13 February 2013

THE UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA STUDENTS’ NEWSPAPER

The 1993 feature pages 12-17

n e ws

Wake-up call

Lake Winnipeg named Threatened Lake of the Year page 3

co m m e n t

s c i e n c e & t e c h n o lo g y

a rts & c u lt u r e

s p o rts

Bracket creep

Richard III

Look out!

Post-season

Flat income tax rates a hidden cost for Manitobans page 8

Bones of English king unearthed by archaeologists page 11

For those local music acts, that is page 20

Vo l 9 9 ½ · N o 2 2 · F e b r ua ry 1 3 , 2 0 1 3 · w w w.t h e m a n i to b a n .co m

How each U of M teams stacks up for the playoffs page 23

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Index

VOL. 99 ½ NO. 22 February 13, 2013

News

| pa g e s 3 – 6

4

Report from the U of M Senate

5

U of M student making a difference

Editorial

| pa g e 7

Science & Tech

11

| pgs 10–11

The summer of our disinterment

Arts & Culture

| pgs 18–21

cover image

Comment

“As if!” by Silvana Moran

| pa g e s 8 – 9

Please contact designteam@themanitoban.com if you are interested in submitting a cover image.

For other volunteer inquiries, please come to our office in University Centre (across from Tim Horton’s, behind GOSA) or email the editor of the section for which you are interested in writing.

Please direct all other inquiries to editor@themanitoban.com.

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Adding to tradition

19

Smutty Winnipeg Shorts

Diversions

#IdleNoMore

Features

18

| pa g e s 1 2 – 1 7

Sports

Correction: Last week, in the Feb. 06 issue of the Manitoban, we mistakenly attributed a graphic to the wrong artist. The image accompanying the article "The atrocities of the Sinai Desert" was produced by Lauren Boulet.

| pa g e 2 2

| pa g e s 2 3 – 2 4

12

Things you may have missed twenty years ago

23

Following the herd

14

10 songs from 1993

24

The 2013 Manitoban hockey pool

Staff Toban Talkback

Q:

Foster Lyle

Marc Lagace

Rachel Wood

“Absolutely not. Crime rates in Canada are among some of the best in the world.

Canada should be focusing on how it can assist foreign countries in lowering their violet crime, especially against women.”

“Crime in general appears to be on the decline, but I think that the media tends to paint the picture that we live in a much more dangerous society than in reality.”

“Crime at any level is an issue that needs to be addressed. Our government should begin to look at the root causes and actively support programs that prevent crime rather than band-aid solutions.”

In your opinion, are crime rates in canada a serious issue for citizens?

Jill Patterson, staff

business manager

sp or ts e di tor

news e di tor

Spencer Fernando comment e di tor

“Yes, we all deserve safe streets and communities. It is important to protect people from those who commit violent crimes, while also providing opportunities for at-risk youth to help them avoid a life of crime.”

Senior News Editor: Rachel Wood News Editor: Jill Patterson Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

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News

Lake Winnipeg needs wake-up call “Threatened Lake of the Year 2013” a long time coming Alycia Rodrigues, staff

W

innipeg is in the international spotlight after Lake Winnipeg was titled the “Threatened Lake of the Year 2013” by the Global Nature Fund.

The label has the Lake Winnipeg Foundation (LWF) working on a solution.

Lake Winnipeg is vital to the $25 million dollar fishing industry in the North and is a recreational retreat for thousands of cottage owners. The northern part of the lake has 14,000 to 15,000 square kilometres of algal blooms. These blooms cover half of the lake’s basin and have been creeping south of the basin where it affects recreational activities.

To understand the root of the issue, Dr. Greg McCullough spoke at a seminar entitled “Climate, Flooding, and Phosphorus in Lake Winnipeg.”

The seminar, which was held on Thursday, Feb. 7 at the University of Manitoba, outlined the research he has conducted on Lake Winnipeg.

His research has found a significant relationship between the increase of phosphorus in the lake and the algal blooms. McCullough said that runoff from the land and various other rivers—the biggest culprit being the Red River—creates a dumping ground in the lake.

McCullough said that people and

animals are creating phosphorus loading, which is increasing algae in the form of blooms throughout the lake. People are contributing to this by dumping untreated waste water into the lake. He argued that the growing population is in need of more agriculture and the need for more agriculture calls for more fertilizer, which increases phosphorus loading.

McCullough said that there are five main contributors to the issue: agriculture, natural loading, the atmosphere, Winnipeg waste, and other waste water. These contributors come from Ontario, Saskatchewan,

Manitoba, and the U.S. According to McCullough, the Red River has the largest impact on Lake Winnipeg because there are no intervening bodies of water to slow the amount of phosphorus entering the lake. The Red River also creates issues due to flooding, which produces the highest levels of phosphorus.

Both fishermen and scientists have been cognizant of this issue for years.

Frequent blue-green algal blooms have rendered the lake dangerous for swimmers, who receive skin irritations from the toxins. Animals that drink the water periodically through-

out the summers have also been killed by the toxins.

In order to reverse or lessen the impact of the threatened lake, the water quality and quantity must be taken into consideration.

McCullough said this issue is important for the public because it’s not just Lake Winnipeg; it’s the rivers, lakes, and water as a whole that are of concern. He argued that university students particularly should be interested in the issue because the future is in their hands.

“Those of you who are going to graduate and live in the province are going to live with this, and are probably going to be the ones to solve it, because it’s not going to be solved tomorrow. It’s going to be dealt with over generations with gradually changing lifestyles. It’s kind of like a diet – a crash diet is not going to solve it,” said McCullough.

McCullough stated that the goal of his research is to outline the scale of the problem, and what is understood about the problem, so that the solviung process can begin. He said that, while fishermen have known about the problem for a long time, people tend to respond more to research and scientific evidence to support claims that have huge implications.

There are many proposed solutions to the problem but, despite ample evidence supporting the problem, there is little indication as to which solutions will be most effective in the long run.

“There are a couple of things we do know that we can deal with fairly quickly and the only way we are going to deal with them [is] through public government pressure, which students are as capable, even more capable, of doing as anyone,” said McCullough.

A worst-case scenario, he said, is that the lake will deteriorate more than it already has. Historically, when this has happened in lakes, it creates an oxygen problem that changes ecosystem conditions. This will affect the fish population and create a change in the food chain.

The bestowing of the most threatened lake on a Canadian body of water was a shock to the Global Nature Fund.

“To learn that in such a large country with such few people [ . . . ] such big lakes that things can go wrong, that’s really an eye-opener,” said executive director Udo Gattenlohner to Global News.

Photo by BEIBEI LU

Federal government updates Canadians on crime agenda Victims’ Bill of Rights, harsher penalties for some offenders on horizon Quinn Richert, staff

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he Conservative federal govern- one thousand violent offences comment publicly took stock of the mitted each and every day across rates of violent crime in Canada and Canada,” announced Nicholson at revealed the next steps of its crimi- the meeting. nal justice strategy last Monday. Its Dr. Dale Spencer, who teaches a plans for the coming months include course on victims and criminal jusenacting a Victims’ Bill of Rights tice at the U of M, said that this is and introducing more severe penal- part of the reason that the proposed ties for child abusers.

Victims’ Bill of Rights will be inefSheldon Kennedy, an ex-NHL fective at reducing the prevalence of player and advocate for abuse vic- this type of crime. tims, met with Vince Hawkes, dep“This is going to have no impact uty commissioner of the Ontario whatsoever [ . . . ] if you look at the Provincial Police (OPP), and Justice literature on sex offenders, there is Minister Rob Nicholson on Monday, nothing saying that punishing them Feb. 4 to hold a news conference and for longer will stop the victimization discuss the government’s plans. of children in communities,” said “I couldn’t have imagined 16 years Spencer. “And there is nothing in the ago, when I disclosed my abuse, that strategy of the Conservative governwe’d be talking about these issues ment that will make people come so openly and with such commit- forward, especially in marginalized ment to be making positive change communities that are often mistrustfor victims,” said Kennedy on the day ful of the justice system.” of the meeting.

Spencer said that truly empower“Crime remains a serious issue ing victims and reducing child abuse that affects all Canadians. While rates would require a radical reconcrime has been in decline, in 2011 struction of the way Canadians think there were still nearly two million about victimization.

Criminal Code violations. More Nicholson mentioned that rates disturbingly, there were more than of child sexual offences are ris-

ing. Despite this, data compiled by the government shows that sexual assaults including those against children “are among the most underreported crimes in Canada.”

The Conservative government is also turning its focus toward the problem of repeat offenders.

According to Nicholson, “15 per cent of offenders are responsible for nearly 60 per cent of all reported crimes.”

Furthermore, 43 per cent of offenders released from federal prison will be reconvicted within two years, said Nicholson.

“Those are the facts. They cannot be ignored,” he stated.

A statement released by the Department of Justice on that same day said that introducing a Victims’ Bill of Rights will “further enhance the Government’s commitment to victims of crime by entrenching their rights into a single law at the federal level.”

This move builds upon Bill C-37, which was debated in the House of Commons in 2012 and is now being reviewed in the Senate. Bill C-37 doubles victims’ surcharges, which

is an amount of money that offenders Abolition of Early Parole Act (Bill are required to pay to the victims of C-59). their crimes.

More controversially, last year “These fine surcharges help pay the government introduced the for victims’ services, which are so Protecting Children from Internet important,” said Nicholson.

Predators Act, which many saw Aside from these details, more as vague and potentially invasive complete and specific information towards law-abiding Canadians. about what will be contained inside The Federal Victims Strategy, the Victims’ Bill of Rights is difficult drawn up in 2007, has spent $90 to conclusively determine. million since then supporting vicDale Spencer argues that while tims of violent crime. More recently, Bill C-37 and the Victims’ Bill of in conjunction with the Economic Rights ensure consistent applica- Action Plan 2012, five million dollars tion of the courts’ surcharge provi- over five years has been committed sions across the country, it “does not to building and improving Child account for how police officers, the Advocacy Centres – an initiative that public, and the media treat victims.” Nicholson discussed at the meeting “We need a much broader effort with Kennedy and Hawkes. on the part of the Canadian public Spencer told the Manitoban and government to really tackle these that this amount pales in compariissues.” son to the $601 million dollars the Building victim empower- Correctional Service of Canada ment has long been a project of (CSC) is planning to spend on updatthe Conservative government, as ing prison infrastructure. is outlined in the Federal Victims “This is a considerable amount Strategy and a series of bills released of money that could have been put throughout 2011 and 2012, such toward services that would benefit as the Protecting Victims from victims and would-be victims,” said Sex Offenders Act (S-2) and the Spencer.

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News

VOL. 99 ½ NO. 22 February 13, 2013

Distinguished professor explores social axioms Lecturer defines culture and patterns of prominent beliefs Alycia Rodrigues, staff

D

r. Michael Harris Bond, an international professor emeritus of psychology in Hong Kong, visited the University of Manitoba on Friday, Feb. 8 to give a lecture on the topic of social axioms entitled “Culture and our beliefs about how our world operates: Two decades of research on social axioms.”

Bond is an author of over 200 international journal articles, 60 chapters in various books, and a co-author of Understanding Social Psychology Across Cultures. He is also credited for bringing the study of psychology to Hong Kong.

Bond was nominated and sponsored to give the lecture by the John G. Adair Endowment Fund, the department of psychology, the Asper school of business, and the faculty of arts. The John G. Adair international distinguished visiting lectureship is

rewarded to psychologists who practice at the international level outside of Canada and the United States. The chosen psychologist also has to be recognized for contributing valuable research to the field.

Bond presented his cross-cultural research on social axioms from over 40 different countries. He defined social axioms as “generalized beliefs about people in general, the social environment, or the spiritual and physical world.” Bond’s findings stressed the importance of taking culture into consideration when studying social psychology.

The lecture opened with the ancient Chinese idiom, “when drinking from a stream, remember its source.” Bond then delved into an overview of culture as a way for organized groups of people to make sense of the world.

Bond argued that humans, who are

highly social by nature, are “socialized into a coherent and manageable world view through acquisition of language and education about reality.”

According to Bond, cultures are systems created so that individuals have ways for basic necessities to be met. These basic necessities include physical survival, shelter, security, and sustenance. In a successful culture, individuals learn “how to flourish, play, create, produce, beautify surroundings, love, and embrace what others do.”

Bond said that when people explore the concept of culture, they tend to look at nations and the relationships among them, but that culture can be created in other ways. Culture can also be explored through the concepts of family culture and relationship culture.

“A relationship you have with some-

body has a culture; you develop a culture in that relationship.”

These systems, says Bond, are shared systems, which facilitate communication of meaning. They create a way for individuals to work together with the intention of reducing anxieties and uncertainties about the world. According to Bond, the two key elements of a culture are values and beliefs.

Bond’s research found five belief domains that dominated the 40 countries he studied: social cynicism, social complexity, reward for application, religiosity, and fate control. He argued that beliefs manifest as a worldview about what is, what ought to be, what exists, and what is true.

Social cynicism refers to the belief that the rest of the world cannot be trusted. Social complexity is the notion that relationships between

others are always changing and what people say or do are often contradictory. Reward for application holds that people tend to get out of life what they put into it. Religiosity deals with the amount of religion within in a culture, and fate control is the belief that fate has an impact on life’s outcomes.

The countries Bond studied differ in the degree of each belief, but often not by much. The amount found in each culture moderately depicted psychological aspects of personality.

Bond stated that behaviours, such as conflict resolution, life outcome, satisfaction, and influence tactics, have all been predicted, depending on the amount of each social axiom present within the culture.

Bond stated that Canada is open to deviance from the norm but that other cultures are not as open, accepting, or tolerant.

