Issue 3 - September 11, 2013

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Wednesday, September 11, 2013 - Issue 3 // www.thesputnik.ca

News

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On Campus

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Features

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A&E

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Sports

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Opinion

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Partnership with Laurier likely page 3

Canadian spotlight: Lights page 13

The end of Orientation Week page 9

Inside the Alberta flood page 11

From a non-user: Legalize weed page 18

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The Sputnik // Wednesday, September 11, 2013

NEWS

Nathanael Lewis // news@thesputnik.ca | @Sputnik_News

Ontario to expand police access to Tasers EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Layla Bozich eic@thesputnik.ca ADVERTISING & DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR

Angela Taylor angela.taylor@wlusp.com (519) 884-0710 ext. 3560 PHOTO EDITOR Cody Hoffman photography@thesputnik.ca ART EDITOR Rebecca Duce visual@thesputnik.ca WEB EDITOR web@thesputnik.ca COPY EDITORS Jessica Lalonde

SECTION EDITORS Nathanael Lewis, News Oren Weiner, On Campus Dillon Giancola, Features Amber Richardson, A&E Kyle Morrison, Sports Cody Groat, Opinion Sgt. Randy Batson of the Brantford Police. (Photo by Cody Hoffman)

CONTRIBUTORS Chris Pimentel

WLUSP BRANTFORD MANAGER OF OPERATIONS Jordan Johnston manager@thesputnik.ca PHONE (519) 756-8228 ext.5948 202-171 Colborne St. N3T 2C9

WLUSP OFFICE 205 Regina Street Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3C5 PRESIDENT Allison Leonard (519) 884-0710 ext.3565 allison.leonard@wlusp.com ADVERTISING Angela Taylor (519)884-0710 ext. 3560 angela.taylor@wlusp.com The Sputnik is a member of the Ontario Press Council, an independent organization established to consider ethical concerns and acceptable journalistic practices. For editorial concerns, please contact the Press Council, which can be reached by calling 416-340-1981, by emailing info@ontpress. com or writing to 890 Yonge St., Suite 200, Toronto M4W 3P4. For information on the Press Council, please refer to the web site at ontpress.com.

The Sputnik is an editorially independent newspaper published by Wilfrid Laurier University Student Publications, Waterloo. Contact Allison Leonard - WLUSP, 205 Regina Street The Sputnik is a proud member of the Canadian University Press (CUP) Opinions expressed in The Sputnik are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the Editorial staff, The Sputnik, WLUSP, WLU or CanWeb Printing Inc. FRONT PAGE PHOTO CREDITS: Main: Cody Hoffman Left: Cody Hoffman Centre: Ryan L.C. Quad Right: Rebecca Duce

Nathanael Lewis News Editor The government of Ontario has announced that it will allow more frontline officers to carry conducted energy weapons (CEWs), more commonly known as Tasers.

This decision comes after years of incident reviews with specific regard to the usefulness of CEWs in policing situations.

Currently, the province restricts the use of CEWs to designated positions and policing teams such as tactical units, containment teams, and frontline supervisors.

The announcement made by Madeleine Meilleur, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Service on August 27th will take effect after 30 days of awareness. Local policing services will then be able to decide which of their officers should be carrying a CEW. “This decision was made after carefully considering both peer-reviewed medical research and coroners’ inquest findings,” said Meilleur. “Our police officers are trained to use de-escalation first whenever possible, but when that approach does not work, we need to equip our officers with another tool. Expanded conducted energy weapon deployment will help protect Ontarians and keep our communities safe.”

“Tasers are an intermediate force option,” said Insp. Scott Easto of the Brantford Police Service. “They are used against people who are assaultive… much like batons.”

The government of Ontario is introduction changes that they hope will: • Provide direction and guidance as to when a CEW would be deemed to be appropriate;

• Increase reporting provisions (i.e., CEW use will be reported in an open and transparent manner, including when a CEW is displayed with the intention to achieve behaviour compliance); • Enhance training, including scenariobased training and training for interactions with people with mental health issues, to assist in ensuring the safe, appropriate and effective use of CEWs; and • Expect that police services should engage local communities prior to deciding to expand CEW deployment in their jurisdiction.

