The Meliorist Volume 45, Issue 25 by The Meliorist Publishing Society

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Guide To

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2012 Page 10

For the week of Thursday, March 22 â&#x20AC;˘ Volume 45, Issue 25

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March 22, 2012 • 2

Canada adopts omnibus crime legislation A detailed look at

Bill C-10 by Kelti Boissonneault

The bill explained Bill C-10, popularly known as the Omnibus Crime Bill, was proposed by Justice Minister Rob Nicholson on Sept. 20, 2011. Entitled the Safe Streets and Communities Act, it combines amendments from nine separate bills that previously failed to pass parliament. It passed on Monday, March 12 in a close vote of 154-129. On March 13 at 3:32 p.m. David Johnston, the Governor General of Canada signified royal assent for the bill, formally making it law within Canada.

Outside the Criminal Justice System: The Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act (JVTA), which comprises part one of the many-faceted bill, seeks to provide Canadian victims of state-sponsored terrorism with a means of seeking compensation from persons, entities, and states responsible for terrorist activity, according to the Canadian Bar Association (CBA) report. Most experts in the field, including the CBA, support this initiative and encourage further action along those lines.

Sentencing Offences against children — This bill was formerly proposed as Bill C-54 on Nov. 4, 2010 and included amendments to the Criminal Code regarding mandatory minimum sentencing for certain sexual offences involving children. It also creates two new offences: making sexually explicit material available to a child, and agreeing/arranging to commit a sexual offence against a child (essentially abuse-for-hire). Bill C-54 would eventually stagnate due to needed amendments regarding the mandatory minimum sentencing, and never passed. Conditional Sentences — This portion of the Bill was originally proposed as Bills C-16 and C-42 in 2010 and 2009 respectively and would cut down on conditional sentencing related to property and serious violent crimes. The various incarnations of this bill were proposed, according to some experts, to further the amendments made by Bill C-9 in 2009, which advocates the limitation of conditional sentences and the imposing of mandatory minimum sentences in the majority

of criminal cases. Controlled Drugs and Substances Act — This section has seen three previous incarnations in government through Bills C-15, C-26, and S-10 in 2009, 2007, and 2010 respectively. In two of the previous incarnations, C-26 and S-10, the bill died before being passed due to elections being called. Now, incorporated into C-10, the amendments proposed include mandatory minimum sentences for controlled substance-related crimes such as use, manufacturing, sale, and trafficking of drugs. With the enactment of C-10, judge discretion would be removed from sentencing for offences and mandatory minimum sentences would be imposed based on type and amount of substance involved, and the criminal history of the perpetrator. Critics worry that this amendment will have a detrimental effect on the justice system and, according to the CBA, “…limit the flexibility required to resolve cases justly.”

Post-sentencing Corrections and Conditional Release Act — Amendments to the CCRA have been proposed twice before in Bills C-39 and C-43. The CBA suggests that the amendments inherent in the new legislation “… represent [sic] a profound reorientation of Canada’s correctional system.” Corrections Services Canada (CSC) made recommendations in December 2007 through an independent review panel. The report by CSC encouraged legislation towards “…a greater focus on public safety and offender accountability…” Critics of the legislation point out that several of the amendments infringe on fundamental values and principles of human rights.

It incorporates the following: 1. The creation of new criminal offences 2. New and increased mandatory minimum sentences 3. Selective elimination of conditional sentences 4. Increased pre-trial detention and new harsher sentencing principles for young offenders 5. Longer wait times before individuals can apply for pardons 6. Increased barriers for Canadians detained abroad who wish to serve the remainder of their sentence at home It also includes the following changes outside the criminal justice system: amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, and amendments to various pieces of legislation to allow victims of terrorism to sue certain foreign entities and governments for damages. In short, the bill covers a myriad of topics. Below is a breakdown of the bill.

Criminal Records Act — These amendments have also been proposed before in Bills C-23 and C23B. The focus of this amendment is to delay the point at which one can apply for a pardon for any and all crimes and give general guidelines as to when pardon applications may be processed dependent on the crime. Critics believe that extension of the waiting period would make rehabilitation and reintegration into society more difficult as criminals without pardons are hindered in travel and finding employment even after their sentences are fully served.

International Transfer of Offenders Act — This amendment details legislation regarding the transfer of Canadians serving sentences abroad and limits their transfer rights back to Canada while incarcerated. This amendment was proposed twice before in Bills C-5 and C-59 in 2011 and 2010 respectively. The new amendment provides ministerial discretion for individual cases, which critics fear will create arbitrary refusals for transfer and inconsistencies in the function of the law.

Youth Criminal Justice The Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) amendments present in C-10 were previously part of Bill C-4, which would focus on “toughening up” measures in regards to criminal youth and impose mandatory minimum sentences. Critics point out that the current legislation strikes an appropriate balance between such measures and a restorative approach through increased emphasis on alternative measures. They cite that youth criminal cases are on the decline, and there are fewer youth in custody and there has not been an increase in violent youth crime.

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March 22, 2012 •3

Public Responses Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy

What Harper is doing here is not being tough on crime; he’s creating a permanent prison population… The Meliorist had the opportunity to sit down with Sean Desrochers and Dan Phipps of the local branch of Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy (CSSDP) to discuss some concerns the CSSDP has regarding the changes C-10 will make to drug policy and enforcement in Canada. The CSSDP was formed in response to previous legislative incarnations of the policies present in Bill C-10 and have been fighting the legislation since their inception in 2007. Like-minded students across Canada advocate for the adoption of a different drug policy in regards to illegal or controlled substances such as narcotics. “The CSSDP is not for, or against, drug use.” Desrochers says, “However we do believe that our current system of regulation is failing and all of the evidence points to the fact that the current way we are doing things doesn’t work in almost any respect.” He is referring to the fourpillared system of Canadian policy surrounding drug culture. The four

pillars are prevention, harm reduction, incarceration, and rehabilitation, and according to the CSSDP and statistics, C-10 will focus too much on the incarceration pillar rather than the other three. “When you look at the situation overall, the real gains are made in the prevention and harm-reduction aspects of the program. Incarceration should be the last resort…” Desrochers says. Phipps went on to add that legalization hasn’t even been factored into the equation at this point. “You don’t have to legalize anything to see positive returns in the area of harm reduction and prevention. All these drugs can stay illegal, but you will see positive returns simply by reducing the inherent risks in using these drugs,” Phipps says. When asked what are the primary concerns the CSSDP has regarding the new legislation, Desrochers said “We are concerned with the wording in and around some of the stuff to

do with minors and drugs.” He referenced the new legislation imposing strict, harsh minimum sentences to anyone caught trafficking or dealing drugs to minors. This could potentially be a case as simple as an 18-year-old handing his 17-year-old friend a joint and, if caught, has to do at least three months in jail. “The judge now cannot consider that this kid is obviously not a drug dealer, even though according to the laws he is a trafficker.” Desrochers says. “The way the bill is worded with regard to proximity to minors is such that school zones and [other areas children frequent], in sharing a joint with a friend you are considered a dealer through technicality.” Phipps adds, pointing out that the mandatory minimum sentences imposed by the new legislation will increase the penalty if the perpetrator is in an area frequented by minors. In addition to some of the wording of the bill, which has also come under fire from other organizations

this has done, in my opinion, has reacted to public opinion.” The bill focuses on the court system and justice rather than law enforcement. “As a Chief of Police I look at this bill as providing tools to all of us in the justice system,” MacKenzie said. “Policing isn’t really terribly impacted by this because there’s nothing that directs enforcement to do it.” He went on to discuss that despite the harsher restrictions of the bill, officers are still capable of using discretion in their work to determine an appropriate action when dealing with offenders. “We have to have faith in our police officers and it’s difficult some days, based on what you see in some places and the stor[ies] you hear from people,” MacKenzie said when asked what the public can expect from the officers in regards to this bill. “Some of our officers, I think, will have sober second thoughts

ing isn’t working and it’s time to try something new. We need to look at re-regulating all different kinds of drugs.” With the Conservative government holding firm to the “tough on crime” image legitimate concerns have been raised surrounding much of the policy in the bill. “Sans mandatory minimum sentencing, this is actually not that bad.” Phipps says of C-10. “It’s saddening, it’s disappointing, it’s troubling, but it’s actually not that dangerous. What makes this bill so uniquely dangerous is that [through mandatory minimum sentencing] the judges cannot do their job.” The CSSDP are committed to keeping an eye on this legislation and look forward to progress made in drug legislation and the social stigma surrounding drugs. More information can be found on their site at www.cssdp.org or you can reach them through the ULSU website for the local club.

The CBA’s Response

Legislation on the front lines

In a recent interview with the Meliorist, Lethbridge Regional Police Service Chief of Police Tom MacKenzie responded to questions about how C-10 will affect the enforcement side of the justice system. With the legislation coming under a lot of scrutiny by various groups, lobbyists and media, the Meliorist wondered how the new legislation will affect the police officers dealing with many of the offenders that the legislation targets. “Some of the things that we are seeing in this bill are at the pressure of the Canadian Association of the Chiefs of Police,” MacKenzie said during a discussion of the bill Tuesday morning. “Some would come from civil libertarian groups, some would come from the justice system itself: from those who are active in the court system, crown prosecutors, crown attorneys, associate people like that. A lot of what

and legal professionals, Phipps and Desrochers also commented on the inherent financial cost of the bill. “The John Howard Society in Manitoba estimates $60 million for the cost of new prisons, and this is just for Manitoba, and $30 million for the administrative costs for a total of $90 million,” Phipps said. “And this is just within the short term, and Manitoba does not have that money.” Desrochers added that the cost to incarcerate one person in Canada was approximately $100,000 while treating that same person in the community costs about $16,000. “What Harper is doing here is not being tough on crime; he’s creating a permanent prison population, a revenue generating stream.” Desrochers says, adding that the taxpayer will see little to no benefit from the proposed program. In terms of being tough on drugs, as the Harper Government has long held is their goal, Desrochers had this to say: “Clearly what we are do-

about [arresting young offenders] — they will look, they will investigate.” According to MacKenzie, officers are entitled and even encouraged to use discretion in determining treatment of individuals under investigation. A first-time offender acting respectfully can reasonably expect different treatment than a chronic offender. “First and foremost, [the police] are all about public safety... we still have the ability to recommend aversion programs [to the courts].” Like much of Canada, crime rates in certain sectors of Lethbridge are going down, particularly those related to property crimes and damage. However, there is a slight increase in violent crimes in Lethbridge, which may prompt some local support for the “tough-oncrime” stance of C-10.

