The Carillon Volume 52 Issue 5

the carillon The University of Regina Students’ Newspaper since 1962 Oct. 1 - 7, 2009 Volume 52, Issue 5

cover

t he s taf f

Editor-in-Chief

Business Manager

Production Manager Copy Editor

News Editor A&C Editor

Sports Editor

Op-Ed Editor

Features Editor Visual Editor Ad Manager

Tech. Coordinator

News Writer

Peter Mills carillon@ursu.uregina.ca Matt Badger badger@carillon.uregina.ca John Cameron jc.sunshine@gmail.com Rhiannon Ward rhiannonward@gmail.com Austin M. Davis a_davis_7@hotmail.com James Brotheridge sjbrot@gmail.com Jordan Reid jleereid@msn.com Barbara Woolsey b.woolsey@hotmail.com Vacant

In the wake of a denied grant application, funding has dried up for SaskMusic. The Carillon looks at what this might mean for the arts in Saskatchewan.

arts & culture

new s

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sp orts

Graeme Zirk graeme_zirk@hotmail.com Tiffany Rutetzki tiffany_rutetzki@hotmail.com Vacant

A&C Writer

Sports Writer

Photographers

Kelsey Conway Jarrett Crowe Tyler Dekok

CONTRIBUTORS THIS WEEK

Jennifer Squires Vacant

Alexandra Fox Marc Messett Andy Sammons Matt Yim

Joel Blechinger, Jennifer Pierce, Zak Stinson, Nicole Rines, Jonathan Hamelin, Alex Colgan, Nathan Frank, Taylor Tiefenbach, Victôr Bockarié, Raquel Fletcher, Sunny Kim, Enyinnah Okere, Taylor Shire, Cassidy MacFadzean, Joel Yoemans.

tim’s vs. the un

5 jef f lukomski

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op -ed

featu re

th e pa pe r

THE CARILLON BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Joana Cook, Mark Hadubiak, Joshua Jakubowski, Janet Novak, Melanie Metcalf, Laura Osicki, Rhiannon Ward, Anna Weber 227 Riddell Centre University of Regina - 3737 Wascana Parkway Regina, SK, Canada, S4S 0A2 carillon@ursu.uregina.ca www.carillon.uregina.ca Ph: (306) 586-8867 Fax: (306) 586-7422 Circulation: 4.000 Printed by Transcontinental Publishing Inc., Saskatoon

The Carillon welcomes contributions to its pages.

However, excepting CUP material, the Carillon only prints previously unpublished articles, letters and editorials.

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The Carillon is a wholly autonomous organization with no affiliation with the University of Regina Students’ Union.

Opinions expressed in the pages of the Carillon are expressly those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Carillon Newspaper Inc. Opinions expressed in advertisements appearing in the Carillon are those of the advertisers and not necessarily of the Carillon Newspaper Inc. or its staff.

The Carillon is published no less than 11 times each semester during the fall and winter semesters and periodically throughout the summer. The Carillon is published by The Carillon Newspaper Inc., a non–profit corporation.

14 buddy bush

dome dilemma

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w ha t’s th at you sai d?

B u il d in g a d o me in Re g i na is . .. “...Less important than afforda b l e h o u si n g.”

“...Very pointless, not effective.”

John Fettes

Kristin Foote

Business Third Year

Arts Second Year

th e ma ni fe st o

In keeping with our reckless image, our office has absolutely no concrete information on the Carillon’s formative years readily available. What follows is what’s been passed down from editor to editor for over forty years.

In the late 1950s, the University of Regina planned the construction of several new buildings on the campus grounds.

One of these proposed buildings was a bell tower on the academic green. If you look out on the academic green today, the first thing you’ll notice is that it has absolutely nothing resembling a bell tower.

The University never got a bell tower, but what it did get was the Carillon, a newspaper that serves as a symbolic bell tower on campus, a loud and clear voice belonging to each and every student. Illegitimi non carborundum.

“...PPointless and a huge waste o f mo n e y.”

“...NNot necessary.”

Rebecca Holden

Josh Leach

Arts Second Year

Arts First Year

news

News Editor: Austin M. Davis a_davis_7@hotmail.com the carillon, Oct. 1 - 7, 2009

Money and a plan Long-awaited research centre nears completion

jennifer squires news writer

With construction coming to a close, the University of Regina is nearly ready to welcome the new Research Innovation Centre to the family.

The Research Innovation Centre building, colloquially known as the “new lab building,” has been on the U of R’s long-term building plans for over a decade. Ten years ago the U of R began petitioning the government for funding for a new building where research was the main focus.

The government responded with money for a feasibility plan and then they consented to help fund the building.

The Research Innovation Centre (RIC) was built for a variety of reasons. The administration felt that the current lab building was mostly associated with the Faculty of Science and having a building directly related to research would indicate that different kinds of research goes on at the U of R and therefore needed a place for it. Not only is space important, but faculty and personnel to occupy the building is required.

Barb Pollock, Vice President of

External Affairs, explains that the goal of the building is to provide students with state of the art opportunities. “[RIC] is one of the most modern teaching facilities in Canada. For us to have the faculty here to do the research of the level we need to be at in Canada, we needed to provide them with the appropriate facilities” Despite this goal, there is no classroom space in the RIC building, save for the theatre on the first floor and then various study spaces. The upper floors will be devoted to water quality research for The Centre of Excellence for Water Quality and various climate change research ventures. The upper floors will also accommodate principle investigators, graduate and post-doctoral students to do their research.

Undergrads who are active in research with grad students will also get to use the space.

What exactly will go on in the way of research is a mystery. Other than descriptions of low intensity wet and dry research one can only assume that RIC will be a more hightech version of the current lab building.

Pollock says that they are not moving everything from LAB to RIC, but there will be a domino effect as some equipment and research will move over. The Lab Building is one of the oldest buildings on campus and this bit of relocated equipment will result in more space as well as a much-needed cleaning and upgrade.

Pollock stresses that RIC is not a new lab building, “It’s not an addition, it’s a separate, stand-alone building; we already have a lab building so not only will we call it something else but different things will go on in it.” The name Research Innovation Centre was chosen because it was neutral to faculty and discipline. RIC offers a place where research can be done regardless of area of study.

While parts of RIC are currently in use, it mainly serves as a connection from College West to the Lab Building, The basement to fourth floor should be available for use by December of this year. The fifth floor, however, still requires more work because of funding issues. In the original plans, there was no fifth floor, but the U of R was awarded funding through a government

RIC numbers breakdown The RIC cost

$m 6i l 0l i .o2n to build.

Construction began in

It will surpass provincial energy targets by

twenty-five per

cent.

2005.

Knowledge Infrastructure Program.

The last floor will be completed in phases.

Construction officially began in 2005 with a sod turning ceremony.

When the feasibility report was done, the estimated $34 million cost did not reflect the inflation of the coming years. Pollock mentions that when they required some parts of the building to be completed, the prices had nearly doubled due to large construction boom in the province.

Because of this and other costs, RIC comes with a $60.2 million price tag, most of which was paid for by the provincial government. They chipped in a total $57.2 million for the project in two payments of $34.6 million and $23.6 million.

The other three million came from the university, which again came from various resources. Some funding from the government was received ahead of time and sat in the bank collecting about a million dollars of interest. The university also had access to funds related to the hard costs of doing research overhead.

There has been no levy or fee to

burden students regarding RIC. Students are not paying for this building at all, except for its care and maintenance which is already part of tuition. Pollock does not expect to see tuition raise as a direct result of RIC. The administration has seen students’ dedication to sustainability and has aligned themselves in creating one of the most sustainable campuses in Canada. Over 2000 doors open and shut every day on campus and because of RIC our energy costs have decreased because students are able to get to all the main buildings without going outside.

RIC features passive solar construction that maximizes the use of the sun to heat in the winter while minimizes it during the summer. The building is so energy efficient that it beats the provincial target by 25 per cent. RIC will also have the first commercial green roof in Saskatchewan which is being designed by an Engineering professor and her students.

Photos by Tyler Dekok and Matt Yim

“weIta’slrneoatday nhaavdediatiolanb... b u il d i n g s o n o t o n l y wi l l w e c a ll i t so m e t h in g el s e but different things will go on in it . ” Barb Pollock VP of External Affairs, U of R

the carillon Oct. 1 - 7, 2009

4 news

A long distance from home A tasty treat instead Nigerian students prosper in Queen City victôr bockarié contributor

Based on academic merits, eighty Nigerian students have been accepted at the University of Regina because of scholarships disposed to them by the River State Sustainable Development Agent Oversea Scholarship Program.

According to Cliff Bene, a recipient of this scholarship, approximately 5,000 qualified applicants wrote an objective examination with subject questions specifically geared to engineering. However, only 100 of these qualified applicants received this scholarship in 2008. This newly-created scholarship program, created in 2008, is a great accomplishment for the Nigerian Government and also for the current provincial River State Government, the People Democratic Party, under the Honourable Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. It provides an opportunity for young Nigerians to study overseas and demonstrates Nigeria’s capabilities for sustainable development.

In fact, Nigeria, years ago, was infamous for having miserable living conditions, induced by corrupt military politicians in power. A place where Internet fraud, now defined by the term 419 under the country’s penal code, was rampant and lured innocent outsiders to believe in a good cause of transferring large sums of money for an individual in distress. Furthermore, allegations about how senior federal politicians abused oil production revenues on personal matters became public. There were also rumors of their role in suppressing

minority tribal leaders (a.k.a. chiefs) through violence whenever they would protest about damage compensations declined by international oil companies.

According to John Ghazvinian, a novelist who wrote a non-fiction book called Untapped: the Scramble for Africa’s Oil, activists from the group formally known as Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) were gunned down outside of the village of Biara by the Nigerian army in late 1992. And most recently it is a country where the practice of ‘illegal bunkering’ of oil is common.

Despite these former problems, Nigeria is in a position of greatly improved development. All southern provinces, a location predominant with technological innovations and a major producer of oil, maintain scholarship programs which give few selected applicants a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study in Europe and in Canada.

Furthermore, this program does not create conflict with the interests of the nation, or with those of other provinces because each current provincial ruling government determines the importance of how federal revenues and of provincial income are to be spent. In this case, politicians in River State province are investing on education. Thus, these Nigerian students at the university will, in the future, be in charge of Nigeria’s oil production operation instead of expatriates from the West. Moreover, all successful applicants must be residences in River States and must have high academic results from high school or university. There are no exceptions. In fact, this program

“All southern provinces [of Nigeria] main-

tain scholarship programs which give few selected applicants a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study in Europe and in Canada.”

prohibits fraud by checking each applicant’s identity and academic results directly from its database records.

This scholarship program has an international partnership with the Dayzog Oversea Education Inc., an organization that monitors the academic performance of these students. This organization, in turn, works with the University of Regina International Student Service. According to Melissa Berwald, the Program Coordinator for the UR International Student Service, both the International Student Success Office and the Office Internal Co-occupation and Development at the university combined to offer international students much needed assistance.

These include several planned social activities, information workshops and if necessary, guidance to legal and health support. In addition, Bene and the other Nigerian students are grateful for the benefits that the UR International Student Service offers; likewise for the welcome celebration hosted by the department of Engineering and

by Dr. Vianne Timmons, President and Vice-Chancellor for the University of Regina.

In return, they must work hard academically. If not, this “fully-covered” scholarship might be terminated, leaving them with no alternative but to return home. This scholarship covers all personal and educational expenses. However, the scholarship program has a flaw for not amending work-term obligations for future graduating Nigerian students. Thus, it is likely that, in the future, past recipients of this program will return back to the West instead of permanently residing in Nigeria.

However, Cliff Bene has a personal aspiration of utilizing his education from the U of R for the benefit of Nigeria’s future continuing development. He emphasizes that “in the future, he will make Nigeria look like Regina.” And from his perspective, Africa, in the 21st century, has evolved as a continent filled with opportunities and technological advancement. And despite less international attentions concerning these improvements, several nations are investing in education for young people.

ctv.ca

Nothin' like a hot cup of controversial Conservative strategy

austin m. davis news editor

Leaders from the most powerful countries in the world gathered for the United Nations General Assembly in New York City Sept. 23. An examination of that gigantic room at 9:15 a.m. would have revealed that Prime Minister Stephen Harper was not in attendance.

Though the morning proved to be an exciting diplomatic display with controversial speeches, walkouts, and an address from President Barack Obama, Canada’s Conservative leader had other priorities. At that moment Harper was in Oakville, Ontario, paying a visit to the Tim Hortons Innovation Center, celebrating the return of the company’s base to Canadian soil.

Harper’s decision to abstain from attending the General Assembly has been a source of controversy over recent days, but according to Dr. Jeffery Webber, a Political Science professor at the University of Regina, there are larger issues at stake than Harper’s truancy.

“I don’t think it’s as earth shaking that Harper wasn’t there for one day of this meeting,” said Dr. Webber.

“What is important is that he didn’t take part in the U.N. summit; or took part only very briefly over the environmental discussions that were happening and on that score, the record of the Conservative government has been abysmal. They’re hosting [the G20 summit] next year in Canada.

One day of missing has been somewhat overblown.”

Harper’s decision has attracted a lot of media attention at what appears to be an opportune moment for Michael Ignatieff’s Liberals. The Liberal Party filed their notice of motion of no-confidence in an attempt to draw a federal election in

2010. At press time, this motion appears to be futile. New Democratic Party leader Jack Layton has nearly guaranteed that his party will side with the Conservatives.

Dr. Webber acknowledges the heavy weight this little event could carry in the House of Commons.

“Certainly I think it will be brought up by all the parties for their own reasons in the current context.

Particularly the Liberals, who are desperate to find a symbolic difference between them and the Conservative Party. But if you look at when the Liberals were in power, they had precisely the same relationship ... that is to say, although they are called the Liberals, they introduced the economic model that Stephen Harper has continued.”

Critics of the Conservative government suggest that the return of Tim Hortons’ headquarters to Oakville was spurred by tax breaks for major corporations implemented by the Conservatives. With the public and media preoccupied by the frenzy surrounding this erratic decision by the prime minister, important attention is being taken off of crucial financial and environmental issues.

“This massive stimulus package that was introduced before – last year – needs to be reined in, and we need to rein in the deficit,” Dr. Webber said. “In order to do that, they are promising – both main parties in the system – not to increase taxes. Which intrinsically means – though they don’t announce the details – massive cuts to social services, massive cuts to spending. There’s no other way to describe that circle if you want to bring the budget deficit back to zero.

