Issue 16, Vol 143, The Brunswickan

focus on everyday people // a day in the life of a cab driver >> pG. 5 Volume 143 • Issue 16 • January 21, 2010

thebruns.ca

brunswickan canada’s oldest official student publication.

“How to win friends and influence people”... to party Alison Clack Arts Editor Pushing the boundaries of music is the mandate of most musicians. Pushing the boundaries of music and one’s personal health is the mandate for only the bravest (and craziest) of musicians.

“There are no boundaries. It’s fun.

You can play with it -- anything goes.

Anything can work as long as you are creative enough to see the final destination, the big picture of where you are taking the music,” says Rebekah Higgs, one of these brave souls who are willing to risk bodily harm and a little mental sanity in order to ensure a good show.

Higgs is the singer and one-fourth of Halifax electro-dance band, Ruby Jean and the Thoughtful Bees.

The band’s line-up is rounded out

by Colin Crowell, Jason Vautour, and Sean MacGillivray.

The band, who are now one of the best-known Maritime electronic acts, came seemingly out of nowhere in the past few years.

The band only formed in the last few years, yet they have still managed to record a full-length album that was released last January.

Currently, Higgs is working in the studio to create her new solo album.

The album is being produced with the help of Brian Deck, known for his work with Modest Mouse and Iron and Wine.

The band in its entirety will be embarking on a tour early this winter along with other Maritime electro acts, A/V and Jenocide to share their music and keep the party going.

“You’re making music for people to get sweaty to, to dance and make out, and make babies too. It’s a fun pastime, and an even more fun way to make a living,” explains Higgs.

Higgs and the rest of Ruby Jean and the Thoughtful Bees aren’t the only ones who want to keep the party going on this tour.

Solo act A/V is known for his interaction with the crowd and eschewing the stage for a spot on the dance floor.

“Ideally, I like to be in the middle of

SEE RUBY JEAN PAGE 15

Rebekah Higgs, front woman for Halifax-based band Ruby Jean and the Thoughtful Bees, goes by her alter-ego Ruby Jean when she performs.

The name Ruby Jean is derived from her grandmothers’ names. Andrew Meade / The Brunswickan

A new home for Student Services Lee Larrett News Editor Jones House began its life at UNB as a residence, but after extensive renovation it has been turning into a hub of activity for anything related to student services.

Late in December, Counseling Services and Student Affairs and Services were busy packing up their offices to make the move. The Student Health Centre moved earlier because it was first priority to get them into a more suitable space.

The Student Services Centre is meant to be one stop shopping for students when it comes to what the University can provide to them. Upon walking through the front doors students are met with a reception area meant to be warm and inviting and a place to ask

questions and get directions.

The first floor houses Financial Aid, the Student Advocate, Student Development Coordinator and the International Wing. International students can find the International Student Advisor, the International Relations Office and a new lounge for international students in the international wing. Executive Director of Student Affairs and Services Anne Forrestall explained that the lounge functions as a waiting room, but is intended to serve also as a way for international students to get to know each other and make connections. She said that already international students have made use of the room, with many January arrivals making friends while waiting in the new lounge.

The second floor is home to Coun-

seling Services. Although the career resource area was still awaiting bookshelves the week before the official opening, it was clear that it will be an excellent resource for students. Forrestall explained that in the previous location, Counseling Services was limited by space. She says this expansion will allow them to maximize resources and services with new workshops and more interns. Counselor Rosemary Whitlock said that, “students have been giving positive feedback, they are happy to come here.”

The third floor is where students can find the Student Health Centre, home to two receptionists and four physicians.

Forrestall said that the new space has allowed for creative strategies to improve the service such as partnerships that once a week bring in specialists that

students would have a hard time getting access to in the community.

She says that, above all, the campus doctors are an asset to students because they understand the demands of the academic schedule, and how getting sick poses a challenge in such a busy and short term.

One of the reasons the Health Centre was moved to the new location first was to take advantage of the full size elevator. The new elevator is large enough to accommodate a stretcher, which is important when a student who has come to the Health Centre

SEE JONES PAGE 4

brunswickannews

2 • Jan. 21, 2010 • Issue 16 • Volume 143

BOOK BUY AND SELL A SUCCESS

SU elections coming up Lee Larrett News Editor

The winter semester Book Buy and Sell was successful according to Shannon Carmont-McKinley, UNBSU VP Academic. The event made approximatley $20,000 for students, which brings the yearly total to $65,000 - the most succesfull year for the Buy and Sell yet. Roughly 500 students brought in 2000 books, 800 of which sold. “It is one of the most widely used services offered by the SU And each year it becomes more popular than the year before,” Carmont-McKinley said. Andrew Meade / The Brunswickan

Both UNB Student Union President Jon O’Kane and Chief Returning Officer Katrina Berghoff have said their hope for this spring election is that every post is contested.

O’Kane encouraged anyone who is considering running in the election to, “absolutely run.

“The Student Union is a very interesting and dynamic opportunity to make some realistic change,” he said, giving the example of policy the SU has created on financial aid and university support that has been adopted almost word for word by the provincial government.

The nominations period opens Jan. 29 and closes one week later, on Friday Feb. 5. At the close of nominations the CRO will host a candidates’ meeting which all nominees are required to attend. At this meeting the CRO will go over every regulation the candidates must abide by during the election and will explain all the recent bylaw changes that will affect the candidates.

At the close of the candidates’ meeting campaigning will begin and run for three weeks, which include the two week campaigning period followed by the one week voting period. Voting opens at 12:01 a.m.

Sunday Feb. 21 and closes Friday Feb. 26 at midnight. The timeline of events is available on the Student Union website.

Following the Governance Review Committee recommendations, the Student Union Council has been amending its bylaws, some of which dictate the rules and regulations of elections. Council has put

itself on a strict schedule to ensure that all bylaws have been properly examined and any changes are properly in place by the opening of nominations. At the 15th council meeting of the year, on Monday Jan. 25, council will have the third and final reading of all amendments. This meeting is open to all members, as usual, and is the final step in making any amendments official.

Issues that arose during last year’s election have been a focus in amending election bylaws. Campaigning near computer terminals was an, “outdated bylaw that now on campus was a good time to put aside given the availability of computers on campus,” O’Kane said. Council has also examined the issues of running on slates and online voting, and has decided to maintain the current online voting structure, and to allow slates with provisions in place to protect candidates running individually.

O’Kane said that he likes the one year elections for the Student Union because they build in accountability.

“You can’t coast through a multi-year term as easily as you would if you need to be democratically elected every 12 months,” he said. “Luckily the one year nature also provides some dynamics to the system that allow things to be changed up ... in student government and student unions it’s easy to get comfortable, and that’s not a good place to be.”

“Having been here for so long I’ve completed the checklist of projects that I campaigned on and then some,” O’Kane said. “I’ve put in my time and I’m excited to see who else is going to come in here and shake things up in their own way.”

brunswickannews

Jan. 21, 2010 • Issue 16 • Volume 143 • 3

Geomatics department turns 50 Lee Larrett News Editor 2010 is an important year for one Engineering Department at UNB. The Department of Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering (GGE) at UNB Fredericton is celebrating its 50th anniversary. With a rich history and a strong research and academic program, the department has a lot to be proud of. n 1960 it was established as a program within the Department of Civil Engineering. Five years later it became its own department entitled the Department of Surveying Engineering. In 1994 the program changed its name to Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering to better reflect the changes the profession had undergone thanks to increased technology including GPS and imaging software.

Associate Professor and Chair of the Department Peter Dare joked that most people, when they hear the word surveyor, will think of someone on the side of the road looking through an instrument, but surveying is much more than that. The new name of the department reflected the depth of the program and its unique strength in geodesy. Dare described geodesy as, “the science of understanding the shape of the earth and how it changes.”

Geomatics is a word that was created in Canada, and was adopted internationally.

According to the department website, geomatics is, “the discipline that encompasses the art, science, and technology involved in collecting and managing geographically referenced data.” This data comes from a variety of sources including GPS satellites, air or sea-borne sensors or ground instruments.

The geographical information these instruments obtain has a wide range of important uses including use in environmental studies, management of land and marine resources, land, sea and air navigation, and even real estate transactions.

UNB was the first in English-speaking Canada to offer a university degree in the subject and remains an international leader in geomatics education and research. Dare said that there is a strong research ethos at the department. Every other year UNB assesses all academic departments that perform research on a scale of five, which is mostly teaching, to one, which is awarded

Lee Larrett News Editor

The Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering Department has many plans to celebrate its 50th anniversary. An updated logo is displayed on a banner hung at the entrance of Head Hall. Nancy Ward / The Brunswickan for research recognized at an international level.

“They started doing that from the early eighties, every time we’ve obtained a number one. That’s one of our claims to fame at UNB,” Dare said. The ranking is well earned, as Dare explained.

“We’ve brought in over the last two years in research money about $6 million, which for a small department is quite a significant amount. We have produced a significant amount of research which is why we keep that number one ranking.”

GGE has plans for how to celebrate its anniversary, including an updated department logo that places their original design inside the zero of 50 to spell out 50 years.

The new logo is proudly displayed on a 50th anniversary banner hung outside at the entrance to Head Hall.

The department has also put together an anniversary calendar featuring different projects the students and faculty have participated in and equipment they use. January features Ocean Mapping Group personnel in Nunavut in 2006 mapping a glacier front.

The photo for April is of the research satellite CASSIOPE which is host to the GPS Attitude, Positioning and Profiling instrument designed by GGE researchers.

For September, there is a photo of a

UNB GGE student in Malawi. For the past three years GGE students have travelled to the Land Management Department at Mzuzu University to help teach and develop curriculum.

Wendy Wells is compiling a history book that follows the beginning of Geomatics and the Geodesy and Geomatics program at UNB. To help UNB GGE celebrate its milestone Geomatica, the official publication of the Canadian Institute Geomatics, is putting out a special June issue in which every article will be from the UNB GGE department.

Dare is especially excited for the annual Geomatics Atlantic conference to be held at the end of October this year. The location rotates through the Atlantic provinces and was supposed to be held in Newfoundland this year, but in honour of the 50th anniversary the event will be moved to Fredericton.

Dare said that the willingness to move the event is an example of the regional support that exists in the Geomatics industry.

The event will run for two days and include a reunion for graduates of the program. The day after the conference the department will unveil a plaque in the entrance of Head Hall commemorating the milestone.

Warm up to Winter Carnival Lee Larrett News Editor It’s all about giving students a fun break from studying and a reason to enjoy winter weather. The annual UNB Winter Carnival kicks off Jan. 29 and will run until Feb. 5 this year.

“It’s an excuse for the SU to give back and thank students,” VP Student Services Stephanie Lord said. It’s also a chance for the Student Union to get back into the minds of students.

“We’re very apparent the first couple weeks of school, then we have a couple of events throughout the year, but we haven’t really been seen since so this is our excuse to get back out there,” Lord said.

In response to the earthquake in Haiti, the SU has decided to use the carnival to help support the relief efforts.

“Since all our events are free, we will have donation stations at each of them, as well as all coat checks will go towards the Haiti cause,” Lord said.

Getting the week off to a strong start is the Winter Formal on Friday Jan. 29.

Beginning at 11 p.m. it will run until 1 a.m. at which point everyone is encouraged to head over to the official after party at the Social Club which will be host to drink deals. The formal is free for all students and will be featuring student and DJ Chris Rogers.

Free tickets are also up for grabs for

Prominent law scholar tackles prorogation

the Saturday Jan. 30 UNB hockey game.

The Student Union is partnering with the Graduating Class of 2010 to ensure the arena is packed with students to cheer on the Reds.

“We’ll have 150 grads in attendance and on top of that 350 students will have the chance to win free tickets given away through formal and by people on campus,” said Lord. Intermission will entertain the crowd with a competition for grad students, handing out of swag, and the UNB Reds Cheerleading team.

Earlier in the day on Jan. 30 an old tradition will be revived in the form of a snow sculpture contest. Sculpting beings on Friday at noon and judging will take place Saturday Jan. 30 at 2:30 p.m.

Judging the event is UNB VP Academic Tony Secco and his daughter. Trophies and bragging rights will be awarded to the top three contestants at 2:45 p.m.

Registration for the event is online at www.unb.ca/events/snow.