The Canadian Bar Association, which represents over 37,000 legal professionals, has released a report on Bill C-10 which states “…bundling several critical and entirely distinct criminal justice initiatives into one omnibus bill is inappropriate, and not in the spirit of Canada’s democratic process.” The report also points out that several of the initiatives proposed in the bill have received no parliamentary committee consideration, despite the

bill having been passed. The report further iterates that several bills previously proposed to parliament are included in C-10 without the recommended amendments that could have facilitated their passing before. At its 2011 Canadian Legal Conference the CBA publicly urged the government to adopt several initiatives they believe would be more effective in achieving a safer society. These included the following:

• A more health-based response to the mentally ill, in place of incarceration • Policies and laws that recognize the historical, social, and economic realities of aboriginal people • A judicial “safety valve” to ensure justice in sentencing • A policy of transparency in regard to the cost of any future criminal justice initiatives

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March 22, 2012 • 5

Matt Baird Features Editor For more information on contributing to Features, please contact Matt Baird, f.editor@themeliorist.ca

Crafting Cocktails Greg Patenaude Features Contributor

Did you know that we are currently in the second golden age of cocktails? Huh?! Second? When was the first golden age? The first time cocktails reached a level of sophistication and craftsmanship that we are seeing today was 1885 – 1920. It may not be obvious, especially in a small city like Lethbridge, but cocktails are back “in.” In cities like New York, San Francisco, and Seattle (to name a few) the cocktail scene is huge and gaining momentum. Am I saying that it’s been close to 100 years since you could order a decent cocktail in a bar? No, of course not. What I am saying is that the amount of mixologists (yes, this is a real word coined in 1856 to describe a bartender who was superior at mixing drinks) practicing the craft of making cocktails hasn’t been this high in almost 100 years. So what does “the craft of making cocktails” mean anyway? Craft cocktails are cocktails made with an attention to details – cocktails made with fresh ingredients and high quality spirits. Take for example the Gin & Tonic I ordered at a bar-that-won’t-benamed. Now a G&T should be fairly straight forward, right? Well, my G&T was served in a glass taken from the dishwasher and was still hot, drowned in tonic water served from a fountain gun, and garnished with a lime wedge that was dry and hard as a rock. This was clearly not a craft cocktail. The next time you order a cocktail, check and see if the bartender pays attention to the details. Does he/she use a generic sour mix or freshly squeezed fruit juice? Has your cocktail glass been pre-chilled? Did they use bitters where appropriate? A good bartender or mixologist will pay attention to these details and your cocktail will be better for it. You don’t, however, need to have 20+ years experience to make a decent cocktail, and that is the point of this column. With a little know-how and the right tools, I’m hoping to show you, the reader, that making good quality cocktails at home is easy and fun. So what exactly is a cocktail? By today’s definition, a cocktail is simply any alcoholic drink containing spirits (as opposed to beer or wine). The history books, however, say otherwise. According to David Wondrich, the earliest written record of the term “cocktail” dates back to 1803 where it appeared in the Farmer’s Cabinet, a newspaper from New Hampshire. The earliest definition of a cocktail goes back to 1806 where it is described as “…a stimulating liquor, composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water, and bitters…” The key ingredient here is the bitters. What the hell are bitters? Well, I could write an entire column on bitters alone (perhaps in the future) but for now let’s just say that bitters are to cocktails as salt is to soup. Soup

without salt is bland and generic. Too much salt and that’s all you taste. But with the right amount, it adds depth to the soup and helps tie the flavours together. The same goes for bitters and cocktails. As to where the name “cocktail” first originated, I’ll leave that for someone else to figure out. To be sure, there are many theories as to the origins of the name but none have any definitive proof to back their claim. Honestly, if cocktail historian guru David Wondrich can’t track down the origins of the term, I don’t know who can. Where were we? Ah yes, cocktails. What better cocktail to feature for this column than the oldest cocktail, the Old Fashioned. By 1885, The Old Fashioned was, well, old fashioned. As new cocktails evolved using fancy ingredients like vermouth, curaçao, and orgeat syrup, the old guard cried murder.

I can picture the scene, an old curmudgeon leaning against the bar ordering a cocktail. “I don’t want some fancy new cocktail. Make me one of them there Old Fashioned cocktails…” Made with rye, water, sugar, and bitters, an Old Fashioned embodies the very definition of a cocktail. Unfortunately, as simple as this cocktail is, it is often poorly made (see my G&T above). One tendency is for bartenders to top up an Old Fashioned with soda water. Please, for the love of all that is holy, don’t ever top your Old Fashioned with soda water. You will only turn this beautiful cocktail into a carbonated watered-down mess. Salut! In an old fashioned (or double old fashioned) glass, add the sugar cube and soak with the bitters (~5 – 6 dashes). Add a bar spoon of water

(~1/8 oz) and muddle (i.e. crush) the sugar until most dissolves. Add the rye and three big cubes of ice and stir until well chilled. Twist the orange peel over the glass to express the oils and drop into the drink. A note on the ingredients: In an ideal world we would be able to buy American rye in Canada. Unfortunately, it is very hard to come by so we have to settle for Canadian rye. For my money, I would go with Alberta Premium rye. It’s cheap and makes a very decent cocktail. As for bitters, most of the big grocery stores sell Angostura (usually found in the pop aisle). When choosing an orange, choose a firm, ripe navel orange (not a mandarin). Use a potato peeler to cut a twist roughly 3 inches by 1 inch getting as little of the white pith as possible on your twist.

Old Fashioned Cocktail 2 oz rye 1 sugar cube 3 – 5 dashes Angostura bitters Orange twist for garnish

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6 • March 22, 2012

Neuroscience at the speed of light Investigating how your brain works Ivan Skelin

Features Contributor

Even primitive nervous systems are comprised of numerous heterogeneous nerve cells (neurons), intertwined in a hierarchy of networks. Such complex organization makes it difficult to definitively assign roles to neurons of a particular type or anatomical location. The methods classically used for tackling such questions, such as activating or silencing neurons using drugs or electrical current, non-selectively affect all the neurons around an administration site. Thus, scientific studies could not escape the possible confound of simultaneous activation or silencing of non-target cell types that contain receptors for the given drug or are electrically excitable (which all the neurons are, by definition). The ability to selectively manipulate neurons of interest would theoretically assist researchers in identifying their specific roles in neural computation and consequently in behaviour. This necessity led to the development of optogenetics – a set of tools and methods aimed at genetic targeting of living tissue, which renders activity on the cellular level controllable by light and subsequently enables control of the function of targeted cells via light. The idea that neural activity can be manipulated by light dates back to at least Sir Francis Crick, the physicist turned molecular biologist turned neuroscientist, most known for his role in the discovery of DNA’s structure. Ironically, tools for light-driven manipulation of neural activity have been

around for billions of years, before the first brains evolved. They were found among different microorganisms which, being adapted to a wide range of environments, required a spectrum of sensors that translate the environmental signals into action. Some microorganisms evolved so-called prokaryotic rhodopsins, a family of photosensitive

ons, changing the membrane voltage can either trigger or suppress neuronal spikes – a means of communication between the neurons. Some of the prokaryotic rhodopsin-coding genes actually preserve their functioning in the brains of species ranging from insects to non-human primates. Engineering of the opsins, as well as the tools

proteins that form pores in the cell membranes called ion channels. Prokaryotic rhodopsins change structure when illuminated by light of a particular wavelength, allowing the flux of specific ions across the cell membrane. This in turn changes the voltage across the membrane, which serves as a sensory signal. In neur-

for their delivery and control, now allow reliable neuron-specific silencing or activation at the millisecond time-scale. The credit for this goes primarily to three researchers: Dr. Gero Miesenböck (control of fruit fly neuronal activity and behaviour, using light), Dr. Karl Deisseroth and Dr. Ed Boyden (similar achievement in behaving mammals).

Following these developments, application of optogenetics tools in tackling the long-standing issues in neuroscience has flourished. The functioning of the brain circuitry underlying reward, sleep, fear and anxiety, learning and memory, can now be dissected and manipulated with unprecedented specificity. Although clinical applications of optogenetics still seem like the stuff of science fiction, the need for its techniques is becoming increasingly apparent. Numerous neurological and psychiatric disorders are either untreatable by current methods or require implantation of relatively crude sensory prostheses or deep brain electrical stimulators. This includes different sensory (e.g. blindness, deafness) or motor (e.g. Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injuries) deficits and treatment-resistant cases of psychiatric disorders (e.g. major depression, obsessivecompulsive disorder, addiction). However, certain issues such as the efficient delivery methods, long-term expression stability, possible immunogenicity, and mutagenicity will undoubtedly need to be addressed. Notwithstanding these issues, soaring needs of the human population suffering from neuropsychiatric ailments, combined with encouraging results from studies on safety and efficacy of optogenetics procedures in non-human primates, make a clinical application possible in the conceivable future. Ivan Skelin, MD, PhD, is a post-doctoral fellow in the Gruber Lab (Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience at the U of L).

Friends! Countrymen!

An apology for masculine liberation Olivier O’Brien

Features Humour Writer

Recently I have become aware of oppression. Not only in general, but even worse: it was specifically directed at me, a white, middle class, man, aged 20 to 22 – the last bastion of the free world. I mean, if people impose on our freedom, everybody else must be much worse off. As socially conscientious as I try to be, however, I’m afraid that this recent oppression has only just come to my eyes now – men are victims of patriarchy, and women, so recently wholly emancipated, seem disinclined to help. I would say that that just means we’re back to the old standpoint of standing alone, but that’s exactly what we have to stand against... alone. This is all very nuanced of course. However, in what ways might men be oppressed? Aside from the standard array of sexual objectification and victimization (petty, victimless crimes) that men face at the hands of women, and indeed other men as well. Aside from the environment of fear that prevents many men from speaking out, there is the overwhelming pressure to “be a man.” The constant emphasis on masculine traits and the fear of discovery, I hate to evoke an image as phallic as the panopticon, but there it is – big phallus is always watching you (and beneath the moustache, a smile). The very pre-eminence of masculinity creates the environment of pressure. A position of power, strength incarnate (that was the apposition of power), does not equate any kind of freedom. By the bonds that make us masters we are in turn bound. It is not, therefore, the power that is even the object of the party seeking liberation, but rather the right to assume it and to eschew it equally. For every uterine patriarch a phallic matriarch! But, there’s still something oppositional about that arrangement: rather, my bourgeois sensibilities are not quite offended enough by the principle of the arrangement. The alternative to the oppositional man is a distant and horrifying dystopia, so I guess we’re stuck. Forget the earth mother’s brave new world; everything you know and love would be

washed away by the red horde flooding over the Rhine like a tidal wave of Venus of Willendorf menses. In the struggle to eliminate, the other language would be a fated casualty; and with language, so too would identity; finally, with the loss of identity, the elimination of a smug sense of superiority. (You know, the feeling you get when you look at people). Deeply in love with myself as I am, eliminating identity seems unsavoury. Besides, think of all the wasted effort of thousands years slowly cataloguing and ordering the world. Why we even have our matronly foe so bound, its soft uterine “u” vowel sounds bulwarked by our two hardest and upright consonants, “c” and “t.” We really shouldn’t be giving up that kind of advantage; we ought to be gunning for having our cake and eating it too. The world of dichotomies can and probably should stay, but perhaps some conventions of masculinity ought to be examined now that feminism is over and done with (ladies first, I suppose). When we tell someone to “be a man,” what does that mean? What behaviour is it meant to elicit and how does it affect everyone who hears it? What, in its most basic state, is it evoking? Decisiveness? Action? From there what would you say “being a woman” is? You cannot simply construct gender roles for one without implying the other, which is why I am so disheartened with the apparent lack of enthusiasm for men’s liberation from women; surely they feel some duty to service our needs and sever our bonds, understanding that some small benefit might trickle down to them. But, that is not the case. A lesser man might have made a quip here about a certain gender’s proclivity for long grudges and irrational styles of argumentation. If you’re never really offered the choice to be the decisive testosterone-drenched heman that you are, is that identity really yours? If you didn’t choose to be decisive, how can you ever be decisive? If we’ve started to tear down the feminine other, what use is its counterpart to anyone? Once questioned, the “natural” notions of masculine behaviour become as flimsy as the feminine ones.

