The Ontarion - Issue #175.9

Page 1

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Issue No. 175.9

SEE CENTRE

URINETOWN PAGE 6

ELECTION RESULTS PAGE 3

JAZZ LINDSEY PAGE 9

NEWS 3 • ARTS & CULTURE 6 • SPORTS & HEALTH 9 • LIFE 15 • OPINION 18 • EDITORIAL 22 • FUN PAGE 23


RECRUIT GUELPH CAREER FAIR

n a C u o Y g n i h Everyt Imagine for Halloween

Thursday November 6th, 2014 10am-3pm University Centre Courtyard • Employers will be on campus recruiting for all job types (full-time, part-time, summer, and co-op) • All students from all programs are welcome to attend! • Check our website for a list of employers attending the fair, and view their job postings!

www.recruitguelph.ca Guelph Fionn - CampusLiveMusicOCT-NOV 5x7AD 10-2014 copy PRESS.pdf 1 10/2/2014 2:55:51 PM

So Much FUN it ’s SCARY!

The Creepiest Decorations! Costumes for the whole Family!

Your Halloween Superstore! Stone Road Mall 435 Stone Rd.

GUELPH

Bridgeport Plaza 94 Bridgeport Rd. E.

WATERLOO


Issue 175.9 • Thursday, October 30, 2014

Guthrie elected Guelph’s new mayor

NEWS

Mayoral race comes to conclusion SAMEER CHHABRA As voters across Ontario turned out to cast their ballots, Guelph’s mayoral election came to a conclusion on Monday, Oct. 27. With a total of 19,760 votes cast and 50.76 per cent of the voting population siding with his campaign, Cam Guthrie was elected as the new Mayor of Guelph, deposing incumbent Karen Farbridge. Maintaining a lead the moment the results from online and advanced polls were posted, Guthrie was well ahead throughout the rest of the night.

“I will work hard for every one of you – whether you voted for me or not.” Guthrie, joined by almost 100 supporters at the Cutten Fields Golf Course, thanked former-Mayor Farbridge for her commitment to the city. He further emphasized his desire to build a better Guelph, restating his campaign’s goals. “I campaigned for a better Guelph, and we got it,” said Guthrie during his victory speech. “I will work hard for every one of you

MATTHEW AZEVEDO/THE ONTARION

On Oct. 27, Cam Guthrie was announced as the new mayor of Guelph, receiving over 50 per cent of the 38, 926 ballots cast. – whether you voted for me or not.” In comparison to Guthrie, runner-up Farbridge managed to garner 14,170 votes, capturing 36.56 per cent of the population. Farbridge, also joined by over 100 supporters, was stationed at Van Gogh’s Ear in downtown Guelph. In her concession speech, she thanked the city for giving her a chance to make a difference for the past 11 years. “You have given me an incredible gift,” said Farbridge during her concession speech. “You have given me 11 years as your mayor. Those are the defining years of my life, and they will always be defining for me.” She went on to thank her family and her husband for their support, emphasizing the toll political life has taken on them.

Third-place went to Jason Blokhuis, with a total of 3987 votes cast, and 10.29 per cent of the population in his favour. The remaining four mayoral candidates, led by University of Guelph graduate Andrew Donovan, captured a total of 927 votes collectively – a mere 2.39 per cent of the voting population. In spite of the atmosphere on election night, this year’s elections were marked with a considerable amount of scornful politicking. Guelph’s former mayor was heavily criticized for her use of political attack ads, seemingly implicating of political Guthrie with Michael Sona, the Conservative campaign worker convicted of the robocall election fraud in the 2011 Federal Election. Furthermore, many were upset

with what they saw as a sevenperson race with only two real competitors. However, on Monday night, politicking seemed to have been the furthest thing from the minds of Guthrie, Farbridge, and the remaining candidates. Farbridge’s concession speech thanked her supporters, while highlighting the positive aspects of her term as mayor. “I know [my record has] built a strong city,” said Farbridge. “I know it’s built a strong community, and I know that because it was always based on engaging the community, it was always based on consultation, it was always based on engagement. “That’s where I’ve always drawn my strength from, and that’s why I can stand here in front of you

3

very well grounded, because of that strength you’ve given me.” In terms of next steps, Farbridge is uncertain of her future plans, but added that she is excited for what comes next. For Mayor Guthrie, what comes next is a fulfilment of his political promises. He plans on gathering all of the newly-elected councillors in order to discuss their goals for the term. Furthermore, he plans on meeting with city staff to start building new relationships. “We will take a close look at every capital project going forward,” said Guthrie. “I got a strong mandate tonight.” While citizens will be looking to newly-elected Mayor Guthrie in the next few months to see if he is able to maintain his promises, equally important to those following the race is the actual physical data gathered from the elections. Voter turn-out was a popular issue amongst the candidates, and in a municipality of 86,574 voters, roughly 44.96 per cent – or 38,926 people – showed up to cast a ballot. Compared to the last municipal election in 2010, with a total voter turnout of slightly over 34 per cent, 2014’s election showed a marked increase, with roughly 10 per cent more people casting a ballot. This increase is likely attributed to the addition of online voting. Beginning on Oct. 7, voters were able to cast ballots online until Oct. 24. Compared to the 6 possible days available for in-person voters, online voters were given a total of 18 days to cast a ballot. For individuals concerned with low turnout, increased voting time seems to have circumvented those concerns.


4

NEWS

Under the SafeGryphon sets to improve campus safety Radar CBC cuts ties with Jian Ghomeshi

On Sunday, Oct. 26, the CBC announced that it was ending its relationship with Jian Ghomeshi, the host and co-creator of Q, a cultural affairs radio show. “This decision was not made without serious deliberation and careful consideration,” said the network in an official statement. “Jian has made an immense contribution to the CBC and we wish him well.” Ghomeshi posted on Facebook later that evening, addressing his belief that his termination stemmed from the risk of his “private sex life being made public as a result of a campaign of false allegations pursued by a jilted ex-girlfriend and a freelance writer.” The post details a former relationship that included “forms of BDSM.” Over the past few months, the Toronto Star had approached Ghomeshi with allegations from three women who claim the host enacted physical violence during or leading up to sexual encounters – without their consent. In his post, Ghomeshi noted that his engagement in “adventurous forms of sex that include role-play, dominance, and submission” is not unusual, but these acts are always “mutually agreed upon” and “consensual.” Ghomeshi claimed to have been open with the CBC about these allegations. “On Thursday I voluntarily showed evidence that everything I have done has been consensual,” Ghomeshi wrote. “I did this in good faith and because I know […] I have nothing to hide. This is when the CBC decided to fire me.” Ghomeshi also claimed that CBC executives expressed to him that “this type of sexual behaviour was unbecoming of a prominent host on the CBC.” Shortly after the CBC’s announcement, Ghomeshi released a statement indicating the launch of a lawsuit, claiming general and punitive damages from a “breach of confidence and bad faith” on the part of the CBC, for whom he had worked almost 14 years. The statement noted that Ghomeshi will “commence a grievance for reinstatement under his collective agreement.” On Oct. 27, Dentons Canada LLP filed suit in Toronto, seeking $25 million in damages for breach of confidence, $25 million for defamation, and $5 million for punitive damages. -Compiled by Alyssa Ottema

Free app seeks to ensure safety across campus KELSEY COUGHLIN

Guelph has consistently been ranked as one of the safest Canadian cities to live in, boasting the title of the safest city in Canada for several years. The University of Guelph is no exception to this high standard of safety. With the Campus Police, Safewalk services, the First Response Team, and numerous emergency poles available, the university prides itself on taking a proactive approach to campus safety. Now, the university is taking things a step further with the creation of the SafeGryphon smartphone app, which aims to enhance campus safety. The app has a user-friendly design that allows students to easily report suspicious activity to Campus Police. The app also features a loud alarm that can be used to attract attention in a risky situation, a flashlight, and a map to help navigate around the campus.

The mapping function pinpoints exactly where you are on campus and indicates the names of nearby facilities and on-campus resources. A key feature of the SafeGryphon app is the ability to get notifications at any time, whether or not the app is in use. Students will be notified if there is a dangerous situation on campus or if the university is closed due to inclement weather or lockdown. Students can also stay up to date with the Campus Police through social media, as the app contains a link to their twitter page. University of Guelph student Valmy Assam recently downloaded the app. “When you have to work late, it can be scary having to walk around town alone in the dark,” said Assam. “SafeGryphon is a great idea, especially for first year students who are still not completely familiar with the campus or city.” Apps similar to SafeGryphon have popped up at other universities across Ontario and have been met with great success. Queens, McMaster, and Western have all developed apps intending to enhance security and safety on their campuses. The hope is that SafeGryphon will have a positive impact on campus life

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH CAMPUS POLICE

The SafeGryphon App aims to increase campus security and safety. and expand in the coming years, offering even more services to students. Campus Police Sergeant Steve Forbes explained that “[the app is recommend] not just for students, but for staff, faculty, and even visitors who are

on campus regularly as a simple way to connect with campus police or to search for safety-related information.” The app is available for download at the Apple store, Google Play, and BlackBerry World.

Convicted killer petitions for early parole Gordon Abbott shocks on trial in Guelph JOANNE PEARCE Convicted of first degree murder in 1997, Gordon Abbott, now 70, began his early parole hearing on Oct. 20 at the Guelph Superior Court and is maintaining his innocence over the brutal murder of his ex-wife, former Fergus legal secretary Patricia Abbott. On Oct. 23, 1996, Patricia Abbott did not return to work, after having gone home to have lunch. Crown attorney Jocelyn Speyer detailed the gruesome scene to the jury: Ms. Abbott’s co-workers found the woman in her home’s front foyer, having suffered two blows to the head that penetrated to the bone, four gunshot wounds to the head, and two the chest. Police found no fingerprints at the scene, but had found a plastic cylinder with gunpowder residue inside of it, which was believed to have been a “makeshift silencer,” as noted by Speyer. The police never found the murder weapon. Gordon Abbott’s trial for the murder began in 1997, and the evidence presented showed that Mr. Abbott and

his ex-wife had separated in 1992 and that their marriage has dissolved a few months prior to the murder. At the time, Mr. Abbott’s friends and co-workers had knowledge of the animosity held between the ex spouses; one man even recalled at the trial how Mr. Abbott had wished she was dead. Another colleague, a machinist, recalled being asked by Mr. Abbott what a gun silencer was. The Abbott relationship was particularly strained due to child custody and support payments. Ms. Abbott gained custody of their daughter, and one month before her death, a court order issued to Mr. Abbott to make payments that went up into the thousands. In his defense, Mr. Abbott claimed at the time that he had been at work at GSW, a Fergus water heater manufacturer, during the time of the murder. Signed testimonies by his coworkers, however, place him leaving work in his truck just before noon on the day of the murder. In the end, Mr. Abbott was sentenced to life with no option for parole for at least 25 years. According to Canadian law, however, early parole applications can be sent to reduce the sentence to 15 years. 18 years later, Mr. Abbott has applied for early parole, maintaining his innocence in the murder of his ex-wife. During the earlier hearings held in the case of his early parole this year,

Mr. Abbott has brought forward new allegations the court. The defendant informed Guelph Superior Justice Bruce Durno how he had, for most of the years between 1985 and 1993, smuggled in expensive and, most likely, stolen cars by transport truck from America, for $5, 000 each run. Mr. Abbott also asserted to the court that his ex-wife was actually killed when she attempted to blackmail a mysterious American car smuggler for $10, 000. “Her life was in danger, believe

me,” said Mr. Abbott in response to prosecutor Speyer when she challenged his story. “I bet it was” Speyer replied. When Speyer asked why he did not discuss these events during his interrogation, Abbott replied he did not think to mention it at the time, and that during his trial, his lawyers had told him that rather than speculating on what might have happened, he should focus on his defense. Mr. Abbott’s early-parole hearing will end in late October.

Upcoming events

Oct. 30: India Semester Abroad: Information Session. 5:50 to 7 p.m., Room 103 University Centre. Oct. 30: Study Abroad Fair, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., University Centre. www.uoguelph.ca/cip Oct. 31: Hallowe’en Trick or Eat Meal Exchange, all day across Guelph. Oct. 31: Fortieth class day, last day to drop one semester courses. Nov. 1: National Violence Against Women and Children Prevention Month begins. Nov. 3: Blood Donor Clinic, Peter Clark Hall, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.


Issue 175.9 • Thursday, October 30, 2014

Boko Haram militants kidnap 60 girls Nigeria heartbroken as more go missing LUKE FUENDLING On Saturday, Oct. 18, Boko Haram militants attacked the villages of Waga Mangoro and Garta in Northeastern Nigeria. Reports say that during the assault they also kidnapped 60 young girls. The terrorist group (declared such

by the US in 2013) is predominant in global media for their actions taken this past April, kidnapping over 200 young girls from a public school in Chibok, Nigeria, all of whom remain held in captivity. “Boko Haram” is translated from the Hausa language to “Western education forbidden.” The groundwork principles of this radical Islamic group are anti-Western civilization and anti-Christian. These ideologies follow with the attacks that they have committed, which have almost exclusively targeted Christian schoolaged children. The group was founded in 2002, with objectives ranging to such

extremes as taking control of Nigeria and reforming it as an Islamic state. Since the group launched their first military operation in 2009, the organization has been responsible for thousands of deaths, mostly in Northeastern Nigeria, including attacks on police and the UN headquarters in Abuja. The attacks on Waga Mangoro and Garta, located near the towns of Madagali and Michika, came just days after the Nigerian government declared a cease-fire agreement with Boko Haram, which included the proposition of negotiations regarding the safe return of the more than 200 girls taken in April.