Ontario had first authorized the use of CEWs in 2002. At that point, law enforcement relied on the manufacturer to provide accurate training.

In March 2010, Ontario introduced new guidelines, which standardized the training that officers obtained when using CEWs. The guidelines also included medical considerations, equipment control and report as a result of recommendations from the provincial Policing Standards Advisory Committee.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, “Multiple independent sources have concluded that CEWs are less likely to cause significant injuries than other use-of-force options and that the overall risk of serious injury associated with CEW use is low.”

All provinces but Quebec now allow frontline officers to carry CEWs.

The announcement of more officers carrying CEWs comes just weeks after the death of 18-year-old Sammy Yatim.

Yatim was killed on July 27th after being shot by Constable James Forcillo eight times.

Much speculation has arisen after his death surrounding the question if a more appropriate use of force, CEWs specifically, would have resulted in a much different situation.

Yatim was on a TTC streetcar wielding a 3-inch knife when he was shot.

Iole Pasquale: A case for less CEWs On Wednesday of last week, 80-year-old Iole Pasquale was Tasered by Peel Regional Police.

The Special Investigation’s Unit is currently investigating the situation but there has been no official report regarding why she was Tasered.

According to The Toronto Star, Angela, Pasquale’s daughter, reported that her mother suffers from dementia and was carrying a bread knife while walking along a street when police found her.

“She’s 80. She’s a frail old woman and now her life has changed forever,” said Angela.

“Some compassion and understanding would have been more appropriate.”

This incident has brought about much more speculation about the potential climb in CEW misuse if they are more commonplace.

Once Tasered, Pasquale fell and broke her hip. She is now recovering at Credit Valley Hospital.

Sammy Yatim: A case for more CEWs

Man confesses to crime via YouTube Nathanael Lewis News Editor A drunk driver confessed last Thursday to killing a Navy veteran in an on-head collision.

Matthew Cordle, 22, admitted to taking the life of Vincent Canzani, 61, as he drove down the wrong side of the highway on June 22.

Cordle admitted to being the cause of Canzani’s death in a YouTube video which was released on Thursday by a start-up group called “Because I Said I Would.”

In the video, Cordle said that he “made a mistake”

driving home after a night of drinking with friends.

“When I get charged I’ll plead guilty and take full responsibility for everything I’ve done to Vincent and his family,” said Cordle.

According to a release made by Cheryl Olcott, former wife of Canzani of 10 years, she appreciates that he admitted it and is praying for him.

“I applaud Matt for stepping up to the plate. He’s taken full responsibility. He is an honest man who has spoken the truth. It’s unfortunate that the whole cycle of events has happened this way,” said Olcott.

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The Sputnik // Wednesday, September 11, 2013

NEWS

Nathanael Lewis // news@thesputnik.ca | @sputniknews

Chants during Saint Mary's University frosh offensive; Suggest underage sex

Sabrina Ruffolo Saint Mary’s University Student Association President Jared Perry announced on Friday, Sept. 6 that he would be stepping down as president of SMUSA. (Michael Langlais/The Journal)

Cydney Proctor The Journal (St. Mary’s University)

HALIFAX (CUP) — An offensive chant taught to freshmen during Saint Mary’s University Orientation Week in Halifax is causing a stir both on and off campus.

An Instagram video was captured during the school’s annual TURFBURN event Monday, Sept. 2, wherein 80 frosh leaders led new students in a chant singing “Y is for your sister, O is for ‘oh so tight,’ U is for underage, N is for no consent, G is for grab that ass – Saint Mary’s boys we like them young.”

According to Saint Mary’s University Student Association President Jared Perry, this is a chant that has been taught to frosh for years.

Lewis Rendell, a representative from the SMU Women’s Centre, a space on campus that holds an event in collaboration with Dalhousie Women’s Centre each year called ConsentFest, said that this is “appalling, clearly, and perpetuating wider ideals that are not

exclusive to the university. It’s just a manifestation of rape culture, in a really obnoxious and brazen way.”

Perry has said that this year it might be “a good idea” for SMUSA to sponsor ConsentFest, which is has not done in past.