What are women complaining about? Men get objectified too!

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March 22, 2012 • 7

Introducing: Shuna Talbot VP Internal

Shuna Talbot: Far Right

Kelti Boissonneault

education is going to be like, at least a small portion of it.

You were elected this year in a very close race against your opponents Emma Ladouceur and Erin Luchia; was that scary for you? Yeah, I didn’t think it would be as close as it was, and I honestly thought that it would come down to Emma and myself, rather than Erin. That was a shock, but I was a little concerned about it being more of a popularity contest than a political race from the beginning. It was nerve wracking, yes.

How did you like Ed 2500? I liked it, a lot. I was lucky as I got a [grade] four/five split. It’s a little bit better; I don’t know if I’d have decided to continue on with it if I’d gotten, like, a grade one class right away. I mean, I know I will eventually have to teach at that level, but it’s grade one.

Editor-in-Chief

Where are you from and why did you choose to come to the U of L? I am from Airdrie, AB, and I actually was on my year off and I didn’t want to go to school. But I also didn’t want to live with my parents anymore, so I was like, “Guess I’m going to school.” I had an excuse to leave and the government can help me with it. Then I went to Europe and while in Europe I applied to the U of C, U of L, and Mount Royal. Then Mount Royal I had an audition for, but that failed, and then U of C I didn’t hear back from. I don’t know if it’s just ‘cause I didn’t finish submitting [the application] or if they just rejected me. Then the U of L was just like: “Yay, come to our school!” so I did. What are you studying? Drama education. Have you done the education portion of it yet, or are you still in drama? Still in drama right now. I did Ed 2500 already so I know what

So what made you want to get involved in student governance? I always wanted to be involved, because I was involved in high school. The first route I tried to take was the ORS route, because I lived in residence, and I liked res. That was not a successful route for me, so I tried other ways to get involved. I went to clubs, which then led to the SU by association, and this year I was not part of the SU at all. This will be my first elected position, but I do everything that they do anyway, basically. I sit on university committees that people can sit on, and I volunteer a lot. I like the staff, and I like Lisa’s job, specifically, and I’ve worked a bit with her. I figured, what’s the harm in running? Why did you decide to run for VP internal over the other positions? Well, if you watched the debates, probably the most difficult thing I’m going to run into is finances and budgets because that will all be new to me. My first choice, obviously, was not Ops/Finance, and then the President – as a personal opinion, I think it should be someone who is a part of the SU and who has done the GA stuff. Armin Escher does have

that experience, and I wasn’t going to throw myself into the SU and be the boss. With VP Academic, I mean it was a choice, but I didn’t want to sit on so many committees and deal with the university and have that be my focus as an executive. There was no point in me running for either Academic or President, because that’s your focus: your relationship with the university. That relationship is important, and I don’t disregard that, but I’d much rather be engaged with the student body. Because that’s what the Students’ Union is supposed to be doing, and that’s what I want to do. Before you were involved in the SU what was your impression of the SU? Like my first year? I did know about it because they threw Fresh Fest, but I didn’t know anything outside of Fresh Fest. I did go into res and was really good friends with a lot of the RAs because I was older, having taken a year off. So most of the RAs were my age or younger, which was unusual. So they were my friends, and I heard tidbits from them about what they do, but really, hardly anything at all. It’s a bit unfortunate, really. What are your goals as VP Internal for the upcoming year? Not to mess up. I don’t know: The Zoo needs film licensing because clubs like to watch movies in there. Technically right now that’s illegal, so that needs to be changed. I don’t think any film company would actually pursue a university bar showing films, but it’s something that needs to be there. Clubs use

it so it’s something that should be there, and it wouldn’t be inconvenient or a waste of money. I want to bring in a comedian, and I want to have a competition between students to open for this comedian, basically, is what their goal would be. There would be two people who open for this comedian, and hopefully that person would be able to judge; if not, then someone else will. There are a lot of people who like stand-up comedy at open mic. I think it would push them to make funnier material too. It’s not that it isn’t funny, but it will make it so you don’t run into a lot of repetitiveness in the material, which I’ve noticed. I think that’d be cool. It also kind of engages the students who maybe don’t want to go drinking either, because you don’t really get wasted listening to a comedian. You might have a beer, but if someone’s having a soda, it’s fine. Your predecessor, Lisa, focused a lot on events and she had mixed success with the events. Is there anything you plan on doing differently? If I do Meltdown again it’s going to be re-named because it now has a negative context with it. I also think that the timing might be inappropriate for it because this year it fell on an event that happens every year that the kinesiology [department] puts on, which is a big hit. Then she ran into a lot of difficulty with agents stringing her along and then not producing bands. That’s why it ended up being a cab. I’d probably look at it as a concert, since that’s what it should be: a welcome back concert. I don’t

know that I would put an event so close to Fresh Fest too, since there is a lot of expectation around that time. Everyone who came to the events had fun, but not a lot of students actually came out. So I want to push student engagement committee a lot, because I was the only student on the committee, aside from one of the RAs in ORS too. I’d like to see a few more first years on the committee and push it a lot of NSO: get them involved young. Internal works with clubs a lot as well; I know that in the past couple years attendance at council has been a major concern and Lisa tackled that problem successfully this year by having disciplinary actions. Yeah, Nate pushed that through in the previous year, but it has been incredibly successful. Obviously we want clubs to come because they want to be there. I’d like to bring in hour-long workshops, or speakers, for clubs to participate in: people that would be good contacts for them out in the community. People from like the Lethbridge Herald and the Meliorist, and the benefits you guys have. What kind of message do you have for the general student population? The student population needs to get involved. Whether it’s with the SU, or the paper, or the clubs. They need to be involved. It makes a huge difference to your university experience. Yes, academics are important, but life is so much more enjoyable when you are involved in your campus.

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Kelti Boissonneault Editor-in-Chief For more information on contributing to The Meliorist, please contact Kelti Boissonneault, einc@themeliorist.ca

Our truth and effort:

Intolerant of “tolerance” Kelti Boissonneault Editor-in-Chief

Society should not be tolerant. Tolerance is a dirty word in my vocabulary. Tolerance implies that one is unwillingly subjected to an experience or a reality that he/she must force him/herself to accept. Tolerating something implies that the subject is barely acceptable, or appropriate, or… tolerable. Society should not operate on a premise of what one can tolerate. Society should be enjoyed and accepted on the basic premise that everything is inherently good, and people can continually interact in ways where no one is ostracized, marginalized, or merely tolerated. I like the idea of this world, but how can I find a way to get there? The tricky thing about getting rid of toleration and replacing it with total acceptance and understanding is that you have to change minds. Is it possible? Yes. Is it difficult? Definitely. People believe many different things, hold different scruples, morals, values, and ethics, and will react in different ways to different situations. Every person on the planet, however, can be educated. Education is the key to fighting mere tolerance. Teaching our children that everyone is different in a myriad of ways that have nothing to do with skin colour, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, economic status, or class status is the first step. A child on a playground simply wants to play. Their innocence will allow them to see only a playmate, rather than someone to be avoided. As children, we have little to no knowledge of sex, or sexual preference. As children, there are few people who would pick their playmates based on sexual preference. Why, as adults, does it bother us so much? Is it because we are aware of sex? Is that what makes some people uncomfortable around homosexuals? That’s like saying all heterosexual women should be uncomfortable around heterosexual men. And that all heterosexual men should be uncomfortable around heterosexual women. I know very few men and women who are uncomfortable with socializing with the opposite sex. Why the stigma surrounding homosexuals? Let no religious devotion or tradition persecute another. Let us teach each other love and compassion, without prejudice or judgement and without distinction. The lifestyle of another is no one else’s business if it is not harmful to others, or to society. The love shared between two people (no matter sexuality, sex, gender, or any combination thereof) is a truly beautiful thing. In a world filled with tragedy, frustration, war, and evil, love is the greatest thing a human has to look forward to. It is the foundation of families, the stuff of legend and fantasy, and the most wholesome feeling a human being may experience. Love comes in many forms. Let us love one another, and live in the joy it brings. Optimistic, certainly. I know I cannot change the world with these words. I can only express my hope, my desire, to live in a better world.

Judge not others based on looks, or preference, or religion. Judge not based on anything: for it is not for us to judge the souls of others. I hope to embrace my brothers and sisters of every creed, class and culture, in order to make this world that we live in a better place. Tolerance is something unlikeable. It means we cannot truly accept one another; so we must put aside tolerance and graduate to acceptance. There is nothing more powerful in the world than acceptance and love. Let us live in that kind of world. Many would say that these issues are in the past. They are not. Just last year a trans-gendered woman was beaten savagely in a U.S. McDonald’s while others stood and watched. The video was released to YouTube. No one helped her. This is not the society that I want to live in. This is deplorable, and every incident that happens strengthens the stigma that these injustices should be “tolerated” like the individuals victimized by them. It is not acceptable, not tolerable, and not in any way human to treat another in such a way. We are better than this.

The Meliorist is the student newspaper of the University of Lethbridge, published most Thursdays throughout the academic year by The Meliorist Publishing Society, an autonomous incorporated body. Please address all correspondence to The Meliorist, 4401 University Drive, Lethbridge, Alberta, T1K 3M4, or drop it off at room SU-166. Deadline for submissions is Sunday 4pm. The Meliorist appreciates and encourages the writing of thoughtful, concise, timely letters. However, The Meliorist will only consider for publication those letters which are signed by the author. Special arrangements may be made for those wishing anonymity, but absolutely no pseudonyms. Letters should contain the authors legible name, address, telephone number and student identification number. The address, I.D. and phone number will not be published. The Meliorist reserves the right to edit submissions and will not print libelous material. Letters may be edited for brevity, clarity and legality.

