screens and artificial light
Living
Commemorating the past
Remembrance Day ceremonies around the city Dane Saunders | Contributor For many of us, now that we have graduated from high school, attendance at a Remembrance Day ceremony is no longer a part of our calendar. Even respecting the 2 minute moment of silence at 11:00 is no longer guaranteed. What’s the protocol? For those with class around that time, whether the class actually pauses will be dependent on the professor. Although high school ceremonies are a thing of the past, the sacrifices made by the members of the Canadian Military are not bound by time and should never be forgotten. With that being said, here are the details of a few ceremonies on Tuesday November 11 where you can show your respect.
John Castellarin | Living Editor Are you reading this and struggling to stay awake? Maybe you had a late night working on an annotated bibliography or doing something productive, but chances are you spent time lying in bed watching something on Netflix or creeping your crushes Instagram. In addition to actively keeping you up, once you finally close your laptop or put down your phone, the exposure to the light from the screen can actually keep you up later and make your sleep less restful. Studies have shown that exposure
to light can suppress melatonin secretion which can disrupt circadian rhythms. Circadian rhythms are a sort of biological clock that adjusts the times of the day when we feel most alert or asleep. At night, the darkness promotes rising melatonin levels increasing that feeling of sleepiness we all know so well. Although all forms of light contribute to suppressed melatonin thus affecting sleep, an article from Harvard Medical School, “Blue Light has a Dark Side”, discusses how the
blue lights from electronics have an even greater effect. In the study, researchers exposed participants to blue light and other wavelengths of lights and found that not only did blue light suppress melatonin for longer, but it also shifted the circadian rhythms more. As university students, there are already so many things preventing us from getting a good night’s sleep, many of which are beyond our control. However, there are many things we can control and should
try to change. Maybe consider doing your online readings earlier in the evening and your textbook ones just before you go to bed. There are also apps like F.Lux and Twilight that help reduce the blue light emanated from screens to help keep your circadian rhythms in check. Each of these changes are small and easy to implement, and will hopefully make you less of a zombie when you have to get up for that 9:00 am class.
THE MIKE
13
Wearing a poppy
John Castellarin | Living Editor
Since 1921, the Poppy has been the symbol of Remembrance Day in Canada, a day when we take time to acknowledge the wide variety of sacrifices made by service men and women in war and conflict. One of the major reasons it was chosen as a symbol for this day was the poem written by U of T Alumnus Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae, “In Flanders Fields”, which depicts the Poppies that grew along a burial site in Belgium during the First World War. It is an immensely important token of remembrance and should be treated with the utmost respect.As such, they should be worn with care and don’t belong on hats, shoes, or backpacks, but on your lapel or left side of your garment, close to your heart.The Poppy is worn from the last Friday in October and then removed on November 11th after any Remembrance Day ceremonies. For those of us familiar with wearing the Poppy, we know that they are prone to falling off, and often can often be found on the floor or the ground during this time of year. If you happen to see one, please pick it up rather than let it be trampled like a piece of trash. That being said, Poppies will always fall off, but there are a number of tricks that will ensure yours stays on no matter what. Check out the images below to guarantee your poppy stays on your lapel where it belongs. 1. Take your poppy
Once you finally close your laptop or put down your phone, the exposure to the light from the screen can actually keep you up later and make your sleep less restful.
