26 September 2018

NEWS

Minimum disruption The Fight for $15 comes to Manitoba

NEWS

City abuzz

SPORTS

Brown and Co.

Urban beekeepers educate community PAGE 7

PAGE 5

Recruits bring junior pedigree PAGE 14

COMMENT

Contradiction party People's Party anything but PAGE 10 VO L 1 0 5 · N O 8 · S E P T E M B E R 2 6 , 2 0 1 8 · W W W.T H E M A N I TO B A N .CO M

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Index

VOL. 105 NO. 8 September 26, 2018

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Garett Williams

editor@themanitoban.com / 474.8293

BUSINESS MANAGER Sohni Tappia

accounts@themanitoban.com / 474.6535

ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Sydney Last

ads@themanitoban.com / 474.6535

EDITORIAL

MANAGING EDITOR Malak Abas

me@themanitoban.com

NEWS EDITOR Malak Abas

news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

COMMENT EDITOR Jacob Singleton

comment@themanitoban.com

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY EDITOR David Zirangey

science@themanitoban.com

ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Braiden Pergis

arts@themanitoban.com

SPORTS EDITOR Jason Pchajek

sports@themanitoban.com

COPY EDITOR Matthew Doering

copy@themanitoban.com

ASSOCIATE COPY EDITOR Sarah Doran

NEWS

sarah@themanitoban.com

Butting out

DESIGN

DESIGN EDITOR Kellie Huynh

Fort Garry campus may go smoke-free PAGE 4

design@themanitoban.com

GRAPHICS EDITOR Evan Tremblay

COMMENT

Fat ban

One step toward healthier society PAGE 11

graphics@themanitoban.com

PHOTO EDITOR Asha Nelson

photo@themanitoban.com

PHOTO AND VIDEO EDITOR Quincy Houdayer quincy@themanitoban.com

DESIGN ASSOCIATE Ernest Zarzuela GRAPHICS ASSOCIATE Scott A. Ford

REPORTERS

NEWS Tyler Brass COLUMNIST Kenny Ingram

VOLUNTEER CONTRIBUTORS

MANITOBAN 109 HELEN GLASS U N I V E R S I T Y O F M A N I TO B A WINNIPEG, MB R3T 2N2

ARTS AND CULTURE

Looking at history a different way Who they left out PAGE 13

Design Design Editor: Kellie Huynh Contact: design@themanitoban.com Graphics Editor: Evan Tremblay Contact: graphics@themanitoban.com Photo Editor: Asha Nelson and Quincy Houdayer Contact: photo@themanitoban.com

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News

News Editor: Malak Abas Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

Save a bird, draw a picture U of M windows adorned with artwork meant to deter birds

BY DAVID ZIRANGEY, STAFF

Collision-reducing window decals and exhibit.

PHOTO BY ASHA NELSON

A

mong feather and flower decals on windows on campus, written messages stand bold and clear. One reads: “In Canada, windows kill 25 million birds a year.”

With the fall bird migration underway, a team of students and researchers are calling on the public to join the endeavour to prevent migratory birds from crashing into windows as they journey south.

Last week, the Wallace and Biological Sciences buildings were decorated using white vinyl decals and white chalk markers.

The team is using the window decorations to break-up reflections of what the birds could interpret as clear sky or vegetation.

While it was previously believed tall buildings and office towers were the biggest threat to migrating birds because office lights that remained on overnight disoriented them during their nocturnal migration, new research has found that low- and

mid-rise buildings and houses are Institute (NRI), and the U of M This project is simple to recreate “It’s not just some ugly graffiti kind responsible for the bulk of the overall Science, Technology, Engineering, of thing.” on the windows of your own home. death toll.

Art and Math (STEAM) program.

This spring, student volunteers Fraser said the best strategy is to have Kevin Fraser, assistant professor Nicola Koper, professor at the U from both the Fraser lab and the imagery fill most of the window, and of biology and co-lead on the project, of M Natural Resources Institute and Koper lab started to conduct surveys have it connected “in a bigger way, so said this gave his team a specific area the project’s other co-lead, said the of buildings around campus to deter- that it looks like the solid object it is.” to focus their work on. goal is to make people aware of how mine “collision hot spots.”

“You can use liquid chalk, which “The positive is that, well, it’s not simple it is to help prevent collision“Part of the goal of the survey is is basically a specific kind of marker just that we have to figure out where that you can [use to] draw outside of to convince comthe hot spots are, the windows,” said Koper. panies that own “You can also buy vinyl decals comso that then when If most birds are killed by houses and the those office towwe go to do more mercially, as well, that you can put on ers turn off their low-rise buildings we work in, then we have permanent treat- your window.” lights at night,” ments in the future, It is not necessary to purchase more power to do something to mitigate Fraser said. [researchers] can decals or even chalk to create the “If most birds go right to where artwork — even simple home prodthat" — Kevin Fraser, project co-lead the windows are ucts will do. are killed by houses and the that are having the “You can even just use certain low-rise buildings we work in, then based bird deaths. biggest impact,” Fraser said. kinds of hard soap that you draw on we have more power to do something “We hope to affect not just birdAlong with the artwork currently the outside of the window and then to mitigate that.” window collisions on campus, but adorning “high-impact” windows on you can wash it off again later when The awareness project is a col- hopefully people will become more campus, the Gallery of Student Art the migration season is over,” said laboration between the researchers aware of the issue and learn more presented photos of dead birds post- Koper, “because most of the problems and student volunteers from Fraser's about how they can actually do some- collision in the exhibit Coda, called are during migration.”

Avian Behaviour and Conservation thing and realize that it can look “an exposé of bird window-strike (ABC) lab, the Natural Resources really great,” Koper said. mortality,” which ran until Sept. 21.

UMSU hosting healthy sexuality programming Film screenings, art projects and workshops scheduled MALAK ABAS, STAFF

UMSU’s healthy sexuality week kicked off Monday at the U of M. Until Friday, UMSU will offer an array of programming under the central theme of providing education on healthy sex. The array includes tabling in UMSU University Centre throughout the entire week, an art project on sexual violence at the Fireside Lounge Friday and a movie screening at the U of M Graduate Students’ Association (UMGSA) lounge Thursday.

Consent culture and the process of giving and receiving sexual consent is a central theme of the week.

