The McGill Tribune Vol. 28 Issue 6

N H L P R EV IEW : W E'V E W A ITED A LL SU M M ER F O R T H IS , PAGES 18& 19

C H O C O LA T E IS A FO O D GRO UP, PAGES 10 & 11

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V o l u m e 28 Is s u e 6 • O c t o b e r 7 , 2008

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e x p a n d d a y ca re Suite 1100 chosen, MISN lounge to be relocated T homas Q uail After two hours of heated debate last Thursday night, the Students' Society Legislative Council voted to expand the SSMU daycare service into Shatner suite noo, bumping the McGill International Students' Network from their lounge.

The motion—put forth in a special General Assembly before Council's bi-weekly meeting—passed decisively with only one vote against and one abstention.

A nursery will replace the lounge space currently occupied by the MISN. The MISN lounge is located in the Shatner building, near the firstfloor passageway to the Brown building. Catering to undergraduates, the nursery will have eight available spots for children aged four to 18 months.

According to SSMU there are 14 undergraduate mothers on the waiting list.

SSMU will begin renovating the space once the administration approves the switch.

As part of Quebec's publicly funded daycare system, the government will subsidize all of the new nursery spaces. Parents lucky enough to secure a spot will pay $7 per day for childcare.

"For SSMU, this will not have any financial impact. We will front some renovation costs, but all operating costs are completely covered by the

ack Kids rock the Just for Laughs Theatre Saturday night. Full POP Montreal coverage on page 15.

See NURSERY on page 2

VIcGill c o n t e m p la t in g p u r c h a s e o f R o y a l V ic Jniversity may not be the only bidder for the century-old hospital S arah B abbage Facing a need for more modern, user-friendly buildings, e Royal Victoria Hospital is building a new hospital complex Notre Dame de Grâce, which it hopes to move into in 2013.

The move will leave the hospital's current buildings up for lie, and McGill University is already eyeing them as a poten>1solution to its space deficit.

The hospital currently occupies 13 buildings, the first of hich was built in 1893. Together they make up 3,3 million luarefeet of reusable space, according to the Montreal Metro aard ofTrade.

The hospital is both owned and operated by the McGill

University Health Centre, which is a separate legal entity from the university. The MUHC first brought up the idea of mov­ ing in 1992, and made the decision after a study conducted in 2000 showed it would be more expensive to modernize exist­ ing facilities than to relocate.

When the university first heard of the hospital's plans to move, it was only interested in buying a few of the buildings, particularly those that could be easily adapted into residences, according to McGill Provost Anthony Masi.

Since then, Masi said, McGill University has undertaken a more extensive planning exercise for their Master Plan—the university's over-arching long-term future plan. The results in­ dicated that they were going to need more space.

“While we still have some ability to rationalize the space

we presently occupy on our downtown campus ... estimates are that McGill will need nearly one million more square feet of floor space over the next decade or so," Masi said in an email to theTribune.

The space would be used for graduate students, research facilities, temporary initiatives and "swing-space," which would serve as a temporary location for groups and activities dis­ placed by renovation.

The university has yet to submit a bid for the properties, but, according to Masi, taking over existing buildings best suits McGill's needs.

"Most of our consultation on the downtown campus has See RENOVATION COSTS on page 3

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P e n d in g M cG ill a p p ro v a l, n u rse ry to o p e n in Ja n International students moved to fourth floor alongside other services Continued from COVER provincial government," said SSMU Vice-President External Devin Alfaro.

Earlier this year, the Quebec Ministry of Family decided to expand subsidized daycare by adding 18,000 new spots before March 31, 2009. SSMU's daycare board applied for spots and received confirmation of funding in mid-August.

"We were the only daycare in Montreal to get spaces," Alfaro said. " We were prioritized because of the needs of an educational environment."

In her initial address at Thursday's meeting SSMU Presi­ dent Kay Turner implored councillors to consider the differ­ ence a nursery will make in the lives of student parents. She also mentioned SSMU's mandate—approved at a 2007 Gen­ eral Assembly—to support student parents.

"Is there a tangible need [for a nursery]? Is there a man­ date? Yes there is,"Turner said.

A question period followed Turner's address where councillors expressed concern with displacing a service with such a large base—there are 6,250 international students at McGill. In response, the executive stated that a space for MISN had been saved on the fourth floor of Shatner along­ side SSMU's other services.

"There are various other services that function effec­ tively with an office on the fourth floor," SSMU VP Clubs and Services Samantha Cook said.

MISN VP Internal Khalil Guliwala disagreed with Cook, citing the visibility of the current lounge as the cornerstone of MISN's effectiveness.

"The issue is not over physical space. It's over this par­ ticular physical space," Guliwala said. "When international students come to Canada, they are integrating into a new society and attempting to navigate the complex Canadian education system. If we have a visible space, it makes their lives easier."

SSMU executives claimed that the nursery could not have been put anywhere else. Provincial laws dictate that nurser­ ies must be no more than 500 meters from a playground, located on the first floor, and have a sufficient amount of natural light. "[The space] really does suit the needs of the daycare," said Amy Vincent, SSMU's daycare manager.

MISN struck back by chiding the executive for waiting nine days before contacting them about the daycare expan­ sion. The executive learned of the spots August 10, yet MISN did not receive an email until August 19.

"I didn't think we'd even received the spots. I found out via text message," Cook said. "There was an element of ner­ vousness—I wanted to compose a good email that would detail how it would work and what we'd do. Once that was done, I shot the email off."

The MISN executive, it was revealed, did not responc Cook's email until early September. SSMU and the MISN r once before Thursday's Council meeting.

As the night progressed, councillors wanted more tails. MISN fielded questions surrounding the necessity that specific space.

"Depriving them of this space will deeply affect all in national students. We need the lounge to fulfill our culti experiences, movie nights and language classes," said M President Charles Pontvianne.

The SSMU executive maintained that the nursery, w displacing MISN from its lounge, would dramatically aff the lives of undergraduate parents.

"This is a golden opportunity to tangibly help stude on campus," Alfaro said. "The net benefits [of the nursery] outweigh the cost."

The nursery will also help SSMU's daycare.

Currently, the daycare looks after 31 toddlers aged th and up. Only six undergraduate students use the SSMU d care.The remaining clients include 23 postgraduate stude and two faculty members. According to the executive, nursery will also benefit the SSMU daycare. Undergradua who in the past would find a nursery off campus because age constraints will be more inclined to use the SSMU d care. ■

SPEA KER ON CAM PU S

J u s t in T r u d e a u a n s w e r s s t u d e n t q u e s t io n s Papineau candidate faces tough race against incumbent Bloc MP E lizabeth P erle Justin Trudeau's campaign to take the Papineau riding in eastern Montreal for the Liberals stopped at the Bronfman Building last Wednesday, as Trudeau answered questions at an event run by Liberal McGill.

With the October 14 election approaching, Trudeau, a McGill alumnus and the son of former prime minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau, fielded ques­ tions from students about his candidacy in the Pap­ ineau riding, the tight race in the area, and his general political views as a member of the Liberal party.

Vivian Barbot of the Bloc Québécois is the cur­ rent MP for the riding and Trudeau's main opponent in the race. Barbot has strong support thanks to Papineau's francophone majority, a demographic in which Trudeau must make significant gains in order to win.

"I have grown to be very impressed with Madame Barbot," Trudeau said. "I don't criticize her flat-out, except on one level: on the idea of having someone who is, by definition, forever relegated to being one among many opposite parties, who will never have their hands on the levers of power."

Trudeau admitted, however, that it has been a "tight fight." "[The other parties] will more likely be drawing more votes away from me—from the Liberal party— than from the Bloc Québécois," he said. "A perfect example of this: the Conservatives decided to put a [candidate] who does not actually speak French in the heart of Montreal, in a 70 per cent Francophone rid­ ing. The message is clear—the only person this Con­ servative is going to be stealing votes from is me."

Trudeau also responded to critics who accuse him of running on his father's name. "[Papineau] is a riding where it would be impossi­ ble to win running on anything other than hard work," Trudeau said. "People say, 'Oh, politics is easier for him because he's a Trudeau!' Actually, you have to work two or three times as hard because you are a Trudeau.

•The door is open for me to a certain extent, but get­ ting through is a lot harder."

Papineau—which includes the neighbourhoods of Villeray, St. Michel, and Parc-Extension—is known for its diversity (it includes 73 different ethnic com­ munities) and for having one of the lowest average incomes in the country. Not surprisingly, Trudeau de­ scribed the area as facing real challenges.

"But to my mind, it's a question of'bring it on!"' he said.

The discussion-based, informal nature of Wednesday's presentation has been a theme in Trudeau's campaign over the past few months. Clara Chang, a Liberal McGill executive and one of the or­ ganizers of Thursday's event, explained that Trudeau's background as a teacher was the inspiration for this format.

"Whenever he had 20 minutes to kill, he would go to the students and say 'Ask me anything.' They would sometimes ask wild questions like, 'How old is the earth?"Who is the most famous person you've ever met?'And he would give them honest, direct an­ swers. I think that's what a politician needs to do," she said.

The audience's reaction to the event was gener­ ally positive, with students impressed by Trudeau's strong public speaking abilities and charisma.

"He did a good job. I thought he was a really good speaker," said Wren Laing, Uo political science.

After the event,Trudeau responded to a question that has recently entered the minds of those looking for change in Liberal party leadership after a year of losing national momentum: should Dion falter this election, would Trudeau ever consider seeking lead­ ership?

"Just being an elected MP is a powerful way of making a difference, and to be honest with you, it in­ volves so many new overwhelming responsibilities for me that I am not thinking of any next steps," he said. "I'm going to try to be the best MP that I can for Papineau and deal with next steps when [they] come up." ■

Justin Trudeau, son of the former prime minister, is a candidate in th Papineau riding.

07.10.08 • The McGill Tribune • 3

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CAM PUS

JA T IO N A L

n o w d is c o v e r e d o n M a rs Canadian instrument crucial to finding A ndrew S eo As Canadians prepare for colder temperatures in ie coming weeks, some may be surprised by an early nowfall 672,000 km away. The Meteorological Weather Itation on the Phoenix Mars Lander has discovered the Iresence of falling snow in the Martian atmosphere |sing a Canadian-developed instrument.

"The snow is more like diamond dust, or small lakes," said Peter Taylor, professor of atmospheric sci­ ence at York University and one of the members of the fanadian Metrological Weather Station (MET) team.

So far, we've only detected its presence in the plan­ et's upper atmosphere [and not on the surface] since tends to sublimate while descending into varying varmer temperatures."

The Phoenix Lander, currently stationed near the liorthem arctic region of Mars, was able to make the Jiscovery with its Canadian-made LIDAR (Light Deteclion and Ranging) instrument. The LIDAR tool emits a precision-guided laser into the Martian atmosphere to lletermine the size and composition of overhead parlicles.

"This was a big engineering challenge," said Alain kerinstain, director of planetary exploration and space (stronomy at the Canadian Space Agency. "We're talkng about putting a delicate instrument in temperalures that can change the shape of most objects. Not pnly that, the laser beam that reflects off the Martian tlouds has to align perfectly back to a small telescope pn the Lander."

The Lander's meteorological operations, headed J>y principal researcher Professor Jim Whiteway of York Jniversity, marks the first time Canadians have led a Research mission to a foreign planet's surface. Along vith the Canadian Space Agency, Toronto firm Optech |nc. and Brampton, Ontario-based MDA Space Missions provided much of the technological backbone for the tonstruction of the LIDAR instrument. Scientists at the Jniversity of Alberta and Dalhousie University also con­ tributed their technical expertise to the instrument.

The new findings provide some further clues for possible signs of life on the Red Planet. "[The snow] has some important implications bbout a functioning water cycle on Mars. That's one of fhe things we look for when determining the possible Dresence of life,"Taylor said.

In July 2008, scientists confirmed reports of ice under the Martian ground surface after the Lander's robotic arm dug a five centimetre hole into planet's soil. The Lander, however, has yet to find signs of liquid water, which is essential for living cell functions.

The new discovery comes as a rare and unexpect­ ed opportunity for scientists who estimated a mission period of approximately 90 Martian days (or sols). The solar-powered Lander, now in its 120th day of operation, will soon lose its main source of power when the region becomes engulfed in darkness until the spring.

The Lander's current position on Mars is not so dif­ ferent from environments found in parts of northern Canada. Situated in the high arctic region of Nunavut, McGill's own Arctic Research Station (MARS) is regularly used by NASA to perform tests in comparable planetary conditions.

"The moon, and to a greater extent, Mars, are both extreme environments analogous to the [Earth's] Arctic," said McGill Professor Peter Radziszewski. "These sites present certain characteristics that are quite similar in­ cluding intense temperature variations ranging from -60 C to 150 C." Formerly with the Canadian Space Agency, Radziszewski is currently experimenting with wheel designs for lunar-based rovers and remains one of a handful of McGill researchers who are looking to build stronger ties with the CSA. Still, Canadians can expect more red-and-white flags in the next phases of Mars research.

"We'll be providing NASA with a device called the [Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer] on their next Mars launch in 2009,"Berinstein said.

The APXS device will allow scientists to measure the chemical elements of the Mars soil surface—a proj­ ect currently led by University of Guelph physicist Ralf Geffert. This time, however, the Mars Science Labora­ tory will be a nuclear-based, mobile land rover instead of a solar-powered, stationary unit like its predecessor.

The new Rover is expected to launch on September 15, 2009. ■ The P h o e n ix M a rs L a n d e r m issio n is h e a d e d b y th e U n iversity o f A rizo n a a n d NASA's J e t P ro p u lsio n L a b o ra ­ tory. U p d a te d w e a th e r c o n d itio n s o n th e M a rtia n su rfa ce can b e fo u n d a t: h ttp ://w w w .sp a ce .g c.ca /a sc/e n g /e x p lo ra tio n /p h o e n ix .a sp

R e n o v a tio n c o s ts c o u ld ru n h ig h Tycoon alumnus Marcel Arsenault also interested Continued from COVER indicated that the community would not like to see an intensification of the use or an increase in the density of the presently occupied spaces," Masi said.

The heritage buildings of the hospital would come with hefty renova­ tion costs.

"At the very least, there will first be some deferred maintenance issues to deal with," Masi said.

McGill would also have to pay to convert the space, which a 1998 study estimated would cost at least $320 million.

But, according to Dianne Fagan, communications manager for the MUHC Redevelopment Project, McGill might not be the only party inter­ ested in the buildings.

"The Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services will get the first bid, followed by other ministries. If they aren't interested, we will open it up to institutions like McGill, then private investors,"she said.

One such private investor, Colorado real estate tycoon Marcel Arse­ nault, has in the past expressed interest. In a 2003 article in the Gazette, Arsenault, who is a McGill alumnus, described his vision of buying the build­ ings and creating a McGill Peace Institute.

The proposed institute would hold conferences and classes as well as research facilities. Arsenault would allow the institute to develop the rest of the buildings, probably for residential use, and let it keep any generated profits.

Arsenault's philanthropic organization, the Arsenault Family Founda­ tion, has taken an interest in McGill before, most recently in 2006 when they sponsored an internship award for undergraduate students in the Faculty of Arts.

Arsenault has not recently discussed his plans in public, however. A representative from his firm, Colorado and Santa Fe Real Estate, was un­ aware of any interest he may have in the hospitals.

Fagan stressed that no formal offers have been received so far.

"We're still early in the process of deciding who will take over the build­ ings," she said.

