the Carillon - The Literary Supplement

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the staff

editor-in-chief michael chmielewski editor@carillonregina.com business manager shaadie musleh business@carillonregina.com production manager kyle leitch production@carillonregina.com

the carillon

The University of Regina Students’ Newspaper Since 1962 Februay 27 - March 5, 2014|Volume 56, Issue 20|carillonregina.com

cover

copy editor michelle jones copyeditor@carillonregina.com news editor

alec salloum

carillonnewseditor@carillonregina.com

a&c editor robyn tocker aandc@carillonregina.com

Literature is coming.

sports editor autumn mcdowell sports@carillonregina.com

And to stave off red weddings and other bad craziness, you should really check out this year’s literary supplement, sponsored by the Saskatchewan Writer’s Guild. Four pages of quality U of R lit by some really swell folks can be found starting on page 11.

op-ed editor farron ager op-ed@carillonregina.com visual editor emily wright graphics@carillonregina.com advertising manager neil adams advertising@carillonregina.com technical co-ordinator arthur ward technical@carillonregina.com distro manager staff writer news writer a&c writer sports writer photographers

taylor sockett paige kreutzwieser eman bare destiny kaus brady lang julia dima haley klassen apolline lucyk spencer reid

contributors this week ravinesh sakaran, christell simeon, kaitlynn nordal, koby schwab, liam fitz-gerald, laura billett, michael carlisle, aidan macnab, charlie macdonald, hannah elich, david vanderberg, simon fuh

news

a&c

thanks to everyone who submitted to the literary supplement! additional material by: the staff

the paper

THE CARILLON BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Michael Chmielewski, Shaadie Musleh, Autumn McDowell, vacant, vacant, vacant, vacant

227 Riddell Center University of Regina - 3737 Wascana Parkway Regina, SK, Canada S4S 0A2

www.carillonregina.com Ph: (306) 586 8867 Printed by Transcontinental Publishing Inc, Saskatoon, SK

Right to die.

page 4

Dubstep x First Nations.

page 9

Justin Trudeau is causing some controversy by reintroducing the euthanasia debate in Canada. See how Belgium handles this most precarious problem.

Not only is their music kick ass, but it turns out that the DJs from A Tribe Called Red are really decent dudes, too. Liam talks to NDN, Shub, and Bear Witness on page 9.

sports

op-ed

The Carillon welcomes contributions.

Correspondence can be mailed, emailed, or dropped off in person. Please include your name, address, and telephone number on all letters to the editor. Only the author’s name, title/position (if applicable) and city will be published. Names may be withheld upon request at the discretion of the Carillon. Letters should be no more than 350 words, and may be edited for space, clarity, accuracy, and vulgarity. The Carillon is a wholly autonomous organization with no afilliation with the University of Regina Students’ Union. Opinions expressed in the pages of the Carillon are expressly those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of The Carillon Newspaper Inc. Opinions expressed in advertisements appearing in the Carillon are those of the advertisers, and not necessarily of The Carillon Newspaper Inc. or its staff. The Carillon is published no less than 11 times each semester during the fall and winter semesters and periodically throughout the summer. The Carillon is published by The Carillon Newspaper Inc, a non-profit organization.

the manifesto

In keeping with our reckless, devil-may-care image, our office has absolutely no concrete information on the Carillon’s formative years readily available. What follows is the story that’s been passed down from editor to editor for over forty years. In the late 1950s, the University of Regina planned the construction of several new buildings on the campus grounds. One of these proposed buildings was a belltower on the academic green. If you look out on the academic green today, the first thing you’ll notice is that it has absolutely nothing resembling a belltower. The University never got a belltower, but what it did get was the Carillon, a newspaper that serves as a symbolic bell tower on campus, a loud and clear voice belonging to each and every student.

illegitimi non carborundum.

What the Pucklympics.

page 17

Don’t worry everyone, they’re done. The Winter Olympics have come and gone, and here we are, still being non-athletes, struggling to get up off the couch to go to the fridge much less do homework. But the real kicker, is some of us didn’t even get to enjoy the Olympics, thanks to getting an education.

news a&c sports op-ed cover

photos

Andreas Praefcke Indoor Recess, Inc. Emily Wright Haley Klassen Arthur Ward & Emily Wright

Do you even argue, bro?

page 19

Here at the newspaper, we’re no strangers to ad hominem attacks. If it’s not too much trouble, our EIC kindly asks that you knock it the fuck off.

In other news: As the Olympic Closing Cermonies were occurring in Sochi, Russia, a man from Barrie, ON coincidentally unearthed a stash of Ruskie Survival Kits, which had been stashed away during the Cold War. The Survival Kits, endorsed by the CIA included a box of Radiation-Free Instant Mashed Potatoes, a wool toque, and a copy of the Constitution of the United States of America. “I don’t know how any of these things were supposed to help,” the man said.


news

Editor: Alec Salloum news@carillonregina.com the carillon | Februay 27 - March 5, 2014

Marius Arnesen An encampment for displaced Palestinians .

U of R continues to seek controversial partnership Ethical concerns persist over Israel partnership eman bare news writer The University of Regina is still in the process of considering a partnership with Hebrew University that many internal voices suggest could be harmful to the school’s reputation. “What is particularly worrisome is that there appears to be ties between the Policing and Homeland Security Studies Program in the Faculty of Law at Hebrew University and the Israeli police and Israeli Defense Force,” says Sean Tucker, a business professor at the U of R. “Given the human rights situation in the occupied territories [Palestine], and the relationship between the Policing and Homeland Security Studies program and the Israeli security forces, I could not, as a matter of conscience, support a partnership.” The policing and homeland security studies program offers classes in policing terrorism, political violence and protesting policing, minorities and law enforcement, and terrorism and crime. These courses, as well as the overall homeland security studies program, appears to be more suited towards a police college. It has been suggested through documents from the school of business that the police college has stated their interest in a working partnership in the area of public safety. In the official Kenneth Levene Graduate School of Business Public Safety Management

Proposal, it says that, “The University of Regina has been approached regarding the possibility of collaborating with the Canadian police services, the RCMP, and other Public Safety Management.” Additionally, the Dean of Business, Andrew Gaudes, said in an interview on Jan. 22, 2014, “We’ve seen a lot of great interest across the area of public safety, first responders and police in a program like this that advances the skill set of a technical background, police for example to have better understanding of the decision making.” However, Mitch Crumley, the Head of the Police College, says that neither he nor his college has expressed any sort of interest in an international partnership with Hebrew University. In fact, Crumley seemed entirely unaware of any sort of potential partnership between Hebrew University and the University of Regina in an email interview. A letter written by University of Regina faculty members reads, “The MBA, which is geared towards first responders and other public safety professionals seeking formal management and leadership education, is a collaboration between the Faculty of Business and the Department of Justice Studies in the Faculty of Arts. The Regina Police Services, the Saskatchewan Police College at the University of Regina, and the RCMP have been involved with the program’s development.” “It almost sounds like we are talking about two different

projects. Are you certain that we are on the same page?” said Crumely, when he was asked about the possibility of developing a program with Hebrew University. He says that he proposed the idea of different programs within the university working together, in a program related to public safety. However, there was no mention of an international program and definitely not one with Hebrew University. “The Police College has evolved in its training delivery to include extensive use of scenario based training. We place recruits into scenarios staffed by actors (outside professionals, or if the tactics that are potentially used include use of force, serving police officers) and challenge them with real life scenarios they encounter. The proposal that was discussed with the other faculties here at the University, to be clear, centered around expanding these scenarios to other disciplines who may wish to challenge their own students in similar ways – perhaps over a day or two. While I am not sure what you meant in your email, it certainly was not intended to be anything like a “boot camp” (as I have seen outlined in the media) – rather, an opportunity for cross-pollination of the disciplines inside a safe learning environment.” In order to ensure that the police were not being consulted during this process, the Saskatchewan Police Commission was also approached, to see if perhaps the provincial office had any information on the partnership.

According to Rick Peach, the Executive Direction of the Saskatchewan Police Commission, any information on a partnership or working relationship of this nature would be found through the police college. Janice Wilby, the Communication Director of the Saskatchewan Police Commission, also said that the police college would be the appropriate sources to speak with. Additionally, when the President Vianne Timmons responded to a letter from the Independent Jewish Voices Canada that stated their disapproval of working with any Israeli universities, she copied the email to business, psychology, justice studies and grad studies. The Police College was not included, which draws the conclusion that they were not part of the decision making process, even though that has been repeatedly suggested. Although it remains unknown how the Police College’s suggestion for an internal program developed into working with schools in Israel, they have no interest in working with Hebrew University in the matters of policing and homeland security, nor were they aware such a partnership was being considered. In 2012, President Vianne Timmons had the opportunity to visit Israel, along with several other university representatives from across Canada. As reported by the President’s office, the Israeli government paid for the visit. Although Andrew Gaudes, the Dean of Business, insists that the possibility of working

with these controversial schools would remain in the realm of academics, the President touring these schools on a trip paid for by the Israeli government has raised questions and concerns among some faculty members Additionally, in the May 1, 2013 debates and proceedings of the Legislative Assembling of Saskatchewan, Premier Brad Wall is quoted saying, “In fact, Mr. Speaker, later this day the ambassador will meet with U of R [University of Regina] officials to explore the development of a joint MBA [Master of Business Administration] program in public safety. The program is being developed by the U of R’s Faculty of Business Administration and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.” This raises questions as to whether or not the current position of the university, in terms of partnering with institutions in Israel has been in discussion behind closed doors for much longer than is being admitted to. It also raises questions as to why the Vianne Timmons insisted she had no position in responding to questions about the partnerships in question. Further, this quote from Brad Wall highlights that officials from the University of Regina were in discussion with representatives from Hebrew University for a “joint-partnership”, even though officials from the university have insisted on several occasion that no “joint-partnership”, or “partnership” was being pursued, or were ever being pursued.


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the carillon | Februay 27 - March 5, 2014

news

Euthanasia in Belgium

How Canada has and will deal with this decisive topic ravinesh sakaran contributor

On Feb. 13, while individuals across the whole world were preparing to profess their undying love to one another on Valentine’s Day, the ultra liberal state of Belgium decided to declare its love in a different form, the compassion to let go. Belgian lawmakers overwhelmingly passed a measure that would allow euthanasia for incurably ill children enduring unbearable pain. Out of 152 parliamentarians, 86 voted for the change, 44 against and 12 abstained. King Philippe is expected to sign this measure into law making a historic first for a country to lift all age restrictions on legal, medical induced deaths. The measure is an amended version of the 2002 law that allowed euthanasia for adults. Under the measure, euthanasia would be legal for terminally ill children experiencing “constant and unendurable suffering” and can show a “capacity of discernment,” meaning they can demonstrate they understand the consequences of such a choice. This new legislation also requires the written consent of a parent for euthanasia. Philippe Mahoux, a Socialist Party senator who sponsored the legislation, told the New York Times that the law would

Andreas Praefcke Only one in five Canadian doctors are willing to assist a patient to die.

affect only a small number of terminally ill young people, such as cancer patients with no hope of successful treatment. “This is an act of humanity that allows the doctor to make the most humane course of action for his patient,” said Mahoux, who trained as a surgeon According to a survey by another newspaper, La Libre Belgique, three-quarters of the citizens in Belgium, a secular country but predominantly Roman Catholic, support granting

incurably sick minors the option of euthanasia. Canada is now being slowly reintroduced to the idea as of the Feb. 23, the Liberal Party of Canada, according to the Canadian Press, has voted to legalize assisted suicide at the party’s convention. Interesting timing, considering that Quebec is set to adopt a law that if passed would make Quebec the first province in in Canada to legalize euthanasia. The Supreme Court last ad-

dressed the issue in 1993, when it delivered a landmark 5-4 ruling against physician-assisted suicide, and its decision to revisit the matter is considered significant. The Supreme Court of Canada has also decided to revisit this case 20 years after the Robert Latimer case first came to public attention. Medical professionals remain divided on this issue, with the Canadian Medical Association poll last year finding only

one out of five doctors in the country who are willing to assist a patient to die if euthanasia was decriminalized. “We share the concerns of the most vulnerable populations, especially people in the disability community,” said Liberal delegate Wendy Robbins, who spoke in favor of the resolution. “It covers health, it covers justice. We think we have the right to die with dignity Simultaneously a number of delegates opposed to the issue, saying the priority should be better palliative care and ensuring people die in comfort. “The danger is, the more we focus on ending life, the less we focus on ending pain and suffering or the use of technologies to overcome disability and loss of function,” said one unnamed delegate who identified himself as a doctor at a recent vote on the matter. The Liberal delegates voted overwhelmingly for the motion, increasing the pressure on Justin Trudeau when he runs for Prime Minister in the upcoming elections. However, Justin Trudeau is yet to take a strong stance on euthanasia, while voicing his discomfort that until Canada obtains a high quality of palliative healthcare, euthanasia, according to him, could sometimes be a shortcut.

Have a heart!