Editor-in-Chief Kelti Boissonneault einc@themeliorist.ca Business Manager Nelson Chin b.manager@themeliorist.ca Advertising Manager Brandon Wallis

ad.manager@themeliorist.ca Production Manager Calvin Shiu p.manager@themeliorist.ca Creative Director Jeff Henry c.director@themeliorist.ca

As human beings, our capacity to love supersedes everything we know. We ignore it, push it down, and are embarrassed by these emotions. I encourage you: love each

other, and let our children inherit a world capitulated to love and all its benefits. This is my hope. In the meantime, I suppose all we can do is endure.

Account Rep Jillian King

account.rep@themeliorist.ca News Editor n.editor@themelisorist.ca Features Editor Matt Baird f.editor@themeliorist.ca Entertainment Editor Billy Davey e.editor@themeliorist.ca Sports and Lifestyle Editor Nicole Meech s.editor@themeliorist.ca Campus Beat Reporter Janet Barriage campus.beat@themeliorist.ca Photo Editor Jon Martin p.editor@themeliorist.ca Illustrator Adam Gaunt Copy Editor James Forbes Distribution Manager Tracy Fairs Production Assistants Emma Ferguson Myles Havinga Creative Designer Brandon Wallis Webmaster Chris Morris Printing Southern Alberta Newspaper Group Contributors Olivier O’Brien Greg Pateraude Ivan Skelin Graig Boehmer Natalie Wild RJ Balog Zoë Migicovsky Cover Jon Martin

Campus beat

meliorist the

March 22, 2012 • 9

Janet Barriage Campus Reporter For more information on contributing to Campus Beat, please contact Janet Barriage, campus.beat@themeliorist.ca

What’s happening OUTspoken 2012 March 21 – 24 Around Lethbridge The goal is to address a wide variety of LGBTTQA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, two-spirit, queer and allies) topics. This four-day workshop and lecture series includes an evening of entertainment and a dance party. It is free to attend! Clusters: New Media Student Show March 21 – 27 Penny Building Visit the Penny Building between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to check out the work of the New Media Digital Photo Manipulation class. Free. Collabaret Masquerave 2.0 March 24 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. at The Zoo and Ballrooms Doors open at 9 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door .10 per cent of profits will be donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Lethbridge. Attendees must be 18+. 6th Annual U of L Film Festival March 24 8 p.m. in PE 250 This is a great chance to check out the amazing talent we have around the university. Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. Headshave for the Canadian Cancer Society March 28 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Atrium The event will run all day. Visit http://www.headshave. ca/ to donate or register for the event. 3rd Annual Everest Challenge March 30 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Ascent Climbing Centre at the U of L This event has raised over $5,000 in the past two years. Starting on Friday, 13 teams will join together to climb more than 8.8 km to reach the height of Mount Everest. That is an average of 227 meters per person! There are added challenges this year like snow blindness where the climbers will climb blindfolded. The public is welcome to come and check it out. Global Drums! March 30 – 31 8 p.m. in the University Theatre This year Global Drums will feature an all-star line up to pay tribute to hockey’s greatest moments. You can get tickets at the box office for $15 regular and $10 for students, seniors, and children. This is a really fun show so bring a date and be amazed by the talent we have in Lethbridge.

The 6th Annual Film Fest Janet Barriage Campus Beat

The 6th Annual Lethbridge Film Festival is coming up this Saturday, March 24. Tickets are $5 dollars in advance and $7 at the door. This is a great event; it’s a lot of fun to hang out and watch the amazing films created by students. This year it is in PE 250 and popcorn and nonalcoholic drinks will be available for sale during the film fest. Films will be screened according to category throughout the night and there will be a People’s Choice Award, so make sure you pay attention to your favourite film so you can help it win! The submission deadline has passed, but here are some tips for next year so you can get planning your masterpiece. Anyone who has made a short film that fits the four categories of the film festival and doesn’t violate any copyright laws can submit. The five film categories are as follows: narrative under five and above five minutes, documentary, experimental, and animation. The film needs to be in English, dubbed in English, or have English subtitles. The festival sends out a call for submissions to institutions with multimedia programs within Alberta and one institution in BC. However, their focus is mainly on students in related programs at the

U of L and the Lethbridge College. This year, filmmakers could submit online, through e-mail, and in person by dropping off a DVD and the submission form. Each entry is charged a $10 submission fee; this contributes to the running of the film fest and the winner’s prize. Judges this year will include U of L new media department professors: Aaron Taylor, Deric Olsen, and Anna Pickering. It will also include local multimedia artists: Gianna Magliocco, the co-owner of Deadline Media, and Rod Leland, a photographer and multimedia artist. They are looking for sponsors for both the film fest and the PluggedIn art exhibition that is taking place the week after the film fest. If you missed your chance to sponsor this year then you can always do it next year! They will be advertising for the sponsors in multiple ways throughout the two events. Sponsorship in both money and certificates are welcomed, however, since the use of certificate are limited, money is preferred. In case anyone at the U of L or Lethbridge College wants to submit films after the submission deadline on March 15 but before the film fest on March 24, please e-mail filmfestival2012@hotmail.com, they will do what they can under the circumstances to fit you in. See you there!

Congratulations to Sea Marsland, the winner of the 2012 Student Speaker Challenge!

What do you get when you combine Cabaret with Collaboration and Masquerade with Rave? A really good party! Natalie Wild

Campus Beat Contributor

You may have noticed us in your classrooms, the Atrium, Denny’s, or stalking about on the fourth floor of the fine arts building in the early hours of the morning. No, we’re not zombies, though we have been referred to as hippies, ravers, carnies, Jedi, ninjas, warriors, telekinetics, or people training for Z-day. We’re the people you may have seen ambling about with hula-hoops, staffs, or those odd ropey ball things that we swing around haphazardly. So what is it that we actually do? Is there a method to this seemingly mad group swinging their objects to the noise of mating appliances? The answer is only in the eyes of the beholder, but recently, I’ve seen the Object Manipulation Club (OMC) grow tremendously into an inviting place for members of all varieties. Only a year ago, the OMC was known as the U of L Firespinning Club, but undertook a name change to more accurately describe and reflect what we do. Wikipedia defines object manipulation as “a form of dexterity play or performance in which one or more artists physically interact with one or more objects. These can be special props made for the purpose of the manipulation itself – such as balls, clubs, hoops,

rings, poi, staff, devil sticks, etc. – or any other object.” Although this definition is accurate, the OMC is more than just a group of prop manipulators. We welcome members of any shape and size, and feature weekly tutorial and practice nights to accommodate such variety including the likes of martial arts, dance, and many other forms of prop and body manipulation. More recently, the OMC undertook developments including a YouTube channel, hosting events such as Primal Urges and Collabaret Masquerave, as well as collaborating with the Boys and Girls Club of Lethbridge, Environmental Science club, Electronic Music Club (EMC), Canadian Students for a Sensible Drug Policy (CSSDP), and PRIDE. These recent collaborations have given way to the second ever Collabaret (Cabaret + Collaboration) Masquerave (Masquerade +Rave), taking place on March 24 in the ULSU ballrooms/The Zoo. This event gives many of our members a chance to perform and showcase their talent, and features five DJs from Southern Alberta; it is for a good cause, and gives you a chance to unwind before finals season strikes. 10 per cent of all profits will go to the Boys and Girls Club of Lethbridge, so come out, dress up, have a good time, and feel free to

say hi to any members of the OMC during ticket sales in U Hall or the SU. If the Masquerave isn’t your thing, don’t worry. There are many great events coming your way! Stay tuned for the Electronic Music Club’s (EMC) Blackout on March

30, The Environmental Science Club/ Eco Collective’ s Earth Hour on March 31, or PRIDE’s OUTspoken from March 19 – 24. Hope to see you around sometime! <3 your friendly neighbourhood OMC.

Acronyms and Definitions LGBTTQA Lesbian, Gay, bisexual, trans, two-spirited, queer, and allies

Gender Gender refers to the society consteucted identities of “male” and “female.” Your gender is not your sex (if you don’t know what your sex is check your genitals!). Gender is what you identify as, be it male, female or otherwise.

Transgender This refers to a range of behaviours, (gender) expressions and identities that an individual who does not identify with the socially ascribed norms gender might have. A trans*individual’s gender does not match their genitals.

Queer Previously used as a slur, some have reclaimed the term, using it as an umbrella term for non-heteronormative/binary identities.

OUTspoken An LGBTTQ workshop comes to campus Adapted from OUTspokenlethbridge.org Yesterday saw the start of OUTspoken, a not-for-profit collective that has organized a four-day workshop and lecture series including world renowned keynote speakers and entertainers. Presented by the ULSU PRIDE Centre and in collaboration with the University of Lethbridge, the focus of the event is to provide information on issues relating to a wide variety of LGBTTQA issues. All events are free and open to the public, with speakers and performances taking place both at the university campus and around the city of Lethbridge.

Guest Speakers

From our Campus Dr. Suzanne Lenon

Ivan Coyote

Ivan Coyote was born and raised in Whitehorse, Yukon, and is an award-winning author of six collections of short stories, one novel, three CDs and four short films. She is a renowned performer whose first love is storytelling and over the last thirteen years she has become an audience favourite at music, poetry, spoken word, and writer’s festivals from Anchorage to Amsterdam. Her appearance is sponsored by Outreach Southern Alberta.

Questioning

Dr. Suzanne Lenon joined the department of Women and Gender studies in July 2008 after receiving her Ph.D. in Sociology and Equity Studies in Education from OISE/UT. She is currently completing a manuscript based on her dissertation entitled A White Wedding? The Radical Politics of Same-Sex Marriage in Canada to be printed by the UBC Press. She is also co-editing with OmiSoore H. Dryden a manuscript entitled Queer Kaleidoscopes: Disturbing Canadian Homonationalisms. The edited collection foregrounds critical race/queer diasporic/indigenous scholarship to critically examine the deepening relationships between homosexuality, nationalism, multiculturalism, and belonging and hence to offer a contrapuntal reading of normative Canadian gay politics, scholarship, and activisms.

Dr. Paul Vasey

Someone who is uncertain or questioning with regards to their gender.

Intersex Individuals born with genitals that display ambiguous characteristics, or characteristics of both sexes. Not included in the “alphabet soup” (LGBTTQA), becuase like “homosexual” it is a medical term. It is often called “a disorder of ambiguous genitals.”

2012

Kate Bornstein

Kate Bornstein is an American author, playwright, performance artist, speaker, and gender theorist. She has published five books including Hello Cruel World: 101 Alternatives to Suicide for Teens, Freaks and Other Outlaws which came out in 2006. Her visit is sponsored by LPIRG.

Dr. Paul Vasey employs concurrent cross-species and cross-cultural perspectives to answer the following question: if reproduction is the engine that drives evolution, why engage in non-contraceptive sex? For the past decade he has conducted research on the development and evolution of female homosexual behaviour in free-ranging Japanese monkeys at Arashiyama, Japan. He also studies the development and evolution of male same-sex sexual attraction in humans at field sites in Samoa and Japan. Since 2003, he has worked in Samoa with members of the fa’afafine community. Dr. Vasey is a member of the Editorial Board of the Archives of Sexual Behaviour. His work has also been the subject of various documentaries on television and the radio and has been reported on in hundreds of newspapers and magazines such as the New York Times, and the Economist.