Construction on the NDG hospital is not expected to begin until late 2009 and it is too early to say when the last of the Royal Victoria buildings will be vacated.

The Montreal General Hospital, which will remain open, will also un­ dergo construction in 2009 to modernize its existing facilities. ■

> R O V IN C IA L

e p a n n e u r s a c r o s s p r o v in c e c lo s in g d o o r s :ompetition from supermarkets and illegal tobacco sales cause decline K ayan H ui With dépanneurs boarding up shop across the province, Quebec convenience store managers are now working Hercu­ lean shifts just to put bread on the table.

Raymond Guillep, the Montreal Regional Business Direc­ tor of the Association des Marchands, Dépanneurs et Epiciers Idu Quebec (AMDEQ) reported the number of dépanneurs in (the province has halved in the past 20 years. According to Guiljlep, the decline is due to late opening hours of supermarkets, |illegal tobacco sales, and the price of beer.

The first wave of closures occurred after the provincial (government passed a law in 1992 permitting supermarkets to lremain open late during the week and on weekends. Dépan­ neurs felt the pressure of increased competition.

According to Guillep, black market tobacco sales began |to surface in the same year, and have strengthened in recent years. Dépanneurs have struggled to compete with the low prices of contraband tobacco due to high federal taxes on cigarettes. Convenience stores across Canada have also had I problems with tobacco sales.

Many people have banded together to urge the federal | government to lower its tobacco taxes.

Beer sales have been another source of discomfort for dé­

panneur owners. For smaller dépanneurs, beer sales can com­ prise up to eight per cent of their income. But these sales have also declined recently due to competition from supermarkets such as Metro and IGA. Supermarkets are pricing their beer at $21 to $22 per case—more than seven dollars less than what most dépanneurs are able to charge.

Due to these developments, managers of local dépan­ neurs have experienced lower sales, and the ones still stand­ ing are only able to earn a fraction of their previous earnings.

Qi Huang, the owner of Dépanneur Frais on Rouen Street in the east end, noted that his customers are spending about half as much as they used to.

"We just accept what we're facing—we can't change any­ thing, so we have to accept that this is how the competition is in this market," Huang said. "Tobacco companies will tell you that your value is not as big as the supermarkets, and you don't have any choice but to cut your profits."

The closures have, in some ways, helped the dépanneurs that have remained open. In Huang's case, former customers from closed dépanneurs now shop at Dépanneur Frais. And while the closures of nearby dépanneurs have given Huang a greater cut of the market share in his neighbourhood, he ac­ knowledges that they are hurting the business as a whole.

Despite the threats to the dépanneur business, Guillep remained optimistic about the future of dépanneurs across

the Montreal region. The rate of closures has slowed consider­ ably in the last two years, Guillep said, and effective January 2009, a new law demands supermarkets to close for at least five days during the year to allow the dépanneurs to increase their yearly sales by up to four per cent.

"I think people are starting to find out that the person working in the dépanneur is someone friendly—someone they're used to seeing every morning to get their lottery tick­ ets, to say good morning to and [to ask] how they're doing.

You won't get the same personalized service in these super­ markets," Guillep said.

Owners of independent stores are also adapting by cus­ tomizing their stores. Ready-made sandwiches and pizzas are appearing on the shelves of these dépanneurs, and owners are establishing their own niches, in some cases specializing in imported beers supplied by smaller brewers. Others are sim­ ply adapting to the new market by lowering prices.

McGill student Jeffrey Sun, Ui arts, said that students will continue to frequent dépanneurs as long as they are conve­ nient and affordable.

"If I’m able to save two or three dollars a case at the dep, that's where I'll take my business," said Sun, who regularly fre­ quents his local dépanneur. "The price of beer can vary from one place to the next, but for most people, it's mostly a matter of convenience." ■

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The McGil '"ribu

4 • News • 07.10.08 CAM PUS

N e w s B rie f

A U S o p e n s n e w co u rty a rd Project funds came from various sources According to MacKinnon, there were problems right from the start. A debate with the City of Mon­ Last Thursday marked the much-anticipated open­ treal over ownership of the wall along Doctor Penfield ing of the new courtyard behind the Arts Building, lo­ spurred a lengthy court case. Ultimately, it was deter­ cated west of the Ferrier Building entrance on Doctor mined that the city owned the wall. Permission was granted, however, to cut through the wall and link the Penfield Avenue.

The project began two years ago when the admin­ courtyard to Doctor Penfield.

The new courtyard features a circular stone patio, istration approached RJ Kelford, former Arts Undergrad­ uate Society president and current Tribune columnist, large benches, the aforementioned staircase from Doc­ about installing an accessible outdoor space behind the tor Penfield, and ample greenery, along with security cameras and an emergency phone. MacKinnon said the Ferrier building.

"If patience is a virtue, I'm really happy we were aim of the courtyard is to provide a "safe, friendly, green working with St. Mary MacKinnon," Kelford said, refer­ space"for students and faculty alike.

Much was said about the safety of the area prior to ring to the hard work of project leader and administra­ the construction of the new courtyard. tor Mary MacKinnon.

"Doctor Penfield never felt safe. Hope­ fully this will make people feel better," cur­ rent AUS President Nick Wolf said.

Matthew Goldberg of the McGill Alum­ ni Association agreed.

"I always thought of this as the place where if I slipped at night and my cell phone fell it would be lost and gone forever," Gold­ berg said.

The AUS was one of the major finan­ cial contributors to the project, along with the McGill Alumni Association, the Arts De­ velopment Fund, and the Deffered Main­ tenance Fund. The Provost's Office also matched the Arts Undergraduate Improve­ ment Fund's $80,000 investment. The total cost of the courtyard was $300,000. The AUIF is an opt-outable fee of $24.50 each semester.

"This day has been a long time coming.

This space has been unused for at least 50 years," said Dean of Arts Christopher Manfredi. "We're pleased to be able to make this space available to the student community."

Due to the administration's support, former AUS vice-president finance Eliza­ beth Mirhady described the approval pro­ cess as relatively easy.

"Rarely does the administration take such an active approach", Mirhady said.

According to Mirhady, the project was approved at a six-hour meeting that involved representation from student, fac­ ulty, and administrative bodies. Issues such as student access, possible functions, and financial viability were discussed and de­ cided upon at the meeting.

"We weren't sure if this would ever happen," Kelford said. "Enjoy the courtyard.

NATEVANDEWEERD Let people know about it. Let's make this a The new courtyard behind the Arts Building, built at a cost of vibrant space."* $300,000, was officially opened on Thursday.

C ara W ilson

McGill researchers discover world's oldest rocks Following a recent discovery by McGill University researchers, gee gists from around the world are flocking to northern Quebec for a char to study the world's oldest rocks.

The McGill team, in collaboration with researchers from the Univ sity of Quebec and the Carnegie Institute for Science, discovered the p historic rocks on the Hudson Bay coastline. Found in the Nuvvuagitt Greenstone Belt, these rocks, called faux-amphibolites, are an estimai 4.28 billion years old. According to Jonathan O'Neil, lead researcher 2 McGill earth and planetary sciences PhD student, this means they w formed only three hundred million years after the Earth's formationunprecedented discovery.

"This is the oldest piece of continent, or crust, discovered on 1 Earth's surface to date and will open up a whole new field of study for O'Neil said.

The chemical composition of these rocks will help geologists und stand when and how life began on Earth. In addition, O'Neil's study si gests that a shallow ocean existed in the region approximately 4.2 billi years ago.

McGill University researchers used isotopic dating, which measu the decay of neodymium-146 into samarium-146, to determine the roc age. A method typically used on meteorites, the isotopic dating proc can only be used on rocks 4.1 billion years or older.

"Before the discovery of these rocks, the oldest rocks known were fc billion years old, found in the Northwest Territories," O'Neil said.

This type of isotopic dating had never before been used on roc found on Earth.

According to O'Neil, the Inuit community located 35 kilometres sou east of the geological unearthing was proud to take part in the monumc tal discovery.

— B ritta n y Paters

Green Party candidates host discussion at McGill Green Party candidates from around Montreal gathered in Leacock last Friday for a town hall discussing policy-making, the upcoming electi and what it means to be "ecology-stupid".

"As a political party, we have always been a little different,"said Jess Gal, a Green Party candidate representing the NDG—Lachine riding. "\ are the real thing; we represent the community as opposed to people w merely want to advance their careers in politics."

The Green Party garnered 448 per cent of the popular vote in the 20 election, campaigning on a platform of sustainability.

"We won't be gaining power for a while," said Brian Sarwer-Fon the Châteauguay—Saint-Constant candidate. "If the Green Party were actually win government, there needs to be a revisiting of how society structured. This involves a lot of restructuring—like including more co munity participation. The public would definitely need to be involved the change."

At the meeting, the candidates addressed green tax shifting.They pi posed to cut taxes on income and transfer this burden onto carbon a pollution. According to the Green Party candidates, however, their gre tax shift will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Not just an environmental party, the Green contingent also wants encourage social reform.

"One of our main missions is to put tax money towards the aging po ulation,"Gal said. In addition, she explained that the Green Party's carbi tax shift may help lower-income Canadians and seniors.

— N a n cy Phc

N A T IO N A L

U B C A t h le t ic s c o n s id e r s m e m b e r s h ip c h a n g e University still evaluating consequences of shift from CIS to NCAA J ulie B eauchamp One year after first expressing interest in joining the Na­ tional Collegiate Athletic Association, the University of British Columbia is still deciding whether or not to apply for a Divi­ sion II membership.

The university wants to be sure that the NCAA is the right fit for its athletes.

The UBC Athletics Department has been considering join­ ing the NCAA for a few years, but only publicly stated its inter­ est last year.

"We have recently put in place a consultation process on campus to gather different opinions regarding this potential membership," said Ben Schach, sports information director at UBC. "Then, an independent board will put forward a recom­ mendation."

Ultimately, UBC President Stephen Toope will make the final decision.

Concerns have been raised over whether UBC could af­ ford to join the NCAA, as its current athletics budget of $4 million would not be sufficient to finance its various sports as

a NCAA member.

Schach said that there were no budgetary concerns and that an official decision had to be made before further discus­ sions of financial matters. According to Schach, the cost of the NCAA is exaggerated and UBC would be more than able to finance its sports teams.

"UBC is one of the only universities in Canada with full­ time paid head coaches and assistant coaches," Schach said when asked about finances.

UBC's men's hockey team recently travelled to Alaska to play the University of Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves and the University of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks, both Division I NCAA teams.

Steve Cobb, director of athletics for the University of Alas­ ka-Anchorage, said that most directors in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference were in favour of adding UBC to its confer­ ence because it is a renowned academic establishment with a strong athletics program.

If the university chooses to join the NCAA, UBC athletes may have to spend more time travelling, though Schach does not see this as a problem.

According to Schach, the response from athletes has be< positive. He stated that UBC would not consider such a bo move if student athletes were anything less than thrilled.

Canadian Interuniversity Sport's Chief Executive Offic Marg McGrego, said that the organization still believes it is strong organization for student athletics.

"Each year there are countless examples of Canadian st dent athletes who return to Canada from the NCAA followir a disappointing experience, where the reality of the NCAA d not live up to expectations," McGregor said.

Stacey Osburn, NCAA associate director for public ar media relations, would not comment on the possibility of partnership with UBC, but did state that other Canadian ur versities could follow suit if theThunderbirds join the NCAA. "At least five Canadian schools have expressed intere in Canadian membership initially, and we expect the numb of formal applications to grow over the remainder of the pile program," said Stacey Osburn, NCAA associate director fi public and media relations.

UBC expects to make a decision on the issue by mid-N< vember. ■

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07.10.08 «The McGilITribune • 5

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M cG ill r e s e a r c h e r s d e c la r e g o v e r n m e n t n t e r v e n t io n a s o u r c e o f e t h n ic c o n f lic t s iaideman's conclusion goes against conventional political theory T rip Y ang Contrary to the popular view that globalization of ecoomic markets has led to ethnic conflicts, McGill political sciice professor Steven Saideman recently proposed that gov•nmental economic intervention is the main catalyst.

Working with former masters student David Steinberg id colleagues from the University of Maryland, Saideman >und that increased government intervention in the local conomy has a strong correlation with increased violence and ;bellion. A more open, liberalized approach to intervention ecreases interethnic hostility.

"There has been debate over whether globalization and liberalized economy would cause more conflict. Our results iow that less government involvement leads to less violence nd more involvement leads to more violence," Saideman aid.

Saideman and Steinberg challenged the popular notion lat globalization and free trade economic policies incite eth­ ic violence. Their studies show that interventionist policies uch as industry regulations and foreign investment restricons lead to ethnic conflict. Conversely, fewer restrictions on >reign investment can lead to ethnic peace.

According to Saideman, governments become more im­ portant to the economy as the rate of government interven­ tion increases. What usually occurs after government inter­ vention is a frantic race for groups to gain political power and the financial spoils that come with it. Groups who are harmed or feel threatened by government intervention then have in­ centive to rebel.

"The basic intuition is that government regulation often favors one group over another. Wealth is not distributed equal­ ly, which naturally spurs hostile feelings. If the state doesn't do much, there's much less reason to fight,"Steinberg said.

While Saideman and Steinberg argue that state interven­ tion is a central cause of ethnic conflict, there are nuances to the concept. Though the type of political regime is not a major factor, less-developed countries have a higher risk of ethnic conflict, and while government intervention affects all groups, minorities are usually affected the most.

"Minorities often get the short end of the stick. Power is not always distributed equally. When minorities can't gain control, they feel hostility towards ... the majority group in power,"Saideman said.

Though minorities often feel the most pressure during government intervention, there are many examples of major­ ity groups feeling similar tension. Saideman cites the ethnic

hostilities in Serbia in the 1980s and 90s as an example of a majority group instigating conflict.

"Before the war the Serbs held a majority in the Yugoslav goveVnment. Their fears of losing their power renewed Balkan area conflict," he said.

While Saideman and Steinberg are cautious about recom­ mending specific economic policies, they believe the findings contain practical implications.

"When we intervene in the economy, we have to be careful when looking at the resulting ethnic group relations.

Governments need to involve themselves in a nuanced, ac­ countable way that avoids ethnic conflict as much as possible," Steinberg said.

McGill political science professor Mark Brawley concurred that redistribution of income is a major source behind any eth­ nic conflict, but stated that globalization can also spark these problems.

"Globalization is a complicated issue. It can redistribute wealth that is advantageous to some groups and disadvan­ tageous to another, instilling contentious attitudes," Brawley said. "Successful policies do not necessarily mean less inter­ vention. If we intervene to aid one group, we need to lay out complementary policies that help other groups." ■

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Th is Tuesday, vote.

A federal general election is taking place on October 14, 2008.

You will find the voting hours for your polling station on your voter information card or at www.elections.ca by clicking on "Voter Information Service".

For information on where and when to vote, check your voter information card.

It tells you where and when to vote. You’ll get through the voting process more quickly if you have it with you.

If you haven't received this card, you are probably not on the voters list. To register, all you need to do is go to your polling station on election day, where you must prove your identity and address.

N ew id e n t if ic a t io n r u le s t o v o t e

When you vote, you must prove your identity and address.

For the list of acceptable pieces of identification authorized by the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, please see the pamphlet you received by mail from Elections Canada or visit www.elections.ca and click on “Voter Identification at the Polls".