NEWS

Some argue that this agreement was never made, due in part to the lack of confirmation by Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, who is currently the most-wanted man in Nigeria. This view is also based on other attacks and killings that have been reported across northern Nigeria with strong links to the Boko Haram militia. Authorities have not yet confirmed the attacks on these two villages, but local residents describe the events of Oct. 18 as a gruesome. Reports from locals describe the militants violently attacking the villages, burning buildings, and cutting the throats of four men.

5

The news of the attacks came as Members of Nigerian parliament approved a $1 billion program to increase training and upgrade equipment for military personnel to better control the insurgencies in Northeastern Nigeria. The uncertainty of the wellbeing of these girls weighs heavily on the people of Nigeria, who are still struggling to garner global support in the mission to bring the taken girls home. Boko Haram spokesmen have stated that the girls are unharmed and are free of sexual abuse, but the violent nature of the group and the length of the girls’ detainment suggests otherwise to Nigerian locals.

University of North Carolina exposed for academic fraud Thousands of student athletes enrolled in “shadow curriculum” to keep athletic eligibility STEPHANIE CORATTI Kenneth Wainstein, former United States Justice Department official, released a report from an independent investigation on Oct. 22 revealing more academic fraud than previously reported by the NCAA and the University of North Carolina (UNC).

NOON

The academic fraud, seen as a largely significant scandal, has an existing timeline of almost two decades spanning from 1993 to 2011. The University of North Carolina has since terminated at least nine employees, with some currently under investigation for involvement. All of the employees remain unidentified, as UNC believes the situation at hand should be left as a “university” and “academic” matter. An estimated 3100 students had enrolled in classes that belonged to a “shadow curriculum,” an academic stream stemming from the Afro-American Studies department that included classes students didn’t have to show up for. Some courses only required a single research paper, which would be scanned briefly by a secretary who would award high scores regardless of quality, and had no interaction with university academic faculty. There was no further evidence found within the report of similar problems within other

departments at the school. The majority of athletes enrolled in said courses belonged to the institution’s football and beloved basketball teams. Over the span of the scandal, the UNC basketball team won three of its five championship titles (1993, 2005, 2009). This is a major factor to the report, as the only thing left in question are the consequences, if any, that will come from the NCAA. The threat of fewer scholarships made available for student athletes, and disqualification from previous wins, and possibly championships, remains lingering as the investigation continues. Guidance counselors were found to have been suggesting courses from the “shadow curriculum” to struggling athletes in order to uphold their playing eligibility. It was also found that two counselors even implied grades, while several were aware that the courses at hand didn’t have an instructor. After the former department chair

movies and more 7:00 PM

Julius Nyang’oro, and retired office administrator Deborah Crowder began the classes for struggling athletes in 1993, by the mid-2000’s, these courses had evolved into the primary source for athletes who had been struggling academically to remain eligible to play. Nyang’oro was originally charged with felony fraud, although it was dropped once he began to cooperate with the independent investigation of Wainstein. Co-creator Crowder never faced any charges. Crowder began these classes, however, initially to keep students facing challenges academically from “watered-down requirements.” Despite not being an official faculty member, Crowder enrolled students in courses, delegated topics, and awarded high grades regardless of quality. She also signed Nyang’oro’s name to grades. Six years later, in 1999, Crowder had to side-step the number of independent

studies students were allowed to take, and did this through offering lecture courses that never held a lecture. After Crowder retired in 2009, Nyang’oro continued to follow through on the requests of football counselors to continue the classes and grade the research papers with “an eye to boosting” a student’s grade-point average. As soon as questions began to demand answers in 2011, Nyang’oro resigned from the position. Roy Williams, Hall of Fame men’s basketball coach, as well as other coaches, reported to be fully aware of the courses offering easy grades, but did not know the classes were in fact fake. Wainstein stated in the report he found no reason not to believe their statements. Athletic director Bubba Cunningham acknowledged that UNC is working closely with the NCAA to progress through the report as part of cooperating with the investigation.

Visit www.sundaycinema.ca for info on these Central Student Association events. 9:00 PM

Doug Paisley

NOON

7:00 PM

MO KENNEY

NOON HOUR Fri Oct 31

SUNDAY CINEMA Sun Nov 2

SUNDAY CINEMA Sun Nov 2

NOON HOUR Wed Nov 5

DOCURAMA Thurs Nov 6

UC COURTYARD | FREE Aching, breaking, heart-wrenching songcraft. Co-sponsored by CFRU 93.3 FM for Raise Your Voice.

THORNBROUGH 1200 | $3 UoG stu • $8 gen High-flying, depth-charging wonder. Co-sponsored by Interhall.

THORNBROUGH 1200 | $3 UoG stu • $8 gen Snappy dialogue and strong chemistry. Co-sponsored by Interhall.

UC COURTYARD | FREE Hard-bitten lyrics and a crystalline voice. Co-sponsored by CFRU 93.3 FM.

ROZANSKI 105 | FREE An intimate account of life with multiple sclerosis. Co-sponsored by the McLaughlin Library.


6

ARTS & CULTURE

Curtain Call Productions performs Urinetown Cast and crew of alumni and current students perform hilarious, provoking musical ADRIEN POTVIN

MOHAMMAD MELEBARI

Curtain Call Productions reprised their 2007 production of Greg Kotis and Mark Hollmann’s, Urinetown, with deft stage direction and biting satire.

POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE

FROM PROJECT MANAGEMENT TO PUBLIC FINANCE, THIS PROGRAM

Curtain Call Productions performed Urinetown from Friday, Oct. 24 to Sunday, Oct. 26., at the University of Guelph’s War Memorial Hall. The play, written by Greg Kotis and Mark Hollmann, is a satirical look at class struggle, resource management, and social resilience, centered in a town where people have to pay to urinate in an attempt to save water during a worldwide drought. When Bobby Strong’s (Devin dos Santos) father is taken to “Urinetown” for refusing to pay to use Public Amenity #9, his life is in shambles. The strapping young idealist, with the help of the swaths of the poor in the city, decides to take action against the corrupt Caldwell B. Cladwell (Thomas M. Gofton), owner of Urine Good Company, the city’s water monopoly (UGC for short). Alongside Cladwell’s bureaucratic cronies are the sleazy Senator Fipp (Gary Abbott), and the melodramatic and ferocious amenity caretaker Mrs. Pennywise (Laura Nielsen). By kidnapping Cladwell’s daughter, Hope (Lindsay Cox), in order to convince Cladwell to let them pee for free,

Bobby and his comrades aim to instill a fair and balanced order in the city. I am not going to give much more away at this point, because Urinetown really needs to be seen. But a quote by population theorist Thomas Malthus is printed in the program and permeates the play’s subtext: “The power of population is so superior to the power in the earth to produce subsistence for man, that premature death must in some shape or other visit the human race.” Make of that what you will – the satire is biting and sometimes hysterical, but indeed fatalistic. Don’t let that stop you from enjoying the fabulous dancing and songs, though. The musical is self-aware to very funny degrees. With the narrative action reiterated to the audience by Officer Lockstock (Michael Kein), the play often takes on a “Brechtian” form. Bertolt Brecht, a German playwright, maintained that theatre should instigate a self-reflexively critical view of stage action; in other words, both the audience and the production must realize that the text being performed is just that, a performance. CCP produced the play in 2007, and producers Lindsay Cox, Thomas Gofton, and Flo Labrie decided to perform it again, with both alumni and current students, for the University’s 50th anniversary. Devin dos Santos spoke with me about the performance history, saying, “Tommy [Gofton] and Lindsay [Cox], they did the show in 2007 with CCP. They decided they wanted to do a revamp of it, with as much of the original cast as possible. […] they had to bring on some new people, which includes me, and a lot of the people on stage.”

He added that it was a challenging role for him. “Going into it, I was listening to the songs and I was like, ‘This is totally out of my range. I could never do this.’ But we started doing the rehearsals, and we got one-on-one time with our vocal director, Franny [McCabe-Bennett], who is amazing. Franny is so great. She’s made me do things with my voice that I never thought possible.” Director Katie Shewen spoke of the production’s tight time management, “We pulled this together in six weeks, so it’s a really tight pull for a show this size. We had a three-day tech week, so if anyone knows the gear, they know that’s kinda crazy. Our first really full run was opening night, and it went really well.” Producer Labrie discussed bringing the cast and crew from 2007 together. “Tom [Gofton] approached me, who is alumni, while I was the exec of Curtain Call last year. And he was the one that really introduced the idea of doing an alumni show for the university’s 50th anniversary, so I jumped on the bandwagon. I’m a current student, so I’m the one that brought the other half into the game […] It was beautiful to see the community come together. No matter what age you are, what background you are, we’ve all come together to produce a show that was really top quality. […] And that’s what we went to advertise with the show, that ‘This is the Curtain Call community.’ We’ve been on campus since 1957, we’re older than the university!” The production was a roaring success – balancing incredible choreography with pitch-perfect line deliveries, the cast and crew pulled off an impressive show in such little time.

Album of the Week: Taylor Swift, 1989

OFFERS THE UNIQUE SKILLS YOU WILL NEED TO LAUNCH YOUR CAREER AS A COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER, PROGRAM OFFICER, POLICY ANALYST, BUSINESS ANALYST AND MANY OTHER EXCITING CAREER OPTIONS.

business.humber.ca/postgrad

COURTESY PHOTO

I am reminiscent for a time when I didn’t have to defend my love for Taylor Swift. 1989, released on Oct. 27, is a departure for Swift – a departure that I love. A mix of perky dance anthems and smooth, slow ballads, 1989 is, as eloquently noted by the New York Times, an “idea of pop music harks back to a period — the mid1980s — when pop was less overtly hybrid.” If you like dancing in your car at traffic lights and fun, classic pop (the kind without the seemingly ever-present rap artist interlude), this is totally the album for you.


Issue 175.9 • Thursday, October 30, 2014

ARTS & CULTURE

7

People House Theatre and The Making Box host GIANTS! Comedy play brings hearty laughs to unorthodox theatre setting ADRIEN POTVIN People House Theatre hosted a lovely night of comedy at the Making Box Pop-up Theatre, located at 40 Baker Street, on Friday, Oct 24. GIANTS! a play by fourth-year English student, and regular Ontarion contributor, Will Wellington, offered uproarious humour with a gently layered subtext about human nature and our endeavours to create things larger than ourselves. Lars and Molly are two giants who eat children. The inseparable duo demolishes villages, picks people from houses as one would from a box of chocolates, and practices their stomping and roaring together, with cheekily self-aware witticisms. But their biggest challenge comes in the smallest of forms – nine-year-old Gertie, sharp as a tack and inventive far beyond her years (not to mention petulant as hell), makes it her goal to convince these giants to stop eating children, instead opting for a more vegetarian diet. As an artist, historian, writer, and critical theorist, Gertie shows the giants literature, visual art, and her dirty, daft little brother Mel, who she loves

STACEY ASPINALL

People House Theatre’s production of Will Wellington’s GIANTS! was a big success in a little theatre. The play came alive under the direction of Danielle Fernandes. unconditionally, and whose future she has (begrudging) hopes for. She slowly convinces the giants to consider their position on their child-centric diet and, in the meantime, helps them reveal their true feelings for one another. With deftly crafted humour that resists profanity, violence, or jaded bleakness, Wellington’s play came alive in the hands of director Danielle Fernandes, and the cast and crew of People House Theatre. Josh AndersonCoats and Julia Haynes portray the goofy, romantically-awkward giants

with remarkable chemistry. Lauren McGinty’s energy level was through the roof as the excitable, enterprising Gertie, Gordon Harper did a hilarious Monty Python-esque job of Gertie’s mom, and Nora Cigljarev’s Mel hit ignorant bliss with her Dopey the Dwarf-reminiscent character. Gabrielle Flood’s costumes were also on point – nothing too over the top, charmingly handmade, and suited each character perfectly. After jokingly asking Wellington “How autobiographical is this?” he

offered some surprising insight, “I mean, I’ve thought all of the things that the characters say. A lot of what the characters, especially the giants, have to say, are things I’ve thought at sort of my worst moments, you know? […] But I think that’s why I like writing drama because you can give voices to things you wouldn’t want to say out loud yourself, or you wouldn’t want to stand with that position yourself, […] so I’d say it’s actually pretty autobiographical – there’s even some of my struggle with

vegetarianism in there [laughs].” Danielle Fernandes, director, and Lauren McGinty, discussed the production process with me. “I started this project with Julia [Haynes], and the very first night we came up with the concept of a play. […] Later on we decided to put a call out for actors, and that’s when we came across the lovely Lauren McGinty.” “I think our biggest struggle was trying to make the giants look giant,” McGinty interjected. On her role as Gertie, she said, “I’ve never played a child before. I played a teenage boy, so the lankiness can be brought over to a youthful person not knowing what’s going on. […] But the idea of doing a comedy for children for adults is an interesting twist, and I haven’t done anything like it before.” Fernandes elaborated on the production saying, “Yeah, we went through so many different concepts and tried different things like splitting up the stage different ways, […] thinking ‘Do we need to put them in a different place?’ They pass objects back and forth – how can we get the big objects to look small? Or the small objects to look big in the humans hands?” What made GIANTS! so successful was the way it blended childlike wonderment and gentle humour with real philosophical issues of the human condition, and the nature of art. A full house of audience members from all ages got a chance to share some laughs, but also to share an opportunity to feel like a kid again.