Consent has become a recurring topic at the U of M after two

instances of inappropriate sexual students. light on sexual misconduct on campus behaviour toward students by pro“UMSU’s aim for this week with is all the more reason for students fessors have become public in just respect to sexual violence and consent to take the time to learn about their over a year. is to ensure that students are aware options should they deal with inapOn the first propriate behavday of classes, U iour on campus. of M president “Sexual violence “Sexual violence has been and continues to David Barnard has been and conbe an important topic on campus” — Sarah tinues to be an apologized to students affected important topic on Bonner-Proulx, UMSU VP advocacy by this behaviour campus,” Bonnerand promised the Proulx said. school would con“In light of tinue to combat the issue. of the resources and supports avail- recent news of investigations against UMSU VP advocacy Sarah able to them and to answer questions faculty members for sexual misconBonner-Proulx said the goal of the students may have surrounding these duct, it is definitely important to week is to provide accessible, inform- topics,” Bonner-Proulx said. address the topic of power relationative resources on sexual health to She added that the recent spot- ships and how they play a role in

consent.”

Justice for Women Manitoba, a campus organization that has been offering consent culture training to student groups throughout the summer and into the school year, provided its workshops free for all students Tuesday and Wednesday.

The group, along with BonnerProulx, recently called for the U of M administration to make similar workshops mandatory for all faculty.

“These workshops address all types of sexual violence and associated behaviours, consent and how to get it, as well [as] power relationships and a bystander intervention component,” Bonner-Proulx said.

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News

News Editor: Malak Abas Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

Fort Garry campus may go smoke free More than 60 campuses across Canada have banned smoking on school grounds TY BRASS, STAFF

T

he U of M Fort Garry campus is 2006. in the coming years.” looking at going smoke free.

The University of Winnipeg Other universities have opted The announcement comes after implemented a smoke-free policy in to create designated smoking areas a Sept. 13 report from the Canadian 2008, which was updated in 2015 to instead of banning smoking outright.

Cancer Society, which showed there include vaping and e-cigarettes.

The Fort Garry campus spans are 65 “100 per cent smoke-free” camU of M spokesperson John nearly three square kilometres. puses in Canada. That number is up Danakas said a ban is not necessarily If a student has back-to-back from 30 campuses in 2017, and four being considered. Rather, the univer- classes, they may have only 10 to 15 in 2007. minutes to travel The report from one class to shows a growthe next.

“I believe if there were regulated smoking ing number of That may not areas it would be better than banning it Canadian cambe time for a cigapuses are banrette if they have across the entire campus” — Erin Minor ning smok ing to leave campus to completely both do so. indoors and outErin Minor, a doors and encourages more univer- sity, following the language used by student and smoker, said that while sities to follow suit. the Canadian Cancer Society, is con- she did not support a campus-wide Any smoking restrictions would sidering ways of “creating a smoke- ban, designated smoking areas would reportedly not include Investors free campus.” benefit students.

Group Field events.

Danakas said the conversation is “I would say I’m against it, just U of M Fort Garry campus policy still in the early stages and would not because I know several smokers — does not allow smoking of any kind give specifics about what the transi- especially [considering that] I’m in either indoors or within eight metres tion would look like. the fine arts department and there of any buildings, but otherwise stuWhile there is no timeline in place, are many smokers among us here," dents are free to smoke on campus Danakas said “the conversation will Minor said. grounds. include all relevant groups on cam“I believe if there were regulated The U of M’s Bannatyne campus pus, and with the appropriate support smoking areas it would be better than has been completely smoke free since something could happen next year or banning it across the entire campus.”

The U of M is considering taking the Fort Garry campus smoke-free.

PHOTO BY ASHA NELSON

U of M instructor calls for president’s resignation Inaugural Indigenous Scholars Speaker Series event targets campus racism MALAK ABAS, STAFF

A U of M instructor is advocating for a total overhaul of the university’s faculty and administration — starting at the top.

Barry Lavallee, who teaches in the university’s college of medicine, called for the removal of U of M president David Barnard during a lecture hosted by the university last Thursday.

“I suggest that — I’ll give it six months — that the current president of the University of Manitoba be removed from his seat, nicely, and we put in an Indigenous female in that position, full stop,” he said.

In an interview, Lavallee said a half dozen students have recently came forward to him concerning racism on campus.

The lecture was the first in the Indigenous Scholars Speakers Series, which will run every second Thursday during the fall term.

The lectures will examine

Indigenous issues within academia There are currently 46 Indigenous be tuition free, in hopes of creating “There are horrendous things that and feature Indigenous academics faculty members, including library the groundwork for generations-long go on,” he said.

“Horrendous little bits and pieces from the U of M. service employees, listed on the U increased accessibility to jobs and furLavallee, a family physician who of M’s Indigenous Connect website. ther education. of racial microaggressions that hapspecializes in Indigenous health A spokesperson for the U of M Lavallee also referenced the sexual pen on a daily basis. And we have that and northern practice, discussed said a campaign is launching next violence and inappropriate behav- experience at the school of medicine, in his lecture iour by professors with a number of our students comhow Indigenous toward students ing forward and complaining about “This institution will always reproduce that has sur- the racism that occurs. And the bigpeople navigate the public health rounded the uni- gest thing is for us to believe them.” itself with the status of white men being system in Canada, Lavallee went into depth on the versity in recent before shifting to months. “normalization” of racism against at the pinnacle” — Barry Lavallee what he said he “We have to Indigenous students on campus believes the unibelieve our stu- and advocated for a zero-tolerance versity has to undergo to fully repre- month to “obtain good data” on dents and believe our faculty. I know response from U of M administration. sent its Indigenous community. the level of Indigenous staffing by it’s difficult, because we don’t even “You should be fired,” Lavallee said.

“This institution will always repro- encouraging non-academic staff to believe women at this university,” he “Full stop. That’s it. There’s no duce itself with the status of white self-declare. said. holding hands, there’s no singing He added that more than 50 per men being at the pinnacle,” he said.

“They’re experiences of oppression. Kumbaya on this action. This action He recommended administra- cent of “non-academic management We shy away from it. We hide from it.” of racism has terminal force on our tive staff be shifted to be 70 per cent staff” are female.

Lavallee criticized the university’s communities, and we are dying every Indigenous people, to “account for At a student level, Lavallee process of reporting and supporting day because of racism that appears as the inequities that are maintained, also called for the first degree of victims of racialized violence, say- normalized. and the inequities that stem from “Indigenous people who have been ing there is “no pathway to support “We’re dying every day.” historical violence and trauma.” impacted by racialized violence” to Indigenous and racialized people.”

VOL. 105 NO. 8 September 26, 2018

News

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Fight for $15 and Fairness launches in Manitoba

Demonstrators call for living wage MALAK ABAS, STAFF

Winnipeggers gathered outside Portage Place Shopping Centre Monday to advocate for raising the minimum wage.

