www.thebucampus.ca
THE CAMPUS
Vol. 68 No. 4
October 11, 2012
Rootin' for the Home Team Since 1944
| Come on, come out! p. 6 | We love fashion, yes we do p. 9 | Sportin' the Homecoming results p. 2
photo courtesy natalia apic
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News
The Campus, October 11, 2012
Meagan Roulet, Editor • thecampus.news@gmail.com Editor-in-Chief: Adam T. Young Associate Editor: Meagan Roulet News Editor: Meagan Roulet Opinions Editor: Lauren Humphreys Features Editor: Caleigh Cross A & C Editor: Maghen Eisan Sports Editor: Brian MacIver Photo Editor: Cecilia Bracmort Layout Editor: Chelsea Conway Copy Editor: Taylor Poelman Online Editor: Laura Yaternick
The Campus Box 2131, SUB #107 Bishop’s University Lennoxville, Quebec J1M 1Z7 thecampus.editor@gmail.com phone: (819) 822-9600 ext. 2688
The Campus is editorially and financially autonomous. It is published by the Campus Publication Board. The Campus is a member of the Canadian University Press (CUP), a national co-operative of over 70 college and university student newspapers. The Campus supports the CUP Statement of Principles. All material is copyright the Campus. Nothing may be reproduced without the written consent of the Editor-in-Chief. Complaints may be made directly to the Editor-in-Chief. If no resolution can be reached, complaints should be forwarded to the Publishing Board. The opinions of the writers published in the Campus do not necessarily represent the opinions of the staff of the Campus or the Campus Publishing Board. Likewise, the opinions expressed in the advertisements published in the Campus do not reflect the opinions of the staff or the Publishing Board. Submissions to the Campus will be considered if they are received prior to the deadline at midnight on the Saturday previous to the publication date. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit all submissions for length, style, and/or inappropriate material. The editorial staff also reserves the right not to publish submissions, including assigned stories or solicited material. Letters to the editor can be submitted directly to the Editor-inChief by email, in person, or by mail. Letters must be accompanied by the author’s name and phone number for verification purposes, even in the case of anonymous letters. All submissions should be in text-only or Microsoft Word format.
Homecoming 2012
Raise a toast to Bishop’s University By Maghen Eisan Arts & Culture Editor
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ore than 2,000 Bishop’s University students and alumni descended across the town of Lennoxville this past weekend to celebrate the highly anticipated 2012 Homecoming. This year Homecoming was held a bit later than previous years, resulting in colder and damper weather. However, if you’ve ever visited Bishop’s you’ll know that a little rain never stopped this student body from celebrating. The weekend kicked off last Thursday, with an alumni and student networking event featuring the 2008-2009 SRC President, Mark Lawson. Lawson graduated in 2009 and is currently working in Communications and Public Affairs at Hil+Knowlton Strategies in Toronto. Over fifty student leaders had the opportunity to talk one-on-one with returning alumni who shared their personal stories of heading out into the
photo courtesy andrew dobrowolskyj
Bishop's Gaiters football bested McGill 26-18 at Homecoming. “real world” post-graduation. On Friday, alumni were back in action on the Old Lennoxville Golf Course, where teams golfed in support of Bishop’s students. Teams played into the evening, where they finished up and headed to an alumni and friends dinner for a few more laughs before the big day – Saturday.
Saturday, the hands-down most popular day of Homecoming, got underway with a classic Bishop’s tailgate. Here, both alumni and students were decked out from head-to-toe in crazy electric purple outfits – standard BU tailgating apparel. Despite the grey weather the party went on filling the air with chants,
beer and the smell of hotdogs. From there students and alumni made their way into the football game against McGill, where they cheered on their fellow Gaiters to a 26-18 victory. Other fun events that took place this past weekend were New Plays, a remarkable studentrun drama festival consisting of original plays written, directed and designed by current students; a non-stop marathon reading of Homer’s Odyssey by students and faculty; the annual ALS Gaiter Walk on Saturday morning; a 1975-79 reunion dinner; and a well-received performance by KT and the Hogs, fronted by Bishop’s alum Kirk Thornton who performed at the Gait after the football game and later at the Lion. In sports action, the women’s and men’s rugby teams and women’s soccer suffered unfortunate losses. However, the men’s lacrosse was successful in beating McGill in a close 11-10 win.
Research is rad
World-class laboratory opens up at Bishop’s University By Meagan Roulet News Editor
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n recent years, Bishop’s University – primarily a Liberal Arts undergraduate university – has been making moves to contend with several of its more researchoriented rival institutions. This past week saw the opening of a new Climate Change laboratory at Bishop’s University, leaving Environmental Studies and Geography (ESG) students excited at the prospect of engaging first-hand in program-related research. The state-of-the-art lab was the brainchild of Canadian Research Chair for Climate and Environmental Change, Dr. Matthew Peros. Peros, who initially came to Bishop’s with the dream of working at “a small [and] vibrant university”, is currently an Associate Professor in the ESG depart-
ment. In a recent press release, Bishop’s University classified Peros as belonging to a “generation of professors that successfully ally international research programs with true dedication to undergraduate education.” The construction of the laboratory was possible, in part, to over $800, 000 of funding from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI), and the Ministère de l’Éducation, Loisirs et Sports du Québec (MELS). Peros explains the use of the laboratory, and its role in the analysis of climate change, an increasingly pressing issue in present society. The lab will be used to “study climate change over various timescales using information sampled from ocean, lake, and peat bog cores and tree rings. All of the data [generated] will be analyzed statistically and combined with
the work of other researchers to understand the rate and magnitude of past climate variability.” He goes on to mention that “the main goal of our work is to provide a long-term perspective on climate and environmental change, so that current, humaninduced changes can be placed into context.” Although climate change has become a prominent conversation topic within recent decades, Dr. Peros acknowledges that there are still many individuals who completely deny the validity of the theory of climate change. “In response to climate change denialists: you believe in physics when you step into an airplane to take a flight across the Atlantic; you appreciate the amazing work that scientists have done in innovating cell phones, laptops, and other communication devices that enable us to stay con-
nected with virtually anyone in the world; you understand that over the last century scientists have helped extend the average lifespan of human beings by decades; yet you think that scientists have got it completely wrong when it comes to the climate. Why is that?” In addition to being used by the Multi-Scale Climate and Environmental Change (M.U.S.C.L.E.) research cluster, students in the ESG department at Bishop’s University will greatly benefit from this world-class laboratory. Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon, Associate Vice-Principal of Research at Bishop’s University, stated that “the facilities will […] provide a range of hands-on opportunities for many Bishop’s Science students, which is very much in line with the University’s mission to provide the best undergraduate education in the country."