Talking Zavitz WILL WELLINGTON This week, Zavitz Gallery features Actuality, an exhibition of paintings, drawings, and collages by Chelsea Brant. It opened on Oct. 27, and runs until Oct. 31. I wandered through the gallery with Taylor Avery, a first-year English major, and Alyssa Logan, a first-year Psychology major, talking about the work. This is a selection from our conversation: Taylor: I don’t know if I would’ve gotten this if the title of the show wasn’t Actuality, but the monochromatic pictures by the door are the actuality of life. That’s a plain, pretty standard house, right? And it’s in black and white, so, I don’t want to say it’s boring, but it’s … standard? And then it moves into the more colourful works. Will: So you’re reading this left to right, like a book. Taylor: Yeah, I am. These are maybe places that the artist wants to travel, or places that the artist

has been. And they’re such vibrant colours because the artist finds them so much more beautiful than the black-and-white reality of the world. Will: You’ve pointed out that there are different spaces carved out within the gallery. So in one corner, you have the domestic space, and then you move into other spaces, which are more colourful, exotic, and interesting. But one thing I don’t know that we noticed about these black and white drawings is that they’re cut up too. Alyssa: The house is fragmented, like it’s been broken. I don’t see it as two separate houses. I see it as one big house, but it’s been torn apart. Taylor: But it could also be a progression of the artist’s life – different houses they have lived in. Alyssa: They feel like they’re from the past. I just get the feeling from the colours. It’s almost like you’re taken back into the past.

Will: On the one hand, we’ve got the black and white drawings that represent a certain space and also maybe a certain time, and then we’ve got the colour paintings that take us to different places and different times. And what do you guys think about the collages? The fact that the collages are mounted in these glass boxes creates a certain depth of field. Taylor: Usually shadow boxes contain something 3D. Here, they’re trying to project a third dimension onto a landscape. Will: So the fact that they’re in the shadow boxes lends the 2D images a three-dimensional quality. But it also reinforces the fact that they’re really just collages. These are actual collages, and the rest of the works seem to be paintings of collages, right down to the tape that holds the collages together. What do you think about that? Alyssa: I feel like the pieces of tape are little imperfections in the

WILL WELLINGTON

Chelsea Brandt’s exhibition, Actuality, highlights the persistence of memory and visualizes personal development. paintings. They all look beautiful, but there are these little tiny pieces that they’re trying to cover up. They

definitely stand out, so maybe they’re trying to attract you to certain parts that you wouldn’t necessarily see.


8

ARTS & CULTURE

The Weekly Scene: The Big Night 3.5 Portraitsof-Disaster out of 4 SAMEER CHHABRA

Tony Shalhoub, Secondo and Primo are brilliantly fascinating portraits of disaster. The ways in which they strain their relationship – always reconciling for the benefit of their joint love of food – is sadistic.

*Trigger warning – some language later in article* Secondo is trying his hardest to keep his restaurant afloat. Between a classical Italian menu that is staunchly unpopular compared to the more “Americanized” offerings of his competitors, and his older brother’s insistence on maintaining their roots and heritage, his American Dream is falling apart at the seams. Primo, Secondo’s older brother and chef de cuisine at “Paradise,” seems to be making an active effort to sabotage everything the Italian siblings have tried to build. Thanks to the apparent benevolence of their older, and more successful, competitor, Pascal, they have one last chance to succeed before they’ll be forced to sell the restaurant to pay off their growing debts. Co-directed by Stanley Tucci and Campbell Scott, Big Night is a small, independent film with a strong focus on characterization, acting, and story. Readers will notice that I’ve reviewed quite a few food-driven films, all with character, acting, and writing at their core. This film will mark a brief end to that pattern, if only to temporarily conclude my critical thesis on films about food. Played by Stanley Tucci and

COURTESY PHOTO

In a scene between Secondo and a Cadillac salesman, played by Campbell Scott, who attacks his own brother for a series of preconceived faults, Secondo quickly defends the fraternal relationship by arguing, “But he’s your brother.” It’s through genuine proclamations like these that a script by Joseph Tropiano and Tucci is able to shine. Joining Tucci and Shalhoub are a cast of incredibly talented actors; Minnie Driver, Ian Holm, and Isabella Rossellini all star in the film, and their performances are spectacular. The English Holm, whose stage work is legendary, deserves praise for his remarkably sleazy performance as Pascal. To say that Holm steals every scene

he flies through is an understatement; thanks to his performance, what could have been a cheesy character in less-talented hands becomes a complex analysis of the nature of success and sacrifice. Pascal runs the eponymous, and infinitely more popular, Pascal’s Restaurant. Though his restaurant offers patrons watered-down versions of Italian cuisine, Pascal understands what the people want. He succeeds because of his dedication to popular drivel. Brilliant is the way Big Night’s script, direction, and cinematography work together to convince the audience of Pascal’s corruption and immorality.

“Brilliant is the way Big Night’s script, direction, and cinematography work together...” In one powerful scene, Primo cries out “Rape! The rape of cuisine is what happens at that [Pascal’s] restaurant.” In another, Secondo enters Pascal’s restaurant, and the audience is quickly captivated by the hive of scum and villainy – between the dizzying tracking shot, outlandish reds and purples that colour the sequence, and the corny, Americanized version of ‘O sole mio, Pascal’s is everything the Paradise brothers stand against. Important is that the American Dream – a common, and

TheOntarion.com Find more online

@theontarion

TheON

oft-wasted theme in such films – is always at the back of the characters’ minds. Yes, Secondo insists on salivating over every Cadillac he sees, but what he truly craves is respect and admiration for his hard-work. Big Night doesn’t waste its license to challenge the American Dream; instead, the ideal is incorporated into defining pieces of characterization. To Secondo, America is more than a land of opportunity – it’s a land of equivocation where all it takes to do well is the right combination of talent and tenacity. That Primo insists on refusing America by clinging to tradition is more than a slight against Secondo’s position in the restaurant – it’s a stance against everything Secondo believes in. Finally, praise must be handed to Big Night’s camera work. Small, independent dramas often feature simple camera movements that serve to accentuate the

humanity and realness of a film’s characters, plots, and themes. While featuring nothing incredibly “big-budget,” Big Night is filmed by a camera that knows how to convey a scene’s emotion. The film’s tracking shots make some scenes play out like a Scorsese gangster-flick; however, the film’s dolly usage is especially superb. A tense scene near the film’s second act summarizes everything great about Big Night. Secondo enters the kitchen first and the camera focuses at eye level; as Primo enters, and the tension fills the room, the camera slowly backs up and away (much like a real person would), leaving the audience as literal flies on the wall, observing the two characters tensely interact. Much like the rest of the film, it’s a small, simple, and incredibly commonplace technique employed in a remarkably effective way.

Upcoming events

Oct. 30: Thursday At Noon Concert Series presents Ulrike Anton and Anna Ronai, romantic flute and piano music. MacKinnon room 107. For more information visit http://www.uoguelph.ca/sofam/events Oct. 30: Yves Charuet and Ellwood Epps - improvisational show, Silence (40 Essex St). 8 p.m. $10. Oct. 31: Fortnight Music hosts Halloween Costume Show at eBar ft. The Meligrove Band and PEERS (formerly Boys Who Say No). $10. Nov. 1: WHOOP-Szo and WTCHS at Jimmy Jazz, 10 p.m. Free show.


Issue 175.9 • Thursday, October 30, 2014

SPORTS & HEALTH

Gryphons Revealed: Jazz Lindsey Quarterback leads Gryphons to semi-finals with perfect mix of focused composure STEPHANIE CORATTI For a Gryphons team that has won seven straight and have their hands on an earned bye to the OUA semi-finals, one would assume the starting quarterback would be reveling in the success – especially after a career year for the fourth-year veteran. But that’s just not Jazz. The Markham, Ontario native is often criticized for his laid back attitude; an attitude that includes unusual pre-game rituals. Lindsey described dressing a certain way, and even talking to himself – both qualities deemed ‘normal’ for superstitious athletes. However, a few remain unique to No. 2. “I drink root beer before every game,” Lindsey began. “I chew gum during the game – always a pack of Juicy Fruit – and I eat candy during the game, too. I’m the candy man.” When asked if coaches challenge the unorthodox rituals, Lindsey quickly countered with a smile: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Don’t let the fun-loving persona fool you. There is an overbearingly evident self-driven focus that comes alive when

Lindsey talks football, and it shouldn’t be disregarded with the shrug of the shoulders or less-than-emotional reactions he is often criticized for. “A lot of people take it as in, ‘I don’t care,’” Lindsey explained of his easygoing mentality. “I just don’t really react to things. It’s kind of good to have that characteristic with my position because there’s a lot of stuff going on. It’s like a rollercoaster every game.” Lindsey may not wear emotions on his sleeve while running the Gryphons’ offence, but that in no way means he doesn’t strive to conquer that rollercoaster every game. “I just shoot to be the best,” the sociology student said of his motivation. “I always tell myself that I am, whether it be conceited or not. It helps me drive myself to perform like I am the best, or at least try to be.” This motivation has translated into an incredible year for the quarterback, including a record-setting game against the Gryphons’ rival, the Western Mustangs on Oct. 18. The contest saw the Gryphons go toe-to-toe with the purple ponies, coming out on top 49-46, thanks to a Daniel Ferraro 41-yard field goal with just 1.7 seconds remaining. Lindsey shattered the school record of single-game passing yards, previously set by Justin Dunk (487), with 513 yards on the game. “It wasn’t until after when I had an interview that I realized, you know, that is a pretty big accomplishment,” Lindsey explained, adding that he wasn’t sure what had happened when it was announced. Lindsey’s dominant performance of 34 completions on 53 attempts, 513 yards, and four touchdowns with only

9

MATTHEW AZEVEDO/THE ONTARION

Jazz Lindsey completed 34 of 53 pass attempts for a school single-game record of 513 yards in the Gryphons 49-46 win over the Western Mustangs to receive CIS Offensive Player of the Week honours. one interception earned the Gryphon CIS Offensive Player of the Week. With a record in the history books, national honours, and a career game, Lindsey didn’t hesitate to admit what meant the most. “The win,” Lindsey said. “Individual accomplishments are great, and it’s always awesome to break records and have your best game, but at the end of the day, if you lose after all that, it takes away from it. The game was the best feeling.” The dramatic win earned the Gryphons a bye to the semi-finals, and with a 7-1 record, pushed the black,

red, and gold into second in the OUA behind McMaster, and tied for fourth with Montreal in the CIS rankings. With two weeks until the semifinals, the team is mirroring Lindsey’s perspective. “Since we don’t know [our opponent] right now, we can just focus on us and what we need to do better,” the quarterback explained. “We’ve seen the way our preparation goes and what we’ve been doing has been working.” For Lindsey himself, it’s all about keeping the momentum going. “Continuing it, not falling off,” he said of his biggest challenge going

forward. “A lot of guys get complacent with big performances and big games and seasons. I just hope there’s more success.” With a focus on the challenges ahead, Lindsey shows no ignorance towards expectations that come with previous success. “I don’t personally let it bother me, but it’s still there,” Lindsey explained. “It’s going to be in the back of your head no matter what. I just know I’m gonna have to do better.” There’s always a better for this QB. “If you’re not better, you’re worse. That’s what they say.”