Campaign seeks to reform and improve education for First Nations eman bare news writer

This Valentine’s Day while many enjoyed a day spent with their loved one, Amnesty International members took part in the annual Have a Heart Campaign. This campaign is led yearly by the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada, or the Caring Society, a non-profit organization that advocates for the rights of First Nations children. The aim is to raise awareness about the disadvantage Aboriginal youth living on reserves face in terms of their education. The Have Heart Campaign came to life in 2012, and was triggered by a complaint formed by the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and the Caring Society. Although provincial governments are usually responsible for funding educational programs, the Federal government provides funding for the educational service of the Aboriginal population. According to Amnesty International, the Federal government provides less funding

for each Aboriginal student than the provincial government provides for non-Aboriginal students. In 2007, the Caring Society and AFN filed a formal complaint against Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC). It stated that AANDC had a history of providing reserves with less government funding for educational purposes, as opposed to the non-Aboriginal education system. The complaint alleged that non-Aboriginal children were given more funding, placing Aboriginal students at an academic disadvantage. Although the case was later dismissed due to legal technicality, this complaint gave life to a movement that has been practiced by many Canadian cities. This year, Regina was among the cities to stand in solidarity with Aboriginal Children. During the week of Feb. 14, Amnesty International Regina and the University of Regina Aboriginal Students Centre organized numerous events in honor of the campaign. Among the panelists speaking at the event was Dr. Shauneen Pete, a professor at

the University of Regina. She says that the campaign is an important way to readdress an issue that so far, has seen no solution. “It’s another strategy. Certainly protests are another kind of strategy. We need all of the approaches that we can. Certainly holidays and events like Valentine’s Day can offer us opportunities to once again remind our political leadership that we still are concerned and that these issues have not passed away.” Dr. Pete is an education professor at the University of Regina, and her research mainly includes anti-oppressive education, and decolonizing and indigenizing faculty work. “First Nations kids coming from northern communities and reserve communities actually have a wealth of knowledge that goes unnoticed and it’s made invisible because we’re asking the wrong kinds of questions.” Pete says that First Nations children often have their knowledge silenced and are forced to contain themselves in what she refers to as an “abusive manner.” This year, in honor of Have

a Heart day, the National Film Board made a documentary titled Hi-Ho! Mistahey about First Nations youth activism, free from Feb. 14 to 16. The campaign also included letter writing, a staple of Amnesty International’s activism work. Over the week, participants were encouraged to write letters to the Prime Minis-

ter and other politicians, stating their disapproval of the current imbalance between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students. Photographs were taken of event participants with signs that read, “I have a heart.” Valentine’s Day cards were also sold with proceeds being donated to the Caring Society.


the carillon | Februay 27 - March 5, 2014

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Board of Director absenteeism

URSU bi-weekly meetings have poor attendance records

Eman Bare With URSU elections soon, will things change?

michael chmielewski editor-in-chief Some of URSU’s Board of Directors have had a high absenteeism rate from Board of Director’s meetings. Two of them have only been to three out of a possible eleven each since they were elected to the position, or appointed, according to the latest minutes on the University of Regina Students’ Union (URSU) website, the most recent being Dec. 4 as the Carillon went to press. The meetings are bi-weekly. One of these directors, who is a voting member, is Eric Bell, the LGBTQ Director and fourth year journalism student. Bell hasn’t been to the meetings due to landing a journalism internship last semester and having a busy semester this time around. “So I was there for meetings in the summer when I was in Regina, and I ended up getting an internship at the paper in Prince Albert, so I was unfortunately saddled up north for four months, so I missed all of those meetings, and then this semester I ended up having three night classes, which doesn’t work out for the meeting times.” He also works a part time job during the evenings, when URSU Board meetings usually are. Bell had an internship during the summer, but wasn’t sure if he’d land a second for the fall semester. “I didn’t really know if I was going to get a second internship… there was a possibility that I’d get a second internship and I’d be gone.” Looking back, Bell thinks it

didn’t make sense to run for the position at all. “Probably in hindsight, I shouldn’t have run for the position in the first place. I obviously have no plans to run, I mean I’m done with school and this university.” “That’s true,” he said, when asked if the U of R LGBTQ community was being represented at Board meetings. “They weren’t being represented.” Bell won his position April 12, 2013, beating the other candidate 54.4 per cent to 35.2 per cent. URSU President Nathan Sgrazzutti sent a “Role of the Board of Directors” package to all Board of Directors Aug. 20, which describes the role of the Directors. In a copy the Carillon attained, Sgrazzutti says that, since the Board is to uphold URSU’s principles, and since the board is responsible for handling the affairs of URSU, it is “of the utmost importance that all directors take this position very seriously, and contemplate all decisions carefully.” The document also explains other roles directors have, such as attending meetings, and giving reports of work done as a director. The document also explains the proper procedure on missing meetings. “If a director is unable to attend a meeting, the director shall send their regrets to the President or Board Chair 48 hours in advance whenever possible with a legitimate excuse.” Bell never reported any regrets, according to the minutes, since his election. The other Board of Director who has only attended three meetings has only submitted one regret. Fine Arts Director Tyler

Toppings has also only attended three meetings since he was appointed. He wasn’t elected, though. Speaking of Bell’s and Toppings’ absenteeism, Sgrazzutti said “my God. If you see any of them, let me know if they’re okay.” For Toppings too, apparently the meetings are at a bad time. “They’re scheduled while I have rehearsal and/or work.” Toppings’ case, though, is quite interesting. According to him, he was asked to be Fine Arts Director, and wasn’t elected by the student population. He didn’t run for the position, so he wasn’t acclaimed. Apparently, nobody ran for the position. “I’m not really the Fine Arts Director…the minutes on the URSU [website] are the only thing that say I’m a board of director.” “The previous director and Nathan Sgrazzutti asked me to do it.” He also agrees that Fine Arts students aren’t being represented if he doesn’t show up to these meetings, but also expressed concern that if nobody filled the role, it might go away. “If I don’t do it, who will? That’s kind of my position,” said Toppings. “If nobody assumed the role, I was worried that it would disappear, like it did before. As long as somebody’s name is in the thing, away we go.” Toppings also said that he did get the information package from Sgrazzutti, but didn’t read it. “I didn’t read it…I didn’t want to do the job.” Since he was appointed, Toppings is not a voting member of the board, but is rather ex officio, according to Sgrazzutti.

“He wasn’t elected in the election,” Sgrazzutti explained, “so he can’t vote.” “Ex officio is someone who is a representative and can speak but isn’t actually a voting member of the Board of Directors.” Sgrazzutti explains that nobody expressed interest in the Fine Arts Director position in the last elections. “[Toppings] is the President of the Fine Arts Students’ Association[FASA]… we had no Fine Arts Director running for the by-election and the regular elections.” “The idea was that we would have some sort of representation. We wanted to have someone there for Fine Arts.” Since he is the President of FASA Toppings seemed to be the natural choice. The URSU Constitution and the Elections By-Law are not very clear on this point, but the Elections By-Law does stipulate that if nobody is nominated at the close of the nomination period, “the constituency or position shall remain vacant until the next By-Election of General Election is held.” The Elections By-Law also does say, conversely, that “the representative from any faculty that has an official representative body of a constituency group, and is a member of the Presidents’ Advisory Council, may appoint a representative on the URSU Board of Directors for their constituency.” This semester, URSU has had troubles meeting quorum for its meetings, which is 50 per cent plus one. Two meetings have been cancelled this semester alone. Sgrazzutti called the process “exhausting.”

“The idea that your executive is in there every single day working, working, working, getting things ready and prepped for a board meeting we have every two weeks where it’s up to these board members to come in for a couple of hours just to kind of look at things we’ve decided or listen to presentations from students. That’s your only job.” “If you’re incapable of doing that you should just step down.” Two board members did just that this semester, not because of stopping classes, but working other jobs while still being union members. These were the Luther Director and the Science Director, according to Sgrazzutti. He admitted that he was happy with how they handled the situation. “I’m really happy with the two that decided, ‘you know what? We’ll just step down, it’s fine’” because of their situation. It’s important to add that Sgrazzutti never asked anyone to resign, neither Bell or Toppings nor the other two directors. “I don’t ever want to ask someone to resign from a position they ran for because of course my hope is they’re interested in being as involved as everyone else is.” That being said, the President did praise the harder working members of URSU and the board, some who have at least near if not perfect attendance records. URSU elections are going to take place late in March; as the Carillon went to press, the official dates have not been decided.


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the carillon | Februay 27 - March 5, 2014

news

A wealth of new data

New statistics on Aboriginal people in Canada christell simeon contributor

The population of Aboriginals in Canada grew by approximately one-fifth between 2006 and 2011, according to the findings from the 2011 National Household Survey (NHS) by Statistics Canada. Providing information about the Aboriginal population was the essence of a public policy seminar held on Feb. 18. The seminar was organized by the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy and hosted at the U of R College Building. The seminar entitled ‘A Wealth of New Data’ was open to students, public sector employees and the public. The first presentation was delivered by Tasha Felix, Advisor in the Aboriginal Liaison Program, of Statistics Canada who reported on the findings of the 2011 National Household Survey relevant to the Aboriginal population. The total size of the Aboriginal population based on survey data was just over 1.4 million or 4.3 per cent of the Canadian population. The Aboriginal population is divided among the First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples, of which the First Nations has the largest population size. According to Tasha Felix, “60.8 per cent of Aboriginal people report a First Nations single identity.” With relation to the province of Saskatchewan, the household survey revealed that 10.2 per cent of the Aboriginal population reports a First

Emily Wright Aboriginal education was the main focus of a recent seminar.

Nations identity with 57.8 per cent of them living in reserves throughout the province. In contrast to the other Aboriginal groups, close to three-quarters of the Inuit people live in Inuit Nunangat, which is their tradi-

tional homeland territory in the Northern part of Canada, the 2011 survey confirmed. The most interesting finding of this survey was the pronouncement of the significant difference in the age between

Aboriginals and the non-Aboriginal population. According to Tasha Felix, “the median age for the Aboriginal population is 28, whereas the median age for the non-Aboriginal population is 41.” This confirms that the Aboriginal population is significantly younger than the non-Aboriginal population. The Inuit is the youngest of the Aboriginal population. In Saskatchewan, based on the survey findings, 34 per cent of the Aboriginal population is under the age of 15 and the median age is 29. Two areas of great concern that are evident from the survey is the decline in the ability of Aboriginals to conduct a conversation in their own native language, and the gap between people of Aboriginal identity who complete high school or equivalent education and non-Aboriginal people who complete the same level of education. There was approximately a 4 per cent decline in those Aboriginal people who were able to conduct a conversation in their native language from the 2006 survey, with the Inuit having the most ability to do so. Advisor in Aboriginal Liaison Program, Tasha Felix highlighted the “20 point” difference between the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal population with regards to completion of high-school or equivalent education. This, of course, ultimately affects their ability to obtain a job, earning power and quality of life. Based on survey results, only 45.3 per cent of persons claiming Aboriginal identity gain employment without a high school diploma or equiv-

alent. Of those who do finish high school, the survey affirms the tendency for the Aboriginal population to complete more trade certificates and college diplomas than university degrees. The second part of the presentation was led by Susan Wallace, an analyst in the Social and Aboriginal Statistics Division. Her focus was on the 2012 Aboriginal Peoples Survey, which details the education, employment, health and other core components such as language, housing and mobility of the Aboriginal population. This survey is different from the 2011 NHS because it is not mandatory and it collects information only from persons of Aboriginal identity. Persons of Aboriginal identity are persons who recognized themselves or their descent as being Aboriginal. The sample size of the survey was 51,000 or just under 4 per cent of the total Aboriginal population in Canada. A key point highlighted was the high school completion rates of First Nations people between the ages of 18 to 44 living off the reserve, which was 72 per cent nationally, and 69 per cent in Saskatchewan. The advantage of this survey was its ability to provide details as to the characteristics of those Aboriginal students who did not complete high school or its equivalent. Susan Wallace referred to them as ‘leavers’ whereas those who complete high school are called ‘completers.’ According to the survey, some of the personal characteristics of these ‘leavers’ include skipping classes, arriving late to school and changing schools frequently. Also, the main family characteristic of these ‘leavers’ was that they had siblings who had dropped out of school. The survey additionally uncovered that the primary reasons for teenage girls dropping out of school were pregnancy or childcare responsibilities, while for the opposite sex, the primary reasons were money problems or desire to work. However, finding a job is definitely not an easy task. The 2012 Aboriginal Peoples Survey underlined the major reasons for the lower employment rates of Aboriginals which were: shortage of jobs, lack of education, work inexperience, and no transportation only for those First Nations living off the reserve. The audience was very participative in the presentation. Questions were raised about disability and health issues concerning the Aboriginal population. As to future surveys, Susan Wallace declared that she was unable to confirm if and when there will be another Aboriginal Peoples Survey. Overall, the seminar was extremely informative and enlightening and hopefully, for those who didn’t attend, this will give better insight into these developments and new statistics.


a&c

Editor: Robyn Tocker aandc@carillonregina.com the carillon | Februay 27 - March 5, 2014

So you wanna be published? What it takes to make it

Evan Radford If there was a publishing genie out there, wouldn’t that be swell!