“These specific small moments, the debate over Tim Hortons, or the G20 summit, the important questions are far underneath those.”

l o o k a t a l l t h i s d o y o u r e a l i z e h o w s p a c e l o o k h o w g d d a m n s i c k i a m u c h s p a c e i s o f m a k i n g t h e s e b e i n g u s e d b y a d s t o s t i c k i n t h e n o t h i n g b u t a m i d d l e o f t h e p a p b e u r n a c n h d o h f o u w s e l e s s m u c h i ’ d p r e f e r t e x t a n d i n s t e a d i ja u s t s i c k i n g a n c o u l d b e l a y i n g o u t c t a l a d i n h e r e ? a n a r t i c l e o f s o m e w e c o u l d e v e n k i n d p l e a s e h e l p m e d e s i g n i t f o r y o u , t o g e t b a c k t o ic f t h a ’ s a c o n carillon@ursu.uregina.ca. d o i n g m y j o b b y e r n . c o m e . c o n t r i b u t i n g t o s t u d e n t s g o t h e l l a y o u r s u d e n t n e w s d i s p o s a b l e c a s h . p a p e r . i t o n l y t a k e s js u t c a l l u s t o d a y . a f e w h o u r s e a c h e r i o u s l y . w h a t a r e w e e k . s u b m i t ! i y o u w a i t i n g f o r . s e r o u s l y c a n ’ t c aslir’tm eafrd e ve setyailkljuitnsytpdb’oemlio t.n ju Victôr Bockarié

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the carillon Oct. 1 - 7, 2009

The importance of understanding raquel fletcher contributor

The history of Aboriginal peoples in Canada is often shocking, rampant with examples of discriminatory government policy. For instance, until 1960 Aboriginal people were not allowed to vote, until 1966 they couldn’t hire a lawyer, and it wasn’t until 1995 that they could build businesses on reserves.

Regrettably, most Saskatchewan people are blindly unaware of this history, but Darcy Tourangeau understands the importance of a workforce that knows its own past.

Tourangeau is a co-facilitator of Aboriginal Myths and Misconceptions Training, a fourhour mandatory workshop for all City of Regina employees as part of a representative workforce strategy.

According to Tourangeau, who has facilitated 600 similar workshops to over 30,000 participants across Canada in the past six years, Saskatchewan needs a trained Aboriginal workforce that won’t be subject to a “toxic environment,” created by employee ignorance and misconceptions.

“There’s going to be all this negativity based on what people think they know.”

Tourangeau cited the tax exemption clause as an example. Although tax exemption only applies to those who live and work on a reserve, many Aboriginal people, including Tourangeau himself, have been the victims of derision and resentment from colleagues who believe they don’t pay income tax.

The representative workforce strategy was developed by First Nations and Metis Relations in Saskatchewan in 1995 to encourage non-discriminatory hiring practices of qualified candidates – qualified being the key word. Other Saskatchewan municipalities have signed partnership agreements, but, according to Sherrie Bellegarde, human relations associate, Regina is “the first one to implement myths and misconceptions training.”

“We are hoping that our employees will become more tolerant and accepting through their understanding of the history and culture [of Aboriginal peoples],” said Bellegarde.

Stacy Sandberg, a city lifeguard, is doubtful of the effect the training will have in the workplace. She said of the workshop, “People have an opinion and it didn’t change anyone’s opinion.”

Neither Bellegarde nor Tourangeau believe the impact of misconceptions training will be immediate and Bellegarde said she doesn’t expect to see a “measurable” difference in workplace attitudes in the short term.

Having previously worked in Fort Qu’Appelle, Sandberg said she was introduced to Aboriginal culture by friends and even attended ceremonies like powwows.

That, she said, had a bigger impact on her than the workshop.

She did admit, however, that she learned things from the training she didn’t know before. Tourangeau is not surprised. He said, “Even the most educated scholars leave our training learning something.”

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news 5

UR International Student Exchange Program Excitement awaits traveling scholars lisa goudy contributor

An e-mail was sent out to all University of Regina students that provided a brief overview of the UR International Student Exchange Program. This program offers students the chance to travel abroad to various countries around the world, while at the same time enriching their education in a new environment. It allows students to meet new people and to take courses that are not offered at the U of R. Exchanges are offered every fall and winter semester and students can choose to stay for one semester or two. There are four distinct exchange programs to choose from – the National Student Exchange (NSE), the Consortium for North American Higher Education Collaboration (CONAHEC), North 2 North (N2N), and the Student Exchange Program (SEP). Each program is aimed at certain universities within specific countries.

The NSE program includes universities in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, as well as places in Canada, such as Quebec. Melissa Berwald, the Program Coordinator of UR International, says that the NSE program is unique because students have the choice to pay at their host institutions or at the U of R. The CONAHEC program, as of April 2009, includes 24 universities in Canada, 69 in Mexico, 43 in the United States, and 11 affiliate members.

N2N includes all of the Arctic countries, such as Finland, Sweden, Russia, Iceland, Canada, and the state of Alaska. Berwald elaborated that this program is specifically focused on First Nation students and students who have shown interest in the North or those who focus on careers in the North. This program is very competitive across Canada.

Students do get a $4500 stipend for this program.

The last specific program offered, SEP, has bilateral agreements with specific universities, including schools in Asia, Europe, Latin America, and Australia.

Most host universities provide living spaces on-campus for residents, although some students do choose to live off-campus.

Either way, students are responsible for organizing their own accommodations both on and off campus.

Students do receive credit hours for their time away, but the number depends on what each faculty accepts. Students are required to do their own research and work with their academic advisor to figure out the number of credits they will receive. A grade will not be delivered since it is a pass or fail system.

Berwald says that students with a lot of electives are prime candidates for this program.

There are several advantages to going through this program. Students do not have to pay international fees. Instead, students must pay the U of R tuition fees based on 12 U of R credits. The international fees are approximately double the amount of the U of R tuition. Moreover, the NSE program allows you to pay international out-of-state fees rather than in-state fees. This cost is substantially less. The program here at the U of R does not require a budget plan to prove the method of payment, unlike some institutions, but students are still responsible to be able to afford the trip.

Berwald said that “students do have scholarship offers for exchange and travel abroad.” The most popular one is the International Travel Fund, because it is noncompetitive and is up to $1000 to cover airfare. There are numerous other scholarships

Jarrett Crowe

Formerly the ISSO, the UR International Student Exchange Program offers students a world of opportunity

available as well.

Eve Marie Johnson, a former exchange student, went to the Umeå University in Sweden for 10 months in fall 2008. When asked if the experience met her expectations, Johnson replied, “Absolutely. It surpassed it.”

She was quite aware of what to expect from the program when she enrolled and said she would recommend this program to everybody. The best part of her experience was meeting new people from all over the world and learning in a different school system. She wanted to remind everybody that although it is a little overwhelming at first, students should take advantage of the opportunity because they will not regret it.

Berwald was also involved in an exchange to Japan when she was attending university and said that students will not realize how much they have learned until they get back. Her recommendation to students is to “just do it. It’s an awesome experience.”

To be eligible to apply, students must have a minimum 70 per cent GPA, have a fulltime student status, have already completed 30 credit hours, and students must have a good academic, financial, and social standing.

Students must also return to the U of R for at least one semester after their exchange, except for language majors, and they must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident.

“This program offers students the chance to travel abroad to various countries around the world, while at the same time enriching their education in a new environment.”

Lisa Goudy

the carillon Oct. 1 - 7, 2009

6 news

The problem with Darwinian psychology

NDP MP advocates axing loan interest

Sexism masquerading as nature, says philosophy professor

Jack Harris asks federal government to make post-secondary a priority

alex colgan contributor

In the first of this semester ’s Philosophy Café series, presented by the University of Regina philosophy department, Dr. Shadia Drury spoke to a group in the basement of the Connaught Library on Sept. 23. The topic was “What's the matter with Darwinian psychology?” The event was well attended, both by university students and interested people from the community, According to Dr. Drury, “a lot of the arguments about Darwinism are not about scientific truth, they are about the impact of Darwinism on moral and political institutions.” So the evening began with a question: what is the relationship between morality and (Darwinian) nature?

Morality and nature can relate to each other in three ways: morality and nature are unrelated; morality can only exist by thwarting nature; or nature informs morality. Dr. Drury supports the first view, which she calls the tragic view: that the world is not made to suit us, and that social institutions are developed to insulate us from the realities of nature.

Dr. Drury’s focus during the course of her career has been to criticize the work and posthumous following of political philosopher Leo Strauss, who is the godfather of the neoconservative ideology prevalent in the United States. She also rejects any arguments that Darwinism is the driving force of our society, for good or ill, since modern society is itself an escape from nature.

In what Dr. Drury calls the Oriental or heroic view, society is

permeated by Darwinian principles, which must be overcome. This viewpoint is supported by geneticist Richard Dawkins, who argues that genes are blind, purposeless, “selfish replicators.” He draws a comparison to ideas, or “memes,” which reproduce through individuals and human societies, spreading through our minds like viruses – most famously, the “God” meme. He argues that human beings must overcome the selfish replicators through conscious foresight and imagination. However, Dr. Drury rejects this argument on the grounds that ideas are not blind and purposeless; they fulfill useful roles, and it is absurd to talk about them as if they were advantageous only to themselves.

The third view, Darwinian psychology, proposes that morality is informed by nature. As she describes it, Darwinian psychology is a rebranding of social Darwinism, with a shift from group comparisons to sexual selection as the driving force of human evolution. In other words, they have moved from racism to sexism, and Darwinian psychology is an attempt to justify neoconservative principles on biological grounds.

According to proponents of Darwinian psychology, such as Robert Wright, nature can be a basis for social order because of the natural roles of men and women. We are not adapted to modern society because our instincts were forged in our ancestral environment.

Darwinian biology supports conservative social thought, claiming that our moral sense is shaped by natural selection, while liberal feminist

social thought is unnatural and leads to psychopathology and diseased societies. The best society for our sexual nature is that of Victorian England.

However, according to Dr. Drury, the theory rests on two contradictory and un-Darwinian assumptions. The first is that natural selection “operates invisibly” and that our compassion and sense of justice “are all things developed to promote the welfare of the species.”

The problem is that “you also find the absolute opposite view [in Wright], which is morality is really strategy invented by the strong to dominate the weak… [However,] the strong in any given time or age changes, and the implication is that the strong now are the liberals and feminists who rule the world.” In fact, she says, Wright suggests “that they’re the wrong dominant group, [but] if morality is always the genetic strategy that’s imposed by the dominant group, there would be no reason for thinking that (1) It could have anything to do with natural selection ... and (2) it would mean that Victorian morality was also the imposition of the dominant group….

Both of these viewpoints are unDarwinian or anti-Darwin, and so the naturalistic view turns out not to be naturalistic at all!”

Needless to say, this provoked a great deal of discussion afterwards.

But if you missed it, don’t worry. The next installment of the Philosophy Café series takes place on Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m. at the Connaught Library; the topic will be “From gods to God to Euclid,” and the speaker will be Dr. Dwayne Raymond.

pict ur e of t he w ee k

Jarrett Crowe

U of R students compete on the green for tipi-raising superiority

kerri breen Muse (Memorial University of Newfoundland) ST. JOHN'S, N.L. (CUP) – A Newfoundland politician is calling on the federal government to follow his province’s lead and remove the interest on student loans nationally.

Jack Harris, the NDP MP for St. John's East, announced that he is putting forth a private member’s resolution proposing that the federal government follow the precedent set by Newfoundland and Labrador ’s Department of Education.

The interest rate on Newfoundland and Labrador student loans, both past and present, has been eliminated as of Aug. 1.

“They can’t say it can’t be done because it’s been done,” Harris said. in “It’s been done here Newfoundland and Labrador.”

In a presentation to students and the media last week, Harris said he estimates the move would cost the government about $130 million a year per percentage of interest.

“In the grand scheme of things, with the budget of the government of Canada, this is not a huge amount of money.”

According to Harris the legisla-

tion, if passed, would be a step in the right direction, but not a solution to Canada’s post-secondary funding problems. “I would call it one small step,” Harris said. “It’s something concrete the federal government can do very easily.

Canada also needs to develop a national post-secondary education strategy and dedicate transfer payments for post-secondary, he said.

The Canadian Federation of Students estimates the national student debt to be $13 billion, with $500 million belonging to students from Newfoundland and Labrador.

Harris hears of working graduates whose loans are preventing them from making major life decisions like having children, getting married, or buying a home.

Loan debts, said Harris, “are very real barriers to people setting themselves up in life. A lot of public policy makers don't really realize that.”

Harris is looking across the country for support. He wants to stimulate a national debate about who should bear the costs of postsecondary education. He said the federal government has a much larger role to play. “Post-secondary education should and must be a greater national priority than it is. It cannot be left to the provinces.”

sports

Taylor Shire: Screw fantasy leagues, I’m on my way to purchasing the real Minnesota Vikings.

Sports Editor: Jordan Reid jleereed@msn.com the carillon, Oct. 1 - 7, 2009

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jonathan hamelin, sunny kim, enyinnah okere, jordan reid, taylor shire this week’s roundtable

How is your NFL fantasy team doing thus far?

Jonathan Hamelin: I kind of crapped the bed and missed my fantasy draft, but things have been going all right. I still managed to get players such as Matt Ryan, Chris Johnson, and Hines Ward. I’m currently 1-1, sixth place overall in my league.

Sunny Kim: I don’t believe in any fantasy teams, I just watch the games for the entertainment.

Enyinnah Okere: My fantasy team is 2-1, but its all been done by smoke and mirrors. People who performed last year are making sure to blow it this year. Fantasy football is a joke (because I’m not feeling good about my team right now). That being said, my team is still better than yours, Reid.

Jordan Reid: I was sitting near the top of the pile until Frank Gore went down on the first play of the game last week, then I got doubled up on.

Plaxico Burress just started his jail sentence for shooting himself in the leg. What’s your favourite athleteturned-criminal story?

Jonathan Hamelin: I would have to say Michael Vick. Vick was such as huge star and his quick descent to the bottom was surprising. And a dog-fighting ring? Who would have ever seen that coming? Speaking of dogs, did you know that in the Second World War the Soviet Union strapped bombs to dogs and sent them underneath enemy tanks?

Imagine what dog activists would have said about that.

Sunny Kim: Adam “Pacman” Jones.

The brotha went from being a Pro Bowl defensive back to appearing on Pros vs Joes, then almost ended up playing for Mike “Mr. Clean” Kelly in Bomberville.