Pan Am Games 2015: a chat with Anthony Romaniw Going toeto-toe with the best the Americas has to offer JACK HINDS I catch Anthony after one of his workouts. He’s milling about the track at Alumni Stadium, waiting for me and catching up with fellow members of the Speed River Track and Field Club, most of whom look like they are there for a similar reason. Anthony’s jovial attitude, short curly hair, and wirymuscular frame make him an exciting and unintimidating person to talk to. We grab a seat on a bench over by the pool and quickly get to the topic of

his sport and his place in the Pan Am Games. Anthony began his studies at Dartmouth College before transferring to the University of Guelph in his second year. He proudly tells me he began competing internationally in track and field in high school, and has since risen quickly through the ranks to become, as he sees it, one of the more feared competitors to be toeing the line at the Pan Am Games. Anthony will be representing Canada in the 800-metre event. He has travelled across the United States, Canada, and Europe, running shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the best in his tier and age group. In addition, he spent part of August 2013 in Russia, competing at the World University Games for Team Canada. Anthony is not shy about his achievements and is clearly accustomed to talking to sponsors and other athletes, touting his skills and abilities in a confident, but not cocky

or arrogant way. As a graduate and a full-time athlete, finding sources of funding for travel, training, equipment and the like is one of Anthony’s biggest challenges. Most of Anthony’s sponsors come courtesy of the local running club to which he belongs. A group that Anthony generously paints with praise for being welcoming, professional, and just competitive enough to give him an edge, without being overbearing. In addition, he has also been accepted into CIBC’s Team Next program, which he credits with having opened quite a few doors along the way. Anthony, clearly enthusiastic about the program, describes it as providing not only monetary assistance, but also help with some of the softer skills required of the modern athlete: social media marketing, networking, public relations, and so on. In a society that idolizes our athletes, it makes sense that coaching in those areas

could be just as important as coaching on the field. Anthony becomes noticeably more excited when talking about the marketing and networking opportunities he’s had, and it’s obvious he would be very good at that aspect of the sport. He is confident, well-spoken, and clearly puts thought into what he says, without it being overtly obvious that he’s doing so. Anthony is coming off a stellar season, but has had his fair share of setbacks. The year he transferred to Guelph, Anthony suffered an injury which hindered his training. That did not, however, slow him down. He “...came to Guelph, continued to improve, and then last year was [his] huge breakout season.” To him, it’s an all too familiar reality of the world of professional sports. Anthony’s laid-back and confident manner helped him shrug off the setbacks, and when I ask him how he hopes to perform in the games,

GRYPHON ATHLETICS

Anthony Romaniw, looking ahead.

he turns to me with an incredulous look on his face, eyebrows peeking like I’ve just asked whether he likes to run, and says with a chuckle, “Oh yeah, I think I can win.”


10

SPORTS & HEALTH

Mental health & wellness: seasonal affective disorder Gloominess of Autumn and Winter months can be a time of serious mental health issues JOANNE PEARCE It’s the time of year again where the cold morning walk to class is not nearly as enticing as your warm bed. The weather feels dark and gloomy one moment, and nice and sunny the next, while more and more of your money seems to be going towards buying hot beverages. Eurgh. While what you may be

experiencing is simply the unpleasantness of autumn and winter, for others it may be a time of serious mental health issues. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that, according to DSM-V(The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) is “patients…predominantly women, [who] become regularly depressed in autumn and winter and experience remission in spring and summer.” SAD has also, in rare cases, caused depression in the spring or early summer, but there have not been enough studies done to warrant their own diagnostic category. Despite the specific cause for SAD remaining unknown, some associated symptoms of SAD include: depression, hopelessness, oversleeping, anxiety, social withdrawal, appetite changes such as craving carbohydrates, trouble concentrating, and weight gain.

Lots of evidence suggests that individuals with SAD can also be seen to have deficits in processing light through their eyes, develop symptoms due to a lack of adequate environmental light, and some patients have found that an increase in their environmental light has decreased their symptoms of SAD. A chief biological mechanism underlying SAD, which is discussed in lots of literature on the topic, is the possibility of a circadian phase delay or advance. This hypothesis proposes that one rhythm is ahead or behind another rhythm (e.g. sleep-wake cycle), and most research testing this idea has focused on the nocturnal melatonin released from the pineal gland. It is believed that the later dawns found in the autumn and winter months may contribute to a phase delay on the onset of release of melatonin in some people at night, while earlier

dusks may influence other individuals in a similar way. Studies have also suggested that the prevalence of an individual having SAD is higher in those areas further away from the equator. Light therapy has been suggested and administered to those who have SAD, and in Terman et al.’s review on light therapy in the Neuropsychopharmacology journal, it was determined that light therapy done in the early morning had higher remission rates compared to that of the evening or midday. Among those patients who were treated with light therapy in the morning, the amount of improvement seen correlated with degree of phase advance. It is still unclear, unfortunately, whether these delays or advances found are consequences of individuals having SAD, or whether these effects can be found prior to its development. As well, though most theories have seen the

predisposition for SAD as coming from biological explanations, there is also research indicating that there are psychological factors too. As more research is being done, the awareness of SAD will hopefully increase, along with methods to help. Mark Berber, an assistant professor at Queen’s University’s Department of Psychiatry offers the advice of eating healthy foods. “Veggies, fruit, low-fat protein, basically all the stuff that is good for you is also good for fighting depression,” says Dr. Berber. Dr. Berber also recommends staying energized by setting commitments well in advance instead of leaving them to the day of. He also recommends exercise to raise endorphins. This advice is great to follow—even for those of you who are just experiencing the winter blues. Whatever you do, it is key to never feel like giving up. You’re not alone in your endeavors.

Olfactory Cells Promote Spinal Cord Regeneration POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE

FROM PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT TO ADVERTISING, THIS PROGRAM OFFERS THE UNIQUE SKILLS YOU WILL NEED TO LAUNCH YOUR CAREER AS AN ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE, MARKETING MANAGER, MARKETING SPECIALIST, PRODUCT MANAGER AND MANY OTHER EXCITING CAREER OPTIONS.

business.humber.ca/postgrad

Nasal cells used to cure paralysis SAMEER CHHABRA Scientists have long been grappling with the issue of finding a way to cure paralysis. For patients unable to move without the support of an artificial source of stimulation, the issue of paralysis is even more pressing. However, those living a life with paralysis may soon find solace thanks to research by a team comprised of surgeons from Poland and scientists from England. Published in this month’s issue of the journal Cell Transplantation, a team led by Prof. Geoff Raisman, chair of neural regeneration at University College London’s Institute of Neurology, has found a way to regenerate damaged or severed spinal cord tissue using the most unlikely of methods: harvesting nasal cells. Olfactory ensheathing glia (OEG) are a type of protective cell that surround the nerve fibres that transmit sensory information from the nose to the brain. Because of the nature of their function, OEGs have a very short life-span; however, it’s due to the need to smell that OEGs are constantly replaced every six to eight

weeks – unlike many nerve cells that take a much longer time to replicate. What makes OEGs interesting and important to researchers trying to find ways to re-grow nerve cells is the fact that OEGs are able to promote the growth of immature nerve cells. Thanks to OEGs, Darek Fidyka, a Polish man who was paralysed after being repeatedly stabbed in the back in 2010, is now able to walk with assistance from a support frame. Raisman said of the success of the procedure, “[this is] more impressive than man walking on the moon.” Researchers removed one of Fidyka’s olfactory bulbs – two structures found in the foremost part of the brain that are responsible for the sense of smell – and used the cells to grow cultures. The process took two weeks. Once the culture cells were harvested, researchers injected the grown cultures into a portion of Fidyka’s spinal cord that was severed. Then, scientists took four thin strips of nerve tissue from Fidyka’s ankle, and placed them across an eight millimetre gap on the left side of his spinal cord. Before his involvement with the study, Fidyka underwent a process of five hours of exercise, five days a week; this treatment produced

no results. However, Fidkya continued this pattern of exercise at the Akson Neuro-Rehabilitation Centre in Wroclaw, Poland after he received the OEG injections. Fidyka first noted signs of success three months after the initial procedure, when he noticed that his thigh muscles were gaining mass. After six months, Fidyka was able to take his first steps. Now, two years later, Fidyka is able to walk outside of the rehabilitation centre with the help of a brace. “When you can’t feel almost half of your body, you are helpless, but when it starts coming back, it’s like you were born again,” said Fidyka in an interview with the BBC. The researchers involved with the treatment are trying their best to prevent patients from paying for the procedure. “It would be my proudest boast if I could say that no patient had had to pay one penny for any of the information we have found,” explained Raisman to the BBC. What seemed like science fiction only a few years ago is quickly becoming a reality. Though more research is required, the findings presented by Raisman and his team will profoundly change the way paralytic patients - and their doctors - are going to look at their futures.


Issue 175.9 • Thursday, October 30, 2014

SPORTS & HEALTH

11

Gryphons’ women’s hockey drops Brock in OT Averi Nooren scores overtime goal with 15 seconds left for 3-2 win CONNOR HEWSON After a successful road trip through Toronto, in which the team split decisions between Ryerson and the University of Toronto, the Guelph Gryphons’ women’s hockey team returned to the cozy confines of the Gryphon Center on Oct. 25 for the first time in over two weeks. The return featured the Gryphons defeating the Brock Badgers by a score of 3-2 in overtime with only 15 seconds remaining in the extra frame. The exciting win moves the Gryphons to 3-0-1 on the season, while dropping the Badgers record to 0-3-1. The Badgers opened the scoring in the first with a powerplay goal off the stick of forward Samantha Green, in what would be the period’s only goal after some back and forth play between the

two teams. Gryphon goaltender Stephanie Nehring had herself a particularly strong period, stopping seven of eight Badger shots, including a dangerous odd-man rush late in the first. Gryphon rookie forward Kaitlyn Lowy would get the home team on the board one minute into the second period, snapping a wrist shot home from the top of the circle for her second goal of the young season to tie the game at one.

“...the hockey gods seemed to smile in Guelph’s favour...” Later in the period, 2013 OUA first team All-Star Jessica Pinkerton would give the Gryphons a 2-1 lead, tucking in her second goal of the season off a juicy rebound from Badger goaltender Stephanie Loukes in front of the net. Much like Nehring did in the first, Badger goaltender Loukes had a solid second period; despite allowing two goals, the goaltender turned away 12 shots in the frame.

MATTHEW AZEVEDO/THE ONTARION

Averi Nooren (left) celebrates her game-winning goal with Leigh Shilton (right). The Gryphons defeated the Brock Badgers 3-2 with 15 seconds remaining in overtime on Oct. 25. Loukes stopped 29 shots overall in the loss, while Nehring stopped 19 of her own for the win. The Badgers would go on to tie the game in the third period with a nice individual effort by veteran forward Christina Ieradi scoring on the ever illusive and always

Gryphons’ Volleyball

dazzling wrap-around to tie the game at 2-2 at the 7:03 mark. That would end up being the only goal of the period as both teams seemed to tighten up defensively and both goaltenders continued their stellar play. With both squads failing to break the tie before the end of regulation, the game headed to overtime tied at 2-2, a fitting and exciting storyline for the Gryphons’ first home game in over two weeks. After a pair of good scoring chances from Kelly Gribbons nearly ended the game early in the extra frame, the hockey gods seemed to smile in Guelph’s

favour as Brock was whistled for a too-many-men penalty at the 3:38 mark, giving the Gryphons a powerplay with only about a minute remaining in overtime. With the clock ticking down, and the crowd on the edge of their seats, second-year forward Averi Nooren capitalized for the game-winning goal on the powerplay with just 15 seconds remaining in the overtime period, capping off an exciting and hard-fought victory for the Gryphons. The Guelph Gryphons return to action on Nov. 1 when they visit the York Lions. The puck is scheduled to drop at 2 p.m.

Upcoming events Oct. 30: - Women’s Rugby CIS Championships: Guelph vs. McMaster (1:30 p.m., Alumni Stadium) - Men’s Hockey: Guelph vs. Toronto (7:30 p.m., Gryphon Centre) Nov. 1: Men’s Rugby OUA Semi-Final: TBD vs. Guelph (3:30 p.m., Alumni Stadium) Nov. 2: Women’s Rugby CIS Championship Medal Matches: 10 a.m. (5th Place), 12 p.m. (Bronze), 2 p.m. (Gold) Nov. 5: Tune Your Brain! 7 to 9 p.m., Room 441 UC. Brain calming strategies from recent brain plasticity research. Details at www.selfregulationskills.ca/ stress-awareness-day MATTHEW AZEVEDO/THE ONTARION

The men’s and women’s Gryphons’ volleyball teams both grabbed wins in their first match-ups at home on Oct. 24. The men put together an exciting five-set win over Nipissing, with Patrick Strzalkowski maintaining the spotlight with 13 kills, 19.5 points, and eight digs. The Gryphons took the final set 17-15 for the come-from-behind win. The women swept Nipissing, taking all three sets for the dominant win. Maddie DeDecker led the way for the Gryphons with 12 kills and three aces for 15 points.