As of 5 p.m. EDT, Thursday, Sept.

5, #chant and other terms related to the incident were trending on Twitter in Halifax as students, alumni and the public responded to the 15-second clip of cheering leaders.

In a statement, SMU’s president, Dr. Colin Dodds, said “My colleagues and I were shocked by this incident and are deeply sorry that our students, and now the community at large, were exposed to disturbing sexually charged material. The University regrets that this was allowed to occur and we apologize unreservedly. I am taking measures to ensure it does not happen in the future.”

Perry, president of SMUSA, has

stepped down from his position of chair of the board of directors at StudentsNS, a provincial post-secondary student association federation, with Executive Director Jon Williams saying in a written statement “StudentsNS, its members, and all of the students we represent unequivocally condemn the SMU chant. There is not, and has never been, any place for this sort of culture on our university campuses.”

When asked why he wasn’t stepping down as president of SMUSA, Perry said that his new goal would be to work with members of the Student Association and the University to target sexism that he feels is pervasive on campus. He did however point to SMU not being an isolated incident, citing support he has been receiving from other Student Association presidents nationwide.

Last week the student group, with the collaboration of the provincial government, announced the beginning of

projects spread over several campus’ to educate and prevent sexual assault, an investment of $41,156.

Frosh leaders have been ordered to take sensitivity training and the student association executive are being sent to a conference next week at Saint Francis Xavier University to attend a conference about sexual violence and consent. Rendell said that that is a good start, but that SMUSA should let the student body know who is giving the sensitivity training. Perry and other students have said that this chant and others have been a part of frosh weeks past, at least since 2009, with chants alluding to rolling a joint and masturbation, as well as the rivalry between Dalhousie, Acadia and Saint Mary’s.

Perry says that none of the frosh leaders, Orientation Week facilitators or the 300-400 students on the turf that day “saw the message” that was in the chants, and are committed to “turning it around.”

to another robbery that happened just two days earlier at the TD Canada Trust bank just across the street from the BMO. Forbes now faces charges of two counts of robbery and the possession of proceeds of crime.

“Generally, people who rob banks get caught a lot of the time,” said Insp.

Scott Easto of the Brantford Police Service. “It’s not one of these types of crimes that has a low [chance of being solved], there is generally a lot of things in place that make it difficult to get away with it.”

According to Easto, Forbes had a record of robbing.

Robberies along Market Street Nathanael Lewis News Editor

On the morning of August 26, at approximately 10 a.m., the Bank of Montreal on Market Street was robbed.

The robber walked up to a teller, passing a note informing them that it was a robbery, and demanding an amount of money.

After the robber left the bank, the Brantford Police Service was called in

to investigate.

With the help of the Wilfrid Laurier University Special Constables, the police were able to apprehend the suspect within two hours.

The suspect, a 29-year-old Jordan Forbes, was held up in a nearby apartment building when police found him.

Forbes has since been connected

Ontario to put forward plan to create new financial watchdog Nathanael Lewis News Editor

As the first bill in the fall session of the Ontario legislature, Ontario introduced a plan for a new watchdog for legislative spending.

The legislation introduced the establishment of a Financial Accountability Officer.

Ontario will be the first province in Canada to introduce such an oversight measure.

If the legislation passes, the new position would be responsible in providing independent analysis for MPPs about the province’s financial state, the

Ontario Budget, and the trends in provincial and national economies.

“We are proposing the creation of a Financial Accountability Officer to further enhance the openness and transparency of government,” said Minister of Finance, Charles Sousa. “This would also include the financial assessment of any public bill brought forward to the Legislature by an MPP. The work undertaken by this independent officer will help better inform the House on possible financial impacts of a proposed bill and increase information

available to Ontarians.”

In addition, the officer, at the request of MPPs or a legislative committee, could conduct other financial research.

This is in an attempt to create openness in financial affairs within the legislative among MPPs and the public, extending off such previous actions as the Fiscal Transparency and Accountability Act. “We are fulfilling our commitments with the introduction of the Financial Accountability Officer Act,” said Gov-

ernment House Leader, John Milloy. “I look forward to working with the opposition to pass this Bill and other important legislation that we will be debating this fall. Ontarians want to see a minority government working, and I’m optimistic we’ll be able to make progress in the Legislature.”