Report from the U of M Senate Student accessibility, academic misconduct statistics main topics of meeting Quinn Richert, staff

T

he University of Manitoba Senate representing SAS pointed out to the met on Wednesday, Feb. 6 in the senate that there is always room for engineering building senate chambers improvement. to hear annual reports from Student “There is one area where Student Accessibility Services and the univer- Accessibility Services has fallen sity discipline committee. behind, as is the case across many Student Accessibility Services Canadian universities, and that is (SAS), which has existed under several assistance technology and supports,” different names since the 1990s, aims said director of Student Advocacy and to “ensure equal access for students Accessibility Brandy Usick. with disabilities.” Last Wednesday’s Also, the report summary points report to senate—which consisted of to several changes SAS is looking to data compiled from September, 2011 implement in order to improve serto August, 2012—was SAS’s first such vices to students. SAS would like to report. continue to submit annual reports, The report states that overall, revise its policy and procedures, proSAS staff feel “well supported by the mote “enhanced education about SAS University of Manitoba and are able and disability on campus,” and make to respond to the needs of students in alterations to its “general operational a timely fashion.” practices.”

Furthermore, a section on student SAS representatives also feedback sourced from a December, announced that they recently hired 2012 survey shows positive comments a new employee from the Manitoba from several students, which—accord- Health division who will help the uniing to the authors—are representative versity write a mental health strategy of “the quality of the relationships that for students. exist between staff and students.”

In response to a question about draDespite this, university officials matically shifting numbers of students

registered with SAS from 2010-11 to munication barriers between different 2011-12 in some faculties, SAS coor- administrative organelles within the dinator Carolyn Christie pointed out university. that the method for compiling data “During recent construction we had switched over from self-reporting by an issue with elevator access at Dafoe students to a database management Library [ . . . ] that wasn’t so much the system over that time period. fault of SAS, but there is not enough After this response, a member of communication between all the offices the senate remarked that she was on campus that are involved in dealing “struck by the notion in this report with these issues,” explained Black. that students are underreporting Following the senate’s discussion and underutilizing their accessibility of the SAS report, the university services.” discipline committee made its yearly Jennifer Black, vice-president presentation. of advocacy for the University of The discipline committee’s report Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU), amalgamates data from all U of M told the Manitoban that the feedback faculties, tracking acts of academic she has received from students on SAS misconduct throughout the year, and has been mostly positive. condenses those statistics into a single “A lot of students have satisfactory document. experiences with SAS [ . . . ] overall, “The raw numbers this year are the picture I have gotten is that stu- about the same,” said Jeff Leclerc, dents are satisfied with the services,” university secretary to the senate. said Black.

“There was an increase this year in Black added that recent accessibil- incidences of plagiarism, which goes ity grievances from students were not up and down each year but is still a caused by SAS failing to deliver on its concern and something that we are mandate, but rather the result of com- monitoring.”

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Rachel Wood, staff

he University of Manitoba saw several thefts during the month of January, including two cell phones, one backpack, which was left unattended, and a projector screen. One individual was found shoplifting in the bookstore.

Numerous accounts of mischief occurred during the first month of 2013. Two incidents involved damage to university posters. Ceiling tiles were damaged after a campus social. One set of fire suppression equipment­—a fire extinguisher and hose—was tampered with.

Two assaults occurred: one event involved a female

Black agreed that plagiarism frequencies do tend to fluctuate slightly from year to year but can also sometimes be attributed to factors such as an increase in international students attending the U of M. “There is a higher trend for plagiarism amongst international students.

Sometimes, the training on that issue may be different elsewhere than it is in Canada,” said Black.

UMSU president Bilan Arte added that a committee known as the International Student Advocacy Awareness Network (ISAAN) has been established at the U of M to look more deeply into that trend.

After a presentation on legal issues related to accommodating students with disabilities and a short question period, the senate meeting was adjourned.

The next scheduled meeting of the U of M senate is Wednesday, Mar. 6.

Minutes from this meeting and prior meetings are regularly made available to read online at the university’s website.

being shoved by an unknown individual and the other involved a female assaulted by an acquaintance. No injuries resulted and charges were not pressed in either instance.

The cold weather in January brought about several occasions of individuals smoking both tobacco and marijuana indoors. This resulted in the monitoring of several indoor spots on campus. Six people were identified as smoking illegal drugs inside.

Security Services would like to remind all U of M staff and students that there is no smoking of any kind indoors or within eight metres of entrances.

Senior News Editor: Rachel Wood News Editor: Jill Patterson Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

News

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U of M student making a difference International Development Week focuses on human rights goals Katy MacKinnon, volunteer staff

“You need both genders to be at the table and be equally involved and equally ready to get work started.”

– Tito Daodu

T

he Manitoba Council for International Cooperation (MCIC) is celebrating a University of Manitoba student, Tito Daodu, who has been working hard to make a difference.

The recognition is in light of the 23rd annual International Development Week. This year’s theme was I am Making a Difference.

From Feb. 3-9, MCIC celebrated Daodu and eight other Manitobans who have embodied the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) with their actions at home and abroad.

The Millennium Development Goals were created in 2000 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. There are eight goals in total, all with the intention to be reached by 2015.

MDG 3 is to promote gender equality and empower women. The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) recognizes this goal as especially important in order to reach the seven other goals.

Daodu recently participated in a service learning project with the Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief (CPAR) to promote MDG

3. In Karatu, Tanzania, Daudo was The issues chosen for the curriculum part of a group of four University of were those that were important to the Manitoba students who set a cur- students themselves. riculum in motion for high school “We really wanted to do a focus students that encouraged gender on gender, and what that meant, and equality, female empowerment, and what gender equality meant,” said reproductive health.

Daodu to MCIC. At each school, the CPAR group Daodu explained that both men worked with 30 students, a group and women are unaware of the issues that included 15 girls and 15 boys. surrounding gender inequality. The

Phoenix Sinclair inquiry update Various workers involved in case questioned Jill Patterson, staff

T

he inquiry into the death of Phoenix Sinclair is still ongoing, with investigations of the child’s former social workers’ actions currently taking place.

Former CEO of Winnipeg Child and Family Services (CFS) Lance Barber answered questions regarding the workload and funding of the agency during his term there.

Barber said he did not feel hindered by the lack of funds, but did not deny the fact that there was pressure to provide the mandated services.

Barber also commented on the overabundance of people in need of their service and how they tried to make do with what they had.

“We also had a large number of children for which the state had become the guardian and we had a responsibility for those children, and we made investments in those children and we tried to be good financial stewards of the money that the people of Manitoba provided to us through the province.”

Linda Trigg, a former Winnipeg CFS CEO who took the position after Barber left, made similar statements.

She commented, as did Barber,

that they were running a deficit in funding year after year during her employment.

Trigg also stated that “there were probably lots of things that I wanted to accomplish, but time and money wouldn’t allow them to happen [ . . . ] I was asked to hold the fort.”

her mother, claimed that her decision to close the file on Sinclair was warranted.

Willox said that closing the file was an acceptable response based on the lack of information proving the occurrence of abuse.

“Based on the information that I had and the concerns, or lack thereof, that were being reported to me at the time, do I agree — based on solely the report that I provided — that it was catastrophic that the file was closed at that time?

No.” It was only a few months after this incident that her mother Samantha Kematch and Kematch’s boyfriend, Karl McKay, beat Sinclair to death.

Both have been convicted of first-degree murder.

The last to speak at the It was reported that the Sinclair inquiry was Darlene MacDonald, case was closed before the social work- former program manager at CFS, ers had even seen Sinclair. They visited who was stunned to hear that the the residence and saw Sinclair’s half case had been repeatedly opened and sister, who looked well taken after, closed. and determined that there was no “Looking at the case, I would have instance of abuse. reviewed the history [ . . . ] Looked Trigg said that the workers should like they didn’t have many supports not have closed the case before seeing in place [ . . . ] and I would have the child in question. expected it to be open long-term in Shelley Willox, a CFS worker Family Services.” sent to inquire about Sinclair and ILLUSTRATION by mathieu boulet

project was originally intended to target females but, upon arriving, the group realized they needed to include males in the program as well.

“We needed to get boys involved because if they weren’t you were just fighting an uphill battle. You need both genders to be at the table and be equally involved and equally ready to get work started.”

Daodu described the effect that the program had on the Tanzanian students.

“By the end of the curriculum, all of the students were together. They were making skits together around these issues and it was so neat to see these teenage girls and boys come

together and have a voice that they had developed over the course of the few weeks that we were there.”

CIDA has also contributed to MDG 3 through programs such as providing computer training to females in Egypt in order to encourage career development.

Unfortunately, the CIDA has determined that the global progress towards reaching MDG 3 has been slow. They state that female representation in parliament remains at less than 10 per cent in developing countries.

Current events, such as the recent shooting of Malala Yousufzai, emphasize the prominence of persisting gender inequality. Yousufzai, a 15-year-old Pakistani activist who focused on female education, was shot by the Taliban in October, 2012.

She was discharged from a hospital in England earlier this month.

Pierre Plourde, Megan Wilton, Jo-Ellen Parry, Christine Penner, Jan Stewart, Vurayayi Pugeni, and Derryl Reid were also honoured by the MCIC. ILLUSTRATION by james Culleton

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silvana moran

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Trust issues

Comment

8

No more tax creeping Adam Pawlak

A

s tax season approaches one thing rising when everything else is too. The is clear for 2013: our friends and Manitoba government keeps income families will be paying more to the tax rates flat instead of adjusting the government one way or another. brackets to stay at the rate of inflaManitobans are faced with a tion, meaning that you potentially bundle full of new or newly risen could be pushed into a new taxes and fees outlined in the pro- and higher tax bracket for no vincial and municipal budgets. These valid reason. increases range from many various Now how unfair is this? sources and, by law, these taxes and Your paycheck rises because fees all must be published and distrib- the cost of living in general uted in public documents for all citi- has increased and you end up zens to learn about. However, there having to pay more tax? is a secret tax increase that the proManitoba has three provinvincial government hasn’t reported, cial income tax brackets: 10.8 and it has actually been going on for per cent on the first $31,000 quite some time. of taxable income, 12.75 per A report from the Canadian cent on the next $36,000, and Taxpayers Federation shows that 17.4 per cent on the amount many Manitoban taxpayers pay higher over $67,000. Each time your income tax rates every year without income grows due to the even realizing it. This phenomenon is rate of inflation, you may be called “bracket creep,” and it is rooted pushed into a new tax bracket, in the beauty of inflation. Prices rise and thus will be taxed at a new every year and so does your income; rate. This happens even though your they all stay par to the growth rate of increased income never truly gains inflation. However, you aren’t getting any new purchasing power. any wealthier because your income is Even low-income taxpayers can

get hit by this. In 2009, the personal tax exemption rate was $8,134, and in 2011 it was again $8,134, meaning there was no adjustment to these exemptions even though prices and

wages had gone up in that two year period. Thus, we are all losing out due to inflation regardless of what income bracket we are in. The report claims

that since 1999 alone, bracket creep is costing taxpayers with incomes above about $40,000 an extra $156 each year in income taxes. For those with incomes above approximately $75,000, it’s costing you an extra $482 per year.

This is a substantial amount of money for many families.

Our province’s decision to leave income tax brackets flat rather than adjust them is basically a decision to let income taxes increase every year on hardworking families.

Year by year Manitobans pay all sorts of taxes and are required to report all the income that one accumulates throughout the fiscal year.

Hiding information isn’t really tolerated. Shouldn’t this work both ways? Manitoba taxpayers have every right to know what the government takes from us, as they have the right to know all the sources of your income.

This issue should be an easy fix, as

many other provincial governments have already addressed this issue and have increased their exemptions and tax brackets to stay on par with the rate of inflation. This makes sure taxpayers don’t get the raw end of the deal.

Sadly, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, and P.E.I. are the only provinces that still allow for bracket creep to continue. It is disappointing that this secretive form of taxation exists, but I don’t want to completely discredit our government. Perhaps this additional revenue has gone to great use and it may be justified, but it was gained through a shady policy that shouldn’t have existed in the first place.