robyn tocker a&c editor If you’re a writer, when you finish your manuscript, you breathe a sigh of relief. There, the big job is over. Wait – what? No, now the fun just begins! You’ve got the manuscript but you can’t just let it collect dust on your desk (or laptop). Time to find a publisher. But just how easy is that? How do you know your book is ready to go to the printer? Do you have the money to afford to publish? So many unanswered questions. But guess what – I’m here to answer them with Saskatchewan’s writers, publishers, and book reviewers. With any industry, there are myths that people buy into. In the publishing world, that’s no different. “[Writing students] think they should be Hemingway when [they] should just find [their] voice,” says book reviewer Devin Pacholik. “People might think that it’s very straightforward to get published,” says Heather Nickel of Your Nickel’s Worth Publishing Company. “That traditional publishers are accepting many manuscripts. The fact of the matter is traditional publishers, all publishers, are very choosy when it comes to selecting manuscripts to be published.” “You’re due for a national book tour and a lot of media attention…that’s just not how it works,” Amber Goldie from Coteau Books publishing company says. “A lot of people don’t understand how flexible publishers are,” says published poet Bruce Rice. There are more myths, like the amount of time needed to market your book, how old you have to be to “become” a writer – the list goes on. To be fair,

getting your book to the printer can be a daunting task. Having spoken to different writers, their experiences reflect only a few ways writers get the chance to become published. Annette Bower, a published ebook writer with a third novel on the way, says she first got published by winning the opportunity for a publisher to take her book under their wing in 2011. “I didn’t know anything about the publishers at the time. I was just happy to have the opportunity. I had been rejected in the past [by other companies].” Bower mentioned how, when she first won the prize, the opportunity to have her book published in print form was still available, but that changed to only being offered in ebook form. Rice also got lucky. He was in Fort Qu’Appelle for a summer writing program and the instructor for one of his classes took an interest in the poetry manuscript he was working on. “I asked what he thought and a couple weeks later he said he wanted to publish it.” Said manuscript, entitled Daniel, won Rice the Canadian Authors Association Award. One thing to remember when seeking out publishers is there are different ways to get your book out there. A common route is through “traditional” publishing, which means a writer sends their manuscript to a publisher with the hope of it getting chosen to be published. Robin Karpan, who works for the self-publishing company Parkland Publishing, says the publishers would then put up the money to put the whole project together. Traditional publishers provide editors, designers, marketing, and distribution channel. Writers would get paid by roy-

alty. “[Authors] see [traditional publishing] as the book being viable more in the long-term, plus they want the credibility of a known publisher’s imprint on their book as opposed to the instant self-gratification of having a book in their hands very quickly,” says Goldie. Self-publishing is on the other end of the spectrum in terms of the publishing world. It’s pretty self-explanatory. You, the author, front the costs to print however many copies of your book you desire (the cost will vary depending on how many you print). The nice thing about self-publishing is all the profit you make, you keep! “Self-publishing is becoming more popular everywhere and part of that has to do with advances in technology. As a writer, we have access to same layout programs than any of the big publishing companies have. It’s becoming less costly,” says Karpan. Another reason why people get into self-publishing is the time factor. “When you’re self-publishing, you have more control over when it will come out.” Karpan also points out that who is actually publishing a book is becoming less and less of an issue. Most times, you can’t tell if a book is self-published or not. Goldie makes the point that, while self-publishing has its advantages, it doesn’t always improve a writer’s credibility. “When you self-publish, it is still assumed in many quarters that you have to do it because your work isn’t good enough to attract a real publisher.” Harsh words with (possibly) some truth in them. Heather Nickel’s company is in between traditional and self-publishing. Wait, how does

that work? “What I do is assist authors to self-publish their work. The manuscript goes through complete editing process and I don’t take on every project. It has to be a viable manuscript… The onus of the expense resides with the author rather than me as the publishing service.” That’s another thing: money. Students never seem to have enough of it, and if you want to publish, you’re going to have a lot less. For traditional publishing, Goldie says this may be a better route since you, the writer, don’t pay to have your book published unlike with self-publishing. As said before, the costs attributed to self-publishing vary depending on the amount of books you want printed, plus all the fun costs of marketing your book once it’s out there. In terms of marketing, there are different ways to go at it. Rice says lots of traveling is involved. “Writers are more expected to help sell their work. Poets who do more readings sell more books than you would though bookstores. You have to get out there and travel.” The internet is a great thing for marketing. Rice mentions how writers are doing blogs now and will do a lot more publishing on websites. For Bower and her ebooks though, the internet isn’t always her friend. “It’s getting noticed that’s the important thing. If you’re out on the great wide open web, how are you going to get your book noticed?” Learning to download her ebook was a challenge and teaching her friends and family was even harder. She also hired companies out of United States who would promote her book by setting up book blogs and

hiring people to interview her. Through this, her book would be promoted. Having her first ebook not available in print form also hurt her chances of winning a Saskatchewan Book Award. “They wanted the book in print copy. I got it coil bound and run off on paper. I’m not saying the book would have won, but it didn’t have a good presentation.” Thankfully, for her second book she has print copies available to make life a little easier. For the future of publishing, look to ebooks and audiobooks. “There will continue to be an expansion in ebooks and self-publishing, but the traditional model isn’t going anywhere. Ebooks will become more of an integrated book experience with embedded video,” says Nickel. “[Writers] know iPhones are in our pocket so if you’re a good writer and you can tell a story, do audio books because that is an untapped market,” says Pacholik For future published writers, Bower has some advice: “Research publishing well and get the best deal you can.” “Know yourself. Be really honest about where you’re at and where your writing is at. Get feedback,” says Rice. Although there isn’t a formula for getting a good review, Pacholik mentions something he looks for. “Changing and posing questions that haven’t been asked before or addressing things that haven’t been explored from certain perspectives.” Every writer starts somewhere. So go pull out that dusty manuscript and get ready! You’re in for a bumpy ride.


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the carillon | Februay 27 - March 5, 2014

a&c

How you doin’ “baby girl?” Shemar Moore’s sexy clothing line kaitlynn nordal contributor

Hey baby girl. These three simple words when said by actor Shemar Moore can make any women weak in the knees. But now women can have a “baby girl” day all while supporting a good cause. In 1998, Moore’s mother Marilyn Wilson was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (M.S.) and he has been doing what he can ever since to not only bring awareness to the public but to raise money to find a cure. “When you’re a kid, your parents are invincible. I always thought of her as my super mom and MS is her kryptonite.” Moore said. To raise money for M.S. research Moore designed clothes and hats with his catch phrase “baby girl” on them. Moore has designed loose rainbow coloured tees, tank tops, and t-shirts. For anyone who is smaller, when it comes to the loose tees and tank tops, you must be careful when purchasing these as it could look like you are drowning in them. These two shirts are perfect for anyone who has larger breasts, as they won’t feel so tight and restraining. The t-shirts are form-fitting and are these are a better choice for anyone who is smaller. Loose tees cost $28; tank tops and t-shirts are $25. There is also a variety of booty shorts for whether you’re at the gym, on a cheer squad, or you’re just way to hot in the

the Carillon: nobody puts baby in the corner since 1962.

etrainer Shemar Moore with his fellow cast mates from Criminal Minds back in 2010.

summer. The shorts come in either black or white. “Baby Girl” is written on the back of them. There is more of a variety of shorts than the different style of shirts. These shorts are more retro with a 1970s feel to them and are more form fitting. If you are more self-conscious about your booty size, take that into consideration when purchasing them. Shorts cost $23. There are a variety of nighties for anyone who likes to sleep in them. They come in either black or white and the writing

is on the front in a variety of colours. These nighties are loose fitting which makes them perfect for anyone who is taller or has larger breasts. Anyone who is smaller and decides to order them must be careful because it could look like you are drowning in them as well. These nighties cost $34. There are many different types of camo baseball style hats. For a limited time, Moore is selling specially made “Baby Girl” and “SFM” hats. All the hats are snap back style so no-

body has to worry about guessing about head size. The camo and “SFM” hats cost $25 while the other two limited edition hats cost $34.99 The clothes come in sizes Small to XXXL. If you take a picture wearing any of the merchandise and send it to babygirl@shemarmoore.com or submit the photo as #babygirlgear on Twitter or Instagram, Moore may select you as his “Baby Girl of the day” and post your picture on his Facebook page.

www.carillonregina.com

Time to scare your pants off Go play Outlast to see what we mean koby schwab contributor

The survival horror genre has been through a lot these past few years. Once proud franchises like Silent Hill and Resident Evil, and promising new series like Dead Space have gradually alienated most of their target audience by moving emphasis from a tense, horrific atmosphere to plasma rifles and grenade launchers. It’s hard to feel like you’re in any immediate danger when you and your chums are all armed to the teeth. But there has been a silver lining to the black cloud that is survival horror: the rise of independent horror games, such as Amnesia and Penumbra. But if Lovecraftian horror or clunky interfaces aren’t your thing, consider playing Outlast. Outlast has been out for a while now on PC and has been played to death on YouTube, but it has recently seen release on Playstation 4, so I figured now is a good time to recommend a game that people may

Mike O’Neill We couldn’t find someone playing the game, but here, have a soldier on an iPad.

have missed it the first time around. In Outlast you play as Miles Upsher, an investigative journalist sent on an assignment to uncover some dirty, corporate secrets at Mount Massive Asylum. Using only his handheld camcorder, Miles plans to uproot a corrupt pharmaceutical company that has been doing morally questionable things all over the

globe, but his plan quickly goes awry when he finds rooms full of dead bodies and butchered S.W.A.T. Teams. The following romp around the asylum has Miles finding documents, recording events, and helping shady characters that begin to reveal what happened to the asylum and its patients. But the cults, characters, and Supernatural twists are all

subordinate to the gameplay. There’s no gun, no wrench, no knife, the only weapon Miles has is survival. He can’t fight back against the mutilated patients. All he can do is run and hide. This focus on stealth as opposed to combat has been the central mechanic of most successful horror games as of late and is implemented well here.

The setting is dark and disturbing, the antagonists are scary and formidable, and the only source of light you have is the night vision function on the camcorder. The dwindling supply of batteries forces you to keep a sharp eye out, but also urges you to push forward in order to conserve power. What do you do when you run out of batteries? I have no idea, I’ve been too scared to find out. Overall, Outlast is a survival horror game worthy of praise. It’s a truly terrifying game, even though it often sacrifices its fantastic atmosphere for cheap jump-scares. The focus on stealth as opposed to shooty action is refreshing, and the story is as involving as you want it be (although it’s a little convoluted from the middle on). It’s gorgeous, imperfect, and scary as all hell, which is all I’ve ever really wanted from a survival horror game. If you’re feeling up to it, put on your headphones, turn off the lights, and revert to the fetal position with Outlast.


the carillon | Februay 27 - March 5, 2014

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Of music and politics A Tribe Called Red talks about both liam fitz-gerald contributor

On Feb. 18, Regina was visited by the Dub step/dance group A Tribe Called Red who played at the Exchange. At 8:30 p.m., eager fans were graced by the presence of the band, consisting of Bear Witness, DeeJay Shub and DeeJay NDN, who took to their turntables to give their audience an amazing show. The Ottawa based group combines synthesized dub step tracks with traditional First Nations singing. Not only did the band play non-stop (and some of the audience danced nonstop), playing an encore of material from a yet-to-be-released album, they had a hoop dancer. A young man would occasionally come out and dance along with the band performing impressive gymnastic manoeuvres. The Friday before the show, Bear Witness chatted via phone about the tour, the band’s politics, their experience in the music industry and some details on their upcoming album. On the tour, Witness described the experience thus far as “amazing.” “We’ve had an amazing tour, shows in Canada have sold out and are better than they’ve been before,” he says, emphasizing that the current Turtle Island Tour that the band is leading had a good start in London, Ontario. He also spoke a bit about

Indoor Recess Inc. Who would have thought morphing Dub step and traditional music would be so cool.

the band’s politics. A Tribe Called Red have been vocal supporters of the Idle No More movement and have been concerned with how First Nations people are portrayed in popular media. Last August, the band took to Twitter to ask non-First-Nations to quit wearing war paint and headdresses to shows, saying that their actions were offensive. Witness says the group is speaking out against stereotypes of Indigenous peoples, commenting that fans have

been good about this request, and he has not seen as much of this behavior at shows since. When asked if he considers A Tribe Called Red to be a political band in the same vein as Rage Against The Machine, Witness says he doesn’t quite see the group in the same way. “Rage Against the Machine was really based around their politics in their music. Our music has become political as we’re creating music for the Indigenous urban community and

claiming space within the urban setting,” he says, saying that this process gets political very quickly. Witness comments that A Tribe Called Red’s experience in the music industry has been “incredibly positive” and the people they have worked with have been excellent. Witness praises the team of agents and producers who have helped the group get to where they are. He says that they have also received praises from their DJ peers like Dirty South Joe.

He also spoke about the new album for 2014, calling it more “collaborative” with different artists, indigenous and non-indigenous and different musical backgrounds. He mentioned 2014 would be filled with touring and producing and creating the new album. While he gave no release date for the album he did say that fans could expect singles to be released over the coming the months and hear them at the shows.