The Fight for $15 and Fairness Manitoba campaign kicked off with speeches and a march in downtown Winnipeg.

"If [students are] not being set up for success, this province is failing itself for its future" — Brenden Gali, UWSA VP Internal Affairs The campaign — which advocates for raising the minimum wage to a living wage, along with additional provisions for workers including fairer scheduling of hours and higher standards in work environments — comes at the heels of other similar campaigns across Canada and the U.S. As of Oct. 1, the minimum wage in Manitoba will increase to $11.35 an hour from $11.15. Some argue that is still not enough.

The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives has calculated the living wage in Winnipeg for 2016-17, or the wage one must make to meet their basic needs, to be $14.54 an hour.

Emily Leedham, a member of the organizing committee for Fight for $15 and Fairness Manitoba, said the

Demonstrators gather downtown Winnipeg to kick off the Fight for $15 and Fairness campaign.

PHOTO BY ASHA NELSON

campaign is about creating accessi- to fight to improve their own condible avenues for working citizens to tions,” she said. engage in activism.

Brenden Gali, vice-president “I will say also that we are very internal affairs of the University of much inspired by the Fight for $15 Winnipeg’s Students’ Association, and Fairness campaign in Ontario,” spoke at the gathering. said Leedham.

“I think we’re in a position with The Ontario campaign “has the government and culturally where been very much about community post-secondary education is nothing organizing, training organizers as like we’ve seen it before,” Gali said. well, people who wouldn’t normally “Where things like the advanced identify as, maybe, activists, or labour education act that passed last year organizers, to really provide people allowed for institutions to increase with those skills to empower them [tuition], so students are paying more

out of their pocket.”

Gali called the state of working students “precarious” and encouraged students to get involved with the fight for a higher minimum wage, along with other workers' issues.

“I think labour issues are directly tied to education issues,” Gali said.

“Especially when post-secondary education is a breeding ground for leaders and future workers in this province. So if they’re not being set up for success, this province is failing itself for its future.”

Other speakers included community organizer Jocelyn Mallette, Winnipeg Labour Council president Basia Sokal and Susan Rodriguez, a member of Migrante Manitoba, a community organization that represents migrant workers.

Fight for $15 and Fairness Manitoba will continue its campaign with volunteer training sessions that will include an in-depth look at the history of the movement in Canada and the U.S. The first session is on Oct. 3.

UMSU developing peer-to-peer tutoring service App will set up one-on-one tutoring sessions between students MALAK ABAS, STAFF

The UMSU executive is making good on its promise to introduce a peer-to-peer tutoring platform for students.

The idea was introduced by the Elevate UMSU slate, which went on to sweep the executive ballot, during the 2018 UMSU general elections.

The project, which will connect students with student tutors through an online app, began to take shape in the summer.

In August, UMSU president Jakob Sanderson said there were already more than 100 tutor applicants for the program.

At the Sept. 13 UMSU board of directors meeting, it was announced UMSU hired a part-time staffer to handle the influx of applications and vet potential tutors.

It was also noted that UMSU hoped to have a base of tutors ready for “mid to late September” and would advertise the program to possible tutees then.

UMSU VP student services Carly tance with assignments, provides an hour.

The ALC tutoring service is supMastromonaco said the app will be a support with communication skills chance for students to get help from and improving students’ grasp of the ported through fees students remit peers with specific classes.

English language. along with tuition.

“This program offers students According to the Aug. 30 UMSU Mastromonaco said the UMSU the opportunity peer tutoring serto connect with vice can be conpeers and be “This program offers students the opportunity sidered a different service from the tutored one-onto connect with peers and be tutored one- ALC because of one in coursespecific topics,” its course-specific on-one in course-specific topics” — Carly Mastromonaco options.

Mastromonaco, UMSU VP student services said.

“While providThe university ing some courseoffers a studentspecific tutoring centric tutoring program through board of governor meeting agenda, options to students, the ALC focuses he Academic Learning Centre peer tutors hired through the UMSU heavily on general academic writing (ALC). Located in the Tier build- program “may earn up to $15/hour” and studying skills,” Mastromonaco ing, the centre is a free service that when approved. said. offers peer writing tutors, peer study Tutors can request a maximum of “This program provides heightened skill coaches, online tutoring, writing $15 an hour for their services, which accessibility to course-specific tutors, workshops and more. will then be paid by the student the program helps to facilitate the The ALC also provides resources through the app. efficacy of connecting a tutee to a for English as an additional language The ALC writing tutor position tutor and will hopefully address the (EAL) students, including an EAL and the ALC content/study skills overwhelming volume of students instructor who, along with assis- tutor position both remunerate $17 looking for course-specific help on

campus.”

The ALC is not the only other tutoring resource available to U of M students.

Many faculties have their own separate systems, including a tutor registry set up by the faculty of engineering, and help centres for math, physics and computer science.

The UMSU tutoring program will operate through the Nimbus tutoring mobile app, which will, according to a Facebook post published by UMSU, allow students to “match with interested tutees, set up meetings and communication and control payment in app.”

When asked about the overall cost of setting up the app, the vetting process of hiring tutors and other fees, Mastromonaco said there were “no numbers available.”

Tutors will also have the opportunity to receive a letter of reference for their services.

VOLUNTEER WITH...

THE MANITOBAN SPORTS NEWS COMMENT ARTS GRAPHICS PHOTO/VIDEO CONTACT me@themanitoban.com

7

News

News Editor: Malak Abas Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

Urban beekeepers generating a buzz Beeproject Apiaries spreads awareness, honey ASHA NELSON, PHOTO AND STORY

Beeproject Apiaries is wrapping It took the couple four years of up its third season as Winnipeg’s lobbying before the city changed its most prominent urban beekeeping bylaws to allow urban beekeeping operation. in downtown Winnipeg. Finally, What first began as a passion in the spring of 2016, Beeproject project has turned into a full-time Apiaries was open for business. business and public awareness Beeproject is a communitycampaign for co-owners Lindsay oriented business. It installs and Nikkel and Chris Kirouac. maintains hives for organizations, The pair's passion for beekeeping schools and individuals and, in was born after Kirouac completed exchange, its clients receive honey a “Beekeeping for the Hobbyist” produced right from their rooftops. course at the U of M in 2009.

Educating the public is the other However, after trying their hand central component the business’s at commercial beekeeping on a farm work, from hosting workshops at near Gimli, the pair soon realized elementary schools to collaborating it didn’t align with their core values. on community projects.