Two-Spirited Persons of aboriginal descent who display both masculine and feminine characteristics may self-identify as two-spirited; the two identities are believed to reside in one body. Historically, these people were considered privileged in their society.

Asexual Someone who is experiences romantic or sexual desire exclusively for themselves.

Dr. Sheila McManus Katie Toth

Katie Toth is a freelance journalist for Xtra, Geez, and Rabble. Her work in queer and activist media has been regularly published around the world. She will be speaking about her experience with queer media, and the politics that go with it.

Allies

Dr. Sheila McManus of the U of L History Department grew up in Calgary and completed her B.A. at the University of Calgary in 1992. After finishing her M.A. at UVic in ’94 and her Ph.D. at York in 2001, she was appointed the first Post-Doctoral Associate at the Howard Lamar Center for the Study of Frontiers and Borders at Yale University. She taught American and Canadian history at the University of Winnipeg in 2002-03 and joined the U of L in 2003 where she teaches the histories of the American and Canadian Wests, historiography and methodology, and queer feminist theory.

Individuals who may not identfy as queer or trans*, but who are invested in the fight for equality.

Fa’afafine Biological males in Samoan culture who live “in the manner of a woman.

Sponsors Campus Women’s Centre LPIRG Gay Calgary Magazine OUTreach Southern Alberta ULSU PRIDE Centre

Ken Coolen

Ken Coolen is the president of the Vancouver Pride Society, and recently travelled to different pride celebrations around the world. He also starred in a documentary of his travels as he explored the meanings of pride in different locations and cultures from New York to Russia, Brazil, and Poland.

Bre Woligroski

Bre Woligroski is a Canadian queer, religious and feminist activist, currently residing in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She has worked with the Student Christian Movement of Canada, World Student Christian Federation, and served as a volunteer delegate to the UN’s 52nd Commission on the Status of Women. Her visit is sponsored by the Campus Women’s Centre.

Events The Laramie Project

On Friday, March 23 Chinook High School in Lethbridge will be staging The Laramie Project by members of the Tectonic Theatre Project. The play is based on the tragic beating death of Matthew Shepard who, in 1998, was beaten and left to die tied to a fence on the outskirts of Laramie, Wyoming. Shepard died six days later. Since 1998 The Laramie Project has been produced in over 100 cities across the country, performed simultaneously by high schools, universities, and professional regional theatres. OUTspoken will be attending this production at Chinook High School on Friday, March 23 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets should be purchased early from the Textbook Centre at Chinook High School, or by calling (403) 320-7565.

The Madonna Painter

From Tuesday, March 20 through Saturday, March 24 at 8:00 p.m. the University Theatre will present The Madonna Painter on the main stage nightly. Written by Governor General Award-winning playwright Michel Marc Bouchard, the production features religion, sexuality, death, and secrets within the small parish of Lac St-Jean, Quebec. Tickets are available through the University Box Office (Monday through Friday, 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.) or by calling (403) 329-2616. Tickets are $15 regular, $10 for seniors and students. There is mature content and nudity. With files from www.outspokenlethbridge.org. For more information and a detailed list of workshops and a schedule, visit their website.

Acronyms and Definitions LGBTTQA Lesbian, Gay, bisexual, trans, two-spirited, queer, and allies

Queer Previously used as a slur, some have reclaimed the term, using it as an umbrella term for non-heteronormative/binary identities.

Guest Speakers

From our Campus Dr. Suzanne Lenon

Ivan Coyote

Questioning

Dr. Paul Vasey

Someone who is uncertain or questioning with regards to their gender.

2012

Kate Bornstein

Asexual Someone who is experiences romantic or sexual desire exclusively for themselves.

Dr. Sheila McManus Katie Toth

Allies

Individuals who may not identfy as queer or trans*, but who are invested in the fight for equality.

Fa’afafine Biological males in Samoan culture who live “in the manner of a woman.

Sponsors Campus Women’s Centre LPIRG Gay Calgary Magazine OUTreach Southern Alberta ULSU PRIDE Centre

Ken Coolen

Bre Woligroski

Events The Laramie Project

The Madonna Painter

March 22, 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ 12

entertainment

meliorist the

March 22, 2012 • 13

Billy Davey Entertainment Editor For more information on contributing to Entertainment, please contact Billy Davey at e.editor@themeliorist.ca

The travelling music festival of Alberta Swig of Alberta Billy Davey

Entertainment Editor

With its very first shows, Swig of Alberta will open in Lethbridge on March 30 and then make its way north to Calgary (March 31) and Edmonton (April 1). Joe Gurba and Jesse Northey have been doing almost all the ground work to get the festival on its feet and will also be included as performing musicians. “I want the different scenes in Alberta to sort of unite more, and… when you spend a whole week with someone, you get to know them. So all these important bands from all these different cities hangin’ out together and building relationships — and hopefully we see more provincial touring. I would like to see the individual city scenes turn more into a provincial scene,” said Gurba. Northey and Gurba both expressed a desire for a more united Alberta music scene, something Northey sees in many BC bands: “A lot of BC bands would come through, and

they seemed to have this sense of BC pride, and all their songs would be like about mountains and the ocean and there was this really strong sense of community that they had, and they kind of brought that here. And I was like, well Alberta has a lot of cool bands too, but we don’t really have that same sense of pride or that sense of community, like between cities and stuff like that, so I kind of wanted to drum up some… community for Alberta and the bands we have and that… Alberta has a diverse range of bands that are good.” And to excite this Alberta pride, some great Albertan bands have been recruited, most of which are from Edmonton, Lethbridge, and Calgary. “It’s pretty even… there’s three from Edmonton, three from Lethbridge, two from Calgary, one from Medicine Hat, and one from Grand Prairie, but there’s more because some bands can’t play all three cities,” said Gurba, who rounded up the Edmonton bands and musi-

cians, which include Mitchmatic, Jessica Jalbert, and Michael Rault. And Northey recruited much of the Lethbridge portion, including Red Rum Triumph, Brenna Lowrie, and The Record Holder. Swig of Alberta has turned into a great outlet for “fun and exposure,” said Gurba. “None of the bands are massive, and I don’t know if that’s what I would even want, like a big headlining festival. It’s kind of to help bands that aren’t necessarily just starting out, but it’s to draw attention streams so that the people who are fans of the Edmonton bands will now know about some Lethbridge bands,” said Northey. The two creators expressed little worries in these early stages of the festival, besides the obvious: “I’m worried no one will come,” said Gurba. Also, because these will be the festival’s first shows, the turnout could determine whether there will be more dates. Gurba and Northey both revealed a desire to continue the festival, add more cit-

ies, and change the line-up. “Next time it’ll be a whole new roster — there were a bunch of people who wanted to play but just couldn’t do [this] weekend,” said Gurba, who when asked how long he would like to do the festival, laughed “forever.” Tickets are $10 advance and $15 at the door. The Lethbridge show, on March 30 starts at 5 p.m. at The Slice; the Calgary show, on March 31, starts at 5 p.m. at Cantos Music Foundation; and the Edmonton show, on April 1, starts at 5 p.m. at Wunderbar.

Ender’s Game

Science-fiction classic hitting the big screen in 2013 R.M. Schafer

Entertainment Writer

For all of you who, like me, are big science-fiction fans, hold on to your tin-foil hats because one of the greatest classic science-fiction books is set to hit the big screen next year. Orson Scott Card’s classic Ender’s Game has just started filming and is slated to be released March 15, 2013 (so long as the world does not end). For those of you who have never heard of Ender’s Game, now is the time to check it out, but I will give you a brief overview to spike your interest. Orson Scott Card wrote Ender’s Game in 1985 and it won the 1985 Nebula Award for best novel and the 1986 Hugo Award for best novel. Ender’s Game revolves around an endangered mankind who have barely survived two battles with the alien species known as the Formics (AKA “Buggers”). The Formics are expected to attempt a third invasion, and in anticipation of this third invasion, the International Fleet begin operating a battle school in orbit around earth where they train future fleet commanders – the International Fleet selects the world’s most talented children to be trained in battle school for the entirety of their childhood. At battle school the children are trained through a series of war games, which become increasingly more difficult, in preparation for the children to command the fleet against the anticipated third invasion by the Formics. The Ender’s Game film has been in production hell for more than a decade. Many scripts have been written and rejected, including scripts written by Orson Scott Card.

One of the biggest problems has been that whenever a studio has looked into producing the movie, they always attempt to change the age of the characters to 16 in order to give the main characters a love interest – which frankly has nothing to do with the story. Finally, however, a script has been picked up, which will incorporate elements from both Ender’s Game and its parallel novel Ender’s Shadow. The main character of Andrew (Ender) Wiggin will be played by Asa Butterfield, who most recently starred in Martin Scorsese’s adventure drama Hugo. Harrison Ford will be making his return to space, as he will play Colonel Hyrum Graff, a role

for which Ford is well suited. Ben Kingsley will also star as Mazer Rackham, the man responsible for defeating the Formics in the first two invasions. Gavin Hood, director of X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009), wrote the screenplay for the movie and will also be directing. Orson Scott Card has written 11 novels and 12 short stories in the Ender’s Game saga – the most recent novel, Shadows in Flight, was published earlier this year. If you’re not too inclined to read the novels, check out the Ender’s Game graphic novel adaptations from Marvel Comics which have released 45 issues thus far. Can Ender’s Game become the next Harry Potter or

Star Wars? With such a rich well of stories to draw from, hopefully Ender’s Game will become a successful movie franchise.

the

entertainment

meliorist

14 • March 22, 2012

Movie review

21 Jump Street RJ Balog

Entertainment Writer

If you are one of the sceptics about the semi-rebooted franchise 21 Jump Street, first, forget everything you’ve ever known. Second, go to the theatre right now and sit down for one of the best comedies of the year. I know what you might think – how could this rehash of a TV show from nearly 30 years ago be done in a clever and relevant way? Let me tell you that 21 Jump Street succeeds on every level and deserves to get some recognition for creativity, originality, and the all-around genuine effort put in by all those involved. If you’re looking for action, comedy, romance, or even science, then this is the show for you. The film starts off way back when in 2005 where we see Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum) as your stereotypical high school inhabitants – Schmidt as the Slim Shady wannabe loser, and Jenko as the handsome and popular jock. We get a glimpse of each as they were in high school and then we spring forward seven years through a retro style montage that successfully fills us in with the whole back story without dragging it out or skipping over it. Here we see Schmidt and Jenko reunite in the police academy and, with a touch of serendipity, become friends as they help each other through graduation. Now it is present day and we find Schmidt and Jenko as bicycle cops patrolling the parks; hilarity ensues.