Conning the Oscars American Hustle is a must-see laura billett contributor

February is a tough month, filled with midterms and a strong desire to escape all that is bitter and cold. This year, the return to classes from reading week is particularly upsetting: not only do we lose reading week’s freedom, but the Olympics are finished. Luckily, this weekend there is another event to distract us from our real lives and blind us with unrealistic dreams of fame and glory: the Oscars! Hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, the 86th Academy Awards cannot be missed this Sunday, March 2. While it is nearly impossible to watch all nominated films, there are a few that are a definite must-see. American Hustle is one such film that cannot be missed. Its numerous nominations are indicative of its well written story and elaborate design. With an ideal balance of comedy and drama, the movie is captivating. The plot centers on con

artist Irving (Christian Bale) and his partner Sydney (Amy Adams) as they are forced to work for FBI agent, Richie (Bradley Cooper). Things become really interesting when the three get mixed up with politicians and the mafia. As the trio fall deeper into the dangerous realm of deception and riches, all is threatened by the wild carelessness of Irving’s unstable wife, Rosalyn (Jennifer Lawrence). American Hustle transports you to the exhilarating world of classy American deceit. The cast is perfect; they create a dynamic that has you on the edge of your seat the whole 138 minutes. Lawrence is hilariously convincing as a careless, self-centered, and ignorant house wife, while Adams is equally compelling as an intelligent, fake Brit who charms her way into what she wants. Bale and Cooper are also stark contrasts. Cooper is hot-headed and outspoken while Bale is confident and sly – the perfect con man. The cast works wonders together, their

Gage Skidmore Look at how bright eyed Jennifer Lawrence was a year ago. So cute.

differences making you laugh, while keeping you suspicious and unsuspecting until the last five minutes where everything is at once clarified and turned on its head. The movie casts a wonderful spell upon you as you watch it. The equally glamorous and

cringe-worthy style of the 1970s is fabulously portrayed from Adams’s luxurious dresses to Bale’s pot-belly and gold chains. Beauty and ugliness are melded together throughout the entire film. The con artists are cheating, lying, doing whatever it takes and ruining whom-

ever it takes to make themselves rich, while maintaining a strong sense of friendship and loyalty. Love and greed equally dominate the film, making anything possible. Every year, there are certain films that clean out the Academy Awards. Four nominations short of The Titanic (1997) and About Eve’s (1950) record-holding 14, American Hustle boasts 10 nominations: actor in a leading role (Christian Bale), actor in a supporting role (Bradley Cooper), actress in a leading role (Amy Adams), actress in a supporting role (Jennifer Lawrence), best picture, costume design (Michael Wilkinson), directing (David Russell), film editing, production design, and writing (original screenplay). It is a movie you have to see before the ceremonies this Sunday as it is bound to win. Even if you are not a fan of the Oscars, who doesn’t love seeing wealthy swindlers being outsmarted by the everyday con artists!

The equally glamorous and cringe-worthy style of the 1970s is fabulously portrayed from Adams’s luxurious dresses to Bale’s pot-belly and gold chains.


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the carillon | Februay 27 - March 5, 2014

a&c

Sex, drugs, and wolves The Wolf of Wall Street is full of sins michael carlisle contributor

Martin Scorsese, born Nov. 17, 1942 in New York, is a legendary American filmmaker who has directed over 40 feature-length films including Gangs of New York, Taxi Driver and Raging Bull. He has won countless awards, including an Oscar for The Departed, and is best known for his gritty gangster flicks that are reminiscent of the gangster pictures of the ‘70s. Recently, he made The Wolf of Wall Street, and it is shrouded in controversy. A former American stockbroker is currently suing the film. Scorsese’s raunchy film is based on the true story of stockbroker/criminal Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DeCaprio), from his rise to a wealthy stockbroker living the high life to his fall involving crime, corruption and the federal government. The opening shot of Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street involves Jordan Belfort snorting cocaine out of a prostitute’s ass. If you are shocked by this then you probably shouldn’t see the film, because the char-

Siebbi Leo finally won an award with this movie. Is the world ending?

acters and situations get more sleazy and slimy as time goes on. The “F” word is used a record breaking 506 times, or three times per minute, and there is sex galore, including a brief 10+ person orgy. Wolf of Wall Street is a great departure from his last flick Hugo, a childlike tale about a boy living in the

clock of a train station. According to DeCaprio, the cast and crew were able to “push the envelope” with their depiction of over-the-top sexual acts and scenes in Wolf and “make the movie they wanted to” because they were financed independent and not limited by studio censorship.

Ever since Gangs of New York (2002), Scorsese displayed regrets of being involved with the studio system, so it’s great to see him finally be himself. Wolf will make you laugh, cringe and cry all without having to suspend your belief. The main characters are truly gangster; unlike the mobsters

in Goodfellas they are less violent, however they are also less pre-occupied with rules and traditions. Anything goes in Wolf because Scorsese injects it with a vital dose of id (Freudian term which describes the part of the psyche that is purely desire and instinct). Part of why this film is appealing is because the main character does things we could only fantasize about. We live vicariously through him throughout most of the running time. Scorsese’s film is full of every cardinal sin short of murder, yet his camera is reluctant to step back and be an observer rather than a participant in Belfort’s gripping adventures. The director does not make a defining judgement about the morality of the tale; if he were to do so then it would only dumb down his picture. He relies on the intelligence of his audience to get his message, because it’s not out in plain view. Some will condemn Wolf for celebrating debauchery; others will celebrate Wolf for its satire of the sex, drugs and rock and roll lifestyle. Scorsese has made a polarizing picture and will definitely incite conversation.

There will be no “Wylde” puns here Zakk Wylde brings unplugged show to Canada kyle leitch production manager

On a cold February night in Saskatoon, anyone in the vicinity of the Broadway Theatre would have been treated to a blockslong line of denim and leather clad bikers, drinking, smoking, and singing the national anthem at top volume. No, the Sons of Anarchy cosplay convention hasn’t been rescheduled. Zakk Wylde—formerly of Ozzy Osbourne and current frontman of Black Label Society—brought a more intimate acoustic show to Saskatoon for stop four of his ten-day Canadian tour. Seeing as I’d never been to a Black Label Society show (damn my employment at WalMart!), I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to catch the authentic BLS experience I’d missed for so many years, despite the fact that it was an acoustic show. As it turns out, I wasn’t going to miss a thing. Despite being billed as a solo acoustic show, Zakk was there with a twenty-four-yearold guitarist from the Las Vegas chapter. Zakk joked at one point that this youngster was going to take over the Black Label Society, and that he was going to retire. The show itself was odd, to say the least. Although the show was advertised as Zakk Wylde Solo, the stage was adorned

Kyle Leitch This was as close as we could legally get to Zakk Wylde with a camera.

with Black Label Society flags and backdrop. The set was two hours long with no intermission, and was comprised of material from BLS, Pride & Glory, and Wylde’s solo album. Wylde switched between playing acoustic guitar and piano at various points throughout the concert, and his proficiency at both was undeniably entertaining. In interviews preceding the

tour, Wylde said that he was bringing acoustic guitars and pedals to make his acoustic sound like his electrics, “when the song needed it.” As it turns out, every fucking song in the set needed it, as it didn’t sound like Wylde was playing an acoustic at all. Every song began, ended with, or featured a minutes-long squealing guitar solo, which amounted to Zakk

Wylde playing scales at 4,000 beats per minute. I can safely say that I have never been more bored by such clear technical virtuosity. The solo in “Stillborn” was so long, I forgot what song it was a part of. On top of that, the audio mix for Zakk Wylde’s guitar was terribly off. At any one moment, it sounded like the Broadway speakers were going to cut out, they were clipping so bad. The

the Carillon: country goodness and green pea-ness since 1962.

only perfect mixes came during “In This River”, and “Spoke in the Wheel”, when Wylde was on piano detail. Later in the set, Wylde was interacting with the crowd a bit. Touching moments like the tribute to “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott were juxtaposed with Wylde telling the crowd that his Biotene spray was actually vaginal discharge, and assuring the crowd that, “It’s full of cunt-ry goodness!” Charming. As cool as it was to finally get to see one of the Gods of Metal that I revered when I was younger, I think I’m going to skip further Zakk Wylde “Solo Acoustic” shows.


Proudly present:

The 2014 Literary Supplement Table of Contents Page II

“Dear Diary,” by Karla Klein “An Opus to Your Face,” by Shaadie Musleh “RLS,” Taylor Marshall “If We Were to be Honest,” by John Loeppky

Page III

mrwallpaper.com

The Dragon’s Heart by Kelsey Behm

“The King looked out upon his kingdom, knowing what he had to do. None of his knights had been able to slay the dreaded dragon that was terrorizing the villages, so the King himself would go to protect them. As he headed towards the Monolith in the east-” “What’s a mon-no-lithe?” Billy asked, finally deciding on his Wrestle Mania action figure to be their king. Julie pointed to the table she had set up a few feet from her Barbie’s Dream Castle. “It’s the table. I think it’s a mountain, where the dragon lives.” She said, placing her blue, stuffed dragon on top of it as she spoke. “That’s dumb, just call it a mountain.” Billy scoffed, holding their ‘king’ above the castle and mimicking him traveling to the table. Half way through, Billy decided the king could fly like a super-hero and began swinging him through the air while making whooshing sounds. “Towards the mountain in the east,” Julie continued after amending the offending statement, “he knew that the world itself was resting on his fate. Live or die, the King-” “Get to the fight already!” Billy interrupted again, smashing the king into the stuffed dragon a few times. Julie rolled her eyes, but flipped to the next page. “When the King finally reached the dragon’s keep, he pulled out his sword and began an epic battle with the beast.” Julie read. “Hi-Yaw!” Billy screamed, smashing the dragon and king together multiple times and then making them wrestle in the air as Julie read on. “As the dragon lunged forward to deliver a fatal blow, the King thrust his sword into its chest, stabbing it in the heart.” Julie stopped reading immediately and stared at Billy in horror, knowing what was coming. Billy grabbed his plastic sword from the corner of the room and ran towards Julie’s tiny blue dragon, screaming all the way. “Billy!” Julie screamed, grabbing the stuffed dragon and hugging it tight to her chest, “You can’t stab Bubbles! He’ll tear!” Billy groaned, rolling his eyes and making a grab for the dragon, but Julie twisted out of reach. “If you break it I’m telling mom!” Julie was crying

now. Billy stopped, not wanting to get grounded yet again. “We have to stab something.” Billy tried to plead with his sister, “That’s how the story ends!” Julie thought for a moment, then said, “Well, it says we have to stab the heart... Can’t you just find something to play that?” Billy’s eyes lit up at the idea and he ran out of the room, shouting back, “I know what to do!” A few moments later, Billy returned with a melon in his arms, grinning like a fool. “What’s that supposed to be?” Julie asked, wary and still clutching Bubbles protectively. Billy simply beamed and said, “The dragon’s heart!” before dropping the melon unceremoniously on the floor, relishing in the thunk sound it made. Without hesitation, Billy grabbed his plastic sword and whacked the poor fruit with all his might. After a few tries, he gave it a mighty stab and watching in absolute glee as the melon split into three pieces. “I have slain the dragon!” Billy cheered in his deepest voice, “All shall bow before me!” Unable to stop herself, Julie giggled as she began to play the peasants, whooping and cheering for the heroic king, “Long live the king!” The two siblings sat within the drenched carpet of their bedroom, munching happily on melon and arguing over what story to play next. “You promised me I could be a princess next time.” Julie was saying, pouting in her masterful way until Billy finally agreed. “Fine. But I get to be a knight and rescue you from something really, really bad!” He said, dreaming of what creatures he could slay. Julie nodded in glee, and the two were, for once, content. “...Mom isn’t going to be happy about the mess.” The sudden realization simply dropped from Julie’s mouth, and all at once the two were at war once more. “Mom!” Billy screamed, running from the room, “Julie made a mess!” “I did not! It was all Billy’s fault!”

“The Bard of Ukraine (March 9, 1814 - March 10, 1861),” by Marion Mutala “Maps,” by Robyn Tocker “I am a Child of the Earth,” by Sharon Engbrecht “Crooked Trees,” by Marion Mutala “Relief,” by Debbie Adair

Page IV

“What Language Can Do,” by Lara Stroudt “There Aren’t Enough Words,” by Robyn Tocker

Carnival by Debbie Adair

She hears the rush and fall of voices with every spin of the wheel. Garish lights in blinding motion; worn-out speakers lure muffled seductions. Too large and too pink teddy bears, leopards with hard and stiff bodies carried by fingers, sticky and intertwined. Strangers saunter behind other strangers; workers smirk behind sunglasses, even at this hour. She supposes the “Fun House” might be the scariest place there is. It rains, briefly, and they gasp and she gasps. But it is only for a moment. Their ice-cream cones go by. One silver-foiled balloon teases and drifts. Music bounces over one head to another, curves, thunders, then curves again. From this distance she can hold the wheel in the palm of her hand. It spins. The grass is wet beneath her; lights begin to melt into one another. She tires, lets it drop. Her face, now, turning away.


Dear Diary by Karla Klein

He hit Mom. He’s never laid a hand on me but that’s only because Mom always steps in and takes the lashing. They were yelling at each other and the only thing I could think of was this my fault? I wasn’t the best at expressing my feelings and I regret what I did. I opened the top drawer and inside were eyebrow scissors. I took them and I dug them into my skin. The following months at school were rough. Every other day it was the same thing. He’d get drunk, find something to go off about and Mom would pay the price for his intoxicated rage. Then there was me in the bathroom cutting my arms because I couldn’t stop. At school one day my teacher called me in during break to talk. I saw my parents sitting in the desks across from my teacher’s desk at the front of the classroom when I walked in. My teacher told me that I was failing everything and that I needed a tutor right away. I felt sheer terror when my Dad looked at me with the scariest expression. When I got home Dad walked up to me and he swung out his belt and started beating me. The pain I felt was nothing like the pain I felt when I cut myself. This was much worse because I couldn’t control it. I was convulsing while my mother watched from the couch weeping. He stopped after he broke skin and walked to his bedroom and slammed the door. Mom ran to hug me but I ran outside. I was shaking horribly on the ground blocks from my house. I decided leaving wouldn’t solve anything so I went back home once I knew everyone would be asleep. I made the mistake of saying something to Dad the next day at dinner. Mom and I started to clean up the kitchen once he was done. I nonchalantly asked Dad to put his dish in the dishwasher that was open. He instantly walked up to me and backhanded me so hard that I hit the counter and fell to the floor. He started swearing at me and slammed the door as he went outside. Not long after there was a knock at the door and Mom saw our neighbour standing outside the door with a sheepish look on her face. I have never seen another person in our place in the whole five years that we lived in the apartment building. She just placed her hand on top of Mom’s hand and everyone just looked at each other. Mom asked me if it was okay that I leave the room so that they could talk. They must have talked for a while because Dad came home and he was not thrilled that there was another person in the house. I guess it was some unwritten rule about privacy. My neighbour left quickly and he struck Mom.