News
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World News
by dylan gagnon, contributor
Redbull daredevil trumped by weather
Turkey seeks NATO support
High winds prevent world record stunt
Syrian civil war boils over the border
Build a Better Purple… with help from the Opportunity Fund
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n March 2012, Bishop’s University’s graduating class decided to create a fund and leave a bit of a legacy for returning students. The Class of 2012 consequently began collecting $10 grad gifts to be allocated to what is known as the 2012 Opportunity Fund. What’s it for? The fund is to be used to financially support student-led initiatives aimed at enhancing the BU Community. Students who have developed any program or activity they believe requires assistance to prosper on campus should apply. Whether it’s starting a soup kitchen to benefit the homeless on weekends or fostering green initiatives, as long as the fund is being utilized to contribute an improvement to the borough of Lennoxville and to Bishop’s University while helping a student reach and explore their potential, the fund is up for grabs.
photo courtesy imgur.com
Redbull parachutist hopes to master the stratosphere in impressive stunt.
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ad a little wind not gotten in the way, Tuesday, Oct. 9 would have been the take off date for an amazing skydiving feat. An Austrian skydiver’s attempt to ascend into the stratosphere and fall back down to earth from a 37-kilometre height was cancelled. Felix Baumgartner – a former military parachutist from Austria – had been planning to use an ultrathin helium balloon to reach the dizzying height of 120, 000 feet at 6:30 a.m. from a small town in New Mexico. The pressurized balloon, which is 55 storeys high, is only able to take off in winds of under 2 mph at ground level. Ground winds much higher than that lasted for several hours around the area. By the time the wind had died down, several other problems had emerged. Baumgartner’s team realized that one of the two radios in the balloon had been lost in addition to other technical difficulties which contributed to the delay of the filling of the capsule. When the balloon was finally full, sudden winds rose to 25 mph, leading to the decision to delay the mission. If the weather cooperates, Baumgartner is now expected to make another attempt this Thursday. If he succeeds he will set four new world records, along with breaking the sound barrier.
photo courtesy qz.com
A member of the Turkish military camps out border-side.
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ensions between Syria and Turkey have risen this past week due to a multitude of artillery shells being shot across the border from both sides. Syrian shells killed five Turkish civilians and angered Turkish officials as the neighbouring civil war has begun to spread through the region. Turkey has sought NATO backing and support in the case that the situation should continue to escalate. Despite supportive comments from the NATO Secretary General, NATO members are reluctant to become involved when so many already have their forces settled in Afghanistan. Joshua Alvarez, of the Istanbul-based Kalem Journal, claims that “Turkey will continue to seek as many reassurances as it can, but Turkey will not put its foot down and demand a commitment from NATO.” According to an unidentified military source, Turkey has strengthened its position by sending 25 aircrafts to an air force base near the border. Turkey remains reluctant to become involved with the internal affairs of Syria, where a civil war has been wreaking havoc on its domestic population for 18 months.
corrections In our last issue… In the article "Bussing to Bishop's and Beyond," we incorrectly referenced a bus pass referendum last year. While students were surveyed on bussing, no referendum took place. As well, a referendum on the bus question is not expected, however is possible through SRC executive majority vote, or a petition of 10% of the student body. The Campus regrets these errors.
On the cover of this issue...
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ishop's Men's rugby team attempt to catch the ball during their Homecoming Weekend game against Concordia.
How does one apply for funding? Applications are now being accepted. Submit a twopage (max) synopsis describing your project in detail and include a simple budget. In addition, you must submit a one-minute YouTube video to pitch your idea. A selection committee will review the entries and ultimately, members of the Class of 2012 will vote to choose a winner among four finalists. Applications will be accepted until October 19th, 2012. Send your entries to buoppfund@ubishops.ca
The Campus newspaper is pleased to welcome all students to attend Traditions, our first annual retreat day taking place next Saturday, October 13th, from 1:00PM-6:00PM. Come spend the afternoon with us while learning the tricks and trade of journalism, writing your own articles, and meeting a few special guests from the community. Traditions is a day of workshops that seeks to tell our stories, and it’s free for any interested students. To RSVP, please email thecampus.editor@gmail.com.
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Opinions
The Campus, October 11, 2012
lauren humphreys, Editor • thecampus.opinions@gmail.com
Thanksgiving in Lennoxville Spending holidays within the bubble By Taylor Poelman Copy Editor
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t’s a phenomenon I’ve experienced four years running now. A holiday rolls around. Students excitedly make plans for their weekend getaway. For many, it’s the first return home since arriving at Bishop’s a month prior. A happy and joyous occasion filled with reunions and bonding with family and friends. I watch interestedly as carloads of friends leave Lennoxville for the long weekend, and I…stay here. Before you jump to conclusions, this is not a pity-party. I am not about to lament about the vast distance between myself and my home on the west coast. I am perfectly content with my Christmas and summerbreak-only pilgrimages back to BC: that distant province from which I hail. I do not deny that there are several others who share my position, in fact during this time we share a special bond of sorts; we are left alone here, while the power of Thanksgiving is busy bringing people back together. Thanksgiving stragglers celebrate this holiday (or lack thereof) in different ways. Some avoid abandonment by arranging to go home with others, sharing in another
Impossibly more important than homework By Emma McTavish Contributor
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here is a direct correlation between how many essays I have to write, and how prolific I am at tweeting “#bishopsproblems.” Once again caught in the midst of essay deadlines and midterms, I find myself drawn to social media such as Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr more so than other times of the year. Somewhat narcissistically looking over my past tweets, I found the above quoted passage, made when I felt my amount of essays were overwhelming. When it was retweeted by @Bishopsproblems, I experienced an exhilarating moment of empathy felt by others, as I believed other Bishop’s students recognized
Large, ritzy turkey dinners aren't just for the homebodies. family’s turkey cheer. Some are fortunate enough to have close friends also staying behind, with whom to plan their own personal Thanksgiving dinners – whether these dinners involve traditional Thanksgiving foodstuffs or not is up for speculation. Some forego stuffing and pie altogether, simply lying low in quiet apartment buildings, re-emerging only after the car-
photo courtesy glog.otel.com
loads of students have reappeared, perhaps a few pounds heavier. It’s a curious thing, Lennoxville-living sans the full force of the Bishop’s community, and at Thanksgiving in particular. Granted, the same exodus occurs during reading week and over Easter, but Thanksgiving brings a different feeling to the student left behind. Maybe it’s the onset of
fall – the tragic death of summer. Maybe it’s because this is the first and only time students will leave and return to Bishop’s en masse during the fall semester; I recall a profound separation anxiety during that first weekend away from my comrades in my first year. Cliché though it may be, I believe this unique atmosphere, this distinct feeling, is attributable to the very spirit of Thanksgiving itself. I am initially reminded of elementary school crafts, making turkeys composed of paper plates, feathers, googlyeyes and glue, complete with a speech bubble stating: “I am thankful for…” with a characteristically goofy or serious insertion of childish scrawl filling in the blank. In a contrastingly empty town, with tangerine and tomato-coloured leaves cascading down around me, I contemplate all that I am thankful for. It’s a rather humbling experience. The list is long, and by the end of the meditating process I feel slightly wiser. Then the long weekend comes to a close, the bulk of the student body returns, and I’m immediately thankful to see the bustle of the bubble reappear before my eyes. Happy Thanksgiving!