“That was probably one of the biggest traditions that UNB had, in the previous years its gotten lost so the UNB community is trying to revive it,” Lord said.

A frosty follow-up to the sculpture judging is the annual Bridges residence Polar Dip. Last year roughly 50 brave students jumped into an outdoor pool of water to help Bridges fundraise for their charity, the IWK children’s hospital in Halifax.

“It’s hilarious to watch people jump

into a pool, and the SU will have a team like last year,” Lord said. This year they’re hoping to have 80- 100 students take the plunge.

On Feb. 3 the SU is hosting Crabbe Mountain night. Ski rentals and lift tickets are half price at the ski hill, and the SU is offering a free bus to Crabbe Mountain to ensure students take advantage of such a good deal. The bus will leave at 3 p.m. to take full advantage of the half price deal which starts at 4:30 p.m.. The bus will be leaving at 10 p.m. and Lord said that everyone who goes on the trip can look forward to free chilli from the Cellar. Registration for this event is at the Welcome Center in the Student Union Building.

The Red and Black Revue, the annual talent show which is in it’s 62nd year, will be postponed until March in order to have a bigger and better show, Lord said.

“It used to be this massive tradition but it outgrew itself, it couldn’t be supported financially or with people power so it just died off,” Lord said. “It’s something the SU brought back five years ago, so it’s just rebuilding itself.

As the years go on we’re trying to add more events and see what works and what doesn’t so we can attempt to reach the calibre of what it once was, because it used to be legendary. With this step of bringing back the snow sculpture competition hopefully it’s a step in the right direction.”

The leading constitutional law scholar in Canada recently visited Ludlow Hall to deliver a talk on his latest, and especially relevant, interest: prorogation.

Although it attracted a high profile speaker, this was not meant to be such a high profile event, it was organized by students who contacted Peter Hogg on the chance that he might return to speak at UNB where he has visited twice before. Much to their excitement, he agreed to come.

The Mary Louise Lynch room in Ludlow Hall was packed, everyone anticipating an educational presentation with current political relevance. The talk was entitled Prorogation and the Power of the Governor General. Hogg focused mostly on the prorogation of Dec. 4, 2008 and the questions that prorogation raised about the Governor General’s discretion.

Hogg began the talk by explaining prorogation compared to dissolution and adjournment. Prorogation brings a session to an end and stipulates when parliament is to return, at which time a new session starts.

Prorogation causes un-enacted bills to lapse and stops all committee proceedings. When parliament returns it begins with a speech from the throne followed by debate and a vote of confidence. Comparatively, dissolution leads to an election, and adjournment does not force bills to lapse.

Two questions were raised for Hogg following the Dec. 4, 2008 prorogation: did the Governor General have the discretion to say no to Harper? And if so, did she use that discretion wisely?

Hogg recapped the circumstances of the Dec. 4 prorogation to help him answer those questions. On Oct. 14, 2008, Canadians elected Harper with a minority government in which the Conservatives were outnumbered by the total of Liberal, NDP and Bloq Quebecois. The first session began on Nov. 18 with a speech from the throne, and nine days later parliament approved the speech, affirming its confidence in the Harper government.

Then, on Dec. 1, the leaders of the three opposition parties announced that they had lost confidence in the government and would introduce and pass a vote of no confidence at the earliest opportunity. The coalition suggested, since there had just been an election, that the Governor General not call another election but directly commission Stephane Dion, then the interim leader of the Liberal party, as Prime Minister.

On Dec. 4 Harper advised the Governor General to prorogue parliament until Jan. 26, at which point a new speech from the throne and budget would be introduced and a vote of confidence would be held. This prorogation was unique because parliament had been sitting for only 16 days and nothing had been accomplished. Normally a session is ended by prorogation because the government’s legislative program has been largely accomplished.

With the facts settled, Hogg turned to his two questions. Because of the principle of responsible government Hogg said that the Governor General must follow the advice of a Prime Minister who has the confidence of the House. But Hogg felt that Michaelle Jean did have discretion in this case because by Dec. 4 it was publically known that the Harper government had lost the confidence of the house.

“It’s clear that an actual loss of confidence by the Prime Minister frees the governor general from her obligation to obey the advice of the Prime Minister... and what I say is that she also has

discretion when the loss of confidence in the Prime Minister is known to be imminent as it was in this case,” said Hogg. Citing the length of time Michelle Jean took in deciding whether or not to allow Harper’s request Hogg said, “although she followed his advice I say she did so as a matter of personal discretion.”

The second question Hogg addressed was whether the Governor General made a wise choice in granting the prorogation, and again Hogg decided that the answer was yes. In arriving at this answer Hogg had the audience consider what the alternatives to prorogation would have been. If the prorogation has not been granted Hogg presumes that the vote of confidence would have gone forward as planned on Dec. 8, giving the governor general a new choice: dissolve parliament for another election or commission Dion as Prime Minister on the basis of the coalition agreement.

Hogg described why neither option was attractive. Calling an election just two months following an election would be unprecedented. “Commissioning Dion was also unattractive.

First of all Mr. Dion had essentially lost the election and had resigned as leader of the Liberal party ... and yet he was the one that had negotiated the coalition agreement. The person most likely to be his successor, Mr. Ignatieff, had had nothing to do with the negotiation of the coalition agreement and all the media reports at least indicated that he was very lukewarm about it.

“There was another thing about the coalition that was a little off: it had been negotiated in great haste and anger. Anger mainly because of the withdrawal of funding from political parties, haste because it was done very quickly,” said Hogg.

Hogg reasoned that, “all that complicated choice can be avoided if the prorogation is granted. And if the prorogation is granted and if the coalition is real, they will be able to vote no confidence in the government on Jan. 27 and Mr. Harper will be able to do nothing about that.” For this reason he felt Michaelle Jean made the better decision of the two options.

Hogg had the audience consider what happened when parliament resumed. The budget became the issue and Ignatieff’s Liberals supported the budget, after which the NDP called off the coalition that on paper was to last two and a half years. Hogg said this showed the fragility of the coalition unable to maintain a common front of the first issue.

Just before opening the presentation to questions Hogg addressed the recent Dec. 30, 2009 prorogation, during which he was out of the country.

Parliament was in any case going to be adjourned until Jan 25, so the effect of the prorogation was to postpone the return of parliament for a total of 22 sitting days, until Mar. 3, 2010.

“The conversion of what had previously been an adjournment into a prorogation caused all government bills to lapse, and stopped the work of parliamentary committee which included the House of Commons committee that was trying to obtain documents from the government about the handing over of Afghan detainees in 2006,” said Hogg describing where much of the controversy over the prorogation has come from.

Hogg concluded, “from the point of view of the lecture tonight here’s the big difference: no one has publically suggested that the Governor General could have said no to the latest demand prorogation ... raising no issue about the discretion of the Governor General.”

brunswickannews

4 • Jan. 21, 2010 • Issue 16 • Volume 143

Jones House gets a face lift

Council welcomes guests to a doubleheader Lee Larrett News Editor

The opening of C.C. Jones Student Services Centre is one stop shopping for students needing access to the services UNB provides. The new centre is home to such services as Financial Aid, Counselling Services and the Student Health Centre. Nancy Ward / The Brunswickan

FROM JONES PAGE 1 needs to be taken to the hospital. At the previous location students had to walk down stairs and then get into the stretcher. Forrestall said the elevator, “cost a chunk of change, but it’s the way it should be.”

The basement has space for Campus Ministry and has a large multipurpose room. Forrestall guesses that the men of Jones house used to play hockey down there because when the renovation team began work they found hockey sticks leaning against the wall. But what

was once an informal rink will now be a space for workshops and events.

The building also has some new, more energy efficient properties. All of the lights have sensors so that energy isn’t wasted, and the bulbs are energy efficient. Whenever students walk to a new level the desk that greets them has a white marble counter, and the bathrooms do as well. Forrestall excitedly explained that the countertops were made from the shower stalls in Jones House Residence.

The idea of bringing together all student services has been in the works for a long time. Forrestall suggested that

because UNB took on this initiative it should, “show students that they’re important, that they’ve been made a priority [by the university].”

Doors to Jones House with all its inhabitants in place opened Jan 4. An official opening of the building and re-dedication as C.C. Jones Student Services Centre will take place Thursday, Feb. 11 at 3:30 p.m. Cecil Charles Jones, whom the building is named for, was the first UNB graduate to serve as its President and holds the record for longest serving President, having held the position from 1906 to 1940.

It’s not every week that council has special guests, let alone three. It’s also not common for council to hold two meetings in one night – but the 13th and 14th council meetings on Jan. 18 were not ordinary meetings.

What Council Chair Chris Samuel called a “council doubleheader” was back to back meetings in order to push through first and second readings of bylaw amendments. This allows the third readings to happen all at once at the Jan. 25 Council meeting, allowing the amendments to be in effect by the start of the election period.

Council welcomed Tim Ross from the new organization Fredericton Social Innovation (FSI) to speak about an upcoming event, as well as Jordan Dashner, SU communications manager, and Katrina Berghoff, the chief returning officer to speak about elections promotion.

Ross explained that FSI is a new non-profit organization in Fredericton which defines itself as a comprehensive social planning agency. Ross said that FSI, “feels that engagement of the student community is very important,” and wants to tap into what he called the, “inherent capital” of the undergraduate community.

FSI is interested in opening communication between what Ross called, “organizational silos,” which business, government, non-profit organizations and the University operate within. By getting all voices in on discussion FSI hopes to perform comprehensive community problem solving.

On Feb. 18-20, FSI will be hosting an Open Space Forum at The Capital Exhibit Center. This forum will be a three day opportunity for Fredericton residents to meet one another and begin conversations on the issues that matter the most to them. The forum will begin with the question, ‘How do we make Fredericton a better place?’ and people with common interests will form breakout groups to further discuss their ideas.

By the end of the third day it’s hoped that groups will have discussed the issues, defined the problems, made an action plan based on their resources, and committed themselves to that action plan. Anyone can register for the forum at www.fsi-isf.ca.

Following Ross’ presentation council turned their attention to Dashner and Berghoff, who presented the preliminary plan for communications during the upcoming SU election. Dashner discussed a three stage plan for the nominations process, campaigning period and voting week. No plans are final, but during the nomination and voting periods they intend to use all online outlets available such as enews and Facebook.

Dashner spoke about reviving the street team to motivate students to nominate candidates and to vote. The street team is a group of students meant to spread messages informally through word of mouth and by spending time at poster board tables. Berghoff ended the presentation by saying that her personal goal, “is for every seat to be contested.”

VP External Ryan Brideau tabled a motion for Haiti relief. He said given the magnitude of the disaster and the need of the Haitian people, “to not act would be a further disservice to the people there.”

Fundraising efforts are already in full swing and support around the council table was plentiful. The goal of the SU is to fundraise $20,000, and councilors have committed themselves to relief efforts for the next 12 months. All funds will go to the Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders because Brideau explained they are considered, “neutral and effective enough to warrant our attention.”

Brideau started things off by announcing that he was donating 10 per cent of his income from now until the end of his term. VP Student Services Stephanie Lord announced that all the money raised at the Winter Carnival would be going to Haiti Relief. Computer Science Rep Ash Furrow said that all money raised at the post St. Patrick’s Day hangover breakfast will go towards Haiti relief.

brunswickannews

Jan. 21, 2010 • Issue 16 • Volume 143 • 5

the brunswickan presents

the man behind the wheel. an inside look at the experiences of a Fredericton cab driver

By Hilary Paige Smith

For Mike Gillen, a night in his cab is like a night at the movies. Every night has a different plotline.

Every character has a different story. Every scene has it’s own twists, turns, shocks and surprises.

Gillen, 51, has been behind the wheel of a cab in Fredericton for the past eight years. From Wednesday to Saturday, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., the seasoned driver is picking fares up and dropping them off, everywhere from Oromocto to Fredericton’s north side.

“I love [driving a cab.] I love it. I look forward to it. When I’m away from it for a while, I start wondering what’s going on. It gets in your blood, it really does,” he said, as he turned onto York Street and headed toward Fredericton’s downtown core.