The next week my teacher called me into his room again asking about my grades. I stared into the distance and avoided eye contact. My teacher caught a glimpse of the bright purple outline of a hand on my neck. I had put makeup on the rest of my bruises but the collar of my hood rubbed the cover-up off. He bluntly asked me to take off my sweater. We stood there in silence. Honestly, I had no idea what to do. I could tell my teacher what happened or I could continue with my miserable life. I took off my sweater slowly because my bruises and cuts were still tender. I reluctantly told him everything and he wanted to get me help, especially when he noticed the numerous cuts all over my arms. I feel bad but I panicked and I told him no and left. I just wasn’t brave enough to take action to end it. He must have contacted Mom behind my back because the next day she sat me down and we talked about everything. I told her I wanted a life where no one got hurt. She agreed. My mom proceeded to write a good-bye note to Dad and told me to pack my things. She said we would leave to a safer place. We went to our neighbour’s apartment and started planning for permanent arrangements elsewhere. Dad had finished his drinking early for some reason because we heard destruction and screams from our apartment. Mom held me as we heard glass shatter. What was next? I told my teacher everything and I finally asked for help the next day at school. We went to the police station together after school and I filed a report. Mom was sitting on the couch crying when I got home. He was gone. We got our home back and we got rid of the tyrant. I am awaiting Dad’s court case next month. We had a restraining order and he is currently in jail. I went to the city jail and sat at the table waiting for him. He had been in jail for a few weeks and when he finally came out there was no expression on his face. He simply sat down. I told him that he tried to destroy our lives and since he left, Mom has become herself again and I have never seen her so happy. I told him that I just finished rehab and I am feeling much better. I looked him in the eyes and said that he deserves this and I will never see him again. I stood up to leave him when he asked how I could do that to him. I stood tall and said to him that if he didn’t want me treat him like trash then he shouldn’t have treated Mom and me like trash. I walked away from the jail with a weight lifted off my shoulders.

An Opus to Your Face Roses are red, Violets Are blue, I hate your face, Fuck you, too.

by Shaadie Musleh

RLS

by Taylor Marshall

Gravel under my shoes. Crunching, grinding. The moment before coming. Tightening, suspending. Leaves with a particularly green sheen, Blowing, reflecting. Intangible pleasures that quench both material and incorporeal needs. A rest. A transient peace. Paralyzing, reviving. That sows an unnameable restlessness. Stumbling. Laughing. I’ll move forward, I guess.

If We Were to be Honest by John Loeppky

He was a tall drink of cyanide, The Venus chick trap of roses. If his high school had kept a weekly douche report, he would have been #1 on the depth chart. Then he started dating a girl and the student body hoped, (Against a highly probable analysis by the calculus class,) and a thorough exploration by the Aspiring Feminist’s Club, That she could be the first woman in human history to fix a man *without medical intervention. That he could be loveable even with his athletic misgivings, sans short lived game plans of 5 receiver sets and ass grabs. Alas, she failed. *there’s always a catch


The Bard of Ukraine (March 9, 1814-March 10, 1861) by Marion Mutala Taras Shevchenko, we remember you Peasant’s son, orphaned at 11 Unschooled layman Cultured serf We remember your freedom Life’s small victories

compassion and prayers for Ukrainian people All people Humanity Greed rampant Leaders silent Governments deaf No one listened to your cries then or now But still… we remember

We remember you suffered And spoke as a wandering minstrel in Kobzar Gave testament in Zapovit A literary genius, Great humanitarian, poet, artist speaking through one thousand works Free or serf, slave or not Your voice resonates from the grave, continual shout for fairness, justice, equality “End oppression” “Eliminate poverty, share wealth” “Take care of woman, children, especially orphans” We

remember

your

We remember And shout your words “Stop oppression” “Stop selfishness” “Stop war” We remember And pay tribute Especially on your 200th anniversary since birth We are reminded of great efforts for change Ideas, beliefs and vision “Create peace” “Hope” “A new and better world” Today, tomorrow and always… We remember you The Bard of Ukraine

Maps

by Robyn Tocker I have been looking everywhere for you We surfaced when the world was still in metamorphosis I swam continents looking for land I found you instead Fast forward a millennia we’re building pyramids for gods we’re told exist but the only thing I can feel is the sun on my bones and your hand in mine

that we played through labyrinths Instead you promised this was a forever deal I had to watch you burn at the stake You saw me dragged onto the slave ship in chains We worked together in cotton fields street corners coffee shops We traded free love under the banner of the sixties and I promised I would always find you

We met again when Aphrodite shot us up with love arrows and I thought it was just a game

November 2013 It’s snowing I’m still looking for you.

I am a Child of the Earth by Sharon Engbrecht

I am a child of the Earth Of all its history; Of all its knowledge; And of all its ignorance For, many years ago, someone decided We are born of the earth And return to it Becoming ash and dust And no more than dirt in rotting coffins I am a child of this inheritance A child of an idea Born to a pregnant universe A child of the yawning patience Of a mother who outlives all her children With moments of regret or pity Who smiles and weeps And watches As choices are made And actions are taken As those lives reach out towards the sun And slowly curl back towards the earth I am a child to learn A curious child A child taught to want

And later taught the value of wanting not A child who knows death will one day greet him, take his hand and the borrowed time will be given back A wide blink in how life is understood Remembered past. Dreamt of futures. Living until now becomes before. A moment too unpredictable to really grasp But we still are only children of the earth I: a child of the Earth What I offer is everyone’s and no one’s And as a child of the earth I am everyone’s and no one’s I offer a grain of sand—captured or given—by the slow rise of the universe As Earth ebbs and flows I am that universe and that grain of sand Washed about in the murky waters Sifted by destiny; Polished by Fate; And thrown back once Time is finished But for one brief moment: I am a child of the Earth

Crooked Trees by Marion Mutala

Scientists came to investigate So did the common man Perhaps it is in the water or something in the land Nature again demonstrates Power over our need to know Can we not just enjoy them? The beauty of God’s show Crooked trees, crooked trees, crooked trees

Relief

by Debby Adair

What you would call it, if you could just put the leaf back on to the tree.


What Language Can Do by Lara Stroudt

(A Glossa) We cannot sweat here. Our skin is icy. We cannot breed here. Our wombs are empty. Help us to escape youth and beauty. Write us out of the poem. Make us human Eavan Boland “What Language Did” The dawn illuminates the midnight frost. The fog bends light to create purple. A road disappears east toward the soft hues of the mandarin horizon. The journey looks softer in the morning. The Willow and Poplar are still, straight, and lovely in their brilliant white cloaks, frozen, yet dancing within. I share in the cold pleasure of light and mist; senses busy. We cannot sweat here. Our skin is icy. I sit here and feel the crackle of the dawn. The music comes as I begin to pen what I remember of that morning. My eye captured the moment through the lens of time. The pictures are static moments; still like the pine, who stand splendidly, like vigilant soldiers. Yet my song moves

in lines. The lilac light strokes the air between words. My heart contracts. I breathe. We cannot breed here. Our wombs are empty. I turn to face the western sky; the mist parts to reveal the Maple clothed in their sequin gowns. The night shrouds their dressing rooms; trees only dress in the dark. I long to share their frosty secrets and to dangle crystals from my limbs. Instead, my ink flows liquid like the blood of a tree under wooden skin. The hazy morning will give way to the bright winter sun and trees will step out of their fancy drapery. Help us to escape youth and beauty. The voices tangle in my head and I reply with another line of euphony: The yellowy wheat wrapped in glacial veils bow; their feathery fingers brush my cheek as I lay in the wintery weeds. Here the fragments are reborn into lyric and language becomes illusion; The Poplar and the Willow will dance in gowns made of diamonds and the Pine soldiers will hold their ebony limbs high, while the mist causes confusion. Write us out of the poem. Make us human.

There Aren’t Enough Words Please don’t go. I am screaming but you can’t hear me. It’s dark here, and cold. Come back. Please don’t leave. I don’t want you to walk out that door. Once you go you can’t come back and I don’t know how I’m supposed to handle that. I wasn’t supposed to like how your hands held me. I wasn’t supposed to get used to this sharpness of breath that snuck in whenever you were close. I have shattered. Something broke apart and split into slivers that dig into my skin, trying to poke through the muscle and tissue. They are trying to reach you. My hands can’t touch you anymore and my body isn’t ready for that thought yet. I can’t be poetic about this. You said you never wanted to hurt me. You cried. You told me secrets. You held on. I gripped you too tightly. We are killing each other. I wish you well. I wish you were here. I am still screaming for you. Why did you have to do that? Why did you brush my cheek, leaving fingerprints over my dimples? I can still smell you on my clothes and the spots I kept close to my heart. You ran scarred hands across my shaking body and I twisted my hand, gripping your shirt because I thought if I held on tighter you wouldn’t go. I wanted you to stay. I want you back here. When you asked me what you could do, I told you to take us back to the beginning. What I wanted to say was much more desperate. Come back. Stay the night. Take back what we said. Pretend it didn’t happen. Live in the lie we had survived in for weeks. I never ran after anyone before. My hair was (is) a

by Robyn Tocker

mess and your lips seared sadness on my forehead and all I remember is thinking this can’t be the end you can’t leave it can’t be happening again and those boots were there and I just had to do it. I had to go. I had to know. It was (is) cold and the air smelt like snow. Your car was just about to pull away. You stopped. I didn’t know what to say. I still don’t know. You asked me what I was doing there and I wanted to tell you to come back but I lied. I do that quite well. If we were different people, it could have been romantic. Everything we said, everything we did, was tainted by the knowledge that we were over. Whatever we had was gone. Your lips tasted of a sickness I never heard of. It was (is) killing you. I can still feel your leather gloves on my cheek. The one thing I can’t forget no matter how hard I try is that moment when you fumbled for your jacket and I fumbled for words. My voice contracted and I couldn’t stop screaming stay please stay please please please but they never got out. Maybe you heard it when I said if we were in a different lifetime we could have made it. Maybe if you were right and I was right and the world was right, maybe if there wasn’t a god, maybe if there was. I can’t stop screaming. Can you hear me now? I went the whole day without crying. I almost didn’t even feel sad. But it’s night now so I can break the rules. I have been writing for twenty minutes and I don’t feel like I’ve said anything at all. A single tear, that’s all I’ve managed to shed. What the hell is wrong with me? I really hope you didn’t cry today. Is it fucked up that I don’t want you to be sad? Because I don’t. I hate it that you went home and didn’t sleep. I hate how the next day all we did was feel sad, alone. I almost called you. I almost asked you to come over. But I didn’t want

you to listen to me cry. How fucked up is that? Everyone else thinks you messed up but all I see is the fact that I could have stopped texting you, or asking you to come over, or making you take up a place in my heart that you weren’t ready (will never be ready) to fill. I fucked up. I’m sorry. This is supposed to make me feel better. My stomach is releasing, little by little, where I don’t feel like curling up into a ball anymore. But I still want you here. Will I always? God I hope not. You can always tell by the kiss. We made the right choice. I still want to spend all day in bed crying. This feels like a break up but we were never together so how can we be breaking up I don’t understand do you? Please come back. I sound like I’m begging. Maybe I am. Come back. I am cold and my couch is empty except for the pillows that are trying to fill up the space you left. I am cold and my head hurts and my hands miss being covered by yours. Kisses aren’t supposed to be endings. You can still make me laugh. We are fucked up people. I don’t want to say goodbye to you. Maybe if I keep adding more lines and words and commas we won’t have to get to the period. Maybe we can put it off for another day or month or year or lifetime. Wouldn’t that be wonderful? Oh no, here it comes. I’m running out of words. I just keep thinking the same thing over and over. Please come back. Please. Please. Please.

the Carillon: supporting the growth of writing on campus since 1962


sports ROUNDTABLE

Editor: Autumn McDowell sports@carillonregina.com the carillon | Februay 27 - March 5, 2014

Pete Yee/The Sheaf We gotta lotta losses.

taylor sockett, kyle leitch, brady lang, autumn mcdowell new men’s hockey coaches

The Cougars men’s hockey team was kept out of the post-season after back-toback losses to the University of Saskatchewan Huskies. What needs to change in the off-season for the team to get back to the playoffs next year? Sockett: Coach Todd Johnson needs to pull his head out of his ass. There are players like Carter Seligner who generated the only offense in what was a pathetic 4-1 loss to the U of S that see next to no ice time. Meanwhile you have players that consistently make mistakes every shift and see plenty of ice time. Get it together, Todd, or you’re going to be looking far a new job real quick. Leitch: Take a look at what they did this season, primarily in the last two games, and just do the opposite of that. That might be a good place to at least theoretically start. Lang: Bringing in a good set of rookies will help the team grow in the long run, but the team is close now. Immediate help is needed. McDowell: Well, rumour has it that former Cougars forward

Matt Strueby will be returning to the team after serving an academic suspension, as well as a stint in pro hockey. His time spent on the ice in Colorado and Australia should help the team. Also, we aren’t losing many players to graduation, so the playoffs should be well within reach next year. What was your favourite Olympic moment of 2014? Sockett: The Olympic ring not lighting up, that’s what Russia gets for trying to out do us proud Canadians. To be honest as much as I enjoy watching the games I’m happy they’re over, now I can get back to some degree of normality in life like not taking two hour lunch breaks from work to watch hockey.