Tweets and statuses
my plight of procrastination due to their it when I could have just been finishing my paper. fellow deadline frustrations. But how do we change these habits? We After observing this, I started noticing are all aware of these facts, yet we more and more school related continue to use these webposts on various forms of “Making sites as a distraction. social media describobservations of How many people ing the workloads 140 characters or less have asked you to of many. Facebook is not going to get the work change their Facestatuses such as, book password for “3 midterms, 4 done any faster. In fact, it usually papers, 6 days to makes me feel worse after I finally them during exam time? What kind go”, and tweets exit the swirling vortex of pure of self-restraint informing that “I evil- Facebook- because I feel do we have these have sooo much guilty for having wasted so days? Even after athomework to do tempting to remove #fml #dying”, begin to much time.” blow up my newsfeed as ourselves completely from the Facebook equation, crunch time arrived, begging friends who claimed they would be the question: why do we turn to these absent from the social networking world websites as outlets for our frustration? Making observations of 140 characters for a week usually reappear mere days or or less is not going to get the work done hours later, claiming they needed to “stay any faster. In fact, it usually makes me feel in the know”. What is it that keeps us coming back to worse after I finally exit the swirling vortex of pure evil- Facebook- because I feel social media in times of stress? Perhaps we guilty for having wasted so much time on are so drawn to these social networks be-
photo courtesy rian.ru
cause as students, we are seeking empathy from others who also have an inordinate amount of homework. Or perhaps we are simply seeking entertainment as we continue to procrastinate and deny the impending deadlines. Either way, I know I will continue to guiltily check social networks for updates as deadlines continue to loom, feeling mildly better when I see others hashtagging their school woes.
Features
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caleigh cross, Editor • thecampus.features@gmail.com
Upfront learning
Film screening looks at alternative educator Norman Cornett By Adam Young Editor-in-Chief
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n the age of new-fangled ways of teaching, Norman Cornett defied them all during his university teaching at McGill. That is, of course, until the University unexplainably fired him. Cornett was a Religious Studies professor at the McGill, teaching for roughly 15 years. He taught students in a unique way to participate hands on with literature and with others, all through “dialogic imagination.” The educator first learned about the approach after reading a translated work by Russian sociologist Mikhail Bakhtin, and decided to experiment with it in his university courses. Cornett’s great focus for his learners –he doesn’t use the term students – is to use their creativity in their learning and using each of their unique approaches to come together in dialogue in the communitythe classroom. “It behooves us as pedagogues to nurture, develop, foster, indeed create, a space for creativity in the classroom,” says Cornett.
photo courtesy montrealstateofmind.com
Former McGill University professor Norman Cornett. One of the ways Cornett accomplishes this is through a host of guest speakers, focusing a great deal on the arts in order to better spark his own student’s creativity. During an author reading for example, a poet may come in and join a continuing conversation on a piece of their own poetry that Cornett has already distributed to the class, encouraging them to ‘riff ’ with the ongoing conversation, while also loos-
ening formal ties of creator and consumer. Beyond authors, Cornett has seen his students become capable enough of holding their own to debate and discuss at the same level of even politicians, including former prime minister Paul Martin, and former Quebec premier Lucien Bouchard. Invited to the university by the film activist group Cinema Politica, Cornett’s visit will coincide with a documentary on his
MMPA
life directed renown First Nations director Alanis Obomsawin. Released at this year’s Hot Docs film festival in Toronto, Obomsawin followed Cornett around and got a first-hands opportunity to see his teaching in action. The result is a documentary that shows the thoughtfulness of Cornett, and his painstaking work to redefine the university classroom. Obomsawin first approached Cornett to film a documentary on his work, and so began a series of shoots in the classroom and outside. Cornett was insistent on not seeing any of the outtakes or any other part of the film until it was done. He recalls staying up the three days before its release in anticipation, and was thoroughly impressed with Obomsawin’s artistic take on his life. Cinema Politica will be filiming Obomasawin’s documentary Doctor Norman Cornett: “Since When do We Divorce the Right Answer from an Honest Answer?“ on Wednesday, October 17 at 7p.m. The screening takes place at the Foreman Art Gallery and admission is free.
Master of Management & Professional Accounting
• Designed primarily for non-business undergraduates • For careers in Management, Finance and Accounting • Extremely high co-op and permanent placement To learn more about the MMPA Program, attend our information sessions: Thursday, October 18, 2012 11:00 am – 1:00 pm Loft Conference Room, 2nd Floor, Marjorie Donald Building, Bishop's University Thursday, November 8, 2012 11:00 am – 1:00 pm Loft Conference Room, 2nd Floor, Marjorie Donald Building, Bishop's University
www.utoronto.ca/mmpa
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Features
The Campus, October 11, 2012
I have 2 first names. Three if you count my middle name, Donald. Yep, just like Donald Duck. When I was little, I would never tell anyone my middle name. I was sure kids would make fun of it. Ha. I was never able to hide my first name, Jay. Rhymes pretty well with Gay, don’t you think? Bay, stay, hay, fray, may. Gay. Jay. I used to think that was why I was different than the other guys. It was so obvious to a 6-year-old. If I had just had a different name, like Robert, or Steven, I would be “normal”. Kids wouldn’t call me Gay anymore. It was simple. Someone close to me once told me that it was unnatural, what I was feeling. Like maybe I could flick a switch inside of me: change. Make me natural. Make me Normal. I think that was the first time I swore to myself that I would never be “Gay” again. I was 8. Or maybe I was 5. Or 17. Or maybe it was this morning. Maybe every day since then I’ve told myself not to be “Gay”. “Not Gay, just Jay” A mantra, motto, maxim, method, minute, mile, mountain. Mask. I was 18 when I came to Bishop’s. It was the first time I told someone that “I am gay”. It was fucking terrifying. But I got over it, and now each time it gets better, not just to say it, but to accept myself. To realize that I am who I am. That I cannot change; I can’t just flip a switch to “normal”. And nor would I want to. My name is Jay, and I happen to be gay.