Nov. 6: Decreasing Headaches program, 7:30 p.m. Learn drug-free strategies to decrease tension & migraine headaches. 4 session training program. Details at www. selfregulationskills.ca/programs/decreasing-headaches


#canadastrong

STEPHEN HARPER VIA CC BY-NC-ND 2.0


Crisis in the capital: an attack on Canadian soil Following the attack on Parliament Hill and its impact on our nation EMILIO GHLOUM In a troubling week for Canadian citizens- prevalent with stories of shock, terror, and disbelief-the nation endured through one of its most trying and difficult times that will not soon be forgotten. As Canadians continue to cope with the loss of two brave soldiers, what remains constant is not hatred and anger, but rather, the resounding solidarity of Canadians who have remained vigilant in a time of national crisis. These attacks on Canadian soil have not only served as a grim reminder of the capabilities of individuals, but have also demonstrated the vulnerability of Canada’s national security. On Oct. 20, the small town of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, just south of Montreal, became the sight of an act of violence which saw two police officers getting hit by a vehicle. The attacker, Martin Coutoure-Rouleau – who was later identified as an extremist- was brought down by police after he tried to flee the scene, and a car chase ensued. The scene of the crime told the tale of a vicious terrorist attacker who targeted two Canadian soldiers, and struck them with his vehicle. The attack resulted in one death, and left one soldier severely injured. Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, who served with the Canadian Forces for 28 years, was identified as the victim of the malicious hit-and-run. This act of terrorism preceded the events which took place in Ottawa, but has nonetheless had a profound impact in shaping the Canadian landscape in the wake of these attacks. A few days later on Oct. 22, Canada once again fell victim to a brutal, yet unforeseeable, act of violence. Early Wednesday morning, a soldier was attacked while standing on ceremonial guard at the Canadian National War Memorial. The masked gunman arrived at the scene in a hijacked vehicle and ran towards the War Memorial with a rifle in hand, and fatally shot the soldier on-duty at point-blank range. After running into the Parliament Building, multiple shots were fired as police arrived at the scene. Parliament was placed on lockdown and the surrounding downtown area was told to remain safe and indoors. After a tense standoff, officers were able to subdue the perpetrator. Sergeantat-Arms Kevin Vickers heroically took down the shooter, and eliminated the potential for any more casualties. A video from inside the Parliament Building surfaced online in which upwards of 40 gunshots can be heard. While the entire nation closely followed the events, confusion and panic set in as there were concerns of other possible suspects in the surrounding area. With a good portion of downtown Ottawa placed on lockdown, very little information was released to the public. Slowly, eye witness reports began to appear and shed light on the situation. Multiple news sources provided coverage and tried to keep an entire nation informed and safe.

The attacker was later identified as Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, a 32-year-old born in Quebec, who is believed to have had political and ideological motives in his actions. While more speculation began to surface in search of the shooter’s possible motives, Canadian’s chose to focus not on the evil actions of this one man, but instead on the bravery and loss of one of its soldiers. The victim who was shot and killed was identified as Corporal Nathan Cirillo, a 24-year-old from Hamilton, Ontario. Having his life taken while standing on ceremonial guard at the National War Memorial, Canadians world-wide have paid their respects and mourned for the loss of Cpl. Cirillo. As Canadian citizens continue to mourn the loss of Cpl. Cirillo, his warm, brave spirit outshines the evil and terror caused on that day in Ottawa. Prime Minister Stephen Harper denounced the brutal act of violence and terror which took place and shocked the country. In his national address, Harper said, “Cpl. Cirillo was killed today, murdered in cold blood, as he provided a ceremonial honour guard at Canada’s National War Memorial, that sacred place that pays tribute to those who gave their lives so that we can live in a free, democratic and safe society.” Cpl. Cirillo will forever be remembered in hearts of Canadians for his duty and service to the nation. Harper delivered his national address shortly after the events on Parliament Hill took place. “This week’s events are a grim reminder that Canada is not immune to the types of terrorist attacks we have seen elsewhere around the world,” Harper said. The terrorist attacks that occurred in Quebec and Ottawa have forever changed the Canadian landscape in terms of politics and national security. While officers and first-aid respondents arrived at the scene very quickly, many questions were raised involving the amount of prevention that could have been set in place. On Oct. 27, the Harper government proposed a new spy legislation called “the Protection of Canada from Terrorists Act,” which looks to give more power to the Canadian Security Intelligence Service in an attempt to prevent future acts of violence on Canadian soil. The new bill is the first active change made to CSIS since its conception in 1984, and it aims to protect identities and expand the level of information CSIS investigators can obtain in international countries. The newly proposed piece of legislation could have powerful implications to forever change Canadian politics. With two terrorist attacks occurring on Canadian soil within the same week, preventative measures and constant vigilance will need to be exercised more thoroughly. The ability to prevent such acts of terror in the future has become a predominant question lingering over the heads of Parliament, and is looking to be answered within the coming weeks. “But let there be no misunderstanding: we will not be intimidated,” Harper stated. “Canada will never be intimidated. In fact, this will lead us to strengthen our resolve and redouble our efforts, and those of our national security agencies, to take all necessary steps to identify and counter threats and keep Canada safe here at home.”


14

SPORTS & HEALTH

Storm grab three points from ‘3-in-3’ weekend Guelph sees one strong win and close shootout loss spoiled by tough 7-1 defeat STEPHANIE CORATTI The Guelph Storm began the first ‘3-in-3’ weekend of the season, facing off against the Windsor Spitfires on Oct. 24. It would be the strongest showing for the team over the three-games-in-three-days stretch, as the defending champions would lose a close 3-2 contest in a shootout to the Owen Sound Attack the following night, while finishing off the weekend on Oct. 26 with a disappointing 7-1 loss to the London Knights at home. The Storm’s budding sophomore, Pius Suter, recorded his first career hat trick in the team’s 5-2 victory over the Spitfires. To begin the scoring, Suter netted a powerplay goal in the first period by going five-hole on Spitfires goaltender Alex Fortinos. Storm rookie James McEwan also capitalized in the first, scoring his first OHL goal to put the home team ahead 2-0 heading into the second. The middle frame featured a point shot from Phil Baltisberger to give the Storm a 3-0 lead, and a strong hold over the game.

RYAN PRIDDLE

Pius Suter (#22) notched his first career hat trick during Guelph’s 5-2 victory over the Windsor Spitfires on Oct. 24. Windsor would push back, however, with Sam Povorozniouk cutting the deficit to two on the powerplay. Up next would be Suter on display again, scoring his second of the game off a pass from Jason Dickinson late in the second to put the Storm up 4-1. The final 20 minutes saw Povorozniouk’s second of the night, and an empty netter completing the hat trick for Suter and solidifying the 5-2 win for the Storm. Storm goaltender Justin Nichols was rock-solid between the pipes, turning away 35 shots. Other notables on the night for the Storm included Dickinson,

Zac Leslie, and Adam Craievich, all of whom recorded multiplepoint games. The following night on Oct. 25, the Storm traveled to Owen Sound in what would be a pressure filled and fast-paced match-up. It took until the second period to break the scoreless contest at the hands of Tyler Bertuzzi who would finally solve Attack goaltender Michael McNiven, giving the Storm the 1-0 lead at the 15:47 mark. The Attack quickly responded with Kyle Platzer capitalizing on a defensive mishap for the Storm to tie the game up at one.

Petrus Palmu and Bertuzzi would both find the back of the net in the third, leaving a 2-2 tie to be resolved with extra time. Overtime, however, would be put on hold after Guelph’s Robby Fabbri shattered a piece of glass with a wrist shot merely four seconds in. The extra frame would resume, and the Attack would be the first to almost end the game. Zach Nastasiuk would come close to capitalizing shorthanded, but Nichols was spectacular in net once again, coming up with a big toe save. In the final minutes of overtime, the crossbar would deny

Bertuzzi on the hunt for the hat trick in the final minutes of overtime, forcing the match-up into a shootout. The shootout saw Dickinson turned away by McNiven followed by Ethan Szypula putting one past Nichols to take the 3-2 win for the home squad. The Attack’s Palmu and Platzer would also record shootout goals in the contest with Bertuzzi netting one for the Storm. Both goalies stole the spotlight with McNiven stopping 38 shots on the night, while Nichols turned away 29 of his own. Nichols would be given a break from the pipes on Oct. 26, as rookie goaltender Bradley van Schubert was slotted in for his first OHL start against the London Knights at home. The special night, however, would be tainted with a 7-1 loss as a noticeably less energetic Storm team showed up to play their fourth game in six days. Van Schubert turned away 28 shots for a solid showing in his first OHL start – all things considered – while the Knights backup goaltender Tyler Parsons stopped 23 shots. The clear stars for the Knights would be Max Domi and Michael McCarron, both recording a goal and three assists on the night. Baltisberger was the lone goal scorer for the Storm, pocketing his second goal in three games. With the 7-1 loss the Storm dropped to 7-4-0-1 on the season. Guelph hits the ice next on Nov. 1 as they travel to Barrie, followed by a match-up against the Ottawa 67’s on Nov. 2 at home.

JOIN OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS Are you someone who has an interest in the inner workings of a not-for-profit newspaper? Do you have an interest in being part of a team & working towards making change on campus & in the community?

The Ontarion’s Board of Directors is looking to add new members to their team. Students and community members welcomed. Contact ontarion@uoguelph.ca for more information


Issue 175.9 • Thursday, October 30, 2014

In defence of wheat

MIGUEL TEJADA-FLORES VIA CC BY-NC 2.0

The book Wheat Belly has developed quite the following; many have taken it quite far. Read the article to hear about the experience our author has had with Wheat Belly-ers.

A rebuttal to the Wheat Belly argument ANNIE KRUEGER Ever heard of the book Wheat Belly? I can’t stand it. To be fair, I have nothing against Wheat Belly itself – everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Rather, it’s the repercussions of that book that drive me batty. I work part-time at a flour mill, and while I admit that gives me a decidedly biased opinion on the virtue of wheat, I’d like to think I’m justified in my irritation. You see, Wheat Belly has created the Wheat Belly-er, an entire demographic of people for whom Wheat Belly has become a bible of sorts. The typical Wheat Belly-er is a well-dressed, clearly financially solvent woman who is incomplete without either an iPhone or a Starbucks, drives a Toyota Prius, and who feels an obligation to preach to me – the mere cashier – that “wheat is poison.” She does all this while waving her manicured hand, flipping her bleach blonde hair over her shoulder, and oozing the aroma of flowery perfume. Nail polish is mostly butyl acetate, hair dye is essentially diaminotuluene, and perfume’s base is pure ethyl alcohol – lady, don’t talk to me about poison. A Wheat

Belly-er can go on at-length about her personal wheat epiphany, and how her life has become vastly improved since she eliminated the grain from her diet. She peppers her tale with quotations and anecdotes taken from Wheat Belly, and speaks with a conviction normally associated with Baptist ministers and The Good Book. I’m thoroughly fed up with the Wheat Belly-er. I’ve heard just about every argument on the topic, I’ve listened to dozens of “personal miracles,” and I’ve become steadily more amazed at the bandwagon approach society takes with regard to science. All it takes is one book – containing statements that are mostly anecdotal and non-scientifically proven – and wheat has been vaulted to the status of The One Great Evil. The premise of the book is that, through human manipulation, wheat has evolved from its natural, healthy ancestor to a modern, unnatural Frankenfood that is responsible for any and all of the ailments that humans suffer from. “Your grandmother’s wheat,” as the book is fond of calling it, was four-feet-tall with tiny seeds that clung to the stem. The book suggests that the process of genetic modification created modern wheat: a shorter, browner plant that is easier to harvest and mill, and has 10 times the yield of ancient wheat. Wheat Belly argues that modern wheat bears little resemblance – nutritionally or otherwise – to its ancestor. It

LIFE claims that wheat has increased levels of gluten protein and amylopectin-A starch, two biological macromolecules that are linked to obesity, arthritis, dementia, lethargy, coronary artery disease, diabetes, and a veritable grocery list of other health ailments. It is true that ancient wheat was very different from modern wheat. However, the notion that a feat of genetic modification was responsible for this shift is false. Contrary to popular belief, all commercially-grown wheat is non-GMO. No one has gone into the wheat genome and spliced it to include another gene from a different organism. The process that wheat underwent to transform it into the dwarf variety that we know today is called “hybridization,” and is, essentially, selective breeding. Wheat farmers looked at the plant, and noticed that the stalk was very long and the wheat berry was very small. Cleverly, they deduced that if the plant used less energy to manufacture a lengthy stalk, it would have more energy available to invest in creating a large wheat berry. So the plant shrunk, the yield grew, and modern wheat as-we-know-it was created. As a consequence of this hybridization, the amount of amylopectin-A starch in the plant has indeed increased, raising the glycemic index of wheat. There are health issues associated with this, mostly due to the increase in blood sugar levels a high GI food induces. However, as far as gluten content is concerned, recent studies done by the American Chemical Society show that gluten levels in modern wheat do not differ greatly from ancient wheat. Health issues that were supposedly linked to the “increased level of gluten in modern wheat” are now rendered obsolete. The wheat-free craze that Wheat Belly-ers are enthralled by is largely irrational. Wheat Belly-ers claim that wheat caused them to feel “bloated and lethargic.” Might I be one to suggest that wheat should not be scapegoated for our society’s tendency to over-eat and under-sleep? We want one easy solution though, and Wheat Belly gives it to us – blame wheat. The mindset that the elimination of wheat from our diets will cause our waistlines to shrink, our mental fog to clear, and our health issues to vanish, is simply wrong. For the people who preach their personal wheat-free success stories, I’m skeptical. Was the absence of the wheat itself the reason that

you lost weight, or was it that the wheat-free diet deprived you of a lot of yummy baked treats that you typically would have indulged in? Did you really feel less tired, or was that just a mental trick you coaxed yourself into believing? Wheat is a wonderful grain. It bakes into beautiful, delicious products, and is a safe and reliable cash crop for farmers. The hybridization of wheat has – in my opinion – been a breeding success story. That being said, there is no denying that the amount of people in North America who suffer from celiac disease is on the rise. Celiac disease is a case in which the villi in the small intestine are not able to digest the gluten protein in wheat, and as such, the gluten does severe damage to the lining of the intestinal tract. This phenomenon has less to do with the wheat society eats, and more to do with the amount of wheat

15

society eats. North Americans consume a lot of wheat. We have toast for breakfast, a sandwich for lunch, and pasta for dinner. It’s no wonder that we have so many cases of wheat allergies and celiac disease. Quantity is significant. Guess what the number one food allergy in China and Japan is? Rice. You can connect the dots. The solution is simple: moderation. Diversify your plate. Eat more vegetables. Try other grains. Have you ever eaten barley? What about kamut? Have you tried amaranth? Did you know that millet isn’t just bird feed? There is a whole world of grains out there that you can try. Eat less wheat, but don’t boycott it because Wheat Belly told you to. Wheat isn’t poison. It’s a great source of carbohydrates, dietary minerals like niacin and thyamin, and a fantastic source of vitamin B6. It’s also delicious. So to the Wheat Belly-ers out there: you’re missing out.