2. Put the pin through your left lapel from the front
Trek for Teens update What UofT students are doing to combat youth homelessness in Toronto Alex Wichert | Staff Writer According to government reports, over 10,000 youth are on the streets of Toronto during the year. The reason why the issue is not easily noticed however, is that youth homelessness does not necessarily equate with living on the street. 60% of youth who find themselves out on the street stay in one of Toronto’s homeless shelters, 92% find friends and “couch surf ”, and 15% find a location close to the street that offers more shelter; squats, parks, alleys, and doorways are all commonly used as temporary lodging. In addition to the difficulties surrounding visibility, youth homelessness is an issue that is swathed in misconception. Many people believe that those on the streets are to blame for being homeless, either because of drug use, crime, or other behaviour that is scorned by society. In reality, over 70% of homeless youth have experienced some form of sexual, physical, or emotional abuse, causing them to have no choice but to leave home. In addition, many youth are ostracized from their families because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
3. Push the pin again through the back of the lapel Those suffering from mental illness, too, can be exiled from their homes and forced to fend for themselves. Another misconception is that homeless people don’t work. Many, however, are among the working poor. A person earning minimum wage cannot often make enough for proper support or to pay innercity rent. As a result, many resort to panhandling, break-and-enters, and selling drugs. 10% of homeless youth do or have done work in the sex trade, including street prostitution, phone or Internet sex, and messages or stripping. Fortunately, there are ways to help. Trek for Teens is a not-forprofit organization composed mainly of students affiliated with the University of Toronto. The foundation organizes coffee houses, concerts, fashion shows, dance competitions, and high school events with all proceeds going to homeless youth shelters Horizons for Youth, Youth Without Shelters, and Covenant House Toronto. Trek for Teens is proud to be writing monthly articles in The Mike to bring you information on youth homelessness, upcoming volunteer opportunities, and Trek for Teens events. Trek for Teens has a few
serve as an introduction to the issue of youth homeless and what Trek for Teens does, as well as provide participants with the materials needed to bring the foundation to their high schools. If you know anyone in high school interested in being a Trek for Teens Student leader, email the Director of Human Resources, Nicole Bazzocchi, at nicole@trekforteens.com.
openings remaining for the 20142015 academic year, including the Director of the Fair. This position presents the opportunity to advertise the fair event, attract participants, and obtain vendors for Trek for Teens Day. To apply for this or other positions, head to trekforteens.com/volunteeropportunities/ You can get involved in Trek for Teens by attending their November Coffee House. It will take place on Saturday, November 15th from 6:00 PM to 11:00 in Brennan Lounge – 81 St. Mary Street. There is no cost to watch the show and is a “pay
what you can” event. If you are a musician, singer, dance, spoken word artist, magician, or have a different act that people need to see, you can also perform! Email the Director of Concerts, David Carcasole, at concerts@trekforteens.com more information. In addition, the Trek for Teens UofT club will be hosting a bake sale in the Sidney Smith Lobby on November 5th. All proceeds for baked goods go towards helping homeless youth in Toronto. Trek for Teens will also be hosting its Student Leader Training session on November 16th. The session will
For more information about the organization and for ways to get involved, link up at trekforteens.com, facebook. com/trekforteens, and twitter.com/ trekforteens
Soldiers' Tower Old City Hall
(at the western end of Hart House) Time: 10:20 Details: The service includes the recitation of the poem In Flanders Fields, written by UC alumnus John McCrae, the singing of traditional hymns, readings, laying of wreaths, The Last Post, The Lament, Reveille, and the Royal and National Anthems. As well, Chris Miller (BASc 1948), a U of T graduate and veteran, shares some personal reminiscences about the generation that grew up fast.
60 Queen St. West Time: 10:45 Details: The City of Toronto will host its Remembrance Day Service at the Cenotaph at Old City Hall. The general public is invited to participate and pay homage to the sacrifices and achievements of Veterans during times of war, armed conflict and peace.
Queen's Park
111 Wellesley Street West Time: 10:45 Details: The Province of Ontario will host its Remembrance Day Service at the Ontario Veterans' Memorial in front of the Legislative Buildings at Queens Park.
4. Place the pin through the side of the Poppy
5. And Voilà!
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THE MIKE
Opinions
The gift of words and the freedom of speech
Anastasiya Maryukova | Contributor Recently, a woman strolled down the streets of New York and encountered more than a hundred unsolicited remarks directed at her. Shoshana B. Roberts, wearing a simple outfit of jeans and a black shirt, got harassed because of her appearance and gender. Receiving unwanted salutations including “hey beautiful” and “hey baby”, she experienced street harassment, which is a form of sexual harassment occurring in public places.