Jay
October 11 is National Coming Out Day. W
“I might always be partially closeted, but I want to live my life in the light.” – Amber My name is Nicole and I am a fine arts
student at Bishops. I came out as a bisexual two years ago during my first year, and I have known since I was in junior high school. So far most students at Bishop's have been pretty accepting of it, with the exception of drunk guys asking me to hook up with my girlfriends in front of them. While I am out and proud here at Bishop's, it is not quite that way with my family and some of my old friends in my hometown of Okotoks, Alberta. My family is quite accepting so I assumed it would be a piece of cake to tell my Mom. I tried to tell her this summer when we were driving back from a day of shopping, after she brought up my old friend from high school who had come out recently as a lesbian. My mom was going on and on about how proud she was for Siobhan, my friend, for coming out and that she can finally be herself around everyone. This conversation continued until my mom stopped mid-sentence; like she had suddenly realized something. “Wait, you don't like girls too, do you, Nicole?” “Well, Mom, does it even matter? What would it change if I did like girls?” I replied.
Nicole
She got extremely flustered; conveniently she was driving so there was an excuse to avoid eye contact. “Well… I guess it wouldn’t change much…But, but what about kids?!” She stammered, becoming more visibly upset. This was the most upsetting part about the conversation because my older brother Scott is adopted. My parents tried to have kids of their own, but eventually decided to adopt after 7 years of trying. Then my mom became pregnant with me three years later. I became very emotional, because I felt of all people, my mother would know that there are tons of options for couples who are physically unable to have a child. “Mom! You adopted Scott three years before you had me! You watch Modern Family, you know that many gay couples adopt! Geez…… Plus I don't even think I want kids.” “You…don't want kids?” “No, I don't think so,” I answered. My mother looked like she had been slapped. We spent the last 30 minutes of the car ride in silence. She got over it in the next few days, and has become much more supportive of my life choices, whether that means who I want to be with or whether I want to have kids.
aftermath of the 1987 March on Washington for Gay R States has now extended to an international day of re support for the gay and lesbian community. To com occasion, The Campus caught up with our office the Bishop’s University Pride Alliance (BUPA) some stories from some of its members.
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I see happy LGBT people, and
Amber
What began in the Rights in the United ecognition and mmemorate the neighbours, to hear
luis
sometimes, I feel like I’ll never fit in with them. Growing up, I always knew, but I didn’t want to say anything. At first, I didn’t know that there was anything wrong with it. I was seven when I first discovered that people didn’t like gays, when my second cousin came out. My family disowned him and I was forced to as well. I still don’t fully understand why, but after this, my family tried to turn me homophobic. I would regularly hear them talk disgustedly about the LGBT society. When the news would show a gay man talking or the gay pride parade, they would change the channel and call us filthy names. When I moved to Texas, it only got worse, as people say we’re all sinners. I had my families’ influence in England and the public’s influence in Texas telling me how filthy and wrong I was. I soon grew ashamed of my lesbianism and began to hide it from myself. I tried dating many guys and telling my
Tom
The issue of “coming out” is a big one
for university-aged students. When is the right time? Who to come out to first? Will people be accepting? Growing up in a small town in northern Canada, I'd never had a real reason to come out, as many figures in the community were devout Christians. When I came out soon after arriving at Bishop's, I was lucky to find out that people were, in fact, accepting. You could fear that the homophobia found in many high schools would bleed into university life, but the community is more accepting than many people think it is. After a year spent at Bishop's, I returned home and came out to my family and friends.
family who was ‘hot’ in my class even though none of them appealed. I made myself believe that I wasn’t interested in relationships but would be as I grew older. One day, I saw this lesbian couple’s wedding photo online, and it reminded me of whom I had once known I was. Since then, I have gradually come to accept that I can be happy or I can be closeted, and I don’t want to be closeted. My family has improved some. Two years ago, another of my second cousins admitted that he wasn’t the woman he was born as, and he’s started the transition from female to male with support from a select few family members. Last year, we discovered that my Gt. Nana had accepted my gay second cousin back into her life. I don’t know if I’ll ever have the courage to tell my family myself. As horrible as they are towards LGBT folk, they’re my family, and I can’t lose them. I might always be partially closeted, but I want to live my life in the light.
They were supportive, knowing I was in such a good place, and often times they were far less surprised than I thought they would be. Take Coming Out Day as you will, readers. For some, it might inspire you to take the plunge and tell the world. If you're not a queer person, it might be the time to remind your queer friends that you'll be there for them when the time is right for them. Knowing your friends are there for you when that day comes makes a big difference. To wrap things up, let's each take a moment to appreciate National Coming Out Day and how lucky we are to live in a country where coming out is possible. Everyone either has their own coming out story or has one of a cherished friend. What will yours be?
“Each time it gets better, not just to say it, but to accept myself. To realize that I am who I am. That I cannot change; I can’t just flip a switch to ‘normal.’ And nor would I want to.” – Jay
Hola! My name is Luis and I’m an
exchange student from Mexico, studying at Bishops for one semester. My coming out story is very recent. I actually told my parents that I’m gay a week before coming to Canada. I did this because I was completely scared about their reaction and didn’t really know what to expect. Mexico is a developing country with a strong Catholic community – 76.5% of the population – and my family is not an exception. Growing up in a still discriminatory country, where being who you are could be very dangerous,
was very difficult According to the government of Mexico, roughly 2000 people have been murdered for being gay. Thankfully, we live in a technological era where you can get information and support from different international organizations like PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). Having my loving brother helped me a lot when I finally decided to come out to my parents. I wrote a letter to my parents and I remember that before giving it to them I was a nervous wreck. When I gave them the letter I felt like I just jumped out of a very high roof
while falling down in slow motion. My parents read it and their first reaction was an extreme sadness. They could not stop crying. They felt like their little boy had died. The few days after we talked a lot and thankfully we agreed on one thing: I’m still their son, no matter what, and they will always love me. It hasn’t been easy, they don’t understand it and they are not accustomed to diversity, but we are working on it. Coming to Canada has been a relieving experience. I feel very free and safe and I feel like people treat me the same way as the others. Thank you all!