Here we are introduced to one of the show’s recurrent antagonists and also we’re given the setup for the whole rest of the movie. Due in part to the fact that they have kind, gentle, but mainly young appearances, Schmidt and Jenko are enlisted in an undercover program at a local high school to infiltrate the new drug craze. The boys are given aliases as brothers and are put up in Schmidt’s parents’ house to give their cover the full effect. So it’s the first day and Schmidt and Jenko discover that things are a lot different from when they were rolling. The film does a great job showing the strange new world that high school has become. People care about studying and the environment, comics and nerds are cool, and there are hipsters! There is a terrific contrast and era shift seen here between past and present times. The culture of the time has changed significantly since Schmidt and Jenko were in high school, and it shows. What 21 Jump Street is great at is using itself as a source of jokes and something to draw from. It’s really a parody of past and present. Showing the change of culture in just seven years for Schmidt and Jenko shows how drastically culture has changed since 21 Jump Street originally ran in the late ‘80s. Many of the film’s best and most consistent jokes are the ones that pull directly at its very concept. In a sense the film is selfaware, drawing punches on itself and doing a great job at giving a nod to its source material without

Book review:

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Zoë Migicovsky

Entertainment Writer

With the upcoming film to be released tomorrow (March 23), there’s already plenty of momentum behind The Hunger Games movie. Also behind the movie is an internationally best-selling novel by Suzanne Collins — and it is definitely worth the hype. The Hunger Games features a gory and not instantly original-sounding premise: it’s an annual tournament held by the Capitol where a young girl and boy, aged 12 to 18, from each of the 12 districts compete to the death on television while the entire nation of Panem watches. What makes Collins’ book so different from the plenty of films where people, usually convicts, are forced to fight to the death, is the fact that the “contestants” (or tributes) in her competition are innocent kids. More than just relying on a horrifying premise, Collins brings the tributes to life so that as much as the reader wants the main character, Katniss, to win, they realize that her doing so will be at the cost of 23 other lives, including the sweet and young Rue. It would have been easy for Collins to demonize all the other contestants, but she doesn’t, and the result is an emotionally complex and conflicting story. Another heart-breaking aspect of The Hunger Games is the fact that Katniss volunteered for the Hunger Games when her younger sister was chosen, offering to take her place to save the life of the person she loved. But the choice to volunteer is easy compared to the choices Katniss faces in the competition, choices

that are lifechanging and life-threatening. Choices about what, and who, really matters to her. Confusing everything for Katniss, and the reader, is a love triangle featuring Gale, Katniss’ lifelong best friend, and Peeta, the other tribute from her district who shares a secret past with her. Though the triangle was believable, at times I wished there was less of a focus on it and more history about the world Collins created and the philosophy behind the games. Considering almost the entire novel features a fight to the death, it’s expected (though no less riveting) that The Hunger Games has an edge-of-your-seat quality. It’s easy and appealing to read, and Collins’ language is clear and powerful. Ultimately, the exciting plot, engaging characters, and easy storytelling result in a novel that is certainly worth the hype. If you’re one of the few people who haven’t picked up The Hunger Games, I’m not sure what you’re waiting for!

Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum have a dynamic chemistry that just gets more and more likeable as the film progresses.

blatantly doing it in a cheesy and boring way. Throughout the film the audience is given exactly what it wants, and even relates on a personal note. We see Schmidt and Jenko reliving the troubles and problems of the American teenager. Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum are great together. They have a dynamic chemistry that just gets more and more likeable as the film progresses. Each plays their role perfectly to a point where it’s believable that that’s how they probably were in high school. I’ll admit that I may have doubted Channing Tatum in a lead comedy role, but seeing him

and Jonah Hill bounce off each other is comedic gold. The film is full of great little cameos: Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation), Chris Parnell (SNL, 30 Rock), Jake M. Johnson (New Girl), and a few others that I was happily surprised to see. The group directing effort of Phil Lord and Chris Miller (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Clone High) is terrific as they form a wellbalanced story that consistently stays fresh even when repeating and elaborating on earlier jokes, which actually adds to make them funnier. There’s also subtleness to the humour that sneaks up on you and

leaves a lasting impression. For what could have been a horrible “reboot” of an old TV show, 21 Jump Street succeeds by bringing a fresh and creative take on the concept. By only loosely following the source material but referencing it in subtle and smart ways, the film brings to life a fan favourite from the past. So whatever you’re looking for, be it action, drama, high school hijinks, or buddy cop humour — 21 Jump Street offers it all. Don’t settle for the same old boring soup; try something new this weekend and go support this great show.

meliorist

Entertainment

the

March 22, 2012 • 15

Kathleen Edwards Voyageur (Maple Music/ Zoë)

Chiddy Bang Breakfast (Virgin/ I.R.S./ EMI)

The fourth studio album of the Canadian singer Kathleen Edwards continues her gradual climb of Canadian and US music charts. In the first song, Edwards sings about an “Empty Threat” of moving to America. Edwards songs are, for the most part, simple in nature, which keeps true to the folk genre. However, she has a tendency to drag out an “emotional” piece to a frustrating pace, which wouldn’t be so bad if she took the time to write a few ballads, but she instead uses obtuse poetic phrases. The sound Edwards is going for doesn’t work too well for either genre, pop or folk; she ends up with an album filled with easy listeningish tunes that aren’t so easy to listen to. When Edwards chooses to she can bring much to the table, but she usually comes up short.

Breakfast is the first album by Chiddy Bang, named so because “breakfast is the first, most important meal of the day,” said Chiddy. After a short one minute and 23 second intro, the album starts with “Breakfast” that uses horns, keyboard, and other various electronic sounds to make a very lucrative backing track. The album then proceeds to bombard the listener with a crowded electric symphony. “Ray Charles” brings the album back to a simple sound that suits Chiddy’s rap style much better. However, the album then regresses back into a mesh of cheap vocal loops and dance-type sound that are far too slow to actually dance to. In its entirety, Breakfast only has a handful of songs that manage equilibrium between the rapping and backing track.

March 22

March 24

John Wort Hannam with Leela Gilday @ The Slice 9 p.m.

Buckman Coe @ Owl Acoustic Lounge 9 p.m.

Ocean party with Daniel Wesley, Kim Churchill and Penny Fortune @ Average Joe’s 9 p.m.

Boogie Patrol @ The Slice 9:30 p.m.

International Open Mic with Devin Gergel @ The Cave (College) 7 p.m.

March 23 Brock Jellison @ Owl Acoustic Lounge 9 p.m. Stars From Streetlights Matt Robinson, Jordan Ostrom CD release show @ The Slice 9:30 p.m.

Jazz and Art @ La Cité des Prairies | 2104, 6 Ave. S. 7:30 p.m.

Boom Twang @ Lethbridge Casino 9 p.m. Lethbridge Folk Club Open Mic @ Wolf’s Den 8 p.m. Open Jam with Dave Tillsley and Cory Oryniak @ Jimmy’s Pub 9 p.m.

U of L Jazz Ensemble plays Essentially Duke Ellington @ The Gate 8 p.m. Andrew and Zachari Smith with Geoff Noble @ Wolf’s Den 8 p.m.

Trampled by Turtles Stars and Satellites (Six Shooter)

The acoustic-loving Canadians are back with their second album, which can either ride on the success of the first or become its own accomplishment. “Midnight On the Interstate” starts the album slow, gradually adding in instruments as the droning vocals carry the melody. “Walt Whitman” is the first fast-tempo track that has some excellent violin work that brings an already fabulous song to another level. “Risk” eventually allows the band to show its skill on the strings, as a nearly three minute instrumental. Some of the album’s slower songs, like “High Water,” make one wish the band would take a more western sound rather than the generic-sounding minor chord progressions. Overall, the album is a great success, with “Don’t Look Down,” another instrumental, one of its strongest pieces.

March 26

March 28

Hey!

Open Mic @ Owl Acoustic Lounge 9 p.m.

Blackberry Wood @ The Slice 9:30 p.m.

Wanna post your

Punkalotmus with Sophmore Jakes, Cold Gold, Evidence by Design, The Maddigans @ Lethbridge Legion 7 p.m.

L.A. Beat Open Jam @ Owl Acoustic Lounge 9 p.m.

band’s concert? Your phallacious Level 8 gallery opening? Email your events to e.editor@ themeliorist.ca!

March 25

March 27

Jamie Carrasco with Flying Fox and the Hunter Gatherers plus Chuck McClelland @ The Slice 9 p.m.

Open Mic @ The Slice 9:30 p.m.

••• Got nothing on

Open Mic @ Bo Diddly’s 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

the go? Go to an event. Write an article. Contribute it to The Meliorist.

I think the campus mancave is called The Zoo….you win this one, guys… To the people who smoke right under the windows of E section in uhall rez: please either find a new place to be loud at midnight or SHUT THE HELL UP. Some of us have early classes. The 5Days students have voluntarily given up their beds and their fridges to raise money for homeless youth. I don’t see ANY reason to hate on that. You’ll never find a blameless organization, so why not support Invisible Children? At least they’re doing SOMETHING. People are beginning to know who Joseph Kony is, and whether you agree with Invisible Children or not, we can all agree that this is a good first step! KONY 2012 To the want-to-be homeless people, if you ask the same person to give change 20 times in the same day and act like a dick when they don’t every time, you aren’t helping your cause. Joe at Tim Horton’s deserves a raise and a new car! Best service ever, you make my mornings so sunshiney. I lost my external HardDrive (black plastic), can you please turn it into lost & found, all my school work and family photos are on there. I would really appreciate it. Thank you Tip 2 UHall rez: never leave ur laundry in the washer/dryer and 4get bout it, otherwise theyll b taken out 4 others to use d machine and ull be w/o some clothes. ur own fault.

meliorist

TLFs

16 • March 22, 2012

What’s up with the ‘upgraded’ Study Centre? They put a row of computers on the south wall which has busted up blinds. Talk about being blinded by the light! #BadPlanningSkills Streetbike for sale! Asking $4600 O.B.O. 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 500 R, 2300 KM. Contact 403-393-3630! To the class in AH 116 on Thursday, March 15, at 3:05. You mad bro? To the boy who’s car ran out of gas a lot of thursdays ago..I’m glad to know you’re ok! :) And thank you for thanking me via TLF. That made my day! -purple ford girl :D “She loves you! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!” Find a better argument.

When an A student gets a C or D on an essay/test, that creates major panic for us lower species. Hardly education All them books I didn’t read They just sat there on my shelf Looking much smarter than me -Modest Mouse

So much hate for the people doing the 5 days for the homeless thing. Guess we know the ones whose mommy and daddy pay for them to be here. Boostraps mentalities don’t work :P That awkward moment where you have a naughty dream about the girl in your class and can’t look her in the eye the next day because of what you did to her the night before. Emma at the Coffee Company: You are beautiful. Let me buy you a ring and a house!

Thank you again to the homeless fundraiser guy who helped carry my light kit to my destination. Greatly appreciated.