Unfortunately, Manitobans will have to pay higher taxes this year one way or another, hidden or known. But for the sake of achieving robust transparency and a trustworthy government, I think that 2013 should be the year for bracket creep to end. illustration by justin ladia

VOL. 99 ½ NO. 22 February 13, 2013

Comment

9

#IdleNoMore Acknowledging the past, facing the future Alex Passey, volunteer staff

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t’s been a long time coming, as the mal state, leaving many Aboriginals the sale of the Kapyong Barracks. rumblings of discontent among to live in housing that is dilapidated There are countless people across Canada’s Aboriginal population and overcrowded, and sometimes Canada who seem ready to forget the are certainly nothing new. But until even without running water. And fact that we took this land out from someone took to Twitter and stuck a one need look no further than down- under the feet of Aboriginal people hashtag next to the phrase “Idle No town Winnipeg to see the plight of to exploit it for our own purposes; More” this past December, it was an Aboriginals in urban centres, where some are quick to dismiss atrocities issue that never really garnered the they make up a disturbingly large like the residential school system just attention it truly deserved. percentage of Winnipeggers who because it all happened before we As we saw in several nations in live in poverty, and of those who suf- were born. So many of us are ready to the Middle East during the Arab fer from substance abuse problems. dismiss the sins of our forbearers, but Spring, social media has proved to And while all these issues have are all too eager to reap the benefits be an instrumental tool in motivat- more recently come to the public’s those sins have brought us. ing public support for a destitute attention, there is something just as Some Aboriginal activists have segment of the population. Now it disquieting that has come more fully taken to engaging in acts of civil has done the same for the Idle No to light as well: the inherent, almost disobedience like blocking traffic or More movement, which originally casual, racism towards Aboriginals railways, and even those who would began as opposition to Bill C-45 and that is shared by a shameful amount generally consider themselves tolerattempted to protect the sovereignty of Canadians. Online message boards ant of Aboriginals and sympathetic of waterways that passed through are routinely flooded with hateful to the issues facing them have been Indigenous lands; but it has grown vitriol posted by anonymous anti- muttering about the inconvenience into something much larger, and activists. The Morris Mirror newspa- of it all. They seem to not realize that has worked to shine a spotlight on per published a myopic editorial that the Aboriginal people make up a Aboriginal issues across the board. basically blamed Aboriginals for all significant portion of our population, There is certainly no shortage of their own problems, and although and a significant portion of those grievances for Aboriginal people to the paper did eventually apolo- Aboriginals are young, impoverished, cite. They are plagued by a multitude gize for their comments, they also and feeling very disenfranchised. In of social problems, both in urban received and published many letters many other parts of the world, that centers and on reserves. According from readers who supported their is not just a recipe for discontent, but to Amnesty International, Canadian original ignorant position. Even a recipe for a revolution. Canadians Aboriginal women are five to seven Braydon Mazurkiewich, the former should feel lucky that we have times more likely to die as a result PC Youth President, was forced to experienced a ubiquitously peaceof violence than non-Aboriginal resign from his position after some ful movement so far. women. On many reserves across unenlightened comments he made There’s no denying that, as a Canada, infrastructure is in an abys- on his Twitter account pertaining to nation, Canada has been mak-

ing positive strides on Aboriginal are embracing this attitude of issues, such as through the Truth resource and revenue sharing, this and Reconciliation Commission step towards economic partnership, and by paying reparations to resi- there’s something underlying that dential school survivors. But these troubles me. are simply acknowledgements of the Though I do support the idea mistakes our nation has made in the behind it, it’s also disheartening to past and ways of making amends me when I hear some First Nations from them. What are we doing to leaders use terms like “our land” and ease the plight of current and future “our resources” in the possessive tense.

Aboriginals?

To my understanding, one of the reaOf course, there is no one simple sons early European settlers were solution. As Henry Mencken says, able to take advantage of Aboriginals “for every complex problem, there was because the concept of owning is a solution that is clear, simple, the land they lived on was so forand wrong.” But one step in the eign to them it was laughable. The right direction is through resource relationship that they had with the and revenue sharing. Rather than Earth was more symbiotic; it was not Aboriginal people being opposition one of exploitation, but of harmony. to development of resource harvest- One could not claim the land for ing on their lands, bring them on as their own any more than you could partners, like Stornoway Diamond claim your neighbour’s right arm.

Corp. did at Quebec’s only diamond I believe that if First Nations peomine. More than half of the 850 ples are going to thrive in this modemployees there are Cree, and the ern world, it is necessary for them Cree leaders are kept fully appraised to engage in the field of Western of the mine’s costs and financial pro- style capitalism and talk in terms jections. It’s not a fix-all solution by of ownership and profit. I just hate any means, but it certainly seems that it feels like another shovel full like a way that Aboriginals and of dirt is being heaped upon a pure non-Aboriginals can begin moving and noble spirit that has been buried forward hand-in-hand, instead of too deep as it is. I would hate to see ceaselessly butting heads. that spirit forgotten altogether, even And indeed, while many if it is in the name of progress.

Aboriginals and non-Aboriginals

Keep calm and marry on!

Marriage equality becoming a reality in Britain Chris Hearn, volunteer staff

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ongratulations to England!

You are now one step closer to joining the growing club of countries that officially recognize samesex marriage.

An initial vote in Britain’s House of Commons ended with 400 MPs supporting and 175 not supporting the idea, many of them being Tory MPs going against their party and their leader, Prime Minister David Cameron, in their independent vote.

As always, this topic proved divisive in Britain as it does everywhere. The usual anti-same-sex marriage arguments (and often quite homophobic statements) are put forth by social and religious conservatives who warn of dangerous consequences with fire and brimstone speeches on the danger of allowing same-sex marriage and the horrible slippery slope that the country will descend down.

Some arguments include the ever popular statement: “Marriage is between a man and a woman.” Of course it is, unless you are in a country where it is between a man and up to

four women. Then, it isn’t a marriage between a man and a woman, and it’s very clear that marriage has been open to interpretation since the first person decided getting married was a good idea.

Religion often enters into the debate, with the dire warnings from the Church of England and

What we have now is a country and culture where more people are able to share in the beauty that is marriage. the Catholic Church being thrust forward here. To some, the idea that people of the same gender would want to marry is seen as an affront to god. Apparently when god cre-

ated LGBT people, he did so without intending them to be happy or to live rich and fulfilling lives where they are free to love, be loved, and follow their dreams. He’s a funny god, that god.

I look at Canada, and although I am not an overly nationalistic person, I can proudly hold my head up knowing that we have marriage equality here. And guess what? No lakes of fire. The sky has not fallen. We have not experienced a wrath. Our crops have not been destroyed by plagues of locusts. We have not descended into chaos and anarchy. Rather, what we have now is a country and culture where more people are able to share in the beauty that is marriage. We celebrate diversity in love, accepting that the tired old idea of “one man and one woman” is just that: tired and old.

To all those eagerly awaiting changes in British laws, I say congratulations on this progress, and I have my fingers crossed that you too will soon be able to experience equality in marriage!

Sunday Mass > 11am, Christ the King Chapel Weekday Mass > Tue-Fri 11:45am, Side Chapel Volunteer musicians & singers are welcome for choir practice > 5:30pm Fridays, 10am Sundays Coffee House > Mar 2 C a m p u s

M i n i s t r y

8:00pm | Fundraiser for students involved in spiritual & social justice activities.

Volunteer entertainers welcome.

Hanley Memorial Lecture Series > Mar 3-4

“A Teaching Church that Learns: The Art of Magisterium” presented by Gerard Mannion, PhD

St. Paul’s College University of Manitoba 70 Dysart Road Winnipeg, MB R3T 2M6 umanitoba.ca/colleges/st_pauls

For more information, contact: Sr. Elaine Baete 204 474 9784 | ELAINE.BAETE@ad.umanitoba.ca Fr. Michael Koryluk 204 474 8460 | korylukm@cc.umanitoba.ca Eliude Cavalcante 204 474 8645 | cavalcan@cc.umanitoba.ca

Science & Technology Editor: Bryce Hoye Contact: science@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Science & technology

10

A day in the life of an undergraduate researcher Cell splitting Elizabeth Drewnik, volunteer staff

Last week we took our first dive into cell culture by experiencing media changes. This week, we’ll explore cell splitting.

easy as it sounds), and are prepared to monitor the cells as though they were dependent infants who constantly required your time and attention.

Generally, cells are grown in the lab because they are required for experimental purposes, and they are split into increasing generations because large quantities of cells are required to carry out the experiment.

Over the span of several weeks, a single flask of cells can be maintained and split into several flasks, all of which may then be utilized for the designed experiment.

Cell split amiss

While the process just described seems straightforward enough, there are many ways in which simple cell splitting can go wrong. ust as there are negative conseFor instance, if you are not careful quences to human overcrowding, so with your aspirator, you may accidentoo are there with cellular overcrowdtally suck out your cell pellet when ing. Over time, if a flask of cells is removing the media after centrifugaallowed to grow undisturbed, the cells tion. Your cells are gone, and if this will grow until they merge together was your stock solution, then you no and become “confluent.” Cells reach longer have cells to work with. a state of confluence when they fill Generally, a stock of cells is kept the entire flask surface on which they frozen at –80 Celsius (a temperature grow, and have no further room to at which biological materials can be propagate. If the population of cells is stored), so if a mishap like accidennot tended to quickly enough to sepaCell splitting tally sucking out the test cells occurs rate the growing mass into smaller Because we are working with in a given experiment, there is likely sub-populations, the cells (which are human cells (cancerous cells in my a reserve of this cell stock – on ice adherent) will stop growing, and may case), safety precautions need to be and at the ready. eventually die. followed. As such, much of my more Time, however, can never be The neat thing about cancer cells sensitive work is performed within recovered from such a mistake. (particularly the cell lines) is that the confines of a biosafety cabinet Momentary lapses and fluke instances they are immortalized, meaning (BSC) or “hood.” like this can set a researcher back that they are able to grow indefinitely.

As with the media changes dis- weeks, depending on what stage the Theoretically, the same researcher(s) cussed in last week’s “Day in the life,” cells were oafishly and mistakenly could perform cell culture on the the medium is drawn (or aspirated) aspirated, and how long it took for same cancer cells for their entire of cell-tenders, and so on. Of course, in feeding the cells, assure that there out of the flask. A chemical called the cells to achieve that stage. career(s), passing that experiment and this is assuming that those first gen- is no bacterial or fungal contamina- trypsin is then added, which disrupts Another problem occasionally those cells onto the next generation eration researchers don’t miss a day tion to harm the cells (which is not as the cells’ ability to adhere to surfaces, encountered in the lab is contamiand so the cells fall right off the walls nation. Most cell culture media use of the flask. There is a brief five-min- antibiotics, which kill bacteria. The ute incubation period for trypsin to be problem with antibiotics is that you effective, after which the trypsinized are never sure if they are affecting cells are pipetted from the flask and your experimental results. mixed with a fresh medium into a 15 Contaminating cells is as easy as millilitre (mL) tube. breathing. For this reason, certain The tube is then centrifuged, which researchers prefer to use culture means that it is media that do spun around at not contain extremely high any antibiotics.

Simple things velocities in a Simple things like touching fancy machine. like touching The purpose your pipette your pipette to of this cento any surface trifugation is and not realany surface and to compact all izing it, or even not realizing it, or the dense cell breathing onto CALGARY, Alberta material (called your culture can even breathing May 10 – 12, 2013 the pellet) to contaminate the onto your culture the bottom of cells with copithe tube, and ous amounts of can contaminate allow for the microbes. liquid portion Since human the cells with (the supernacells are incucopious amounts tant) to be easbated at –37 C ily aspirated out to mimic body of microbes. of the tube. The conditions, it pellet of cells is provides the &KHFN RXW RXU SURJUDP RQOLQH WR ðQG RXW KRZ \RX FDQ mixed into the perfect environfresh medium so that it becomes a ment for bacteria to grow: an ideal q Discover sustainable transportation issues & opportunities. homogeneous solution. temperature and plenty of nutrients. q Get the tools you need to be a leader in your community.

Once in the new medium, the In this way, your entire flask of cells cells can be transferred to a new T75 can become contaminated overnight q $WOKNQD B@QDDQ ONRRHAHKHSHDR HM SQ@MRHS @MC QDK@SDC jDKCR flask. This is done using a dilution (or and leave your experiment in ruins, as q Network with students and professionals from across Western Canada. cell splitting) method: placing the the cells would no longer be considcells in various flasks of independent ered useable. subpopulations. Common dilution When all perils are avoided and proportions to work with are 1:5 and the cells are successfully split and 1:10, in which one-fifth or one-tenth grown to the amount required, experof the initial cell population is placed imentation can finally begin. into a new flask where it may again In next week’s “Day in the life”: undergo a period of growth (until it treating cells with drugs. is time for the next splitting).

J

Are you 18-28 years old and interested in sustainable transportation?

Apply to be a youth delegate

by Monday February 25!

leadingthewayyouthsummit.com

illustration by caroline norman

VOL. 99 ½ NO. 22 February 13, 2013

Science & Technology

11

The summer of our disinterment Bones of English king unearthed by archaeologists Tom Ingram, staff

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nglish scientists, archaeologists, and historians have confirmed that the skeleton discovered beneath a parking lot in Leicester is that of Richard III, the last king of England to die in battle. The skeleton was found in September, 2012 in a joint project of the University of Leicester, the Richard III Society, and the Leicester City Council. Months of research and tests followed until last Monday, when it was announced that all of the evidence indicates that the bones did indeed belong to the former monarch.

eton’s position suggested it wasn’t even wrapped in a shroud. The hands were in an unusual position, suggesting they may have been tied, and the feet were missing. The spine had a distinctive S-shaped curve to it.

At this point the historical evidence already suggested that the body belonged to Richard III – it had a crooked spine, battle wounds, and was buried in the Greyfriars Church.

In the months that followed, the skeleton was examined by U of L researchers to confirm suspicions.

The remains were analyzed with radiocarbon dating, a method of datAnd every tale condemns ing that uses the decay rate of C-14, him for a villain an unstable isotope of carbon, to Though Richard III reigned only determine the age of a sample. The two years, he occupies an important remains were dated at two separate place in English history. He was also labs at the University of Glasgow and the last of the Plantagenet dynasty, the University of Oxford. The labs which was supplanted by the Tudors arrived at the year ranges of 1430-60 when Richard was defeated at the and 1412-49, respectively. Since Battle of Bosworth Field. His death Richard III died in 1485, this would marked the end of the War of the indicate that the skeleton is not his.