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Arts & Culture
&Culture
The Campus, October 11, 2012
Arts
Maghen eisan, editor • thecampus.ac@gmail.com
Just Folk Off
BU student band grows with the times By Tess Kennedy Contributor t was during a dark and stormy night last winter that they found each other – four musically inclined folk-loving Gaiters, lost in the quad in the midst of a fearsome Lennoxville white-out. Bandeen Hall gave them warm refuge from the storm, and to pass the time the foursome jammed out with some folky goodness. Fast forward to this September, and the students now have a name, a mission, and a home we all know as the Lion. Folk Off is comprised of current Bishop’s students; Risa Kastelic, a fourth year drama student leads on vocals, backed by Christo Graham, a second year drama and education student on the banjo, Sam Crooks, a second year music student on the double bass, and Chris Blades, a fourth year drama student also on the double bass. The quartet have become the Lion’s new house band, and they play there roughly every second Friday night. Past performances have included balloons, costumes,
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photo courtesy folk off
From left to right, the members of Folk Off: Sam Crooks, Chris Blades, Christo Graham, and Risa Kastelic. and folk-covers of old classics like the Arthur theme song (Originally by Ziggy Marley), and more recent classics like Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy”. More traditionally folk covers of the likes of Daniel Johnston, Pete Seeger, Credence Clearwater Revival, and Peter Paul and Mary round out their average set list.
The band says that they are drawn to the musical stylings of mid-20th century American folk largely because of the “campfire” aspect to the lyrics and musical arrangements; they love to have the audience singing, clapping, and dancing along with them. Their loose mission statement is pure fun: while they remain in our small
town, together first serendipitously and now by choice, they have set their sights on the happiness of today. They are hoping to have some recordings done and potentially available to the public by Christmas 2012. None of the band’s members knew each other before coming to Bishop’s; Risa is from Erin, Ontario, Christo from just outside Ottawa, Chris is from Halifax and Sam is a Lennoxville local. They praise the small, inclusive feel of BU in bringing them together and also creating a great atmosphere for performances. From jams in the quad to practice sessions at various member’s apartments to their Friday night Lion shows, they feel that they are always among friends as much as audience members. Mark your date book for this Friday, October 12 – they are set to take the stage once again at the Lion around 11 and promise to folk you right off until the early morning hours. There is also talk of a Halloweekend performance; and of course, you can connect with them via Facebook: “Folk Off ” The Band.
morris house reading series
Readers rejoice
Celebrated Canadian author Frances Itani speaks about her journey in the writing world By Laura Yaternick Online Editor
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fter the incredible success of her novel Deafening, Frances Itani has released another critically well-acclaimed effort with Requiem. Thanks to the efforts of Linda Morra on behalf of the Morris House Reading Series, Bishop’s University is welcoming Itani into the folds of our community to hear her speak about her work. The Campus met up with Itani to talk more about her writing habits and experience in the industry. The Campus: Where do you like to work? FI: I prefer to work in complete silence with no one around, so I sometimes go to places where I can ‘retreat’ – meaning, I move away from family and business responsibilities. Occasionally, I rent a small apartment or cottage by the week or by the month.
Sometimes I stay at an inn near the sea, or in a small town, but definitely away from the city. In 2010, I was given the opportunity to live in a castle in Umbria, Italy for 6 weeks, sponsored by the Civitella Ranieri Foundation in New York. That was a great retreat and good place to work on my latest novel Requiem. But most days, I’m in my home office in Ottawa. The problem is, when I’m home, I also respond to e-mails, phone calls, publisher and agent concerns, invitations, fundraising efforts for literacy, and generally look after the ‘business’ side of writing. C: How did you get started writing professionally? FI: I began to write [seriously] while I was a student at the University of Alberta in the mid-1970s. My first child was two, I was taking an evening writing course as part of my degree, and met W.O. Mitchell, who really encouraged me to pursue my passion. Once I had made the commit-
ment, I continued on and did not return to my previous profession, nursing, except for a few times as a volunteer. C: Do you remember the first piece you ever wrote? What about the first piece you were ever proud of? FI: I wrote a short story at the end of my term in Alberta, and W.O. Mitchell suggested that I send it to CBC’s Anthology (radio). I did this, and the late Bob Weaver bought it. So my first story was broadcast over CBC. I was so pleased with the sale that I used the payment to fly my mother to Edmonton for her to meet my second newborn. C: Which one of your works was your favorite to write? FI: I loved writing Leaning, Leaning Over Water, because that book took me back to river themes and childhood memories. I also enjoyed writing my novel, Remembering the Bones. The ideas and themes for that one seemed to spill out of my subcon-
scious, an absolute gift while I was working on the final stages of Deafening. I was living in Geneva during this time, 2002-03, a highly creative period for me. I could hardly get the words down fast enough, and filled two notebooks for Bones, even while writing the final chapters of Deafening. C: Have you ever taken any risks in your writing? How did this pay off or not? FI: A writer has to take risks all the time. Getting up in the morning and going to the blank page is a risk. Believing one is a writer is a risk. Believing one can craft a beautiful sentence is a risk. Writing is a risky business, all around. Writing is walking a tightrope. Frances Itani will be speaking as part of the Morris House Reading Series on Thurs., Oct. 18, 2012 from 5-6 p.m. at the Centennial Theatre Lobby.
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Book Review
J.K. Rowling returns: The Casual Vacancy By Taylor Poelman Copy Editor In her first novel since 2007, J.K. Rowling invites her readers into the small town of Pagford. While on the surface the English domicile appears picturesque and neighbourly, it quickly becomes apparent that not all is well and good within Pagford Parish. Secrets, schemes and scandals are revealed at shocking intervals, as the plot delves into the complex lives of the residents of Pagford proper and its outlying slum, known as the Fields. The story begins with the abrupt death of Pagford Parish councilman Barry Fairbrother. Evidenced via an epigraph quoting Local Council Administration, Fairbrother’s death marks a “casual vacancy” in his position on the Parish Council; but his departure will prove to be anything but casual.