In three lines: Someone please explain the schism between Western Analytic Philosophy and Continental Philosophy – just for fun – xo.

I accidentally a whole textbook! What should I do? Help!

The last time I checked I thought the study centre was meant for studying, thanks to the 4 girls last sunday I`m left confused.

you know why I like young girls … because they are like older girls but younger.

Last few weeks before the lightning of finals hits us all and leaves us wondering if all this hard work was worth it. Never give up, never surrender. Live long and Prosper. :) I know we’re not supposed to berate our fellow students; but playing with a hula hoop in the middle of the atrium does, indeed, make you appear insane.

They know what’s up.

MAKE ROB FRAME FAMOUS 2012 #INVISIBLESEMANTICS

To the lovely lady who paid for my muffin and coffee at CJ’s – your a saviour, a scholar, and a connoisseur of fine women and wine <3 wishing you the best week EVARRRR!

the

Dear Calculus 2, let`s do some math, 1 door plus 5 religious studies students coming out plus 10 calculus students coming in equals no ones getting through diaz won that fight. 209for life baby

What does a nosy chily pepper do? – Get jalapeno biz-nazz. Thank you to everyone who participated in the 5 days for the homeless… Such a great cause to bring awareness to!! big gulps eh…. dear parking ticket people, please ticket people who park in “no park” zones!!!! I am sick of these people thinking the rules don’t apply to them! i guess i didn’t get the memo… it is cool to dress like you are in an early episode of the fresh prince…. lmao seriiously people wtf? Is it still considered prostitution if you’re dating? Is it just me, or has the entertainment section been a bit lacking in coverage of university/on-campus events lately? That awkward moment when you see a prof you had one class with and you’re not sure if they remember you… DearBoyfriendHater; As a taken woman I’m angered by your highschool mentality on relationships. I’m not a bad friend I just have better things to do than hookup with 20+ guys/night

Submit your TLFs at WWW.THEMELIORIST.CA or to THEMELIORIST@GMAIL.COM. All TLFs must be submitted via a valid uleth account. Keep in mind that slanderous or offensive TLFs my be edited or omitted. The TLFs do not reflect the views or opinions of The Meliorist Publishing Society.

Band/Album/Label

* indicates Canadian artist

lifestyle

meliorist the

March 22, 2012 • 17

Nicole Meech Sports and Lifestyle Editor For more information on contributing to Sports and Lifestyle, please contact Nicole Meech, s.editor@themeliorist.ca

Shed your pounds by increasing your wallet size? Healthy Wage offers a counterattack against rising rates of obesity Nicole Meech Lifestyle Op-Ed

Millions of dollars are spent annually in an effort to motivate people to exercise and diet. Anything from diet pills, exercise videos, exercise crazes, or work place challenges have been marketed to the increasingly obese population in an effort to cut health care costs and increase the health of our nation. But the latest breakout is something that is unexpected and perhaps may even work: paying people to shed those unwanted pounds. HealthyWage. com was launched barely three years ago as an initiative to motivate people to lose weight. The motivation? Cold hard cash. How can such a business stay afloat? Well, participants need to pay a deposit when they register. The amount they pay depends on their weight loss goal

because the more you lose the more you earn, and if you don’t meet your goal then Healthy Wage keeps the deposit. This program has gained increasing popularity within the last year which has also increased their advertising revenue and corporate sponsorship, hence how they are able to pay up when people meet their goals. The program consists of three basic challenges: “The 10% Challenge,” “The BMI challenge,” and “The Matchup.” The 10% Challenge simply requires a $100 deposit in exchange for a challenge of losing 10 per cent of your body weight within six months, paying out $200 if you succeed. The BMI challenge has a substantially higher reward at $1,000 for obese participants (BMI greater than 30) who are able to decrease their BMI to a normal level (below 25) over the span of a year.

The Matchup poses yet another challenge to be completed in teams of five who compete for a $10,000 prize. This particular challenge is usually marketed to corporate companies who can use the incentive to increase productivity in the workplace and create a team environment. All of these challenges are open to any method the participants choose to use, which helps people form initiative rather than being told what to do and how to do it. Although this program may seem too good to be true, there are no strings attached. People who work hard literally get paid for it. Over the past two months alone Healthy Wage has awarded over $100,000! This trend appears to be sticking around for the long run, and although it currently only operates in the United States, the migration to Canada will be sure to follow. This

program has proven its success over the past few years, but should we be questioning whether it is a realistic long term goal for people? Are people merely motivated for the gamble and opportunity to compete? In an interview with the New York Times, David Roddenberry, the co-founder of Healthy Wage explains that the program is about “rewarding healthy behaviour” rather than encouraging gaming behaviour. The goal is to hook people with a tangible goal while simultaneously getting them hooked on a healthy lifestyle. The monetary incentive is merely supposed to serve as stepping stones which will give people an extra push to keep going. Roddenberry claims that this program will help people change their habits, which will benefit them long after they complete a challenge through

Healthy Wage. An incentive plan is a great way to start a healthy lifestyle plan, but shouldn’t the incentives be a permanent life-long reward rather than a one-time deal? Once that monetary goal is out of the question will people truly stick to their new habits or simply revert to their old comfortable ones? Unfortunately, people love money. So once that monetary goal is out of sight, any other goal may seem insignificant or not worth the effort once people fall off the wagon. Healthy Wage does seem to have their hearts in the right place, but there’s no denying human incentives. After prize money is collected, who will be there with an open wallet the next time these people step off a treadmill or reject an unhealthy indulgence?

Keepin’ it fresh: Exercise of the week Dumbbell Bench Press on Stability Ball The classic bench press is familiar territory for many people, especially men (not meant as a negative stereotype!). So this exercise is targeted more for the ladies, or anyone who doesn’t like to use a bench press. A typical bench press targets the pectorals, deltoids and triceps while the dumbbell press on a ball targets those plus your stabilizers (think core) to provide you with a dynamic exercise. Your body doesn’t have the support it would from a bench, so many more muscles will be engaged throughout the exercise as it tries to stabilize itself. This particular exercise is great if you’re trying to build strength – you just need to make sure to use a heavy weight with few reps (you should be able to complete six reps with good form with the weight of your choice).

How-to:

1. Lay on a stability ball with a dumbbell in each hand – your knees should form a 90 degree angle and your shoulders should be in full contact with the ball.

2. Raise the dumbbells directly overhead, pause, and then return to start. Repeat as many times as possible. Demonstration by Brady Flesch

sports

meliorist the

March 22, 2012 • 18

Not enough oil for rising stars: A fan’s rant Craig Boehmer

Am I the only one who thinks that Tambellini must have been drunk when he signed Hemsky to this deal?

Sports Contributor

What do five goals and 29 points get you in the NHL these days? Apparently, if you’re Steve Tambellini you give him a two year $10 million contract. Am I the only one who thinks that Tambellini must have been drunk when he signed Hemsky to this deal? $5 million dollars a year for a player that currently is producing less offense than (the last worst signing in Oilers history) Shawn Horcoff! How does Mr. Tambellini justify that particular signing? Ales Hemsky will never play on the Oilers’ top line for as long as Jordan Eberle is in an Oilers uniform. However, Mr. Tambellini decided that Hemsky was worth the money of a top line winger. This begs the question: if Tambellini couldn’t get Ales to go lower than $5 million a year, what are the big three going to get? Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle, both of whom are 10 times the offensive threat that Hemsky ever was, will be RFAs at the end of the 2012-2013 season, a year before Hemsky’s contract ends. And if he got $5 million, do you think that Hall and Eberle are going to get less than seven? Right now CapGeek has Hall and Nugent-Hopkins making 3.75 on their entry level deals while Eberle earns 1.15; this means that their whole line makes less than Alex Ovechkin and they have about 100 points more than him. How-

ever, with Ebs and Hall becoming RFA soon, do you think that either of them will sign for less than what Hemsky is making? Chances are that both of them will sign some-

where around the six or seven mark, and then the year after that NugentHopkins will want the same wage. That means that this line will now be earning $18–21 million a year;

that’ll be approximately a third of the team’s cap space. How is Edmonton going to afford that when they are still paying Hemsky $5 million and Horcoff $5.5 million?

This should make Oilers fans a little nervous, especially considering the trend of talented players leaving Edmonton as soon as they can to win in other cities. Does Tambellini really know what he’s doing? We have all seen how destructive a GM can be on a team when he makes ill-advised moves. And right now with Edmonton so close to actually becoming relevant again it would be heartbreaking for Oilers fans everywhere to see them collapse on themselves. Now I am not saying that this Hemsky sign will destroy the rebuild. All I am saying is that if Tambellini is willing to overpay for Hemsky by so much, who else will he overpay for? Ryan Smyth’s contract expires this summer; will Tambellini give him a big fat $7 million extension? How about Gagner, who has actually put up consistent numbers, unlike Hemsky; will Gagner be another $5–7 million player? I am not too sure that Tambellini is the man Oilers fans need negotiating these new deals because if he botches them it will handcuff the Oilers for a very long time. Just ask Kevin Lowe about the Souray and Horcoff contracts.

A man’s world:

The inherent sexism in the sports journalism industry Autumn McDowell

The Carillon (University of Regina)

REGINA (CUP) — Sports journalism: you might as well call it the HeMan Woman Haters’ Club. It’s pretty obvious that I’m a girl trying to make it in a man’s world. I want to talk about hockey for the rest of my life. But to do this, I have to “earn my way” into a gentlemen’s club. Sports journalists are mostly men, with the exception of a few females known mostly to the men of the industry as “bombshells.” In order for these “bombshells” to gain any sort of respect or any smidgen

of credibility, they have to work their asses off and deal with a lot of sexist crap along the way. I know from experience. I highly doubt that, when a male reporter goes to cover his first NHL game, he gets flashed by an entire team and then has one of the players message him on Facebook later that week saying “Hey :).” I also highly doubt that if that male reporter is tall and skinny, the other reporters assume that he would rather cover volleyball than hockey and call him “honey” and “sweetie.” Maybe it’s common for men, too, that every time someone asks them

what they want to do when they “grow up” and they say they want to cover hockey, the person asking laughs and asks, “No seriously, what do you want to do?” But I doubt it. And I doubt they get as many questionable looks and eye rolls as I do. Whenever I walk up to a player to do an interview, or when I am in the middle of a scrum, there is a skeptical energy projected toward me. It’s as if everyone assumes that I know nothing about sports. People automatically assume that the opportunities I have been given are because of my looks. I would love to show those people the countless

The overwhelming assumption that I will be hired for my looks and not for my knowledge is, to say the very least, annoying.

hours of work that I am putting in to get where I am going, but I can’t. When I talk to people about being a sports journalist, I’m told to think of myself in terms of being the next Erin Andrews or Sara Orlesky. But when people make these comparisons, they are saying it because I am a pretty face to have on the sidelines, not because of my sports knowledge. Just once, I would like to be told to try to be the next Bob McKenzie, or Jay Onrait, although I won’t be holding my breath on that last one. (Thank God no one has told me that I am headed toward be-

ing the next Pierre McGuire. I might as well switch careers now.) The overwhelming assumption that I will be hired for my looks and not for my knowledge is, to say the very least, annoying. I wish it was the other way around. I want to be the girl that knows her stuff first and foremost. If someone thinks that I am good-looking, so be it, but I shouldn’t have to bank on that to secure myself a spot in the industry, and so I won’t. No matter what anyone thinks.

classifieds • • •

JOBS JOBS JOBS!!! Let us introduce you to CES (Career & Employment Services). CES is a student service office dedicated to assisting you with your Career and Job Search needs. We’re within the Career Resources Centre in AH154, along with Applied Studies and the Management and Arts & Science Cooperative Education programs. CRC office hours are 9am - 12pm and 1pm - 4pm Monday-Friday. Go to our website for more detailed information on our services: www.uleth.ca/ross/ces.