McDowell: Oh, tough call. Could it be the women’s hockey team battling back to beat the United States? Could it be watching the United States women’s team crying after they lost their seemingly safe lead? Or maybe it’s the fact that Canada won gold in men’s hockey and the United States didn’t even receive a medal this year. Do you notice a pattern here? Did you get up at 6:00am on Sunday to watch the men’s hockey gold medal game? Why or why not? Sockett: Negative, sports editor McDeezy would not leave my house when she was initially politely asked. Alas, I was kept up too late to possibly stay awake for the gold medal showdown.

Leitch: The end of the fucking thing. Every four years, I shudder every time I turn on the TV, because there’s this huge swelling of false patriotic bravado and hoodwinked fanaticism for sports that people don’t give a shit about for the other 3.9 years in between Olympic events. It’s sickening.

Leitch: No, because I was doing what sane people should have been doing: sleeping.

Lang: Obviously watching the men’s win back-to-back Olympic gold medals was great, but there was something special to me about Alex Bolideau winning his second gold medal as well.

McDowell: This pains me to say. In fact, I am now questioning whether I am even Canadian now. But no, I didn’t. I’m not gonna try and justify it, but I didn’t do it. I’m gonna go cry in a corner now.

Lang: I tried pulling the all nighter, but after a long night I woke up at 6 and had a shower then proceeded to fall asleep on my couch the second I got back for the game.

Regina-born snowboarder Mark McMorris, though the gold medal favourite, placed bronze in slopestyle this year. Do you think he will be back in 2018 to go for gold? Sockett: Who knows, with McMorris being so young we could see the Bieber effect and fame mixed with America turn him into a super-douche that is too big of a deal for the Olympics. Leitch: Sure, and MTV will film the whole training and actual event, and it will make up the entirety of season five of McMorris and McMorris. Which will give me something else to ignore on TV that time of year. Lang: The easy answer is yes, but we’ve all seen how quickly it can leave you – ie. Shaun White. McDowell: Yeah, I’m sure he will be back. Hopefully this time an untimely injury won’t keep him from the gold medal. More importantly, I hope Craig is back doing the commentating because holy kittens, that kid is good. The place of women’s hockey in the Olympics has long been debated. But, after the amazing gold medal game that was played between the U.S. and Canada, do you think women’s hockey should be taken out of the Olympics, or stay?

Sockett: I have long since blamed the Canadian women for this debate even existing. If they didn’t classlessly beat down emerging hockey countries 10 to nothing, maybe there would be more competition. No one wants to go the Olympics to be embarrassed like that, and though my Dad will disagree there is no point in having a twohorse race for women’s hockey every time. They might as well just have Canada and the U.S. play for gold and do a raffle for bronze. Leitch: It may as well stay in. It’s one of the things Canada excels at, and there’s no debating the intense level of athleticism involved in the sport. See? I’m capable of thoughtful answers once in a while. Lang: It should stay. No questions asked. McDowell: Okay, so yes the battle was very exciting, but it was the same battle that has been happening year after year. It always ends up being Canada and the United States in the final, and quite frankly I am sick of it. Four out of the last five Olympics have been the exact same showdown. If other countries can’t step it up and actually provide some solid competition for these two teams, then it should be removed until the competition is increased. I am so going to hear about this.


16

the carillon | Februay 27 - March 5, 2014

sports

One for the record books

Rookie Leah Shevkenek has a strong first CIS season Cougars weekend highlights The men’s track and field team are officially Canada West Champions. The squad had strong performances from numerous members of the squad, including a one-two finish from fifth-years Jeremy Eckert and Connor MacDonald in high jump and a second place performance from third-year Arthur Ward in triple jump. There were too many incredible performances to name them all, the Cougars will now have a weekend off to prepare for the CIS Championships, which will also be hosted by the University of Alberta.

Arthur Ward That’s her, No. 2, she’s good.

brady lang sports writer Leah Shevkenek has had a rookie season to remember. The rookie product from Calgary, Alberta was named women’s volleyball Canada West rookie of the year on Wednesday after making a huge impact as a starting member of the squad in just her first year. Shevkenek was well diverse in her play on the court, finishing first on the team in service aces with 27, while also adding 35 kills. It was also her impressive defensive performance that kept her so well rounded, adding 32 blocks and placing fourth in digs with 168. The setter accomplished all of this by starting all 22 matches for the club fresh out of high school and finished the regular season with a Canada West single-season record 860 assists, breaking the record, which was previously set by Calgary’s Natalie Schwartz nine seasons ago. With all of that accomplished in just her first CIS season, it’s safe to say Shevkenek has earned respect amongst the girls in the locker room. “It feels awesome and is definitely an honour,” said Shevkenek. “Being a big part of the team this year and being able to have that title is great. I feel like I am now respected a lot more by the girls [on the team].” However, not all was great this past week for the volleyball team. The squad dropped their two matches against the Trinity Western Spartans and were technically eliminated from playoff contention. But since the ladies are hosting nationals this year, they will have the chance to redeem themselves next weekend as they received an automatic berth into the Nationals tournament taking place

from Feb. 28-Mar. 2 at the Centre for Kinesiology, Health & Sport. And with a week off to prepare before nationals, everyone is hoping the team will benefit from the additional practices heading into the tournament.

being able to have those extra practices,” Shevkenek said. “We’re just showing up to every practice and pushing ourselves even harder. I feel like we will be very prepared by the time we get to nationals [this weekend].”

Arthur Ward Celebrate good times, come on.

“We’re taking it one practice at a time and it’s really nice

However, it was announced Sunday that the Cougars re-

ceived the No. 8 seed in the tournament and will have the daunting task of facing the No.1 UBC Thunderbirds in their first game of the tournament, a team who is looking for a seven-peat at the championships this year, hoping to become the first team to ever do so. “We’ve already played against most of the teams in the tournament and have had quite a bit of success against them,” said Shevkenek, who is studing Kinesiology and Health Studies at the U of R “If we stick together as a team, something we’ve done well all season, I think we’ll have great outcomes. We have a chance to compete with every team that comes out.” When looking into the future of the team, Shevkenek believes that the team can learn a ton from this week’s matchups at Nationals, being able to see the top talent from all over Canada can add another dimension to the team’s game, and competing in front of their hometown crown will be an unforgettable experience. “This year, having the chance to host nationals definitely helps us and is a big step for our team,” said the young setter. “Being able to host a tournament like this, it will increase our playing level in the future, being able to see teams from all over Canada.” Shevkenek wasn’t the only Cougar to win an award this season. Fifth-year outside hitter Desire Ates and fourth-year middle blocker Michelle Sweeting also were named First and Second team all stars, respectively. Shevkenek was named to the all rookie team as well. The team will open up their tournament on Friday against tournament favourites the UBC Thunderbirds at 6:00p.m. The tournament starts on Friday at 1:00p.m. with the championship game being played Sunday at 6:00.

The men’s hockey team unfortunately missed out on the post season this year, and it was by the skin of their teeth. In the final two games of the season the men faced off against the No. 3 University of Saskatchewan Huskies. Although the Cougars had beaten the team twice earlier in the year, they could not compete with the Huskies, and despite only needing one point from the weekend to make the playoffs, skated away empty handed. The women’s basketball team has continued to roll through Canada West. The team officially made the Canada West Final Four for the seventh year in a row after sweeping the University of Victoria. The Cougars will now have a well-deserved week off where they will begin preparing for the Canada West showdown, which will take place from Mar. 7-8, location to be determined. The women’s hockey team were the winners of an incredible upset over the weekend, whipping out the No. 1 team in the conference in a three game series. With the win against Alberta, the Cougars will move onto the Canada West Final Four for the first time since 2003.They will take on the Saskatchewan Huskies this Friday and Saturday night in Saskatoon.


the carillon | Februay 27 - March 5, 2014

sports

17

Reading week from hell How my professors ruined the Olympics what the puck? autumn mcdowell sports editor

Last week, I was supposed to be living the dream, but instead I was stuck in a nightmare. Reading week, commonly known as “don’t kill yourself week” amongst the student population, is the one savior week that happens during the winter semester, and this one happened to coincide with the 2014 Winter Olympics. It was working out to be a glorious week of no school and watching hockey, which was just what the doctor ordered, but my professors had other ideas. Apparently, my professors all had the same idea to ruin not only my reading week, but the Olympics as well, something that now I won’t get to enjoy until 2018 when I am pushing 26, in the midst of a quarter-life crisis and wishing for my care free 22-year-old life back again. It was as if my professors collectively came together and decided that rather than make things due before the break, allowing me to actually relax, that things should be due within the first three days that we get back to

Emily Wright I’m not actually left handed. Magic.

school, which is just cruel really. Ironically, in the week leading up to reading week, it appeared as though one of my professors made a mistake and didn’t go with the plan to ruin my break originally, having a midterm scheduled for

the Tuesday before the break. But don’t worry, he came to his senses and moved the midterm until after, because God forbid I would not have to study for a week. Anyways, most students have come to the realization

by now, or at least you will, if you are a first year, that reading week is not a week to relax at all, it’s a homework week, and this year was no exception. For instance, instead of getting to watch the drama unfold in the women’s hockey gold

medal game, I was stuck learning about the Mexican-American war, a much less exciting battle than the one that took place on the ice that day. While Mark McMorris was triple-corking his way to a bronze medal, I was memorizing pointless facts, only to forget them as soon as the midterm was over. Many of you are probably thinking that it was my own choice to study; that I could have watched the Olympics if I wanted to, and that may be true. Maybe I did decide to sit at my dining room table for hours on end listening to the rest of my family members cheer Canada on in my basement, but for some reason I made up my mind that I wanted to do well in school, and it was one of the worst decisions that I have ever made. While I had every intention of watching countless hours of Olympics last week, I barely watched any, and won’t have another chance to cheer for my country on that grand of a stage for another four years. So thank you, professors, for ruining not only my supposedly stress-free reading week, but the Olympics as well. I hope you’re happy.

Top 5 Winter Olympic sports to watch You’ll be surprised what was left off of this list paige kreutzwieser staff writer

The quadrennial amusement of the Winter Olympics has once again come and gone. We have sat in front of our televisions watching in amazement at some of the most unfamiliar (otherwise known as ‘slightly bizarre’) cold weather sports. For most Canadians, the Vancouver 2010 Olympics opened our eyes to the world of snow and ice athletics that some of us would never even dare try for a million dollars. After over-indulging in the Sochi games, I am here to offer you advice for your 2018 issues of befuddlement. Here is your Top 5 Winter Olympic Sports To Watch: 5. Super G This is likely one of the numerous events you skip over but – and yes, there is a ‘but’ – you need to watch this. There are no other words to describe this sport other than absolutely bonkers. Downhill speeds can reach up to 90 mph – what? Sochi’s course had a drop of 1085 metres – what? And this is all done within two to two and a half minutes – ridiculous! I don’t know who in their right mind wants to do this, but everybody in their right mind should watch it.

beside just screams recipe for disaster. Any of these events will likely end in a “did that just really happen” statement that involves a couple different, more vulgar, words.

would give any of those reality housewives shows a run for their money, as well as the possibility of some hilariously painful-looking falls. Plus, it’s a great sport to watch with your Grandma.

3. Bobsled

1. Speed Skating

If you ever have the opportunity to watch this in America, I suggest you partake. The announcers call something that resembles more of a Kentucky Derby horse race than what it actually is – a two to four person sledding event down a tunnel, which just so happens to be covered in ice. You should also check out the Jamaican bobsled team’s “It’s Bobsled Time” video. If that doesn’t get you in the mood to watch people launch their bodies down an ice layered waterslide than I guess you are just a boring person and I feel sorry for you.

These events are easily the best sport to spend your Winter Olympic watching-time on. The words speed and skating in and of themselves just speak of the insanity that ensues. Some of the sharpest blades and the tightest outfits (which I promise you, leave nothing to the imagination) prove that these athletes are borderline lunatics. The relay events don’t even seem possible without some sort of collision. And the short distance events will be the biggest rush of adrenaline you’ll experience since that time you realized you forgot to write a six-page essay that was due the next morning.

2. Figure Skating Arthur Ward A superhero!

4. Snowboarding I promise you, all events in this sport are worth watching. I looked it up and strapping your feet onto one board and cruising down a hill is actually the defini-

tion of crazy. Who knew? Out of all the events, snowboard cross takes the cake. Racing down a hill, making high speed turns and jumps as they go – not to mention, with three other people fighting for first place right

Coming in at a close second, this is just a classic Winter Olympic sport to watch. What makes a better combo than judging scandals and glitter? Virtue and Moir, for one. Or how about Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir? Google their outfits and you’ll likely agree. This sport is full of super intense scoring drama that

Honorable mentions: I could not for the life of me include hockey on this list because we know everyone watches it anyways. And secondly, curling sadly had to be eliminated. Because of my journalistic integrity I could not be biased to giving it number one (as I absolutely would have).