In rapid order, readers are introduced to the unique voices of Pagford. Howard Mollison – council Chair and co-owner of the local delicatessen – is a force to be reckoned with, both in physical size and political strategy. Howard’s wife Shirley exemplifies small-town social ambition through her meticulous upkeep of the Parish Council website and revelry in all local gossip. Their busty daughter-in-law Samantha resents her husband Miles’, while fantasizing about the young pop idols of her teenaged daughters. Frumpy guidance councillor Tessa Wall struggles to manage her chronically nervous husband, Colin “Cubby” Wall, while failing to control their outspoken, rebellious son, Stuart “Fats” Wall. Together with cigarettes and witticisms, Fats and his best friend Andrew Price provide a different perspective of Pagford as only oppressed teens can. Parminder Jawanda, a tense family doc-
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tor, serves as Howard Mollison’s opposition on the Parish Council. Her marriage to the gorgeous heart surgeon Vikram, along with their Sikh religion are clouded in mysticism. However the same cannot be said for Jawanda’s youngest daughter, who is dyslexic and bullied at school. Social worker Kay Bawden moves to Pagford with her young daughter in pursuit of a relationship with the emotionally uncommunicative Gavin Hughes. Once there, Bawden becomes driven to assist the aggressive and promiscuous Krystal Weedon, a teen with a colourfully unpleasant life despite her youth. Whether it is weak or strong, professional or intimate, the novel’s central characters connections’ to Barry Fairbrother circle around Fairbrother’s mission on the Parish Council: to provide public aid to the Fields, to help the improvement of its residents, and strengthen its bond with the town of Pagford. The advent of his death
sparks a series of events that reveal, illustrate and exacerbate the social tensions hanging over the town. Rich are pitted against poor, teenagers against parents, and neighbour against neighbour. Though memories of the fantastical Harry Potter series remain fresh for many Rowling fans, it is advised that this markedly more adult novel be approached with an open mind. The Casual Vacancy offers a candid, no-nonsense, darkly humourous look at the trials and tribulations of its characters. There is no denying that J.K. Rowling has successfully transposed the narrative style that captured millions of readers with Harry into this new, equally enthralling tale about Barry. Simultaneously heartwarming, heartwrenching and hilarious, The Casual Vacancy is a mustread this fall season. Released on September 27, the novel has sold over 300,000 copies within its first week of sales in the United States.
BU Style Watch Sophia Hall Gauthier, second year Liberal Arts and English student dishes about her favorite places to shop and her style inspiration
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authier is lucky enough to share her apartment with a group of other stylish girls, and each one lends her personal collection to what becomes a shared closet of fashionable gems. With a style heavily influenced by French fashion, she cites Coco Chanel as being a figure of style inspiration. Stelle McCartney, Rachel Bilson, and Gossip Girl’s Blair Waldorf also make the list of Gauthier’s style elite. Bilson’s classic ensembles and Waldorf ’s flashy pop are easily recognized in Gauthier’s own personal style. She says her own style is derived from combining her French inspiration with that of her Canadian experiences. She likes to take an existing item and turn it into something else: turning a dress into a skirt, for example. Details are transformed and accentuated in refreshing ways. Some of her favorite places to shop include Zara and Urban Outfitter’s, but also vintage and
secondhand stores. Designer heavy-hitters such as Chloe and Marc Jacobs also grace the hangers of this style-conscious student’s closet. Keep up the chic work, Sophia! By Laura Yaternick and Cecilia Bracmort Online Editor & Graphics Editor
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The Campus, October 11, 2012
brian maciver, editor • thecampus.sports@gmail.com
Bishop’s split home-and-home (and their personality) against McGill By Brian MacIver Sports Editor
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he Gaiters seem to be a Jekyll and Hyde kind of team. After winning the first game in a homeand-home set against the McGill Redman, played at Coulter Field during Homecoming by a score of 26-18, the Gaiters lost the second game played at Percival-Molson Stadium at McGill this past Thursday by a mark of 34-20. It seems as if two different teams showed up at each game. In their Homecoming game, the Gaiters came out in their usual slow start. But like a train churning its wheels, once the machine started up, it got going. The Gaiters racked up nearly 600 yards of total offense that game, including 234 yards on the ground in a game where Matthew Burke gained 92 yards and scored two touchdowns on only 9 carries. The defense was also able to keep the McGill offense to 22 first downs. That’s their Jekyll. Their Hyde came out in the second game. The game went in the completely opposite direction as the first. The Gaiters scored on their first drive on a 40 yard touchdown pass from Jordan Heather to Alexander Fox and promised an easy game for the purple and silver. Then the monstrosity appeared. They played poorly, made too many
costly errors and were unable to convert on several key plays, including a third down attempt at the McGill 9 yard line that would have given them a 10-point lead headed into the second quarter. “We gave them about ten first downs off our mistakes: a couple on fumbles and interceptions, a few after turnovers on downs. But what really got us was giving them first downs off of defensive penalties,” said assistant coach Ian Breck. The team committed 12 penalties for 92 yards, four of which gave their opponents first downs, and allowed 33 first downs to the Redmen, including four off of penalties. A rash of suspensions also kept some of the team’s best players on the bench for part or all of the game. Elie Ngoyi was benched during the first half due to a teamsanctioned suspension. Team officials did not want to comment as to the cause of the defensive end’s suspension. Another marquee absentee was Adam Hughes. Hughes, the team’s starting Left
photo courtesy andrew dobrowolskyj
Gaiters running back Ronlee King-Fileen. Tackle, served a one game suspension sanctioned by the RSEQ after he participated in some post-play fisticuffs during the two teams’ first meeting. This latest loss not only brought the Gaiters’ record down to 2-4, but also means that McGill now has the tiebreaker over them in the standings. This means that if both teams finish with an identical record, since McGill won the point differential, they will rank higher than Bishop’s in the league standings. What does this mean for the Gaiters’ playoffs hopes? Well, it definitely isn’t looking too good. As Brent Bailey, the team’s Offensive Coordinator, said: “[The loss against McGill] probably cost us a playoff spot. Now we have to beat Sherbrooke and Montreal to get in. And we have to hope that McGill doesn’t beat Concordia.” That is a daunting task, to say the least. To say the average, it’s a near impossible
one. Bishop’s has three games remaining on its regular season schedule, all against teams who, at one point or another during the season, were nationally ranked (Sherbrooke, Montreal [3], and Laval [4]). The Gaiters will be facing off next week against the University of Sherbrooke’s Vert & Or, but their most difficult game will be against the new and improved Laval Rouge & Or. Last year’s Vanier Cup finalists fired their offensive coordinator after several anemic offensive outputs (by Laval standards) to start the season. But since that change, the Rouge & Or have been on a rampage, smashing McGill 69-0 then blasted the Sherbrooke Vert &Or 48-10. In the much awaited matchup against the only two undefeated teams in the league – Montreal and Laval – the Big Red Machine showed their superiority in their 30-11 victory. The Laval defense kept the strong Carabins offense in check, holding them to one point through the first three quarters. Laval also ranks first in points scored and points allowed, while Montreal is second in both categories, making Bishops’ task even more intimidating. Although it’s not impossible for the Gaiters to make it to the playoffs, losing to McGill has certainly made it improbable. Let’s hope Jekyll is able to keep Hyde in check for the remainder of the season.