I was not until they installed “We want people to get excited a hive at their home in Winnipeg about bees and how important they that they realized the unique and are to our food security,” Nikkel important contribution beekeeping said. brings to an urban setting.

“Every day, we are blown away “It made us so happy when the by how many people do not know neighbour kids would stop by and what pollination is. This is scary.” ask us to open the hive so they could taste the fresh honey,” Nikkel said.

To learn more about Beeproject, “It was a conversation-starter visit their website beeproject.ca or about local food, sustainability and find them on Facebook, Instagram the importance of pollination […] and Twitter @beeprojectca.

We felt it was a community building project.”

Urban beekeeping is weather dependent but, on average, hives yield approximately 80 lbs honey per beehive.

Each jar of honey in the Neighborhood Honeys line has its own unique taste drawn from the flowers in bloom where the hives are located.

(Above Left) Chris Kirouac conducts one of many routine hive checks on the roof of Martha Street Studio. During peak season, Kirouac can visit up to five rooftops in a day.

(Above Right) After opening its doors in 2017, the BeeSpace, located at 196 Osborne street, duels as both a retail store and a honey production facility.

BeeProject chooses not to wear beekeeper suits and veils to ease public concerns about beehives in the city. “We need to teach people that bees don't need to be feared, especially if we're trying to teach them how important they are to our existence.”

(Left) Shoppers can learn more about the production process by watching the extraction and bottling of the honey at the BeeSpace.

Editorial Editor-In-Chief: Garett Williams Contact: Editor@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

8

Hucksters and scalpers control live entertainment Ticketmaster’s unethical co-operation with scalpers boxes out the poor JOSEPH GONZALES, STAFF

B

y double-dipping and fostering inflated resale prices, Ticketmaster is acting against the interests of consumers.

Last week, the Toronto Star published an article detailing the work of investigative reporters from the Star and CBC on the ticket resale industry. The reporters attended a conference in Las Vegas hosted solely for ticket scalpers.

Scalpers scoop up a mass of tickets to high-

Music, and live music in particular, is an art that deserves to be appreciated by all who wish to hear it demand events for resale, effectively reducing the general supply available to the public and allowing for drastically marked up prices.

What is disturbing about the article, however, is that Ticketmaster had a booth at the conference.

As a subsidiary of the larger global entertainment company Live Nation Entertainment, Ticketmaster effectively holds a monopoly on the sale of tickets to high-profile events in North America.

Historically, Ticketmaster has expressed its disapproval of the resale market. In Las Vegas, however, the company demonstrated it is on the scalpers’ team.

The main reason for Ticketmaster’s attendance at the conference was to promote its Trade Desk software, which helps facilitate the mass resale of tickets.

Ticketmaster collects commission from the initial sale of the ticket, as well as from the scalped ticket that is considered a “verified resale.”

A representative of the Ticketmaster Resale division told undercover reporters a blind eye would be turned to resellers with multiple Ticketmaster accounts for the sole purpose of harvesting and selling tickets through Trade Desk.

It is easy to spot two main issues.

Ticketmaster’s 2010 merger with Live Nation to form the aforementioned Live Nation Entertainment was opposed by critics including consumer protection groups, the Computer & Communications Industry Association (whose members include Google, Microsoft and eBay, among others) and the legendary Bruce Springsteen himself. It was a merger that was anti-competitive in nature.

By holding an effective monopoly on the market of selling tickets to high-demand events, while at the same time profiting off professional ticket scalpers, Ticketmaster incentivizes the kind of shady business practices exposed in the Toronto Star article.

The article mentions that, “Using Trade Desk

GRAPHIC BY EVAN TREMBLAY

brings an immediate three per cent discount on Ticketmaster’s usual seven per cent selling fee on a resale ticket. And the more users scalp, the greater the incentives become. Once they hit $500,000 in sales, a percentage point is shaved off their fees. At $1 million, another percentage point falls off.”

As consumers, we all lose when Ticketmaster is effectively collaborating with ticket resellers.

By supporting resellers with its own resources, Ticketmaster goes against its own code of conduct that is intended to protect consumers who wish to purchase tickets on an even playing field.

What is worse, however, is that since ticket scalpers are now protected by the very company that should be punishing them, the exorbitant prices are here to stay.

Those who are willing — and able — to purchase such highly-priced tickets will still be able to buy them. Of course, these ritzy buyers could possibly be purchasing them at a much cheaper price were Ticketmaster actually enforcing its own rules.

But, for those who are unable to afford such high price tags, it is no show for them.

As a result, Ticketmaster, through its monopoly of tickets to high-profile events and its protection of scalpers, have effectively transformed these tickets into ultra-luxury goods.

Live entertainment can be a form of escape for those who wish to forget, for a few hours, the drudgeries that exist outside of a venue The average consumer could forgo some other purchases — maybe their rent — to afford these prices.

This is completely unfair.

One person should not have to seriously consider whether they should go a bit lighter on groceries just to afford a pair of tickets that should be well within their price range.

Being able to participate in live events should be based on how much one appreciates the act that is being put on, not disparate levels of income.

What clearly needs to be done is some sort of government intervention against the unfair hoarding that allows scalpers to resell tickets at a huge profit. Laws are in place against such conduct and against the anti-competitiveness of Ticketmaster.

Until these lass are enforced, if heaven sells tickets, you better believe you will only buy them from Ticketmaster. Or find them for resale on an affiliated site.

Comment Comment Editor: Jacob Singleton Contact: comment@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

10

For truth in advertising The Bernier-led People’s Party is anything but for the people JACOB SINGLETON, STAFF

GRAPHIC BY EVAN TREMBLAY

P

oliticians often lie when they consumer products, Bernier’s People’s the state. speak. It is far rarer for a blatant party would certainly be in violation Look to Bernier’s marquee policy lie to be fully displayed on a banner of existing law. proposal to end the supply manbefore the politician even opens their Under no circumstance can agement of dairy, poultry and eggs. mouth.

Bernier’s policies, like abolishing the It was largely over this issue that Yet Maxime Bernier’s People’s capital gains tax or ending federal Bernier decided to cut his ties with Party of Canada does just that. transfers for provincial healthcare, the Conservatives, who still support the system.

Bernier claims that his new party, Here, Bernier’s The People’s Party is an example of another party's name rears announced Sept.