To vote, you must: • be a Canadian citizen • be at least 18 years old on election day • prove your identity and address

Vote. Shape your world. www.elections.ca

1 -soo - info -vote 1-8 0 0 -4 6 3 -6 8 6 8

toll-free inCanada andthe United States, or 001-800-514-6868 toll-free in Mexico

Ü TTY 1-8 0 0 -361-8935 for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, toll-free inCanada and the United States, or 613-991-2082 fromanywhere inthe world

E le c tio n s C a n a d a

speed

A massive upswing in the popu­ lation of wild boars has Germans in a panic. The number of boars in the Eu­ ropean Union's most populous coun­ try increased by 320 per cent last year, and has caused havoc as the boars have destroyed crops, killed pets, and attacked humans. Perhaps the strangest consequence of the boar boom has been their tendency to ex­ hume corpses by digging in German cemeteries. Worried citizens are hop­ ing that the boars do not have any necrophiliac tendencies.

Kenyan herdsmen have been spreading safe sex to the animal kingdom as they attempt to control herd size by using "goat condoms."

Maasai tribesmen are turning to the traditional device, known as an olor, because of worries that the current drought in the country is depriving female goats of the energy necessary to raise offspring. "If they give birth during harsh conditions like now, the mothers - the does - are going to be very weak, they'rejiot going to feed their young ones properly," area livestock office Peter Ndirangu said.

Male goats are said to be extremely frustrated.

A Florida man shot himself twice last week after his girlfriend denied him sex upon returning from a bar, saying she just wanted to get some sleep. After she left the room, the 29-year-old vented his frustration by shooting himself twice in the arm.

He then threatened his girlfriend with gun, but fortunately neutralized himself by stumbling into the oven and knocking himself out. Police have charged him with threatening violence and firing a weapon in an occupied dwelling. His girlfriend has been charged with failing to satisfy her man.

— Sources: BBC, Yahoo

O pinion N O T AJ 3 Q T H Ê H S T U D E N T P O L I T I C I A N

C O U N T H ER FEET

The many dangers of "No Pants Friday"

RJ g iv e s a e u lo g y RJ K elford

R iva G old

RJKELFORD@GMAIL.COM ello, fellow mourners.

I'm a little nervous speaking in front of so many people. For those of you who don't know me, I've been a friend of GA for quite some time. We've laughed to­ gether, we've cried together, and we've had some great times. So I'd like to take this op­ portunity to say a few words in memory of GA. GA was a polarizing figure in our commu­ nity. You either loved him or you hated him.

That was his way of getting your attention.

Looking back, some of the crazy things he said and did made us more involved in cam­ pus life. He pulled us in. Remember that capi­ tal campaign motion? People were coming out of the woodwork for that one! And where would Students Organized Against Protest­ ers be without GA? GA helped us stick it to American Eagle and force the Students' So­ ciety to sing R o c k e t M a n at council meetings.

GA always gave the newspapers something to write about. We should remember GA and all the good he did in making student govern­ ment accessible, if only for a short while.

So how did GA pass away so suddenly?

Well, he was sick, and SSMU had to do some­ thing about it. The operation was risky, but there was no alternative. Unfortunately, the procedure wasn't a success. Raising GA's quo­ rum requirements to enhance his legitimacy made sense, but there was a small complica­ tion, and now we're here to mourn his passing.

You see, SSMU decided that if too few people turned up for GA, his motions would go to an online referendum. The online referen­ dum requires a 15 per cent participation rate with no campaigning allowed. If the online vote doesn't make quorum, all the motions remain on the agenda for the next GA, and we're stuck discussing No Pants Fridays, Darth Mendelson, and the demilitarization of McGill forever. That, my friends, is how GA died.

No single person is to blame. We all need to take responsibility. GA could have given

YOURCOLUMNISHURTFUL@GMAIL.COM SSMU direction and encouraged student par ticipation, but he didn't have enough time to prove himself relevant to moderate stu­ dents. Blaming GA's parents for his demise is too easy. People who say SSMU neglected GA need to look at themselves first. Students who were unhappy with turnout should have brought two of their friends. More impor­ tantly, the people writing and voting for mo­ tions should have taken some responsibility for their implementation. SSMU already has a full plate—it's unfair to burden them with following through on every aspect of GA's resolutions. The lacklustre implementation of GA's resolutions was largely responsible for his health problems. And it didn't help when the administration refused to acknowledge GA's decisions as representative of student opinion.

We have a lot to learn from GA, and maybe someday he'll return in a different form. There's still some hope of bringing GA back to life with his new quorums, but it's a long shot. SSMU could schedule GA immedi­ ately before (or during) their elections next semester. GA's online voting period would then coincide with SSMU's balloting, and stu­ dents would be much more likely to vote on GA's questions. If nothing else, this would let us clear the agenda for next year.

Doing this, however, is equivalent to placing referenda or plebiscite questions on the ballot. Perhaps that's the best way to hon­ our GA's memory. GA lived, and died, by a sim­ ple principle: representing general student participation and discussion on campus. We can keep his spirit alive by making plebiscite questions more accessible. SSMU can more honestly and legitimately take direction from this kind of referendum feedback.

GA will forever remain in our hearts, and I still believe in what he represented. Today, I say farewell to a wonderful friend, colleague, and democratic body. Rest in peace. General Assembly. ■

O

ne of today's General Assembly motions demands that every third Friday become a McGill-wide holi­ day known as "No Pants Friday." On this day, students "would not be persecuted for a lack of pants." As dedicated students, we must defend our rights and reject this motion. If passed, it could threaten the fundamental pillars on which our student government consistently stands.

First off, neither Max Silverman nor GRASPé sponsored the No Pants Friday motion. Consequently, there is no prec­ edent for it. Students wouldn't know how to deal with such an innovation, and it could be horribly mismanaged. Would these pants-less students be unionized, and would their holiday meal be veganfriendly?

The wording of the motion is also brutal and archaic, because the term "pants" is not gender neutral. The word "pants"is short for"pantaloons," which get their name from the Italian comedic char­ acter Pantalone, who is a codpiece-wear­ ing male. Any motion that contains words which originated prior to the emancipa­ tion of women ought to be considered unconstitutional, as it makes students feel unsafe and unwelcome. Reminding females of Pantalone and his codpiece is oppressive and perpetuates the patriar­ chy and heteronormative gender binary that currently dominates McGill.

On a more political note, when we pass motions, we should reflect on how they will impact the Students' Society's relationship with the administration. At last November's GA, we established that Heather Munroe-Blum is a flesh-eating demon, and censured her for this. But she might see the No Pants Friday motion as a concession. Munroe-Blum occasionally wears skirts, and this motion could make her feel comfortable while she enacts tor­

turous policies on campus.

The No Pants Friday motion also stands in direct conflict with SSMU's policies towards Hema-Quebec. Some members of Hema-Quebec might enjoy No Pants Friday, and would therefore be more likely to host a blood drive near campus, and feel slightly less guilty about it.

No Pants Friday poses problems for British exchange students, who could confuse our usage of "pants" with its meaning in the UK, and therefore arrive at McGill without underpants. This could get ugly.

The motion also has broad geopoliti­ cal implications that are unacceptable to McGill students. Some religious women in Israel do not wear pants. This motion tacitly acknowledges their right to do so, and thereby the existence of the state of Israel. This is a hugely oppressive stance which must be avoided.

And now the bottom line: Voting for this motion undermines the otherwise entirely democratic and representative GA system. SSMU has taken many steps towards making GAs fair and accessible, and we shouldn't belittle these efforts.

GAs need 100 students from four different faculties to meet quorum, and a whop­ ping two per cent of the student popula­ tion for qualified quorum. Of course, stu­ dents who attend the GA have identical interests to the 98 per cent of students who, for some strange reason, don't at­ tend GAs during midterm season.

I'll concede that the No Pants Friday motion is as legitimate as any other that has been put forward through the GA process. But we must take a stand against it anyway. Students should be fully perse­ cuted for a lack of pants on every day of the month. Otherwise, the GA system will be nothing more than a bad joke. ■

F O O T IN M O U T H

Stay out of my kitchen, PETA E ric W eiss ERIC.WEISS@MAIL.MCGILL.CA

I was at Oktoberhaus last week, drinking a beer and pon­ dering the sexual implications of sausage on a stick, when something occurred to me. Back when I named this col­ umn, I intended to put my foot in my mouth with controversial material—something I have yet to do. So instead of writing another self-indulgent piece about some movie you should have seen, I'll discuss something a little meatier.

I'm not a vegetarian. Why? Because I sleep better at night knowing that something died for my dinner.

Alright, that isn't true. But like most people in this coun­ try, I enjoy meat and I don't think my dietary indulgences are morally reprehensible. It's about time somebody explained why it's okay to chow down on a succulent, juicy hamburg­ er. And it's about time somebody told People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals to fuck off.

I eat meat because it's delicious. I don't care about sci­ entific or philosophical explanations—eating meat is intrinsi­ cally pleasurable, and I don't want to live the rest of my life without tasting bacon. According to the Canada Food Guide, meat is an important part of a balanced diet and I would much rather get my protein from poultry than soy.

Beyond the sensory pleasure of consumption, meat has real cultural significance: it brings people together to share

good food. Some of my fondest memories were formed around my family's kitchen table, and with Thanksgiving right around the corner, a festive turkey dinner will be on Canada's collective menu. Like most foods, meat transcends social boundaries. People of all persuasions can unite thanks to the harmonizing influences of filet mignon or pepperoni pizza.

For me, vegetarianism can't compete: tofu, tofurkey, toveal, and to-whatever are inadequate substitutes for meat.

Don't get me wrong—I don't hate tofu. When prepared prop­ erly, it's quite tasty. But no matter how well it's made, tofu still tastes like tofu—not meat. It's not the same, so don't pretend it is.

Eating meat is not wrong. Our ancestors ate meat in order to survive and we've inherited their place at the top of the food chain. Like most people, I distinguish between hu­ mans and animals in questions of morality. I might risk my life to save a child, but never to save my neighbour's cat. So why should I apologize to the cow I'm having for lunch?

I don't have anything against vegetarianism. It's a popu­ lar lifestyle choice that can be made for any number of rea­ sons, ranging from health concerns to spiritual fulfillment. If that's your preference, more power to you (and I mean that).

But it's not for me, and I'm sick and tired of zealots turning

vegetarianism into a moral crusade.

Believe it or not, I don't eat meat to be cruel. Yes, I've beer known to club baby seals and feed puppies to sharks, but tha has nothing to do with my diet. I'm sympathetic to many criti cisms of the meat industry. Foie gras and veal (neither of whicl I eat) can only be produced through torture, so I understanc why people oppose their production. I also support greate regulation and accountability in the meat industry.

A diet that includes meat is still compatible with thr humane treatment of animals. The condescending and in flammatory propaganda of groups like PETA—who tried tc exploit Tim McLean's murder for publicity this summer—i insulting to meat lovers and drives us away from the anima rights movement. Turning vegetarianism into an all-or-noth ing proposition creates an unnecessary divide between thosr who eat meat and those who don't. The ways in which ani mais are raised and slaughtered should be improved to avoir needless cruelty, but my diet isn't responsible for an industry' shortcomings.

Alienating the majority has never been a recipe for prog ress. I'll support campaigns to improve the meat industry, bu only with a compromise. Dear PETA: I stay out of your kitchen so please stay out of mine. ■

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The McGill

F r i b u [NE

E D IT O R IA L

www.mcgilltribune.com

Editor-in-Chief Matt Chesser editor@mcgilltribune.com Managing Editors Crystal Chan Thomas Quail seniored@mcgilltribune.com Production Manager Samantha Chang production@mcgilltribune.com News Editors James Gilman Theo Meyer news@mcgilltribune.com Opinion Editor Bernard Rudny opinion@mcgilltribune.com Features Editors Meghna Marjadi Carolyn Yates features@mcgilltribune.com Arts & Entertainment Editors Carolyn Grégoire Laura Tindal arts@mcgilltribune.com Sports Editor Jacob Kanter sports@mcgilltribune.com Photo Editors Niki Hyde Adam Scotti photo@mcgilltribune.com Online Editor Kaylea Howarth online@mcgilltribune.com Design Editors Femi Kassim Janet McMullen design@mcgilltribune.com Copy Editor Tori Crawford

Student parents take priority

Editorial Shatner University Centre Suite 110,3480 McTavish Montreal, QC H3A1X9 T: 514.398.6789 E: info@mcgilltribune.com Advertising Brown Student Building Suite 1200,3600 McTavish Montreal, QC H3A 1Y2 T: 514.398.6806 F: 5M398.7490

anadian McGilligans, may I please have your attention?

As you may be aware, on October 14 you have an opportunity to influence the direction our country is going in.

This is a free choice. You can make of it what you will. But let me suggest to you that this opportunity ought to be seen as an obligation. Voting is only consistent with our bedrock political values if it remains a free choice. But remember that citizenship comes with both rights and responsibilities. As a Canadian citizen of voting age, you enjoy an immense privilege. Or maybe you enjoy a small privilege. The point is, the least you can do in recognition of that privilege is to act responsibly and present yourself at a poll.

Once you're there, you can vote, refuse your ballot, eat a carrot, write a protest, mumble to yourself, curse my rhetoric, or do whatever else you want.

I won't presume to tell you what to do. I only want to persuade you to share my passion for voting. Voting is the least you could do for all the joys and woes that come with being a born, natural­ ized, or adopted Canadian.

Before you go: get informed. Read or watch the news, if only for five min­ utes. Be aware. Talk to people around you. Try to form your own opinion.

Don't get overwhelmed or frustrated.

You don't get to "choose your Canada" like this everyday. So make election day count. Use your brain, use your voice, use your ballot, and let's aim together for a better country, a better world, and a better future. Vote for whomever you want to vote for, or refuse your ballot if you don't want to vote for anyone. But for your own

damn sake, don't stay at home. Your life, your choices, and your decisions matter. Choose to be an active part of your community.

If you're still not convinced, go read Martin Niemoller's poetry and think about speaking up for others.

Politics isn't just about playing the game or manipulating money. Politics is personal, politics is local, and politics is comprehensive. I invite you to con­ sider one of Niemoller's observations, as interpreted by me: you may or may not find something in this election campaign that matters to you or to the people you care about. But ask yourself if the overall goal of advancing, or at least maintaining, the welfare of every individual and of our society as a whole is worth the effort involved in voting.

It's a complicated question. Don't worry if you need help deciphering it. But in the meantime, let me leave you with another bit of poetry, whose authorship is disputed: "to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived—this is to have succeeded!"

Maybe that's not your definition of success. To be honest, it's not exactly mine. But it might help you clarify why any of this matters.

Peace out, McGillians. Have a cookie. I've got some to spare, so let me know if you need one. ■ Ta sm ia S h e r is a U2 p o litic a l s c ie n c e a n d p h ilo s o p h y s tu d e n t, a n d v ic e - p re si­ d e n t o f p u b lic ity a n d m e d ia re la tio n s fo r L ib e ra l M cG ill.

V O X PO PU LI

When you're a vampire, love bites M ohammad M iraly

C ontributors

T ribune O ffices

T asmia S her

hink life is hard as a student at McGill? Imagine being a student and a parent. Last year, in recognition of the challenges faced by student parents, the Students' So­ ciety was mandated by referendum to grant them special status and assistance. In particular, SSMU was to provide "an accessible and flexible daycare system put in place in post­ secondary institutions in order to ensure a conciliation be­ tween the needs of study and family. " Now they finally have a chance to do something about it.