Provigo Players of the Week Week of September 16-22
Joe Laleune Joe Laleune, a fifth year Liberal Arts student led the Gaiters Lacrosse team in their 11-10 victory over the McGill Redmen during Homecoming. The Gaiters’ Lacrosse captain notched four goals in the team’s battle with the then undefeated Redmen, including one that came with 10 minutes left in the game.
Andrew Jamieson Jamieson was the dominant force in the Men’s Rugby squad’s 5-0 victory over the rival Sherbrook Vert et Or. Jamieson, a 6’2”, 205 lb business student, scored the game’s only try on a 40 meter run, earning him this week’s athlete of the week honours.
photos courtesy bishop’s athletics
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Going NASCAR at the Ryder Cup Fans and players go bananas at the team meet By Brian MacIver Sports Editor
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his year’s Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club was one for the books. It had everything a great tournament needed: strong play, old enemies becoming friends, and a great underdog story capped off with an historical comeback. The World team, headlined by young phenom Rory McIlroy and seasoned veterans such as Luke Donald, Sergio Garcia, and Ian Poulter, came back from a fourhole deficit against team USA to win it on the last day of the tournament. But the real highlight of the championship was Ian Poulter’s intense celebration after making a birdie putt. “Intense” is the wrong word. Poulter completely flipped his shit. I mean, he made a war cry that would have scared even William Wallace. Believe me, I saw the putt live, and I wondered whether he was passing a kidney stone. It was worrying. But he wasn’t the only one getting his panties in a bunch (although his were twisted in knots only 70-year-old sailors would know). Even McIlroy, who is usually quite the calm oompa-loompa, was whooping and cheering. Some of the players were actually egging the American fans on. Golfers. Playing golf! The sport which arguably requires the most composure and concentration!
Miguel Cabrera wins baseball’s Triple Crown By Breanden Flynn Contributor
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he Halley’s Comet of baseball has landed in Detroit, Michigan. Earlier this week, Miguel Cabrera became the first baseball player since 1967 to hit for the “Triple Crown”. For those of you who don’t follow baseball or who just aren’t aware of what hitting for the Triple Crown entails, here is a brief and extremely accurate explanation. To hit for the Triple Crown one simply needs to lead the majors in home runs, RBI’s, and batting average. Sounds easy? Think again. Cabrera hit for an American League best 44 home runs, 139 runs batted in (RBI) and a 0.330 batting average. These are Hall of Fame type numbers
Poulter: “THIS... IS... SPARTAAAAA!!!” To be fair, the two who encouraged the fans the most were Ian Poulter and Bubba Watson. Bubba started the whole thing by asking the crowd to cheer through his opening tee shot on Friday morning, with Poulter following suit on Saturday. In a sport where strict fan etiquette requires complete silence when a golfer is swinging, Bubba placed himself in the avant-garde of the sport – and probably pissed off a few officials. But it was an extremely smart move by Team World to have the fans participate more. In an interview with Yahoo! Sports, U.S. fan Jim McMahon said: “I didn’t think there was any way I would be cheering for
photo courtesy ap photo/chris carlson
Ian Poulter today. He is one of those players you love to hate, but when someone goes out of their way to involve the crowd like that and generate atmosphere you have to respect it. It was pretty electrifying to see and be part of it.” By getting the crowd into it, they not only got used to having the noise right from the get-go, but also got some of the fans on their side. Electrifying as it may be, this was still an extremely odd thing to have happen at a golf tournament. Even before the players started pumping up the fans, you could hear roars of “USA! USA! USA!” coming from the galleries.
And it isn’t just the fans at Medinah either. Paul Lawrie, one of the only players on either team who complained about the crowd participation during the events, said that it’s much of the same when they play the Ryder Cup in Europe and elsewhere in the U.S.: “That was the same the last time I played in the Ryder Cup in ‘99, and I think [the U.S. team] said it’s the same when they come here [to St. Andrews, Scotland].” “I didn’t get abused,” added Lawrie, “but you get comments like: ‘Top it! Shank it! You’re going to lose.’ Stuff like that on every shot you play. Every single shot you hit last week, that’s what you get.” Apparently, there is something about putting golfers together in teams that makes fans nuts. National pride makes for great sportsmanship, and typically brings out the best in players. Take Ian Poulter. He didn’t win a single tournament this year, has yet to win a single major, and only made it on the World team as a captain’s special selection. Yet he managed to capture his third career Ryder Cup, basically making him the best Ryder Cup player of his generation. “These may be my majors and that’s fine,” said Poulter after Sunday’s win. “I have more pride and passion in winning the Ryder Cup than winning a major. I’d love to win one, don’t get me wrong. But if I don’t win another golf tournament, Sunday is going down as the highlight of my career.” This attitude represents exactly what the Ryder Cup is all about: putting all personal aspirations aside, applying your skills to common goal, and putting on a good show for the fans. And damn it, this was the best golf tournament I’ve ever watched.
