Editorial

What do we do now?

OK the protest came and went, now what?

February 7th was a success if you are in to statistics and mass crowds, but as far as impact goes, get serious we didn't even flip arid burn a police car. What the hell type of protest is that? In Ottawa they stormed the legislature, in Vancouver we sang songs out of tune. We had police cooperation, we smiled at them as we marched past the streets they blocked for us. No one even spat in their general direction. · Oh I forgot one speaker did manage to get her pants down to moon the crowd, unfortunately the crowd was to thick and only 30 people or so saw her ass. She also said something about Chretien and his lips touching a certain piece of her anatomy that most men would be scared to even touch. She asked for the sixties and seventies to be back, to smoke a lot more pot and have a lot more free sex, but pot is out (heroin is in) and this thing called aids scares people off.

But pay no attention to her, she is a hypocrite. She preached on how corporations are given tax breaks and that this is bad bad bad. Did I mention that this was an owner of an art gallery speaking, in a month or two she will be searching for those same tax breaks and government subsidies the corporations receive.

Lets talk corporations for a while then. BCTV, fairly large, lot of money in a tv station, they covered the protest. I heard about people being interviewed and heard what they showed. A friend made an educate statement about how the corporations of Canada have subsidies and tax breaks galore and they are the ones with all the money and that is where the majority of tax dollars should be coming from. This statement was made to a BCTV crew, when it came time this little piece of reality was not shown instead his friend wearing a dunce cap was flashed on the tv. The it was on to Ottawa.

I thought that was suiting of the battle we have in front of us. A hunger strike started this week. Some students are going to go without food, heh there is a new concept. But why do I spill my guts here, apathy rules, parental support is required. If I say something I doubt it will get to the right people, those that are supported by their parents, who drive the fancy cars, wear the mommy pressed shirts. I think this is the cause of our apathy, all the ball busting knuckle crunching folks that are active have families to support rents to pay bills to dodge while the rest of the clan sits in mom and dads basement and watch Friends and Melrose Place.

But what should they care, everything is handed out on a silver platter, and always will be,· right? Well if Momsie and Dadsie fail there is always social assistance, student loans and UI.

So if it wasn't for these social programs I would be a butcher, following in my fathers footsteps, I hate picking on poor defenceless animals. But instead I may be a politician, and pick on you, but then I give you money and food, heh I am just like your parents again just that the spoon is in another hand.

I think it is time to move out of the Chretein's house if we don't like it, wait a minute this is a democracy right? Let's kick his ass out, shit we need people to do this and everyone is glued to their tv because there is two hours of Melrose on tonight.

See it all goes back to Adam and Eve, those mythical characters from the bible, when they were granted free will and free thought. Damn that was a mistake, look at this place, its fucked up. Well we have free though and free will, if you want a free education get your mind in gear because election time is coming and so is the AXE. Worthy that is, ha-ha.

Well if you made it this far I am surprised I had a hard time staying. Just remember your world, your control, your government, your voice._ Let them hear it, see it, feel it, whatever. All this idealism starts with one person and that is you so get pens to paper, lips to megaphones whatever we as a people have the power to control what happens in our society so start at home and do not be like the butt bearing chicky at the protest.

EDITORIAL NOTE: Guess what, I screwed up again. Clare Goldman's letter to ed. printed awhile back was a mistake, she had revised it and I put the old one in, oooooppppss. Shit happens, I, Peter Hutchinson, apologizes for any misunderstanding, for more details come on down to the office and I will explain, I love company. <!Cascabe l.\eport QC a r b To all the people that came out on Wednesday October 7, 1996 for the Earth to Ottawa protest in Vancouver, we must thank-you for trying to get your voice heard. at least some people realize that we can make a difference, if we really want to. GRADE:A+++ «bt <!Cascabe UCFV Student Newspaper 14th November 1995 Vol. 3 No. 7 RoomA219A 33844 King Rd. Abbotsford, BC V2S7M9 854-4529 On the 'Net: Cascade@ucfv.bc.ca PETER HUTCHINSON, Editor CAROLINE HIGGINS, Managing Editor Contributors : Doug Bull, Nolan Webb, Paul Becker, Chris Clarke, Taryn Thomson, B. Dover, Todd Something or other, Cristal McLaughlin, Heidi Derrick, ShawnStetsko, Lori Nelson Photographers: Peter Hutchinson, Paul Becker Advertising: Peter Hutchinson, Caroline Higgins, Doug Bull ·

'QCbe <!I:m~cabe Webnesbap, jfebruarp 21, 1996 ~9 JLetters to <fb. - ·

Protest ... We Don't Need Another Tuition Increase!

Dear Ed.:

I just finished reading your opinion column dated February 10, 1996. Your comments regarding UCFV students complaining about tuition increases, although their tuition is much lower than most post-secondary institutions in B.C., prompted me to write. For your information, UCFV students were faced with a 9% tuition increase for this academic year, and evidence suggests that many students are unable to cope with this financial burden.

The National Day of Protest was exactly that, NATIONAL. the students at UCFV are actively participating in a national campaign dubbed "Earth to Ottawa"' which included the National Day of Protest on February 7. Tuition increases are not just a local problem, so when I stand up to protest against the budget cuts, I am standing up for ALL students in Canada.