• • • • • • •

WIN AN iPad 3! Visit: http://www.fromlearningtowork.ca/ and fill out the survey for your chance to win!

• •

WORKSHOPS to March 30: Please SIGN UP for workshops at CES (AH154) or email ces.students@uleth.ca

• •

CES Resume/Cover Letter Workshops:

•

* Thurs, Mar 22, 9:30am-12pm * Mon, Mar 26, 2-4:30pm * Thurs, Mar 29, 1:40-4:15pm

•

CES Networking & Job Search Workshops:

• •

* Fri, Mar 30, 10am-12pm

CES Interview Techniques Workshops: * Fri, Mar 23, 11am-1:30pm * Tues, Mar 27, 3-5:30pm

CES Career Portfolios Workshops: * Wed, Mar 28, 10-11:30am

Visit our website www.uleth.ca/ross/ces and click on the student section to find the CES online job board!

• •

•

• • •

Camp Councilors and Camp Specialist, Various Locations ~ Canadian Camp Staff (May 31) Christian Summer Camp Staff for Underprivileged Kids Camp, Evansburg ~ Brightwood Ranch (May 31) Invasive Weed Management Technician, Prince George/Peach Region BC ~ Spectrum Resource Group Inc (March 31) Ecosystem Ecology Summer Field Research Assistant, Leth ~ UofL (Mar 31) JFR Crew Leader/Sub Leader ~ Sustainable Resource Development (Mar 30) Program Leader/Camp Counselor; Program Coodinator; Assistant Program Coordinator; Camp Cook; Dining Hall Steward; Program Coordinator/Camp Ranger ~ The Bert Sheppard Scout Reserve (Apr 2) Curatorial & Program Assistant, Claresholm ~ Town of Claresholm (Apr 13) Seasonal Problem Wildlife Control Worker, Cgy ~ Eagle Creek Wildlife Control (Mar 23) OSI Project Assistant, Edm ~

March 22, 2012 • 19

• • • •

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

PART-TIME • • • •

•

Summer Postings

the

• • •

Nanny/Babysitter, Various Locations ~ SOS Sitter (Jun 8) Relief Staff, Leth ~ Lethbridge Family Services (Mar 31) Brand Ambassadors, Leth ~ Signature Group Marketing (Mar 23) Registered Nurse AcuteCare/ ER (Mar 23); Registered Nurse AcuteCare (Mar 30), Provost ~ Alberta Health Services Swim Instructors/NLS Certified Lifeguard, Leth ~ YMCA (Apr 21) Show Home Host/Hostess, Leth ~ Greer Home Builders (Mar 26) Temp Part Time Phys Ed Teacher, Leth ~ Stettler (Mar 29) Tutors, Various Locations ~ First Tutors (Apr 18)

FULL TIME • • • • • •

• • •

Crop Scout, Leth ~ Parrish and Heimbecker (Apr 20) Flash Content Creator, Cgy ~ eCompliance (Apr 1) Addiction/Mental Health Counsellor, Cgy ~ Primary Care Network (Mar 26) Forage Marketer, Leth ~ Willbur-Ellis Company (Mar 23) Cereals Research Associate, AB/SK ~ Syngenta (Mar 31) Psychologist & Assistant Psychologist, Various Locations ~ Correctional Service of Canada (Apr 30) Executive Team Leader, Various Locations ~ Target (Mar 27) Project Manager; Surveyor; Estimator, Cgy ~ Kidco Construction (May 31) Operations Lead, Lloydminster ~ C2 Farms (Mar 31)

•

• • • • • • •

Agronomist ~ Sanderson & Associates (Apr 19) Leadership Development Program, Cgy/Edm ~ Crane Supply (Mar 23) Entry Level Manager, Edm/Cgy ~ WIS International (Mar 30) Inventory Coordinator, Edm/ London; Maintenance, Edm/ Halifax;Quality Control Tech, Creston; Site Logistics Manager, Creston ~ Labatt (Mar 24) Business Development Manager, Leth ~ BlackBridge Networks (Mar 25) Registered Nurse/Registered Psychiatric Nurse, Camrose ~ Bethany Group (Mar 28) Programmer Analyst, Cgy ~ Telvent (Mar 29) Buyer, Cgy ~ Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (Mar 30) Forage & Livestock Agronomist, Westlock ~ Gateway Research Organization (Mar 23) Support Center Technician, Cgy ~ DataDrill Communications (May 31) Instructional Technology Manager, Leth ~ Lethbridge College (Apr 4) Java C++ Junior Developer; CATIA V5 Junior Consultant, Seattle ~ PCO Innovation (Apr 4) Web & Graphic Designer, Cgy ~ HireGround Software Solutions (Apr 4) Independent Contract-Agency Operator, Leth ~ Avis Budget Group (Mar 31) Transportation Coordinator, Hanna ~ Prairie Land Regional Division No 25 (Mar 30) Educational Technologies Liaison, Edm ~ NorQuest College (Apr 6) GIS Technician, Cgy ~ H2Safety Services (Apr 7) Business Development Consultant ~ Western Union Business Solutions (Apr 7) Social Development Director ~ Piikani Nation (Mar 30) Field Sales Rep, Cgy ~ Kraft Canada (Apr 8) Daycare Jobs, Halifax ~ Scotia Personnel (Apr 9) Agriculture/Environment Research Coordinator, Fairview ~ Peace Country Beef & Forage Assocation (Apr 6) Web Developer, Cgy ~ Business Instincts Group (Apr 6) Research Associate, Saskatoon ~ Pioneer H-Bred Limited (Mar 30) Family Support Counsellor I or II, Leth ~ Woods Homes (Apr 11) Financial Accountant, Drumheller ~ Canalta (Jun 30) Territory Sales Manager, Med Hat ~ Bayer Crop Science (Mar 23) Health Care Officer – R.N., AB/SK ~ Correctional Service of Canada (Apr 14) Quality Practice Leader, Cgy ~ Bethany Care Society (Mar 29)

•

• • • •

Geomechanics, Geophysics or Software Developing Specialist, Cgy ~ BitCan Geosciences & Engineering (July 31) Field Sales Rep, Edm/Red Deer ~ Kraft Canada (Apr 15) Graphic Designer, Saskatoon ~ Flaman (Apr 15) Technical Sales Specialist, Outside Sales, Cgy ~ ITM Instruments (Apr 15) Senior Area Fisheries Biologist, Slave Lake ~ Government of Alberta (Mar 30)

Temporary • • • • • • • •

Customer Service Representative, Shaunavon ~ Crop Production Services (Mar 17) Revenue Accountant, Leth ~ Holy Spirit Catholic Schools (Mar 23) Education Program Assistant, Pincher Creek ~ Pincher Creek & District Historical Society (Apr 23) Technical Specialist III, Leth ~ University of Lethbridge (Mar 23) Field Sales Representative, Edm/ Cgy ~ Kraft Canada (Apr 9) Public Policy Intern, Cgy ~ CFIB (Mar 31) Alberta Health & Wellness Intern, Edm ~ Government of Alberta (Mar 27) Graphic Designer, Leth ~ Lethbridge College (Mar 28)

INTERNATIONAL • • • • • • • •

•

China Internship ~ CCRC Asia (Apr 4) ESL Teacher, Taiwan ~ KNS Language Institute (May 1) Teach English in South Korea, South Korea ~ Eagle Consulting (May 31) English (ESL) Teacher, South Korea ~ Neo Education (May 31) ESL Teacher, South Korea ~ Dreamworks Recruiting (May 1) Youth Ambassador, Guyana ~ Youth Challenge International (Mar 30) Au Pair in US; Childrens Camps 2012 ~ Scotia Personnel (Apr 9) Accounting/Finance Internships; China Internship Program, Beijing/ Shanghai ~ CISC Global Ltd (Apr 30) Internship Program in China ~ Ningbo Wencheng International Student Internship Inc (Apr 30)

For details of the postings and information on the application processes go to www.uleth.ca/ross/ces and click on the student section to see the job board.

Un Hu ico nt rn !

Career and Employment Services

Alberta Office of Statistics & Information (Mar 23) Product Development Technician, AB/SK/MB ~ Syngenta (Mar 31) Desktop Upgrade Tech, Leth ~ Lethbridge College (Mar 23) Horticulture/Landscaping; Tourist Information, Pincher Creek ~ Pincher Creek & District Historical Society (Apr 23) Summer Youth Coordinator; Community Program Coordinator, Fort MacLeod ~ FM FCSS (Mar 31) Summer Student/Assistant, Cgy ~ Time Is Money Executive Concierge Inc (Apr 2) Reservation & Campground Attendant, Kananaskis ~ Sundance Lodges (May 1) Visitor Services Attendant, Waterton Park ~ Park Canada (Mar 23) Summer Storm Student – Claims, Leth ~ The Co-operators (Mar 25) Archaeological Field Technician, Cranbrook ~ Tipi Mountain EcoCultural Services (Mar 31) Alberta Student Ministerial Interns, Cgy/Edm ~ Government of Alberta (Mar 26) Program Assistant, Cgy ~ Alberta Council for Environmental Education (Mar 30) Lifeguard, Leth ~ Westminister Neighborhood Association (Apr 12) Admin/Promotions, Leth ~ 2012 Alberta Summer Games (Mar 29) ESL Instructors, Leth ~ Lethbridge College (Apr 5) Assistant Project Coordinator, Med Hat ~ Community Foundation of SE AB Seasonal Positions, Fort MacLeod ~ The Fort Museum of the NW Mounted Police (Mar 30) Water Smart Ambassador, Trail ~ City Of Trail (Apr 6) Heritage Interpreter/Dinosaur Guide, Eastend ~ T.rex Discovery Centre (Apr 20)

meliorist

Try to find this unicorn hidden somewhere in this week’s Meliorist. Email the page number and a brief discription of where you found it to einc@ themeliorist.ca. You’ll be entered to win our monthly Unicorn Draw. You can enter as many times in the month as we publish. Good hunting!