The Financial Accountability Officer would be selected by a panel consisting of a single member from each recognized party, and chaired by the Speaker of the Assembly.

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The Sputnik // Wednesday, September 11, 2013

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The Sputnik // Wednesday, September 11, 2013

ON CAMPUS

Oren Weiner // oncampus@thesputnik.ca | @sputnikoncampus

Brantford campus to have two new inter-faculty deans Oren Weiner On Campus Editor

While in a perpetual state of growth, Laurier Brantford took another step in maintaining a smooth integration of newer programs on its campus. On August 22, Laurier officially announced the appointment of Kathryn Carter and Lauren Eisler as Associate Deans.

“The two of them are excellent choices, no doubt about that,” said Dr. Kofi Campbell, Associate Dean of the Liberal Arts faculty. “Kathryn and Lauren are both extremely dedicated, very smart, and they both really love this place.”

According to Dr. Campbell, the division of the Brantford faculty into a Liberal Arts faculty and Human and Social Sciences faculty, made effective

as of this past July, created a need for a facilitating party between the two faculties. Associate Dean of Human and Social Sciences, Dr. Andrew Welsh, added that the interdisciplinary nature of the campus required Dr. Carter and Dr. Eisler, who will function as inter-disciplinary facilitators, to maintain a cohesive union between the two faculties.

“I think they’re necessary to ensure the two new faculties continue to work together the way they always have,” Campbell said.

Welsh also stated, “The rationale for Carter’s role is to maintain that unique Laurier Brantford academic experience that we’ve always had before the division of faculties.”

As the new inter-disciplinary Associate Dean, Carter will serve as the Academic Coordinator. Eisler will work closely with her, as the Program Development Liaison.

Carter has been at Laurier since 2000, and this year will work to create communication between the faculties, and a smooth integration of services regarding curriculum and schedule coordination. She will also be overseeing academic advising department of the campus. Eisler, a Laurier staff member since 2005, will oversee program development between the two faculties, facilitating and supporting coordination of programs, as well as review of how already-existing programs could

improve.

Eisler and Carter, with their new duties, are expected to play key roles at the university during this transition period. Welsh believes that the new appointments are a sign foreshadowing the inevitable growth of Laurier Brantford.

“The existence of that position suggests that a lot of the growth and enrolment at Laurier will be focussed on the Brantford campus,” Welsh said.

The new appointments serve as another step working toward the dream of building a campus size comparable to Waterloo’s. For now, Carter and Eisler will fulfil their duties holding together an expanding faculty.

Entertainment around your campus Oren Weiner On Campus Editor

Club N.V. While downtown Brantford’s primary night club may play on the word ‘envy,’ it does not quite live up to the pun in its name. N.V. offers the basics that one might find at the standard night club, with a bar, dance floor, etc., but nothing particularly out of the ordinary.

However, while it might not be the most lavish place in the world, it gives the students an option.

The upstairs lounge and bar, a more recent addition to the club, offers a nice separation for those who prefer a bartype setting over the usual club scene.

The music is generally the typical club material you might hear at other places, with the exception of the occasional live performance.

While it may serve the entire surrounding downtown community, much of N.V’s club-goers are Laurier Brantford students, especially for the Thirsty Thursdays series. In addition to the Thirsty Thursdays series, in 2013, N.V will also feature Swagger Saturdays, Karaoke Night on Tuesdays, and Country Fridays. Country Fridays will feature both live bands and a DJ. Because it is one of few clubs in downtown Brantford, N.V. tends to be the

primary clubbing source of entertainment for Laurier Brantford students. However, N.V. tends to draw a younger group of students, although not always. Look for N.V. to continue to remain downtown’s student club in the next little while.

Piston Broke Gastric Pub Laurier Brantford may not officially have a student university bar, but Piston Broke fills that role fairly nicely. The bar has a hybrid-like function, serving as a both a restaurant and a bar, divided into four main sections. Whether it’s a pool cue, sandwich wrap, or a pint glass, Piston Broke serves as a great meetup spot to socialize.