14, will “put the its head through phenomenon also plaguing the political power back in the same fanlandscape: the right’s appropriation the people.” His tasy portal as the policies, however, Libertarian party of leftist names and slogans echo those of that claims its phithe Libertarian losophy maximizes Party of Canada freedom. by calling to limit public power and be understood as empowering the Bernier would phase out all proto expand private power. In fact, people. tections to the dairy, poultry and egg Libertarian party leader Tim Moen On the contrary, policy proposed industries. His stated reasoning is to even expressed an interest in merging by Bernier would empower corpo- lower the cost average Canadians pay parties with Bernier. rations and diminish the only insti- for these goods.

If political advertising and brand- tution capable of even a marginal Currently, Canadian dairy, pouling were held to the same scrutiny as defence against corporate power: try and egg producers have only lim-

ited international competition. This The Libertarian party takes its enables these industries to produce name from a late 19th and early 20th just for the Canadian market, thereby century leftist movement predicated enabling supply management. on worker ownership of factories Under Bernier’s proposal, and the erosion of capitalism. Doug American dairy, poultry and eggs Ford’s political platform — Plan would be allowed to flow freely into for the People — tips its hat to the the Canadian market.

People’s Republic of China’s five-year Right now, dairy farms in the U.S. plan. This is not a Canadian problem are struggling to stay afloat. There is a or even a recent problem. Even the glut of dairy in the American market far-right archetype Adolf Hitler simthat is driving the price of milk down ply inserted the word “socialist” into and industrial-sized dairy farms to his party’s name and rhetoric while adopting none of socialism’s tenets. the brink of bankruptcy.

Furthermore, if Canada’s food This all undoubtedly leaves a masis coming from another jurisdic- sive question: what is to be done about tion, then the people lose the ability the utter confusion in political claims to regulate that food for health or and discourse? Bernier most likely environmental reasons. Instead, it believes his People’s Party will help will be up to the Americans and their and empower “the people.” It just so corporations to determine the health and environmental standards of these On the contrary, industries.

Meanwhile, Bernier says he will policy proposed not leave Canada’s dairy, poultry and egg farmers to perish under

by Bernier the weight of their cheap American would empower counterparts. Instead, these farmers will be “compensated” as the supply corporations and management system is phased out. diminish the Rather than empowering the people to control their food, Bernier only institution wants to empower corporations.

If Bernier truly cared about the capable of even a people, he would advocate for fedmarginal defense erally subsidizing the cost of dairy, poultry and eggs under the supply against corporate management system — his ostensible power: the state reason for ending the system — not subsidizing the farmers he would crush with American goods. This would lower the price Canadians pay happens that those people already for these goods while also maintain- have all the help and power they ing control over our food supply. could hope for.

But Bernier should not be told to The People’s Party is an example of another phenomenon also plaguing change his name or censor his rhetothe political landscape: the right’s ric. Instead, let’s embrace Bernier’s appropriation of leftist names and usage of leftist slogans. Turn Bernier’s slogans. party into a parody by juxtaposing his Just after Bernier announced his embrace of corporate power with the party, he came under fire for nam- leftist tradition he is pulling from. ing his party using a phrase normally This is also known as taking the piss reserved for communist political par- out of Bernier. ties. As Bernier clarified, “I am not Or, let leftists seize Bernier’s party a socialist. I am not a communist.” in a co-ordinated takeover.

The Communist Party of Canada Perhaps “truth in advertising” legexpressed jubilation that Bernier had islation is not needed to deal with our distanced himself from the party in current political misnomer problem. a Facebook post stating, “We're glad Maybe all we need is for comrade Bernier's xenophobic and racist party Bernier and his fearless Politburo advocating unconstrained corporate of corporations to lead us through exploitation has distanced itself from this tangled mess of misappropriated us!” slogans.

VOL. 105 NO. 8 September 26, 2018

Comment 11

Canadian legislators lagging on public health Corporations given priority over the health of citizens KENNY INGRAM, STAFF

A

Canada-wide ban on partially In 2005 an Agriculture and Agri- a decade and change the food that hydrogenated oils, the main Food Canada analysis concluded that Canadians consumed, and because source of industry-produced trans the healthcare system could save up of it, the country is at a far higher risk fats, went into effect Sept. 7. The to $1.8 billion annually if trans fats of heart disease. ban is long overdue, having been were banned.

Lawmakers must learn from these Moreover, Canadian experts at mistakes and be proactive about discussed several times in 2007 and 2009, but ultimately never imple- the time concluded that even just a improving public health. And while minor regulation on trans fats could ad campaigns may be effective, they mented until now.

The ban will undoubtedly make a eliminate 12,000 heart attacks per will only help so much given the realities of buying food. large difference in the lives of many We must reimagine the way that Canadians. Trans fats are known to food is purchased. increase levels of “bad” cholesterol — This type of craven the cholesterol that, in excess, results Currently, a head of broccoli costs cowardice in in clogged arteries — which in turn around $2.50 at Superstore. Yet you governance no doubt can walk into any McDonalds and raises the risk of heart disease, which claims the lives of over 33,600 lives pay a less than a couple of bucks for led to Canadians per year, which is almost a third of a burger. having higher A 2013 Harvard School of Public all deaths in Canada.

Although a ban on trans fats is Health study concluded that the difcholesterol levels, a step in the right direction, it ultiference between a healthy, nutritious mately only scratches the surface of diet and an unhealthy diet of probeing at a higher cessed foods is US$1.50 per day per a much larger issue in the Canadian risk for heart disease political climate. A close examination person. While this may not seem like of the current situation reveals that much, over the course of a year for a and, in turn, dying represented officials have perpetually four-person family, the increase adds failed to place public health ahead of up to well over US$2,000. the interests of large, multinational year. Yet it took the federal governIt is an unfortunate reality that ment 13 years to take any action. corporations. low-income families must choose The United States, which allows In 2009, then-health minister between purchasing nutritious food for legalized bribery by the food Leona Aglukkaq was asked why she or being able to put food on the table industry — whose industry-wide refused to impose regulations and act at all. campaign contributions totalled on the recommendations of physiWhy does a society that shares over $27 million in the 2016 presi- cians and a Health Canada analysis collective medical costs inadvertdential campaign cycle — still man- on trans fats. Her primary reason ently incentivize its population to eat aged to ban trans fats several months for inaction was largely due to the unhealthy foods which inevitably lead before Canada. Among the largest potential of burdening private indus- to costly diseases? donors were the health-conscious try. Instead, she opted to address the The solution is simple: shift the McDonald’s Corp. and Coca-Cola issue by allowing private industry to financial incentive away from buying Co. “voluntarily” reduce levels. the junk food toward nutritious food.