Enyinnah Okere: Well, this isn’t my favourite story per se but it is one that is close to my heart. I still have to step up for my dude, OJ “The Juice” Simpson. My man lost all his money in an unwarranted lawsuit.

Now he’s in jail, just for trying to get his Heisman and other memorabilia

SPORTS QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“How the hell do you shoot yourself in the leg?”

Taylor Shire back from a pawnshop.

Jordan Reid: Undoubtedly it’s the tale of Albert Belle. This guy’s list of transgressions is long and appalling, but the highlight has to be his running down, and bumping, two teenage Halloween pranksters in his SUV. I bet that’s the last time those kids lit a bag of shit on fire.

Taylor Shire: I could pick from a thousand Roughrider stories. Shonte Peoples and Trevis Smith are two local examples. Or maybe the Michael Vick saga, or how about OJ Simpson? There’s too many to choose from.

NHL training camps are underway, who do you like this year?

Jonathan Hamelin: The Toronto Maple Leafs! Just kidding. In all seriousness I would have to say the San Jose Sharks. The acquisition of Dany Heatley will do wonders for the Sharks offence. The Sharks have faced so many playoff disappoint-

ments, and this could be one of their last chances to win the cup for a long time.

Sunny Kim: The Montreal Canadiens, with the additions of Gomez, Gionta and Camalleri. The new NHL is about creativity, skill and scoring.

Enyinnah Okere: I don’t pay attention to hockey training camps because I’m more interested in listening to relevant things such as the girls in Riddell that re-tell their favourite episode of The Hills or explain to others why they hate their best friends. One thing I did take notice of in the NHL off-season is that the Montreal Canadiens wanted to get bigger as a unit this year, so they signed three 5-9 centres? Good luck.

Jordan Reid: As always I’ll say the Detroit Red Wings. They’re always near the top of the dog-pile, and I think they’ll bounce back from a humbling trip to the Finals with a

big year.

Taylor Shire: I’m a Habs fan so I’m hoping for good things to come out of Montreal with their revamped roster. Pittsburgh and Washington will be tops in the East while Chicago and Vancouver will be up in the West. I see Detroit stumbling, maybe, and San Jose will choke in the playoffs once again.

Likewise, NBA training camps are also kicking off. Predictions?

Jonathan Hamelin: I’m a big Toronto Raptors fan, and I like their chances this season. Last year was a disappointment, but the Raptors had a great off-season. The acquisitions of Hedo Turkoglu, Jarret Jack, Reggie Evans, and Rasho Nesterovic, combined with star forward Chris Bosh, should help the Raptors make the playoffs.

Sunny Kim: The Finals will be Kobe versus King James and Shaquille “Tell me how my ass tastes” O’Neal.

“This is Rickey, calling on behalf of Rickey. Rickey wants to play baseball.”

The ever-colourful Rickey Henderson Photo by news-herald.com

the carillon Oct. 1 - 7, 2009

8 sports

Meet Jeff Lukomski You thought your schedule was tough alexandra fox sports writer

University of Regina student Jeff Lukomski redefines what it takes to be a university athlete. Previously a talented top scorer for the men’s basketball team, this fall Lukomski ventures into the Ram’s circle as a starting defensive back.

Now into his fourth year of eligibility, Lukomski reflects on his decision to play basketball over football.

“I always did plan on coming back to football. I talked about it every off-season how I wanted to come back. Coming down to my last two years of eligibility, [it’s] now or never.”

In basketball Lukomski had already established a name for himself as a force to be reckoned with. In the 2006-07 season he was named to the CIS all-rookie team and was awarded the Canada West rookie of the year.

Last season Lukomski started all 22 games for the Cougar men’s basketball team and led the U of R in scoring with 16.1 points per game during the regular season. He also set the U of R record for most threepointers in a season, going off for 75 of them.

“Basically I always loved basketball. When I came out of high school I really wanted to play both but I knew I couldn’t do it ... and pass all my classes. I had to mature as an individual more before I did that. It was also because I was a little too small coming out of high school. I

didn’t really want to play football because I was like 165 pounds, and just really skinny. I just didn’t think I could really compete with that kind of contact. I was just a little bit intimidated so I needed a couple years to fill out before I played football.”

As an athlete there is always a lot of expectation and pressure floating around. Lukomski is committed to three classes and two practices every day.

Lukomski describes his typical day. “Well like today it will be classes from 10:00-12:45 then I’ll go eat lunch really quick, get ready for basketball, then play basketball. Then right from basketball go to film for football.

Maybe before football I’ll go grab a quick sandwich from Henderson’s and then watch film, and go to practice. When that’s all done and showered, it’s about 10 o’clock. Usually I go home and if I have enough energy, I’ll do a little bit of homework.”

On top of school and maintaining such a busy schedule Lukomski manages to keep his eye on the goals he has set for each team.

“I want to be able to contribute on the football field, get a couple interceptions right away here. I haven’t gotten one yet. But basketball I want to be able to lead this year and have a really good year and get to Nationals.”

While juggling school, the Cougars, and now the Rams, Lukomski tries to consider long-term goals and plans but claims “it’s just so tough to figure out what I’m doing tomorrow before today is done.”

The differences are staggering

Andy Sammons

Fourth-year U of R basketball star turned starting Rams’ starting defensive back Jeff Lukowski

Lukomski dishes on being a multi-sport university athlete

Training Camp

Teammates

“They’re both ... very tough.

It’s the time in the season where the coaches want to get you back into shape. For football … my butt and hamstrings really hurt. In basketball my quads hurt a little more because I’m running forward rather than backwards.”

“I grew up with all those basketball guys, playing with them since grade nine. So those guys are like brothers.

As for football, [Rams’ running back Graham] Mosiondz has been like my best friend since we were little kids. So I was really tight with the football team through all these years. That’s how all this sort of came to be. It was a really easy transition.”

Locker Room Atmosphere

Games

“Oh, the process!

“Its a lot more outgoing, I’d Basketball, I watch film for say, and crazy in the football maybe ten minutes … before locker room because you a game, then on the court have 60 guys in there at warming up for 20 minutes, once. Guys joke around with and then playing. For footeach other a lot. The basket- ball the process is long. ball locker room is a little You’re playing at 7 p.m. but more intimate because you’re here at 3:30 p.m. getthere’s only 12 guys … ting ready, getting taped up, because you’re with them all and leaving for the field at 5 the time. In football … some p.m. Then warming up for Coaches guys won’t even know other about another hour and a “[Rams head coach] Frank guys that well, like offense half, we have our talk before [McCrystal] can really boost Pressure and defense.” the game, and a last little my confidence. He will prowarm-up for the game. So vide you with the confidence “I would say they both have Positions the process is a lot longer that your abilities are a lot of pressure – especially for football. It gets you a litenough to win games. I’ve basketball this year. In recent “In basketball I’ve always been with [U of R men’s been known as a scorer or an tle more nervous.” years, our basketball team basketball head coach] offensive threat. In football was young, and we were James [Hillis] a few years … I’m on defence. So my always told, ‘our team was now and it’s to the point that going to be rebuilding.’ Now mentality is a little bit differhe knows my potential so he that all of us guys are older ent. Playing basketball lately kind of gets on me when he I find my defense has been a sees me slacking off or any- – it’s Jamal Williams’ last little bit better, a little bit year – it’s kind of our last thing.”than backwards.” year to make it to nationals. quicker, and I’m pursuing the ball better.”

There’s a lot of pressure in football too … because every game is so important.” alexandra foxsports writer

the carillon Oct. 1 - 7, 2009

UR Update Cross Country

With a third place finish out 239 runners, University of Regina freshman Wyatt Baiton was the Cougars best performer in the men's eight kilometre race at the Roy Griak Invitational in Minneapolis, Minnesota. With a time of 25:47, Baiton finished only 25 seconds behind race winner Michael Pierce of Southwest Baptist. In the first two races of his CIS career, Baiton has led the Cougars in the standings. Fourth-year Cougar Dale Wig, who had an exceptional 2008-09 season, also had a strong performance, finishing 10th overall with a time of 26:12.

Cougars Iain Fyfe (second-year) and Eric Benjamin (fifth-year) finished in 47th and 64th place respectively.

On the women’s side, only two members of the Cougars competed in the six-kilometre race. Fifthyear Melissa Petersen was the Cougars top performer with a 22nd place out of 287 runners. Petersen finished the course in a time of 23:47, while her teammate, first-year Karissa LePage finished in 56th with a time of 24:31.

Both the men’s and women’s cross country teams will be back on the course Saturday, Oct. 3rd at the University of Saskatchewan Open in Saskatoon.

Women’s Soccer

On Sept, 26, the University of Regina’s women’s soccer team lost 2-0 to the University of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford.

Despite holding the Cascades to a scoreless half, the Cougars weren’t able to match Fraser Valley’s energy coming out of half time. The Cascades scored in the 49th and 58th minutes, handing the Cougars their third-straight loss.

With the victory Fraser Valley improved to 3-1-0.

The following afternoon, the Cougars lost to the No. 3-ranked University of Victoria Vikes 2-0 in Victoria.

After the win, Victoria improved to 4-1-0, while the Cougars dropped to second last in the Canada West standings with a 1-5-0.

Victoria scored in the 23rd and 70th minutes.

Regina’s defence once again struggled to keep pressure out of their zone, as Cougars goalkeeper Michelle Anderson was peppered with 14 shots on net. Having to make dozens of saves a game is something Anderson has accustom to as she leads the Canada West conference with 54 saves.

The Cougars will be back in action Saturday, Oct. 3 and Sunday, Oct. 4 when they host No. 1-ranked Trinity Western Spartans (4-0), and the UBC Thunderbirds (1-2-1).

Women’s Volleyball

The University of Regina’s women’s volleyball team came within one game of capturing gold at the University of Regina Invitational.

Despite beating the University of Calgary Dinos only two days earlier, the Cougars were unable able to win even a single set against the blood-thirsty Dinos.

In the gold medal final, Calgary shut out Regina 3-0 (25-20, 25-19, 25-22) forcing the Cougars to settle for silver. The loss to Calgary spoiled Regina’s perfect 40 record at the eight-team exhibition tournament.

The Cougars opened the tournament with a straight-sets victory of Red Deer College (25-19, 25-23, 25-16). Later that same evening, they fought back from two sets down to beat the eventually gold-medal winning Dinos 3-2 (23-25, 23-25, 25-21, 25-13, 20-18).

The following afternoon, the Cougars squeaked

by University of Saskatchewan Huskies 3-2 (25-22, 1725, 25-16, 16-25, 15-8). Later that evening, the Cougars maintained their perfect record and secured their place in the final with a dominating straight-sets victory over the University of Manitoba Bisons (25-22, 25-18, 25-10).

The University of Alberta Pandas secured the bronze medal with a straight-sets win over Manitoba.

Calgary, Regina, and Alberta each finished the tournament with a 4-1 record.

The Cougars will be back in action Oct. 2-4 when they travel to Winnipeg to compete in the Lea Marc Invitational.

Photos by Jarrett Crowe, Tyler Dekok

sports 9

Rams drop T-birds Four Scarcelli field goals lead Rams to victory in Vancouver

28 - 17 peter mills editor in chief

Coming off an embarrassing loss to the No. 4-ranked Calgary Dinos, the University of Regina Rams recorded a 2817 victory over the University of British Colombia (UBC) Thunderbirds in Vancouver.

The Rams jumped out to a quick lead – one they never lost – scoring 15 unanswered points in the first quarter.

Canada West special teams player of the week Perri Scarcelli (fifth year) finished the game 4-4 on field goal attempts, connecting from 28, 16, 29, and 38 yards out.

Fourth-year running back Cole Inglis scored a seven-yard touchdown run with less than three minutes remaining in the first quarter, putting the Rams up 15-0 going into the second quarter. Inglis finished the game as the Rams leading rusher with 87 yards on 13 carries, while fourth-year running back Graham Mosiondz also had a productive day picking up 55 yards on nine carries.

Only 19 seconds into the second quarter UBC quarterback Bill Greene hooked up with receiver Spencer Betts on a 19yard touchdown pass.

Neither team scored again until the third quarter when Scarcelli put his final two field goals through the uprights. With only 21 seconds left in the third quarter the Rams scored their last points of the game when third-quarterback Marc Mueller hooked up with fourth-year

canadwest.net

Marc Mueller hooks up with Jordan Sisco for an 11-yard touchdown reciever Jordan Sisco on an 11-yard touchdown pass. Mueller finished the game 1736 for 202 passing yards and one touchdown, while Sisco led all receivers with 6 catches for 75 yards and a touchdown Betts would eventually haul in another touchdown pass from Greene five minutes into the fourth quarter, but UBC couldn't penetrate the Rams defence for the remaining 10 minutes of the game.

Led by fourth-year linebacker Bruce Anderson, the Rams defence finished the game with three interceptions, four quarterback sacks, and one forced fumble.

Second-year corner Jamir Walker picked off his third interception of the season, which is third best in the CIS. With the victory the Rams improved to 2-2 – tied for third in the Canada West – while UBC dropped to last place with a 1-

3 record.

The Rams enter their bye-week, and won't be back in action until Friday, Oct. 9 when the NCAA Div. II-bound Simon Fraser University Clan visit Regina.

In other Canada West action, the University of Alberta Golden Bears shocked the conference by beating the then No. 3-ranked University of Saskatchewan Huskies 27-7 in Edmonton.

Alberta, who finished 2-5 last season, improved to 2-2, while Saskatchewan dropped to 2-1. The University of Calgary Dinos scored 40-plus points for the second straight week, beating Simon Fraser University Clan 49-22. With the victory Calgary improved to 3-1, while SFU dropped to 2-2.

scoreboard Wom en’s B as ketbal l

Women’ s V ol le ybal l

Tuesday, Sept. 22 Briercrest – 41 Regina – 96

Friday, Sept. 25 Regina – 3 (25-19, 25-23, 2516) Red Deer – 0

M en’s H ockey Friday, Sept. 25 Regina - 1 Lethbridge – 3

Regina – 3 (23-25, 23-25. 2521, 25-13, 20-18) Calgary – 2

Friday, Sept. 26 Regina – 3 Saskatchewan – 1

Saturday, Sept. 26 Regina – 3 (25-22, 17-25, 2516, 16-25, 15-8) Saskatchewan – 2

Wom en’s Soc cer Saturday, Sept. 26 Regina – 0 Fraser Valley – 2 Sunday, Sept. 27 Regina – 0 Victoria – 2

Regina – 3 (25-22. 25-18, 2510) Manitoba – 0 Sunday, Sept. 27 (Gold Medal Final)

Regina – 0 Calgary – 3 (25-20, 25-19, 2522)

the carillon Oct. 1 - 7, 2009

10 sports

Desperate times, desperate measures A cry for help jordan reid sports editor

In the midst of planning what is shaping up to be the greatest weekend anyone has ever had – a trip to the NBA All-Star Game in Dallas – my friends and I have found ourselves unable to procure tickets to one of the weekend’s biggest events, All-Star Saturday night. I started writing pleas to Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks and host of the event, for help. Here is the first one:

Hello Mr. Cuban, My name is Jordan Reid. I write to you from the barren wasteland that is Regina, Saskatchewan (and if you could find that on a map I'd be extremely impressed.). If you can find it, then you would know that we are quite a long distance from Dallas.