Gillen drives a dark van, topped with a hot pink “GEORGES SKYCAB” light. Outside, the first snow storm of the season swirled like white smoke. Inside, the cab was warm and classic rock drifted quietly from the speakers. It smelled the way cabs usually smell, of warmth, coffee, faint traces of cigarette smoke and traffic. The traffic of strange, new bodies coming and going. The traffic of the streets rushing by.

Gillen said it is the people he meets that keep him in the cab business night after night.

“Meeting people. It’s never the same. I mean, sure, you go through the same motions. Pick up people, take ‘em where they need to be, but every person has a story. That’s what I like about it,” he said.

Gillen quickly proved his point after picking up the first of a handful of characters that evening. Frank, an older man and a familiar face in Unit 23, got in at an uptown pool hall and was headed to his home downtown. Frank called cabs his “limousines” and chatted amicably with Gillen about the weather, the taxi service in Fredericton and their ex-wives.

“See what I mean,” he asked, as Frank ambled up his walkway and the cab pulled away.

“Everybody’s got a story.”

Everybody that gets into Gillen’s cab may have a story, but he has a story about everybody who has taken a ride in his cab. This driver has seen it all.

People throwing up. People making up. People making out. People getting undressed. People getting dressed. People throwing punches. People pulling knives. Gillen has driven everyone from Mayor Brad Woodside to the homeless.

Gillen’s most memorable passenger was not a stranger. A painter and crack-filler by trade, Gillen once worked with a man who turned to a life of drugs and lost his family. Gillen saw him from time to time and one night, picked the man up in his cab.

A lmost instantly upon seeing who was behind the wheel, the passenger began to cry. He revealed to Gillen that he had called a cab with the intention of robbing the driver.

“I bought him a coffee and took him to his sister’s because he was so down and out, so destitute and desperate. Every time I see him now, he thanks me for that,” he said, adding that the last time he saw the man he had been sober for six months and looking for a job.

This story is one of hundreds that Gillen shares with the world on his blog, Freddy Beach Cabby.

The blog went online in 2005 after Gillen was prompted by a therapist to begin keeping a journal.

He was suffering from depression following the death of his sixteen-year old daughter, Lyndsay.

She died in 1999, killed by a drunk driver at a downtown intersection. Just visible beneath his sleeve was a tattoo of Lindsay, palm-sized, detailing her face perfectly.

“One day I woke up and I couldn’t remember what she looked like and it fuckin’ near killed me, so my fiancée paid for a tattoo,” he recalled.

Parked in the Tannery Court lot on King Street, a favourite waiting spot for Gillen, he explained that he found it difficult to keep a journal and started his blog at the suggestion of a friend.

Gillen posts several times a week and includes photos taken from a point-and-shoot digital camera he carries with him. He captures things he sees on the street, things that are left behind in his cab and interesting people he drives in the run of a shift.

One of his funniest stories involved a young man who entered the cab wearing only shoes and boxer shorts after jumping from a bedroom window into a snow bank.

“I pulled into this driveway and he come out from behind the house, wearing nothing but boxers

and his shoes, carrying his clothes. He jumps in the cab, says ‘Get the fuck outta’ here!’ I say, ‘Well, what’s going on?’ And he says, ‘Her husband came home early,’” Gillen said, laughing at the memory.

Not all of Gillen’s stories are pure drama or comedy. There is also a bit of romance.

One evening, Gillen said, a young woman exited his cab to pick something up from a house. She made eye contact with a man outside as she was returning to the cab and he approached the car to engage her in conversation.

“They introduced themselves and started chatting and next thing I knew, he was getting out at her place,” he said with a smile in his voice.

Gillen works a party shift of sorts. His week includes: Wednesday night, Student Party Night; Thursday night, Ladies Night and Friday and Saturday night, the two biggest party nights of the week.

Much of his time is taken up by ferrying drinking, drunk and drunker students back and forth to bars.

“I get people, taking them down to the bars and I get them, taking them home and they’re totally different people,” he said.

“You have people in a good mood goin’ down to the bars and once they get to a certain point they turn into obnoxious assholes.”

Gillen’s years of experience taking people to and from bars and pubs have given him the ability to tell when someone is about to cause trouble or lose their lunch. In his eight years of driving, he has only had three people vomit in his cab.

“I tellthem that if you throw up in my cab it’s an automatic 50 bucks. I said I don’t mind stopping for you so you can lean out the door and puke or whatever, but if you puke in my cab, it’s an automatic 50 bucks.

If any of it gets on me, it’s an autom a t i c 10 0 bucks,” he said, adding that t h i s usually sobers h i s passengers up a little.

Most o f t e n , people do not start fights or refuse to pay fare, but Gillen said it has happened on occasion. If Gillen or any of his fellow cabbies run into trouble with a passenger, he said they radio other cabs for help, in addition to calling police.

“Within minutes, there were four or five cabs parked around us because they knew I was in trouble. We have to [back each other up] because it takes so long for the police to respond,” he said, recalling a time when passengers tried to get their money back and would have become violent had he not pressed the microphone on the dispatch radio.

Despite the ups and downs of the cab driving business, Gillen believes it has changed him for the better.

“When I first started driving a cab I was the most introverted person you’d ever want to meet. I was one of those guys that would stand in a corner at a party and look at the houseplants. I didn’t want to talk to anyone.”

Now the cab driver is outgoing. He had a friendly “Hello” for everyone who entered his cab that evening and followed up with a “What’s going on tonight?” or “How’s it going tonight?” He engaged everyone in conversation, whether it was about the snow pouring down outside, the condition of the roads, or their day job.

Gillen truly believes that driving a cab is an important job in society.

“The job itself doesn’t always seem very glamorous. I’ve had people say ‘Oh, you’re just a cab driver, What do you know?’

“But, try to imagine, after the bars are closed, it’s minus thirty, no buses. The cabs decide to pull off the road. There are a thousand people downtown who have to get to Southwood Park or across the bridge to the north side or to Oromocto or whatever. Imagine what that would be like,” he said.

Gillen said he doesn’t plan on retiring any time soon. To read some of Gillen’s stories visit www. frederictoncabby.blogspot.com.

brunswickannews

6 • Jan. 21, 2010 • Issue 16 • Volume 143

Sizing up mediums: the world of the supernatural Victor Yan The Fulcrum OTTAWA (CUP) – Many believe in an afterlife. Still more believe in souls. But how many believe in psychic phenomena?

Individuals called “mediums” claim to communicate with souls living in a spirit world. Whether you believe in these claims or not, there’s no doubting the popularity of the possibilities of the supernatural.

Today, these supernatural abilities serve as the backdrop to many popular TV shows, like “Ghost Whisperer” and “Medium,” which have both garnered consistently high ratings since they debuted in 2005. The fact that “Medium” is based on an otherwise regular woman’s life only adds to the intrigue: “Could I experience psychic phenomena, too?” the audience wonders. These might include ghost sightings, foresight, telepathy, or mediumship – abilities that have fascinated humanity for thousands of years.

But how plausible are these events?

And can the truth behind supernatural happenings even be measured?

Supernatural places, beings, and abilities First, one has to understand the concepts behind psychic phenomena. The supernatural encompasses these psychic experiences and, by definition, lies outside of the universe and the laws of nature.

Mediumship is a part of this group of phe-

nomena, as mediums are said to channel information from a supernatural realm.

Jennifer Clark, an Ottawa intuitive life coach and medium, teaches workshops on life improvement based on spiritual energies and intuition. She explained the significance of the “otherworldly place.”

“Mediumship is the ability to access other dimensions, other frequencies of intelligent life,” she said. “Some people call it heaven, the other side.”

Because mediums use abilities that tap into a supernatural realm, these psychic abilities are supernatural themselves and not part of the common five senses.

Matthew Stapley and Tristan Brine, also mediums from the Ottawa area, operate the Light Andalandus metaphysical school. Stapley described how a medium taps into his or her abilities.

“The way that mediumship works is that the energy or the presence of the [spirit] is processed into our vibration, and when that happens, that’s when you feel the way they passed,” he said. “You feel how they died, what they were like, their personality traits – you almost become the individual at some times . . . They overshadow you.”

One type of psychic ability is “clairsentience,” or “clear-feeling.” “[I] get various feelings of [the deceased] as well,” explained Brine. “Sometimes it would go so far for me as [to] feel pain in [my] body that is usually related to their death. For a heart attack, for example, I can feel the pain near my heart

and down my arm.”

Brian Calhoun is another Ottawa medium and self-described spiritual teacher. He explained what happens when he undergoes “trance mediumship,” where a spirit uses his body to speak and move. “[The clients] literally see somebody else in front of me . . . This spirit taking shape and form. And it may be a loved one of theirs, it may be an angel. They just know somebody else is here now,” he said.

Going mainstream Even though mediums believe they possess extraordinary abilities, they also emphasize that spiritualism is not something strange that the general public should fear.

“In the past, all this work was seen as witchcraft, and it really isn’t. It’s really [seen] that way because people don’t understand it,” said Calhoun.

One reason the public may be cynical about spiritualism is that some of the labels given to spiritualist ideas have negative connotations.

“Most of the time we don’t even like calling it ‘psychic,’ [thanks to] the taboo that goes with that,” said Brine. “We prefer the term ‘spiritual’ anyway.”

Brine explained that intuition underlies these psychic abilities – something that all of us use frequently, whether we realize it or not.

“It’s that knowing that you have about one another,” said Brine. “When you can just look at each other and know what the other is thinking. That in itself is psychic ability as well. A lot of people have psychic experiences and paranormal experiences and things like that but they discredit them.”

But if everyone has intuition, what’s different about the abilities mediums possess? Stapley explained that one difference is how receptive we are to external stimuli.

“The only difference between someone with a high psychic aptitude and [someone else] is that the person with the high psychic aptitude has allowed themselves to be more sensitive to the environment.”

Clark elaborated, insisting that even those with increased psychic abilities are regular people.

“I don’t want to be seen as religious or crazy or voodoo or anything negative, because I really believe this is human being stuff,” she said.

Alternative explanations Despite wishing to be perceived as regular people, many people remain skeptic of mediums.

Jonathan Abrams is president of Ottawa Skeptics, an organization that, according to its website, aims to “promote the use of the scientific method, critical thinking, and rational thought in our community.” Abrams expanded upon the definition of a skeptic.

“A skeptic is someone that withholds endorsement or belief in a claim until sufficient evidence is presented [and] realizes that people’s perception and memory can

be mistaken and that only science can settle controversial debates about reality,” he wrote via email.

Abrams cited a psychological technique known as “cold reading,” which may make people think the psychic is giving out accurate information about them.

“Psychics will throw out very generic descriptions, but the ‘sitter’ (the person getting the reading) will fill in the gaps in their mind,” he said. “What they’ll more likely do is start off by asking about a sick family member. The sitter responds that their cousin has cancer. The psychic can then guess that it’s around the torso, which [is where] most cancers are. The sitter will then say that it’s in the lung.

Then . . . the sitter will then tell their friends, ‘A psychic knew that my cousin had a tumour in his lung!’”

Spiritual teacher Calhoun said that some readings might seem vague, explaining that interpretation has a lot to do with it.

“A spirit has to use references that I am [able] to recognize. I can’t say what lupus feels like, or cancer . . . I’ll get information and say, ‘I guess this is what cancer would feel like,’” he explained.

But Abrams also argued that people have a tendency to remember things they perceive as accurate and forget things that don’t fit in.

“If the psychic is throwing out some misses, they’ll just quickly move on to another area. The sitter will then forget about the miss,” he said.

People may think that the information given to them is unique, when in fact, the opposite is true.

“A psychic might say something like, ‘You’ve thought about writing a book,’” he said. “Most people have considered writing a book, yet assume others haven’t.”

According to Stapley, a major reason for inaccuracies like these lies in the fundamental relationship between the client and the psychic.

“There has to be a certain chemistry between the person who’s reading and the person that’s being read,” he said. “Like any relationship, if the chemistry is not there, it’s not going to work.”

Natural science versus supernatural science Some say that parapsychological research, which investigates psychic phenomena through the scientific method, has vindicated the paranormal.

One example of that research is the VERITAS project.

Headed by University of Arizona psychologist Gary Schwartz, the project tests the hypothesis that consciousness survives death. Schwartz has also backed the psychic claims of Allison Dubois, the real-life inspiration for TV’s “Medium,” after testing her ability to perceive information about various individuals.