ADVERTISING – MEDIA MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION EVENT MANAGEMENT FASHION MANAGEMENT & PROMOTIONS FINANCIAL PLANNING GLOBAL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT MARKETING MANAGEMENT PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

business.humber.ca/postgrad


16

LIFE

On this day...

The unique role of barbershops A story about relationships and haircuts

Date: October 30, 1954

EMILIO GHLOUM

ALEXANDRA GRANT On this day in history with SHAC, the United States Department of Defense announced the elimination of all racially segregated regiments. This process, which was set in motion six years earlier, was initiated on July 26, 1948 when then-President Harry S. Truman signed Executive Order 9981 to end racial discrimination and segregation in the military. Truman’s order set in motion a wave of reforms for equality for African-Americans not only in the military, but also in the federal workforce, as well as in public education. This can be attributed to the fact that the removal of segregation created recognition that these people’s lives were just as valuable to the country as those of the other members of the military, and that they are equally as important on and off the battlefield. Furthermore, with a group as important and powerful as the Department of Defense bringing attention to an issue like racism and segregation, more Americans recognized it as a problem and made conscious efforts to move towards equalizing races. Oct. 30, 1954 is an important date in history for human rights, for on this day, the last segregated unit, the 94th Engineer Battalion, begins its deactivation process, and ends the time of segregated regiments in the ranks of the United States military.

TheON EST. 1951

Ever since I was a child, I remember going to the barber for a haircut. Whether it was a clean, short buzz cut, or the always fashionable mushroom cut, it was a joy for me to visit the barbershop. Perhaps when I was younger, the main attraction was the lollipop my local barber would hand out to me before I left, but as I grew older and more familiar with my surroundings, it became clear that there is something culturally significant about the role barbershops have in people’s lives. Increasingly, a majority of my male friends tend to prefer salons over the traditional barbershop atmosphere. I think this is perfectly acceptable, but for some reason I feel like there is an allure and history behind the façade of barbershops that is becoming overlooked and forgotten by many.

“...there is an allure and history behind the façade of barbershops...” For different people, barbershops can carry important memories that helped shape who they are. While these memories may not always be ones you want to remember, for many, it serves as a place of comradery and safety. With the smell of after-shave and

the sounds of friendly-banter filling a simplistic and quaintly decorated room, the barbershop is a domain for people to relax and unwind while remembering their past.

“...we tend to build strong, and sometimes affectionate, relationships with a particular barber.” As customers of a barbershop, we place an unusual amount of trust in the person who is cutting our hair. We give them sharp tools and trust them not to cut our ear off. Perhaps more importantly, we trust the barber with shaping our appearance. Having a bad haircut is one of the hardest things to cover up, and it can effectively foster low self-esteem and self-confidence. In contrast, getting a great haircut can make you feel on top of the world. In trusting our barbers with this vital component of our daily lives, it is no wonder that we tend to build strong, and sometimes affectionate, relationships with a particular barber. While I’d argue that many salons offer this same kind of attachment and bond, barbershops have a history which traditionally provides males with a sphere of intimacy and comradery, but also boasts a unique, nostalgic experience. Personally, my favorite example of this is the straight razor shave. Using a tool that looks a lot like a weapon, the feeling of a straight-edge razor is unparalleled, and differentiates

ontarion University of Guelph’s Independent Student Newspaper

@theontarion

www.theontarion.com

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JESSICA AVOLIO

Barbershops provide a public domain for people to interact in a culturally rich environment. barbershops from other haircut shops. It is a classic skill which has a history of its own, and once again shows the sense of trust we place into the barber. The barbershop as a cultural domain holds many significations; serving as a place which harbours trust and evokes nostalgia, the unique experiences brought forth by barbershops are rich and individual to every person. As more and more people begin to stray away from barbershops in favor of salons, there is

a risk of losing a cultural space which fosters social intimacy and memories of the past. While some may dismiss the importance of barbershops, it is clear that the relationships and memories which are built produce affect in a unique and individual way. It is important to preserve the culture of traditional barbershops; through understanding the relations and experiences that occur within them, we can become aware of its significance as a crucial cultural domain.

READING A NEWSPAPER MAKES YOU LOOK MUCH SMARTER. THAT’S WHY WE MAKE THEM AVAILABLE ALL OVER CAMPUS.


Issue 175.9 • Thursday, October 30, 2014

Science Avenue: high definition displays A digital window into an analog world SAMEER CHHABRA What are High Definition Displays? There was a war fought between 2006 and 2008 that went almost entirely undocumented. There were victors, there were losers, and the battle irrevocably changed the lives of every single person on the planet. It changed the sounds we heard, it changed the images we saw, and it changed the way we received information. Most importantly, it changed the way we looked at ourselves. Between 2006 and 2008, the high definition optical disc format war was fought between Blu-ray disc and HD DVD technology. Though it was a largely civil battle fought in the sacred halls of department stores and shopping malls, Blu-ray ferociously defeated its competitor and secured itself as the high definition disc format of the future. High definition (HD) display

technology is a tongue-in-cheek principle. Ask anyone what HD means, and they’ll tell you that HD refers to anything that’s a higher quality than standard definition (SD). So arbitrary is the HD moniker that anything that produces an image with a greater display resolution than 480p is considered “high definition.”

How do High Definition Displays Work? When it comes to high definition displays, there are three basic principles to understand: aspect ratio, display resolution, and pixel density. Pixels, of course, are the atoms of the image world; they’re the smallest physical element of an image. Images are made up of multiple pixels, and how many pixels are present determine an image’s clarity. Traditionally, the more pixels present in an image, the clearer and “better-looking” an image will be. That is to say, the higher a display’s pixel density, the clearer and betterlooking an image will be. Aspect ratio refers to the proportional relationship between an image’s width and height. Unlike pixel density, which determines

Dear Elann... ​Dear “he won’t leave me alone”:

Trying to extricate oneself from a relationship that is no longer working can be a daunting endeavour! Be assured that you will succeed, however, and that you will come away with skills that are highly transportable. Even though you are writing about a romantic relationship, there are skills that you will be practicing that will be useful in business, as well as other personal relationships. The first thing to remember is, that you are in control of what you allow yourself to think about. If your ex is being emotionally abusive, with his comments and perceptions of facts, remember that you have your own right to make decisions to be the person you want to be! In the old days, we could just “unplug” the phone or hang up, but now there is texting and emailing, and we may miss important messages if we “disconnect.” Assign a specific ring to his texts or calls, and select the “I›m driving” or some similar message as your reply. The point here is the concept of “the big slow down.” This is a technique used in “hostage-taking” instances. When you don›t immediately provide what

he wants (in this case, a reply), the emotion with which he sent it will dissipate. You truly are in control if you want to send a reply, if you want to reiterate your decision​to take a new path, or if you want to clear up a few points. Do not, in any case, «fight fire with fire» or engage in similar “combat.” Offer the option of withdrawing from further exchanges in order to maintain a positive regard for each other in the future. Give some thought about the exact words you want to use. Then, every time he calls, texts, emails, etc. say the exact same thing and leave it at that. Each day will get easier, especially if you fill it with purpose and carefully planned distractions (like studying). If you feel, in any way, threatened, however, you must take different actions that include professionals in managing what could be dangerous behaviour. Ordinarily, the shock of a “break-up” will wear off, and he too will move on. For now, your happiness and peaceful continuation of advancement is up to you!

Elann

Email: dearelann@gmail.com for advice and help

an image’s clarity, aspect ratio simply refers to the size of an image. What’s interesting about aspect ratio is that it doesn’t subscribe to a set of standard units, so an image with a width of 16 metres and a height of 9 metres (16:9) has the same aspect ratio as an image that has a width of 40.89 inches and a height of 23 inches, as well as an image with a width of 8 centimetres and a height of 4.5 centimetres. Display resolution is a value that refers to the amount of pixels that can be displayed along the width and height of a screen. It was said earlier that HD has a higher quality than SD – that’s because high definition displays have a higher display resolution than standard definition. Since they can display more pixels, the image is clearer, sharper, and better-looking. The iPhone 6 is a phone with a high-definition display; its screen resolution is 1334x750, while its pixel density is 326 pixels-perinch. Finally, due to its screen resolution, its aspect ratio is 16:9. Why are High Definition Displays Important? Higher acuity, clearer images, and better-looking entertainment notwithstanding, better displays are actually important because of the methods used to create content for them. An image is only as good as the device used to capture it, and a camera is only as effective as the photographer using it. There is an entire philosophical component to photography; some schools of thought argue that photographs and images are the only objective representations of the LETTER TO THE EDITOR The public would like to know: if you want to get the homeless people off the streets, why not open Mountain Hall for two months from May to June? Is it health and safety related? Or [is this an issue of ] money or cost? Please tell us why the university hasn’t offered space during the summer [for homeless people in Guelph]. Howard Hall

LIFE

17

NANCY PHILLIPS VIA CC BY-NC 2.0

High definition displays have changed the world of viewing for the better – check out what Science Avenue has to say to understand more about the topic. world that humans can produce, while others argue that photographers create their own realities the moment they capture a subject. For the sake of simplicity, I’m going to argue that high definition displays are important so we can capture and share a better view of our universe. Doctors need HD images to better study disease, physicists need HD images to better study the stars, and chemists need HD images to better identify compounds. What is the Future of High Definition Displays? As image technology advances and matures, HD displays are going

Morning Vegan Smoothie - 1/2 Banana - 1 cup almond milk - 1 cup frozen berries - 1/2 Avocado - 2 big handfuls of spinach - 3 tbsp. milled flaxseed - add water for desired texture blend until very smooth! This will KICK off your day! Tip: A smoothie is always yummiest when you have a straw!

to come closer to representing an image captured by the human eye. There is no amount of hyperbole and rhetoric in that statement; the best display humanity can create is one that reflects our own eyes. As always, I’m looking forward to the absurd possibilities. Recently, Apple announced the iMac with Retina 5K display. This is a machine with a 16:9 aspect ratio, a 5120x2880 display ratio, and 220 pixels-perinch. Consider the audacity of this computer: regardless of how close you’re looking at the screen, there is no conceivable way that your naked eye can distinguish a single distortion in any image produced by this machine.

Get Healthy, Now

Nutrient-dense nutrition. easy, fast, affordable... powerfood.svp@gmail.com call/text 519-362-4134

TheOntarion.com


18

OPINION

The Truth Inquiry: death and the construct of religion The function of religion in our human experience of death TOM OBERLE Many who are religious will take great offence to the idea that religions are a human construct. It often is a deeply personal aspect of their lives, and one that governs many of their decisions. However, it is important that we talk openly and honestly about religion – not just to understand the beliefs of others, but also because beliefs often motivate people’s behaviour. There will inevitably be some truth in every religion, but we can conclude, using logic alone, that the majority of religions are human constructs – not divinely inspired systems of belief. All religions make metaphysical claims about reality that are all incompatible with each other. They cannot all be true. Therefore, either only one religion is true, or they are all false. For example, Jesus Christ was either the son of God (a claim of Christianity), or he was a prophet – merely a man (a claim of Judaism and Islam). Both cannot be true. Either salvation is attained through accepting Christ as your saviour and confessing your sins (Christianity), or ‘salvation’ is attaining moksha (Buddhism). This is the law of non-contradiction. Two contradictory ideas cannot be simultaneously true. Now, when I speak of religion, I’m defining it in a broad sense. Buddhism is not a religion in the sense that Christianity or Islam are. Regardless, the truth claims made by Buddhism are contradictory to those of Christianity.

Have a question, comment or complaint? Send us a letter to the editor at ontarion@uoguelph.ca. Deadline is Monday at 4 p.m., 300 word max.

The views represented in the opinion section do not necessarily reflect the views of The Ontarion nor its staff.