In 2018, banning trans fats in food This craven cowardice in gov- Tax high-sugar, unhealthy products is not a revolutionary concept by any ernance no doubt led to Canadians and put those dollars into subsidizing experiencing higher cholesterol levels, healthy, nutritious food. means.

Denmark’s lawmakers put the being at a higher risk for heart disease A small shift of prices will health of their constituents first by and, in turn, dying. undoubtedly lead to a shift in the banning trans fats in 2003, and saw The unfortunate reality is that the products consumers choose, which a stark 70 per cent drop in cardiovas- damage is done. in turn will absolutely ease the burcular disease deaths.

We cannot turn back the clock den of cardiovascular diseases on our

GRAPHIC BY EVAN TREMBLAY

healthcare system and drop the total amount we all pay in taxes.

This idea of incentivizing purchasing healthy food is not revolutionary by any means. Countries such as Mexico and Hungary have implemented similar legislation with promising results.

In 2013, Mexico put an eight per cent tax on junk food and saw a decline in the purchase of that food by seven per cent. In Hungary, not only did the tax push a decrease in the purchase of unhealthy products — between seven and 16 per cent — but it actually caused a ripple effect which incentivized 40 per cent of manu-

a festival of sound V20 KEIJI HAINO (JP) SARAH HENNIES (US) BODY OF INTRIGUE (MB) KEITH FULLERTON WHITMAN (US) MANUEL LIMA (BZ) BRET PARENTEAU (MB)

JULIA REIDY (AU) ALYSSA BORNN (MB) PAT KLASSEN (MB) MARIE-FRANCE HOLLIER (MB) KRISTIANE CHURCH (MB) DEE BARSY (MB) GMACKRR (QC)

facturers to tweak their recipes with healthier ingredients.

More than just a fiscally smart investment, however, a society must recognize the importance of fostering a healthy, happy population.

Canada is already ranked seventh on the World Happiness Index, but has the potential to reach much higher with only a few steps ensuring everyone has access to healthy, nutrient-rich food.

The prerogative lies in the hands of lawmakers, who must put the needs of Canadian citizens before the interests of multinational corporations.

Lives depend on it.

Diversions Graphics Editor: Even tremblay Contact: graphics@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

12

Office worker thankful to be stuck in elevator rather than cubicle A local office worker is calling himself lucky after an elevator he was riding in broke down, leaving him stranded for the last hour of his shift.

Greg Mosalaro, a data processor working for the municipal government, said the event was totally unexpected.

“I was just coming back from the washroom thinking about this big pile of paperwork waiting at my desk,” he said.

“I was going to have to review and input it mindlessly for 60 more minutes before I could leave.”

But a failure of the elevator’s mechanical system left Mosalaro trapped between the second and third floors of his downtown office building, far away from his fourth-floor cubicle.

“It was just so liberating,” he said.

“As the elevator was moving up, I just

felt this sense of dread. I was getting closer to that tiny cubicle, its four walls closing in on me. And then something happened.

The elevator stopped moving. I was free.”

A representative of Vertical Motion, the company responsible for maintenance of the building’s elevators, said the company is reviewing what happened, but that so far, they have not found a clear cause for the mechanical failure.

Mosalaro believes it may have been divine intervention.

“I don’t know what went wrong with that elevator,” he said, “but to me it was a blessing.

“I think God was on that elevator with me, keeping me safe — keeping me from work.”

13

Arts & Culture Arts & Culture Editor: Braiden Pergis Contact: arts@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Brian Sinclair’s story finally being told New book explores life and death in a racialized health-care system BRAIDEN PERGIS, STAFF

Structures of Indifference, published for many other people who face anti- much.” by the University of Manitoba Press, Indigenous racism,” she said.

“It is the portrayal of Indigenous looks at the life and death of Brian “For Sinclair, he was misrecog- people as already sick and dying that Sinclair in the context of colonialism. nized as drunk and as homeless and frees those responsible of culpability,” Sinclair, 45, was sent to the Health these misrecognitions led directly to she said. “It also reassures settlers of Sciences Centre (HSC) by commu- the failure to provide treatment.” the rightfulness of their dominance.” nity health-care staff for a catheter Brownlie said this portrayal is not Jarvis Brownlie, U of M history change. He was found dead in his professor, said he was unsurprised new. wheelchair 34 hours later, untreated by Sinclair’s death. He said that “I could find you multiple quotaby emergency room staff.

Canada has a terrible record of treat- tions from Indian Affairs records The book stems from the work of ing Indigenous people in the health discussing the various reasons why the Brian Sinclair Working Group care system.

Indigenous people did not deserve that formed to examine racism as a equal health care such as claims that factor in Sinclair’s death. It estabthey bothered doctors for ‘trivial ail“It is important to lished a cross-discipline approach to ments,’ that they were responsible for research, analyze and address dis- see that Sinclair’s their own injuries and therefore basicrimination in the health-care system. cally should expect to suffer and that story is not a In 2014, the group hosted a public they were best left with their ‘Indian forum in which health researchdope’ to cure themselves,” he said. rarity” — Mary Jane ers discussed how discriminatory McCallum said racism was not McCallum, co-author considered to be a factor in Sinclair’s assumptions have direct effects on the range of decisions in health care, death and that the Winnipeg of Structures of including treatment decisions.

Regional Health Authority claimed Indifference Mary Jane McCallum, U of M the issue was in the way the hospital department of history professor, has processes its patients, not in the treatbeen working with the group since ment given to Sinclair.

2014 and wrote the book with co“Indigenous people have always During her time with the working author Adele Perry over the course had less access to health care than group, it created exercises to situate of approximately the past year. your average Canadian citizen and participants in Sinclair’s final hours.

McCallum said the goal of the book this remains true, whether they live in In the exercises, participants were is to “make racism and indifference in Winnipeg or a fly-in reserve,” he said. asked to set an alarm for 34 hours in the health-care system visible.”

McCallum said that other the future to reflect on the time that “There were several ways that accounts taken during the inquest Sinclair spent in the HSC emergency Brian Sinclair was misrecognized in portrayed Sinclair as having an equal room. life and death, and these and other part in his own death as it appeared “It’s an imperfect exercise, because, misrecognitions go on all the time that he “frequented hospitals too during this time, Brian was of course

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in a lot of pain, especially as the infection spread through his body and he was dying,” she said.

McCallum said she researched and wrote the book as she felt she could bring her skills in historical

research to shed light onto the subject.

“It is important to see that Sinclair’s story is not a rarity.”

Structures of Indifference can be bought at amazon.ca and uofmpress.ca.