The Quebec Ministry of Family is creating 18,000 new subsidized daycare spots in the province, and SSMU has been blessed with a windfall. The ministry has approved funding for eight nursery spots as part of SSMU's daycare program.

The nursery will care for infants from four to 18 months of age, whereas the current daycare program only accepts children over the age of three.

Unfortunately, everything comes at a cost. To ensure the health and safety of infants, the government strictly regulates where a nursery can be placed. Among other restrictions, only naturally lit locations on the first floor are acceptable—and they're in short supply in the Shatner building. After look­ ing over the floor plan, SSMU decided to relocate the McGill International Students' Network lounge. The MISN lounge is currently located in Suite 1100, near the first floor passageway to the Brown building.

The relocation proposal set off some fireworks at last Thursday's council meeting. SSMU offered MISN a new space on the fourth floor, but the club strongly opposed the move.

We sympathize. Although we don't have MISN's foosball table or luxurious couches, the Tribune knows the appeal of a stair­ less trip to the office.

That being said, the relocation was a no-brainer. The inconvenience experienced by MISN is clearly outweighed by the benefits provided to student parents. The eight-child nursery will go a long way, and there are already 14 under­ graduate parents who have requested spots for their chil­ dren.

SSMU council voted in favour of the relocation by a wide margin, and our hats are off to them. While the decision may seem simple, SSMU has been mandated to prioritize both stu­ dent parents and student space on campus. Balancing these conflicting objectives was a challenge, but ultimately SSMU the made the right choice. We hope they continue to pursue students'interests in a practical and even-handed manner. ■

Publisher Chad Ronalds arah Babbage, Steven Beirness, Julie Beauchamp, Margot Bishop, Emma Cabrera-Aragon, Danielle Cherkas, Michael Dean, Lauren Diamond, Ariq Emtenan, Riva Gold, Harpreet Grewal, Kayan Hui, Sam Hunter, RJ Kelford, John Kelsey, Zoe Kichler, eannie Kilroy, Stephanie Macintosh, Mohammad Miraly, Carly Orleach, Brittany Paterson, Elizabeth Perle, Nancy Pham, Joshua Rosenblatt, Arik Schwartz, Andrew Seo, Tasmia Sher, Katherine Stavro, Bianca Van Bavel, Nate Vandeweerd, Eric Weiss, /ladeleine Werker, Cara Wilson, Sarah Xu, Trip Yang.

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V O X PO PU LI

MOHAMMAD.MIRALY@MAIL.MCGILL.CA

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friend of mine told me recently that all she wants to hear from a boy are three simple words: "I'm a vampire." She adores the T w ilig h t book series.

I was surprised to see the uproar against Zoe Daniel's hilarious, insightful, and iiberarticulate article ("Abusive vampires are not model boyfriends," 16.09.08). For the most part, her argument stands: vampires in modern fic­ tion are typically dangerous and violent. But they're still so gosh-darn attractive. Perhaps the lure of these stories is that they're vamped up versions of Romeo and Juliet with star-crossed lovers from different worlds. But, there is a pal­ pable undercurrent of savagery and sadism in vampire lore that can't be overlooked.

Vampire stories are so popular that they make up more than 20 per cent of the romance novel market. In November, the first of Stephenie Meyer's T w ilig h t books is being released as a movie, and Charlaine Harris's novels have been adapted for television as True B lo o d . Why are vampires so hot? They're erotic, plain and sim­ ple. Vampires are tall, brooding, and lustful crea­ tures. Granted, it's a lust for blood that drives

them, but they still want to ravage women. And what imaginative reader of romance novels doesn't want to be ravaged by some alpha male misfit who could perhaps be saved through an impractical yet passionate affair?

Bram Stoker's dangerous, aristocratic Count Dracula is the most iconic image of the vampire.

But D ra c u la also brought to the fore a critical and enduring twist to the vampire tale: sex.

Stoker's novel showcases his ability to sustain suspense and inspire horror, but an overarching theme of the novel is Dracula's fatalistic love.

According to critic Leonard Wolf, "[D ra c u ­ la's] power has its source in the sexual implica­ tions of the blood exchange between the vam­ pire and his victims." Vampirism is a disturbing psychosexual allegory: "there is a demonic force at work in the world whose intent is to eroticize women. In D ra c u la we see how that force trans­ forms Lucy Westenra, a beautiful 19-year-old virgin, into a shameless slut."

Vampire fiction's cocktail of sex and horror is enticing. Sucking on necks (and other areas) is intensely intimate, but it's also fundamen­ tally domineering: a powerful man seduces and

overpowers a woman, who willingly submits to his authority, to be used for his gratification.

The woman is typically mystified by the vam­ pire's otherworldliness and his freedom from the norms that constrict women like Stoker's Lucy, Harris's Sookie, or Meyer's famously weakwilled Bella. These master-slave relationships imply that women need a strong man to be the anchor in their lives. Perhaps this belief is inescapable for, or desirable to, many women.

After all, it's the basis for both contemporary vampire fiction and for much of romance fiction in general, which is by far the best-selling genre of novels.

Or perhaps the appeal of vampires is more subtle. Coming back from death night after night, lashing out at all those around you, striv­ ing to drink the blood of the beloved, and being consumed by futile love is a terrible fate. Per­ haps, then, readers are drawn to the tragedy of vampirism, and the horror of eternally unre­ quited love. ■ M o h a m m a d M ira ly is a s e c o n d y e a r P h D re li­ g io u s s tu d ie s s tu d e n t.

'he McGill Tribune is an editorially autonomous newspaper published by the Students'Society of McGill University in collaboration with the Tribune Publication Society. Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of the itudents'Society or McGill University. Letters to the editor may be sent to letters@mcgilltribune.com and must include the contributor's name, program and year and contact information. Letters should be kept under 300 words and . ubmitted only to the Tribune. Submissions judged by theTribune Publication Society to be libellous, sexist, racist, homophobic or solely promotional in nature will not be published. TheTribune reserves the right to edit all contributions.

Editorials are decided upon and written by the editorial board. All other opinions are strictly those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the McGill Tribune, its editors or its staff. Please recycle this newspaper.

8 *The McGill Tribune • 07.10.08

Letters to the editor A call for election superheroes I'm writing in response to the govern­ ment's cuts to the arts and the concerns voiced by artists, especially student artists; and in response to the recent fee increases for international students upon the de­ regulation of certain student fees; and in response to disillusionment and, in truth, ignorance about the Canadian election.

The arts community and students are suffering. I'm not going to tell you that con­ servative capitalism rarely favours students, nor am I going to preach my hearty opposi­ tion to the political right. I am only going to offer up what I believe is the truth: if govern­ ment trends continue, not only are we going to find ourselves much poorer, but we will also be significantly less cultured.

I think there is a simple solution to at least part of the problem: do your best to convince others (and yourself) to vote any­ thing but Conservative (or Republican). A mildly more moderate south could help

temper the north.

It's really important to vote in Canada's election, no matter what people say about its unimportance when compared to the election of the world's most powerful lead­ er. Many people in the arts community, and students (i.e. those aged 18 to 25) in general, tend not to vote. In fact, the majority (55 per cent in 2006) of us don't. So keep protesting in every way you can—and one of the best ways you can do this is to R o ck th e V ote !

Because on October 14, everyone has superpowers.

—Spencer Malthouse, Ui philosophy Fred likes us! He-really likes us!

A well-deserved round of thanks for last week's issue. Particular credit should be given to Timothy Mak's impassioned de­ fence of suburbia, as well as your soundlyarticulated editorial supporting recruitment for the Canadian Forces.

These last few weeks of thoroughly rea­

sonable Tribune opinion sections have been disorienting at best. At last the world makes sense again. Thank you.

—Fred Burrill, U3 history Much ado about the ombudsperson As a former McGill student who has ventured out into the world with whatever a BA gives in preparation (I've yet to nail this down unequivocally), I'd like to voice my dis­ may and disappointment with the institu­ tion I so proudly graduated from. After read­ ing the "McGill is trapped in ombudsperson limbo" editorial about the biased format of what is supposed to act as a third party life­ line, I wonder whether students, alumni, and staff understand the gravity of this conflict of interest.

Although I found this article very objec­ tive and informative on the organization of the ombudsperson, I found that it failed to address any tangible examples of how this conflict of interest affects McGill as an insti­

tution. The dismissal of Professor Norman Cornett from the faculty of religious stud­ ies stands out as a glaring example of how this supposedly unbiased third party is not functioning in its prescribed role. The sud­ den and unexplained dismissal of Cornett has not received sufficient review or consid­ eration from this body, or others which are directly responsible for dealing with such issues.

Regardless of my outstandingly posi­ tive learning experience in Cornett's class and his fascinating and unique approach to pedagogy, I must admit that this really isn't the issue when it comes to the lack of atten­ tion and priority paid to the appointment of this role. I truly hope other students choose to speak out again this lack of transparency and general oversight taken by both the fac­ ulty of religious studies in the case of Cor­ nett, and the general issue of the appoint­ ment of a new ombudsperson.

—Kanan Kothari, B.A. 2007 A T H IS S K IN N Y L IT T L E B O X Y O U 'R E L O O K IN G A T ? IT C O U L D H A V E

F IN A L L Y 1 I

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Chocolate pudding for your inner child L ean ne K ilroy

laffeine by the cup Z oe K ichler Energy drink consumption is on the rise. The ubiquitous beverages e commonly used to counteract insufficient sleep, increase energy levels, id chase alcohol. However, every energy drink works differently and the fectiveness of each drink can be measured based on its caffeine content.

Coffee is one of the most common stimulants, and its effectiveness as i energy drink varies according to the type. One cup of regular brewed iffee contains anywhere from 60 to 120 mg of caffeine. The same amount instant coffee contains 70 mg of caffeine. Decaffeinated coffee, as can be pected, contains the least amount of caffeine at one to five mg per cup.

Tea is another beverage whose energy content changes according to pe. Black tea is the most effective in providing energy as it contains 45 mg :r cup. Green tea contains 20 mg per cup and white tea only 15 mg of cafine per cup. Tea's variation in caffeine content is dependent on the kind the tea leaves. White tea is made with young tea leaves and buds, which ive less caffeine.

Red Bull claims to increase energy levels and concentration. But de>ite popular stereotypes, Red Bull's effectiveness is about the same as a jp of coffee. One can of Red Bull contains 80 mg of caffeine.

Powershots come in small 30 ml tubes, but are extremely concenated. One Powershot contains 100 mg of caffeine, making it extremely fective. One cup of Powershot has approximately 800 times the caffeine >ntent of one cup of coffee. Additionally, the feeling of increased energy eated by Powershot is much more powerful than coffee and the effects st longer.

It is clear that as far as basic energy drinks go, Powershot is the most efctive. Its size, concentration, and energy content make it extremely useful providing power, stimulation, and a quick energy fix. ■

3.

When I was little, my mom used to send me off to school with a cup of Jell-0 chocolate pudding in my brown paper lunch bag. Chocolate pudding took on new meaning once I lived in residence, and became even more poignant for me once I discovered the joys of making it from the box while smashed on Saturday nights at 4 a.m. Now that I have entered my last year of university, I've become somewhat more sophisticat­ ed and make my chocolate pudding from scratch. It's much better than the boxed stuff and not really much more complicated. You probably already have all the in­ gredients sitting around, and I know you have a hanker­ ing for some chocolate pudding.

Here are two really simple, quick recipes for choco­ late pudding. This recipes are very forgiving, so if your measurements aren't exact, don't worry about it. If you don't have cocoa lying around you can leave it out for a milkier pudding.

4.

utes, until mixture comes to a simmer.

Add the chocolate and vanilla, whisk well and re­ move from heat.

Spoon pudding into serving cups and put in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. (If you hate pudding skin, put plastic wrap directly on the puddings before you put them in the fridge.) Lick saucepan.

Smile.

Alternate version

To make a personal-sized chocolate pud­ ding, just like from the plastic cup (but so much better), substitute these measurements: 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp cocoa, 2 tsp cornstarch, 1/2 cup milk, 1/2 oz. chocolate, 1 tsp vanilla, pinch of salt. ■

Ingredients 1/3 cup sugar 1/4 cup (4 tbsp) cocoa 1 tsp salt 2 tbsp + 2 tsp cornstarch 2 cups milk 2 - 3 oz. (!4 cup) bittersweet chocolate, chopped 1 - 2 tsp vanilla extract .(I sometimes use rum instead) 1.

2.

Directions Combine sugar, cocoa, cornstarch and salt in a small saucepan over medium heat.

Slowly whisk in the milk, stir well and cook 5 min­

- GREAT---------PLAT B E S T WORK workplaces

HKÏÏIJ 2008

LEANNE KILROY

YO U RSPACE

T o ile t t r a u m a At the club Tokyo, they are assholes and don't have enough girls' bathroom facilities so girls frequently (because it's necessary) use the male facilities. The bouncers will put their heads into the stalls and bust them open when girls are literally sitting on the toilet. NOT OKAY. I got kicked out ofTokyo because I got into a fight with the bouncer over it and the managers there are huge assholes. A lot of people go there and it has happened to a lot of girls. Not an okay invasion of privacy.

Send YourSpace rants to features@mcgilltribune.com.

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Once the beans arrive at a chocolat tory, such as the Cadbury Factory in d town Toronto, they are roasted and shells are removed to reveal the essen< chocolate: the nib. The nibs are crushec process called milling, to extract pure li chocolate, generally known as cocoa liqi This liqueur is mixed with quai wml varying quant of milk, sugar, and cocoa or cocoa butter bi (which is h p ^ n ^ t r\r-\rr-\/^ J extract of the cocoa bean) to produce di ent kinds of chocolates.

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Îred an exclusse rtem ;erve(jcacyhad and providing free tours to school children from October to June, while also maintaining a chocolate museum.

Boxed delights If you want to buy a box of mouth-water­ ing chocolate truffles for a loved one, Purdy's and Laura Secord are the way to go. The big­ gest Canadian name in premium chocolates, Laura Secord has over 140 stores and sells more than 400 products around the country Today, the chocolates are manufactured in St Stephe, New Brunswick, known as the choco­ late town of Canada by the Ganong Bros., which has been operating since 1873. Famous tor their miniatures, chocolate truffles, and french mints, Laura Secord always provides a decadent chocolate experience.

Purdy's, a name synonymous with qual­ ity, started as a small Vancouver shop in 1907.

With chocolates made from only the finest ingredients from around the world, Purdy's has grown to become the largest chocolate retailer in Western Canada, with a factory in Vancouver and retail stores all over Canada The most popular item from Purdy's is the chocolate hedgehog. It is also a great place to work, having been voted one of Canada's top 50 employers multiple times.

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S tudent L iving RESEA RCH SEARCH

C a m p u s C a le n d a r

Fall General Assembly When: Oct. 7,2 p.m.

Where: Three Bares Park.

See democracy in action at an openforum discussion. Motions are available on­ line at www.ssmu.mcgill.ca/ga.

"The World Needs More Canada" When: Oct. 7,430-6 p.m.

Where: Leacock 232.

The McGill Institute for the Study of Canada presents Robert Rabinovitch. Wine and cheese will follow. RSVP suggested but not required.

March of 1,00 0 Umbrellas When: Oct. 8,11:30 a m. - 2:30 p.m.

Where: Meet at the Roddick Gates.

Support Montreal Centeraide by marching with an umbrella.

The Politics of Rape When: Oct. 14,4:30 - 6:00 p.m.