Roses, which is often considered the However, the proportion of C-14 end of the Middle Ages in England. varies in relation to the atmosphere The popular image of Richard and the ocean – and radiocarbon datIII comes almost entirely from ing of marine animals can be off by Shakespeare’s play, written over a centuries. This effect even occurs in hundred years after the king’s death, land animals with a seafood-heavy which portrays him as an ambitious, diet. Mass spectrometry of the skelamoral schemer who systematically eton’s bone samples revealed a highkills his relatives in order to secure protein diet with a large amount of his claim to the throne. Richard is seafood. Adjusting for this confoundalso deformed in the Shakespearean ing factor, the scientists came up with version, with a hunchback, crooked a range of 1475-1530. legs, and a “withered arm.” Historians After the bones were excavated, have long debated how much of the the archaeologists cleaned them with Shakespearean Richard is truth and water and soft brushes. When the how much is Tudor propaganda. bones were clean, several more injuIn August of 1485, Henry Tudor ries were revealed. There were ten returned from exile in Brittany to injuries in all. Two were major, potenseize the throne. Richard III met tially fatal injuries to the skull. Others his army in Leicestershire later that were more minor battle wounds, and month, but they lost the battle and a few were in places that would have Richard was killed. His body was been protected by armour. These may displayed and then given to the local have been humiliation or punishment Franciscan friary to be interred at the blows dealt to the body after death. church of the Greyfriars. A monu- An osteologist examined the bones ment was erected in 1495, but Henry and concluded that they were from VIII (Henry Tudor’s son) later dis- an adult male in his late twenties solved the monasteries, demolished or early thirties with an unusually the church of the Greyfriars, and slender build. Richard died at the Richard’s remains were lost. age of 32, and contemporary accounts Though the exact location of the mention his thin frame. church was not known, the general area is still known as Greyfriars Where grow the branches today. In 2011, the Richard III Society when the root is gone? commissioned the University of The clinching evidence was the Leicester (U of L) Archaeological mitochondrial DNA analysis. A Services (ULAS) to look through small amount of DNA exists in our old maps and documents to identify mitochondria, organelles within possible sites for archaeological digs. our cells that convert energy from ULAS identified two possible sites: food into a form that we can use. the Leicester City Council Social Since the mitochondria of sperm Services parking lot, and the adjacent cells are destroyed during fertilizaplayground of a former school. tion, mitochondrial DNA is passed down unchanged from mother to Now is the summer of child (aside from small mutations). our disinterment Thus, if a descendant of Richard’s The dig began at the Social mother Cecily Neville can be found Services parking lot in August of by a female line, their mitochondrial 2012, and within the first two days DNA should closely resemble the some hints of the friary had been dis- skeleton’s. covered. On Sept. 5, the team found As it happens, the U of L researcha skeleton awkwardly propped up in ers already knew such a descendant: a grave that had been dug too small. Michael Ibsen, a Canadian furniThere was no coffin, and the skel- ture maker who now lives in London,

England. Historian Kevin Schürer was tasked with verifying Ibsen’s descent, and in the process he discovered a second descendant (who asked to remain anonymous). A number of descendants by an all-male line (which allows the comparison of Y chromosomes) were also found.

DNA samples from the skeleton, Ibsen, and the anonymous descendant were analyzed at the University of York and independently verified at the Université Paul Sabatier in France.

“The first step was to determine if the two female line relatives— Michael Ibsen and the second person—shared the same mitochondrial DNA sequences. The analysis showed that these two individuals shared the same relatively rare mitochondrial DNA sequence,” said Turi King, the U of L’s geneticist in charge of the project.

Although DNA breaks down over time, the burial conditions were such that a DNA sample could

be obtained from the Greyfriars skeleton. King’s analysis found that the skeleton’s DNA and the samples from

Ibsen and the anonymous donor were a match. Analysis of Y chromosomes

in male-line descendants is ongoing.

At this time none of the research has been published in academic journals. The U of L drew criticism for putting out press releases and a television documentary before the academic world has had a chance to look at them. An editorial in New Scientist called for the release of the DNA evidence, and Ross Barnett, an ancient DNA expert, told Science that “There may be more data.

There probably is. But what was presented of the DNA work falls far short.” But the work was defended in a Nature editorial. According to Nature, the identification of the bones rests on a number of factors, not just the DNA, and the discovery “goes beyond the boundaries and the conventional audience of academia.”

For now, the identity of the Greyfriars skeleton seems secure. The remains are going to be reburied at Leicester Cathedral next year. Plans for a tomb are in the works.

Managing Editor: Chuthan Ponnampalam Contact: me@themanitoban.com / 474.6520

Features

12

19 93 Things you may have missed twenty years ago Ryan Harby, staff

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t’s a funny thing, time; one day you’re enjoying your By the mid-nineties, “grunge” was on the decline, but Kim Campbell, who became the first ever female Prime blessedly simple existence eating dirt and poop- had paved the way for acts like Radiohead and Smashing Minister. ing your pants, the next you're hurriedly completing Pumpkins to capture more mainstream spotlight than Unfortunately for Campbell, Mulroney passed the assignments and punching a clock so you can scrounge might have previously ever been possible. title a short two and a half months before the elecenough money to pay rent. This is the difference 20 tion, all but assuring a sweeping defeat at the hands of years can make in someone’s life – you can go from 2. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers the Liberal Party and Jean Chrétien. The Progressive completely dependent to completely responsible in two If you were a child in 1993 then there is simply no way Conservative party, until then under the leadership of short decades. Births, deaths, fads, movements, over- the debut of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (MMPR) Mulroney, lost approximately 99 per cent of their seats, whelming successes, unprecedented failures: all of these didn’t knock your socks off. going from 151 to two. Chrétien would become the 20th will grow, crest, then fade over the span of a vicennium The show was basically a live-action version of a Prime Minister of Canada, following Campbell’s brief Saturday morning Voltron cartoon, where a team of stint as the 19th. (fancy word alert).

It is with this sense of maudlin nostalgia for the past high-schoolers-turned-superheroes would karate fight that we’ve decided to look back exactly 20 years to 1993, intergalactic bad guys and Godzilla monsters. They had 4. Selanne breaks the rookie record in an effort to both commemorate our recent history swords, laser guns, dinosaur-themed vehicles, and their Teemu Selanne was selected 10th overall by the and attempt to pinpoint just how much our world has own super secret headquarters equipped with a robot- Winnipeg Jets in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft but it butler. The original MMPR only lasted three seasons, wasn’t until the 1992/93 season that the Finnish import changed since this one year in the early nineties.

In order to kick start this time-travel project, I’d like but each of those seasons were ridiculously jam-packed travelled to Canada to light the league on fire. to start us off with a short list of things to experience, with viewing content – to the point where the cast and Selanne was an instant all-star in his first year with read, watch, listen to, whatever, so that you might say crew had produced a total of 145 episodes in little more the Jets, piling up goals and points at a rate that had that you plunged yourself deep into the year that was than 36 months. never been seen before from a rookie in the NHL. The Many twenty-somethings will still tell you today that first-year Jet would score a total of 76 goals by the end 1993. Read on, friends! the green ranger saga both rocked their belief system of the regular season, shattering the previous record and altered the way they see the world forevermore.

1. The continuing rise for a rookie of 53 set by Mike Bossy. Selanne also set of “alternative” music the single season rookie record for points with 132; this, At the time, most mainstream media outlets were 3. Changing of the guard along with the goal mark, still stands today. calling this the “grunge” movement. In retrospect, very in Canadian politics The game in which Selanne broke the goal record has few who were actually involved in it could actually tell There are many reasons why 1993 was a historic year since gone down as one of the most memorable home you what grunge meant, or why the term became so for Canadian politics; some of them are worth celebrat- games in Winnipeg history. The Finnish Flash scored ing, others are not. popular. his second of the game against the visiting Quebec First, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney announced Nordiques to tie Bossy’s record, then completed his In essence, what people were talking about was an emerging alternative to the polished dance hits that his retirement from politics following widespread criti- night with a hat trick goal to surge past the old mark, had been dominating the music charts for years on cism of his time in office. By ’93, Mulroney’s approval capping the feat with one of the most iconic goal scoring end. Both the sound and the aesthetic behind it were rating had reached record lows (at worst dropping to 11 celebrations ever. Selanne tossed up his right hand glove dirtier, more organic than anything you could find on a per cent), making him one of the least popular leaders and used his turned-around stick to mime shooting it Janet Jackson album. Among the most popular releases in Canadian history and prompting many to predict out of the air. Amazing. associated with this movement in ’93 were Nirvana’s In a devastating loss in the upcoming general election.

Utero and Pearl Jam’s second album Vs. Mulroney handed the office to fellow party member

VOL. 99 ½ NO. 22 February 13, 2013

Features

The Backstreet Boys: where are they now?

Boy band stereotypes fulfilled Rachel Wood, staff

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n 1993, the world was blessed with the formation of of Carters, that his semi-popularity rose again, mostly the devilishly handsome, hip-thrusting, coordinated- due to the pure dysfunction within his family. outfit-wearing, and constantly gyrating boy band: the Backstreet Boys (BSB).

Brian Littrell The New Kids on the Block had dominated the boy Sorry ladies and gentlemen, but Littrell has since band world for most of the late 80s, but a new breed of settled down and, according to the paparazzi pictures young male singers were beginning to emerge just as that I poured over, is living an idyllic life with his model Joey, Jonathan, Jordan, Danny, and Donnie were on wife, Leighanne Wallace, and son Baylee. Brian also their way out the door. tapped into the Christian music scene and was a hit, Search the quintet on the interweb and you’ll dis- although I’m not too sure how he had time to record an cover many Angelfire sites made in the golden era of album while brainstorming ways to misspell the name boy bands. According to a super reliable-looking fan “Bailey” before the birth of his son. website, the Backstreet Boys were formed in the early 90s through a casting call by Lou Pearlman, who was Kevin Richardson eventually discredited and is now serving 25 years in jail The oldest and most understated member of the for conspiracy and money laundering.

Backstreet Boys deserted the group in 2006 because he In 1993, the band had their first major performance had bigger and better things to do. He came crawling at SeaWorld in Orlando. Thus began years of obsession back in 2011 after, I can only assume, he realized that for the majority of North American teen girls and I was there were little opportunities for someone whose only in the thick of it. Maybe it was A.J.’s perfectly-shaped experience was working at Disney World as Aladdin and goatee or the way Brian longingly reached out while singing in a boy band. He then joined the tour shared singing perfect harmonies that had millions of young between BSB and New Kids on the Block. girls and boys consumed.

Now, as an adult, I have taken the time to examine Howie Dorough where these talented gentlemen are 20 years later: This ballet-dancing heartthrob ventured into the business world when he started a management company, Nick Carter 3 Street Management. He married girlfriend Leigh The youngest member of the group has had a rocky Boniello and had one child named James. Besides a go of things since the peak of his popularity. He has solo attempt and some impressive humanitarian efforts, dabbled in acting, making appearances on incredibly Dorough has been up to nothing else really worth mencreditable and respected shows such as 8 Simple Rules. tioning. Shocker…

Carter also fulfilled a child star stereotype when he entered rehab in 2005 after being charged with a DUI. A.J. McLean It wasn’t until the sad attempt at a reality show, House I saved the best for last, obviously. This badass has

been incredibly active on his Instagram, which I follow religiously. If you filter out his Instagram presence, however, his career has fizzled. An attempted solo tour and a few stints in rehab prove that McLean is just a former boy band member trying to ride on his early millennium popularity.

Despite all this, the boy band is still desperately trying to hold onto their fading success through ventures such as Backstreet Boys Cruise, a painful performance on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon in December, 2012, and a new album and world tour on their official 20th anniversary: April 20, 2013.

The best part? A documentary film on the band will be released in 2014 and we can only hope that it will have the same professionalism and substance as House of Carters. illustrations by silvana moran

20 years later, girl me ets Boy Meets World Stephanie George, volunteer staff

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ept. 24, 1993 was the day the world met the boy: love“It ran on Disney Channel, it ran on ABC Family, able Cory Matthews. Cory and his family and friends, it’s running on MTV2, you can turn on the television including the troubled best friend Shawn Hunter, the any time of day and catch an episode. There has to be a know-it-all with a wacky name Topanga, and the wise realization that the public does want this type of honnext-door neighbour/beloved teacher Mr. Feeny enter- est show or at least the aspiration to be honest in its tained television audiences for seven seasons. characters,” Jacobs told the Hollywood Reporter.

Boy Meets World became a regular at the height of If you were a fan of the program, you’ll be happy to ABC’s TGIF (Thank God It’s Friday) lineup, occu- hear that there is a spin-off in the works. Yes, you read pying a Friday night timeslot on the network for the that correctly, the much-loved characters are about to show’s entire run. The sitcom joined the rotation with return to the small screen with a new show called Girl other favourites like Family Matters and Sabrina, the Meets World. The sitcom will revolve around Cory and Teenage Witch. I certainly remember watching the show Topanga’s daughter, Riley Matthews, and her adolescent with my family in elementary school; TGIF television exploits. While it will in many ways be an homage to nights always managed to start the weekend off on the Boy Meets World, it will also stand on its own two feet as a contemporary show. right foot.

Jacobs explains that a lot has changed during the I think this is the exact reason why the show was such a success: it was something families could watch past twenty years in regards to growing up, so ignortogether. It was funny and heartwarming, and was never ing these new challenges would do a disservice to this overly sexual or inappropriate for younger children. new generation. The need for honesty and realism on More than that, the characters were relatable. Audiences television seems to be even more important now than sympathized with Cory and his status as an average it was back in 1993.

Jacobs stated that Riley is just going to be “a girl who student. He wasn’t the Brad Pitt or Albert Einstein of his school, but he was certainly funny, charming, and sincere.

Discussing the show, executive producer Michael Jacobs has been quoted as saying that the show represented the “natural experience of actually growing up.”

Boy Meets World first aired twenty years ago, but the show still has a dedicated following, never really leaving the air even after production had stopped.

is going to aspire to put one foot in front of the other and to try and understand the confusion that is her life.”

This will not take place on the upper-east side, in a performing arts school, or with a 90210 zip code – as are many of the current depictions of middle-schoolers and teens on television these days.