Sports

14

Sports Editor: Jason Pchajek Contact: sports@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Bisons draw from Western Hockey League Three recruits with WHL experience join the herd for 2018-19 JASON PCHAJEK, STAFF

Tyler Brown is one of three Bison recruits with WHL experience.

PHOTO BY KEITH HERSHMILLERV

W

ith the 2018-19 Canada West season on the horizon, Bison men’s hockey head coach Mike Sirant sat down to discuss the club’s exciting new recruits and the pedigree they bring to the program.

Tyler Brown, Devon Skoleski and Mackenzie Dwyer will all join the Bisons this season, bringing a wealth of Western Hockey League (WHL) experience with them.

“It’s important for us to recruit the best players possible,” Sirant said.

“That certainly adds credibility to our program and also we’re getting strong hockey pedigree.”

Sirant added that “in our pro- Manitoba Junior League to step up gram they can still develop” and that to Canada West Hockey.”

Canada West is “a next step from the Brown, a goalie, comes to the [WHL] because now they’re playing Bisons after finishing his junior against guys that are older and more hockey career with the Saskatoon experienced.”

Blades. He spent four seasons with “[The] Western Hockey League is the Regina Pats before being traded an excellent league, obviously a very to the Blades and has an 80-51-16 elite league,” he said.

WHL record.

“But now when you come to The 21-year-old led the Pats during Canada West, you’re playing against a successful 2016-17 campaign. He guys 21 to 26 rather than 17 to 20, so posted a 33-8-1 record on the season there’s a big difference in players’ as the Pats finished first in the league, experience, their physical maturity. losing to the Seattle Thunderbirds in “So it is a challenge for players the Ed Chynoweth Cup final. coming from the [WHL] or the “We’re excited to have Tyler in our

program,” Sirant said. dation in defensive play,” Sirant said.

“With him it’s more for the future, “Constantine as a coach is really a because he underwent surgery this stickler for strong defensive fundasummer, and I know that he’s work- mentals and foundation. So you know ing very hard at the recovery, but we the coming from that background may not have an opportunity to use that Devon is going to be solid defenhim that much this year.” sively, and we’ve seen that, he’s good Brown’s recruitment solved a in our zone.” looming issue brought on by the comSirant also said Skoleski excels at ing graduation of goaltenders Byron “leading the attack up-ice” with his Spriggs and Dasan Sydora at the end speed and can “find teammates to of the season. advance the attack up-ice.”

In fact, Sirant said the decision Skoleski had 31 goals and 39 assists to pursue Brown had that future in in the WHL and will look to carry mind, as “it didn’t make sense to that offensive upside over to U Sports, release a goalie or not recruit Tyler along with his defensive acumen. just because we had three goalies, The final recruit, defender Dwyer, because we had to look a year down also spent time with the Silvertips, the road when we’re losing two.” and most recently played for the Portage Terriers of the MJHL. Dwyer had a goal and three assists “It’s important in the WHL, playing a more defensive role, but with the Terriers his for us to recruit offence flourished. The Winnipegthe best players born defender had 88 points — 16 goals and 72 assists — in his final two possible” — Mike junior seasons.

Sirant, head coach “Mackenzie is a big defenceman that moves really well,” Sirant said.

“He’s a very good skater with good Winger Skoleski joins the herd mobility, he sees the ice well, he can after four seasons split between the make plays. I like how he passes the Everett Silvertips and Prince Albert puck with a real snap and firmness Raiders of the WHL, and the and [...] he’s got a nice shot.”

Winnipeg Blues of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL).

The Bisons begin the season on the For Sirant, Skoleski's time spent road with a weekend series against the with the Silvertips was a big draw.

University of Calgary Dinos. Puck“Having played in Everett under drop for game one is Oct. 12 at 7:00 p.m. coach Kevin Constantine, you know MDT with game two the following that Devon would’ve got a real foun- night at 7:00 p.m. MDT.

Bison football evens record with win over Bears Herd pulls to 2-2 on the year with first road win of season JASON PCHAJEK, STAFF

W

The herd improved to 2-2 with a 37-27 win Saturday.

PHOTO BY JOHN GAUDES

ith its first win recently in the In the third quarter Catellier Catellier found Dyce in the end books, the U of M Bisons foot- found Trysten Dyce in the end zone zone with a five-yard pass and Dylan ball team improved to 2-2 Saturday with a two-yard pass to make it 22-13 Schrot threw a two-yard pass for a with a 37-27 win over the University for the herd. two-point convert, giving Manitoba of Alberta Golden Bears.

Up by nine heading into the a 30-27 lead.

Brad Mikoluff opened the scoring fourth quarter, it was crunch time The Bisons put the game out of for the herd, snagging a single for an for Manitoba, and the club almost reach in the final moments, as Victor early 1-0 Manitoba St. Pier relead. Alberta kicker Laviolette B r e nt A r thu r rumbled down Up by nine heading into the fourth responded three the field for a quarter, it was crunch time for Manitoba, minutes later with a 55-yard rushfield goal and added ing touchdown. and they almost let it slip away another to end the Mikoluff added f irst quarter 6-1 the convert and Alberta.

Manitoba took The floodgates opened in the let it slip away. home the 37-27 victory. second quarter, as Bison Shai Ross Alberta pushed all the way to the Schrot remains at five touchdowns caught a 32-yard pass from Des goal line and Launhardt punched it on the season, and will have a chance Catellier for the score, and Kent through to make it 22-20 Manitoba. to tie or beat Nic Demski’s singleHicks added another for a 15-6 Less than two minutes later, Ben season touchdown record at home Manitoba lead.

Kopczynski cut through the Bisons against Regina next week. Demski Once again, the Golden Bears defence for a 50-yard punt return, and had seven receiving touchdowns durresponded. Brad Launhardt carried suddenly the herd found itself down ing the 2013 season. the ball seven yards to the house and for the first time since the opening Arthur added the convert, cutting quarter.

The Bisons will be back at IGF Field the Bisons’ lead to 15-13 at the end of However, Manitoba rallied and Sept. 29 to host the University of Regina the first half. came away with the win.

Rams. Kickoff is at 2:00 p.m. CDT.

VOL. 105 NO. 8 September 26, 2018

Sports

15

Rain, cold and U of M Bison goals Women's soccer split weekend series against Pronghorns and Dinos JASON PCHAJEK, STAFF

T

he U of M Bisons women’s soccer team was back on the pitch for a weekend series against two Albertabased clubs, splitting the weekend with a win over the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns and loss to the University of Calgary Dinos.

Saturday

Rain and goals poured as the U of M Bisons women’s soccer team cruised to a 4-1 win over the 0-4-0 University of Lethbridge Pronghorns Saturday.