Patrons can choose from a variety of food items, ranging from wrap to nachos, of which the pulled pork is a favourite. A variety of delicious appetizers are also available to complement the alcohol. As for the drinks, Piston carries the traditional selection of domestic beer on tap, such as the Moosehead, Canadian, Rickard’s, and Coors Light. Piston’s also offers beers of the imported selection, including the Irish brews, Guinness and Kilkenny.

Piston Broke can also be characterized by its choice of tunes. Usually, the bar

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goes with a classic rock touch, but changes it up sometimes for the diversity of customers. Fridays are the specialty nights for live performances, which are generally crowd draws. Sports events are also popular reasons to come to Piston, especially on UFC nights, which often draw some of the biggest crowds.

While it may not be only bar in downtown, it certainly fulfills a need for a more student-friendly bar. Piston Broke is a recommendation for those looking for an entertaining pub night, or for group-size gatherings. The food and atmosphere are sure to not disappoint patrons.

Hawk and Bell As the newer pub in the Brantford campus vicinity, Hawk and Bell has not generated as much interest as its cross-plaza competitor the Piston Broke. It may not have all the hype that Piston has, it certainly offers a nice alternative.

Hawk and Bell also offers the brews you might see at other pubs, featuring a distinct domestic selection that has the usual Canadian and Rickard’s, as well as northern Ontario’s King Brewery, and Toronto’s Steam Whistle Brewery

brands. The pub also offers Thornbury Cider, a tasteful alternative to Strongbow, served at Piston, and Somersby.

The food selection is fairly generic, offering the classic bar food, along with tasty finger foods. The menu essentially is broken down into typical American cuisine and a smaller American-Italian listing.

Like the other bars and pubs in the area, Hawk and Bell also hosts live performances on weekends.

The bar setup provides several seating options, ranging from bar chair tables, to wooden booths, or regular table seating. Patrons can also watch sports games near the front entrance of the bar, where the two flat-screen TVs are.

While Hawk and Bell might not be Brantford’s biggest bar hotspot, it certainly makes a case for a favourable student type. It has not drawn the type of crowds that a student bar would expect, not taking into consideration its relatively short-lived existence. The cheaper prices raise interest among the student body, as an alternative choice to the higherpriced Piston’s. Look for Hawk and Bell to be on the rise as the Brantford campus continues to grow.

Wed., Sept. 25 10 am – 3:30 pm RIM Park, Waterloo

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The Sputnik // Wednesday, September 11, 2013

ON CAMPUS

Oren Weiner // oncampus@thesputnik.ca | @sputnikoncampus

Laurier concludes another successful Orientation Week

Blue Barbarians. (Photo by Cody Hoffman)

Oren Weiner On Campus Editor

A little mixture of spinach dip, Tragically Hip, and plenty of cheering highlighted the closing ceremonies of another successful Orientation Week at Laurier Brantford. Festivities were held indoors at the Research and Academic Centre-West wing on Saturday night for the second year in row.

“I love the atmosphere it brings to Laurier,” said Sarah Glover, this year’s Director of Orientation, Programming and Events. “It’s a great way to start the year with such positivity.”

First-year students and

Orientation Week staff started the night off enjoying a variety of hors d’oeuvres, accompanied by a live band performance, and announcement of awards. At the conclusion, this year’s victors were announced, with the 2013 trophy going to the Green Aviators.

Glover stated that although the Green team was chosen at the victor, the decision was not easy.

On the victory, Green team’s male head icebreaker, Matt Mente, had this to say, “I was really hoping for this spot, because I didn’t expect this.” He

added, “This is the first time Green team is going on the cup, because it’s been so long since we last won.”

Mente expressed a sense of pride regarding the participation of his team of first-year students, citing their hardfought effort as the drive behind the victory. Commenting on the general turnout for Orientation Week, Glover described it as “amazing” and asserted that registration numbers were “overwhelming.”

First years Sarah Brazil and ChantelMarie Scickel expressed gratitude

For more O-Week photos, check out The Sputnik’s Facebook page!

toward their icebreakers, and had positive remarks to describe their first university experience.