Ben Savage (Cory) and Danielle Fishel (Topanga) have already officially agreed to reprise the roles that made them famous. Jacobs has stated that previous cast members are also invited back: “[whoever] wants to be part of this show will be and whoever wants to move on will.”

Boy Meets World definitely embodied the sensibilities of the 90s. Will the second time around also charm audiences and represent the 21st century family? I guess we’ll just have to wait and watch!

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VOL. 99 ½ NO. 22 February 13, 2013

10 songs from 1993 The 5 best, and 5 that make us thankful it’s not ‘93 anymore arynne mcmurray, staff

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or most music fans, the early 90s are a mixture of the good, great, and regrettable. The Billboard Hot 100 from 1993 is populated with many names that we should be glad never made it to the present decade with us. However, mixed in there with the stonewashed denim, club beats, and neon were a number of great artists releasing songs that made it a year in music worth remembering.

Here are my picks for the five best songs released in 1993:

“Alison” by Slowdive

It’s been a while since the release of “Alison,” but the song could fit easily into any great present-day playlist. The washed out guitar and vocals that are the trademark of the shoegaze genre make this song enveloping and almost asphyxiating, drawing you in to Slowdive’s sad vision of reality. With lyrics detailing a dysfunctional relationship between two drug users, this song offers a good dose of real life that seemed so absent from much of popular 90s music.

“Today” by Smashing Pumpkins

According to the now defunct music website Stylus, “nothing can make ‘Today’ sound fresh again;” they attributed this to heavy MTV and radio airplay. Luckily for those of us who weren’t cognizant enough in 1993 to spend our time listening (or over-listening) to the Smashing Pumpkins, “Today” still does sound fresh, both in its own context and 20 years later. Moreover, the fact that industry executives promoted this song illustrates an appreciation for well-crafted music that was largely missing in the year of its release. The song’s blasting, upbeat guitar riffs and positive chorus contrast with the delicate and depressing lyrical content of the rest of the song. Ultimately, this is a song we should be glad to remember 1993 for.

“For Tomorrow” by Blur

Although they toured the United States to support Modern Life is Rubbish, the album that “For Tomorrow” appeared on, Blur was left feeling negative about the whole experience because North America never truly embraced the band. Many people have enjoyed Blur frontman Damon Albarn’s other project, Gorillaz, so it’s too bad that Blur and this song didn’t enjoy greater success. Eschewing the grunge aesthetic that dominated much of the early part of the decade, this song is unabashedly melodic, British, and easily one of the best of the year.

“Fade Into You” by Mazzy Star

Last year was slated to be the first time in 16 years that Mazzy Star would release new work, which unfortunately never materialized. Instead, fans will have to console themselves with the duo’s earlier work, including the 1993 album So Tonight That I Might See, of which “Fade Into You” was the lead single. The song is slow, sad, haunting, and proved to be the group’s most enduring hit.

“Creep” by Radiohead

Over the years, Radiohead has taken their fans in a number of different musical directions. This single predates the band’s electronic experimentation, and could likely hook even the most straightforward rock and roll fan. In fact, early show attendees liked the song so much that they were often indifferent to the rest of the band’s catalogue, and Radiohead played “Creep” less frequently as the decade went on. However, the song is still a fan favourite, and the distorted guitar, especially leading up to the chorus, paired with lead singer Thom Yorke’s pained lyrics, makes this song immediately affecting and memorable.

And here are my picks for the five songs that make me glad 1993 is long behind us:

“Whoomp! (There It Is)” by Tag Team

Party people, don’t deny it – you loved this one. Perfect for basketball video montages everywhere, this feel-good hit originated in Miami.

Besides the overall dated feel of this song, it’s undeniably very catchy. One thing we can take away from this song: if you’re ever stuck for song lyrics, take a cue from Tag Team and throw a few “shakalakas” in there.

“Informer” by Snow

If you managed to avoid Snow in the 90s, consider yourself lucky.

“Informer,” which reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, was written and performed by Darrin Kenneth O’Brien, the Toronto-born reggae artist also known as Snow. It features such deep and introspective lyrics as “you know say daddy Snow me [ . . . ] a licky boom-boom down.” Enough said.

“Dreamlover” by Mariah Carey

Not unlike the high-waisted jean shorts featured in the video for this song, Mariah Carey has experienced a comeback in recent years. As part of the American Idol judging panel, she helps aspiring artists across the nation master their multi-octave runs. This type of oversinging, which is Carey’s signature, is exactly what detracts from this song. Although she has good control of her voice, the simplistic musical arrangement and breathy vocal work does nothing to add any substance, and the track ultimately falls flat.

“What’s Up” by 4 Non Blondes

If you’re having trouble clearly recalling 1993 (and the bad fashion that went along with it) frontwoman Linda Perry’s bathrobe and goggle ensemble in the video for this song will definitely do the trick. The band should be given kudos for being an alternative to their 90s girl group contemporaries (Spice Girls, I’m looking at you). However, this song’s engineered sound, along with Perry’s grating vocals, make this a poor alternative to Top 40. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Perry herself seems to feel the project hasn’t aged well, admitting, “I wasn’t really a big fan of my band.”

“Forever in Love” by Kenny G

Two words: “smooth jazz.” No, wait, two more: “adult contemporary.”

Since 1993, this song has been heard in countless elevators in nondescript office buildings everywhere. Although it can’t be argued that this saxophonist has his technique down pat—he must, given he’s the top-selling instrumental artist in modern times—his songs come off a tad schmaltzy in 2013. The gentle, inoffensive piano paired with multiple overwrought sax solos is enough to make any elevator ride feel far too long.

Managing Editor: Chuthan Ponnampalam Contact: me@themanitoban.com / 474.6520

Features

In 1993, Clinton also established the policy “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT), which was recently repealed by the Obama administration. Prior to DADT the U.S. military explicitly banned gays, lesbians, and bisexuals from serving, and so during the 1992 election all the Democratic hopefuls supported the removal of the ban.

As the policy’s name hints, DADT allowed for gays and lesbians to serve so long as they kept their orientation to themselves. Furthermore, DADT prohibited the military from prying into the personal lives of military personnel. However, it did not protect openly gay, lesbian, and bisexual people from being discriminated Third District, but it didn’t receive enough ticks to win. against, as they were still banned from serving.

Before that it had made its rounds in student elections Clinton received heat from both sides in regards to at Georgetown University.

DADT, because gay rights activists didn’t feel DADT The name has endured scandal and public opinion was doing enough, while of course those against DADT and, since, has seemed to become increasingly revered felt it would compromise the military. each year, but before it could become a household name 1993 also saw Clinton ratify the North American Free people had to learn it – and they did during the 52nd Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which is a trade agreement United States presidential election in 1992 when the between Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. world was introduced to Bill Clinton.

While NAFTA was the pet project of Clinton’s preAfter 12 years of a Republican government, which decessor, and the heads of each state had already signed had won in consecutive landslides over the previous the agreement in 1992, it still had to be passed into law three elections, Clinton’s victory in both the popular in each nation. Bush had hoped to have it wrapped up and electoral vote ushered the Democrats back into before he vacated office, but this didn’t pan out, and so power, defeating incumbent George H. W. Bush, and it was up to Clinton to see it through. securing Clinton’s place in history as the 42nd President Clinton modified the agreement with clauses to of the United States. better serve American interests, while also introducing Clinton was officially inaugurated in 1993 on Jan. 20, environmental regulations and guidelines, and then saw and, along with running mate Al Gore, began leading it ratified in 1993 so that it could take effect on Jan. 1 of the Clinton administration through two terms, ending the following year. in 2001 amidst the Monica Lewinsky scandal.

Clinton made a huge splash when he became POTUS Clinton came into power at a time when the economy (President of the United States) in 1993, and items he was just coming out of a recession and still caught in a oversaw during his first year in office are still active today, serious deficit. Part of his campaign platform was built while others like DADT are now defunct. on assuring voters that he would restore the economy Many of today’s youth will likely remember Bill and reverse the recession.

Clinton as one of the presidents they saw on the Simpsons, To keep his promises Clinton signed into action the maybe even as the guy who played saxophone on The controversial Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of Arsenio Hall Show. One thing that’s certain is 1993 intro1993, which every Republican voted against. Among duced us to the Clinton family and, in the continuing other things, the act increased taxes for the top 1.2 per works of both Bill and his wife, former Secretary of State, cent, but cut taxes for 15 million low-income families.

Hillary, theirs is a legacy still being written.

Meet the new boss ’93 sees Clinton inaugurated as president, ending Republican streak Chuthan Ponnampalam, staff

illustrations by silvana moran

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he name first appeared on a ballot for public office in 1974 during an election for Congress in Arkansas’

Notable Deaths of 1993 aichelle sayuno, staff

Audrey Hepburn

Date of birth: May 4, 1929 Date of death: January 20, 1993 (63 years old) Cause of death: Appendix cancer Occupation: Actress and philanthropist Famously known for: Her role as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s and her elegant style, which is still recognized today.

Thurgood Marshall

Date of birth: July 2, 1908 Date of death: January 24, 1993 (84 years old) Cause of death: Heart failure Occupation: Supreme Court justice and civil rights activist Famously known for: His role in abolishing legal segregation in America and becoming the first AfricanAmerican Supreme Court justice.

Andre “the Giant” Roussimoff

Date of birth: May 19, 1946 Date of death: January 27, 1993 (46 years old) Cause of death: Heart attack Occupation: Professional wrestler and actor Famously known for: Wrestling in the WWE (formerly WWF) and playing Fezzik in the Princess Bride.

Brandon Lee

Date of birth: February 1, 1965 Date of death: March 31, 1993 (28 years old) Cause of death: Accidental gunshot wound Occupation: Actor

Famously known for: Playing Eric Draven in The Crow, the film in which he was shot by a bullet meant to have been a blank in one of the movie’s final scenes.

Conway Twitty

Date of birth: September 1, 1933 Date of death: June 5, 1993 (59 years old) Cause of death: Ruptured blood vessel Occupation: Singer and songwriter Famously known for: His rock and country music.

Pat Nixon

Date of birth: March 16, 1912 Date of death: June 22, 1993 (81 years old) Cause of death: Lung cancer Occupation: U.S. First Lady, activist, and political leader Famously known for: Her public image, as the wife of Richard Nixon during his time as Senator, Vice President, and 37th U.S. President.

Kath Walker

Date of birth: November 3, 1920 Date of death: September 16, 1993 (72 years old) Cause of death: Cancer Occupation: Activist, journalist, poet, and author Famously known for: Her activism on Australian Aboriginal rights and her published works.

Vincent Price

Date of birth: May 27, 1911 Date of death: October 25, 1993 (82 years old) Cause of death: Lung cancer

Occupation: Actor Famously known for: His many horror roles on both television and film, as well as his narrative voice, which can be heard in Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”

River Phoenix

Date of birth: August 23, 1970 Date of death: October 31, 1993 (23 years old) Cause of death: Drug overdose Occupation: Actor and activist Famously known for: Starring in Stand by Me as Chris Chambers.

Frank Zappa

Date of birth: December 21, 1940 Date of death: December 4, 1993 (52 years old) Cause of death: Prostate cancer Occupation: Guitarist, songwriter, music producer, and director Famously known for: His unique and diverse music style.

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VOL. 99 ½ NO. 22 February 13, 2013

Free Willy ’93 film propels anti-captivity movement Carlyn Schellenberg, staff

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ourtesy of Warner Bros., Free Willy entered the- water with Jesse, cheering as that animatronic whale atres on July 16, 1993, and quickly warmed the jumped in slow motion over the rock wall, sprinkling hearts of millions. In the film we meet Jesse as an aban- us with fresh sea water.

As David Kirby highlights in Death at SeaWorld, the doned, troubled 12-year-old boy with no home or real family. We meet Willy (Keiko) as he is yanked out of release of the film sparked a battle between SeaWorld his familial waters and crammed into a small tank to and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). begin his career in public entertainment. Marketed as an Activists from the HSUS used the press of the film as unlikely friendship between a killer whale and a “street an opportunity to emphasize that whales have no place kid,” this film made all of us believe that we too could in captivity. SeaWorld disliked the film and denied that Willy’s narrative was anything like those of the form a bond with these gigantic creatures.

Although Free Willy is a family movie, its implica- whales in captivity.

This fight continued for years and, since there are tions generated concerned reactions from the public.

For anti-captivity activists, it may have been the best still whales in captivity, it is long from over. But among thing to come out of 1993. The film brought issues to the this disagreement, there was a much bigger life at stake: attention of a wider audience, and fueled a battle that Keiko’s. Keiko had been taken captive from Iceland at began when the first orca was captured in 1961. Twenty a young age, and his eventual release as the first orca to years later, the film’s narrative is just as real and requires return home mirrors Willy’s.

As the credits appear in front of a video of whales just as much attention.

While Jesse cleans up the theme park he had vandal- frolicking in the wild, a note says, “You can personally ized after being placed in a foster home, Rae, the trainer, help save the whales of the world by calling 1-800-4teaches him to train Willy. The narrative unfolds as the WHALES.” This number was called by millions who water park owners attempt to kill Willy for the insurance wanted the real-life Willy to be freed, and a plethora money, and Rae, Jesse, and his new friend Randolph of donations were collected. This, along with Keiko’s transfer Willy from the park to the ocean, driving miles new star status, led to various organizations and activto reunite him with his family. As the park owners try ists fighting to free Keiko, who was trapped in a hot, to stop them from backing that truck into the water, chlorinated pool at an amusement park in Mexico City. every viewer in America practically waded into the He was moved to the Oregon Coast Aquarium in 1996

illustrations by silvana moran

to improve his living conditions. He was then brought to a netted sea-pen in Iceland in 1998, and in 2002, Keiko was fully released into the wild, though he still experienced occasional supervision.