That has in no way, shape, or form, however, deterred my buddies and I from planning what will without question be the most amazing weekend of our lives – that is, our trip to

“There is nothing I

would not do to obtain them.”

Jordan Reid

Dallas for All-Star Weekend. This is undoubtedly going to be a once-in-alifetime opportunity for us since the only reason we are even able to attend is because of the ridiculous capacity of the new stadium. We have our game tickets, our Jam Session tickets, and we’re still debating attending Shaq’s All-Star Comedy Jam. The only problem we have is getting tickets for All-Star Saturday Night. Since it will be at the American Airlines Center there are significantly less seats available, and on top of that I’ve read that tickets for that are usually reserved for sponsors, actors, rappers and other big-wigs of that ilk. We are none of these. We are, however, desperate to take in everything we possibly can that weekend. Please keep reading.

I am not proud of this shameless approach to procuring tickets, but the truth is there is nothing I would not do to obtain them – run naked through downtown Dallas holding dozens of balloons, punch myself 50 times in the face, make out with Rosie O’Donnell, anything. For these tickets, for you and even for my own personal enjoyment, Mark, I would deliver a flying elbow to David Stern’s mug. I would even spend a one-on-one afternoon with A.C. Green listening to him preach to me the value of abstinence. Seriously, I’ll do anything.

We aren’t rich. We are all in our early-to-mid 20’s, and four of us are still fighting our way through university. This trip isn’t going to break our banks but it is certainly going to be close. From this point we have six months to save as much as possible

so that we can blow it on strippers, All-Star merchandise and possibly (likely) some damage to our hotel rooms. Please consider my lowly plea, you really are my only chance, and I don’t even really know how much chance there is of you actually opening and reading to the end of this email.

You seem like a rather down-toearth and accessible kind of guy, especially as far as billionaire team owners appear to go. At this point all I can do is peruse Craigslist and hope that some undeserving asshole gets them and wants to make what will no doubt be a ridiculous sum of money by selling them to us. This would not affect my beer money between now and then so much as my grocery money, but that is neither here nor there. I hate leaving myself to the disposal of Craigslist, and with my luck the guy who wanted to sell them would be the next Craigslist axe-murderer anyways.

Help a brother out, Mr. Cuban, and I promise we will make such a spectacle of ourselves that someone’s gonna want to put an ESPN crew on us for the remainder of the weekend.

Thank you, if you’ve gotten this far, for your time and (hopefully) consideration. I realize I’m probably not the first to sink to such desperate measures, nor will I be the last. I simply hope to give you a chuckle and something to think about, and hopefully you hear my call. Please write back, whatever your answer, so I can at least tell my friends I tried. They don’t know I’m doing this so it’s best to hold off on telling them until I have an answer.

femalefan.com

Yeah! I’m jacked to give you some free tickets!

Testosterone and terrible accusations South African sprinter’s gender in question dorian geiger sheaf (university of saskatchewan)

SASKATOON (CUP) – South African female sprinter Caster Semenya’s gold medal from the 800-metre at the world championships at Berlin is in jeopardy – alongside her career – due to allegations that the 18-year-old phenomenon is a man.

A far cry from steroid and drug use, biological components such as testosterone, testicles and ovaries (or lack thereof) are apparently also criteria for stripping athletes of medals and athletic achievements.

Semenya’s gender has been in question and accusations have flown since her dominating victory in Berlin, accompanied by fast race times, masculine appearance and a noticeably deep voice Results now verify the sprinter has a gender-based medical condition and had three times the testosterone levels in her system than that of a typical female athlete. Many media sources are claiming Semenya is a “hermaphrodite,” but testing has only revealed that the sprinter has internal testes and no ovaries. This doesn’t prove the medical allegations, but doesn’t rule them out either.

A hermaphrodite is someone with both ovarian and testicular tissue and such a gender disorder is extremely rare. Further investigation into the issue along with more official test results will likely find Semenya to have what is known as an inter-sex

Matt Yim

South African female sprinter Caster Semenya’s may lose her world championship gold medal condition. Inter-sex conditions refer to a variety of genetic and hormonal disorders and involves incomplete sexual development.

In 1980, a similar gender-related case emerged concerning Polish sprinter Stella Walsh. After breaking dozens of world records and capturing two Olympic gold medals throughout the earlier part of the 20th century, Walsh was killed in an attempted robbery of a department store in Cleveland. Later, an autopsy revealed the female sprinter had male

sex organs, both XX and XY chromosomes and has since been referred to as a gender cheat.

Perhaps more nutty, in 1936 a German man named Hermann Ratjen disguised himself as a female by binding his genitals to his body and managed to compete in the highjump competition at the Berlin Olympics as a female. “Dora” Ratjen was eventually found out after being spotted sporting blatant facial hair at a train station. So incredibly weird and wrong, I know. Ratjen later

blamed the Nazi Regime for his shameful actions.

Meanwhile, South African politicians and Semenya’s family have publicly voiced their disgust for such a humiliating violation of privacy against the sprinter.

Lesiba Rammabi, Semenya’s uncle told the New Zealand Herald, “I believe Caster is normal, inside and out. What does it matter whether she can have babies? Many people cannot have children. Are those women not women also?

“We are a normal family who looked at a child when she was born, saw that she was a girl and raised her as any other family would do. Are we now being told that we are wrong?” said Rammabi.

Semenya, who defeated her competitors in Berlin by a commanding 2.45 seconds, is under scrutiny for something she cannot help or control.

She is the very opposite of athletes who consciously choose to use anabolic steroids or illicit substances. In fact, she was completely unaware of her condition.

Semenya’s test results not only expose the fact that the South African will never be able to bear children due to her condition, a disconcerting enough revelation in itself, but stripping her medal will essentially put an immediate halt to her career as well — something utterly unjust, unfair and plainly laughable.

Moreover, if testing was to be performed on Semenya to determine any abnormal biological conditions, it should have happened before the world championships in Berlin, rather than later. Such a motion would have prevented the needless embarrassment Semenya has undergone and the present controversy at hand.

By not doing so, the judging panel of the world championships should be blamed, not Semenya.

Given the context, stripping such achievements is unethical. Those medals are rightfully Semenya’s but salvaging her career might pose a more difficult problem.

Tragically, exhaustive media perpetuation of the subject might spell the inevitable demise of Semenya’s career like it has for other athletes who have been caught up in similar controversy.

a&c

Arts & Culture Editor: James Brotheridge sjbrot@gmail.com the carillon, Oct. 1 - 7, 2009

And the beat stops

Bands and blood

SaskMusic cuts six programs due to lack of funds

“

Instead of leaving Jennifer dead, it transforms her into a hell risen, flesh-eating demon.

O o ps . ” Jennifer Pierce moviedb.org

Jennifer’s Body Directed by Karyn Kusama Starring Megan Fox, Amanda Seyfield, Adam Brody

jennifer pierce contributor

Matt Yim

Musicians may have a tougher time recording and touring in Saskatchewan

joel blechinger contributor

SaskMusic, the non-profit corporation responsible for representing, promoting, and developing the music industry of Saskatchewan, announced on Sept. 8 the permanent and immediate cancellation of six of its grant programs. The decision was made following the Saskatchewan Arts Board’s rejection of an application for funding submitted by SaskMusic.

Earlier this year, SaskMusic announced that it was in the final stages of a funding transition from SaskCulture to the Arts Board.

Along with this announcement came the suspension of the Sept. 15 grant deadline for the September 2009 to August 2010 fiscal year.

The suspensions resulted from an uncertainty on the organization’s part as to the levels of funding it would receive from the Arts Board following its recent funding shift.

With the Arts Board’s rejection, SaskMusic was forced to cancel its programs centred on Demo Sound Recording, Marketing Initiatives, One-on-One Mentorship, Tour Support, Travel, and Networking Support, as well as change the suspension of the Showcase Travel Support program to a cancellation.

Mitch Lysak, of Saskatoonbased indie-rock band Volcanoless

in Canada, believes the cancellations are bad news. SaskMusic is an invaluable resource, he says.

“Of course, [touring and recording] cost major money that’s just not around from playing local shows,” said Lysak. “Once you reach that level, you do need the financial assistance to make anything happen, whether it’s making a CD or getting out there, getting the van together, and putting some gas in it.”

Volcanoless in Canada has previously received support from SaskMusic through three of the six cancelled programs. Along with Lysak’s band, Regina’s Ray Bell, Rah Rah, Sylvie, Geronimo, and Jeffrey Straker have all made use of the various grant programs, as well as Little Miss Higgins and Saskatoon’s the Deep Dark Woods.

As well, SaskMusic claims that demand for the grant programs has always outstripped available funding.

J.P. Ellson, Chief Operating Officer of SaskMusic, echoes Lysak’s sentiments.

“The programs that we had were crucial, in our minds, to the development of career Saskatchewan recording artists ...

Most Saskatchewan artists that are still in Saskatchewan over the last two years have received support from us through one of those pro-

“Now if we do want to stay in

Saskatchewan, where we were born, where we were raised, we pretty much have to sp e n d a wh o l e l o t mor e mo n e y just to get to our industry where we are ma k i ng mo n e y.”

Mitch Lysak Volcanoless in Canada

grams,” said Ellson.

Additionally, Ellson states that the $800,000 pilot project Culture on the Go, a collaborative effort between the government’s Ministry of Tourism, Parks, Culture, and Sport and the Arts Board, has not provided marketing support for SaskMusic.

“Without having support for marketing activity, there still will be, and always will be, great Saskatchewan talent and product created. The problem will be that we can’t get it outside of Saskatchewan,” he said.

When asked about SaskMusic’s philosophy heading forward past the funding rejection, Ellson still believes there’s a place for his organization to do good.

“We hope and we try to provide assistance to artists through our knowledge and expertise and we will continue to do that. And we continue to advocate for marketing support, as we believe it’s a crucial part of the spectrum. Failing which, if you’re not going to do that, why are you doing any of it?”

Ellson also says that live performances hold more importance now more than ever as a revenue stream for bands and artists, a sentiment shared by Lysak.

“Most of the grant money that we’ve gotten for tour support has just been gas money to get out to these big sectors where there are interested agents and label people that want to hear our music,” he said. “The programs not being around is a huge disadvantage. It basically brings that disadvantage back on us as artists.

“Now if we do want to stay in Saskatchewan, where we were born, where we were raised, we pretty much have to spend a whole lot more money just to get to our industry where we are making money.

This forces us to have to look outside as opposed to being able to do it here.”

When contacted, the Saskatchewan Arts Board stated that it was not its policy to comment on specific funding applications.

One word: satisfaction. Jennifer’s Body not only satiates the blood-lust for gore and horror that many moviegoers appreciate, but also offers non-stop comedy that will leave audiences begging for more.

The movie is allegorical of the social horrors in high school for teenage girls. Boys, however, are just clueless bystanders in this one.

The outstanding Diablo Cody wrote this clever teen slasher comedy, her follow-up to Oscar-winner Juno. Director Karyn Kusama leaves her mark as well, granting a very rich and lustrous look to the film. Its dark, forested setting allows for a very subtly frightening quality within the movie.

The gorgeous Jennifer (Megan Fox) and the nerdy Anita (Amanda Seyfried), or “Needy,” as she’s called, are best friends.

Unfortunately, Jennifer runs into Nikolai (Adam Brody), the lead singer of Low Shoulder. In the band’s search for fame and fortune, Nikolai decides that performing a satanic ritual found on the Internet will do the trick. The only requirement is a virgin sacrifice.

Unbeknowset to Nikolai, Jennifer’s days of sexual innocence are far behind her. So, the ritual goes seriously awry. Instead of leaving Jennifer dead, it transforms her into

a hell risen, flesh-eating demon.

Oops.

On top of a cast dripping sex, the soundtrack gives the film a powerful kick. With artists such as Cobra Starship, Panic at the Disco, Silversun Pickups, and Little Boots, the soundtrack adds to the film’s brilliance, echoing the dangerous beauty that Jennifer’s body embodies.

But the true brain behind the film’s effortless flow is Diablo Cody and her pop smarts. She has a handle on the teenage jargon revolving around boys, bands, and culture.

Cody’s hilarious way with words is sure to leave audiences craving for more of her gut-wrenching comedy.

Jennifer’s Body was thoroughly satisfying in both categories of teen comedy and horror. With an easyon-the-eyes cast, Kusama couldn’t go wrong. The plot also managed a lot of necessary character development and a frighteningly-believable story as well. In addition, Cody has really fully entered into the spotlight, managing to cleverly balance horror and comedy. Cody’s signature sarcasm sets the tone for the entire movie and with the introduction of gore is almost reminiscent of such films as Shaun of the Dead. This combination of comedic horror, along with an enthusiastic director and all-star cast, is no less than brilliant.

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12 a&c

New territory P.E.I. band ain’t heavy james brotheridge a&c editor

“Territory/Seems familiar.”

So goes the title track to the new Two Hours Traffic album, Territory.

While they’re talking about a relationship there, the sentiment could’ve been applicable to the band’s trajectory.

2007 saw their meteoric rise. The P.E.I. band broke out nationally after the release of their second LP, Little Jabs. It was an 11-song burst of power-pop sweets, played sincerely and with clear-eyed enthusiasm. The album also got them nominations for awards and the notice of audiences across Canada.

For the follow-up, they needed to change things, and that change has been noticed. For guitarist Alec O’Hanley, this meant leaving some room to breath on the new album.

“We sound-checked one of the new songs in Thunder Bay last week,” said O’Hanley. “The sound guy, having mixed us last year, came up to us now after sound check and said, ‘That was great, guys! For a sound guy, sometimes silence is golden!’