Skeptics, however, criticize parapsychological research methodology. For ex-

ample, some cite Schwartz’s decisions to make some details available to mediums prior to testing their abilities of procuring knowledge from the unknown.

“The field of parapsychology has been a failure,” wrote Abrams. “All of their studies are either poorly designed [or] conducted, or have results that are no better than chance . . . The evidence offered, anecdotes and performances, can be easily replicated by mentalists who admit to not using any supernatural abilities.”

Both skeptics and believers admit that fraudulent claims of psychic ability are a problem in the industry, although skeptics don’t acknowledge anything other than fraud. Stapley offered a few tips for anyone interested in learning more about the field.

“If you’re going to research [the topic], do it in a very grounded way. Don’t go out there looking for all these amazing phenomena to happen during a psychic reading. It’s just not going to, really, unless something out of the ordinary occurs,” he said.

Still, Abrams and the Ottawa Skeptics aren’t convinced that “amazing phenomena” ever do occur.

“We are skeptical of their claims because if the claims were true, it would overturn nearly everything we know about how reality works,” Abrams wrote.

“And we think that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.”

Yet for the mediums, reality is more than just black and white facts; even the definition of science has supernatural elements.

“Science is the process of uncovering the work of divinity or understanding the work of divinity,” argued Stapley. “There’s nothing that science can prove that hasn’t already been known for millions of years by something greater than us.”

Added Clark, “Real science [wants] to move beyond what is known . . . Modern science sticks to what is already known.”

Differences between the two camps revolve around the role of supernatural explanations. Philosopher Karl Popper remarked that a necessary characteristic of scientific theories is not that they be provable, but that they be subject to falsification, or the ability to be shown wrong. This is necessary for the theories to be tested.

Supernatural ideas, on the other hand, are not testable because, by their very nature, they are not bound by any rules, especially the laws of nature. The spirit world and spirits might exist, but if Popper is right about the role of falsification, these supernatural ideas lie outside the purview of mainstream science.

But the real difference between believing in psychic phenomena and being skeptical might simply be a matter of perspective, according to Clark.

“Try it for yourself . . . This is a perspective. This is not the absolute truth. You can change it, you can recreate it. You have choice, you have freedom.”

brunswickanopinion

Jan. 21, 2010 • Issue 16 • Volume 143 • 7

editor@thebruns.ca

the brunswickan

Editorial Board

Editor-in-Chief • Sarah Ratchford Managing • Alex Duncan News • Lee Larrett International • Danielle Bodie Arts • Alison Clack Sports • Colin McPhail Photo • Andrew Meade Copy •Nick Howard Production • Christian Hapgood Online • Doug Estey Staff Advertising Sales Rep • Bill Traer Delivery • Dan Gallagher Contributors Zaheer Abbas, Stephanie Allen, Danielle Bodie, Chris Cameron, Kathryn Chase, Sandy Chase, Alison Clack, Maggie DeWolfe, Dave Evans, Sarah Farquhar, Josh Fleck, Kennie Gathuru, Dan Hagerman, Ayat Abed Isiad, Cody Jack, Jacques Landry, Brandon MacNeil, Cameron Mitchell, Matthew Murray, Sam Perlmutter, Jon Salmon, Brian Savoie, Hilary Paige Smith, Ysabelle Vautour, Alex Wickwire & Valerie Woodman.

The Brunswickan relies primarily on a volunteer base to produce its issues every week. Volunteers can drop by room 35 of the SUB at any time to find out how they can get involved.

About Us The Brunswickan, in its 143rd year of publication, is Canada’s Oldest Official Student Publication.

We are an autonomous student newspaper owned and operated

by Brunswickan Publishing Inc., a non-profit, independent body.

We are a founding member of the Canadian University Press, and love it so. We are also members of U-Wire, a media exchange of university media throughout North America.

We publish weekly during the academic year with a circulation of 6,000.

Letters Must be submitted by e-mail including your name, letters with pseudonymns will not be printed.

Letters must be 400 words at maximum. Deadline for letters is Friday at 5 p.m. before each issue.

Editorial Policy While we endeavour to provide an open forum for a variety of viewpoints and ideas, we may refuse any submission considered by the editorial board to be racist, sexist, libellous, or in any way discriminatory.

The opinions and views expressed in this newspaper are those of the individual writers, and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Brunswickan, its Editorial Board, or its Board of Directors.

All editorial content appearing in The Brunswickan is the property of Brunswickan Publishing Inc. Stories, photographs, and artwork contained herein cannot be reproduced without the express, written permission of the Editorin-Chief.

21 Pacey Drive, SUB Suite 35 Fredericton, NB, E3B 5A3 main office • (506) 447-3388 advertising • (506) 452-6099 fax • (506) 453-5073 email • editor@thebruns.ca www.thebruns.ca

Breaking news: Facebook is not your diary The Looking Glass Sarah Ratchford

Ah, the age of online social networking.

Phone calls are a thing of the past, and the idea of actually showing up in physical form to visit someone is even more archaic. Human beings, in our supremely clever way, have created a method to get any amount of information out to the rest of our kind in a matter of milliseconds-- in case you haven’t noticed.

In this day and age, it is obviously easier than ever before to notify others about breaking news—“OMG Michael Jackson died!”--, keep them updated on your life, or pass along quirky facts that may have just come to light.

It is also easy, unfortunately, for idiots to send their thoughts through the tubes.

Never before has it been this easy to read the inner musings and ponderings of the world’s scummiest, most useless grey matter.

How is this accomplished? Facebook and Twitter, of course. People are posting their innermost thoughts for all to see.

Facebook is not your journal. Unless you have extremely tight security settings— which you have to go and set yourself, by the way—everyone is seeing everything you post.

I personally use social media to keep up to date on what my friends are doing, or to stay in touch with family in other time zones.

I do not, however, go on there to read things like “OMG MY BABY DADDY IS HOME R IGHT CRUNK ED AGAN!!!!!!!!!111CALLINGTHEPOPO! LUV U PJ 4 EVA AND EVA!!HH,” and the like. Why air your dirty laundry like that?

Seriously. It’s just embarrassing. Is that really what you want to tell people about yourself? If you’re suffering a personal crisis, call or text a friend. At the very least, send them a private message. Don’t tell your 1,051 Facebook friends about your personal trials and tribulations. Why? You do not have 1,051 friends. These people are random

Facebook and other social networking sites like Twitter may seem like harmless ways to waste time and “creep” on the people you know, but beware of using it to air your dirty laundry. Internet acquaintances, and they will likely just gossip and laugh about you rather than displaying any sympathy whatsoever.

Airing your dirty laundry over the tubes looks like a cry for attention and not much more. You lose credibility by doing it. Soon people will be tweeting about their yeast infections and erectile dysfunction.

Along the same lines are the heavy relationship issues in Facebook statuses everywhere: “Curtis my baby you’re the best thing that ever happebed to me why oh why did I do this I don’t mean it I miss you so much baby come back I sidnt mean those things I said toy ou I know it hurts ILU!!!!!”

If you’re facing major relationship issues and they’re affecting you this much, it might be time to focus on your relationship, not broadcast it to your 678 “friends”. Being so explicit about your personal life is downright trashy.

I have news. The main purpose of social networking sites is to network. In other words, the point is to basically brag about yourself if you have anything to brag about, or to at least post something interesting that will engage others. You’re marketing your own image. It’s a nice neat little pack-

age with a photo of you, your name, what you’re interested in, and what you do with your time, both in and out of the context of work. You can network and make friends using Facebook and Twitter to keep people “posted”, if you will.

While we’re on the subject, keep your photos in mind as well. Do you really want to show your Facebook friends a picture of yourself in a $5 camo polyester trucker hat that says, “I !@#$ed your mom” with a joint hanging out of your mouth? Maybe some people will think it’s funny or cute, but most people just won’t.

If this is you, don’t be offended about what I’m saying here. I’m honestly trying to help. It looks tragic to present this kind of image, because your ten best friends who know you really well, and thus are aware that you’re not an idiot and that you do have charms, are not the only ones who will see this.

Prospective employers will see this.

Today, it’s easier than ever for employers to check you out to be sure you’re not a crook or a weirdo. Once Googled, your Facebook profile will likely be one of the first things to show up. Although I’m certainly not a capitalist, it has to be admitted that

we all, unfortunately, need money to live.

Present yourself as yourself, and not like a stuffy alter-ego, but keep in mind that you should probably keep pictures of drugs and four letter words off your profile. Essentially, look hirable.

Now look. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t be yourself. You should! Just keep in mind that you’re basically projecting yourself to the job market, and you want people to see the areas you excel in, not how thug- life you can be.

Oh, and cops know how to use Facebook too. They’re not aliens you know. Essentially what I’m trying to say here is that “indulging in some prime blow in the ladies’ of Cici’s” is also not a good wall post.

As a final Facebook tip to the creepers out there, try to reel in the creepy factor a bit. Go outside and play instead of tittering to your roommate about how “preggo” your high school acquaintances look. I’m not saying I haven’t done this; I have. But I was much younger than I am now, and I can now see that that’s an uncharitable thing to do that will only heap bad karma upon my head.

Another kind of creepy: “780-393-8724 hit the digitz so loaded last night had an amazing time witcha.” Don’t do it, folks.

brunswickanopinion

8 • Jan. 21, 2010 • Issue 16 • Volume 143

letter to the editor.

Paper ballotting for Student Union elections more professional than online Dear editor, Lee Larrett’s article last week, entitled ‘SU bylaw ammendments [sic] spark hot debate’, neglected to mention a great deal of important information about the issue of online voting and did not properly contextualize my comments at the UNB Student Union Council meeting addressing this issue.

To clarify, I did not speak about how I “felt paper ballots appear more professional.” I spoke about why paper ballots are more professional. Two key features of any legitimate election are transparency and verifiability. With online voting we lose the ability to actually see, touch and count the ballots used in our determination of the election results.

This diminishes the transparency of the voting system used, and subsequently lessens our ability to verify the accuracy

of the outcome.

Furthermore, contrary to some of the insinuations within Larrett’s article, I have no issue with voting being made easy and readily accessible. The problem is that the ease of online voting can be readily exploited by certain candidates (especially those living in residence) to take advantage of uninformed voters.

A paper ballot election with voting stations throughout the main buildings on campus could counteract this by reducing some of the opportunities for such electoral misconduct to take place.

Paper ballot elections are professional, reliable and used throughout the world by governments, unions and other purportedly representative institutions. The use of an online electoral system with electronic ballots is, while technologically savvy, a disservice to our campus community and reflects a serious lack of accountability within our student government.

Shane Martinez LLB Candidate (2010)

Google may not be evil, but it isn’t angelic The Opinionator Nick Howard

The scenes of devastation coming out of Haiti are heart wrenching. The myriad international organizations working to help the Haitian people need our support – even $5 from a student budget will help. You can donate to the Canadian Red Cross (www.redcross. ca), or add a few dollars for the disaster relief fund to your next beer purchase at an NBLC. --------That said, I want to take a huge leap to talk about Google and China.

I love Google. I like their products and their philosophy. In Google’s corporate philosophy, the first of their core principles is “Focus on the user and all else will follow.” This peoplecentred approach to technology has been leading the pack since Google first saw daylight in 1998. All of this information, however, is horrendously out of context without a key piece of information – Google is a corporation, a very, very large, very, very rich corporation. Its founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, are worth $18.5 billion each; their combined net worth would

rank 78th of 179 countries if listed as GDP. Google, as a company, has a market capitalization (number of shares multiplied by a single share’s worth) of $184 billion as of Monday Jan. 18, 2010. If Google bought an island today and claimed status as a country, they would have the 44th largest nominal GDP in the world.

Google is not a social enterprise – they are as focused on capital and share prices like any other corporation, perhaps even more so as their market capitalization continues to climb. The people who believe that Google is considering leaving the Chinese market because of issues of human rights and freedom are forgetting this crucial piece of information: Google really likes to make money. Sure, human rights and freedom may be issues in Google’s corporate community; maybe those issues were even the driving force behind the idea of leaving China altogether. But, we can be damn sure that if Google thought leaving China would harm the company’s income, they would never even consider it.