From having lived so long in captivity, Keiko loved people, and would often swim near the shore. In 2003, though, he swam immensely far, ending up in Norway, where he took his last breath. He is assumed to have died from pneumonia, and lived one of the longest lives of orcas in captivity.

The Keiko/Willy story is an emblem of all the whales that have yet to be freed; until the last whale is released from captivity, we have not yet freed Willy.

From Mosaic to Mozilla The modern web browser’s journey Chuthan Ponnampalam, staff

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efore Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or even Internet Explorer, there was NCSA Mosaic, commonly referred to as just Mosaic. The NCSA acronym stood for the National Center for Supercomputing Applications, which is located at the University of Illinois.

It was here that co-founder Marc Andreessen found himself in 1993, as he launched the web browser that would introduce the Internet to the general public.

Today, Marc Andreessen is a titan in the tech industry. He sits on the board of directors for companies like eBay and Facebook, but in the early 90s he was just a college student fascinated by the Internet and unimpressed by the browsers of the time.

After switching out of electrical engineering because he wasn’t doing well, Andreessen decided to major in computer science, a subject he had taken interest in at a young age – he taught himself BASIC programming at the age of nine.

It was after this switch, in 1992 at the age of 21, that Andreessen conceived the idea for Mosaic. He partnered up with Eric Bina, a programmer at the NCSA, and

gathered a team to create it. Andreessen eventually telecommunications. went on to found Mosaic Communications, which 1993 proved to be a very productive year for would become Netscape Communications – yes, that Andreessen, because hot on the heels of NCSA Mosaic’s Netscape. success and inspired by James H. Clark—another Silicon Mosaic wasn’t the world’s first web browser—far Valley celebrity—Andreessen left the NCSA to found from it, actually—but it was ground-breaking none- the business venture Mosaic Communications. theless, because it brought together features offered by Andreessen brought with him some of the team various browsers while innovating the entire concept that worked on the NCSA project, and one year later of web browsing. the company’s first product called Mosaic Netscape 0.9 Web browsers before Mosaic presented informa- was released. Months later an updated version called tion in text form only. Multimedia did exist, but it was Netscape Navigator followed. accessed via links that opened up in a new window.

Both products were major successes that dwarfed Mosaic integrated text and multimedia so that every- NCSA Mosaic, and unfortunately this led to a dispute thing could be arranged on one page, and it did this with the University of Illinois over the Mosaic trademark, forcing Mosaic Communications to become all in colour.

This piecing together of different features to cre- Netscape Communications.

The company’s success also caught the attention of ate a final product, as well as the ability to render it all in colour, inspired Mosaic’s name to highlight the Microsoft, which tried to buy Netscape Communications, and when this failed developed Internet Explorer, incitbrowser’s similarities with the art technique.

Mosaic was so radical that even current browsers ing the first-ever browser war.

In the proceeding years, Netscape was slowly annihiborrow cues from it, like the navigation menu’s back lated by Internet Explorer and eventually bought by and forward buttons.

According to the NCSA website, shortly after Mosaic AOL in 1998 for US $4.2 billion, where it remains as a was released it was downloaded about 5,000 times per largely defunct intellectual property. month, and won a slew of awards that appreciated its 1998 also saw Netscape’s source code released, and the impact on the tech industry as well as what it did for code served as the foundation for Mozilla Firefox.

In fact, “Mozilla” was originally the code name for Netscape Navigator, and the reptilian mascot can be found throughout the Mosaic Communications’ website.

If you would like to see an original artefact from the Internet’s history, check out the Mosaic Communications’ website that is still accessible at: http://home.mcom.com.

VOL. 99 ½ NO. 22 February 13, 2013

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RAW is WAR How the WWF changed the business side of pro wrestling in 1993 Marc Lagace, staff

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The first time LucasArts invited you to join the Rebel Alliance Spencer Fernando, staff

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tar Wars: X-Wing, the first LucasArts video game based on

the popular movie series, debuted in 1993. Set in the Star Wars Expanded Universe, the game put you in the pilot’s seat of an X-wing fighter going up against the dreaded Galactic Empire.

I didn’t begin to play it until a few years after it came out, but considering it has been 20 years since it was released, I figure it’s fair to give it some thought.

The thing I enjoyed most about playing X-Wing was the sense of openness and possibility. It seems strange to see that in a video game, especially one from so many years ago, there was a clear effort on the part of the designers to create a nonlinear feeling.

For example, you could continue flying for as long as you wanted, getting further and further away from the main objectives. If you flew for two hours, it would take you a full two hours to get back. The game conveyed the vastness and desolation of space, something that is rarely done in games today.

Additionally, the game involved strategic decision making.

This may not seem likely since it was a space combat game, but it wasn’t a button masher – some thinking was definitely involved.

You had to select how much power to allocate to shields, lasers, and engines. Devote power to one, and you had less for the others.

The game was surprisingly deep, especially for its time.

Another aspect that made X-Wing so great was that it ensured its entertainment value was based on the fact it focused on gameplay, rather than a few big cinematic moments or a shocking story. Back in 1993, graphical capabilities were obviously much less impressive than they are now. So, to create an entertaining game, designers had to strengthen the gameplay itself, since they couldn’t fall back on big flashy graphics.

Of course, not everything was perfect. The fact that your ship would stop moving if you shut off your engine doesn’t make much sense, but it didn’t take away from the enjoyment of the game.

What the designers seemed to focus on was delivering a very simple yet consistent gameplay experience. The game was built around that, and I think this is why it holds up so well, even many years later.

For fans of the Star Wars universe I would still recommend checking out Star Wars: X-Wing. It has been slightly updated, and can likely be found either for free or a very low cost. It also inspired some follow-up games, like TIE Fighter (not ties fighting each other, mind you), X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter, and X-Wing Alliance.

Star Wars: X-Wing was an example of a simple concept being executed well, and 20 years from its debut, that’s something that is as important now as ever when it comes to enjoyable entertainment.

hether or not you’re a fan of professional wrestling, Wars were awesome, as both the WCW and WWF pulled out there’s no denying the sustained popularity that the all the stops to attract the bigger audience each week.

World Wrestling Entertainment (formerly known as the World By 1997, WCW Nitro had overtaken Monday Night Raw in the Wrestling Federation) has enjoyed over the past three decades. ratings war, largely due to the Hulk Hogan-led nWo storyline The WWF first began its rise to becoming a global juggernaut angle. This incited perhaps the biggest and most important shift when Vincent K. McMahon—son of Vincent J. McMahon— in the WWF’s history: the move towards controversial storylines decided to secede from professional wrestling’s established and angles that has come to be known as the “Attitude Era.” Things began to sway back in Raw’s favour around the time of territory-based business model and spread nationwide back in the mid-eighties. the “Montreal Screwjob incident,” in which McMahon jobbed But it wasn’t until 1993 that McMahon and the WWF would Bret Hart out of the WWF Championship. The incident set up forever change the way fans would tune in to follow their favour- McMahon’s feud with “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, as the WWF ite professional wrestlers. Regional wrestling promotions had CEO shifted from a role as sideline commentator to portray an used cable television to broadcast pre-recorded shows before egomaniacal corporate character. Austin played the role of the 1993, but McMahon took the formula and revolutionized the swearing, beer swilling, redneck badass, and the ever-present thorn in the McMahon family business. entire industry.

Audiences lapped it up. On April 13, 1998, Raw aired a match When WWF Monday Night Raw debuted on Jan. 11, 1993 on the USA Network, so began a remarkable run of over 1,000 that pit McMahon against Austin that finally broke the WCW’s weekly episodes of programming, setting the record as the 84-week stretch of ratings domination. The Attitude Era also longest-running weekly episodic program in television history. helped to raise talented performers like “Stone Cold” Steve Unlike the wrestling programs on television that had come Austin, Triple H, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and Mick Foley before it, Raw was recorded and aired for a live audience, with into worldwide household names. the promos and “breaking” storylines recorded during the same The two promotions would continue to battle for ratings supremacy through the remainder of the 90s, until Time Warner broadcast.

Filming took place on Monday and Tuesday evenings; the eventually sold the WCW to McMahon and the WWF in 2001.

Monday night show filmed live to air and the Tuesday show was The end of the Monday Night Wars (and the World Wildlife Fund’s regained monopoly on the “WWF” trademark) meant that, held over to air the following Monday night.

Monday Night Raw proved to be so successful that World going forward, the newly named WWE Raw and its Thursday Championship Wrestling—the other major professional wrest- program SmackDown could continue to gain momentum, more ling promotion at the time—decided to debut a rival Monday or less uncontested, through the early part of the 21st century. night wrestling show to challenge Raw. Today, WWE has turned professional wrestling (or sports Debuting in 1995, WCW Monday Nitro and WWF Monday entertainment, as they prefer to call it) into a publicly-traded Night Raw would battle for ratings throughout the remainder entertainment company worth nearly US $400 million. Its popuof the 90s in what would become known as the Monday Night larity around the world continues to grow, as new generations Wars. of fans tune in weekly to watch today’s superstars continue the For young, impressionable fans in the 90s, the Monday Night tradition that was set in motion 20 years ago.

Arts & Culture Editor: Kara Passey Contact: artsculture@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Arts & Culture A warm and welcoming environment Winnipeg’s longest running GLBTTQ* beverage room closing and looking for new home Jenna Diubaldo, staff

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t’s no secret that Gio’s Club and Bar (Gio’s) has been experiencing financial troubles over the past few years, but recently Winnipeg’s longest running GLBTTQ* beverage room announced it would be closing its Smith Street location of 10 years, with plans to move to a new location in the near future.

Gio’s is an extension of the Oscar Wilde Memorial Society, Inc., a not-for-profit organization created with the purpose of benefiting the GLBTTTQ* community of Winnipeg.

The bar itself has been providing a warm and welcoming environment to its patrons since 1982 by offering a fun, relaxed, non-judgmental atmosphere regardless of sexuality or ethnicity.

“Gio’s [was] the first gay bar/club I went to, and I was comfortable being out and proud there right off the bat,” states Christine Berestin, a student at the University of Manitoba and steadfast customer of the Winnipeg institution. “You

[could] go there to dance, have a drink, or just hang out with your buds. A lot of good times were had at Gio’s.”

Given the current financial climate in our country and growing competition within the city, the financial future of Gio’s Club and Bar has been in question for some

time. The board of directors that governs Gio’s recently issued a statement saying it would be leaving its current location in search of a new venue.

“The Oscar Wilde Memorial Society, Inc. wishes to announce to its members and supporters that a new home is being sought for Gio’s

Club and Bar,” reads a statement from the board of directors on the bar’s official website. “After 10 years at its 155 Smith Street venue in Winnipeg, Gio’s is closing that location on February 16, 2013.”

The release goes on to say that the club plans to carry on in this new location and is thankful for the continued support from customers and well-wishers alike.

“We are working with a commercial real estate agent and also request the community’s assistance in helping us find a new home for Gio’s. We want very much to continue our 30-year tradition of support, caring, and camaraderie in the GLBT* community.”

All the GLBTTQ* community can hope for is that Gio’s finds a new home quickly and continues to grow and prosper.

“I hope to see Gio’s find another location that is just as comfortable as the Smith Street location was,” states Berestin. photo by cindy titus

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Adding to tradition What you can expect from Festival this year Jodie Layne, staff

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ind your place in history and then Instagram it” could very well be the new motto for the Festival du Voyageur.

The winter festival originated in 1969 as a way to honour the FrenchCanadian culture and history of St. Boniface, but also as a way to stimulate the city’s economy during the winter months when the community used to all but shut down. Although city-dwellers now embrace the winter months, the festival is a fixture of our city’s collective cultural memory, occurring annually once the cruelly cold month of January releases its grip on Winnipeg.

“It always seems to happen when you feel like the winter is never going to end,” says Irina Ivanov Bissonnette, marketing and communications director for the Festival.

Although it’s 43 years old, this year’s festival promises to be more relevant and hipper than ever.

“The staples are always there and tradition is a big part of it for us,” says Bissonnette. “But we do always try and keep it fresh to have something for everyone and engage new cultures and people of different ages.”

The programming this year makes sure to honour those old staples; the ice sculpture competition will bring competitors from 10 different countries, from Guatemala to Estonia, to create 20 sculptures inside the park. Bissonnette says that some of them have never seen snow, so they are partnered with Canadian sculptors who can teach them how to work with it.

This year will see the return of last year’s popular DJ Night, but will also feature an all-new lineup of the Devotion crew DJs and the Lytics. A poutine bar will be on hand, offering different selections of the favourite dish of modern voyageurs. Foodies can get their fill at the Top Chef-style pea soup cook-off with chefs from around the city trying to impress the celebrity judges with their interpretations

photos by dan harper

of a more classic French-Canadian dish.

While keeping things different means attracting new crowds, it also means attracting the same crowd by diversifying the programming from year to year. This year Festival is adding a new feature called “voyageur apprenticeships,” with demonstrations that will take place in Fort Gibraltar’s Historic Cabins. French and Metis artisans will teach interactive workshops and impart their knowledge and skills to a new generation. This includes crafting walking sticks, sash weaving, and alpaca woolbased crafts.

Bissonnette says that they try to stress that this is not only a celebration of French-Canadians who settled and colonized the region, but the Metis and First Nations people who were first on the land and played a large role in the founding of Manitoba. Louis Riel Day is one of the biggest days of programming for the park and always brings out some of the largest crowds.