While often directed at women, street harassment goes beyond gender and verbal assault. It is a serious infringement of freedom of speech, which many of us take for granted. We live in a democratic community and we have a right to express how we feel and say what we want; it is a gift and privilege. I think we should take a moment and truly appreciate how easily and openly we can communicate in our society. We have been given the gift of words and it should not be used in vain. Words are not just mere verbal utterances; they have connotative meanings, reflected in the way words are delivered, including
body language and tone. As demonstrated in Roberts’s case, a seemingly harmless greeting can turn foul if it is accompanied by inappropriate physical gestures, such as staring at a woman up and down. Essentially, what we say and how we say it goes hand-inhand. More often than not, our words have a significant impact and lasting import. The unspoken aura of words is always at play, even if we are not entirely aware of it. Once I met a remarkable girl who was autistic and unable to talk, but her spirit came through in her art. She could not express verbally how she felt, but her drawings communicated
more than her words ever could. Just like an art work that suddenly gains a voice, our hidden verbal meanings come to light as soon as we utter them. A simple “hey beautiful” can become offensive and degrading when its main intent is to demonstrate power and male privilege. However, this is not just about men verbally accosting women. It is about our shared tendency to speak before we think. We naturally want to be heard and I constantly have to remind myself to step back and gain some distance from my passionate declarations. I often let my feelings get in the way of what I truly aim to communicate. Ultimately, I release the voice of a writer and lover of words for their own sake, without added embellishment. I ask myself whether or not what I say is kind, constructive, free of judgment and harm. A word can be a healing force or it can be a potent weapon of destruction. It is up to us which side wins. We live in a privileged world of open communication, and it grants us with power to choose our words. Once something is spoken, it is lost in that world with no return. We can’t take it back. The gift of free speech essentially invests us with responsibility for what we do with our words. We can use them to build each other up, contributing to a better, more harmonious society, or we can tear each other down, leading to a society of inherent dissonance. Again, it is up to us which world we envision for ourselves.
Rights aren't wrong
THE MIKE
Opinions
15
The land of honest people What does Compaoré’s departure mean for Burkinabé?
Saad Shah | Staff Writer Truth be told, many people were probably unaware of the existence of a country by the name of Burkina Faso in West Africa until recently. It is a landlocked country with a population of about 16.9 million people. Sadly, over half the population lives on less than $1 a day. The recently removed President, Blaise Compaoré, held power for 27 years since 1987 after a military coup against the then-president Thomas Sankara. Earlier this week, as a result of mass protests against Compaoré’s attempt to pass a bill which would allow him to stay in power for another term, President Compaoré
resigned as president of Burkina Faso and is currently staying in the neighbouring Côte D’Ivoire. While it may seem like a success for the people of Burkina Faso, the protestors are unhappy with the outcome. Military Colonel Isaac Zida has assumed control of the country and has stated that “the form and duration [of the transitional period] will be determined later.” Zida is backed by the army of Burkina Faso, especially because he was given this position of power by General Honore Traore. So for now the military is effectively in power and has made no declaration about when the democratic elections will be held. Both the US and EU have called to the people of Burkina
Faso to decide who runs their country. However, the world knows from experience that once the military assumes power the possibility looms of them holding on to that power indefinitely. For example, in Egypt, after Mohamed Morsi was elected president (after the revolution leading to the imprisonment of Hosni Mubarak), he was deposed within a few months by General Abdel Fateh ElSisi in July 2013. He is still the president of Egypt. Similarly, in Pakistan, General Parvez Musharraf seized power in 1999 as a result of a bloodless coup. It was not until 2008 that he was impeached from his position as president of Pakistan. While he did have a referendum in 2002, which he won by 98%
support allowing him to become president, it is widely believed that the results were fraudulent. These are just a few examples of the military holding on to power indefinitely. There are many more which date back to as far as Napoleon Bonaparte of France in the nineteenth century. The point is, while events in Burkina Faso have been turning relatively quickly, there is a possibility that transition to democratic rule might be longer than the 90 days outlined in the constitution. Burkina Faso is a very poor country and the major exports are gold and cotton. It has been an important base to combat terrorist activities in the neighbouring countries, but with the rapid change of government, the future seems unsure. This is not to say Compaoré was a great leader who led his people to prosperity, but on the international stage he was respected because of his firm stance against terrorism. Domestically, however, his rule was semi-authoritarian and he firmly silenced dissent and opposition to his tenure. The people of Burkina Faso lived impoverished lives under his rule, earning less than a dollar a day and struggling hard to make ends meet. At this early stage of the crisis it cannot be said for sure how long the military will stay and what changes they will bring to better the lives of the people. However, if the people remain unhappy with the army rule, and if the army decides to postpone democratic elections indefinitely, there is a possibility for more violence, which might even warrant international intervention. This has happened in other countries around the world and remains a possibility in Burkina Faso.