The UCFV board is talking about a $2 million cut from the institution's operating budget, and I can gourmet that students and instructors will feel the cruel blows. Seats are going to be lost, programs will be cut, waiting lists are going to be longer, user fees may be implemented. instructors might be laid off, and tuition will increase.

I recently contacted Randy White's office and his assistant told me, "Mr. White is not a member of the Liberal Party, so he had nothing to do with the budget." The last time I checked, Mr. White was my MP and he is here to lobby for my rights, regardless of his political affiliation. Might I add, yes, I really did know that Mr. White was not a member of the Liberal Party!

Why doesn't Mr. White lobby our government to change the tax laws, so large corporations are required to pay their fair share of taxes. Corporations tax-free days begin in the middle of January. The average citizen's tax-free days do not begin until July. Is this fair?

But what annoys me the most, is that these people supporting the budget cuts already have a subsidized education, or they can afford to pay the higher tuition.

So is education a right??? Yes, I think it is. I don't mind paying my fair share. we as Canadians have the right to AFFORD-

ABLE AND ACCESSIBLE EDUCATION!!!

These cuts are masking inequality by promoting a·larger gap between the haves and the have nots. The people who can hardly afford education now, will not have access to it in the future. This will only create a higher unemployment rate and a higher welfare class. This is not what our society wants or needs.

I honestly believe that education will always be an investment, not an expense. We should be investing in Canada's future by giving students the right to AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE EDUCATION!!!

So when I stand up to protest the upcoming cuts, I know I do not stand alone, and I am not protesting solely because UCFV is facing tuition increases! Sandra Hakanson A Student in Canada

Education Cu ts Hurts Everyone

Editorial Opinion column found in the February 10, 1996 issue of the Abbotsford News

Students are right to be scared and angry bitably. a society that fails to educate its payable through the income tax system) about the continued cutting away of sup- young, especially in this competitive, post- makes sense. The voucher system, raises port for post secondary education. industrial age is dooming itself to subservi- questions.

With the feds chopping their transfer pay- ence by more highly-trained economies. If The above notwithstanding, UCFV stuments and the province in turn passing that Canada is ever to escape its colonial, dents still have it fairly good. $1,000 tuition on the post secondary institutes, the finan- resource-based past, this is not an option. each semester isn't bad. There are more cial pain grows every year. Students are wrong on one point how- expensive schools.

But as Reform MP Randy White points ever. Education is not a right. QUOTABLE QUOTE out, there is no easy answer. The federal Instead, it is an universal privilege, <!_ "It can't be like that. You have to give government is in a cash squeeze that sees product of a prosperous society that is students a say in what goes on." it wielding a sharp axe in every direction. If committed to equality of opportunity and - Dustin May fish hatcheries aren't scared, can educa- democracy. Yale Secondary student tion be? This is one area where the Reform party

Students however, correctly argue, edu- seems to have a constructive idea. Easier cation is an investment in the future. lndu- access to student loans for instance, (re-

Censorship the Fine Arts Department

Editor, The Cascade: .

The following is a letter to Peter Jones on the issue of what should or should not be displayed by our Fine Arts department-I offer it for consideration as an open letter in your paper.

Whether or not you choose to print this letter, I hope one of your reporters will be able to cover the controversy- I imagine there are many students who feel strongly about the subject.

In case it would be considered a bias, I should mention that I have taken painting and ceramic courses in the Fine Arts department, although not since 1992. I am presently enrolled

in a theatre course.

Regina Dalton

Febuary 15, 1996 Peter Jones President, UCFV Dear Mr. Jones:

My guess is that your experience to date as president of UCFV has proven you cannot please everyone. I realize I may remain on the list of the dissatisfied. However, I also find it impossible not to express my opinion in the matter of what is or is not allowed to be displayed on the walls in the area of the Fine Arts department.

I understand that some individuals have expressed the opinion that work displayed by

UCFV's Fine Arts department

is objectionable to them. I

would like to present an opposing side. Having enjoyed displays by the Fine Arts depart-

ment since 1982, I have never

been personally offended by anything on the publi~ walls or in the gallery.

I hope this does not suggest I

am undiscriminating view. As a

former board member of the Women's Resource Society (transition house society), and current member of the Task Force response to violence against women, I am not a stranger to issues of violence. And although I do not believe that morality can be legislated, neither am I a moral relativist.

I personally abhor the representation of violence out of context, the degradation of any human being, and the inclusion of children in even mild erotic art. That said, I still enjoy the works of Goya, and continue to believe that any attempt by a society to suppress all erotica is a plague in itself. Depiction of the human form is not the root of all evil.

Art students (and art viewers) in the Fraser Valley are fortunate enough to have some very forward thinking instructors teaching fine arts at UCFV. As far as the head of the department is concerned, even though I have not personally had the pleasure of Mr. Pashak's instruction, I have heard only the praise of him from students.

My vested interest is my own freedom. A few vocal viewers are objecting to the sex or the violence Implicit in some of the art displayed. I object to even the slightest possibility of censoring what I am able to view.

I would like to suggest a welladvertised forum on this ·topic, with the hope that interested parties could openly express their opinions. Censorship, or even pushing the art further down the hall, is not the an-

swer.

By: Regina Dalton