“Not that we want to put out a record with no sound on it or anything, but it can be good to let things sustain for a little while. It kinda frees things up a little bit.”

Territory isn’t just about letting the songs have some air, though.

While they’re clearly still the same Two Hours Traffic people have come to love, they’ve thrown a bit of variety into the mix. O’Hanley isn’t

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afraid to claim the origins of this new direction.

“We wanted to make something that was a little more indicative of our various influences and the stuff we’ve been rocking in the headphones over the past few years, and that would range from R.E.M. – you know, old R.E.M. – to Magnetic Fields to Teenage Fanclub,” he said.

The one negative point for O’Hanley has been the press tagging this album as Two Hours Traffic’s “dark album,” a designation he’s clearly heard a lot and doesn’t think

holds a lot of weight. He believes this pigeonholing started with a CHARTattack interview where he said the album would be darker, a statement he obviously now regrets.

“It’s a wider subject matter rather than a darker subject matter, per se. Instead of limiting ourselves to just making a breezy album, we broadened the spectrum and tried to address some of the less positive aspects of relationshiping and other themes.

“That said, I don’t think there’s any song you could paint with a neg-

ative brush. I think the happiest song we’ve ever written is on there.”

What people have to keep in mind is that it’s a matter of degrees with Two Hours Traffic. Even on an album that talks about religious doubt and alcohol abuse, they manage to be one of Canada’s most fun and earnest bands, much like their producer, Joel Plaskett.

Plaskett, the East Coast music legend, has been behind the boards with the band for three albums to date, bringing their energetic pop to life and contributing the occasional

perfect vocal hook. By now, Two Hours Traffic has developed a close relationship with Plaskett.

“At first, we were huge fans of his, and it didn’t extend much beyond that,” said O’Hanley. “We’re still huge fans of Joel and the work he puts out, but, in addition to that, now we’re pretty steadfast friends.”

Two Hours Traffic will be playing with the Danks and Spiral Beach at the Exchange on Monday, Oct. 5.

2001: a film class Kubrick film has a whole U of R class devoted to it peter mills editor in chief

Abstract films are often scoffed at when their “meaning” eludes us. It can be equally frustrating when a film encourages its viewers to explore endless interpretations. However, when it comes to teaching an entire class on a single film, nothing is more useful than a film that encourages any and all interpretations.

This fall, University of Regina Film and Video Production professor Philippe Mather is teaching a class devoted entirely to Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 science fiction epic 2001: A Space Odyssey.

For over 40 years, 2001 has been the subject of immense analysis and interpretation from experienced film theorists and critics, science fiction fans, scientists, and even the Vatican.

Despite this, teaching an entire class on a single film wasn’t something Mather considered at first.

“Originally, it never occurred to me,” said Mather. “After Kubrick died in ’99, what did occur to me was to offer a course on Kubrick’s films ... after I did that, one of my colleagues [at the U of R] ... knowing my interest in science fiction, and particularly 2001, said ‘Why don’t you teach an entire course on just that one film?’”

To the best of Mather’s knowledge, there has never been an entire class at the U of R based on a single film. Similarly, he notes that it’s also uncommon for an entire English class to be devoted to a single piece of literature.

With the year 2001 approaching, Mather realized “it just made sense.”

So, in 2001, Mather offered the class for the first time.

“It just seemed so appropriate to talk about a science fiction film that was produced in the past, and talks about the future, but now has become

the present,” explained Mather. “It’s interesting to see to what extent its prediction about the future has turned out to be true, and how much of it hasn’t come to pass.”

Though important, 2001 is far more than a film that predicts the future and the gadgets humans might use.

2001 deals with thematic elements of the development of humans, global politics, nuclear weapons, artificial intelligence, technology, “human error,” and, perhaps most evocatively, religion, the supernatural, extra-terrestrials, and alternative forms of spirituality. To say the least, this is a lot of information to handle at once. Combine that with the fact that many of Kubrick’s central themes, such as Darwinian theories of human evolution and the supernatural, operate on the same stage, despite traditionally being viewed as fundamentally contradictory.

“The fact that [2001] allows for so many types of approaches speaks to the film’s richness. There’s so much stuff you can look at and interpret from different angles. In theory, one could do that with any film. But, presumably, some films are more amenable to close readings than others because of the way they were designed.”

The ability to engage in this seemingly never-ending examination derives from Kubrick’s refusal to explain the film. Instead, he encouraged audiences to explore and embrace their own interpretations.

Kubrick believed that if he revealed his own answers to certain aspects of the film, viewers would feel obligated to follow his explanation.

Upon its release, 2001 received mixed reviews. Some critics chastised it for being “too abstract” and even “boring.” However, it didn’t take long for Kubrick’s film to tap into the

“It’s interesting to see to what extent its prediction about the future has turned out to be true, and how much of it h a sn ’ t co me to p a ss.”

Philippe Mather

Graeme Zirk

counter-cultural movements of the late 1960s. In the United States, word spread amongst young people – hippies – that 2001 was an incredible “trip.”

“Younger audiences, who were more in tune with the culture and the arts, generally recognized those things in the film,” said Mather.

“They understood the language, even if they hadn’t seen a film like that.”

Soon after, critics also began to

“expand their minds” in terms of experiencing the film in a less traditional manner.

“2001 doesn’t provide answers, but it deals with subjects in an aesthetically interesting way. The film can provide insights that straight rational thought, like opening a philosophy book, might not provide.”

Mather had one important piece of advice for those seeing 2001 for the first time; “be patient.”

“It’s pacing. It’s the rhythm. It’s slow.”

And, although 2001 has had an incredible impact on mainstream science fiction films for the past forty years, for Mather expectations are everything.

“If you’re expecting Star Wars, you’re not prepared to see this film.”

the carillon Oct. 1 - 7, 2009

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cd reviews Corb Lund Losin’ Lately Gambler New West

The longer Corb Lund’s solo career lasts, the stranger his musical evolution becomes. Or maybe not his evolution, but the lack thereof. He went from being the bassist for punk-band the

A Fine Frenzy Bomb in a Birdcage Virgin

Two years after the release of her debut album, One Cell in the Sea, Alison Sudol – a.k.a. A Fine Frenzy – has proved to the world that she is ready to step into the spotlight. With her new

Fio destructure Self-released

It’s not comfortable reviewing a band’s record before they’ve broken up but when that breakup is inevitable. Fio know that their days are numbered. They have, as of this writing and its

Smalls to a hit country artist, breaking through with his 2005 single “Truck Got Stuck.” Despite his diverse background, his last four albums under his own name haven’t been drastically different from each other.

Losin’ Lately Gambler chronicles Lund’s life, but, unlike many other traveling artists, doesn’t devote a lot of time to the road. Instead, small observations on Alberta living dominate here.

(One road song, “It’s Hard to Keep a White Shirt Clean,” does come up, and is without a doubt the highlight of the album, being as catchy as dirt on the proverbial white shirt.) “Lone Gone to Saskatchewan” approves of moving to our fine province to avoid high land costs in oil-rich Alberta. A bunch of tracks, such as “Alberta Says Hello,” talk about life across the provincial border. In the second-last song, “This Is My Prairie,” he solidifies his love for Alberta, with the refrain of “this is my prairie/this is my home.”

The observations become more personal, too. His favourite topics of drinking and gambling come up often, with the album closing on a live recording of in-concert favourite “Rye

Whiskey/Time to Switch to Whiskey.” A couple of times, veterinarians come up, a topic that hasn’t been explored much in song to the best of my knowledge.

Musically, though, there isn’t a whole lot that’s changed for Lund. The album features Lund playing straight, classic country twang with his usual backing band. The disc was recorded live off the floor and is obviously the product of a well-rehearsed, tight band. At the start of “Talkin’ Veterinarian Blues,” he even declares that they’re on take one. All the usual bases are hit: the talking blues, the mournful ballad, the boot-stomping party number. In general, Losin’ Lately Gambler doesn’t differ greatly from its three predecessors. His songwriting remains just as fine as ever, though, and still makes this album one of the year’s highlights. Chalk this one up to the fine-tuning of a formula as opposed to complacency.

album, Bomb in a Birdcage, this songstress’ musical talent has matured. The enchanting indie-rock ballads that the piano-playing pixie introduced in One Cell in the Sea are echoed throughout Bomb in a Birdcage, while new, folky elements root themselves.

This album evokes a summery disposition through its organic melodies. Although much more upbeat than some of her previous works, Sudol maintains a delicate balance between moody and fun.

The album opens with the bubbly “What I Wouldn’t Do,” forecasting the mood of the rest of the album. Continuing with indie-pop sing-along “New Heights” and the ’80s flashback “Electric Twist,” the album resonates happiness.

However, the moving and delicate “Swan Song” and “Elements” bring back the beautiful melodies expected from Sudol. Not being empathetic to her angelic voice and stories of love loss would be difficult. The lyrics present a child-like state that connects with listeners.

The instrumental backdrop that supports

her thoughtful lyrics is no less enchanting. In addition to her gorgeous piano ballads, there are a variety of instrumental arrangements that truly showcase the power of her work. The album is truer to its roots and is very organic, with surprising musical additions such as harps, flutes, and acoustic guitars. Blended all together, this creates a fresh and enjoyable addition to her catalogue and a magnificent album.

writer’s recollections, less than a week before one-third of the band relocates to Vancouver.

It’s also not comfortable because there’s something wrong with destructure, and I think it’s not entirely the band’s fault. Your mileage is going to vary with Fio no matter what – their songs have a tendency to let mutant funk bubble up from underneath waves of exploratory postrock, and they fuck around with time signatures so much that you occasionally feel like you’re listening to a kid’s brain while he plays Godzilla – and it seems to vary with the band itself. Fio occasionally get lost in their lengthy jams.

Sometimes this is rewarding; unfortunately, the peaks of the record just emphasize how frustrating it is when they find themselves playing without direction.

But, again, this isn’t entirely Fio’s fault. Live, the band gets lost in these jams with an energy and a direction, an ebb and a flow to each song that captures the energy of three dudes cutting paths into difficult sonic territory. While some songs give lengthy glimpses of that energy – the

crashing cymbals of ten-minute opener “Pretty Heavy,” the mid-song bounce and skitter of “Clusterfunk,” the tense pulse of “I Shut Frequency” – other parts of the record feel too clean, too polished, too sterile.

For a band that draws a lot of their stage presence from constantly riding just on this side of total collapse, they sound tight to the point of restraint here, and that’s a shame only because it’s a reminder of how awesomely chaotic Fio were live. Maybe the record disappoints slightly because any attempt to capture that will sound restrained. Whatever the reason, the hour it takes to listen to destructure is an hour that will mainly serve to remind Regina of the size of Fio’s loss.

Top Five Listing the best John Carpenter theme songs Director John Carpenter had fallen on hard times after a series of flops throughout the ’90s. He might be set for a comeback, though. IMDB lists four movies in the works for John Carpenter in 2010. What isn’t listed is whether or not he’ll be contributing to the soundtracks for these films.

Part of Carpenter’s distinct filmmaking has always been his work on the scores for his own films. Altogether, they’re every bit as varied as his movies: suspenseful, fauxfuturistic, and occasionally ridiculous.

The Fog james brotheridgea&c editor

(1980)

Assault on Precinct 13 (1976)

jennifer piercecontributor

john cameronproduction manager

If you want to review a CD for the Carillon, drop by the office (Rm. 227, Riddell Centre) and pick one up.

If it’s awesome, you get a free CD; if it’s not, you can pawn it and buy a cheese bun at Henderson’s.

E ithe r way, y ou win.

5

At the very least, the theme for The Fog is an important epilogue to the Halloween soundtrack. After everyone loves one of your scores, what do you do? Become obsessed with synths. Let me say definitively: synths are the least scary instrument out there, aside from spoons.

4

The theme to Assault on Precinct 13 is valuable first as a precursor to the theme from Escape from New York. Carpenter’s musical work for his films rarely showed a clear progression, but all the best parts in the music of Assault show up in Escape. All the worst parts go into the thousands of crappy, low-budget ’80s action flicks that thought they could do their own score after hearing this.

Escape from New York (1981)

3

The clearest parallel to this theme is without a doubt video game music circa Super Nintendo. That fits perfectly; the film is an action/camp masterwork, and having a pensive, synth-only theme to match hits the mood brilliantly.

(1978)

2

Big Trouble in Little China

1

Halloween

This film is remembered almost as much for its theme as it is for actual content. The Halloween theme was defining moment in horror score, right up there with the Psycho shower scene. The menacing horns combined with that unforgettable piano are no doubt etched into many, many minds.

(1986)

When Carpenter decided to make a big, campy action flick with Russell, one of the key ingredients was a big, campy song.

Notably, this is the only place on this list where Carpenter actually sang. His band, the Coupe de Villes, never took off for a good reason, but everything about this silly song is wonderful regardless. “We’ve gotta run/Run through the mystic night” is a great lead up to a chorus, but singing the name of the movie nails it home.

james brotheridgea&c editor

the carillon Oct. 1 - 7, 2009

a&c 15

It’s tough being omnipotent Game with god-like mechanic displeases reviewer; boo hoo john cameron production manager

Right now, as I’m writing this review, Scribblenauts is sitting closed on my headboard. I can’t stand to pick it up.

A tiny, evil little demon lives inside its plastic case; frankly, I’ve had enough of that asshole’s bullshit.

Scribblenauts is by no means a bad game. Unfortunately, it can be taxing enough in several ways that at times it veers dangerously close to chorelike levels.

Which is a shame, because the core mechanic is incredible. The game merely presents you with a series of challenging puzzles that could be solved in limitless ways, and then provides many of those ways for you by allowing you to summon any object onto the screen simply by spelling that object out using an ingame keyboard. It’s an utterly brilliant idea, and the actual depth of it is staggering.

Consider this vignette. The title screen is actually just a playground, allowing you to experiment with items in the game, understand how characters and objects interact, and generally just go crazy. When I picked it up, I instantly summoned a UFO and an alien, put a cow underneath the UFO, and let the alien abduct it.

After a short struggle, the cow was turned into beef. I picked up the beef, summoned a barbecue, and grilled the meat. I then summoned a sumo wrestler, who hurried over to eat the beef.

Events like that play to Scribblenauts’ strengths – for example, there’s a great satisfaction to dealing with a party of trick-or-treaters not by giving them candy but by scaring

them off with a ghost. But ultimately the game has a terrible imbalance. For every fun, clever level that indicates how wonderful this core mechanic actually is, there are several levels that fall prey to failings in the game’s design.