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the carillon | Februay 27 - March 5, 2014

sports

Coming out of the football closet

Michael Sam openly announces his sexuality prior to draft day aidan macnab contributor

Michael Sam is a 6’ 2”, 255 pound, 24-year-old, defensive end from the University of Missouri. He’s from Hitchcock, Texas and was honoured as a co-defensive player of the year for the NCAA’s South Eastern Conference (SEC), this past season. And, overall, appears to be just another football player from the United States hoping to go pro. But, over the next several months, Sam will be working hard to make a dream come true by earning a spot on an NFL roster. According to Sports Illustrated, Sam is expected to be chosen somewhere between the third and seventh rounds in the NFL draft. However, Sam is not a typical NFL prospect. He is hoping to be the NFL’s first openly gay player. He made the admission to his fellow Missouri Tigers last summer, prior to his outstanding senior year and he extended that confidence to the rest of the football world earlier this month. It is hard to predict how enthusiastic an NFL franchise will be to join Sam in blazing the trail for gay athletes. Sam’s public announcement of his identity may be seen by some team management as baggage or a distraction, as detrimental to team chemistry, and may carry with it unwanted media scrutiny.

Mark Schierbecker Where did you get that rock?

These factors reasonably cast doubt on whether Sam’s precoming-out draft prediction of a mid-round pick will hold true now. The NFL is doing its best to present a united front of acceptance and even excitement toward the idea of a gay player. “We look forward to welcoming and supporting Michael Sam in 2014,” was a portion of the official statement released by the league on NFL.com. Also according to NFL. com and its “media insider” Ian Rapoport, Sam need not

worry about being discriminated against in the draft. He believes that the fact that there are younger GMs now than in the past makes the league collectively more liberal-minded and therefore equipped to deal with a gay athlete. However, not everyone is that confident or supportive. No stranger to both positive and negative shades of the spotlight, former NFL Pro-Bowl wide receiver Chad Johnson tweeted his opinion that Sam’s draft stock will “plummet.” Also via Twitter, former New

Orleans Saints, though currently unspoken-for, receiver Patrick Crayton expressed disapproval with Sam’s public announcement. Among Crayton’s tweets was the advice, “Stay in the closet and keep to urself!!!” reported SportingNews.com. The Twitter activity of a few individual players may not serve as a sufficient indication as to how Sam will actually be received. But, according to SportsIllustrated.com, the NFL may be attempting to show the world open arms, when in reality Sam may be confronted with a less welcoming atmosphere. Eight anonymous “NFL executives and coaches” reported to be of the opinion that Sam’s coming out would indeed hurt his draft-ability. However, it is the public nature of his homosexuality that is the issue as SI.com also claimed that most NFL teams were aware of Sam’s sexual orientation prior to his coming out. The optimistic view of the Michael Sam situation, which is being promoted by the league, follows the principle that the only relevant characteristic of any player is his ability to help a team win games. The league is a true meritocracy, and if Sam shows he is capable of helping a team win the Super Bowl, he will succeed. Interestingly, the trophy awarded to the winner of the Super Bowl, is the Vince Lombardi Trophy, named for the legendary coach of the Green

Bay Packers and Washington Redskins. According to NBC Sports Vince Lombardi, who had a gay brother, coached a running back named Ray McDonald. In 1969, McDonald was arrested for having sex in public with a man, and Lombardi was reported as having told his team, “If I hear one of you people make reference to [McDonald’s] manhood, you’ll be out of here before your ass hits the ground.” Dave Kopay, also gay and also a member of that ’69 Redskins squad, had a relationship with teammate Jerry Smith. Despite the fact Lombardi never told him so, Kopay is convinced that he knew. According to USA Today, Lombardi “demanded an atmosphere of tolerance in the locker room.” One would assume that a league, which lionizes Lombardi and whose ultimate prize bears his name, should embrace his ideals. Michael Sam still has a lot to prove. He is undersized for his position and a good college career does not guarantee you a job in the NFL. But if he shows he has what it takes, hopefully the NFL will prove that they do also. But, if Sam is unsuccessful, we all must keep in mind the many, many different factors at play when a college star attempts to turn pro. It is not right to attach the viability of homosexuality in football, with Sam’s survival in the league.

Olympics, Olympics, Olympics, Olympics But what about the Canadian Football League? brady lang sports writer

That’s all we’ve been hearing lately in the sports media, yet in Canada the huge stage of Sochi has overshadowed some pretty drastic changes in the Canadian Football League. After free agency opened up on Feb. 11, the Saskatchewan Roughriders have seemed to lose a lot more than what they’ve gained. Losing veterans Weston Dressler and Kory Sheets to the NFL, while free agency cost the team Canadian safety Craig Bulter, defensive end Jermaine McElveen, punter Ricky Schmitt, and backup quarterback Drew Willy to numerous teams around the CFL. The Hamilton Tiger Cats came out as big winners after the opening week finally finished, locking up key players such as former Rider Butler and Canadian wide out Cary Koch. The team also signed quarterback Zach Collaros from the Toronto Argonauts. The biggest name moving in the free agency period, however, was Henry Burris from the Hamilton Tiger Cats. After leading the team to a champi-

Emily Wright Don’t worry sir, you’re one of the few people that doesn’t have to buy a new jersey.

onship loss to Saskatchewan in Grey Cup 101, the team cut ties with the all star and released him. They will fill the void left by Burris with the aforementioned Collaros from Toronto. Incredibly, the Montreal Allouettes were the only team that managed to lose just a single player to free agency. The team has re-signed 11 players from last years dismal team, yet lost franchise quarterback Anthony Calvillo to retirement earlier this off-season. Calvillo has managed to become the CFL’s most

consistent quarterback by far in his long career in the league, racking up numerous records during his time in Canada. Winnipeg made many splashes in the off-season; most notably hiring a full new coaching staff lead by former Argonaut Mike O’Shea as Head Coach. The team then locked up star wide receiver Nick Moore from B.C., acquired new starting quarterback Drew Willy from Saskatchewan, yet were only able to sign seven pending

free agents to stay in Winnipeg. The team lost longtime wide receiver Terrance Edwards to retirement, but acquired longtime B.C. veteran Korey Banks to bolster their secondary. Speaking of those very same B.C. Lions, the team has had a quiet off-season, but most notably picked up former Bomber Jamall Johnson. The team also picked up former Rider punter Ricky Schmitt and will now make longtime kicker Paul McCallum focus more on kicking field goals than punting the

football. Obviously, the most exciting part of this off-season was the Ottawa Redblacks being welcomed into the CFL. The team now has a whole arsenal of quarterbacks – lead by Burris – and seems to be quite competitive coming into this upcoming season. The team was very quiet through free agency but will choose first overall in the upcoming CFL Draft. Overall, this off-season has been one to remember – and possibly forget in the eyes of Rider fans. The new dynamic of the 9th team did pay a large part in where players went during the off-season, and rightfully so. As a Rider fan I am nervous heading into the upcoming season without a real, established running back but this is also a time where others can step up. Without Dressler, this team will look much different but this is still the Saskatchewan Roughriders that we know and love. Darian Durant is still our quarterback and John Chick is still in our defence. This is still the Riders we know and love. All I can say is, July can’t come soon enough.


op-ed

Editor: Farron Ager op-ed@carillonregina.com the carillon | Februay 27 - March 5, 2014

Do you even argue? Arguments, as in intellectual debates, are something to be cherished. They should be engaged in actively, especially in a university setting. Of course, they are certain rules of etiquette concerning argumentation. This etiquette is mostly just avoiding “fallacies,” or things that weaken an argument. One of the most abused fallacies is ad hominem, where rather than dealing with what someone is saying, or the merits of their argument, their personality, or character, is attacked. In my last three years at the U of R, I’ve noticed that this sort of fallacy is increasing (perhaps I’m just seeing it more). Ad hominem attacks have been around since people could speak, so it’s nothing new, but it’s no matter if it’s increasing or it’s always been around, it’s important to qualify something. The debates where this takes place usually occur on comment sections or Facebook, because most people aren’t brave enough to insult someone to their face. The ad hominem I’ve noticed increasing is a kind that’s surprisingly mostly on the left of the spectrum amongst students. So hardened in their wideeyed beliefs, they usually don’t actually tackle the merit of the argument, usually trying to dismiss it by attacking someone’s character, saying that they know nothing, or that because of their background, their argument is invalid. Even if the other argument has no merit, it would make more sense to dismantle the argument, not the person saying it. Otherwise, an attempt at ad hominem is just a distraction method: smoke and mirrors.

Haley Klassen

Of course, this is a specific group amongst the left, and not everybody, that’d be a generalization, which is also fallacious. I’d also like to point out that the right of the spectrum does it too. Ad hominem is found amongst all kinds of debaters. One example I recently saw: “You can’t understand because you’re a man, and you can’t talk about it,” or “they’re just a bunch of white guys.” These are two that come to mind quickly that I’ve heard recently. They could be anything, really, and it’s usually formulaic. You’re x, so you can’t talk about y. Once after asking persistent gadfly-like questions to someone starting

a petition that couldn’t answer them, I was told, “this is why you don’t have a girlfriend.” It’s baseless, and it’s meant to distract and sidetrack the debate from the real issues. These sorts of characterizations do no service to their cause. Firstly, they alienate people. Secondly, they’re a sign of weak argumentation: if someone is so right, then they shouldn’t have to resort to ad hominem. If the opponent is so wrong, then one can attack the merits of their arguments. It doesn’t matter who’s saying it, the strength of an argument shouldn’t hinge on who a person is, but rather, what it is that

they’re saying. Also, if someone is so sure that someone’s opponent is wrong because of their character, then it should actually be easy to tear their argument apart without resulting to insults. Right? Don’t ever let someone try to attack your character in an argument. If you’re so wrong because of who you are, then your opponent should be smart enough to see it in your argument. Otherwise, chances are they can’t defend their point adequately, and are trying to discredit you to save themselves the embarrassment. Also, if you do resort to ad hominem, please stop. You’re

doing no service to anybody, and should take more pride in your convictions. Nothing will be gained from attacking someone’s personality, and listening to other people’s points of view may help you to strengthen your own, or even change them. If your arguments are so correct, then you have nothing to worry about. Plus, beating someone on point of fact is much more satisfying and elating than dragging the debate and everyone in it through the mud.

tion. It wasn’t a case that I just woke up one day and decided I liked horror. It was really something that snuck up on me and I hadn’t bothered to give it any significant attention until now. Yet, it’s not that I can even say that I really liked horror movies as a kid. I was petrified by movies like Ernest Scared Stupid (children get turned into wooden dolls by a troll that attacks during daytime) and We’re Back: A Dinosaur Story (two children sign a contract with their blood, seriously). It actually took the acute memory of our production manager to recall the second film because childhood Farron apparently was so traumatized by the movie that he suppressed it. Even haunted houses were an absolutely nightmarish ordeal that couldn’t end soon enough. But, despite how much I scared myself, I was always drawn back to all things frightening. Before I knew it, I was reading through every Goose-

bumps book that my school library carried. Even though it took a long time, I graduated eventually to watching 28 Days Later and Ju-on: The Grudge without hiding under the covers. I certainly never thought I’d be writing an M.A. thesis about horror books and movies. I wish I could say what it was about horror that I enjoy so much. One thing I’ve found is that there are only particular kinds of horror that I enjoy. I generally don’t care for gore flicks like the Saw series. 1930s pulp horror writer H.P. Lovecraft once wrote, “The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown.” I don’t think I could agree more. For me, horror is that terrible thing that is just beyond your sight in the dark. It’s that one little idea with which your imagination runs wild and then, suddenly, that creak you just heard in your house becomes something so

much more than just the floors settling. It’s that shudder in your spine you feel like you’re being watched by some dreadful force. It’s also that terrible excitement and burst of adrenaline that forces you to turn your head to make sure nothing is behind you. Does it make sense to be frightened in such a manner? Not really. Nor should it. While there are countless theories out there, from biological evolution to social conditioning, we still don’t have a concrete answer as to why some of us enjoy the dread that manifests in so many different ways for so many different people. My name is Farron Ager and I am a fear junkie.

michael chmielewski editor-in-chief

Horrific dissection

splattershack.com

“Why do you like horror so much?” This was a question posed to me by a friend, who, casually looking over my movie collection, noticed what he called a “disturbing trend.” It never really struck me as something worth serious thought, but, sure enough, as

I pawed through my DVDs, a good 50 percent of them are just in the horror genre alone, from classics spanning from Nosferatu to The Thing, to foreign masteries such as Dead Snow and The Orphanage. Hell, even more modern horror movies, such as The Mist and Insidious have made it into my collec-

farron ager op-ed editor


20

the carillon | Februay 27 - March 5, 2014

op-ed

A plea for more thoughtful sentencing Regina resident Lloyd Wilkinson has a long and sad twenty-fiveyear history of animal neglect. Some of his more egregious actions include providing deplorable living conditions for animals, failure to provide ample concern and nutrition for his pets and violating provisions that banned him from keeping any animals at the Wilkinson motel. According to the Leader Post, an individual in 2000 and in 2002, who just so happens to be named Lloyd Wilkinson, was tried for cruelty to animals and in the latter case, was barred from owning any animals for half a decade. On Jan. 30, 2014, Wilkinson’s latest episode resulted in a more serious ban but also a questionable fine. He was banned for life for owning animals after failing to follow up with care for his Terrier-mix, Max, who had broken his leg. While this decision of the judge should be praised, arguably, they did not go far enough. Under the Animal Protection Act, Wilkinson could have faced a sentence of two years impris-