The consequences of this simple principle are quite astonishing. Millions are following the wrong religion, assuming that only one religion is true, and so the majority of religious people in the world are believing a lie. It boggles the mind because it is not difficult to realize that most religions are untrue, yet millions of people are utterly convinced that their beliefs are correct. I think there are many underlying principles of religion that tend to convince people of their beliefs so strongly. As humans, we all desire meaning and purpose in life, and we all try to make sense of life. Religion can be a powerful tool for doing this. There is often a reluctance to recognize the differences between religions and their inherent incompatibilities. Most find the subject deeply personal and emotional, and most are afraid of telling others that their beliefs are wrong. It’s not surprising, since doing so in some cases translates to implicitly saying that one will spend an eternity in hell. Many would rather adopt the view that all religions are the same, rather than simply discuss and contest the ideas. Perhaps the most practical aspect of the function of religion is to give ourselves a sense of purpose and answers to those things we simply can never know, like death. Death is something that finds us all, and it is something inherently unknowable. So our desire and attempts to understand it through religion are not surprising. Most religions provide a story for after we die, and I suspect the reason for this is the great difficulty we have in imagining a time or world in which we do not exist anymore. Imagining the time before we were born is perhaps not as difficult. We have the historical record, which provides good evidence that the past probably did exist prior to our birth. But death is in the future, and thinking of a time when we will cease to exist can elude our comprehension. We exist now in the present moment, and we are conscious of our selves and our environment. Our brains are currently processing sensory input of our immediate surroundings, and the world exists colourfully and sharply defined inside our minds. It can be quite difficult or unnerving to imagine this ceasing, perhaps because it is not possible for us to know what a loss of consciousness is like.

TODD LAPPIN VIA CC BY-NC 2.0

The idea that there is some kind of afterlife is one that has been constructed through religious dogma. The fear of death is something that is deeply engrained in our minds; it is something that many think about often because of this construct. To know what something is like, we either experience it directly through the senses, or learn from others. Both are unavailable to us in the case of death. Death is essentially a loss of consciousness. It would be like sleeping without dreaming, I suppose – provided there is no afterlife. But we don’t really know what sleeping is like either. We are not conscious to experience a loss of consciousness. So it is impossible to experience what death would actually be like, since we lose our perceptive abilities. We simply experience a loss of consciousness as a gap in our experience of time. There is nothing, and for the subject, an indeterminate amount of time will pass. To deal with this somewhat incomprehensible idea of death and the loss of consciousness, religion has the hopeful option of proposing more consciousness after death, in other words: an after-life. At this point in our conscious experience, we can’t know what it is like to not exist while the world runs on without us. All that we know, and ever will know, is awaking, conscious perception of reality (with the exception of dreaming). So religion says, what else must there be but more experience, more awareness, more consciousness, and more life? I do not rule out the possibility of there being an afterlife; however, recognizing the role religion plays in this area enables us to understand people’s beliefs and their actions, which are often based on those beliefs.

POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE

FROM TRADE SHOWS TO WEDDINGS TO CULTURAL FESTIVALS, THIS PROGRAM OFFERS THE UNIQUE SKILLS YOU WILL NEED TO LAUNCH YOUR CAREER AS AN EVENT COORDINATOR, SPECIAL EVENTS ORGANIZER, ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE, CORPORATE MEETING PLANNER AND MANY OTHER EXCITING CAREER OPTIONS.

business.humber.ca/postgrad


SWITCH TO

SECURE WIFI

“ The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”

uog-wifi-secure

OCTOBER IS

SECURITY AWARENESS MONTH WWW.UOGUELPH.CA/CIO/IT-SECURITY

Find out even more at theontarion.com

› Thomas Edison: Relentless Inventiveness Failure is no biggie. Just ask Edison. If he stopped at failure, he would never have moved on to invent a little thing called the light bulb. So if you’ve failed a class somewhere else, or have a scheduling conflict, come on over. You can catch up with our worldrecognized online courses, then move on to bigger successes. Talk about a light bulb moment.

open. online. everywhere. Learn more @ athabascau.ca/edison/ontario


20

OPINION

PopSci:the anti-vaccine movement: North America’s greatest commodity

An opinion piece about vaccines focusing on Cuba’s Eradication of Poliomyelitis

MARÍA CARLA ROSALES GERPE When I was growing up in Cuba, I was also raised by one of my mother’s very good friends, Maritza. She was a psychiatrist and other than her characteristic sing-songy voice when she would call out for you in the street, Maritza was recognizable because of her limp. I remember her describing how painful it felt when her calf slowly began to deform. Maritza was about eight-years-old

when she was vaccinated with the oral polio vaccine (OPV) – the reason behind her scarred leg and her limp. OPV, also known as the Sabin attenuated vaccine after its maker, is distributed worldwide as it is the most effective vaccine known to eradicate polio. Thanks to this vaccine, India has been polio-free for three years now. What does it mean when a vaccine is “attenuated”? It is attenuated when it no longer has the characteristics that make it virulent. To achieve the attenuation of a virus, it is grown on cells where it does not need to express “harmful” genes in order to survive, and so it develops mutations in its genome that are typical of a non-pathogenic virus. The virus can then be used for vaccination because the immune system will still recognize it and develop antibodies against it. There are other types of vaccines that do not require a live virus though a live vaccine is usually better at raising an immune

response. However, the problem with any live vaccine is that there is the chance that the mutations could return to their original virulent state once the virus is replicating inside the body. Such is what happened to Maritza, and it would be enough to prove to me that vaccines are awful. I should be jumping in line to watch the next show starring Jenny McCarthy declaring that vaccines are linked to autism. Her ideas, and others like her’s, stem from studies done by Dr. Andrew Wakefield in the United Kingdom, in which he linked vaccines to anything from gut disorders to autism. These studies were deemed fraudulent, and were later retracted by The Lancet, where they were first published in 1998. However, much like myths are engraved in popular culture, it seems that his words were the pervasive ones, unlike the countless published articles and numerous data outlining the effectiveness of vaccines.

Maritza was vaccinated along with more than 25 million kids in Cuba from 1962 to 1997; my sister and I are included, having been born in 1988 and 1991. Out of these more than 25 million children, only 18 cases, in which Maritza is included, developed poliomyelitis or acute flaccid paralysis. From 400 yearly reported cases since 1962, Cuba finally reduced the incidence of poliomyelitis to zero in 1997. Having witnessed what a strong vaccination campaign can accomplish, it’s difficult for me to sympathize with the anti-vaccine movement, especially when the incidence of autism in Cuba is one in 1000, whereas in the USA it is one in 68. Vaccines can’t possibly be the culprit. Some have blamed the differences in vaccine formulation. Many of the vaccines in Cuba’s vaccination program are the same as those distributed worldwide, and thus would be the same found in the USA and Canada.

Terrorism in Canada To be, or not to be scared LUKE FUENDLING

POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE

FROM ARBITRATION TO COMMUNITY OUTREACH, THIS PROGRAM OFFERS THE UNIQUE SKILLS YOU WILL NEED TO LAUNCH YOUR CAREER AS AN ARBITRATOR, CONCILIATOR, EMPLOYEE RELATIONS OFFICER, MEDIATOR AND MANY OTHER EXCITING CAREER OPTIONS.

business.humber.ca/postgrad

How do you feel after the two tragic events last week, which ended the lives of two Canadian soldiers? How do Canadians feel? What do we do now? How should we act? These are all questions that are whirling through our minds, spreading across social media platforms, and being asked around our dinner tables. Are we scared? Should we be?

“...there was one casualty in a situation that could have easily and concluded more tragically.” Some now speak of Canada as though it has lost its innocence, that only now have we come to understand the realities of the world we live in. This isn’t

so. Canada has a full history of dealing with horrifying events, terrible extremists, and terrifying situations. Yes, we have been attacked, and yes, the treat is imminent, but should we feel defenseless? Should we feel unprotected? Let’s recap the events that took place in Ottawa on Oct. 22, 2014. A radical man launched a surprise assault on an unsuspecting and unarmed man in uniform, Cpl. Nathan Cirillo; it was unavoidable. House of Commons Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers then neutralized the threat. All in, there was one casualty in a situation that could have easily and concluded more tragically. Authorities were methodical and efficient, and they ended the situation very quickly. So is this what we can expect whenever terror strikes? Perhaps this is comforting. Canadian Special Forces (Joint Task Forces) are responsible for more internationally identified high-threat terrorist casualties than any other nation on earth, including the United States. Canada has had an anti-terrorist surveillance task force committed to monitoring suspicious activity nationwide for decades. So is this enough? This question will surely be debated in the months following these tragic events. Is Canada doing enough to protect its people?

It’s easy to reject vaccines when you don’t have to boil the water that comes out of the tap, or when you don’t have to worry about endemic diseases such as yellow fever or even polio because they have long been obliterated. Ironically, it also seems easy to dismiss illnesses such as the flu which kills 250,000 to 500,000 people worldwide. Vaccination does not just help you. It helps those around you by creating something called “herd immunity.” If a large chunk of the population – “the herd” – is vaccinated, the pathogen would have a hard time spreading. Furthermore, just because you do not get the flu, it does not mean you are not a carrier. By getting the flu vaccine, you become part of a herd helping to make sure those with compromised immune systems, such as the elderly and pregnant women, are protected against the flu. Most of all, you would avoid unknowingly spreading the illness.

Canada is a nation that is committed to the fight against terrorism. Canada is also a country that is welcoming, fair, and just. Canadian values ensure freedom and equality; Canada is a model of progressive vision for the entire world. Violent crime rates have consistently dropped nationwide since the 1960s, and have plummeted in recent years. Regardless of the nature of the threats against Canada by extremist groups like ISIS, Canada’s core values are what need to be emphasized now. Chatter tossed around in the past few days echo calls for more security, consideration of carry-and-conceal policy, and aggressive racial and derogatory slurs toward innocent groups. Is this how Canadians will behave now? Is this our future? Terrorism in Canada is horrible – it is horrible anywhere – but as a nation, and as a people, we have always been strong through terrifying events. We always band together with our allies in the fight against those terrors. Federal policy has resulted in a progressively peaceful and accepting nation. The democratic method is working, and the integrity of the values that we have built our country on should be our only concern. Let’s be Canadians, support one another, continue fighting for justice, and walk nobly into the future.


O PINION

Issue 175.9 • Thursday, October 30, 2014

Changing the Subject Top 10 classic horror films to watch this Halloween DANIELLE SUBJECT Halloween is quickly approaching, which means decorations are out, pumpkins are being carved, leaves are falling, and nostalgia for candy and scary movies is filling the air. For university students, the smell of dead leaves and October morning rain stimulates childhood memories, and leaves us yearning for childhood traditions, like watching Halloweentown on the Family Channel.

COURTESY PHOTO

In light of this spreading nostalgia for all things spooky, I decided to compile a list of classic horror films circa 1965 – 1999. What makes these films classic is their ability to create suspense and scare their viewers using scarce gore and very few resources. These horror films will not only feed your nostalgia for Halloween tradition, but also scare the pants off of you.

1. Halloween (1978) What better movie to watch during Halloween than Halloween? This is one that has seen its fair share of horrible remakes, but John Carpenter’s original film is timeless. Michael Myers – a man who was institutionalized as a child for the violent murder of his sister - escapes the asylum and goes after young Jamie Lee Curtis, who plays a compelling victim. Carpenter demonstrates his talent by scaring his audience with small details and cleverly done camera shots.

6. Children of the Corn (1984) The title alone mentions two of the creepiest horror tropes: children and cornfields. This movie has the classic horror film plot of a couple driving into a village in the middle of nowhere and getting stuck – but Stephen King adds a new twist to the cliché by throwing a religious cult of children into the mix. Yeah, this one’s got cornfields, satanic children, and human sacrifices - a recipe for a good horror film.

COURTESY PHOTO

“HERE’S JOHNNY!”

2. The Exorcist (1973) Linda Blair’s role as Regan in this film is something every horror film lover should witness. The special effects were ahead of their time when the movie came out; viewers in 1973 had never seen anything like it, and, supposedly, audience members were puking in movie theatres. The Exorcist adds a perfect spin to the religious and the demonic. This is a movie that belongs in every horror collection. 3. The Shining (1980) Jack Nicholson brings together this Stephen King film and makes it a classic. About a man who moves his family out to a remote resort in the middle of the winter to write, this film is bound to scare the pants off of you. From creepy ghost children, to Danny screaming, “REDRUM”, I still have nightmares of Nicholson creeping through my bedroom door and yelling, “HERE’S JOHNNY!”