The ethics of euthanasia Melissa Morgado | Opinions Editor If you’ve been at all following the journey of Brittany Maynard, then you’ll know that she attained her wishes and passed away on Saturday. Maynard was a staunch defender of the right-to-die movement and intended to make an impact on the movement in her last few days, using herself as a medium for getting her message across. It’s certainly worked, as the right-to-die movement is achieving considerably more attention than usual. As a counterpart in part to the right-tolife debate, which is constantly in some form or another in contention, the right-to-die movement certainly has its typical morallyconservative opponents. Maynard’s death is particularly important because it challenges what we typically think of when we imagine fighting for the right to die. Compared to a reported median age of 71 for those who use Oregon’s state law to die, Maynard was just 29. Her young age has drummed up quite a moral panic among people who just can’t seem to get past the religious concerns of ending a life. Protestors are no doubt acutely aware that the political atmosphere is changing as the younger generation prepares to be the ones in charge, possessing a radically new attitude towards what should be legal and leaving a notable absence of traditional religious concerns.
I’m happy that the right-to-die movement is gaining important ground, even if it did take a death to get some notice. Obviously, the eternal philosophical debate behind the concept has existed for too long, assisted in part by notable figures such as the late Kevorkian. What I think we need is further push into this territory. I am a firm believer in a person’s right to dictate the terms of his or her own life. While it’s perfectly fine that people are realizing how terminal illness should justify ending your life, why should any person have to prove circumstances in order to control what becomes of them? In Canada, active euthanasia is considered murder and rightto-die legislation is largely nonexistent. In the U.S., few states have enacted legislation that allows the right to terminate life upon proving the existence of a terminal illness. This isn’t doing enough, because the individual still has to make a case that his or her death meets sufficient terms decided by someone else. Is this fair? If person X has been depressed for 10 years and simply wants a way out, how can someone rationalize denying them that chance? Quite frankly, it just doesn’t make sense that a community so willing to fight for our rights to control our bodies via sexuality and right-to-life can become complacent with a legislative body dictating when we are allowed to end that life (never mind the fact that defining a terminal illness and actually meeting the terms of the legislation can be
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difficult enough). At the risk of sounding like some crazy radical, I really do think that there needs to be a shift in how we fight. For me, there’s no sense in fighting for the right to keep an entity alive, but denying that entity the right to
make informed choices about his or her own existence. It’s certainly time to start rethinking right-to-die legislation, and now is the most critical and appropriate time to do it.
THEMOCK
Sudoku
16
(CUP) — Puzzles provided by Sudoweb.com. Used with permission.
Back in time Unknown Artist (1917) | Ontario War Poster Collection via Toronto Archives
Looking for a leadership opportunity at SMC? Consider joining The Mike's Masthead staff as a news editor, photo editor or web editor. Interested? Email: editorinchief@readthemike.com
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