Where: Chancellor Day Hall, Maxwell Cohen Moot court. (3644 Peel) Jane Doe, renowned sexual assault activist, speaks about the social and legal issues relating to violence against women in the context of equality and within a femi­ nist and anti-racist framework.

H IV 's h id d e n m u t a t io n s Thorough scanning may lead to better care P amela L ee The stigma surrounding the Human Immunodeficiency Virus is lessening—but so is the effectiveness of current meth­ ods of treatment. HIV is constantly evolving and developing drug resistance, and a recent study led by Matthias Gdtte, of McGill's department of immunology and microbiology, in­ vestigated how mutations in the virus' DNA contribute to the problem.

"We are working on HIV drug resistance in terms of the biochemical aspect. We try to understand how the virus devel­ ops resistance... how [the mutations] work, why they diminish or decrease susceptibility to certain drugs," says Gotte. "When we understand the biochemical mechanism—why [resistance] happens—we can develop strategies to bypass it and develop better drugs."

Those strategies have to evolve out of treatment. It is com­ mon practice for physicians to screen for a strain's resistance before starting a course of treatment, since there are certain sections of the HIV genome that are known to be especially vulnerable to mutations. However, only the first 300 amino acids of a particular gene are usually tested, due to financial and time constraints. Gôtte's research suggests that it may be worthwhile to screen larger sections of the genome, because there may be hidden mutations in these areas.

Resistance was very common in the 1980s, when patients were treated with monotherapy, or a single drug. This created a higher likelihood of HIV developing drug resistance. Condi­ tions have since improved with the advent of treatment which combines several drugs.

"The number of drugs is important, the combination of

drugs is important, and the types of drugs are important.

Within the last year we have [approved] two new classes of an­ tiretroviral drugs and they can be used to treat those patients [with resistant strains from the eighties],"says Gotte."That is an enormous achievement in the field."

Patient compliance is also a problem in HIV treatment. Pa­ tients need to take the powerful drugs exactly as prescribed, despite any negative side effects. Introduction of new drugs is worthless if drugs are not taken properly, because improper use allows for the development of drug resistance.

"We now have second and third generations of certain drugs, and they are even better than the drugs that we used before," says Gotte. "The crucial point? If [the patients] don't take the drugs [as prescribed], they create conditions where resistance can develop rapidly."

Whether or not patients remember to take their medi cines, the continual change and replication of the virus results in resistance.

"If a patient is infected with the virus, it is not a single spe­ cies. It is actually what is called a quasi-species, which is mil­ lions and billions of different viruses. They all have mutations, alterations at certain positions in the viral genome. If the pa­ tient is exposed to a drug, and replication is not completely diminished, then those mutant viruses that survive the pres­ ence of the drugs will eventually outgrow the population. That translates into resistance to that drug."

Currently, there are less than 30 drugs approved for clini­ cal HIV treatment. While more are in development, whether or not research will ever be able to outrun the virus remains in question. ■

G IZ M O S & G A D G E T S

F lo a t s o n t h e g o Advertise your event in campus calendar.

Send the name, date, location, and other info to features@mcgilltribune.com.

C arolyn Y ates Jonzo Inc. has created the Fizz Cup, a portable ice cream float maker. After filling the cup with ice cream, users twist the cup onto a plastic pop bottle, squeeze the bottle to mix the float, and sip through the lid. Suggested uses for the Fizz Cup in­ clude your eighth birthday party, social situations in which carrying ingredients and paraphernalia for classic ice cream floats is not possible or will decrease your sense of self-worth, and drinking while driving. ■ WWW.THEFIZZCUP.COM

X V S. Y

T o a s t e r o v e n s v s . m ic r o w a v e o v e n s Toaster ovens

Microwave ovens

Cooking ability: Can cook most things a regular oven can cook, limited only by the smaller size of the toaster oven. Particularly good for anything in finger-form, whether it be chicken, fish, or vegetable.

Cooking ability: Can't bake or broil, but very useful for reheating leftovers as well as for making a microwave dinner in under five minutes.

Safety: Will superheat certain liq­ uids so that they go beyond their boiling point without actually boiling. This results in heated liq­ uid and vapour exploding in your hands once the liquid's container is disturbed.

Safety: Danger of a fire starting if the food is left baking too long, or if crumbs and food debris fall onto the heater.

MIDEACANADA.COM

Energy usage: A 1,250 watt toaster oven will use two to 15 kilowatt hours per month on average. That translates into less than $1.50 per month.

Price: Between $30 and $120.

Transform-ability: Not many cool powers to attribute to this Trans­ former. Grill and heater could however combine to make a great face, glowing eyes and all.

WINNER: Microwaves It's a tough call, but as most apart­ ments come with an oven and the life of a student is one of rushing around, the slightly more expensive, energy-ef­ ficient, fast-cooking microwave comes out on top. Microwave transform and roll out! ■

PRICECAN.COM

Energy usage: Uses about half the energy of a conventional oven, and gets the job done faster.

Price: Between $50 and $120. Some of the higher-end microwaves that include options like convection heating and sensor-timed cooking can go for over $600.

Tranform-ability: Microwave radiation and a part called a Magnet­ ron. Need we say more?

— E m m a C ab rera -A ra g o n

07.10.08 • The McGill Tribune • 13 TRAVEL

E v e n o il a n d v in e g a r m ix in Is t a n b u l Unforgettable places to explore that bridge the past and present J ana G oodbaum Istanbul is a city of contrasts, a pulsing, constantly evolv­ ing city that will thrill every kind of traveller. Architecture and sites that date back from the Roman, Byzantine, and Otto­ man empires stand beside modern skyscrapers. Women clad in miniskirts stroll beside those in burkas, emphasizing Istanbul's precarious balance between the old and the new, the religious and the secular, and the east and the west. Even geographically, the city straddles two continents. Divided by the Bosphorus river, it's easily possible to travel from Europe to Asia for dinner!

If you only have a weekend in Istanbul, stay within Sultanahmet or the Old Stamboul area. Most historical sights can be found there, and there is so much to do that you will need at least two days to see it all. You can literally travel through the civilizations, starting off at the Roman hippodrome and the Yerebatan Cistern. Visit the huge, awe-inspiring Ayasofya, which was once the largest church in the world before it became a Mosque, and then a museum. Afterwards head over to the Blue Mosque, a symbolic part of Istanbul's sky­ line. Finally, spend an afternoon discovering the opulence of

Topkapi Palace, home to the Ottoman sultans for centuries.

Don't miss visiting the palace's Harem, where the sultan's wives and hundreds of concubines were housed.

One of the most incredible landmarks in Istanbul is the Grand Bazaar, which covers a vast area of over 65 streets and contains approximately 2,600 shops, innumerable teahous­ es, restaurants, and pesky salespeople. It is said that if you can't find something there, then it doesn't exist. You can spend hours getting lost in the whirlwind of the bazaar, find­ ing unique treasures to bring home and brushing up on your bargaining skills. Then move on to the Egyptian spice bazaar, where your senses will be overwhelmed by the vibrant co­ lours and strong fragrances of spices, dried fruits, nuts, herbs, and oil.

If you have more time in Istanbul, don't miss the Beyoglu area, Istanbul's modern half and the city's centre for art, music, and education. You can explore further by taking a boat trip down the stunningly beautiful Bosphorus strait. Fi­ nally, treat yourself to a hamam, orTurkish bath, where your troubles will be steamed and scrubbed away.

If you're loaded: Feel like royalty at the Çiragan Palace Hotel, home to the last Ottoman sultans. Located along the Bosphorus, you couldn't hope to find a more luxurious or decadent place to stay (with prices to match). Shop around the Bebek and Nisantasi areas, where you will find upscale Turkish boutiques as well as internationally renowned de­ signers. Eat at 360, a restaurant with a stunning circular view of the city and a trendy, hip scene.

If you're frugal: If you are looking for a great hotel at a bargain price, look no further than Hotel Empress Zoe. Lo­ cated in the heart of Sultanmahet, the rooms are charming and clean and the hotel offers an unparalleled view of the city from its rooftop terrace. Eat fresh fish in one of the many tiny restaurants along the Bosphorus, and try cheap Turk­ ish delicacies from the many street vendors around the city.

Shop in the Grand Bazaar, and don't forget to bargain for the best price! ■

M IS C E L L A N E O U S

STYLE

A ll a b o u t a b s in t h e

M e n sw e a r tre n d s From r u n w a y t o h a llw a y

The green fairy, no fire necessary C arolyn Y ates Absinthe is one of those beverages with a repu­ tation that lasts longer than its hangovers. Drinkers of note include Oscar Wilde and Vincent Van Gogh.

Absinthe is usually in the 106- to 148-proof range, and so is meant to be diluted to the strength of a glass of wine, rather than used as a shot. While popular cul­ ture indicates that the best way to prepare absinthe involves lighting sugar on fire, the traditional—and more effective—method is as follows. You will need a bottle of absinthe, a wine glass, an absinthe spoon (or normal fork), sugar cubes (one is standard), and icecold water.

1.

2.

3.

4.

cube so that it is slightly moist. As the sugar be­ gins to dissolve, drizzle water slowly over it.

Even after the cube has dissolved, pour the water in very slowly. Absinthe comes in a variety of strengths, but an absinthe-to-water ratio of 1:3 to 1:5 is standard. As you pour in the water, watch the drink carefully—it will turn from greenish and translucent to whitish and cloudy (what is called the louche).

Pour an ounce of absinthe into the glass.

Place the absinthe spoon (or fork) across the top of the glass, with the notch touching the rim of the glass (for the spoon), or so that the fork is curving downward. Place a sugar cube on top.

Pour a small amount of ice water over the sugar

S arah X u What do Aladdin, David Bowie, and Peter the Great all have in com­ mon? While they are all interesting figures in history, they also all play muse for designers this fall in Paris, New York, and Milan. Here are eight trends in Autumn/Winter 2008 menswear that are inspired by these three great men who know how to dress to impress.

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Harem Pants. The ru n w a y : Kris Van Assche, the designer of Dior Homme, is subtly trying to revolutionize the menswear silhouette from the straight and slim Stockholm boy to the loose and volumi­ nous Moroccan vendor. Last season, we saw the drop waist pants à la MC Hammer from Dior Homme. This time around, he increased the volume and created a Disney-inspired look for us to emulate. T he h a ll­ w a y : Realistically, very few of us would dress like Aladdin on a daily basis, but maybe we could crank out the Harem pants and pay a trib­ ute to Aladdin and his lamp for Halloween?

Unexpected Colour. Th e ru n w a y : Look at that vivid violet vest Alad­ din is sporting! Nowadays, men rarely wear colour outside of the dark neutral shades of black, brown and blue. When worn together, this looks more like a fashion bruise. Men do not have to be afraid of ap­ pearing flamboyant when wearing brights; subtlety is the key. Look for dark items that have a bit of bright colour in their stitching or lining (as in the inside of a blazer). It adds contrast to the dark background colour of the piece. The h a llw a y : Look for colourful accessories, such as yellow socks or a purple tie to update your look.

Suit Jackets. The ru n w a y : It's all about the nonchalance of wearing a suit. For a look that is impressed by the original Thin White Duke, the white suit is back! To avoid looking like a waiter, look for a white suit jacket with black hem details, and avoid wearing an all-white ensem­ ble. The h a llw a y : Fashion recycles. Look for a vintage eighties jacket in thrift stores and save yourself from debt.

Skinny ties. The ru n w a y : Skinny ties are the younger generation's solu­ tion to formal dressing. After all, no one wants to look like their father!

Skinny ties are slimming as the straight vertical lines draw attention downward. The h a llw a y : To integrate this piece into your daily ward­ robe, wear it loosely with a short sleeve shirt buttoned up.

Plaid. T he ru n w a y : We are mad for plaid this fall! This season, go punk or go aristocratic in this versatile print. Today, many plaid prints are more than stuffy kilts and golf pants. The h a llw a y : Plaid scarves and toppers like a fedora or a flat cap are easy and stylish ways to wear the key print of the season.

Faux Shearling. The ru n w a y : Men might not be ready for faux fur coats yet, but shearling is something we've been seeing for a long time, whether on the runways or on sporty winter gear. This season, shearling fits right into the Russian royalty trend! The h a llw a y : Save a penny by buying a reversible faux shearling coat. One part suave suede, one part lush shearling; two in one, cha-ching!

Velveteen. The ru n w a y : Once velvet was only available to the riches because it was made out of silk. Lucky for us, today velvet can be made from a number of materials, from cotton to polyester, what is called velveteen. This fabric carries the dramatic and rich feel of velvet without the tackiness sometimes associated with it. T he h a llw a y : For a multifunctional look that can go from day to night, try a velveteen blazer and look like royalty. ■

A rts & E ntertainment m u s ic

M o n t r e a l a n d t h e n ig h t s o f t h e t u r n t a b l e A look inside the city's DJ phenomenon from A-Trak to Zoobizarre D anielle C herkas Imagine you are a McGill student. This may be tricky, but give it a shot. You've just had the most absurdly difficult week of your life. Your compounding due dates were further com­ pounded by a lack of concentration— kudos to the secondrate drummer living in the apartment below you. To top it all off, your wench of a roommate unloaded a year's worth of her emotional baggage onto your emotionally stable doorstep.

You need to unload. You just want to dance.

By living in Montreal, you have either intentionally or un­ intentionally situated yourself within a breeding ground for some of the world's most talented DJs. Nights of fruitless bop­ ping to the beats of a best friend's boom-box are a thing of the past. Welcome to a world where global superstars like Chromeo make unannounced cameos at Coda, regaling club-goers with their innovative electro-funk fusion. When the beats be­ come too hot to handle, cross the street and chill at The Blue Dog Motel, to be wowed by the mixes of owners and Mon­ treal natives Team Canada. If they're not toting their turntables through Tokyo or Paris, DJs Grand Theft and D.R. One will take your favourite classics, such as Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car," and wax them with a little hip-hop flavour. Over at Club Jupiter, catch DJ Mayday mixing club beats with an electro flavour, but do it fast, before she hits "knew her when" status.

With upwards of 100 clubs cluttering its streets, Montreal has provided a fertile musical mecca for natives-turned-international artists such as Tiga, A-trak, Chromeo, and Team Canada, to hone their craft. Electro DJ Tiga was a staple in the Montreal club scene during the early to mid­ nineties, and has gone on to create his own successful production label, Turbo Record­ ings. His album S e x o r gave him international credibility and won him the 2007 Juno for best dance recording of the year. Montreal's A-trak has experienced similar success. As the younger brother of Chromeo's Talk Box, A-trak had big shoes to fill. He went on to win.the DMC World DJ Championships at 18 and is currently Kanye West's official tour DJ.

Like Tiga, A-trak has translated his successful DJ career into an equally successful production career by founding his record label, Fools Gold. The label represents a whole slew of upand-coming musical talent, including recent billboard sta­ ple Kid Sister. With these acts experiencing success on such a global scale, it's getting diffi­ cult for us Montrealers to keep them in our own backyard.

In a city that never sleeps, the onus is on local DJs to brew a vinyl blend sure to keep clubgoers grooving into the wee hours of the morning. Thank­ fully, the city's burgeoning electro-baristas are more than happy to oblige. Gaultier Paré, who spins under the name Bleuet, is a newcomer to watch out for. Bleuet first broke onto the scene by mixing a track called "Vertebrate," created by local staples TechJio and BSBPHOTOS BYADAMSCOTTI TRGDclub. "My friend worked at a grocery store where Montreal's own DJ Mayday brings some spunk to the club scene.