Haley Klassen

onment and a fine of $25,000. Instead, the judge gave him no prison time and a fine of $1. In response, the Humane Society rightfully commented that it is disappointing that a quarter-of-a-century passed before a meaningful sentence was given out. The cases of animal abuse

are rife and examples are plentiful. Last November, a puppy wandered into a Saskatchewan work camp and shocked individuals there when it was discovered that he had severe facial burns, likely caused from a flammable substance like gasoline. Actions like the ones described above certainly merit the explo-

Fleur-de-lis Sports and politics tend to go hand in hand during all international competitions, but it’s less of a “you got chocolate in my peanut butter” relationship and more of a “you got chocolate on my pulled pork sandwich” relationship. This mash-up causes problems for sports fans, as it adds complications to something that we already enjoy. When Justine and Chloe Dufour-Lapointe went Gold-Silver in Moguls at the Olympics recently, they celebrated proudly wearing their Canada swag and stood proudly as “O Canada” played during the medal ceremony. These women look very nice, combine that with their projected success at the Olympics the Canadian Olympic Committee was wise to include them in a photo shoot wearing Team Canada mitts sold at The Bay, a portion of sales going to Canadian Olympic athletes. Unfortunately someone had doctored the photo replacing the Maple Leaf with the Fleur-de-lis and the CAN with QUE. The Quebec higher education minister, Pierre Duchesne, saw this photo and promptly took to twitter proclaiming that he was taken in by the photograph. After realizing the picture was not the sisters showing Quebec pride, just someone with basic knowledge of Microsoft Paint, he tweeted that he had become another victim of Photoshop. The question is, was this a legitimate slip up, or were there more sinister intentions behind Mr. Duchesne’s tweets? Pierre Duchesne is a member of the Separatist Parti Quebecois. He supports the Separatist movement, as he is a leader in a party who wishes for national Sovereignty for Quebec. To me, this could have been an honest mistake that anyone could have made. Some evidence suggests this was not just a mistake, however.

ration of increasing penalties. Indeed, the Legislature in 2010 increased the penalty for animal cruelty, increasing prison time from six months to two years and a fine of $5,000 to $25,000. Yet, the big issue about this case is why the judge did not take harsher action. It could be argued that the lifetime ban on

animals is a harsh sentence inand-of-itself (though it’s no entirely clear how such a ban will be enforced) but, arguably, it did not go far enough. While a domestic animal may belong to someone as property, their status as a living, breathing creature should give them much more consideration and respect than inanimate objects when related legal matters are being considered. When one signs up to have pets, they sign an unwritten social contract stating they will take care of their pet to the best of their ability. Distinguishing our animals from the other junk we call “property” would be the first meaningful step toward curbing domestic animal abuse. After we change our attitudes overall, then we can start looking at toughening sentences.

liam fitz-gerald contributor

General ignorance Firstly, the fact that the Minister of Higher education can’t see an obvious Photoshop, or has an intern who can spot an obvious Photoshop, is dubious. Secondly, the Dufour-Lapointe sisters are prominent, successful, Canadian athletes and them showing out as primarily Pro-Quebec would be a huge PR boost for the Separatist movement. If I am being honest, I think Mr. Duchesne saw this photo and got too excited about the potential boost for his movement. He blindly tweeted it and ended up looking like a fool, because he didn’t care for research. He tried to make a bold political statement and stumbled. The fact that many of the Canadian athletes to medal in this year’s Olympics are from Quebec is relevant in this discussion. What cannot be overlooked, however, is the fact that all Canadian athletes receive Canadian funding, coaching and fan support. If you wear the Maple Leaf, you are Canadian first. Congratulations to all of our Canadian athletes in Sochi.

charlie macdonald contributor

The world witnessed history on Sunday, as Brooklyn Nets centre Jason Collins played his first NBA game since coming out as gay last summer. Collins remained a free agent after coming out in a Sports Illustrated feature on May 6th, 2013 and signed a 10-day contract with the Nets earlier on Sunday. February has been a big month for gay athletes in professional sports as NFL hopeful and Mizzou Tigers star Defensive End Michael Sam also came out just months before the NFL Draft. The two athletes are changing the way professional sports are being looked at in the sense of inclusion. In this ever-changing society we live in today, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that, for the most part, these athletes are being welcomed into the sporting world. There have been some negative comments from people around sports, yet none more notable than Toronto Argonauts wide out Arland Bruce III. Bruce used Instagram to send out a grotesque message to Michael Sam. In doing so, Bruce revealed to the world that he cannot even correctly spell the word properly, spelling it “gaey,” and telling the world the gay movement is an “American trap.” Bruce has since deleted his Instagram account. This is just one instance of the ignorance many athletes do have, especially in the game of football. When you have so many different personalities and individuals on one squad, you are bound to have those personalities clash. The Richie Incognito case with Jonathon Martin is an excellent example of what really goes on behind closed doors. TSN’s Aaron Ward created a documentary to examine the basis of the locker room talk and how- to an extentwe are seeing a change in the way professional athletes handle themselves in

these situations. As we’ve seen in the past with other social movements, there will always be the negative stigma due to the normality in which the social change was taken at. We will always hear negative comments when talking about players such as Michael Sam, Jason Collins, and other athletes that come out as gay. It would be interesting to see actual statistics of the professional leagues, yet in the society we live in it’s unrealistic to think that we will ever see a true percentage for a few years. These two athletes are definitely a great start and with the movement gaining traction, we could realistically see around 5-10 more athletes coming out in the next 2-3 years. Jason Collins should be proud of what he accomplished this past weekend, making history in Brooklyn. Although he only played just over 10-anda-half minutes, it was a groundbreaking feat for the Northridge, California native, and ultimately professional sports.

brady lang sports writer


the carillon | Februay 27 - March 5, 2014

op-ed

21

U-Pass for you? Growing up, I found the idea of public transportation to be romantic. It was cooperative. It was communal. It was definitely cheaper than owning a car. But, I grew upon in small town Saskatchewan. Public transport isn’t a thing, because there isn’t generally a public to transport. As an adult, I live in a city (not Regina) and I’m sad to say, I don’t ever consider using the public transportation. Mostly because it’s a terrible system and I have access to a car when I absolutely need it; but I don’t even know how the bus system, in our city, works. I have friends in Saskatoon who swear by the bus. It’s heated in the winter and air conditioned in the summer. It typically runs on time and there are stops where they need them. They own cars, because we’re still in Saskatchewan, but for general city use, it’s not the cars they turn to. The difference for these friends of mine – all students – is the bus pass that comes with their Student Union fees. In 2008, USask passed the implementation of a U-Pass bus pass for students, reducing the cost of riding the bus by more than half. For a number of students without cars, this was a gift. They would have purchased monthly passes anyway, but because of the U-Pass, they could now afford food and transportation for the semester. I’ve never heard a complaint about the U-Pass for Saskatoon students.

Fan Railer

Despite the fact that they own cars and their student union fees went up by $75/semester, they understood the benefit as greater than the cost. As a University of Regina student, the implementation of a Regina U-Pass is close to my heart. While the U-Pass movement has already begun at our school, many are still unaware of it. I want to be clear in communicating that I am ardently in support of the U-Pass but there are three of things I want us to take into account when deciding to support or oppose the U-Pass. The misunderstanding here comes for those who don’t currently use the bus and won’t start with the implementation of

a U-Pass. In this case, it’s easy to make a grandiose list of cons. It costs money and you won’t even use it. I’m already paying for a parking pass. This doesn’t directly benefit me. Counter: even if you don’t use your U-Pass, it frees up spaces for you to park. We are in dire need of increased parking for students. Because more parking passes are sold than spots available, more students riding the bus is a needed alternative in our parking crisis. There is this weird stigma that comes with riding the bus. Part of it has to do with the stigma toward those in low socioeconomic brackets, but most of it has to do with the fact that we live in Saskatchewan, where the

land deems vehicles a necessity. All over Canada it is simply more economical and convenient to walk and ride the bus in the city. The more people that ride the bus, the better the system is, and less stigma arises as a result of being a part of that system. A culture is created within those engaged in something positive. I promise this is no different for us in Regina. When Saskatoon implemented their system, they had no idea how successful it would be and they weren’t prepared. People were left behind at bus stops because there simply wasn’t room. In response, the city bought more buses, made more hires, increased route

...a Neknomination ain’t one Taking things to the extreme isn’t something new for people of our generation. We’ve taken sports to the ultimate, adapted food to the unreasonable, and now we’ve brought drinking to a whole new level—a potentially lethal level. Drinking has, no doubt, become an issue for teens and young adults. With binge drinking on the rise and peer pressure a constant, competition and booze has become a common combination. It has also become a fatal one. This spurs from the recent controversial online drinking game Neknominations. What started out as a “harmless bit of fun between mates” has turned into the cause of five deaths thus far around the globe. The original purpose was to record oneself “necking” (chugging) a bottle of beer then nominating a “mate” to the challenge, which was to be completed within 24 hours, and posting it online for friends to see. The mantra for the creators was “Neck and Nominate: Neck your drink. Nominate another. Don’t break the chain. Don’t be a dick.” But as social media tends to do, it took this mates club battle cry, shortened it, and

Emily Wright

added a hashtag. #Neknomination was born. It seems that many of the people who have participated don’t seem to know where this game grew it roots – or even why. The comradery of the nominations has turned into a showboating do-or-die. And unfortunately the latter has happened. As said, fives deaths have been linked to the game. Five may seem like a small number, but the game has only really been in the public eye for a couple years. And, consider what they have “necked.” One

man downed a pint containing kitchen cleaner, de-icer, chilli powder, and vodka. Another United Kingdom man drank 37 units of gin mixed with tea bags – the UK government guidelines for one week 21 units. Concoctions of cider and urine, gravy and beer, and not to mention the myriad of combinations of wine, vodka, gin, tequila, beer, whiskey or any other alcoholic beverage you can think of. Universities have been put in the spotlight, especially Student Unions. Our own president, Nathan Sgrazutti, has

been quoted saying that it’s not URSU’s place to tell students what not to do. Surprisingly enough for a Carillon writer, I have to agree with him. Although Neknominations have been associated with the university student age category, telling our student union president to babysit his peers outside of school is an exhausting task, considering the other important things I would hope he would be paying attention to involve my university career. I know we want our pres-

frequency. The system became functional and effective. Because we’re able to anticipate this increase – due to the Free Friday campaign in September – we can prepare for it. I have high hopes for the increase in our system’s efficiency in matching its usage, and you should too. Let’s think about it. Seriously.

hannah elich & david vanderberg contributors

ident to lead by example, but along with the rest of us, I am sure he does not condone anyone mixing kitchen cleaner and vodka together. Neknominations are a form of peer pressure that you just have to have a head on your shoulders about. If you are more worried that you won’t get as many “likes” on your video as the nominee before you than I have some motherly advice: grow a backbone. You also have the option to take a stance yourself, like the one man who instead of going the liquor route, chugged a pint of tea. Or the McGill student, when nominated, changed his request to “feed the deed” and nominated friends to do a good deed instead. The choice is yours, not mine, not our student president’s, not your friends’. You can still get 100 “likes” on your video – it’s called being creative, not being an extreme idiot.

paige kreutzwieser staff writer


the funny section

the carillon | Februay 27 - March 5, 2014

are you the funniest guy or gal in your program? prove it. submit humorous content to op-ed@carillonregina.com

before monday @ noon. now you don’t have to be the weird person laughing to yourself in the hall!

Simon Fuh

Shit the Carillon says the staff

So, number 1, She’s not my girlfriend, and number 2, Fuck y’all

When the staff isn’t too spouting off our euphemisms, aphorisms, witticisms, we cause our Op-Ed Editor to pull his hair out by forgetting to write them down to bring laughter and joy to you, our beloved readership. We’re spiraling down the proverbial rabbit hole, so brace for impact with another edition of Shit the Carillon says!

I wish I didn’t say I said all that bad stuff about Jesus earlier to get his resurrection powers.

Staff member 1:“Jesus would do a lot of things; you would be surprised.” Staff member 2: “Well, he did curse a fig tree for no reason.” Staff member 3: “Yeah, but he got his.”

“I didn’t hoard enough fucks for winter.” “You’re like the grasshopper of fucks.” Apparently, after the U of S newspaper, the Sheaf, and the Carillon, are the only ones this person trusts. After checking out a recycling bin full of books for our cover photo Stop throwing all those books into the book returns for a few

minutes. The poor guy can’t hold them with you dropping them in there. Doesn’t that NDP backbencher look like the girl from Bob’s Burgers? Want to know how I got rich? Invest in Oreos and mustard. “Why do people keep calling us the Carlton?” “Yeah, we aren’t that classy.” “Invigilate that motherfucker!” Upon telling a joke to dead silence “How is that so bad? The Eric Clapton joke was bad, but you guys laughed.”

Senf


graphics

Editor: Emily Wright graphics@carillonregina.com the carillon | Februay 27 - March 5, 2014


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the carillon | Februay 27 - March 5, 2014


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