So, is this a bad thing? No, not really, it’s just normal; to think of Google as a morally exceptional corporation is simply naïve and fallacious. Google’s bottom line is its bottom line. Like in any other company, no one at Google is saying, “Ok guys, we have enough money, let’s eschew capitalism and do really good social stuff for free.”

Where Google really shines, in my opinion, is in its ability to market itself

as a socially beneficial corporation while making obscene quantities of money. The spin Google is putting on the China debacle is truly astounding – no one in the West likes China’s human rights track record or technologically restrictive policies, so Google is performing for an adoring, capitalist crowd.

The world is a complicated place with strange and often unpredictable interdependencies, so even though Google may ultimately leave China to protect its assets and avoid further losses, the backlash could force China to rethink its policies (which may or may not be a good thing, depending on who you are). The best we, the lowly consumers, can hope for is that Google’s marketing is true, even if it only represents one part of the much vaster truth. However, we have to stop drooling with unadorned infatuation every time Google’s marketing department feeds us the one eighth of the story that is socially beneficial. What about the other seven eighths?

My point is simple: don’t love Google because marketers tell you to and don’t hate Google because some capitalist hating wing-nut says that all corporations are evil. Use your brain; assess the situation from as many different angles as you can and understand that corporations love money.

Is Google doing as much for society’s downtrodden as it could? Probably not.

Is Google maliciously and knowingly harming people? Probably not.

the brunswickan would like to thank:

UNB Faculty of Business Administration UNB Marketing and Communications STU Students’ Union for their generous support in helping send six student journalists to NASH 72: natural selection, a Canadian University Press national conference.

brunswickanopinion

Jan. 21, 2010 • Issue 16 • Volume 143 • 9

HARPER PUTS PARLAIMENT ON HOLD...AGAIN

Stephen Harper has prorogued Parlaiment for the third time since the last election in October 2008. Many Canadians-- those who bothered to vote at least-- are questioning whether the prime minister is an appropriate role model. Others are perhaps thinking the poor guy needs a vacation? What do you think? Andrew Meade / The Brunswickan

Ringo, a rogue hippie gone mad….

Jon Salmon Staff Writer Three weeks into the New Year, and I already have my nomination for 2010’s sell-out of the year. And the nominee is… the one and only forgotten Beatle, Mr. Ringo Starr.

Late on Jan. 12 on Jimmy Fallon, Mr. Starr was promoted his new album.

Normally I wouldn’t put up with Jimmy Fallon and his tomfoolery, but ‘What the hell’ I thought, ‘nothing else is grabbing my attention, and he is a Beatle after all.

How bad can it be?’

I now wish I had unplugged the television.

The Beat Beatle’s newest album, entitled ‘Y Not’, struck me with such a force that it would have knocked me off my feet were I standing. Nonetheless, it knocked the wind out of me. Perhaps it was Ringo’s voice that unnerved me, which sounded severely damaged by the years of copious amounts of alcohol, drugs, and an all-around rock n’ roll lifestyle.

Or perhaps it was the fact that the Starr of the album looked positively apathetic at the promise of his new album, which leads me to believe that this is simply another bid for new publicity and fame by a man who will never be able to top his earlier glory days.

However, as the case may be, and it is more often than not, I’m probably being too harsh on the old man. I am willing to admit that the studio recordings of

this album are not a complete fail, yet the live performances leave much to be desired.

On the surface of this story, it seems like a cut and dry case of a celebrity gone fame-crazy. And this is indeed an aspect of the disaster, but this iceberg travels far below the surface and the reality of the situation is of such proportions that it would make Edgar Allen Poe’s blood run cold.

It appears that I have underestimated the power of corruption that the twenty first century wields. It has taken one of the members of the most influential rock groups in our history and turned him from a free loving hippie into a corporate sellout. The music released on the album does have a certain Beatles-esque quality, but I somehow believe that it is brought on simply by the British accents still prevalent in the singing. The actual melodies fit all too well with the pop culture nonsense that litters our radios and television sets.

And perhaps the most atrocious feature of the new CD is the title, ‘Y Not’.

Appealing to the mindless drones who are unable to write a word in its entirety and cutting the core of the grammar of the English language. Newspeak is prevailing, my friends.

I had an underlying hope that this decade would prove more promising than the previous, but as of now I have lost all faith in the coming ten years.

Whether that faith will be restored is a questionable matter at best.

Stephen Harper: role modelling 101 Take My Word For It Sam Perlmutter In an ideal world, our Prime Minister would be a uniting figure. Our country’s leader should be representative of the values and beliefs of the majority of the population.

Children should be able to look up to the Prime Minister as a role model, the face of Canada.

To the rest of the world, more than any other one individual, our PM represents Canada. Stephen Harper is the number one ambassador of Canadian values, principles and morals around the globe.

The most powerful individual in Canada, one would think, would be an excellent role model for children, teenagers, and even fully grown adults. Our country’s leader should be someone we can be proud of, someone we can relate to, and an embodiment of us as a country.

Unfortunately for all of us ordinary citizens, Mr. Harper does not seem concerned with setting a good example, or even just being a nice and caring citizen. Instead Mr. Harper would rather be an authoritarian bully. In fact, our Prime Minister is about as far from being a good role model as the Maple Leafs are from winning the Cup. South of the border, Barack Obama rolled to victory by uniting Americans. He led by example and made efforts to reach across party lines.

Mr. Harper has no time for anybody else, or their ideas. He does not seek to inspire, or reach out to members of other

parties. He does not even let the members of his party speak freely to the media. Everything comes from the top down.

Mr. Harper seems to think he is our country’s dictator. Never mind that we are still battling a global recession and widespread unemployment. Never mind that he was voted into office to formulate policies to set this country on the right track and deal with our rapidly growing deficit.

Mr. Harper needs to ‘recalibrate’. That little thing called democracy? Psh, that can take a vacation.

Mr. Harper seems acutely aware of the message he is sending to the population.

When the going gets tough, just stop working and recalibrate. Nothing like leading by example.

Of course prorogation is probably completely unrelated to the recent allegations that Canadian soldiers knowingly handed over Afghan detainees to be tortured.

Or the recent report from Parliamentary Budget Officer Kevin Page, outlining Canada’s structural deficit.

In the midst of his recalibration efforts, Mr. Harper appears set to appoint five new Conservative senators, which would give the Conservatives a majority in the Senate. Of course, Mr. Harper will continue to tell us how he opposes appointing Senators, feeling it is anti-democratic (of course, proroguing is perfectly okay. One of life’s little ironies).

While he appears to take a principled stand on this issue, his actions completely undermine the meaning of his words.

Great example for our population. Let’s review. Say one thing many times (senators should be elected not appointed), and then do the complete opposite. When things aren’t going your way, quit. When something bad might be revealed about your

government, use all your power to suppress and avoid it.

Of course, maybe Mr. Harper’s most finely honed skill might be as a bully.

Poor Stephane Dion had the audacity to run against him, and was demonized for months in a series of vicious attack ads.

Richard Colvin, a long-time Canadian diplomat who spent significant time in Afghanistan, was attacked and vilified as soon as he tried to tell the truth.

Harper even pushed around the only person in Canada that technically has more power than him: Governor-General Michaelle Jean. When asking for his most recent prorogation, he did it over the phone.

Another great character trait of Harper’s-he is the embodiment of class.

The worst part is that Canadians have largely stood by and watched Harper bulldoze his way to near-tyrannical rule. Just like they teach you in elementary school, when there is a bully, it is up to both the victims and the bystanders to stand up to him. If the bystanders do not stand up for the victim, they are considered to be contributing to the problem.

The latest victim of Mr. Harper’s, and maybe one of the most significant, appears to be democracy and the democratic process. Unfortunately, him being the most powerful person in Canada and all, the only people who can hold him to account are the bystanders, the citizens of Canada.

Maybe the worst part about Harper’s reign of terror is that he does it because he can. Stephane Dion couldn’t stop him.

Michael Ignatieff isn’t putting up much of a fight. And the population continues to stand by and watch. Harper prorogued parliament because he could, and we all let him get away with it.

brunswickanopinion

10 • Jan. 21, 2010 • Issue 16 • Volume 143

Student

Viewpoint.

What do you think of Harper’s choice to prorogue Parliament?

Let everyone know whats on your mind.

“It doesen’t surprise me with Harper.”

“They’re getting paid?”

Adam Young

Colan Gardner

“I don’t really know about it.”

Martine St-Coeur

“It’s a good idea, but unsettling.”

Kelan Kennedy

“It’s undemocratic.”

“It’s stupid.”

Richard Seto

Ryan Baxter

Editor’s Note: For those of you who read The Brunswickan on a regular basis, you’ll notice a difference this week: we usually ask nine students for their viewpoint. This week, our Photo Editor asked more people than he’s ever asked before to answer our Viewpoint question, and none of the people he asked had any idea what was going on with Parliament. He went back out for a second try, and still didn’t get nine legit repsonses. We need to hold our government accountable, and the only way we can do that is by paying attention. Get a grip, UNB.

brunswickaninternational

Jan. 21, 2010 • Issue 16 • Volume 143 • 11

Students in Fredericton affected by disaster in Haiti

The disastrous aftereffets of the earthquake in Haiti last week have touched the lives of people here in Fredericton, as well as through the rest of the world. Although people are still reeling at the shock, they are also coming through and helping one another by organizing relief efforts, and there is a beauty to that. Flickr CC Danielle Bodie International Editor Fredericton citizens with family members living in Haiti are reeling after last week’s earthquake.

On Tuesday, Jan. 12, a catastrophic earthquake at a magnitude of 7.0 hit southern Haiti, destroying buildings and homes of most Haitians. The results of this unexpected quake left the country in devastation with many losing their lives and loved ones. Haitian students studying here in Fredericton found themselves tuning in to news stations in disbelief.

Vanessa Michel, a student who has Haitian family members, didn’t believe the earthquake had happened until she saw it on the news.

“When I found out about the earthquake I was shocked and I didn’t register it until saw the pictures the following day. I just figured they were reporting it wrong because we don’t have earthquakes in the Caribbean. But once I saw the pictures on CNN I realized what had really happened,” she says.

Other students found out about the earthquake by word of mouth. Lily Boisson wasn’t aware that anything had happened in her home country until a friend notified her on Facebook.

“I was online on Facebook and someone messaged me asking if my family is okay. After that I stayed glued to the television and the computer screens searching for more information.”

The lack of images at first made it dif-

ficult for people to see the damage that had been done by the earthquake. That was the most difficult thing for Boisson.

“I read a news story about it almost immediately and got more information and saw the magnitude was really high, and at first there were no images. But every news station was covering it, so I began to panic because I thought it was total devastation. I thought no one made it and I was assuming the worst at first.”

After waiting anxiously for any word from home, both students got news from home that all was well with their families.

“My aunt, who represents the Bahamas at the Haitian Embassy, is doing well. She decided to stay and help those in need, so I have her in my prayers,” says Michel. “Everyone in my close family is

okay-- my dad, my grandmother, aunts and uncles and their children. Their homes, however, were damaged. But fortunately they all found each other and are now staying at my father’s house,” says Boisson.

Even though these students’ families are doing well, a lot of Haitian families have suffered complete devastation because of the earthquake and are in dire need of assistance. Students and faculty are urged to donate clothing to relief efforts.

St. Thomas University is holding a clothing drive to replace some of that which may have been lost.

“Clothing and monetary donations can be left at the Campus Ministry Office or at the STUSU Help Desk in Sir

James Dunn Hall,” says a recent press release.

The clothing drive will be accepting anything from clothing to shoes to blankets for the next few weeks.

“Right now for students, the best thing for us to do is donate clothes. As soon as they open the border to receive things we are going to send everything that we have collected,” says Michel.

The UNB Student Union is also facilitating a fundraising effort. For details, check out “UNB Student Union Haiti Fundraising Effort” on Facebook. To donate, go to http://www.canadahelps. org/gp/6317.

Proceeds from the annual UNBSU Winter Carnival will also be donated to relief in Haiti.

12 • Jan. 21, 2010 • Issue 16 • Volume 143

Multi Culti Fest: cultures banding together Danielle Bodie International Editor The St. Thomas University’s International Association’s annual Multicultural Fair is coming up. The multicultural fair is an event where the international students of St. Thomas showcase their many talents. The event will have tasty dishes from most of the international countries represented here in Fredericton. There will also be booths that display the different cultures of each country.