Part of the problem is that the controls are horribly flawed. For some reason, 5th Cell decided that the best way to design the controls was to make your character, Maxwell, only movable with the stylus. This system doesn’t work at all. The game frequently interprets tapping an object – which is how you drag your summoned objects around – as a command to move, and as such Maxwell will persistently fuck up your intricate plans, destroying minutes of preparation. Many of these puzzles depend on timing and the ability to navigate a particularly hazard-filled level, and Maxwell’s inability to so much as walk in a straight line most of the time becomes a horrible burden that the player has to deal with.

It sucks, because the ideas are there. Frustrated with one level, I summoned a fan to push the level goal (a little floating star called a Starite) towards me without pushing the guard. It made me feel pretty smug, and that was when I realized how much 5th Cell must have anticipated the solutions to their problems.

At first, I felt pretty excited about this, like the developers had conspired with me to get around their game. Then it hit me. They anticipated getting frustrated and thinking of totally inorganic solutions. I began to feel cheated. I only sunk to that level because I couldn’t get Maxwell to cooperate enough to make a journey through the whole stage without

spastically bum-rushing an agitated security guard. The game played along with my frustration and delivered the Starite right to me.

It’s one thing to have a game that rewards lateral thinking, but it’s another thing to have a game where much of what the gamer accomplishes comes through an effort to break the game in order to progress. The core mechanic of Scribblenauts could be elegant, a tactile link between player and game; instead, the attitude of the game towards it own structure makes it feels almost impenetrable.

“

F o r e v e r y f un , c le v e r le v e l t h a t i n d ic a t e s ho w wo n d e r f u l t h i s c or e m e ch a n i c a ct u a l l y i s , t h er e a r e s e v e r a l l e v e l s t h a t f al l p r e y t o f ai l i n g s i n the game’s d e si g n . ” Scribblenauts 5th Cell Nintendo DS

John Cameron

kotaku.com

Illness and podcasts Elliott Brood keep moving in the 21st century

Tomorrow’s Professionals Apply Today!

james brotheridge a&c editor

Recently, the Canadian music scene was given a bit of a shock when Toronto avant-punks Fucked Up won the Polaris Prize. Alt-country trio Elliott Brood was also shortlisted for the prize for their second album, Mountain Meadows.

“Fucked Up was right next to us, and we started throwing stuff at them,” said Brood-member Mark Sasso. “They didn’t notice because they were up on stage, collecting their award.”

They don’t have anytime to lick their wounds, nor do they want to.

Sasso sounds genuinely excited at the prospect of their second cross-Canada tour in support of Mountain Meadows.

The group’s dark and menacing country continue to be blended with songs that could arguably be called straight pop tunes.

As good as Mountain Meadows is – and it is wonderful, through and through – these songs are clearly meant to be heard live. These three fellows are unrelenting crowd pleasers.

So, when they were forced to cancel a few dates earlier this year, it was obviously as big a disappointment for them as for the fans. Unfortunately, the cancellations were unavoidable, as member Casey Laforet’s lung collapsed.

“It’s spontaneous,” said Sasso. “It happened to him last year as well, so this is the second time. This time it was a bit more involved. Last time, he had to have surgery, but this time, he had to have further surgery to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”

As soon as Laforet was out of the hospital, it was back to the business of rehearsing and touring. Lasso was relieved when Laforet was able to return.

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“The whole thing is every member of this band is pretty integral. It’s not just a singer with a couple of backup guys. Everybody adds their particular elements to the group, and without it, it’s not the same.”

On this tour, they’ll be premiering two new songs, one of which will be featured in an upcoming film, Grownup Movie Star. Lasso is especially excited for this, as their inclusion on the soundtrack gives them the opportunity to break out of the mold Elliott Brood are occasionally placed in.

“It’s our time period and all that stuff. It’s kinda nice to see our music used in a different area. Most people think we’re turn-of-the-century type music. It’s nice to see it in a different vein.”

How does this preconception come up? “Once somebody sees the

banjo, they always think ‘old time.’

Whatever we do, once they see the banjo, it’s the same response,” he said.

But Elliott Brood are anything but an old-timey band. They regularly update their Twitter and they’re getting ready to do a new batch of podcasts from the road. They originally ventured into podcasting when Laforet was in the hospital.

“He was on morphine, so I think he was just having a good time, doing his morphine drip and enjoying music.”

When it’s mentioned that they’ll soon eradicate any idea of them being “turn-of-the-century type music,” Lasso laughs off the suggestion.

“Right. We’re not Luddites.”

Elliott Brood will be playing with the Wooden Sky at the Exchange on Thursday, Oct. 1.

Elliott Brood are bringing the banjo to Web 2.0

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the carillon Oct. 1 - 7, 2009

16 a&c

Turning a new Page

Overdone stale title zak stinson contributor

Rhiannon Ward

Steven Page performs at the Winnipeg Folk Festival

adam toy projector (red river college)

WINNIPEG (CUP) –– On a quiet Sunday afternoon at the Winnipeg Folk Festival, Steven Page took to the stage with tension hanging in the air.

Sharing the spotlight with such folk heavyweights as Loudon Wainwright III, Arlo Guthrie, Tom House, and Serena Ryder, Page’s muted onstage presence reflected his new struggle to win back his fans.

It had been only months since Page announced his departure from his former band, the Barenaked Ladies, and only a year since being caught with cocaine by Fayetteville, N.Y., police – a year that Page called “hellish.”

“I feel like I’ve grown a lot and learned a lot,” Page reflected. “You find out what the most important things in your life are. It really forces you to prioritize. But, yeah, it’s been a hell of a year and I’m glad to see it gone.”

Many fans took Page’s departure from the Ladies as the loss of a family member, and Page sympathizes with those feelings.

“People are sad – people who identify with the band, whether it’s a piece of their past or a piece of their present,” he said. “A lot of the diehard fans identify themselves first as Barenaked Ladies fans, and for them it shakes their foundation.

“But it’s just change. And since people have been seeing me doing my show, people are getting it more and more,” he said.

In a time before the Internet and iTunes, people were introduced to the Barenaked Ladies through wornout cassette tapes passed from friend to friend. BNL won its way into Canadians’ hearts in the 1990s with songs like “If I Had $1,000,000,” “Brian Wilson,” and “The Old Apartment.”

During his time with the Ladies, Page had been involved in other projects, including writing music for the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, lobbying with federal NDP leader Jack Layton, and other musical projects, which he continues to work on.

“I never identified myself as a Barenaked Lady first,” said Page.

“When I did, it threw off all of the other relationships in my life.”

On stage, Page feels more naked now than ever.

“You’re definitely flying without a net underneath you, and part of that’s terrifying, but that’s part of the great thing about being on stage,” he said.

“I think you always should have a little bit of terror out there, and those nerves are what keep you fresh and what keep you exciting.”

I’ve played my fair share of Halo. It’s a hard game to avoid, seeing as its popularity and hardcore audience can be compared to the likes of Star Wars. This huge fan base also means huge profit margins for developer Bungie and its parent company, Microsoft Studios.

Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with someone making money off of good design. However, when a game franchise has the dominance that Halo has, the drive for innovation takes a backseat to raking in the dough. This is pretty damn evident in Halo 3: ODST. As you can tell from the title, this isn’t really a new game. It’s basically Halo 3 with a significantly shorter, weaker story and some gameplay tweaks. The campaign focuses on the exploits of a squad of Orbital Shock Drop Troopers. You are the clichéd strong, silent type that helps so many game developers skirt around decent script writing.

You and your squad mates end up wandering the mega-city of New Mombasa. Your goal is to track down and regroup with your squadron. There. That’s it. While they do manage to weave a romantic subplot and the obligatory lines about busting one’s balls, not a whole lot happens in the game.

Even less happens directly to you.

If you’ve played Halo 3, then you know pretty well how this game is played. However, some changes were made. The ability to use two weapons at once is gone.

There is also a heightened demand for strategic fighting seeing as health no longer regenerates auto-

Stay lost Dan Brown The Lost Symbol Doubleday

zak stinson contributor

Looking for literature? Don’t look here. Dan Brown has trumped even himself in lowbrow thrillers by literally replicating his own work in the debacle that is The Lost Symbol.

But hey – The DaVinci Code sold, right?

Apparently, so has The Lost Symbol. With over one million copies sold on the day of its release, Brown’s latest thriller must have something to offer. This quickpaced, simple novel littered with complications is the literary equivalent to an ’80s high school drama.

Entertaining? Yes. Filled to the brim with plot holes, inconsistencies, over-the-top characters, and impos-

Halo 3: ODST Bungie Software XBOX360 matically. Isn’t this the opposite of what made Halo a good game?

The previous titles were satisfying because you were Master-Chief: Bringer of Doom. You could run into a large group with dual weapons blazing and waste every enemy before he could manage a screeching death-cry. The tactical approach just seems wrong when you are shooting at a giant jetpack-wearing gorilla with a gun that fires pink, exploding needles.

Multiplayer is a large part of why the previous Halo games were popular, so this must have some exciting new multiplayer features, xboxmedia.ign.com

sibilities? Yes. Unnecessarily divided into 132 chapters, The Lost DaVinci Angel Symbol Code is almost identical to its predecessors in the Robert Langdon series. The protagonist is a professor and apparently all-knowing genius who again finds it impossible to avoid another action-adventure.

Langdon progresses through a chain of clues and codes to reach another controversial revelation about another historical group already shrouded in controversy. In this case, it’s the Freemasons.

Brown’s books gather appeal from the fact that he’s writing about real organizations. In all likelihood, the Freemasons are now just a group of old men who enjoy the importance of ritual and wearing coloured ponchos.

The Lost Symbol relies heavily on mystical elements and magical solu-

right? Not really. It’s the original Halo 3 multiplayer along with the downloadable content that’s available on the Marketplace. The only new mode offered is called Firefight, which is just Bungie’s version of the much-copied Horde mode from Gears of War 2. It consists of waves of enemies coming at you and your friends, which you kill for points.

As usual with Halo games, there are a few epic fights and the music is astounding. That being said, this game feels like Bungie rustling up some cash from the hardcore fans and anyone willing to fall for this ploy as many did for Halo Wars. I

felt a sense of indignation every time I was told to “remember Reach,” Bungie’s already slated next title, which was pretty frequently. I guess that’s cheap advertising space.

This game left a bad taste in my mouth. The great reviews it’s already received is just one more indication that game reviews must be for sale. It’s only worth the full retail price if you are a hardcore fan of the Halo universe, and probably just barely worth it. I can definitely say I’m glad I rented this “masterpiece.”

“In all likelihood, the Freemasons are

n o w j u st a g ro u p o f o l d me n w h o e n j o y t h e im p o r t an c e o f r i t u a l a n d w e a r i n g c o l ou r ed p on c h o s . ” Nicole Rines tions. Not to excite zombie and vampire fans out there, though – the story here is more Brown fumbling indelicately with the theme of religion versus science than Brown making a fantasy hit. The conclusion that perhaps these two fields are married and require one another is hammered into the head of the reader, a finish similar to Angels and Demons.

Speaking of unchanging,

Langdon again escapes gaining any depth. Despite revealing Earth-shattering secrets in each book, he remains an untarnished, exceedingly naive Harvard man. The man doesn’t even get over his claustrophobia. photocopier Dan Brown’s deserves a round of applause – with just a few proper nouns switched and a change of locale, it’s managed to sell over two million copies so far.

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graphics

Graphics Editor: Graeme Zirk graeme_zirk@hotmail.com the carillon, Oct. 1 - 7, 2009

submit graphics to graeme_zirk@ Make moving easier hotmail.com and fill this page up

features

Features Editor:Vacant To apply, e-mail carillon@ursu.uregina.ca the carillon, Oct. 1 - 7, 2009

Domed stadium controversy Mayor and Roughriders excited, but critics worried about costs alex colgan contributor

Mosaic Stadium may not be falling down, but it needs more than just a few layers of paint. A concept review released by the provincial government on July 20 determined that the cost of fully refurbishing Mosaic Stadium would cost $109 million over five years, while building another open-air stadium would cost $190 million.

However, neither option would provide any

new economic benefits, since they would both be closed during the winter months. For that kind of price tag, they say, it makes sense to consider building a different type of stadium altogether: one that would be downtown, with a roof, able to operate all year round, at the cost of $350 million.

Details are still unknown, since the concept review was only a taste of the feasibility study that the government commissioned in July, which will cost $1 million and be released in January 2010. A dome stadium would have

38,000 seats, with potential to expand to 50,000, in comparison to Mosaic Stadium’s 30,000.

Supporters, such as Mayor Pat Fiacco and Roughriders chairman Rob Pletch, say that Mosaic Stadium would cost too much to fix, so we should invest in a new multi-use year-round facility that would boost the economy, revitalize the downtown, and draw tourists from far and wide to attend trade shows and conventions, and see cultural, artistic and sports events.

Critics, such as Lee Harding of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, say that the proposed sta-

Stadium could revitalize downtown alex colgan contributor

Whenever something new and expensive comes up for debate, two opposing viewpoints often emerge: “economic development” and “white elephant.” A major question of the dome stadium debate is its potential impact on Regina’s downtown, and upon the economy in general. Proponents claim that a new stadium would provide a great boost to the economy, but critics say that the costs, in the hundreds of millions, far outweigh any minimal benefits.

As Kevin Blevins of the Leader-Post wrote in December 2007, “A medium-sized, multi-purpose football dome would ... allow the city to compete for major events and concerts, and would be the centrepiece … of downtown.” Supporting this perspective, the stadium concept review released on July 20 concluded that a multi-use stadium's annual economic impact would range from $27 million to $90 million.

However, Lee Harding, director of the Saskatchewan branch of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, argues that a dome stadium would not bring the “economic spinoffs” promised by the provincial government. In an article for the StarPhoenix, Harding argued that several economists have shown that publicly funded sports facilities typically fail in stimulating the economy. “A new stadium is not necessary, nor will it provide large economic benefits.” Harding referenced Brad Humphreys, an economics professor at the University of Alberta, who has demonstrated in studies that there is no connection between public funding for sports stadiums and economic development. “All it changes is where people spend their disposable income,” said Harding.

There certainly is a risk that a domed stadium could become a white elephant: expensive and useless.

Officials from Regina’s Evraz Place and Saskatoon’s Credit Union Centre have argued that a dome stadium would fail to host more concerts. Also, Harding believes the 30,000 capacity at Mosaic Stadium is generous for a city of only 200,000 people, and that a 50,000-seat stadium would sit half-empty. “We have not even seen what expanding our current capacity could mean before building a large facility for a similar purpose,” Harding said.