“Icebreakers did a really great job of making us feel welcome and made the transition a lot smoother,” said Brazil.

“It was a great experience.”

With another successful Orientation Week in the books, Laurier hopes to continue this tradition in similar fashion for years to come.

Photos by Cody Hoffman.

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The Sputnik // Wednesday, September 11, 2013

FEATURES Dillon Giancola // features@thesputnik.ca | @sputnikfeatures

Behind the scenes of the Alberta flood

Riverfront Ave in Calgary during the Alberta floods. (Photo courtesy of Ryan L.C. Quad)

Dillon Giancola Features Editor We all remember waking up the morning of Friday, June 21, and seeing the pictures of the floods in southern Alberta. Videos of houses being swept down the Bow River in Canmore and of cars floating away in downtown Calgary could be found all over the Internet. But less told is the story of those who were in the middle of it all, whether they were fighting for their houses and livelihood, or struggling to reopen their places of work. While the floods have rescinded and Calgary is slowly getting back to normal, there are still years left of damage repair to be done.

Darryl Barnes woke up Thursday mornstedman-sputnikad2013.pdf 1 8/23/2013 4:26:08 PM ing before the flood, and went to work at the Talisman Centre, a gym in Calgary, just

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like every other day. He got off at 2 p.m. and it was raining, but that’s nothing new.

It’s Alberta, raining during the summer is what happens. But shortly after he got home, he received notice that the Talisman Centre was closed due to mandatory evacuation. Still, the last thing anybody thought would happen was a massive flood. By the next morning, there was no doubt.

“As I was watching the news Friday morning before work, I saw that right in front of our work the streets were flooded so much it looked like a river,” Barnes said.

This was the reality for a huge portion of Calgary’s workforce that morning. There is no worse place for a disaster like this to strike than in the downtown of a major city.

Many people had to shoulder the panic of losing their homes and places of work, and yet keep calm enough to find a solution.

“I got the call Saturday morning to come down to work. My boss gave me directions. It normally takes 15 minutes but it took over two hours to get to work,” Barnes explained. When he arrived at work, the whole park behind the building was under water, and the building had no power. From the surface, it looked like the building was untouched. “The whole basement, where all the hot water, air handling, pool filtering equipment and two large hot water boilers were located was covered in about four feet of water,” Barnes said.

Buildings all around the city were damaged in this way. It wasn’t just the houses in certain neighborhoods, or downtown streets. The water viciously poured into important buildings and made its way to the basements, destroying foundations. The Scotiabank Saddledome, home of the Calgary Flames, was filled up to the tenth row with water. While the rest of Canada was rejoicing over the rains stopping and the water levels retreating, for the workers and citizens like Barnes, the real test was just beginning.

“The next few days consisted of getting diesel fuel to power the emergency generator. We had to do this five times a day to fill it up,” Barnes said. In addition to getting fuel, Barnes was tasked with directing contractors to get the water out of the basement.

The water was removed in two days. For the next two weeks the workers had to remove all the machines that were damaged, while electricians and engineers helped get the power back on and draw up plans to get the facility reopened.

Motors were removed, and new ones were put in.

Barnes and the workers WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY were able to maintain the water in one swimming

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pool but two other major pools along with two hot tubs and a children’s pool were drained. The basement was cleaned over time and all things that had been destroyed by the water were removed. It’s not pretty work or inspiring, but it is the kind of stuff that went on behind the scenes in the flood ravaged areas.

The resiliency of Calgarians has stood out throughout all of this. Mayor Naheed Nenshi has been widely praised for how well he showed calmness as a leader, and how he very famously announced that the Calgary Stampede would still go on, even though there was less than two weeks until the Stampede was to open and the entire grounds were covered in water. But nevertheless, the stampede did go on, and it was just as successful as ever.

The whole city came together to help.

It was not just a matter of workers and government officials. On Monday, June 24, around 2,500 volunteers showed up at McMahon Stadium to help people settle back into their homes. “This is Calgary folks.

This is the spirit of the community,” Nenshi said.

Not every business downtown was heavily damaged, but that does not mean they did not have a tough time. Lots of restaurants, coffee shops and service shops suffered merely because they had no customers. This was a tragedy where nobody in the city was unaffected.