TechJio worked, that's where influence. "France and Belgium have 50 per cent of the best we met," says Paré. "I was producing trance at the time." producers in the world," notes Bleuet.

Under the influence of TechJio and BSBTRGDclub, Bleuet "DJs exchange songs like currency," adds Ch3rk. "And it fell into the electro scene, but he doesn't like to reduce himself certainly doesn't hurt to have a collaborative connection with to a strictly electro genre. "I don't like to categorize myself too Paris's Justice and Daft Punk." much because it kind of restrains me when it comes to musical This exchange also brings many international acts to creation," says Paré. At 18, Bleuet is not yet a resident DJ at any Montreal. Students looking to "do the D.A.N.C.E." can catch of the local clubs, but you can hear his tracks spun by TechJio Justice live at Metropolis on October 28 as part of their "A and BSBTRGDClub on October 25 at Zoobizarre.

Cross the Universe" tour. Edgewater's DJ Diplo, who describes What is it about Montreal that provides young DJs like himself as being "cooler than the other side of your pillow," Bleuet the agar to nurture their talent and translate it into Awill spin with Mad Decent and Peer Pressure at Studio Just for trak-level success? Ch3rk, a resident DJ at Vancouver's Repub­ Laughs on October 18. Diplo's mix of Sainthood's "Starstruck" lic, attributes the phenomenon to the sheer number of venues is life-changing, making this set a must-see. On a more local and to Montreal's geographic location. note, the aforementioned Chromeo, who pride themselves "Montreal has a lot of venues to spin at, and the crowd on being "the only successful Jewish-Arab union," have a set is musically knowledgeable," says Ch3rk. "In Vancouver, it is with The Big Bang and Calvin Harris at L'Olympia on October very rare to spin a night where you can play that sweet fuckin' 10. Bust out your "fancy footwork," because this performance music," he says, referring to electro. He also notes that Mon­ promises to be the best threesome of your life. treal is situated in close proximity to New York and Chicago, You're living in the middle of a music phenomenon. Go which both have well-established and world-renowned DJ out and enjoy it— you will not be disappointed. Last night a scenes. Because Montreal has such close ties to its French heri­ DJ saved my life. ■ tage, successful French and Belgian DJs have also had a heavy

P O P R H E T O R IC

For Your Eyes O nly Laura T indal

T

he newly released film B lin d n ess by Fernando Meirelles (C ity o f G o d ), based on the amazing book by Jose Saramago, is receiving angry reviews from a group who hasn't even seen it. The National Federation of the Blind is slamming the movie, saying that it depicts blind people as "incompetent, filthy, vicious and depraved," and that it enforces the stereotype that blind people are help­ less and less than human.

In the film, a mysterious epidemic of blindness hits a city, robbing everyone but Julianne Moore of their eye­ sight. The blind are then quarantined in an asylum to pre­ vent the spread of the epidemic. Without order, proper medical equipment, or basic human rights, the nasty side of human nature comes out. Unbeknownst to me—at least until the Federation of the Blind brought it to my attention—the insanity, rapes, and murders that occur in the asylum were not due to the complete stripping of human dignity and human rights that the government imposed on these scared, ill, people, but rather to the fact that they were blind. According to the NFB, this movie in­ sults blind people by implying that if you and everyone

around you suddenly went blind, chaos would ensue.

Instead, they must believe that even if the bulk of the population suddenly lost their sight, everything would be fine. Since blind people have no more troubles than their able-sighted neighbours, it wouldn't make much of a difference anyway. People would probably just continue walking down the street as usual; God forbid anybody so much as stumbles, because that might imply that blind people can't walk.

I'm sorry that we don't all share the NFB's optimis­ tic view of human nature. Call me a cynic, but if a huge percentage of the population suddenly lost their sight, the shit might hit the fan. The fact that the epidemic is one that leads to dark glasses and a guidedog is hardly relevant to the collapse of society in the film. It is the fact that it is contagious, scary, and unexplainable that leads to L o rd o fth e F lie s - \ ik e behavior.

Like a spoiled little kid throwing a tantrum when he isn't getting enough attention, it seems like the NFB heard the word "blind" and decided, "Hey, we haven't been getting enough press recently, let's make a big fuss

about this film and see what comes of it."They claim that blind people are as capable and smart as everyone else, yet they contradict themselves by creating such a con­ troversy over something so irrational. One of their major concerns is that the film depicts these newly sightless people as being unable to properly dress and clean them­ selves while living in a dirty hovel with other newly blind people. But the film isn't saying that blind people can't dress themselves, just that the first week without eye­ sight might be tricky as far as buttons and zippers go, es­ pecially when—unlike blind people in our society—there isn't anybody with sight around to give them a helping hand.

The National Federation of the Blind needs to recog­ nize that people are assholes who kill, rape, and take ad­ vantage of any situation they can. People also get irratio­ nal when they are scared. An epidemic of blindness is the perfect time for these human characteristics to rear their ugly heads, but blindness was just the condition chosen to illustrate this darker side of human nature. We get it, NFB, you exist and blind people aren't all rapists. ■

www.mcgilltribune.com

07.10.08 "The McGill Tribune • 15

>OP M O N T R E A L

S t. L a u r e n t w a k e s u p t o m u s ic a l h a n g o v e r Five days of Pop Montreal leaves indie fans with new iPod tunes N iki H yde & L aura T indal A wicked cold snap ushered in what many Montrealers ;ee as the last hurrah of the festival season: the indie-music ilusterfuck that is Pop Montreal. Winds of change were also litting the burgeoning festival, which at seven years old is ;xperiencing some serious growing pains. After five frantic days, the verdict's still out on whether or not this year was a success. More bands and more venues made it a real crunch :o get around and rising ticket prices damaged the traditional a11ure of the fest: the ease of venue-hopping. Even those of us A/ith press passes often found ourselves being turned away as 'pass capacity" had been exceeded, even though the venues /vere nowhere near full. Pop 2008 was a year of extremes; here 3re some of the hits: You Say Party! We Say Die! at La Tulipe, Oct 1 .

YSPiWSD! has been keeping pretty low profile since their South by Southwest stint in 2005, but their set proved that the time away has been well spent. Krista Loewen and her gang's danceable punk was tighter than ever. The dimunuitive Loewen commanded her five-piece with force that was.as charismatic as it was powerful, at one point even leaping from the stage to sing in the pit.

You Say Party! We Say Die! slays the crowd,

The Dears at The Masonic Temple, Oct 2 .

Masonic Temple was one of the most notable venue additions this year.

Although the concert hall conjures up Kubrickian visions of an Eyes Wide Shut -scale debauchery, in reality it had a dis­ turbing resemblance to my seventh grade piano recital. Plaid-clad beskinny-panted hipsters sat kumbaya-style around a rock circle with the musicians inexplicably fac­ ing each other. The Dears did their best, but the acoustics were rough and most of their set felt disjointed. They only really hit their stride at the encore with their new song "Modern Meltdown", a Radiohead-esque ballad with an epic sound that suited the Temple's somber atmo­ sphere.

Pas Chic Chic, Pony Up, and Danitia Odige at Divan Orange, Oct 3 .

A third of The Dears paid penance Two Hours Traffic play for a packed house at Barfly.

ADAMSCOTTI the next day in the final show for chicksqueaky-clean dance-pop with songs about quickies in bath­ rockers Pony Up, in a free show at Divan where the best ele­ rooms and cocaine brunches. Virgins frontman Donald Cumments of the fest combined for a thoroughly enjoyable three ming, true to form, even took a tumble into the drum set. Black hours. Last minute addition Danitia Odige was a welcome Kids got the crowd dancing with their contagiously upbeat surprise, warming up the crowd with some heartbreakingly dance-pop that, while true to their album, had a bit more bite smoky soul-folk. Pony Up kept things fun at their final gig, but when played live and an aggressive energy that's best suited the event belonged to Pas Chic Chic who exposed many wideto live performances. Playing against type, this "bigger" indie eyed newcomers to their infections blend of dancefloor-ready band stayed to hang out with audience members after the franco-folk. show. ■ Hey Rosetta! at Gymnase, Oct 3 .

Despite being a hike away from St. Laurent where big bands Wintersleep and Ratatat were playing, these Newfies managed to gather quite a crowd, and those who made it were not disappointed. Lead singer Tim Baker showed an eerie likeness in both sound and appearance to the late Jeff Buckley, but with a backing band that kept the set upbeat and the crowd bouncing. An amazing performance from their sig­ nature cello and violin gave hope to all those string musicians out there who feared they could never be in a kick ass band.

Two Hours Traffic at Barfly, Oct 2 .

After a long line-up of hit-and-miss East Coast bands, Two Hours Traffic took the tiny stage at the over-packed Barfly on Thursday, bringing everyone's mind off of the humidifier they were packed into. Many in the crowd had no idea who they were watching, but they still reacted with the same elation and excitement to hits such as "Jezebel" and "Heroes of the Sidewalk." A perfect example of the great music coming out of the Maritimes today, everybody walking out of that bar had been won over byTHT's sound.

Black Kids and The Virgins at Just For Laughs Theatre, Oct 4 .

Saturday saw the Montreal debut of Jacksonville's own Black Kids joined by New York scenesters, The Virigins. The opening act, Hot Springs, decided to break up before the show, leaving The Virgins to start early and causing many to miss much of their performance. The Virgins brought some much needed smutiness to the line up, contrasting the Kids' Indie nerds The D'Urbervilles play a feel- ADAMSCOTTI good afternoon set at Divan Orange.

Needed S p e rm d o n o rs to h e lp i n f e r t i l e p e r s o n s M en b e tw e e n ALL r a c e s

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In g o o d h e a lth C o n fid e n tia lity a s s u re d

For in fo rm a tio n , p le a s e ca ll ( 5 1 4 ) 3 4 5 - 9 8 7 7 e x t. 2 2 3 7

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C e n tre de C ry o co n serv atio n

16 • Arts & Entertainment • 07.10.08

The McGill Tribune F IL M

R e v ie w s Mark Berube and the Patriotic Few. W h at th e B o a t G a ve th e River. With their modern folk beats and soulful lyrics, Mark Berube and the Patriotic Few's new album, a companion disc to their 2007 release, W h a t T he R iver G a ve The B o a t, will make you want to experience Berube's intimate sound in a live venue. The album is still highly enjoyable, with a pleas­ ing mix of upbeat, catchy numbers like "We Go Down"—arguably one of Berube's best tracks—to slower songs with beautiful melodies and melancholy lyrics.

Both the enchanting piano solo in "Til the Morning"and cello accompani­ ment in"Minus i7"display the musicians'technical skill and harmony. The album's last song, a 12-minute track entitled "Shiny Plastic Bags/Barbershop Pt. 2," is more experimental than the other tracks, allowing Berube to showcase his lyrical skill against a changing backdrop that shifts from a fast piano beat to near-silence that resembles spoken poetry.

The unusual mix of cello, piano, bass, and drums and the notable ab­ sence of a guitar lend the album an unconventional sound that focusses primarily on Berube's impressive vocals.Tied together by a seamless flow between soothing tracks of different paces and styles, this deeply per­ sonal album will leave you humming its melodies and contemplating its poetic quality long after the last song has ended.

— C aro lyn G rég oire

FemBots. C alling O u t. FemBots' fourth recording effort follows the critically ac­ claimed 2005 album The City. It continues the band's innovative adventure through the land of industrial rock. Led by Dave MacKinnon and Brian Poirier, FemBots ini­ tially tried to record the entire album using only "junkstruments," instruments made out of garbage by artist Iner Souster. The plan was quickly scrapped due to unpre­ dictable sounds emerging from the junk. Still, "junkstruments" still con­ stitute the base of all the songs, creating a unique and eccentric founda­ tion of noise upon which the FemBots pile on their cleaner pop-rock.

The album consists of melodic, sleepy rock, with several songs that run into one another.

Although Mackinnon sometimes sings at a grating pitch, this record cements his place in the group of talented, poetic Canadian lyricists.

Influenced by photo exhibits and poetry, FemBots are truly an "artiste" group, albeit not a pretentious one. The second last song, "The End of the Day," was composed after hearing two school bus drivers discussing fine wines. With a little track rearrangement and an open mind, Fem­ Bots could be the refreshing response to the fading star of Broken Social Scene, with a horn section to match.

— M a rg o t B ish o p

Film. Jo s e p h A rth u r: You A re Free. "Music saved my life." That's no small statement, but when spoken by singer/songwriter Jo­ seph Arthur, the words ring true. The heal­ ing power of music is at the heart of Jo se p h A rth u r: You A re Free, the concert movie that finally saw the light of day on October 2 after years spent sitting on a music exec's desk.

The film premiered last Thursday at Film Pop to favourable reviews from an audience that was quite large, given the number of other Pop Montreal events running that night.

You A re Free follows Arthur on the first stop of his 2005 tour in Los Angeles at the famed Troubadour Club. The film is a standard concert movie, featuring clips of a candid interview between Arthur and director Bryan Johnson. Over the course of an hour, the film delivers on its prom­ ise of music, art, and drama. Never more in his element than when he's making music, Arthur puts on a solid show for a full house of cheering fans, and reflects on his life and career as an artist.

With a penchant for singing falsetto and with a guitar, a bass, and a harmonica in his arsenal, Arthur is a one-man powerhouse. His brand of alternative rock is unique, and his sound is fresh. Because his music and lyrics are never over-thought, one might make the mistake of call­ ing them haphazard. However, music and lyrics gel together and speak true to the heart about love, relationships, and religion. Arthur is also a visual artist. One highlight of the film is when Arthur whips out a paint­ brush and begins painting onstage to his own music. As he proudly puts it, "Music is my wife, and art is my mistress."

The film also opens the door to Arthur's personal life, allowing the audience to intimately know this fascinating individual. During the inter­ view, he traces his path from being a dream-filled child in the Midwest to becoming an aspiring musician in the big city, while frankly and moving­ ly discussing his ongoing battle with addiction. While much has changed since he first got his start in the business, music is as much his lifeblood now as ever. Although great commercial success has eluded him, he has found the spiritual success that comes only with a true passion for music.

Today, Arthur is all about making the "right kind of music," that is, music of the heart and soul.

N ew film s p rem iere in old M ontreal Red carpets roll out for international filmfestival M adeleine W erker Those with an observant eye have probably noticed posters with a half­ woman half-dog creature plastered all over the city. They look intriguing, but there's a good chance you have no idea what they are for. The werewolf-esque images have little to do with film or Montreal, yet they're advertising the dy­ namic event set to take the city by storm on October 8; Montreal's 37th annual Festival du Nouveau Cinema.

In an effort to bring the international independent film scene to Mon­ treal, Claude Chamberlan and Dimitri Eipides founded the festival in 1971 and its reputation has grown extensively since. FNC is now Montreal's largest film event. Because there is little room in Hollywood for European, American, and Canadian independent filmmakers, Chamberlan and Eipides' efforts have given the nomads of the film industry a city to call home.

This year, the festival will present nearly 250 films from over 60 countries, ranging from feature-length films to shorts and documentaries. Many of the screenings in Montreal will also be the films' North American or world pre­ mieres.

The festival now receives over 1,000 submissions annually, and the pro­ grammers, in addition to reviewing these, attend other film festivals around the world as part of the rigorous selection process. The result is an intense line-up of the year's greatest independent films, each worthy of their selection and not to be missed. The programmers focus on diversity within the festival line-up; there are films from both high profile and unknown directors, and subject matter is never repeated.