All hail the king! and Cabrera has been slugging like this for the most of his career. Achieving the Triple Crown is an almost impossible feat: only 17 players since 1878 have accomplished it! That’s 137 years of baseball, and to top it off RBI wasn’t considered an official stat until 1920. Cabrera has achieved something that Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron and Babe Ruth couldn’t do. I mean, you can go anywhere in the world, mention Babe Ruth and people will know who he is. Keeping that in mind I think it’s safe to say that Cabrera deserves a huge ovation for his achievement this year as well as the title of the “greatest baseball player in the world” right now. The last player to hit for the Triple Crown was Carl Yastrzemski of the Boston Red Sox. Yastrzemski won the Triple Crown in 1967 with 44 home runs, 123 RBI, and a .326 batting average. He also won the AL MVP award the same year. Yastrzemski is in the hall of fame alongside some of the greatest players ever to play the game of baseball. Every single player to hit for the Triple
Crown has been immortalized in Cooperstown. That being considered, is there any reason to think that Miguel Cabrera will not be joining them? If this was a onetime surge in play then yes, there would be grounds to dismiss Cabrera from the Hall of Fame debate and probably some questions regarding possible steroid or HGH usage. But this is not the case. Cabrera has been putting up huge numbers his entire career. He has accomplished something great, and he should be rewarded not only with the AL MVP trophy but also with a place in the Hall of Fame at the end of his career. Winning a couple World Series wouldn’t hurt his case either, and the Tigers are built to win multiple championships. If the Tigers can win the World Series this year (most analysts think they can) this will be a year that Miguel Cabrera and the people of Detroit will never forget. It will ensure his place in the Hall of Fame on his first ballot. Unless the voting is rigged, which it often is. But that’s a story for another column.
photo courtesy usa today
Miguel Cabrera takes Crown. As a baseball fan and a sports fan in general, it is nice to see the good guys win; and Miguel Cabrera is definitely a good guy. Congratulations, Miggy, and good luck during the post season!
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The Campus, October 11, 2012
Top 5 replacement ref moments
A look back at the best of the worst moments from the month of September By Kofi Oduro Contributor
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ith the return of the regular NFL refs after the blunder in Seattle on Monday Night Football, here’s a compilation of the top five worst blunders perpetrated by the replacement referees. 5. Falcons Vs Broncos Marathon: Monday Night Football has become a staple in the American household, expected to last around three hours. But during that week-two game, the first half alone was approaching that mark. Not only was the game unnecessarily long, but the drama and the confusion surrounding calls made it unpleasant for viewers to watch. 4. Missed Calls: In a football game, you have certain calls that even the new fan, when explained the rules, can figure out. It seemed to the replacements that things like defensive holding and certain pass interference were to be ignored, because they have no influence in the outcome of the game. 3. Saints Fan: The NFL does standard background checks on its employees. Despite their checks, the league still managed to employ Brian Stropolo, an unabashed Saints fan. What is worse was that he was sent to officiate a Saints game! The NFL had to replace him last minute. Just imagine what could have happened if no one had pointed it out. 2. Made Calls: Not only were the replacement refs missing calls, but they also gave phantom calls. Ranging from ghost holding calls to spectre pass interference.
photo courtesy ap photo/ joshua trujillo The replacement refs invented something that I like to call: The Incomplete Touchdown.
For example, during the drawn-out Monday Night Football game featuring the Falcons and Broncos, there were a lot of problems with the yardage on penalties, as extra yards were tacked on, often giving Peyton Manning a shorter field to work with… 1. Blunder on Monday Night Football: Here’s the context for the biggest screw-up
of them all: on September 24, 2012, the Seahawks’ rookie quarterback Russell Wilson desperately tossed the ball into the end zone in the hopes that his receiver, Golden Tate, would be able to catch it for the game winning TD. Four Packer defenders surround the ball and Tate, realizing that he needed more room to maneuver if he were
to make the catch, decided to shove the defenders in order to be in the right position. As the ball made it to the end zone, Packers DB Jennings clearly intercepts the ball while Tate tries to tug it away from him. However, the referees saw a completely different play and ended the game by having the touchdown awarded to Tate and the Seahawks. Arousing the fury of a whole nation, the Seahawks’ robbery of a victory propelled the league to step up, and by September 26, The NFL had made an agreement that pushed the referees to work as soon as possible. The Good It wasn’t all bad, though. The replacement referees gave us the ability to watch football without having to worry about a lockout, such as the NHL is currently facing. They gave us a rollercoaster ride, the ability to cheer our team, and enjoy in the sport of football. Despite all of that, when the purity of the game and its rules are endangered, the game suffers. In memory of the Replacement Refs, we shall give them one final hurrah for saving the season and not being allowed to ruin the rest of it for any other teams (for any Packers fans reading this, your team has done a great justice to the rest of us): May your fifteen minutes of fame (or shame) help you with your jobs as teachers, real estate agents, policemen, etc. May it show that it is possible to get your dream job, and may it be a lesson that when the time comes, you better be prepared to keep it.
The great NHL exodus With the NHL lockout persisting, players are taking their skills across the ocean By Brian MacIver Sports Editor
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ith the lockout approaching its 25th day, labour talks are nevertheless supposed to resume today in New York, according to a NHLPA spokesperson. The NHL has already cancelled a total of 82 regular season games spanning from Oct. 11-24. Instead of sitting on their couches at home and earning no money as part of the league
imposed lockout, the players are looking for jobs elsewhere. A growing flock of NHL players are flying across the pond – that is, the Atlantic – to play in Europe. Star players such as Anze Kopitar, Rick Nash, Evgeni Malkin, and first overall pick Nail Yakupov, have all signed contracts to play in either Sweden, Switzerland, or the KHL. All of these signings can only mean that the players do not expect to have a resolution to their labour dispute anytime soon. As player agent Pat Brisson put it, “Players, they’re not looking at making money. They’re trying to keep their skills sharp. Today, these guys train so hard in the summer that they don’t want to lose their edge. Two-on-two and three-on-three [line rushes] are not the same as playing the game.” But the biggest player of them all, the cream of the crop, the
photo courtesy aaron bell/chl Images First overall pick Nail Yakupov has yet to don the Oilers’ uniform; if things keep up, he may not wear one this year.
Pride of Cole Harbour, Sydney Crosby, has yet to make the move. In a telephone interview, Brisson, Crosby’s agent, said that
“Sid’s in great shape, he feels terrific, he’s ready to come out of the gate. He’s not going over any time soon, but if it drags on, he’s
a player. At some point, at the appropriate time, if it comes to that, he says, ‘I’ve got to play.’” But Crosby is the exception to the rule. Some of Brisson’s other clients such as Sergei Gonchar and Evgeni Malkin have both made the jump to the KHL. Even Alexander Ovechkin made a bold statement after signing with the Moscow Dynamo of the Kontinental Hockey League. The Capitals’ captain told Washington reporters that if salary cuts were going to be made as a part of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), that he might never return to the NHL. Of course, to do that he will have to breach his 13-year, $124-million contract and go through more serious legal hurdles. But if he does make the move, look at other big name players such as Pavel Datsyuk and Malkin to follow suit.