However, Harding’s take on Humphreys’ work is not entirely accurate. Brad Humphreys is an expert on the economic impact of sports facilities throughout

North America. In 2007, when he worked at the University of Illinois, he appeared before the House of Representatives’ Subcommittee on Domestic Policy to comment on public financing for sports stadiums and urban economic revitalization. His view is contrary to most people’s common sense.

Most people believe that a new stadium creates economic growth: crowds of fans paying ticket prices and parking fees, going to bars and restaurants in the area, and buying souvenirs. Dr. Humphreys argues that this is not actually new economic activity, as most fans live in the area and households have limited entertainment budgets. He argues that spending money on tickets and other sports entertainment costs means that there will be less money to spend elsewhere. In other words, if you buy tickets to a Riders game, you may cut back on movies or other entertainment.

However, there is a silver lining to Dr. Humphreys’ results, as he argues that while professional sports cannot revitalize economies, they do shift the focus of economic activity to a particular area. This means that a new stadium could have positive effects for Regina’s ailing downtown.

The decline of the downtown is becoming an increasing concern in cities throughout North America, and Regina is no exception. According to the Regina Downtown Plan draft released on Aug. 31, a successful downtown is “fundamental” because of its cultural, creative, economic, commercial, residential, and tourism significance. Economic activity in Regina is being drawn out to the edges of the city, where the big box stores flourish. Without a major attraction in the heart of the city, Regina’s downtown may be doomed.

This appeared to be Mayor Pat Fiacco’s point in July, after the stadium feasibility study was first announced, when he told the StarPhoenix that “this is about so much more than a facility.” As Mayor Fiacco sees it, a dome stadium could represent the lynchpin of urban renewal and redevelopment in Regina, attracting “conventions, trade shows, cultural events, [and] artistic performances.”

To Mayor Fiacco and other stadium supporters, the dome stadium represents much more than merely a new home for the Riders, which would indeed be economically neutral. Its potential to become a cultural centre and diverse entertainment venue, and to revitalize Regina’s downtown, means that the stadium may indeed have a strongly positive effect on the tourist-driven sector of Regina’s economy.

dium would put the province in debt, fail to boost the economy, and that the money would be better spent elsewhere; they also point out that initial cost estimates are very optimistic, and a new stadium could in fact cost up to $500 million. In this week’s issue, we jump into the debate, crunch the numbers, and check the facts.

W hat a re o ur o ptio ns?

Mosaic Stadium is 89 years old, and it’s falling apart. Do we fix it, or do we buy a new one? Here are our options, according to the concept review released on July 20: Mosaic Stadium redevelopment:

$109 million

...but it wouldn’t increase current economic impact of the facility

New open air stadium:

$190 million

...but it wouldn’t revitalize the downtown and couldn’t be used during the winter months

New multi-use domed stadium:

$350 million*

...it would draw tourists and be in use all year round

* However, the official figure is an optimistic estimate and does not include land costs or construction beyond the stadium itself; some estimates place the cost as high as

$500 million

Cost per person

The cost of a $500 million stadium, split evenly between the federal, provincial, and municipal governments, means...

$5 $163 $1,092

...for every person in Canada.

...for every person in Saskatchewan.

...for every person in Regina.

Photos by Tyler Dekok

the carillon Oct. 1 - 7, 2009

features 19

Regina deserves better than a new stadium jennifer squires news writer

Estimates for the new domed stadium are upwards of $350 million, which reportedly does not include the purchase of land, or the construction of parking lots and other necessary services.

One should be smart enough to realize that this is going to be expensive, and that the province and city will be charged with maintaining the stadium. Also, estimates on the costs of renovations are hardly ever accurate and the purposed new stadium will surely end up costing taxpayers much more than expected.

Besides, Mosaic Stadium is sold out every

game, unlike other dome stadiums across the country; fans will continue to watch the game live regardless of whether the facilities are “upto-date;” that’s the essence of being a fan.

There are far more worthy uses for $350 million. Such a vast sum of money could benefit nearly all residents, not just those who are football fans. Why should we invest such a large amount of money into something that won’t benefit the majority of the population? Shouldn’t we instead try to find what would be most beneficial to the majority of the population of the province?

According to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation’s website, Regina's Recreation Facility Strategy 2020 report, released in 2008, stated that major monetary improvements and

even a new stadium itself would not even indirectly benefit the majority of Regina’s citizens but would instead funnel resources away from more pressing needs.

Besides this, Regina doesn’t have the money.

On Apr. 9, 2009, Regina Mayor Pat Fiacco was quoted saying, "The City of Regina does not have the dollars to build a new stadium."

You may be asking, what about the boost in the economy? It certainly won’t come instantly, nor easily. A C.D. Howe Institute study said, “The benefits from having sporting or cultural activities are not nearly as large as their proponents argue.”

Any boost in the economy will come because the users of the stadium will be paying higher prices to use it. Are the football fans in the

province okay with this prospect? Ticket and concession prices will soar, and rental prices will go up.

What about the other teams that use Mosaic Stadium? The University of Regina Rams, the Regina Thunder, and every senior high-school football team will likely have to pay higher fees if they hope to play in the new dome stadium.

Will the high school teams even be able to afford to use the field?

As a proud resident of Regina, I would be disappointed and angry to see my tax dollars going towards building a facility that I will never use. I would rather my tax dollars be spent on a raise for our politicians than to see it finance a dome stadium.

than 10,000 people for concerts. If a 30,000-plus capacity stadium is built, Regina could certainly attract more big name artists such as the Rolling Stones, AC/DC, and Aerosmith in a season other than summer. These acts are invaluable to Regina, bringing visitors to the city.

Building a dome would also lead to a massive urban redevelopment project. Development of the CP rail yard would likely create a walkable environment between downtown, and the nightclub district.

Downtown wouldn’t be the only Regina neighbourhood destine for redevelopment.

Should the city decide to tear down Mosaic Stadium, the area it is presently located in could finally be completely re-evaluated, and potentially rejuvenated. Let’s face it, this area of town is a blemish on Regina and the Roughriders image – and that was long before Maclean’s magazine dubbed it the worst neighbourhood in Canada.

On the other side of the spectrum, plenty other things could be done with $350 million – the conservative estimate for a dome stadium.

Substandard housing in Regina has been condemned, homeless shelters are overcrowded,

and with sky rocketing rental costs low-income families and students are desperate for financial assistance.

One possibility that has been primarily ignored in the dome debate is the potential for drastic improvement to the controversial Regina Transit system. If Regina does get a new stadium it will be in the location of the CP rail yard – the centre of Regina’s rail lines.

These rails run along many of the economic and cultural nodes of the city (Co-op Refinery, Ross Industrial Park, Dewdney Avenue, Evraz place, Broad Street, and Albert Street). The rail lines also run adjacent to the majority of communities in Regina. While these neighbourhoods are socially and economically diverse, they include some of the most impoverished areas of the city where residents of these neighbourhoods are the primary users of public transit.

Imagine if the new stadium doubled as the transit centre for Regina, and the rail lines, alongside busses, were used as part of an urban transportation system. The stadium would be used every day of the week and traffic congestion would be minimized on game days. The city becomes more accessible for

many Regina residents and this does more to revitalize the downtown.

Granted Regina has a much smaller population than most cities which have rail transportation, but its necessity in Regina is not as far off as one might think – the population explosion in Edmonton and Calgary are perfect examples. Both Albertan cities began construction of rail transportation in the early eighties. However, Ottawa’s O-train, implemented in 2001, cost substantially less – and is arguably much better – than the Calgary and Edmonton models. The reduced costs are due to using existing CP rail lines instead of building completely new lines.

Regina may not need an urban rail network right now, but the implementation of a transportation hub would provide such benefits as reduced traffic, more jobs, a reliable transportation service to those who can’t afford a car, and revenue for the city.

If anything good comes from the furious dome debate, it’s that Regina can finally start exploring issues such as infastructure.

Dome or not, Regina must preserve rail lines peter mills

editor-in-chief

Everyone seems to have an opinion on the debate of building a dome stadium or not.

Saskatchewan Roughrider fans would love to enjoy football in October and November instead of trying to keep warm in the frigid weather. At the same time, social advocates are appalled at the idea of $350-500 million price tag for a building that would be built primarily for a team that only plays nine to ten games per year.

Whether you support the building of a dome stadium or not, there are benefits to both sides of the argument.

Building a new stadium is arguably a good idea since Mosaic Stadium apparently needs extensive repairs, somewhere in the area of $100 million. The purposed dome stadium would be larger than Mosaic, allowing more tickets to be sold and, in return, creating more revenue.

An all weather stadium is just that, it could be used 365 days a year. Regina’s biggest indoor stadium, the Brandt Centre, holds less

10 reasons... peter mills

editor-in-chief

...to build a dome

1. Get rid of the awful train station in the heart of downtown.

2. Connect downtown to the nightclub district.

3. Potential to attract bigger entertainers, more concerts, conventions.

4. The Grey Cup. 5. Weather will be a non-issue for Rider games, meaning fans will stay warm in November and the ball will never be blown off of the tee.

6. Finally Saskatchewan will have an indoor stadium other than the (terrible) Credit Union Centre .

7. We could name it the Agridome.

8. Building a dome stadium, during a recession, makes Saskatchewan look rich – it’s the cities equivalent of makin’ it rain.

9. Regina/Saskatchewan could potentially acquire an MLS franchise.

10. If a stadium isn’t built downtown, a Best Buy will be.

...to not build a dome

1. Too much money.

2. A certain area of Regina only a few blocks North Central of the purposed stadium is in desperate need of revitalizing.

3. Do you honestly think Regina will get more than 30,000 people to concerts other than AC/DC and the Rolling Stones?

4. There is an important transit line where the purposed stadium will go.

5. Mosaic Stadium at Taylor field is a historical landmark.

6. Fixing Mosaic Stadium is way cheaper.

7. Downtown needs a grocery store.

8. Moving CP Rail and paying them for their land.

9. Regina/Saskatchewan might look at getting an MLS soccer franchise – gross.

10. Build more hotels, condos, or affordable housing.

op-ed editorial

Op-Ed Editor: Barbara Woolsey b.woolsey@hotmail.com the carillon, Oct. 1 - 7, 2009

opinion

The Olympic dream is Vancouver’s nightmare hate the Olympics. Maybe I just don’t understand what it’s all about.

What the Olympics seem to be more than anything is a celebration of corporate sponsorship and endless advertising hype. Don’t get me wrong, I am all for Canadian pride. “Quatchie” and his mascot friends are pretty cute. But that aside, I just can’t seem to bring myself to care. I am being so pessimistic about 2010; I might as well be a Vancouverite.

Oh, the City of Vancouver is only too eager to welcome guests. But the problem is many residents won’t be entertaining the Olympic Games with smiles on their faces. Vancouverites haven’t been too pleased with the coming Winter Games for some time now. It seems to be a lot of work for a distant end product.

When I was in Vancouver in May, construction was already up in full swing to work out every kink and squeak. As if traffic wasn’t bad enough in the city of 2 million-plus, further congestion has resulted as a result of complicated roadblocks. There have been various upgrades to already existing facilities as well as the creation of three new venues. This is not even including the new rapid transit link between Richmond, the airport, and the $600 million upgrade to the Sea-to-Sky Highway.

No wonder Vancouverites are so pissed. These refurbishments are costing a pretty penny and a good chunk of it out of their own pockets. Out of the $1 billion dollar budget, $580 million is coming from a taxpayer-supported budget. This coupled with millions of dollars in cuts to school sports programs, parent advisory councils, and school maintenance budgets, the Olympics is looking like a pretty ridiculous investment.

I spent three weeks in B.C. in May when tensions were already beginning to surface. Out of curiosity, I asked a Whistler resident if he was excited about the Olympic Games. The response I got was “Are you kidding?

“It’s changing the entire face of the town,” he said. “The city officials don’t really care about us locals. They just want to make everything pleasant for the Olympic visitors.”

Another resident explained that many locals are basically getting kicked out of their homes for the Games. Whistler is a tourist haven and therefore, cost of living is unbelievably expensive. Financially struggling locals can’t afford not to rent out their homes to guests. A two bedroom, one bathroom home is going for about $1100 a day. For many, there isn’t much of a choice.

New legislation being hastily pushed through by the B.C. government last week was just another brick in the wall. Lawmakers want to give police the authority to force homeless people into shelters or even jail during bad weather. Vancouver has always been a homeless hot spot. Anyone who’s ever walked down Robson, at any time of day, can attest to this. However, why suddenly, after years, is this now an issue?

The answer is obvious. Protesters opposed to the legislation and the Olympics itself continue to hit the streets of downtown Van, but there doesn’t seem to be much hope for their cause. It seems that residents will just have to grin and bear the mayhem. After all, they still have another four months to go ‘til show time.

Let’s look at the bright side. Having the Olympics in Canada, out of anywhere else in the world, is a big deal. It is an opportunity for nations to come together in harmony and friendly competition. Vancouver 2010 will be the birthplace of the dreams and memories of a lifetime. Maybe I am being too harsh. I don’t hate the Olympics and I certainly don’t hate what it stands for. But man, does it ever seem to be a pain in the ass.

I

Information overload makes Facebook a waste of time What is my status on Facebook?

Annoyed. Facebook, which started off as a simple social networking device, has spiralled out of control.

Now, after reading that introduction, you may think that I am completely opposed to Facebook or perhaps I am someone that is scared that technology may one day consume us all. This is not actually the case. I am registered on Facebook and I enjoy it for its practical uses.

Facebook is a prime tool for keeping in touch with friends, both close and abroad. I also appreciate the fact that you can post pictures that you would like your family and friends to see. Facebook is also helpful for remembering birthdays, because they aren’t always the easiest things to remember. However, all of these favourable features have become overshadowed by some of the more ridiculous features.

When thinking of some of these less than desirable features, quizzes immediately jump to mind. For those who aren’t aware, there are literally millions of quizzes available on Facebook. These quizzes pose to answer the tough questions like,

“What movie badass are you?” or “Why will you be banned from Walmart?” While I was initially surprised by the ridiculousness of these quizzes, the fact that so many people participate in these quizzes was even more surprising. Do people trust the credibility or the accuracy of these quizzes or do they simply have nothing better to do? Maybe they feel they need to know what their chances of survival are if zombies attack. These quizzes are perfect examples of some of the unnecessary features Facebook has introduced.