“This fair is going to be one to talk about. There is always excitement in the air when it is time for the Multicultural Fair,” says Anu Thomas, STUISA vice president.

The main portion of the event is the talent show, where international students perform traditional dances and songs to give the audience a taste

of what life is like in their respective countries. The international students will also put on a fashion show that will showcase vibrant traditional wear from all around the world.

Devika Dadhe, public relations officer of STUISA, remembers her first Multicultural Fair.

“We’re lucky to have such diversity in our universities and this event is the chance to see unity in that diversity.

This event is one that brings students together. Anu Thomas, the VP of STUISA, and I got to know each other over practice for our very first Multicultural Fair and have been best friends ever since. I look forward to my little world tour at the SUB Atrium and hope everybody else enjoys it as much as I do.”

The event will be held on Saturday Jan. 23 at the SUB Atrium from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

brunswickaninternational

the brunswickan presents

a poem.

Me Being Mean by Yasmin Glinton

My country is not your perfect dream, My beaches are not your personal paradise, they were not made simply for your holiday selection.

My country is not your perfect dream.

And, the people here are not caught up in your One dimensional assumption.

Even though we do wait in anticipation for your landing through national air and sea.

It is not really you upon which we give our dependency.

If the funding was something that could naturally be grown, Then I believe we would conceal to our own.

But, there is something about your green, that makes our eyes gleam.

My country is not your perfect dream, We aren’t all a simple people.

The refusal to see us as more created a shift of importance.

And though you can’t see we have taken on your insecurities and named them our own.

My country is not your perfect dream But indeed your dream-deferred.

We are defined in your mind not by the wealth of what we do have But by what we don’t.

And, you can’t appreciate what we offer because All you know is the won’t .

Your boss won’t call And your enemy just won’t You won’t see your fears So you won’t be second best You won’t see my country for what it is There won’t be any compromise People won’t ignore who you are.

Here you won’t cease to exist.

visit us on the tubes!

thebruns.ca

But, my country isn’t your perfect dream Nor is it your paradise.

Because you don’t exist and beyond your money We don’t know, or care who you are.

You will only have a piece of what we possess And we are your momentary boss.

While you may never realize your fears….

Here your enemy does exist; If by name your enemy is the opposite of who you are.

Then we welcome you with open arms and a smile Plotting your return, all the while.

brunswickanarts arts@thebruns.ca

Jan. 21, 2010 • Issue 16 • Volume 143 • 13

Relish a burger that isn’t just another Happy Meal

Gourmet burger joint Relish opened its doors to patrons Jan. 11.The establishment offers new variations on the classic hamburger with inspirations from international sources, like the Greek Tycoon, and some more local inspirations like the Harvest Jazz burger and the Brad Burger created by Mayor Brad Woodside. Mike Erb / The Brunswickan Andrew Olsvik Arts Reporter What makes a good burger? Size of the patty? Fresh ingredients? Outrageous combinations of toppings and condiments?

Whatever you choose, Relish, a brand new gourmet burger joint in downtown Fredericton, seeks to satisfy the city’s craving for an alternative to fast food and subpar restaurant burgers.

Relish’s varied menu was designed by acclaimed chef Ray Henry, who has won numerous awards for his work.

Henry has worked in noted Vancouver restaurants, been named Bermuda Chef of the Year during his stint as

executive sous-chef with the Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel in Bermuda, and competed as a member of Culinary Team Canada in Luxembourg in 2006 and in Chicago in 2007 where the Canadian team won both fourth and second place.

For Relish, Chef Ray has created a menu with something for everyone.

With eleven signature burgers, including one designed by Fredericton Mayor Brad Woodside, Relish’s menu contains many variants on traditional recipes.

One variation on a classic burger is the Big Texas Burger, which combines smokey barbeque sauce, crispy onions, pepper jack cheese and crispy bacon, yielding delicious results. The menu

also includes some off-beat and original selections that are geographically and culturally inspired.

These creations are a refreshing change from the classic. Examples of these globalized burgers are Le Nordique Burger with brie cheese, back bacon, caramelized onions, and Dijon mustard and the Greek Tycoon with crumbled feta cheese, Greek bell peppers and onions, kalamata olives and tzatsiki sauce.

Juicy beef burgers not your thing? In addition to the standard AAA 6oz beef patties, Relish also offers ground turkey burgers, chicken breasts and a vegetarian option consisting of ground Portobello mushrooms and chickpeas.

Looking to add something extra?

The option to add another patty, more cheese, bacon and several other extras are offered at fair prices as well as the option to choose onion rings, cole slaw or sweet potato fries instead of the traditional fry option, though the fries are outrageously good.

As for the establishment itself, the ordering process seemed to me like a bizarre combination of a fast food joint and the doctor’s office. Upon entering I was greeted with a friendly tone and after I placed my order I was told that my name would be called when my burger was ready. So, I took a seat next to the electronic fireplace and waited patiently.

By this time the place had exploded with

activity and the line was out the door, but I received my order rather quickly regardless and stuffed my face with the Big Texas.

The burger, a side and a drink came to roughly $12, a very fair price for what you get; a little pricier than fast food and on par with standard restaurant prices, but the quality of Relish burgers exceeds most other restaurant burgers.

With a resume like Chef Ray’s, my expectations were high. While the burger didn’t blow me away, it was a lot better than most other burgers offered in this city. With fast and friendly service, I can’t see any reason to ever pick up another fast food burger while Relish is in business.

brunswickanarts

Jan. 21, 2010 • Issue 16 • Volume 143 • 14

You want some o’ this? this week in fredericton.

Catherine MacLellan @ CSAC Friday, Jan. 22

Catherine MacLellan will be playing a show at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre. Olympic Symphonium will open for the Maritime songstress.

Tickets are $20. Doors open at 7 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m.

Multicultural Fair @ STU Saturday, Jan. 23

The STU international students association will be hosting a multicultural fair in order to celebrate diversity in Fredericton. The fair will be held from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Tickets cost $8.

Ani DiFranco concert @ The Playhouse Wedensday, Jan. 27

Acclaimed musician Ani DiFranco will be gracing the Playhouse stage on Jan. 27. Advanced tickets are $49.50. Tickets purchased on performance day are $54.50.

“Life Without Instruction” @ Memorial Hall Wedensday-Saturday, Jan. 27 – 30

TUNB will be putting on the revenge comedy “Life Without Instruction” at Memorial Hall from Jan. 27 to Jan. 30. Students can purchase tickets at the door for $6. Non-student tickets are $10.

16th annual Commicon @ SUB ballroom Saturday-Sunday, Jan 30 – 31

The 16th annual Commicon will return to UNB this year over the weekend of Jan. 30 -31. The games festival will be held in the SUB ballroom. Money will also be raised for the Fredericton Food Bank.

Alex Wickwire Staff Writer “Hi I’m Jon… from the Internet.”

Montreal born comedian Jon Lajoie performed in front of a sold out Playhouse on the evening of Jan.16. A show originally scheduled for the fall, it was bumped for a few months because Lajoie’s crossCanada comedy tour conflicted with the filming schedule for “The League,” a show in which Lajoie plays a main role.

Lajoie is a graduate of Dawson’s College Theatre program. He’s an avid fan of the Montréal Canadians and openly expresses his love for professional wrestling. He plays guitar, some piano, and has a lot of talent when it comes to producing rap beats.

He set up a YouTube channel in 2007 and posted goofy videos made in his basement. Before long, he became an Internet celebrity.

His most famous video, “Show me Your Genitals,” has been viewed 23,930,196 times online, while “Everyday Normal Guy” has 13,776,004 views.

“I Kill People” is a spoof song on gangster rap and was written this past spring. It has accumulated over eight million views in less than a year.

Lajoie’s YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/jonlajoie, is so successful that more than 25 of its videos have at least one million views and five star ratings.

Surfing through the channel and watching each video is a funny experience, but it could in no way prepare somebody for how funny the live show is.

“Jon Lajoie Live” is a comedy show that does not fit into one single category.

The crowd was warmed up by a 15 minute set from a guy named Kenny who

Although Jon Lajoie is inarguably creepy-- he sings a song called “Show me your genitals”-- people love him because he’s hilarious.

Flickr CC makes fun of everything from cowboy hats to the Saturday morning farmer’s market.

The opening act was short and sweet, but when Jon storms the stage and performs “Everyday Normal Guy,” the energy level multiplies.

Lajoie uses the jumbo screen behind the stage to show videos similar to what he puts up online.

His awkward, deadpan style of comedy flowed very well throughout the show and the acts, and the songs and video shorts were so unique the crowd has no idea what to expect next.

Lajoie’s spoof songs and goofy jokes have earned him a few phone calls from Los Angeles. Landing a role on FX network’s original series, “The League,” Lajoie plays the role of a spaced out Chicago area resident named “Taco.”

Most jokes told on the show are not

suitable for print; however, if you’re at all interested in seeing what Lajoie does with American television you should check it out. If you have never experienced Lajoie’s style of humour and want a sample before you invest the time in watching the show, check out the “Birthday Song” online for a preview of just how far his jokes go.

Live at the Playhouse was a great experience.

The entertaining stage banter, hilarious songs, and awesome interactions with the crowd made for a grade A performance.

Jon Lajoie is Canada’s next number one comedian. Sorry Seth Rogen - I did split my sides laughing at Superbad though.

It isn’t often that one guy can deliver comedy in so many different ways, but Lajoie is in a class unto himself.

brunswickanarts

15 • Jan. 21, 2010 • Issue 16 • Volume 143

Ruby Jean, A/V and Jenocide to grace the Cap FROM RUBY JEAN PAGE 1 everything – causing trouble!” Explains A/V, also known as Philip Clark when he’s not performing.

“It’s a punk rock thing, which is what I played in growing up. You wouldn’t always want to play on stages. You would sometimes get down on the floor and closer to the audience. It’s a little more intimate if you want to have a one on one crazy kind of party,” Clark says.

While Jen Clarke, one half of the electro duo Jenocide, may look like your average girl, her feminine looks and gentle voice belie the fierce party girl on the inside.

“I was never into folk music. I was never into being quiet. I found that when I started doing music I wanted to create something that I would want to go home and listen to,” says the energetic front woman.

Once the music starts, Jen says she transforms. She says that Jenocide is like an alter ego for her.

“Jenocide is kind of an over-the-top spectacle. She’s interactive party fun for everyone,” she laughs.

The inspiration for Jen’s alter ego, Jenocide, comes from an amalgamation of strong, female musicians that she says were her inspirations growing up.

“Le Tigre, Madonna, Debbie Harry-- I used these women as sources of inspiration to create a character, Jenocide. It’s sort of like an alter ego who will act as a positive, strong, overthe-top, female character who is in your

Jen Clarke’s alter-ego, Jenocide, is a ‘hodge-podge’ of her musical inspirations through life including: Debbie Harry, Belinda Carlisle, and Madonna. Check her out at the Capital on Jan. 24 along with Ruby Jean and the Thoughtful Bees and A/V for a sweet electronic act. Submitted. face,” Jen explains.

Specifically, she says that Jenocide is a recipe for success that includes: “the sassy brazenness of Madonna, the cute silliness of Belinda Carlisle, and the tough punk edge of Debbie Harry

from Blondie.”

And Jen isn’t the only one making up an alter ego for herself. Higgs also presents a ‘split personality’ for her performances with the creation of Ruby Jean.

When performing as A/V, Philip Clark steals the show. Having built a movable rig for his synths and drum machines Clark is able to play in amongst the crowd. Andrew Meade / The Brunswickan

Christopher Leadership Conference “Building Communication skills, increasing confidence and leadership through public speaking.”

Jan 26, 2010 @ 6:30 PM Eastern College (formerly CompuCollege) on Prospect $200 or $125 for Students 8-10 weeks.

Register online: www.clcnational.ca

“It’s my property destroying, destructive alcoholic side, that is constantly covered in bruises, breaking heals and tearing her tights. She’s glamourous to start and falls apart by the end of the set.

Mostly it’s an excuse to misbehave and blame it on the art of the stage show,” jokes Higgs.

And, not to be left out, A/V also says that his stage performance is, in part, an identity he puts on.

“I’m antisocial. I am pretty much a recluse when I’m not on tour,” says Philip.