As a less reverent nod to the iconic Metis revolutionary, this will be the second year of the Louis Riel Look-a-like Contest.

“It’s really just about trying to make history fun and interactive so it’s more accessible to all kinds of people,” laughs Bissonnette.

Whether you like to kick it classically with maple syrup, tobogganing, and jigging, or if you’re more into poutine and DJs, the festival will certainly make February a little more manageable.

For more information, check out festivalvoyageur.mb.ca.

VOL. 99 ½ NO. 22 February 13, 2013

Arts & Culture

19

Smutty Winnipeg Shorts Provocative films just in time for Valentine’s Day Katy MacKinnon, volunteer staff

Zeghers describes a “blue film” as ter of this film, who, instead of being will be layered throughout the film, an early striptease film from around submissive to the desires of men, plays alluring viewers into the screen. the 1930s. the role of a torturer.

Noam Gonick is an artist from “A certain longing and sadness “This was my response to what I Winnipeg whose film, photograis present in this short. Presenting felt it would be like if seen through a phy, television, and installation art another linguistic interpretation of dirty, hand-processed Super 8 lens,” explores issues and politics involved blue: a sense of longing or sadness, says Asmundson. “I’m both embar- with a variety of topics, some of hence the title ((missin you)),” says rassed and proud of this film and still which include queer sexuality and Zeghers. have no idea what motivated me to prison architecture. Along with havDeco Dawson, a graduate of the make this.” ing his work presented at numerous University of Manitoba’s Black Hole University of Manitoba graduate film festivals internationally, Gonick Theatre Company, will also present Clint Enns will was the recipient a film at the event. Dawson created also be showing a of the Manitoba his first stage play at age 17, before film titled Debbie Film Hothouse Asmundson he began to delve into the art of film. Does Ascii. Enns Award last year.

In 2012, Dawson won a $10,000 prize describes himself The award recogdescribes Liquid at the Toronto International Film as an experimennizes Manitobans Lunch as the most Festival for Keep a Modest Head, which tal filmmaker, who have exhibwill be shown Thursday. The film attempting to ited exceptional disgusting film short pays tribute to Jean Benoît. push the bounddirecting talent. he’s ever made. “[Jean Benoît is] a man whose aries of tradiBarb Hunt, sexuality and sexual obsessions were tional genres. another graduate integral to the work he made,” says The film is an of the University Davies.

ASCII animaof Manitoba, has Winnipeg-based media artist tion of a scene from the pornographic been an established artist since 1982.

Jaimz Asmundson has had his work movie, Debbie Does Dallas.

Her work takes a feminist perspecfeatured in film festivals across the Freya Olafson is an artist who has tive, currently focusing on death and his Valentine’s Day, Frame Arts Concordia with a fine arts degree. globe. The films he will be showing developed through many disciplines, mourning rituals.

Warehouse is showing a collec“Viewers can expect a really fun on Thursday are Carpet Cleaners and including six years of training with Hunt’s film to be shown is called tion of provocative film work from program that looks at ideas of lust, Liquid Lunch. the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. She has Can-D-Man. In the film, a woman the collective Open City Cinema, sex, and longing,” says Davies. “[The Asmundson’s films are not for the received numerous awards and schol- fantasizes about a fellow co-worker entitled Smutty Winnipeg Shorts. program includes a] striptease and faint of heart. Carpet Cleaners, based arships, and is involved in curating as at the Nutty Club Factory.

The collective was started by Aaron frolicking naked people, but we also on an ex-girlfriend of Asmundson’s, well as performing. Her current video “[Viewers] will find my little video Zeghers, Travis Cole, and Scott have work that explores desire in sur- involves lesbian hitwomen and a story work uses online content and screen to be fun and perhaps a bit surreal,” Fitzpatrick and includes many prising ways.” of revenge. Asmundson describes capturing, focusing on the themes of says Hunt. “They will see that makWinnipeg artists.

Film shorts from 14 artists will Liquid Lunch as the most disgusting identity and the Internet. ing pink candy can be sexy!”

Alison Davies is presenting and be shown. film he’s ever made.

The video shown on Thursday will Smutty Winnipeg Shorts takes place curating the program, which feaAaron Zeghers’ 40-second short “[The porno features] probably be CVS (Computer Vision Syndrome), on Feb.14. Doors will open at 7:30 p.m. tures many University of Manitoba to be played on Thursday is titled Blue the most epic cum-shot sequence which is part of Olafson’s series that at the Frame Arts Warehouse (Gallery graduates. Davies is an animator her- Film1 ((missin you)). The film is part of in Winnipeg film history,” says explores how people use technology C), with the films beginning at 8:00 p.m. self, and moved to Winnipeg after a series focusing on the relationship Asmundson. to form their identities. Desktop Tickets are $7. graduating from the University of between colours and human emotion.

A dominatrix is the main charac- strippers and amorphous dancers

T

Honouring Women The Girls Action Foundation’s ninth National Day of Action Jodie Layne, staff

R

oses, chocolate, fancy dinners, over-the-top lingerie, and overpriced, mass-produced jewelry in tiny boxes might be what you typically associate with Feb. 14. This Valentine’s Day, as with the eight before it, women and girls all over Canada will celebrate a different kind of day where empowerment, strength, solidarity, and feminism are the kind of things offered instead.

This year will be the Girls Action Foundation’s ninth National Day of Action and it will be celebrated with 30 community actions in a truly coastto-coast-to-coast love letter to women and girls, both in their community and nationwide. The actions this year are all over the map and the hands-on, community-led leadership approach offered by Girls Action allows them to reflect the groups leading them and the communities they work in.

“This Valentine’s Day [ . . . ] girls and young women across Canada are [ . . . ] shining a light on the people, places and things that can make a difference in the lives of women and society,” says Saman Ahsan, executive director of Girls Action Foundation.

In Winnipeg, the FemRev Collective is celebrating the day with the launch of their zine, Honouring Women.

The project, which will feature 50 submissions from women around the world, takes a strength-based approach to honouring women and fighting back against both the blatant and passive sexism women experience every day. Collective member Sarah Martens says that she got the inspiration for the project while travelling in Spain and when she brought it

to the Collective the reception was enthusiastic.

“We hear about terrible things going on to women around the world and to the women that we know, but it can be

or even t hat we talking about

weeks months go without the strength and

resistance of ourselves and the women “I want them to feel empowered in our lives,” says Martens. and energized instead of defeated, So, together with Lissie Rappaport and to realize that these are women and Anna-Celestrya Carr, 95 submis- we know or women like women we sions from West Broadway to Hong know,” says Martens. “We can see Kong have been sifted through and our own struggles and strength in compiled into a zine that tells the them.” stories of inspiring women and The zine launch party will take the revolutionary acts they place at Mentoring Artists for commit every day. Some Women’s Art at 611 Main Street on choices include a poem by Thursday, Feb. 14. Aside from being celebrated spoken word artist able to pick up a copy of Honouring Moe Clark, along with sev- Women, attendees will be treated eral comics, paintings, draw- to coffee, wine, and snacks as well ings, stories, and other creative as readings by contributors and expressions representing a celebra- music by Claire Morrison and Johsa tion of women as a whole instead of Manzanilla. the objectified pieces often portrayed Also participating in the National in media.

Day of Action is Winnipeg’s Laurel Martens wants the impact of the Centre, which will host a workshop collected resistance and resilience of for young women on the topic of women worldwide to stick with the feminism and the importance of readers after putting down the zine. International Women’s Day.

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Arts & Culture

VOL. 99 ½ NO. 22 February 13, 2013

Kazzoshay, Smoky Tiger, and Merch Table Delite David Skene, volunteer staff

W

hile the isolation of winter in Winnipeg causes people to go mad, at least we’re free to follow our muses down whatever rabbit hole of strange, self-satisfaction we please. All you need to do is look at a list of Winnipeg expats and hot commodities—like Alpha Couple or This Hisses—to see that we are the breeding ground for some of the strangest of the strange. Here are a few of my favorite weirdos:

Kazzoshay

Dark, gothic, grinding madness.

A perfect blend of dark synthesizers, heavy riffs, bone-crunching beats, and wailing vocals. If their sound is invigoratingly anachronistic, then their presentation is positively otherworldly. They look like the kind of band the Leviathan would invite to play Pinhead’s Malibu Beach Birthday Bash, by which I mean their horror/ sci-fi-influenced theatrics are the kind of flamboyant shock rock guaranteed to tear your soul apart.

Smoky Tiger

his vintage organ only to reappear If you are looking to be Winnipeg’s wearing a new costume, Smoky is a resident shamanistic song and dance Winnipeg original that is sure leave man, delighting fans by re-interpret- an impression. ing pop/rock standards and spinning original tales based on prairie legends Merch Table Delite and personal myths, it sucks to be you Probably one of the most conbecause the position has been filled. troversial acts this city has to offer Andrew Courtnage’s body resides right now. Executed with a flair for in Winnipeg but his soul is a perma- self-aggrandizing hyperbole and crenent resident of Black Rock City, ated by frontman Nick Friesen (the Nevada. With a baritone voice that Uniter and the No Label Collective), can melt the coldest heart at 40 below nobody can decide whether this band and a tendency to disappear behind is for real or an elaborate joke. The 10

albums they have released are so lo-fi that they are nearly unlistenable, the singer is not blessed with any natural vocal ability, and the live act is made up of mostly non-musicians.

Are they so earnest that they are blind to the fact that their reach exceeds their grasp? Or is the band a comment on a society so hungry for honesty it will ignore musical failings if it fits the predetermined stylistic signifiers of a genre like lo-fi?

Without an artist statement we will never know for sure.

Arts & Culture Editor: Kara Passey Contact: artsculture@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Arts & Culture

21

Skip the flowers and chocolate Awesome ways to spend Valentine’s Day, even for the loneliest of hearts Jenna Diubaldo, staff

Acoustic Valentine’s Dinner Show

A Red Hot Rockabilly Valentine

With Romi Mayes & Jason Nowicki Times Change(d) High & Lonesome Club Feb. 14 at 7 p.m.

With the Sons of Rockabilly, Greg Arcade, and the Fl!p Cats The Regal Beagle Feb. 15 at 9 p.m.

Lonely People’s Show

RAW: Almond

Take your honey to a double header of acoustic music featuring Winnipeg’s lovely Romi Mayes and Jason Nowicki of the Perpetrators.

Enjoy some delicious Mexican food courtesy of Times Change(d)’s kitchen named Pollo Volonte while you’re at it!

With Andrew Neville & the Poor Choices Times Change(d) High & Lonesome Club Feb. 14 at 10:30 p.m.

The name explains it all – if you’re single, lonely, and ain’t got nowhere to be on Valentine’s Day then this is the show for you. Enjoy some premium boot-stompin’ country music while you guzzle down shots of bourbon to ease the pain of being single on Valentine’s Day.

If you’re looking to take your baby to a night of good ol’ rock and roll then look no further! Featuring music from the Sons of Rockabilly, Greg Arcade, and the Fl!p Cats, not to mention over $400 in door prizes, this night promises to be a rockin’ good time.

Red/Assiniboine River Jan. 24 – Feb. 13 at 5:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m.

If there’s one thing Winnipeggers don’t fear, it’s the cold. This pop-up restaurant put together by Mandel Hitzer, chef/owner of new restaurant Deer + Almond, and Joe Kalturnyk, director of RAW Art Gallery, is smack dab in the middle of the frozen Red and Assiniboine rivers. If you’re willing to exchange valentines a day early, be sure to grab some tickets to the closing night of RAW: Almond

and enjoy a five-course gourmet meal The Windsor Hotel in a beautifully decorated, heated din- Feb. 14 at 9:30 p.m. ing room with a tent for a roof and If your perfect Valentine’s Day ice for a floor. includes cheap beer, good music, and supporting local radio, then you’ve Festival du Voyageur come to the right place. This show Various Locations is organized in order to raise funds Feb. 15 – Feb. 24 for community-driven radio station What better way to spend some CKUW 95.9 FM during their annual quality time with your special some- FunDrive. Who knew being charione than by celebrating our French- table could be so fun?

Canadian ancestors? Take in some live music and a frozen glass of cari- The Museum of bou in the ice bar, and then dance the Broken Hearts night away while eating maple syrup The Edge Gallery on a stick in the sugar shack.

Feb. 14 – Feb. 26 Not your average museum, this Milk & Honey gallery show is a graveyard for objects Spend your Valentine’s Day makWith DJ Co-op and DJ Kassia from deceased romances as collected ing change in our country by attendOzzy’s Bar and Nightclub through an open call for submissions. ing one of the many Idle No More Feb. 14 at 8 p.m.

Bring your loved one to bask in the protests. Join numerous other activIf you want to guarantee a sloppy, glow of many failed relationships ists at the Aboriginal and Northern sexy Valentine’s Day you best dance while you consider how lucky and Affairs building while they safely with your honey at Milk & Honey, thankful you are that “your relation- and respectfully sing songs and a weekly dance party put on by local ship isn’t like that.” write valentines to Prime Minister favourites DJ Co-op and DJ Kassia.

Harper in support of Have a Heart Idle No More Winnipeg Day, a national day of support for FunDrive/Draft Night Valentine’s Day Party First Nations children to grow up With J Riley Hill and the Magic Bears, 365 Hargrave Street safe, happy, and at home with their Smoky Tiger, and the Blisters Feb. 14 at 12 p.m. families.

Lacking flavour Restaurant review: Modern Taco Company Jenna Diubaldo, staff

T

o say that I love Mexican food guacamole.

We happily dug into our food as would be an understatement. I Our chips and dip came out pretty we were quite hungry by this point, will pretty much eat Mexican food quickly; both dips tasted fresh, but but were certainly disappointed to at any given time were bland and say the least. on any given day. lacked f lavour.