Facebook has also become a platform for people to voice pretty much anything that comes to their mind. This is not always a bad thing, but for the most part, what comes to mind is not worthy of being posted online. When thinking of posting something on your Facebook wall, consider this, would you say that same thing aloud to someone? If not, it really has no place on your wall.

People seem to think that everyone wants to know what their day has in store. I am so annoyed with

posts that look like, “Sleep, class, gym, workout … text.” I don’t know what annoys me more, the fact that people think I care about their schedule or the fact that they are too lazy to write in complete sentences instead using these muddled thoughts. I also feel that people need to stop expressing what they are feeling through song lyrics. As clever as they think this may be, it is actually not. And one more thing, people need to stop doing random countdowns on Facebook.

Now, while there may be a few other features I could mention that are equally annoying, I think it is easy to see that the integrity of Facebook is quickly being destroyed. Still, I guess if you need a place to tell people your day–to-day schedule or if you want to find out who your Twilight soul mate is, Facebook is definitely the waste of time you’ve been looking for.

b a r a c k o b a m a s w i n e f l u t h a t s p e e c h s t e p h e n h a r p e r c a n a d i a n e l e c t i o n ttaw i t t e r i t u n e s k a n y e w e s t l a d y g a g a e m a i l y o u r o p i n i o n s t o p a i n a u t o t u n e r e c e s s i o n f g h a n i s t a n t a s e r s d o m e b a i l o u t s h e a l t h c a r e b a n k r u p t c y s w e a t e r v e s t h i p s t e r d o u c h e b a g s t h o s e a s s h o l e s w h o g i v e y o u t i c k e t s w h e n cappu raislrlkoanliln@tu .uro epggitian .ceagoan y om u thhrinesgusw n pllia a ca cra stc y barbara woolsey

commentary editor

jonathan hamelin contributor

the carillon Oct. 1 - 7, 2009

op-ed 21

Queen City Wasteland Where are the garbage police?

That was the question when, after getting off the plane and inspecting my new apartment, I spotted a dumpster in the alley behind the house. Black garbage bags, recyclables not separated, no compost bins! What’s going on?

Don’t you have garbage police here?

In my native Nova Scotia, dozens of authoritarian garbage regimes are in place, imposing a collective vision of a trash-segregated utopia. Since garbage collection is a municipal affair, town and city councils are clearly populated by compost communists.

The garbage police are compliance inspectors who inspect your garbage bags for contraband. All garbage bags must be transparent, so the enforcers can see inside. Food waste is composted in green bins that smell terrible. Cans, bottles, newspapers, cardboard ... all must be separated or you will get a warning.

Do not question their authority!

These gods among men will cast judgment and with a flourish and a bright fluorescent sticker, your garbage will be rejected. No pick up for you!

Moving to Saskatchewan, what appears to be socialist paradise, imagine my surprise to see that there is no enforcement here. Black is beautiful as far as garbage bags are concerned and segregation is not mandatory. Many in my home province would love to slip back into complacency; no more of this painin-the-ass composting, washing out

yucky cat food tins, and struggling with the horrible inconvenience of shoving newspapers into blue bags every morning.

However, I suppose you could say that I’ve been co-opted. Yes, that’s right, I’m a collaborator, a traitor to my people. See, I worked at a restaurant in Halifax. We never composted and we’d fill the dumpsters so high that they looked like black, sticky mountains. But when the law came down, we were forced to adapt, change our habits, and wouldn’t you know it? We filled three 60-litre green bins every week.

The restaurant owners, my family, and other people I know changed their habits only when pulled kicking and screaming.

Nobody likes the garbage police.

But who would make the conscious leap to separate their refuse, unless the city made it mandatory and enforced it? Some of us already do, out of conscience and concern for our environment. The rest of us, unfortunately, need to be persuaded to separate trash, pay taxes, and wear seatbelts. Because these are everyone’s concerns and everyone’s responsibility, but some people won’t be convinced by commercials featuring David Suzuki. If your garbage isn’t separated, the garbage truck doesn’t take it. Simple as that.

The City of Regina, through complacency, has fallen behind.

While other cities provide green bins to their residents and collect compost regularly, the advice on Regina’s website is to build and

Matt Yim

maintain your own bin. Compare Regina’s diversion of waste from landfills (24%) to Toronto’s (44%) and Halifax’s (57%). The latter cities experienced garbage crises in the 1990s and undertook steps to correct them.

Regina is years behind. I don’t want to come off as a pious, judg-

mental outsider. Regina is a beautiful city and cutting edge in many ways.

The way we deal with trash should be a source of pride, not shame or complacency.

Who knows, maybe I’ve been brainwashed by the compost communists and the garbage police. But I’m here in Regina. Nobody’s breath-

ing down my neck and I’m still separating my trash. It starts off as a burden and a pain in the ass, but it eventually becomes a habit, even a way of life. Maybe the garbage police aren’t so bad after all.

It seems like it has become cliché, simple, and popular to blame George W. Bush for anything and everything these days. For instance, racism towards the Middle East and Islam has been blamed on Bush.

Shouldn’t this fear more accurately be put on the shoulders of the terrorists and al-Qaida? It is more accurate to blame them for the racism and ignorant labels put on Muslims than to blame Bush. He is not the one who created this hate towards the West. Al-Qaida’s hate is so deep and so entrenched that followers have been seduced to not only kill there enemy, but also kill themselves.

Should all of the blame for this deep hate honestly be put in Bush's lap?

Despite this, like most I have to admit that I don’t generally support what Bush did in office. I am strongly opposed to war in general, but the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan specifically. The fact that al-Qaida killed innocent people does not justify the death of civilians today.

Every life is valuable. I think we often forget that the lives of civilians lost in the Middle East today are just as valuable as the lives of the 9-11 victims. It is easy to think of the deaths in the Middle East as statistics. They are not statistics. They are valuable.

I will not pretend that these are black and white issues. But it is unacceptable to put all the blame in Bush’s lap. He does deserve blame, but not all of it. His administration could have stopped this enormous, cross-cultural war in its tracks. The United States government could have stood up and refused to resort to revenge. They could have responded with peace. What kind of shock wave would have been sent through out the globe if that would have been the response?

Unfortunately for the U.S. government, this was not an option.

They could not appear weak when

their nation needed to feel safe. There are many views and factors involved, but I cannot help but argue for the power of peace. I believe more than ever in the hours and days following the attack that a rebuff of violence and war was necessary. A stand for peace would have shaken the earth. It would have been a bridge that could have brought cultural understanding and tolerance. This act of defiance against war could have broken down walls of hate.

Bush and his government went down the easy path in the crossroads of history. They went the way of war.

The effects of this decision linger.

alex colgan contributor

Beating on the Bush

blog.pennlive.com

Won’t anyone – other than the Easter bunny – show George W. some love?

nathan frank contributor

the carillon Oct. 1 - 7, 2009

22 op-ed

The Simpsons Paradox New episodes of The Simpsons don’t have the same pizzazz as the old reruns

Truly, we doth protest too much The ubiquity of protests renders them ineffective

sfgate.com

More than protests will be needed to save Marijuana Party leader Marc Emery Matt Groening

When it comes to The Simpsons, old school is best

Our culture has a few givens: colonialism is bad, democracy is good, and The Simpsons has gotten stale.

Hating on The Simpsons has been common since the show entered its third season. The complaints are the same; it’s too silly, Homer’s too dumb, the stories are tapped out. The lone change in the argument has been when the show “jumped the shark.” At first, it was season three, then six, then nine, and it seems to have finally settled around season ten - give or take a couple seasons depending on who you talk to. Why did it stop? Why hasn’t it continued to move up to seasons 14, 17? Has the show actually gotten that terrible in the last eight seasons? I don’t think it’s that simple, so excuse me while I defend colonialism for the next couple paragraphs.

The Simpsons has not gotten stale. It’s the same as it ever was, which is to say a funny cartoon with splashes of emotion and social satire. The reason the proposed drop-off point kept getting pushed back – and why it finally stopped – is syndication.

The syndication of The Simpsons allows us to watch episodes over and over again. Reruns never get old and this is the show’s greatest strength. It’s so full of jokes that it takes a couple viewing to catch all of them anyways. This strength is multiplied for our generation by the fact that we grew up while watching The Simpsons. As we grew up, we were able to understand more and more of the subtlety, which made an episode seem fresh even after the ninth or tenth viewing. Be honest, how many of you knew Smithers was gay when you were ten? And if you did, I bet you understood the significance of this later on in life.

If syndication is partially responsible for the reverence given

to season one through 12, why hasn’t it led to the same for the later seasons? Well, those later seasons aren’t in syndication or at least they aren’t as prominent. It was once possible to watch The Simpsons ten times a day. These would all be early episodes. The amount of Simpsons episodes aired each day has since decreased and those that remain still show mostly early episodes. Just this fall, CBC stopped showing The Simpsons at 5 p.m. and replaced it with Ghost Whisperer.

This time-slot rarely showed newer episodes. All this means that we never got the chance to experience the later episodes as we did the earlier.

And even if they were on syndication, we still wouldn’t fully experience these episodes because we now have lives beyond watching TV. First, we have important things like our families, jobs, and research papers. Beyond those, there are even more things to waste our time with. The ’90s saw an explosion in the amount of channels on cable and satellite. When we had free time, we watched TV. Our free time now is split between Facebook, Twitter, texting, Perez Hilton, fantasy sports, Xbox, plus many others.

With so many opportunities to waste time, there is less time to watch TV and thus, old episodes of The Simpsons.

Therefore, it seems as if these last seasons of The Simpsons will fall into obscurity. Few people watch them when they first air and even fewer watched them again. And the fact that no one watches them doesn’t mean they aren’t good. The only way to truly judge is to watch them over and over. This could happen as the later seasons make their way onto DVD. Season 12 was just released and season 13 will probably be released soon. Maybe then people will sit down to watch them.

Then new classics will emerge and when The Simpsons enters season 33, we’ll talk of its heyday in season 19.

taylor tiefenbach contributor

EDMONTON (CUP) –– On Sept.

28, Marc Emery, the leader of the Marijuana Party of Canada, will be sentenced to five years in an American prison on a charge of conspiracy to manufacture marijuana.

Emery, known as the “Prince of Pot,” is a Canadian citizen, but after a joint DEA and RCMP raid in 2005 he faced extradition to the United States. Thanks to the extreme efficiency with which North American court systems run, he will finally appear in a Seattle court next week. In response, demonstrations were organized to take place all around the world Sept. 19 to protest his extradition.

One such rally was held in Edmonton, where around 40 people marched from city hall to the Alberta legislature, demanding justice for Emery.

I was there. It was a fun-filled afternoon of chanting, cheering, and air punching, all for one person. I met some great people, waved at honking cars, grabbed some cool photos, and just had an overall awesome time, even before any natural enhancers were perhaps, kind of, maybe involved. It’s clear and obvious: protests are very social events. However, one shouldn’t expect them to have any effect at all on Emery’s fate.

Demonstrations are becoming so common these days that their meaning and effectiveness is slowly wearing off. Every so often a friend of yours will hear about some march being planned and say, “Hey, there’s a rally next week.

That’s pretty cool. Wanna go?”

“Yeah sure, I think it’ll be fun,” you might say.

Look back at February 2003, for example, when millions of people all around the world took to the streets to protest George W. Bush’s decision to invade Iraq. That day obviously froze traffic, caused significant financial unrest, and put a halt to society on an otherwise normal day.

The media probably loved it, but did Bush give a shit? Was the

invasion of Iraq affected in any way? You’ve got to wonder what Saddam was thinking when he watched those anti-war protests on his TV. A demonstration is almost like some giant party, except without the alcohol and subsequent inebriated acts of embarrassing proportions. Attending one of these social gatherings is also an easy way to get on TV with little effort on your part, although a witty sign or an oversized papier-mâché head of a politician certainly helps.

One could say it’s like those iPhone commercials. Dissatisfied with Harper ’s public education policies? There’s a protest for that!

Feel like you’re getting ripped off by the Canada Pension Plan?

There’s a protest for that, too! Want to marry your dog but the government won’t let you because that’s downright absurd and disgusting?

There’s a protest for that! (Though please don’t forward the link to me.)

I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with someone wanting to rise up and stand in the centre of it all. I admire people who can fight for a cause. But don’t expect peaceful protests to be the solution to all of the world’s problems. Not to be pessimistic, but history tells us, unfortunately, that the most effective demonstrations usually end in bloody streets.

aaron yeo gateway (university of alberta)

the carillon Oct. 1 - 7, 2009

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Look how skimpy this is! We’re bringing back the question to help you think of things to write. Please submit your responses (or anything, really) via Facebook or to our office (Rm. 227, Riddell Centre)

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iiin n nccco o om m miiin n ng g g Upcoming events for the coming week Thursday, Oct. 1

Friday, Oct. 2

Sunday, Oct. 4

Tuesday, Oct. 6

The Perms, Polymaths McNally’s Local indie-rockers Polymaths are set to release their first album, Coming Home, any day now

SheKillsMe, Ink Road O’Hanlon’s SheKillsMe bring the heavy rock with a social conscience

U of R Women’s Soccer vs British Columbia noon CKHS

Library Voices, In-Flight Safety The Exchange Regina heroes Library Voices make a stop at home on their national tour

Elliott Brood, the Wooden Sky The Exchange Read an interview with Elliott Brood in this week’s Arts and Culture section The Bouncing Souls, Off With Their Heads, Saint Alvia Cartel, Youth Brigade Riddell Centre multi-purpose room Anthemic punk-rock will never die, apparently.

Youth and Today’s Technology GA 106 Figuring out what’s going on with kids, the Internet, and cyber predators

Beatmaking Workshop RC 049 DJ Merky Waters goes all Bizz Markie on Yo Gabba Gabba! and lays down a lesson on beatmaking

U of R Men’s Volleyball vs Montréal 2:00 p.m.

CKHS Regina Pats vs Swift Current Broncos 7:00 p.m.

Brandt Centre

Saturday, Oct. 3 Richard Groulx The Abbey Local solo artist gets folksy at this free show U of R Women’s Soccer vs Trinity Western noon U of R Field

Regina Pats vs Red Deer Rebels 7:00 p.m.

Brandt Centre

U of R Women’s Basketball vs Lakeland College 5:30 p.m.

CKHS

Monday, Oct. 5 Two Hours Traffic, The Danks, Spiral Beach The Exchange Read an interview with Two Hours Traffic in this week’s Arts and Culture section Assertiveness workshop 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Riddell Centre, rm. 251 Counseling Services Inquiries: 585-4491

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