In addition to films, the festival also features guest speakers, award pre­ sentations, and parties, as well as question and answer periods after certain screenings. There are also FNC Labs, where the latest camera equipment is on display and technicians and artists present new advances in film technology.

All of these activities are free and easy to find in the festival catalogue.

One of the most anticipatead presentations is John Boorman's two-hour master class in which he will speak about his remarkable film career and how he manages to work successfully with both independent cinema and Holly­ wood productions. Boorman's new film T he Tiger's Tail will also be screened in the festival. "This is actually the part I'm most excited about," says program­ mer Damien Detcheberry. Set in Dublin, Ireland, the latest from this acclaimed director tells the story of a man who watches as his life gets stolen by a nasty double. Other films that have been getting a buzz include Valse A v e c B a c h ir (Ari Folman, Israel), Les P la g es d'A gn ès (Agnès Varda, France), C a o s C a lm o (An­ tonio Luigi Grimaldi, Italy), and Elle Veut le C h a o s (Denis Côté, Canada).

The goal of the non-profit organization that runs FNC is to make inde­ pendent cinema available to the general public. As Detcheberry explains, they want students in particular to get excited and involved. Compared to other film festivals around the globe, this one works especially hard to keep its ticket prices low.

"We'd rather have a packed theatre full of people who paid a little as op­ posed to an empty theatre with a few people who paid a lot," Detcheberry says. Student tickets cost $8 . There are also festival passes available for $100.

Theatres all over Montreal are participating, and program and schedule catalogues are widely available. The booklet is hard to miss; it's got the same ubiquitous image on it's cover as the posters. Pick up a copy, find some films that interest you, and get involved in this exciting film festival. ■ Fe stiva l d u N o u vea u C in em a ru n s fro m O cto b e r 8 to O c to b e r 19.

CKUT

G O O D O ct 7 - 1 3 Tuesday: Film. F r o m t h e B a s e m e n t Scotiabank Theatre. Series two o the Fall Concert Series is a high definition showing of stripped dowr concert material from Jarvis Cockei Jamie Lidell, Beck, Sonic Youth, anc Jose Gonzalez. Like a concert bu with comfy chairs and no mosh-pi (although you could try starting one) One night only.

Wednesday: Music. The One Nigh Band. Café Campus. CD launch fo the Montreal four-piece about tc head out on a cross-Canada tour Cheery ska with a fun reggae flare The musical equivalent of Prozac.

Thursday: Music. Alanis Morissette Place des Arts. Revive your nineties love of J a g g e d Little Pill, or your bitte hatred of your ex with this angry Chick rocker. The Ex-Mrs.-Mr.-Scarlet Johansson will evoke both wit! her show tonight. Shaved armpit; optional.

Friday: Books. Julie Couillard. Indigc Place Montreal Trust. Montrea launch of Couillard's provocative and controversial (not to mentior cleverly-titled) tell-all autobiography M y S to ry . The Montreal-native whc went from dating a Hell's Angel tc dating the Canadian foreign affairminister will be in the store signinç copies.

Saturday: Music. Okkervil River. Le: Saints. If you're not home stuffing youi face with turkey, there is absolutely no excuse not to check out this band Banjos are sexy and these guys know it, and with trumpets, mandolins, anc stunning vocals, these mellow indierockers will make your weekend Crooked Fingers opens.

Sunday: Music. Mount Eerie. La Sala Rossa. Frontman Phil Elvrum, formerly ofThe Microphones, ditches his former folk/acoustic style for a sound that's a bit more hard-core.

Like soft-core metal, but with a natural Pacific-Northwestern twist Eerie and eclectic.

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S ports R U G B Y— RED M EN 6 4 , SH ER BR O O KE 0

A n o t h e r lo p s id e d w in f o r t h e r u g b y R e d m e n McGill thrashes Sherbrooke to move one step closer to league title J acob K anter Coming into Sunday night's tilt with Sherbrooke at Molson Stadium, the McGill rugby team knew it had the upper hand over the Vert et Or.The Redmen didn't need to play their best game to win—all they needed to do was run their set plays, make few mistakes, and play strong defence. The fact that they did not play their best game, but were still able to engineer a painfully one-sided 64-0 walloping of Sherbrooke, is a scary thought for the other three teams in the Quebec Stu­ dent Sports Federation.

The Redmen sit atop the QSSF standings with a record of 4-0, but their number of wins pales in comparison to the number of points they have scored this season. Including

JOHN KELSEY

Despite this photo's implications, the Redmen soared far above the Vert et Or on Sunday night.

their win on Sunday, the Rèd 'n'White have scored 200 points in four games. To put that in perspective, Bishop's, Concordia, and Sherbrooke have combined to score only 128 points in 12 games. McGill has also allowed a league-best 27 points this season, less than half as many as Concordia's second-best 78 points allowed.

"The competition in the Quebec league is not at our level," said sophomore fullback Michael Davis."At this point, it's about setting personal goals and trying to reach those. It's about try­ ing to work together as a team and doing what we set out to do at the beginning of the season."

McGill's superior teamwork was the key factor in their vic­ tory. The Redmen controlled the match with strong forwardplay, enabling the backs to run over their Vert et Or opponents.

Though a few drives stalled early in the first half, the Redmen were the only ones with scoring opportunities, as the ball was constantly in the Vert et Or's zone.

"We started playing a lot better than we had in the last couple of games," said Flead Coach Sean McCaffrey. "But in the first half, there were four tries that were called back, and per­ haps we should have kept our discipline. We could have given more effort when the game got a bit rough, when we lost our heads a little bit. There are still some areas that we could work on, but overall, for sure—I'm happy with this win."

Sophomore fly-half Evan Straight opened the scoring for the Redmen midway through the first half with two quick tries.

His first came at the end of some neat back work, as the Red­ men methodically worked their way across the try line.

The stars for the Redmen, however, were Davis and prop Ian Turner, an exchange student from Brisbane, Australia.

The duo scored three of McGill's next four tries, and Turner handled all of the conversions for the Redmen, hitting seven of 10 attempts. Davis finished the game with 10 points, and Turner finished with 19, bringing his total this season to 37.

Peter Klestov also scored two tries, and Samuel Skulsky, Bryce Thomassin, and Jonathan Glancy each scored one try to round out the scoring.

"We opened up a lot of holes in their back line," said Davis.

"We were better conditioned than they were. Our forwards were cohesive with our backs, and it really showed in the last minutes of the game."

Though the game was essentially over by halftime, the Redmen refused to take their collective foot off of Sher­ brooke's throat in the second half. Davis sprang free for several long runs in the game's waning minutes, which led to three late tries.

"When we would get up [on our opponents] in previous games, we tended to get a little lackadaisical and we would fail to execute," said junior winger Stefan Rinas, who didn't score on Sunday but leads the Redmen with six tries on the season.

"But this time, for the full 80 minutes, we got creative and we

JOHN KELSEY

McGill left Sherbrooke grasping at and gasping for air.

had a lot of fun."

Flead Coach Sean McCaffrey used the opportunity to finetune his team's play leading up to the playoffs, which start on November 2.

"The plan was to get some new guys in there and to work on our overall offence which we've been working on all year," McCaffrey said. "We have a couple of strategies going forward and we're just trying to fine-tune and polish them."

With one more win McGill will have clinched first-place in the Quebec league. But the league championship is only part of the puzzle this season. After a QSSF champion is crowned, the winner of the Maritimes conference will visit the Quebec champion for an "East Championship." Nationals were can­ celled earlier this season, so the Maritimes game will be the biggest of the year.

Based on the level that the Redmen are playing at, you can pencil McGill in for that championship game, to be played the weekend of November 14 to 16.The Redmen's next game is at home against Concordia on Sunday, October 19, at 1 p.m.«

T H I R D M A N IN

A disabling injustice J ulie B eauchamp

C

hantal Petitclerc's Olympic record exceeds that of Mi­ chael Phelps, but you probably haven't heard of her.

Since 1992, Peticlerc, a Canadian track and field ath­ lete, has won 21 medals, 14 of them gold. However, unlike America's golden boy and other Canadian medalists, she won't be getting any money for her amazing performance at the Beijing Games, nor can she dream about obtaining the same opportunities or exposure as these athletes. Why? Because Petitclerc is in a wheelchair.

Had she not been a disabled athlete, Petitclerc would have received $20,000 from the Canadian Olympic Com­ mittee for each gold medal that she won. The Canadian Paralympic Committee relies much more on federal sup­ port than the heavily sponsored COC and, as a result, Pe­ titclerc did not receive any financial compensation for her performance. The COC received $8 million from the federal government this year, while the CPC received a meagre $2.1 million.

After her performance in Beijing, Petitclerc now has the most career wheelchair track and field medals. She

broke two of her own world records, winning the 200 me­ tres in 27.52 seconds, .77 seconds faster than the previous record, and winning the 800 metres in 1:45.19,2.31 seconds faster than her previous world record. But despite another amazing performance, Petitclerc returned home with only the medals to show for it.

In a society that prides itself on giving equal rights and opportunities to everybody, there shouldn't be any distinc­ tion between Olympic and Paralympic athletes. They both train for many hours every day, they both want to be the best in their sport, they both make enormous sacrifices, and they both proudly represent the Canadian flag. Dis­ abled athletes work as hard as able-bodied athletes, if not harder, because of their handicap. Because of the obstacles on their road to success, they deserve our support even more. Though she has every right to do so, Petitclerc has not voiced her concern or filed a complaint since the Para­ lympic Games.

The blame does not fall squarely on the government's shoulders—both the Canadian public and the media con­

tribute to this injustice as well. The Paralympics began in Beijing almost immediately after the Olympics ended, but there was no substantial coverage of the Paralympics, and therefore no substantial audience for the games. The CBC did broadcast several events, but the results were rarely re­ ported on any other sports or news network. The federal government will always be reticent to invest more money in the CPC if it feels the general population is not interested in its athletes and their success stories.

British mining company Rio Tinto Alcan was the lone contributor to Petitclerc's cause this summer. She received $50,000 in recognition of her unbelievable achievements from her only sponsor. But that is only half of what she would have received from the federal government had she been an able-bodied athlete. The lifestyle of an athlete is an expensive one, and Petitclerc, along with her fellow Paralympic athletes, deserves better. She deserves our at­ tention, $he deserves the media's coverage, and she de­ serves the same amount of money received by any other Olympic athlete.B

The McGill Tribu

18* Sports • 07.10..08 P R O F IL E — A U S T IN A N D E R S O N

F a m ily v a lu e s

N H L P R E V IE W

La ce up y o u r sk a te s, ta p e

Anderson makes kicker an impact position

CENTRAL DIVISION ♦ Detroit Red Wings: "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em/'That was the mentality of Marian Hossa t summer when, mere weeks after facing off against Detroit in the Stanley Cup finals as a Pittsbur Penguin, he signed a one-year contract with the Red Wings. Otherwise, the Wings remained qu this offseason, and the team returns most of last year's roster. Look for speedy youngster C D ren Helm to crack the line-up at some point this season. Finnish rookie LW Ville Leino has a impressed during the preseason. If the Wings weren't the early favourites to repeat as ch impio before they signed Hossa, they certainly are now.

J acob K anter The McGill Redmen football team went all of last year without attempt­ ing a field goal, due to the lack of a serviceable kicker.

Think about that for a moment: a vitally important position was vacant from the start of the season until its merciful end. McGill lost three games by five points or less en route to a winless season. The outcome of those games could have easily been altered had the Redmen been able to salvage three points instead of risking a turnover on third down in opposition territory.

This season, all Head Coach Sonny Wolfe needed to do to ease the pain of suffering Redmen football fans was fill the vacant kicker position. He didn't need to land a big recruit, and he didn't need to make headlines, but in bringing Austin Anderson to McGill, that's precisely what he did.

The son of Gary Anderson, one of the most accomplished and deco­ rated kickers in NFL history, Austin carries a pedigree that's as impressive as his right leg. But his father's reputation—23 years in the league, the second most points in NFL history, and an astonishing year as the first kicker to not miss a field goal or extra point over the course of the regular season—didn't have as much to do with Anderson's path as one would imagine.

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"Growing up, I obviously spent most of my Sundays watching the NFL,'' said Anderson. "But I never realized until five years ago that I wanted to be­ come a kicker. It wasn't until they implemented kicking in peewee football.

I had played cornerbackfora long time and never really considered kicking.

But once they put kicking into the game, I got interested in it, and then I picked it up naturally. My dad never pressured me to kick, and he never pressured me into football at all... But once I did pick up kicking, he men­ tored me a lot— with the mental aspect and the kicking technique as well."

Anderson's family moved frequently depending on where his father played. But when Gary retired in 2004 , the Andersons moved to Canmore, Alberta at the beginning of Austin's freshman year of high school. Despite Canmore's isolation, Anderson received tryout offers from football power­ houses such as the University of Southern California and the University of Texas. But Anderson chose McGill's floundering football team.

"My family put a very high priority on academics, so I worked really hard in high school and got really good marks," said Anderson. "I was look­ ing for a place that was a good academic institution, but that would also give me the opportunity to play football. I looked at a lot of schools in the states, at a lot of Division I schools, but McGill was the highest-ranked aca­ demically. I talked to Coach Wolfe, and he offered me the opportunity to come play here, so it all came together."

There is no doubt that An­ derson can get the job done.

This season, he is 100 per cent on field goals, including two attempts from over 40 yards.

St. Louis Blues: Only the sad-sack L.A. Kings finished behind the Blues in the West last seasc The team did little to improve in the offseason, as they mostly made depth moves—adding d fencemen Mike Weaver and Andy Wozniewski, while letting go of forwards Martin Rucinsky, Ry. Johnson, and Jamal Mayers. Up front, 40-goal scorer C Brad Boyes and sophomore LW David P« ran compliment veteran LW Paul Kariya and give the Blues hope for the future. On the backer former first-overall pick D Erik Johnson expects to miss the entire season after injuring h îself ( the golf course, which is where the Blues will be found this spring.

— S te ve n Beirne

♦ Pittsburgh Penguins: Despite losing RW Marian Hossa and LW Ryan Malone, the Penguins w continue to dominate on offence. By leading Pittsburgh to the Stanley Cup final, centres Sidn< Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have proven to be more than phenomenal scoring talents. Newcome RW Miroslav Satan and LW Ruslan Fedotenko are expected to fill the gaps on the wing, and C Jordi Staal will see more ice time as he develops into an elite power forward. Rounding out the your talent crop is G Marc-André Fleury, whose sensational performance in last year's playoffs reaffirme his value to the Penguins' budding dynasty. ♦ New York Rangers: After two consecutive second-round playoff exits, the Rangers shook up the roster over the summer, adding LW Markus Naslund, RW Nikolai Zherdev, and D Wade Redde With the departure of forwards Jaromir Jagr, Brendan Shanahan, and troublemaker Sean Avery, tf Rangers will rely heavily on centres Chris Drury and Scott Gomez to play better than last season.

New York's offence can meet expectations and G Henrik Lundqvist has another brilliant season goal, expect the Rangers to get at least as far as the Eastern Conference semifinal.

o u CD 1/Î CÜ

LU

Anderson will be the Redmen kicker for a longtime.

"I'm still training hard with my teammates at the athletic facility,"Anderson said of his rehab process. "Hope­ fully I'll be able to get back on the field soon."