The tacos were somewhat soggy So when I heard T h is wou ld and bordering on cold when we got The atmosphere that a new reswork nice as a to them, which I suppose might be was cozy but taurant boasting palate cleanser due to the fact that the kitchen was a modern take between spicy overwhelmed, but still not what you incredibly hot and on Mexican cuidishes, but as an hope for in a taco. The offerings also sine had opened, appetizer it was seemed quite small even for a taco, smelled strongly I was pretty underwhelming. especially at a price point of $10.75 of grease, enough excited to check The atmo- for four. it out. sphere was cozy I tried the marinated steak taco so that I had to My partner but incredibly first, which came with caramelized change when I and I arrived at hot and smelled onions on top. It had a bold BBQ about 7 p.m. on a strongly of grease, taste but lacked other dimensions. got home because Friday excited to enough that I had The flavour was one note and left me my clothes were try out this new to change when I wanting more. taqueria for the got home because Second up was the jerk chicken saturated with first time. The my clothes were taco, which I ordered without pinerestaurant was saturated with apple due to allergies. I was under the the smell. full, which I saw the smell. impression that it would come with as a good sign – Our food took other toppings as well, but sadly I was it’s always great about 30 minutes presented with a taco shell filled with to see a new local business thriving. after that to come out. We found chicken and nothing else. I would Service at Modern Taco Company ourselves wondering if they had for- have appreciated it if the employee is canteen style and I was pretty hun- gotten about us as no one had really who had taken my order had pointed gry so I ordered four tacos: maple let us know what was going on and this out prior to ordering, but I supchipotle pulled pork, marinated why service was so slow. When our pose that was really my mistake. grilled steak, jerk chicken, and the food finally came out, the server was The flavour of the jerk chicken was falafel taco. My partner and I also extremely apologetic and remarked bland and surprisingly not spicy at all. ordered the chips and dip to share, that this was the busiest night they’ve All of the jerk chicken flavours were which came with pico de gallo and had since they opened. present but far off in the distance, to

the point where I felt myself straining to taste them fully.

I then tried the falafel taco, which was hearty and would likely be a great treat if I was a vegetarian or vegan, but I again found myself struggling with the lack of flavour, adding lots of hot sauce in order to taste anything at all.

Last, but certainly not least, was the maple chipotle pork, which I purposely saved because of my love for pulled pork. This one was easily my favourite as it was packed with smoky chipotle BBQ flavour and

topped with a sprinkling of pickled red onions. I still, however, found myself wanting more and could have eaten at least another one of these wonderful pork tacos.

All in all, Modern Taco Company gets a thumbs down from this taco lover. I definitely see what they’re aiming for with their healthy, fresh take on Mexican food, but their food needs to pack more of a punch in order to get me on board. illustration by bradly wohlgemuth

Graphics Editor: Silvana Moran Contact: graphics@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

Diversions

22

lauren boulet

PHOTO —of the—

WEEK

emilie st. hilaire

Vacation

By Xiaofeng Guan

Do you have a super awesome photo that you want the world to see? No matter if you took it using your camera or your smart phone, send your “PHOTO OF THE WEEK” to PHOTO@THEMANITOBAN.COM.

curtonbummings.tumblr.com

Sports Editor: Marc Lagace Contact: sports@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

23

Sports

FOLLOWING THE HERD W-WIN

MEN’S

L-LOSS

OTL-OVERTIME LOSSES

x = CLINCHED PLAYOFF SPOT

HOCKEY

W-L-OTL

ALBERTA xy SASKATCHEWAN x MANITOBA x CALGARY x UBC x REGINA x MOUNT ROYAL LETHBRIDGE

23-4-1 19-8-4 17-7-4 17-11-0 14-11-3 13-12-3 7-19-2 2-22-4

PLAYOFF HOCKEY COME ON OUT TO SUPPORT YOUR BISON MEN’S HOCKEY TEAM THIS WEEKEND, AS THEY TAKE ON THE REGINA COUGARS!

FEB. 15 7:00 PM vs REGINA FEB. 16 7:00 PM vs REGINA FEB. 17* 7:00 PM vs REGINA *Tie-breaker game if necessary

VOLLEYBALL ALBERTA xy TWU x SASKATCHEWAN x UBC x MANITOBA x BRANDON x WINNIPEG x

HOCKEY

W-L-OTL

CALGARY xy REGINA x UBC x ALBERTA x SASKATCHEWAN x MANITOBA x LETHBRIDGE MOUNT ROYAL

23-4-1 18-7-3 17-7-4 16-9-3 11-12-5 10-12-6 9-16-3 8-17-3

OTL-OVERTIME LOSSES

W-WIN

L-LOSS

T-TIE

x = CLINCHED PLAYOFF SPOT

BISON WOMEN’S HOCKEY 2012-13 RECORD VS UBC:

1-1-2

(Both OTLs came in second game of series )

FEB. 15 @ UBC FEB. 16 @ UBC FEB. 17* @ UBC

9:00 PM 9:00 PM 6:00 PM

*Tie-breaker game if necessary

VOLLEYBALL 20-2 16-6 15-7 15-7 14-8 13-9 11-11

CALGARY MOUNT ROYAL TRU REGINA UBC OKANAGAN

8-14 8-14 8-14 2-20 2-20

FEB. 14

9:00 PM

@ UBC

FEB. 15

9:00 PM

@ UBC FEB. 16* 5:00 PM @ UBC *Tie-breaking match if required

BASKETBALL PRAIRIE SASKATCHEWAN ALBERTA MANITOBA WINNIPEG CALGARY LETHBRIDGE REGINA BRANDON

WOMEN’S

14-6 14-6 14-7 13-8 12-8 11-9 6-14 5-15

PACIFIC UBC xy VICTORIA x TWU x UFVx TRU UNBC MOUNT ROYAL UBC OKANAGAN

18-2 14-6 11-9 11-9 7-14 5-15 4-16 3-18

UBC xy TWU x ALBERTA x UBC OKANAGAN x MOUNT ROYAL x MANITOBA x CALGARY x

21-1 19-3 15-7 15-7 14-8 12-10 11-11

BRANDON WINNIPEG REGINA SASKATCHEWAN TRU

9-13 8-14 5-17 3-19 0-22

SENIOR GAME

PRAIRIE CALGARY x REGINA x SASKATCHEWAN x ALBERTA x LETHBRIDGE WINNIPEG MANITOBA BRANDON

8:00 PM @ ALBERTA

FEB. 15

8:00 PM

@ ALBERTA FEB. 16* 4:00 PM @ ALBERTA *Tie-breaking match if required

BASKETBALL

FEB. 13 8:00 PM vs WINNIPEG @ Investors Group A.C.

FEB. 14

17-3 17-3 13-7 12-8 10-10 6-15 2-19 0-20

PACIFIC UFV x UBC x VICTORIA x TRU x UNBC TWU MOUNT ROYAL UBC OKANAGAN

16-4 16-4 15-5 15-6 7-13 6-14 5-15 5-16

FEB. 13 6:00 PM vs WINNIPEG @ Investors Group A.C.

SENIOR GAME

Bisons playoff preview Checking how U of M stacks up in the post-season Derek Gagnon, staff

T

he regular season for the Bison teams on the court and on the ice is reaching its finale, meaning it’s time to look forward to the playoffs starting next weekend. It’s been a mixed bag of results for the various U of M teams, with most teams finishing the season in a playoff position.

play, meaning they finished in the sixth and final Canada West playoff spot with a record of 10-12-6. They will travel to the 17-7-4 UBC next weekend for a best-of-three series against the Thunderbirds.

Men’s volleyball

With a 14-8 season completed, the volleyball team finished the Canada West season in fifth place and will travel to face UBC in a playoff to determine whether the Bisons or Thunderbirds will reach the Canada West Final Four. Five fifth-year players would love to see their season extended at least another week.

Men’s basketball

The results have been very positive for the men’s basketball team this season, as they went into press time with a record of 14-7, which has them in third place in the Prairie Division of the Canada West Conference with one game to play against the crosstown rival University of Winnipeg.

The Bisons will not know their postseason fate until next weekend when the rest of the Canada West teams wrap up their seasons, but a win against the Wesmen would greatly improve their playoff hopes. It is still possible for them to finish first in the Prairie Division—or in fifth and out of the playoffs altogether—in what has been a very competitive year in men’s hoops.

Men's basketball

Women’s basketball

The women’s basketball team started the season 2-2, but has since lost 17 games in a row to leave them with a 2-19 record – the second worst record in Canada West. It has by no means been an inspiring season from the team, but they can take solace in the fact that every player is eligible to come back next year with one more year of experience under their belt.

Women's basketball

Men’s hockey

A disheartening loss in the last game of the season against Regina means that the men’s hockey team finishes in third place, after dropping out of a second place spot that would have given them a first-round bye in the playoffs. Instead, they will faceoff against the Regina Cougars for a second weekend in a row, with a best-

Women's hockey

of-three series set to take place at the Max Bell Arena starting on Friday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. Be sure to head down to support the team on their quest for a Canada West title.

Women’s hockey

The women’s hockey team was only able to earn one point on the road against second-place Regina in their final weekend of regular season

Women’s volleyball

A final weekend sweep of the Saskatchewan Huskies meant the Bisons ended their season with a record of 12-10 to finish in sixth place in Canada West, and will travel to face the third-place Alberta Pandas.

The Pandas, who finished the season 15-7, certainly must be viewed as a more favourable opponent than second-place Trinity Western, who finished at 19-3. photos by beibei lu

24

Sports

VOL. 99 ½ NO. 22 February 13, 2013

The unlikeliest of Olympic competitors The most memorable heroes from the 1988 Calgary Olympics Adam Peleshaty, staff

T

his month marks the 25th anniversary of the first Winter Olympics held on Canadian soil.

From February 13-28, 1988, 1,423 athletes descended onto Calgary for the XV Winter Olympic Games. While the games may be remembered for Matti Nykänen, Alberto Tomba, the Battle of the Brians, and other great athletic performances, two stand out not because they were great—in fact, both finished near or dead last— but because they may have been the unlikeliest athletes ever to reach the Olympic Games and have achieved the status of myth.

The story of the Jamaican bobsleigh team was forever immortalized in the 1993 Disney movie Cool Runnings starring the late John Candy. However, as usually happens in films “based on a true story,� the filmmakers took liberties on what really happened. So here is the truth.

Two expat American businessmen, George Fitch and William Maloney, believed Jamaicans would be natural bobsledders due to their sprinting ability and the popularity of pushcart derbies in the country. But after finding few volunteers, the businessmen approached the military and from the military came three athletes: driver Dudley Stokes, Devon Harris, and brakeman Michael White.

Both Stokes and White competed in the two-man sled where

MDP

they finished 30th out of 41 sleds, but the four-man sled almost did not happen. After an injury to one of the four-man sledders, Stokes suggested his younger brother Chris, a sprinter at the University of Idaho, as a replacement. With nothing to lose, and Chris already in town as an Olympic spectator, they were able to get him accreditation in time for him to compete for Jamaica. During

the third of four runs, the sled overturned and while the team walked the sled over the finish line, it was officially a DNF. Despite the failure in 1988, Jamaica continued to compete in bobsleighing and actually finished 14th in the four-man competition six years later in Lillehammer, ahead of both American and Russian sleds.

Lascelles Brown, a former brakeman for Jamaica, later won two Olympic

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1987 World Championships, he managed to qualify for Calgary. In fact, he learned of his qualification while being lodged at a Finnish mental hospital due to lack of funds.

Just as in the World Championships, the results weren’t any different in Calgary. In both the normal hill and large hill events, Edwards scored approximately half as many points as the jumper in second-to-last place. He had a 55m jump on the normal hill and 71m on the large hill. By comparison, Matti Nykänen had jumps of 89.5m and 118.5m. Despite this, Edwards became a celebrity and even appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Ten years later, he attempted to qualify for the Nagano Olympics where, despite having sponsors and a 40m improvement on the large hill, he was unsuccessful. In January, 2010 Edwards took part in the Olympic illustration by mathieu boulet Torch Relay and ran his leg in Winnipeg. medals for Canada: silver in Turin The International Olympic and bronze in Vancouver.

Committee later tightened its rules Just like the Jamaicans, Eddie “The regarding Olympic qualification after Eagle� Edwards, a far-sighted, slightly Edwards’ performance, and perhaps overweight plasterer/ski jumper from more deserving athletes should have Great Britain, also became a big story gone to Calgary instead of him and in Calgary. A former downhill skier, the Jamaican bobsledders. But these Edwards decided to take up ski jump- two examples have shown that the ing, and when no other Brits applied, Olympic dream is possible for any his Olympic dream seemed to be in athlete. reach. Despite finishing last at the

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1960 yankees 200.50 HoneyNutChelios 196.00 Beautiful Bettman 194.00 Obie 194.00 cptwish 193.00 Puckeaters 190.00 Bombers 188.00 The Whale Tale 188.00 Return of the Kings 179.00 Winnipeg Unchained 178.50 Nippin Cheese 173.00 Don't cry, I was Olli Jokinen 172.50 heydiddlediddlerayriceupthemiddle 172.50 Team Discovery Channel 172.50 Crusty Muffins 171.00 Tastes Like Burning 171.00 Team Baldo 171.00 Team Blue Ivy 171.00 Teemu's Salami 169.50 The Hershey Dee's 168.00 Malkin in the Middle 167.00 The Jack N' Hoff Team 166.00 Beans 161.50 Three Mile Corner 161.50 Predictive Validity 161.00