And the one-man party machine is telling the truth. When A/V isn’t out touring he’s likely recording at his house in rural New Brunswick’s Gaspereau Forks.

“Electronic music, you could think about it as urban music, but there’s also a lot of solo production going on. You can have one person who can sit and create an entire song – which you can do anywhere as long as you have the machines. So, it doesn’t really matter to me where I am,” says Clark.

On tour A/V is anything but antisocial. The musician expects drunken antics when he sets his rig of drum

machines and synths in the middle of the dance floor.

“It’s controlled chaos. Barely controlled chaos – that’s it,” he says.

And he’s not the only act looking for antics on this tour.

“I like to jump into the crowd and I like to dance with people. I like to have little conversations between songs, I like to jump on tables and roll on the floor,” says Jen. The three phenomenal electronic acts will be making their way to Fredericton on Jan. 24.

While the acts intend to bring the party, they do expect some reciprocation of antics.

“Maybe dress up a little bit, bring some party favours, set yourself on fire, roll around on the floor a little bit, scream your lungs out, clap your hands, bang things together, and make out on the dance floor,” asks Clark of the prospective audience for Sunday.

Ruby Jean and the Thoughtful Bees play the Capital Complex with A/V and Jenocide on Jan. 24. Advanced tickets can be bought at Reads News Stand and Backstreet Records for $12 plus service fee for advanced purchases.

brunswickanarts

16 • Jan. 21, 2010 • Issue 16 • Volume 143

Maritime darling plays CSAC cd releases by andrew olsvik.

The Gamma Gamma Rays – Beeps (Halifax, Hot Money Records, release date TBA) Halifax’s Gamma Gamma Rays are one of the hardest working and most established bands you’ve never heard of. Incarnate since 2006, the Gammas have deep roots in the Halifax music scene and despite line-up changes and side projects, have maintained a constant presence. After months of writing and recording they are now poised to release their debut album entitled Beeps to hordes of anxious fans. The band recently unveiled three songs from the album on their MySpace and they continue the adored combination of signature Halifax math rock and infectious pop that the Gammas became known for years ago. Look for Beeps out on Hot Money Records within the next few months.

Kestrels – Covers EP (Truro/ Halifax, Noyes Records, release date TBA) As the three-piece behind one of the most jaw-dropping local releases of last year, I have no doubts that any forthcoming material from Nova Scotian shoegaze pop act Kestrels will do nothing but further establish them as one of the best bands in the region. With more guitar pedals than you can count, the fuzz generated by guitarist Chad Peck recalls ‘90s guitar legends such as J. Mascis and Kevin Shields, while the rhythm section of Adam Hartling and Kirstan Moore form the perfect groove.

The band has revealed plans to write and record a new full length album this year, but are currently recording an EP of covers that will be available as a free download sometime in the near future.

The PEI born Haligonian transplant Jenn Grant has recieved enormous critical acclaim over the past couple of years for her albums, Echoes and Orchestra for the Moon. Ivan Otis / Submitted.

Andrew Olsivik Arts Reporter Whenever the names of artists who define the current music scene in Halifax are dropped, Jenn Grant’s is among them.

Since she began performing in the mid-2000s, Grant has had many incredible opportunities. These include the chance to share her music and represent the East Coast across Canada as a supporting act for the Weakerthans, appear at the internationally acclaimed South by South West festival in Austin, Texas, and tour Europe and the U.S. To create new opportunities Grant will be embarking on a Canadian tour at the end of this month, bringing her to Fredericton on Jan. 31.

Long famous for the scrappy indie pop of bands like Sloan and the Super Friendz, it seemed for a while that this stereotype forced upon Halifax by the outside world would last forever.

In the decades following the decline of international interest in Halifax’s musical output, the artists themselves never disappeared and hordes of incredible bands and albums were produced during this time – whether or not anyone was watching.

More recently, artists like Wintersleep, Joel Plaskett and, yes, Jenn Grant, have set the stage for a surge of musical creativity and output emerging from Halifax rivaling that of 20 years ago.

When The Brunswickan asked Grant about the current status of the Halifax music scene, she could not have been more excited.

“The country is full of amazing tal-

ent, but I think it’s the fact that we are a smaller part of the world and are jam packed with [talent] that is making people turn their heads.

“A lot of people tell me they like the ‘East Coast sound’ and they aren’t just talking about fiddles anymore - not that I don’t enjoy a little jig now and then,” she laughs.

While Grant jokes about the style of East Coast music, she couldn’t be more proud of what is being released.

“It’s bands like Wintersleep and Joel Plaskett and Jill Barber (I’m claiming her for the east, sorry Vancouver and Ontario) and so many more who are making a difference all around the world.”

Grant points out that hype from writers and critics is always helpful to struggling artists, and the buzz generated by local publications has benefited a host of Halifax musicians.

Two publications that come to mind are local blog Herohill and Halifax alternative news hub The Coast.

“I really enjoy both publications [and] I learn a lot about other bands from reading both of them,” Grant says.

“The people who are writing about the music in Halifax seem to me just as much a part of the music scene as the musicians and the people who go out to shows and buy records. It’s a nice balance that we have here in Halifax, and that is one of the reasons I love living here. The community here is strong.”

Dubbed by The Coast as being the best year in local music ever, 2009 might also have been the best year so far for Jenn Grant as a musician.

With the release of her second album,

Echoes, Jenn earned the Best Female artist award at the Nova Scotia Music Awards, as well as three nominations for this year’s East Coast Music Awards taking place in Cape Breton in early March.

In addition, Grant will perform in Halifax on Feb. 19 accompanied by Symphony Nova Scotia.

“I performed a small in-house concert at CBC’s Studio H in Halifax about a year ago, and the special SNS rep was able to see from that show that these songs would develop well with the SNS,” she says.

“I am very excited and honoured. I am really looking forward to it and have been enjoying working in this way with David Christensen, my long-time friend and touring band mate, who is writing all of the parts for the Symphony. It’s really a dream come true.”

As for the numerous awards and nominations she has acquired over the years, Grant seems grateful yet humble.

“I think they measure up the successes pretty good, and I enjoy them, but I would do this if no one was watching” Grant tells The Brunswickan. “But I love that there are people who enjoy the kind of music I make, and it feels really great to be recognized for it. It encourages me to keep going, and to continue sharing what’s in my head.”

Grant will grace Fredericton with her elegant pop songs at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre on Jan. 31 supported

by Saskatchewan’s Jason Plumb & The Willing. Tickets can be purchased in advance at Read’s Newsstand or Backstreet Records. Doors open at 7 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m.

brunswickansports

Jan. 21, 2010 • Issue 16 • Volume 143 • 17

sports@thebruns.ca

Olympic integrity threatened by drugs and advertising

Famous Olympic historian Robert Barney shares his experiences and insight with the audience at the Wu Conference Centre last Thursday night. Nancy Ward / The Brunswickan

Alex Wickwire Sports Reporter On a cold Thursday evening, a crowd of barely over twenty gathered in the Wu Conference Centre to listen to an informative historical lecture about the games of the Olympiad.

Olympic historian Dr. Robert K. Barney visited UNB to address the topic.

The Boston native and Professor Emeritus of the International Centre for Olympics Studies at the University of Western Ontario is arguably the most famous sports historian in North America.

Over 100 years ago during the 1908

Games in London, Canada sent its thirtyseven man “Stadium Team” which was cut down from eighty-seven Olympians who competed in seven different disciplines. They brought home eight medals. Barney’s lecture gave an in-depth description of the remarkable team and its impact. He also touched on the excessive formalities of the Olympiad in the last century and how they can put great achievements, like the 1908 rowing squad, in the backseat.

When asked about his opinion on commercialization in sport and its affect on the Olympics, he had a very quick response on what is to come in the future.

the brunswickan presents

the panel voice your opinion

“It’ll cheapen it,” he said initially. Then he explained that International Olympic Committee made a spoof film about proper marketing, a ‘how not to do it’ joke movie.

The film featured a 400 m relay with every aspect of the race broken down and sponsored by some major corporation.

“It cheapens the product,” he continued.

“The Olympic movement has to maintain the image of being fair. That image is important, but what is even more important is exposure. That’s what the advertisers want.”

Barney sees the Olympics as moving away from being an event featuring amateur athletes.

“A lot of the sports in the Olympics have no professional dimension to them,” he elaborated. “In terms of the time [the athletes] put in to train and compete, it’s a profession.”

Barney then explained that a sports writer in the 1920s summed it up in one sentence: “Amateurs, there ain’t none!”

Barney also shared his opinion on performance enhancing drugs in the Olympics and offered his thoughts on what is yet to come.

“It will destroy what the Olympics call ‘a level playing field’,” he explained. “The human nature of the athlete is to win.”

Steroids and athletic drugs come down to

Is Saint Mary’s making the right decision picking up Mike Danton?

Colin McPhail

Tony von Richter

Alex Wickwire

I have no problem with him playing. But is it the right move? Danton could be the catalyst that sparks the Huskies and pushes them to knock the top teams. On the other hand, the addition of this 29-year old excon could spread some discomfort in the locker room and the whole thing could implode on them. I’m betting the latter will happen.

I think it could turn out to be a great decision. It’s a little strange to have a 29-year-old suiting up in the AUS but like it or not there are no age limits and he does have eligibility left so why not? If he’s trying to turn his life around by going to SMU there’s no reason he shouldn’t be able to play.

Totally! An ex-con playing one of the most physical and violent games known to man? I love Canada so much!

Sports Editor

the morality of the athlete. Barney believes the drive to win usually trumps all other variables in the decision on whether or not to take them.

“Athletes are always asked, with the known side effects of sterility, skin disorders, or a shorter life span, ‘Would you still take them?’ And the answer usually is, ‘I think I would ‘cause that’s not gonna happen to me’.”

Barney simplified what’s threatening Olympic integrity to drugs and advertising: “Commercialization is a problem, but drugs are the main problem…glad I don’t have to handle it.”

CUP Sports Bureau Chief

Sports Reporter

Christopher Cameron Sports Writer

Yes, SMU adding an experienced former NHL player to their lineup could be what they need to make a push towards the AUS championship.

brunswickansports

18 • Jan. 21, 2010 • Issue 16 • Volume 143

Marketing scheme fails to win over Canadians Alex Wickwire An Opinion The Vancouver 2010 Olympics will have to save Hockey Canada.

Our world junior team lost in overtime to the USA squad we’re so used to beating, we are staring at a horrible gold medal free streak on home soil, and a mega corporation from Carolina is attempting to give us a nationally identifying cheer.

How did the best hockey country in the world get into this state of affairs? Pepsi must be losing sales in the United States, because it would be the only way to explain their attempt to develop a stranglehold on a market of only about 35 million people. If anything it’s a very strange campaign in the cola wars. Canada is not exactly a businessperson’s dream when it comes to consumption.

So an eastern seaboard cola company that was once called “Brad’s Drink” has claimed to create an encouraging cheer for all of Canada, something we are supposed to chant when Steve Yzerman’s team goes for

gold on home ice this coming February. Anybody else think this seems a tad weird?

It is easy to see what the plan was for this hockey Canada chant. Months prior to the winter season, people were submitting ideas to Pepsi executives in a national contest. The World Juniors Tournament was supposed to be the coming out party for the cheer, and by the time the Olympics rolled around, all of Canada was supposed to be yelling “Eh Oh Canada Go!” and chugging down sugary black cola out of cans with a beach ball logo on them.

Some good has to come from this cheer, and it truly isn’t all bad. Imagine if Harper had spent taxpayer dollars on developing an athletic cheer for arena crowds? Hiring “creative professionals” to hang out in a board room eating Chinese food until they came up with something worthy of the Olympics. There is no possible way that would go over well, and it would make Canada look ridiculous on an international scale. A private company partnered with The Sports Network and made an attempt to give

It didn’t take long for the Canadian faithful at the World Juniors to abandon Pepsi’s marketed cheer and reprise the traditional ‘Go Canada Go’ cheer that many are familiar with. Flickr CC the country a unique chant to cheer on its team. It seems innocent enough, but it does not quite work.

The cheer’s staying power, or lack thereof, was shown during the WJHC,

when the Saskatchewan crowd (which is notorious for being arguably the loudest fan base in Canada) simply went back to “Go Canada Go!” and kept with the classic slow chants of the

opposing goalie’s last name.