Based on McGill's perfor­ mances dating back to last season, the Redmen need An­ derson to get back on the field as soon as he's healthy. He may be the key to avoiding a second-straight 0-8 season. ■

ATLANTIC DIVISION

c

As long as his hip flexor heals,

Columbus Blue Jackets: Last year, Columbus failed to make the playoffs for the seventh straig season, a drought that goes back to the team's inception in 2000-01. The offseason saw seve changes, as the team shipped enigmatic RW Nikolai Zherdev to the Rangers in return for bluel ers Christian Backman and Fedor Tyutin. The Jackets also sent C Gilbert Brule to Edmonton for I Raffi Torres, and picked up forwards RJ. Umberger and Kristian Huselius to bolster the off< nce.T influx of grit and skill should compliment rookie forwards Derick Brassard and Jakub Voracek, m; ing Columbus a better team. An eighth year out of the playoffs, however, may be in the cards.

Nashville Predators: One of the best teams in the league two years ago, the Predators squeak into the playoffs last season and did little in the offseason to improve their roster. As if the Prec tors' uphill battle this season wasn't going to be hard enough, RW Alexander Radulov abr uptly l< the team's first line this summer to sign with a Russian club. Not all is bleak though: the Predate have a young, skilled defensive corps anchored by Shea Weber. In addition, upstart G Dan Ellis vr get a chance to prove last year's league-leading save percentage wasn't a fluke.

Anderson's presence was felt immediately on the field. In his first con­ ference game, the freshman became only the fifth McGill player to make five field goals in one game during a 42-17 loss to Sherbrooke, and garnered CIS special teams player of the week honours.

Anderson's impact has recently been limited, due to a torn hip flexor suffered in practice before McGill's game against Bishop's on September 19.

The Redmen have lost the three subsequent games they have played with­ out their rookie kicker by a combined score of 170-35. Though he wouldn't have single-handedly won any of those games, Anderson certainly could have narrowed the margins.

While Anderson is fully aware of McGill's struggles last year without a kicker, the rookie placekicker says the expectations heaped upon him don't create any additional stress.

"I don't put any extra pressure on myself because of [what happened last year]," said Anderson. "The team might view the situation differently than I do, but I just go out there and try to be perfect and make every field goal every time. It's just a good feeling for me to know that the guys have the confidence in me that I can get the job done."

♦ Chicago Blackhawks: The Hawks surprised the hockey world this summer when they sign free agent goaltender Cristobal Huet to a long-term deal despite having G Nikolai Khabibu under contract for almost $7 million. But any goalie controversy was quickly extinguished wh the Hawks waived Khabibulin to make way for Huet as the starter. Chicago also signed star D Bri Campbell to a massive contract and traded away C Robert Lang. Overall, second-year forwar Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews highlight a dynamic, young, and improved roster. With or wii out a healthy Martin Havlat at right wing, the Blackhawks will compete for a playoff spot cor spring.

♦ Philadelphia Flyers: Last season, the Flyers were the most offensively balanced team in the NF with seven 20-goal scorers in the line-up. Six of those seven return to Philly this year, alongsic explosive LW Simon Gagne, who only played in 25 games last season. Newly appointed capta C Mike Richards had a breakout season last year, and will only get better while playing alongsic Gagne. The defensive duo of KimmoTimonen and Braydon Coburn shone in last year's playoffs, an G Martin Biron should lead the Flyers into the playoffs. ♦ New Jersey Devils: Though usually uninvolved in the free agent market, Devils GM Lou Lamor ello signed RW Brian Rolston and C Bobby Holik this offseason in hopes of upgrading a desperat offence.Though the Devils finished fourth in the East, they were among the league's lowest scorin teams, averaging just 2.42 goals a game. New Jersey's consistent success stems from the play of Martin Brodeur, who is entering his 16th season as the backbone of the franchise. Still, even wit a rejuvenated offence and another exceptional season from Brodeur, the Devils will likely fall to position in the middle of the pack.

New York Islanders: Experience is the only thing the Islanders will gain this season. After a slev of injuries last year, most notably to G Rick DiPietro, the Islanders saw their playoff hopes quick! washed away. Led this year by 20-year-old RW Kyle Okposo, the Islanders' core of young player has potential, but fans should keep expectations low for now. New acquisition D Mark Streit wi strengthen the team's confidence on defence, but will need a lot of support if he wants to put u point totals similar to those he posted last season. The Islanders have stocked up for the long rur but will not sail anywhere this season.

— M ic h a e l D ea

Anderson kick-started McGill's offence.

* d e n o te s p la y o ff tea m s

www.mcgilltribune.com

07.10.08 • Sports • 19

u p y o u r s t ic k , h it t h e ic e , a n d p u c k o ff NORTHWEST DIVISION

PACIFIC DIVISION

^Minnesota Wild: Minnesota might not be the flashiest team in, but boring hockey tends :o win games.The Wild's defence is the most underrated in the league—with offseason acluisitions MarekZidlicky and Marc-Andre Bergeron joining the incredibly gifted Brent Burns rnd Kim Johnsson.The offence will struggle to score, relying almost solely on RW Marian âaborik, but a lack of scoring has never held back Jacques Lemaire's teams. With another ;eason of stellar goaltending by Niklas Backstrom the Wild will finish atop the division. ^Calgary Flames: Losing LWs Kristian Huseliusand Alex Tanguay is troubling, as the Flames struggled to score with them last season. Relying on RW Todd Bertuzzi—who continues tis bizarre love-affair with Head Coach Mike Keenan—to fill the void is a risky proposition, ilthough C Mike Cammelleri should have a great season on the second line. G Miikka Kipru;off should bounce back after reporting to camp in shape. Any team with RWJarome Iginla md D Dion Phaneuf should finish in the middle of the Western Conference playoff picture. ^Vancouver Canucks: After posting a 6-0-1 preseason record, Vancouver could exceed nost pundits'predictions and squeak into the playoffs.The Canucks'solid defensive corps is ed by two of the best-kept secrets in the league—Kevin Bieksa and Alexander Edler—but /ancouver's hopes rest squarely on the shoulders of one of the league's best goaltenders: ioberto Luongo. If Luongocan continue to excel, and if the Canucks can get big years out of heir new additions—C Pavol Demitra and RW Steve Bernier—they should narrowly make he playoffs.

Colorado Avalanche: The goaltending tandem of Peter Budaj and Andrew Raycroft doesn't nspire confidence, and Colorado's entire season hinges on one of their two netminders jutting in a solid performance. Neither goalie will be helped by the Avs' defence, which joasts a glut of solid players but no top-level defenders. On the bright side, Colorado has io shortage of playmakers up front with the return of C Joe Sakic and the emergence of C Peter Stastny. The Avalanche will fall just short of the playoffs unless their offence can score Frequently enough to make up for mediocre goaltending.

Edmonton Oilers: There is a very real possibility that less than 10 points will separate the first and last-place teams in the Northwest Division, and unfortunately for the Oilers, not all five teams from the Northwest can make the playoffs. The Oilers'young stars C Sam Gagner and C Andrew Cogliano will be exceptional down the road, but Edmonton lacks the goal­ tending to make the playoffs this year. If the defence can take its mind off scoring goals long enough to focus on keeping pucks out of their own net, the Oilers might surprise, but otherwise Edmonton fans should continue looking towards the future.

— M att Chesser

NORTHEAST DIVISION

*San Jose Sharks: After another disappointing playoff performance, long-time coach Ron Wilson was replaced by rookie Head Coach Todd McLellan. On paper, the Sharks have a dan­ gerous offence, led by HartTrophy candidate C Joe Thornton. A lack of secondary scoring hurt the Sharks last season, and RW Jonathon Cheechoo, LW Milan Michalek, and C Patrick Marleau will need to improve in that department. Defensively, the addition of Rob Blake, Dan Boyle, and Brad Lukowich gives the Sharks both experience and offensive upside. Vezina Trophy fi­ nalist G Evgeni Nabokov should continue his stellar play from last season.

"Dallas Stars: The Stars had one of the best defensive units in the league last year, but with the retirement of Mattias Norstrom and an injury to Sergei Zubov, the Stars will need younger players like Niklas Grossman and Mark Fistric to step up defensively in front of G Marty Turco.

Look for Brendan Morrow, Mike Ribeiro and Brad Richards to lead the Stars offensively. Swed­ ish free agent LW Fabian Brunnstrom should provide some dynamic offence if he can adjust to the NHL game, while the acquisition of super-pest LW Sean Avery gives the Stars even more grit.

"Anaheim Ducks: With Jean-Sebastien Giguere back in goal and a blue line anchored by Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger, the Ducks'back end remains strong. But if the team wants to avoid another early playoff exit, they must improve on their 28th-ranked offence. The Ducks will depend heavily on Teemu Selanne and forwards Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry for offensive production, but offseason acquisition C Brendan Morrison should regain his scoring touch if he can remain healthy. Meanwhile, RW Bobby Ryan, the 2005 second-overall draft pick, should break into the Ducks'top six.

Phoenix Coyotes: After improving by 16 points last season, the Coyotes are a much better team on paper. Gone is RW Radim Vrbata, their second-leading scorer, but the acquisition of C Olli Jokinen finally gives RW Shane Doan an elite linemate. Phoenix will be expecting a lot offensively from sophomore C Peter Mueller and rookie C Kyle Turris. The addition of LW Todd Fedoruk and RW Brian McGrattan adds some much needed size and toughness. Defensively, the Coyotes will have to deal with the loss of Keith Ballard and Nick Boynton. Defencemen Derek Morris and Ed Jovanovski will need to step up their play, but with a full season of Ilya Bryzgalov in net, the Coyotes should improve defensively.

Los Angeles Kings: New coach Terry Murray takes over a team loaded with young talent. Led by the explosive C Anze Kopitar, the Kings are loaded offensively with young stars like D Jack Johnson and RW Dustin Brown. The team will expect C Jarret Stoll to prove that he deserves his four-year, $14.4 million contract. The Kings were 28th in goals allowed against last season, and with the loss of defencemen Rob Blake and Lubomir Visnovsky, L.A. will likely remain in the NHL's defensive basement. Starting goaltender Jason LaBarbera will be pulling a lot of pucks out of his own net this season.

— Samantha Chang

SOUTHEAST DIVISION

*Montreal Canadiens: The storyline seems too good to be true for Montreal: heading into the 100th season of Canadiens hockey, the Habs have assembled, arguably, the best team La Belle Province has seen in over a decade. With the additions of C Robert Lang and LW Alex Tanguay to a young, talented offence, scoring goals should not be a problem for the Flying Frenchmen. The only question marks for the Habs are in net, where phenom G Carey Price must prove he is ready to be an elite goaltender, and on the front line, where the enigmatic RW Alexei Kovalev must be a point-per-game player if Montreal hopes to finish atop the Eastern Conference.

"Washington Capitals: Now that exciting superstar Alexander Ovechkin and the rest of Wash­ ington's youth movement have a few playoff games under their belts they should be even bet­ ter than last year. The Caps lost G Cristobal Huet to the Blackhawks, and replaced him with former Vezina winner José Theodore—an upgrade considering that Huet was only with the team for the last month of the regular season. More importantly, Washington signed dynamic young defenceman Mike Green to a four-year deal this offseason. This team should be as elec­ trifying as it was last year, and with a better start under Head Coach Bruce Boudreau, the sky is the limit.

"Buffalo Sabres: Lost in the drama of last year's departure of C Chris Drury, C Daniel Briere, and D Brian Campbell, was the fact that Buffalo's offence remained one of the most danger­ ous in the league. General Manager Darcy Regier has stockpiled young talent like C Derek Roy, RW Jason Pominville, and LW Thomas Vanek to lessen the damage of the exodus of talent from Buffalo. The Sabres'defence failed the team last season, but with the acquisition of Craig Rivet, the back end should no longer be a weakness. Look for G Ryan Miller to lead Buffalo back to the playoffs.

"Tampa Bay Lightning: Tampa Bay had a productive offseason, which included signing the first-overall pick in the draft, Steve Stamkos. Tampa also added LW Ryan Malone, D Andrej Meszaros and G Mike Smith—all of whom came off strong seasons with their respective clubs.

Even Barry Melrose and his famous mullet have been tempted out of retirement to join the team as head coach. Nevertheless, the fortunes of this franchise rest squarely on the shoulders of captain Vincent Lecavalier, who is determined to reverse his club's precipitous drop in the standings since they hoisted the Stanley Cup in 2004.

Ottawa Senators: The window of opportunity for the Senators has almost completely closed. After a three-year run as the most talented squad in the Northeast division, Ottawa has gradually slipped onto the playoff bubble. While the Sens still boast the best line in the league—RW Dany Heatley, C Jason Spezza, and RW Daniel Alfresson—their secondary scoring is almost non-existent and their defence is among the weakest units in the East. On the bright side, at least Ottawa doesn't have to worry about their backup goalie allegedly threatening to kill a senior citizen this season, as G Alex Auld has replaced Ray Emery—who is now playing in Russia's Kontinental Hockey League.

Carolina Hurricanes: The last time the Carolina Hurricanes were in a playoff game, they won the Stanley Cup. Now, after failing to make the playoffs for two straight years, former Conn Smythe winner G Cam Ward is feeling the pressure to prove that his play in that run was not a fluke. The young goaltender isn't solely to blame for the team's defensive problems, however.

Over the past two seasons, Carolina has parted ways with most of the defensive corps from its Stanley Cup-winning squad. The addition of D Joni Pitkanen should fill a big hole along the blue line, but the loss of LW Erik Cole will put a serious dent in the team's offensive depth.

Boston Bruins: The Bruins proved last season that they are one of the toughest teams in the NHL, but don't expect a repeat of last year's 94-point performance. Boston finished 25th in the league in scoring last season, and will need C Patrice Bergeron to show no ill effects from last January's season-ending injury if they hope to vanquish their scoring woes. Peren­ nial Norris trophy candidate Zdeno Chara will continue to be a rock on the blue line, but it's tough to expect journeyman G Tim Thomas to repeat last year's career season. The Bruins will finish just short of the playoffs.

Toronto Maple Leafs: The Leafs have the inside track in the race for John Tavares. With­ out C Mats Sundin, Toronto's top six forwards are the worst in the league—anytime RW Nik Antropov might be your leading team's leading scorer, you're in trouble. The only bright spots are G Vesa Toskala and D Thomas Kaberle, who deserve better than this woeful mess.

No matter what Sundin decides, the Stanley Cup drought will reach 41 years in Toronto.

— M att Chesser

Florida Panthers:"Defence, defence, defence" will be Florida's mantra this season. In addition to having one of the best netminders in the league in Tomas Vokoun, the Panthers have traded away star forward Olli Jokinen and acquired defencemen Keith Ballard, Bryan McCabe and Nick Boynton. With that defensive core in place the Panthers should be able to keep games close— the only question is if they have enough scoring punch to turn close games into wins. Florida will need increased production from centres Stephen Weiss and Nathan Horton if they hope to find themselves in the postseason.

Atlanta Thrashers: The Thrashers have one of the most exciting talents in the league in LW Ilya Kovalchuk. However, they will once again be plagued by problems on defence. The team that gave up the most shots in the league last season has taken steps to improve its defence with the additions of All-Star D Mathieu Schneider and the third-overall pick in the 2008 draft D Zach Bogosian. And while G Kari Lehtonen has shown flashes of brilliance he has also shown a demonstrated for uneven play and lingering injuries.

— Sam Hunter

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