The the 1-1-2 herd continued to get key contributions from Amanda Wong and Nicole Davis as they scored their second and third goals on the season, respectively.

It did not take long for Manitoba to take the lead after Wong took advantage of a Lethbridge mistake in the fourth minute. Wong drew a foul in the Pronghorns penalty area and put the ensuing penalty kick past keeper Chelsey Galbraith for the 1-0 lead.

Davis extended the lead eight of the season and cutting the Bisons’ Kruetzer sent the ball down-field, minutes later by putting a ball by lead to two.

Fritze beat out a Bisons defender and Galbraith in the 12th minute.

Hailey Lavarias restored put one by Madison Wilford for the Wong and Davis each came close Manitoba’s three-goal lead in the 1-0 Dinos lead.

“I think we had a rough start, you to giving Manitoba a greater lead later 72nd minute, and Manitoba came in the first half. away with a 4-1 victory. know,” Bisons head coach Vanessa Davis sent a shot just wide in the Martinez Lagunas said postgame.

32nd minute and “But I think Wong did the after that the girls same four minutes settled a little bit “She was just unbelievable. She saved a lot later. and definitely I of difficult balls for us and her distribution The goal-less loved the second Pronghorns did half, they had a was clutch” — Vanessa Martinez Lagunas, little to test Bisons fantastic second Bisons women’s soccer head coach keeper Madison half and they put Wilford, sending a a lot of pressure single shot on goal in there and we in the first half. At the other end of Sunday almost got a goal. We were so close.” the pitch, the herd tallied seven shots After picking up the win Saturday, Calgary had firm control of the in the half, three coming from Wong the Bisons were back in action against game for the rest of the half, sendthe University of Calgary Dinos ing five shots on goal and keeping and two from Davis.

After Alanna Shaw put the Bisons Sunday, dropping a 1-0 decision. the ball in the Bisons end. The herd Through the frigid temperature was only able to get two shots on goal up 3-0 early in the second, Lethbridge finally broke through. Nicole Stahl and strong wind, both teams were red but on the defensive side was able to got the play started with a corner kick hot, battling back and forth. move the ball out of the penalty area, and Hailey Waterhouse finished it, Maddison Fritze got Calgary out forcing four corners in the first half. giving the Pronghorns their first goal ahead in the seventh minute. Kayla The Dinos kept the pressure on

in the second, peppering Manitoba's goal with four shots, but Wilford stood tall to keep her club in the game.

“Amazing,” Martinez Lagunas said of her keeper. “She was just unbelievable. She saved a lot of difficult balls for us and her distribution was clutch.”

The keeper had a chance to tie things up late on a free kick. Wilford shot from just beyond the centre line, but Calgary goalkeeper Lauren Houghton kept it out to secure her club the win.

With the loss, Manitoba drops to 2-2-2 on the season, but stays fourth in the Canada West Prairie division.

The Bisons will hit the pitch again next week on the road when the club takes on the Mount Royal University Cougars and University of Alberta Golden Bears. Game one is Sept. 29 at 12 p.m. MDT in Edmonton. Game two follows the next day in Calgary at 1 p.m.

MDT.

Fantasy football and the laws of gravity

Mahomes and Cardinals headline fantasy considerations MICHAEL BELL, THE FANTASY PROF

H

ello students. The Fantasy Prof has arrived for class, and I am welcoming everyone back for another semester of fantasy football.

Here at Fantasy Football University, we offer a variety of degree programs, such as a bachelor of standard scoring, a master’s in PPR and a PhD in QB superflex. In other words, there is something here for everyone. I have my large coffee and my notes, so the lecture is about to begin.

So, what are a few things we have learned thus far in the 2018 fantasy season?

As of week two, Patrick Mahomes was on pace for 80 touchdowns.

Ryan Fitzpatrick looks like an NFL MVP. Not to mention he has a huge beard, making him an inspiration for hipsters everywhere.

Le’Veon Bell’s holdout is driving many a fantasy owner nuttier than an Oh Henry bar — including yours truly. Fortunately, the James Conner

substitute pick is helping soothe the However, for a more advanced will also watch the tape and scheme pain. level of fantasy footballing, being accordingly.

The Arizona Cardinals may be an content with this practice may not On the flip side, another gravitaembarrassment not just to football, be satisfactory. An owner may seize tional principle is “what stays down, but possibly to the state of Arizona upon the opportunity to “sell high.” will eventually go up.” This is the and actual cardinal birds.

For example, trade Mahomes, while counterpoint to the law of gravity.

This leads me to the main topic of he is hot, for a player like Todd Try spiking a football on that rocky today’s discussion: gravity. Or “what Gurley or another stud, preferably space satellite of a moon and you'll goes up, must come down.” in an area where your team is lacking. see what happens.

To speak in David Johnson terms of physics, it is a curious case To the average fantasy footballer, is Isaac Newton’s and his value can law of universal not get any lower. riding the wave of your gravitation. As If you can trade players’fortunes is drama enough the story goes, minimal value Isaac Newton was for him right now sitting under an (he was a top five apple tree and this large, red fruit fell Why? It all comes back to Newton fantasy pick when the season began), down on his head — which prompted (Isaac, not Cam), and “what goes up, taking advantage of a frustrated him to immediately go into concus- must come down.” Inevitably, accord- Johnson owner, it is worth a shot. sion protocol. ing to the law of gravity, Mahomes Remember, what is currently To the average fantasy footballer, will fall back to earth and put up down will eventually go up. riding the wave of your players’s for- “normal” QB numbers.

But, as a reminder, these are gentunes is drama enough. You experiAfter all, this is his first year as eral principles. Mahomes may turn ence the heights and valleys of the starter and eventually he will hit a out to be a fantasy football freak of players on your team and that’s it. wall of some sort. Defensive coaches nature and could break all sorts of

records this year. Johnson may never get better and the Cardinals could just be that bad.

In summation, gravity is a defining law in our everyday life, and it also applies to fantasy football. Flux and change are inevitable properties of any fantasy football season, so owners need to react appropriately.

Do you blow up your team because of too many slow starters? Eventually the switch will kick in, but how long is too long to wait? Conversely, do you stick with a team that is crushing your fantasy league when you know that an eventual decline will occur?

Riding the wave of your team’s fortunes may be the more prudent and responsible choice, but reacting to gravity is riskier and could be more fun. In the end, these are the choices every fantasy owner has to make, and only you can make them.

Isaac Newton is one of the founding fathers of fantasy football. Who would have thought?

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