If you actually like the cheer, please email me at alex.wickwire@thebruns. ca. I really would love to hear differing opinions.

Reds get stronger with new additions

With the new addition of the Venezuelan tandem of Julio Fernandez and Joel Garcia, the Varsity Reds are looking to make a charge at the AUS title. Andrew Meade / The Brunswickan Christopher Cameron Staff Writer This weekend the Men’s volleyball team will kick off the second half of their season with an interlock tournament at McGill.

Two new athletes will hit the court in Montreal for the Reds. The two new additions, Julio Fernandez and Joel Garcia, are both from Venezuela.

Fernandez is a highly skilled player who played for Miranda Volleyball Club, the top team in Venezuela. Fernandez participated in the English Learning Program in the first semester so wasn’t eligible to play, but is now a full-time business student.

Garcia arrived at UNB mid-December.

HealsospentsometimeplayingforMiranda Volleyball Club and played for the Venezuelan Junior National Team in 2003.

Coach Dan McMorran is pleased to have such high-level athletes join the

team, expecting they will make an immediate impact.

“Julio should start for us right away,” said McMorran. “Joel, who has had more of a break away from the game, will be competing for minutes as well. Both players give us more depth in our outside positions, which should help us down the stretch.”

After two months between regular season games, the team has been training on their own with no game play. The team normally attends the York University tournament during the break. In lieu of attending the event this year the team returned to UNB on Dec. 29 for training camp, giving them the opportunity to work on some of their weak spots, in preparation for an important second half.

Looking back on the first half McMorran was able to draw more pros than cons from his team’s play.

“The first half pros are shown with our 5-3 record especially going 3-1 against the

tough Quebec conference at the interlock tournament,” said McMorran. “The major con was consistency. We struggled with it and were not able to battle well against Dalhousie in Halifax.”

If the Reds want to win the AUS they will have to snap Dalhousie’s 23-year AUS Championship win streak. Coach McMorran has confidence his team can achieve this if they improve on small aspects of their game, but specifically consistency.

“For us to win the AUS this season our main focus will have to be our consistency, both offensively and defensively,” explained McMorran. “Our setters also struggled with ball placement consistency in the first half, but have been working hard and are improving. Defensively we showed at the interlock tournament that we can have great success with our block, but we also need to dig more balls. If we can consistently put all of these things together, we will give ourselves a great chance to win.”

brunswickansports

Jan. 21, 2010 • Issue 16 • Volume 143 • 19

The Montreal Expos still matter to Canada

sports briefs.

Behind the Red: Robyn Potter

Varisty Reds keep perfect record alive The Reds improved on their perfect record with a pair of wins over the weekend. They dropped SMU 6-1 and squeezed by Acadia 2-1. With the victories the Reds sit 19-0 and have already clinched a playoff berth.

Men’s basketball sinks to the bottom of the table The woes of the men’s basketball team continue with two home losses, 82-60 ad 83-78, against SMU. The men sit in last place with a 1-10 record and are eight points back of the final playoff spot with nine games remaining.

Women’s basketball split with Saint Mary’s The Lady Reds picked up two important points this weekend in a split with SMU. They took the first game 62-57, but couldn’t complete the sweep as they lost 74-60 in the rematch. They now sit at 4-7 and are holding onto the final playoff spot.

Women’s volleyball sweep weekend action

twitter.com/brunssports

The Reds kicked off 2010 on the right track with a three sets to one win over CBU and a 3-2 victory over St. FX. UNB is right in the middle of a very tight AUS table with a 4-6 record.

Even though the Expos are no more, the impact they had on baseball is still visible in former Expos who still play and the number that made it into the Hall of Fame. Internet Andrew Forsyth The Peak BURNABY, B.C. (CUP) – One future Hall-of-Famer’s career is ending as another sees his recognized, reminding Canadians of our once-proud connection to the Expos.

It is the dead of winter and most Canadian hearts and minds are focused on their team’s cup chances or gearing up for the inevitable outpouring of national pride that will come with the Olympics.

However, earlier this month the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) announced that the only player inducted into the hallowed halls of Cooperstown this year would be Andre Dawson, a player who started his trip to greatness in Montreal.

The Jan. 6 announcement came only 24 hours after Randy Johnson, another product of the Expos organization, announced the end to his career after two decades of building his own Hall of Fame credentials. Add to that the possible election of radio play-by-play man Jacques Doucet, who covered the Expos in French for CKAC 730 from 1972 to 2004 and is up for the Hall’s Ford C. Frick Award for broadcasting.

For Expos fans this is a time to celebrate the accomplishments of their now little-acknowledged team. Gary Carter, catcher for the Expos from 1974 to 1984, was given his pass to immortality in 2003 and wears the Montreal Cap on his plaque; and Dawson’s numbers in Montreal make a strong case for him to become the second Expo inductee.

However, despite the trickle of acknowledgement that comes from the BWAA votes it is still possible to see the resonance of Canada’s first MLB team throughout the two leagues. British Columbia native and former outfielder Larry Walker will be on the ballot in 2011, as will Tim Raines who will return for his second vote. Even baseball’s all-time hits leader, Pete Rose, spent a year with the club. Still active products of the Montreal system include Vladimir Guerrero, Jason Bay, Grady Sizemore, Cliff Lee, and Pedro Martinez – all of whom are making their own case for a

Hall of Fame plaque.

Although the fans of the game may cherish these fleeting moments in the sun as they watch another alumnus bring back the memories of past success, it is a moment that can be lonely thereafter.

In a recent interview with the New York Times, Gary Carter said that, although he enjoyed his time in Montreal and that he was proud of the emblem on his plaque, he hoped that Dawson would go in as a Chicago Cub, allowing a team still in existence to honour his induction. Carter’s quotes do nothing to install confidence that Expos fans should expect to see another Montreal player in the Hall soon.

Ultimately it is the Hall of Fame that makes the final decision of which team a player will represent. The problem for fans is that in the five seasons since the Expos were shifted to Washington and re-branded as the Nationals, the 36 years in Montreal are ones that Major League Baseball is seemingly comfortable forgetting.

Expos veteran Steve Rogers echoed Carter’s sentiment saying in the *New York Times*, “When (the Expos) did move, with all the promise in Washington, I was thrilled for them. Yet at the same time, for anyone who played in the halcyon days of the Expos’ franchise, all of a sudden it was ‘Hey, where’s my team?’”

Since the move in 2004, the Nationals organization has done nothing to link the 36-year history of the club before its new Washington home. Meanwhile, as other Major League teams have hosted numerous reunion events and “Turn Back the Clock” games to celebrate their past players, the Expos seem to have been given a fast track to obscurity save in the hearts of their disenfranchised fans.

While Dawson was given a video tribute during a January Canadiens game, and while the banners of retired Expo jerseys hang from the rafters of the Bell Centre, these are the only reminders of the once great organization, save for the fading legacy left in the MLB system and Carters’ bronze plaque that may be joined by an Expo-clad likeness of “The Hawk.”

Christopher Cameron Staff Writer First year women’s soccer striker Robyn Potter hailing from Ottawa, Ontario is one of the up and coming Varsity Red stars of the future.

Potter led the Reds in scoring with four goals in their 13 regular season games. She brings five years playing experience as a striker with the Ottawa Fury Soccer Club to UNB with a strong desire to win.

She is currently studying craft and design at UNB, which involves two years at UNB and two years at the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design.

After completing her first season with the Varsity Reds, Potter discusses her season with the team.

Brunswickan: What brought you to Fredericton?

Robyn Potter: My whole family is from here. I was born in Halifax, but both my parents are both from here and my dad is in the military. He is getting posted back here, so I thought I’d come back here and wait for them.

B: After receiving some offers from colleges in the US, the question becomes ‘What made UNB stand apart from them?’

RP: Going through high school I was leaning more towards going to the States on a soccer scholarship, but near the end I decided I didn’t want to do that because it took too much time.

I had met Andy [Cameron] before through soccer and he seemed like a great coach. I decided to check out UNB and I liked everything about it.

B: Since this year is your first, have you found it difficult to adjust to the university workload alongside athletics?

RP: Not really. My whole life I’ve been playing soccer most of my free time outside of school, so I learned how to work my school work into my schedule before university.

B: What first got you into soccer?

RP: I was three years old when I was on my first team, which was Timbits.

My dad was my coach and I don’t think he knew a thing about soccer, but that’s how it began for me. Athletics were never really pushed in my family, but soccer just came naturally to me.

I played rugby and hockey as well, but found soccer was my calling.

B: After your first season with the V-Reds, are you happy with the school and the program?

RP: I love the team for sure. I know we kind of had a bad season, but we had a lot of positives. One thing I really liked about this year was the team’s desire to win, especially in the last game of the season when we knew we were out of the playoffs. Everyone still wanted to win and pushed themselves as if it was the first game of the season.

My program is everything I was looking for and I can’t wait for the next soccer season to begin.

brunswickansports

20 • Jan. 21, 2010 • Issue 16 • Volume 143

The wellness wheel: the eight pieces of a balanced life Nancy Ward Staff Writer With second term getting back into full swing, life is becoming hectic again. Trying to balance school work, a social life and time to relax can be a hard thing to do. One way to try balancing your life is to take the wellness wheel approach, which can be found on the campus recreation website. The wellness wheel is formed by eight spokes that serve as a basis for balance when the eight parts are pieced together. It is imperative not only to balance the pieces, but to understand them in order to make the appropriate choices in your life.

Traditionally, people have thought

Upcoming V-Reds Events Friday, January 22nd Women’s basketball UNB @ UPEI 6:00 p.m.

Hockey UNB @ Moncton 7:00 p.m.

Men’s volleyball UNB @ Laval 8:00 p.m. @ McGill Saturday, January 23rd Men’s volleybal UNB @ Sherbrooke 11:00 a.m. @ McGill Women’s basketball UNB @ UPEI 4:00 p.m.

Men’s volleyball UNB @ Montreal 6:00 p.m. @ McGill Women’s volleyball UNB @ CBU 7:00 p.m.

Hockey UNB @ STU 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, January 24th Men’s volleyball UNB @ McGill 1:00 p.m. @ McGill Women’s volleyball UNB @ StFX 2:00 p.m.

Have ideas or an opinion you need to get out?

Send us Letters!

editor@thebruns.ca

of wellness as being related primarily to physical fitness and nutrition. Many people assess their own wellness in terms of how often they go to the gym or whether or not they have an apple a day, but there is more to being healthy than the physical aspect.

The first of the eight spokes on the wellness wheel is intellectual and academic wellness. Having a healthy balance of this in your life is important to general wellbeing, as school can be a major point of stress for most students. The importance of academic performance as well as the willingness to find help when needed will allow for an easier time with balancing the rest of your life.

The second spoke is interpersonal

relationships. This piece of the wheel keeps communications balanced with your family, significant others, roommates and other people that you have daily interactions with. Good relationships allow for a more functional lifestyle, and interacting with others in a healthy way is key to happiness.

The third spoke is life skills, which includes managing your time, money and the basic needs of everyday life. Mastering this section will make your everyday schedule work better, leaving more time for the fun stuff.

Physical wellness is a part of the wheel that is very important not only for your health but your safety and well being.

Maintaining moderate activity levels and

keeping drug and alcohol levels in check will allow for a more practical life.

The fifth part of the wheel is sexual wellness. Being conscious of sexual behaviours, safety issues and sexual preferences will give you a better self understanding.

Social awareness is crucial when trying to lead a balanced life. Allowing for a balance of leisure activities, taking part in various community and school events, and finding time to relax with family and friends will help you improve yourself mentally and physically.

The seventh piece of the wheel is spiritual wellness. Spiritual wellness encompasses more than religious views; spirituality also includes values on which we base our

actions as well as providing a foundation for our sense of purpose, direction, and awareness in our lives.

The final piece of the wellness wheel is emotional wellness. Having an understanding of your emotions and being able to express them to others while dealing with issues of depression, addiction, self-esteem and stress are all parts of emotional wellness.

Recognizing and understanding the various methods of balancing your life within the wellness wheel is important for healthy living on all eight fronts. The month of February is wellness month for UNB. It will showcase many events and activities promoting a healthy lifestyle for university students.