H

4. The Omen (1976) The cinematography alone in this film is magnificent. The Omen is not only a great horror film that will creep out even the most avid horror fanatic, but is also a work of art. The camera shots are so clever, the details are so well thought-out, and the suspense is so artful that this movie is nothing short of a masterpiece. From the disturbing Gregorian Chants that accompany the final credits, to my personal favourite quote from the possessed nanny “Look at me, Damien! It’s all for you”, this movie is everything a good horror movie should be. 5. Friday the 13th (1980) Here’s a classic slasher film. This one takes you into Camp Crystal Lake and introduces every horror film cliché imaginable. A murderer seeks vengeance for Jason’s death by targeting the sexually driven camp counselors at Camp Crystal Lake, who were too busy making out to notice that Jason was drowning. This movie has stereotypes, gore, a remote location, blood-curdling screams, a cool mask, and Kevin Bacon. There’s also a little twist – like Scream, we don’t know who the killer is until the end.

pp y ll

“..this one’s got cornfields, satanic children, and human sacrifices...” 7. Rosemary’s Baby (1968) On a creepiness scale of one to 10, this film pulls a 15. It’s unique plotline is utterly twisted. This one’s not about the blood and guts, but about genuinely creeping its viewers out. Just reading the plotline on IMDb is enough to give someone the heebie-jeebies. I can’t go into detail about the plot without providing spoilers, but if you’re looking to really creep yourself out, feel a little disturbed, and probably have nightmares, watch Rosemary’s Baby. 8. Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) Here we have Freddy Krueger – a creepy, murderous, and vengeful pervert who haunts the dreams of a few local teenagers, including a young Johnny Depp. This film proudly carries the gore, the special effects, and the clichés of a classic 1980s horror film.

21

9. The Blair Witch Project (1999) Throw a bunch of young adults into the middle of a forest haunted by a vengeful spirit, and what do you get? The Blair Witch Project. This one uses the “fear of the unknown” to scare the crap out of its viewers. Who isn’t afraid of getting lost in the depths of a dense forest, only to be haunted by blood-curdling screams of your missing friend at night? Oh, and it’s supposedly a true story. Forget about the fact that you can see into Heather Donahue’s nostrils for most of the film, and you have yourself a decent horror flick.

COURTESY PHOTO

10. Scream (1996) This Halloween classic couldn’t be left out. Scream, directed by Wes Craven, is known for starting a genre of its own. Craven created a satirical horror genre by combining comedy with classic slasher-film elements. Known for never revealing the true murderer until the end, Scream is a classic Halloween flick (I guess the ‘90s are becoming “classic” now, too). Fun fact: Neve Campbell is actually from Guelph, making this film an even juicier horror indulgence.

n


22

EDITORIAL

The Ontarion Inc. University Centre Room 264 University of Guelph N1G 2W1 ontarion@uoguelph.ca Phone 519-824-4120 General: x 58265 Editorial: x 58250 Advertising: x 53534 Accounts: x 53534 Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief Emily Jones Associate Editor Emilio Ghloum News Editor Alyssa Ottema Arts & Culture Editor Adrien Potvin Sports & Health Editor Stephanie Coratti Copy Editor Sameer Chhabra Web Editor Danielle Subject Production Staff Photo & Graphics Editor Matthew Azevedo Director of Layout & Design Carly Jenkins Office Staff Bookkeeper Lorrie Taylor Ad Manager Al Ladha Office Manager Vanessa Tignanelli Circulation Director Salvador Moran Board Of Directors President Heather Luz Chairperson Patrick Sutherland Treasurer Alex Lefebvre Secretary Anthony Jehn Directors Melissa Chong Ah Yan Bronislaw Szulc Sasha Odesse Contributors Stacey Aspinall Jessica Avolio Kelsey Coughlin Luke Fuendling María Carla Rosales Gerpe Alexandra Grant Howard Hall Eve Harding Connor Hewson Jack Hinds Mohammad Melebari Tom Oberle Joanne Pearce Ryan Priddle Will Wellington The Ontarion is a non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors. Since the Ontarion undertakes the publishing of student work, the opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the Ontarion Board of Directors. The Ontarion reserves the right to edit of refuse all material deemed sexist, racist, homophobic, or otherwise unfit for publication as determined by the Editor-in-Chief. Material of any form appearing in this newspaper is copyrighted 2014 and cannot be reprinted without the approval of the Editorin-Chief. The Ontarion retains the right of first publication on all material. In the event that an advertiser is not satisfied with an advertisement in the newspaper, they must notify the Ontarion within four working days of publication. The Ontarion will not be held responsible for advertising mistakes beyond the cost of advertisement. The Ontarion is printed by Thuroweb.

“It Can’t Happen Here” Staying rational in irrational times ADRIEN POTVIN Before starting this, I have two disclaimers. First, this is going probably to be an echo chamber. You’ve read it and heard it before, both better written and better spoken than I can provide. Second, I don’t like writing about my politics very often. As the arts editor of The Ontarion, I know that art has political dimensions (and it often needs to), and I have to engage with these ideas in some way, both as a writer and an artist. I feel more comfortable writing about these so-to-speak abstractions and metonymies than I do otherwise when it comes to my politics. I digress; I feel like it’s time I write down what I’ve been feeling about our country’s critical current and social climate over the past week or so. In the aftermath of unnecessary and vile events like those of last Monday and Wednesday, the public’s reaction to this kind of brutality is to be expected; it is infinitely easier to associate an individual (or handful thereof ) with a larger organization, ideology, or illness, than it is to consider the countless factors that possesses individuals to commit such violent acts. It is not right to consider those people, in the case of last week’s violence, as representative of Islam as a whole, just as we cannot consider these people representative of those suffering mental illness as a whole. That seems to be a less discussed topic, one that I’ll muse on later, but I feel it warrants mentioning here, if not only to establish a dialogue between the fear of people with mental health issues and looming Islamophobia in events like these. Why are we compelled to lump these events into a broader framework of extremist ideology or mental health, instead of examining the instigators as individuals, with their own social stresses, contexts, and motivations to consider? I feel it’s because the spectacle of violence is so powerful that it all seems so irrational. We do this because we try to make sense of such an inherently senseless and irrational locus of violence and hate. We do this because we are afraid of our own

impulses, and we need to ascribe a scapegoat to them. We live in angry times. We’ve all been screwed one way or another by society, the state, etc. Our tax dollars have been used to kill Afghan civilians in bombing raids. Our government has stripped Native people of fundamental human rights. Our government has acted in the shadows on crucially public matters. Our government has shown blatant disregard for our country’s environmental future. Canada is not some kind of haven for peace, justice, and equity – as much as we’d like to think it is. And we are upset because the narrative of our exceptionalism has been shattered.

“..we try to make sense of such an inherently senseless and irrational locus of violence and hate.” Why didn’t it take anywhere from 400-1000 missing and/ or murdered Aboriginal women for people to be disillusioned en masse? “It can’t happen here.” Well, didn’t the École Polytechnique massacre happen here, where 14 women were killed by Marc Lépine in the name of “fighting feminism?” What about the G20 riots, where civil liberties were stripped so quickly, and in such a chaotic way, that the actions of the violent arm of the state and the violent arm of corporate interests were blurred to the point of indistinguishable? So when we think, so surprised, “How can this happen here? In Canada?” we are contributing to that masturbatory exceptionalism that is all so often at the heart of this country’s dominant cultural narrative. Since Canada came into its own as the Cold War good-guy nation-state, it has always been “us vs. them” in terms of us and the United States, and we are pressed, on and on, left, right, and centre, to believe we are better. Our government is more civil and more humane. Racism is a thing of the past. Because socialized health care means more as a cultural icon

than it does as a functional thing. Because we are content with being the gentle, passive beaver, minding our business and building our dams (often around and between ourselves), instead of the predatory bald eagle, swooping down on its prey with a force to be reckoned with. That’s why these events struck so much horror into the resonating imagination of safety and tranquility we have established. “It can’t happen here. This is Canada.” It can, and does, happen everywhere. You’re deluding yourself if you think otherwise. I am not of the mindset that we need to discount our armed forces’ work in light of this. I have utmost respect for the men and women that serve our country. I refuse to back any militaryindustrial-complex, but I realize that it’s unfair to target soldiers as people for that. It’s not about that. That said complex is too unbelievably massive and omnipresent to warrant criticizing any individual. It wouldn’t make any sense and it does not. But I am of the mindset that, in light of these incidents, it is very easy to cross into dangerously shortsighted solutions that are detrimental to our civil liberties at best, and functionally racist and classist at worst. It doesn’t take much to racialize anything (or at worst, everything) in the framework of these tragic cultural narratives. You’d be hard pressed not to find some kind of “go back to Africa” mentality regarding Ebola, or a “those Japanese are ruining the planet” sentiment in wake of the Fukushima disaster two years ago. It also doesn’t take much to say, “this is the work of an Islamic militant, and all Muslims are potentially militant,” in the wake of a shooting incident such as this. When this shortsightedness becomes legislative action, as it often does, nobody wins. The average critical current and social atmosphere becomes one fraught with nationalism, fear, micro-aggressive racism, and exclusionary tactics. Pretty much antithetical to that tricky old “mosaic” narrative we built for ourselves, right? At that point, you get the redneck Neanderthals, like those in Alberta, so convincingly and artfully scribbling “go home” on a mosque, like a petulant child lashing out at their parents who made them share the Lego box with a sibling. We like to think it’s not a shared sentiment, and it certainly isn’t for many people.

But it’s not an isolated incident, and it’s dangerous to be so congratulatory as to think that it is isolated and not recurring. Violent actions committed by people with known mental illnesses are not isolated incidents either. Care for mental illness in this country is dreadful to begin with, so think of where it could lead now. Autistic people, those with bipolar disorders (I and II), schizophrenia, people prone to panic attacks, etc., can be (and probably will be) more easily profiled and scapegoated as a danger to society. This perception operates in an almost Puritan-tinged notion of “evil” that is unscientific, oppressive, and does absolutely nothing to improve treatment and care for these illnesses – because they are illnesses, and require treatment and support. These representational and legislative problems, again, operate cyclically. An encroaching, oppressive narrative defines public perception of a particular group of people, and legislation becomes written - sometimes slyly, sometimes blatantly - to reinforce this and further marginalize these people. And when projected anger at the system that operates on this marginalization begins to define that group in both the public and legislative eye, the narrative has reduced these people to simple “dangers,” and not human beings who need help. I’m not even a very politically-inclined person. I’m not a firebrand or a radical. Half of the time I don’t even give a shit, or at least choose not to give a shit in vocalizing where I stand – for the most part. And I’ll confess to that with no qualms or pretentions. I should be more invested in politics, but a guy can only do so much. I am the guy who plays the bass, writes poetry, and does music, theatre, and art show write-ups for this paper. And that keeps me plenty busy. But I felt compelled to write this, if not just for time’s sake. The editorial writer rotates weekly, and I just happened to get the spot for this week – not specifically in light of all that’s happened. I’m just trying to make sense of the madness and do a bit of bigger thinking in the process. After all, if we expect our media and critical currents to be impartial, truthful, and not so reactionary with information and interpretation, shouldn’t we expect it of ourselves?


Issue 175.9 • Thursday, October 30, 2014

Across 1- Gardner and others 5- Snob 10- H.S. exam 14- Singer McEntire 15- Dated 16- Westernmost of the Aleutians 17- Not kosher 18- Anew 19- Dig like a pig 20- Fountain treats 22- Polite agreement 24- Frolic 27- Horse color 28- Having various forms 32- Mob scenes 35- Very cold 36- Opposed to cation 38- Ventilated 40- Mother of the Valkyries 42- Take ___ at (try) 44- Bern’s river 45- Layers 47- Flat-topped hills 49- RR stop 50- Salivate 52- Mausoleum at Agra 54- Letters, e.g. 56- Put down 57- Letter opener 60- Apartment sign 64- Riga resident 65- Steak order 68- Do followers 69- Ethereal: Prefix 70- Some Art Deco

works 71- Actress McClurg 72- Blueprint detail 73- Civil rights org. 74- Info Down 1- Plastic or liberal, e.g. 2- ___ Beach, Florida 3- In the sack 4- Adventurous expedition 5- Mineral spring 6- Henpeck 7- Anthem opener 8- Bendable twig, usually of a willow tree 9- Muscle 10- Baseless distrust of others 11- Greek portico 12- Elemental unit 13- Boy king 21- Couch 23- Mother of Hermes 25- ___ Lisa 26- Rainbow maker 28- ___ Cong 29- Bitter 30- U-Haul competitor 31- Sacred song 33- Rubbish 34- Simmons rival 37- Like Fran Drescher’s voice 39- Bargain 41- Odoriferous 43- ___ California

FUN PAGE

23

HAPPY HALLOWEEN from THE ONTARION ANSWERS FROM 175.8

46- Fly 48- Struck, old-style 51- Heed 53- Worshiped 55- Seventh sign of the zodiac 57- Abstruse 58- French 101 verb 59- Roster used to assign duties 61- Mother of Helen

of Troy 62- Expel gas or odor 63- ___ yellow ribbon... 64- ___ Cruces 66- Japanese computer giant 67- Clairvoyant’s claim

SUBMIT YOUR COMPLETED CROSSWORD NO LATER THAN MONDAY NOV. 3RD AT 4PM FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN TWO FREE BOB’S DOGS!

Crossword Winner from 175.8 is…Lisa Gordon!

follow us @theontarion for more news all semester long!


Essay

MadnEss 6pM -12midnight

Free food, juice, and coffee, plus a quiet space to write!

UNDERGRADUATE writing and research help* from 6-9pm. *First-come, first-served.

Bring your laptops, essay outlines and paper drafts.

noveMbEr 5th

McLaughlin Library

L E A R N I N G C O M M O N S

For more information, visit www.lib.uoguelph.ca


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.