“We were able to open the gymnasiums, weight and cardio areas of the building around late July. A few weeks later we were able to open the pool that still had water in it along with one hot tub,” Barnes said.

Some of the air-handling units work, but most are still being worked on. One of the two boilers is now working and provides hot water for the facility. A lot of work remains on the pumps that control showers and pool circulation.

“The building has gotten back to some normality but there is a long way to go. I would estimate there are still months of work left to do before we can say we are back to 100 per cent,” Barnes said. The city, its citizens, and all of southern Alberta have certainly been dealt a bad hand, but they refuse to quit. Like Barnes, they just get right back to the job, doing the dirty work, and doing all they can to restore their city to its rightful state and their lives back to normal.

The Sputnik // Wednesday, September 11, 2013

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FEATURES Dillon Giancola // features@thesputnik.ca | @sputnikfeatures

A grandfather adapts to smartphones Dillon Giancola Features Editor

Receiving messages like, â&#x20AC;&#x153;What is a challenge for the Paddocks but one that up dude?â&#x20AC;? from our dads and â&#x20AC;&#x153;How r they are very eager to accept. It is takuâ&#x20AC;? from our moms was just plain weird ing them a while to learn the extra feaback in the day. Eventually they would tures. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I got the basics now, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not catch on and we slowly got used to the as much â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;seek and you shall findâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; as the idea of them having a cell phone. We find others, this does all the work for you.â&#x20AC;? ourselves laughing at comments our dad He is eager to make use of the adwill make on Facebook and liking pic- vances this phone provides, and to go tures our aunt posted. But what about all in. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We decided if we were going to when our Grandparents get into the ac- get these new phones and keep up with tion? How do we feel when our Nonno technology that we were going to learn is texting from his smartphone or our all we can, and not shy away from them Nanny is adding us on Facebook? For or complain about the changes. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll use recently retired 68-year-old Robert Pad- the camera and texting obviously, but dock and his 17 grandchildren, this is ex- the internet [and] GPS will help me so actly the case. much. GPS is a wonderful thing,â&#x20AC;? Padâ&#x20AC;&#x153;I had one back in the 90s, one of the dock says. first cell phones. What was the name All this new technology can be hard now, Motorolla, I think it was,â&#x20AC;? Paddock to keep up with for all of us. But for peosays. He used it a bit just to talk and keep ple who have grown up in the Internet in touch with his family when he was era, it is never too much of a shock. We away for work as a minister. He eventu- just adapt and eagerly await the new big ally upgraded to a Samsung phone in the thing. But for those that grew up before early 2000s. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That one was a bit more ad- there were any big changes, how tough vanced, especially for me, but I got used must it be to constantly be adapting? The to the features quickly. I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t use them old fashioned phones, I still remember much though other than for talking, the those days. You know, the crank phones, keyboard is too small to text on,â&#x20AC;? Pad- two long, one short, and then the rotary dock says. phone. I remember all that, but this techEventually, Paddock and his wife nology is crazy, [and I] never saw it comGeraldine thought that the time was ing,â&#x20AC;? marvels Paddock. right to join up for the smartphone party.

Paddockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother-in-law Lulu, 85, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Three weeks ago we upgraded and got is a most unlikely participant, yet even the Samsung Galaxy S4. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ultra- she has joined in on the fun. She uses it modern. The big thing about that was to play Scrabble when she has nobody to keeping in touch with the grandchildren, play with, and for listening to her favorbecause they have all the technology ite podcasts every Sunday. now. They said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Pop, you have to get Like any member of an older genone you could text us with!â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? Paddock eration, the Paddocks are aware of the explains. changes in society and in the younger

The new phones are certainly a bit of generationsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; daily !" ! lives that the new

phones and other technology bring. But unlike most, they do not jump right to the negatives when talking about it. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The phones now are very advanced and fast, which is good. It helps me keep in touch with old friends that I would normally not call as often if it werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t for texting,â&#x20AC;?

Paddock says. He thinks it can only help younger people in his former line of work. He finds that for messages and presentations, having the visual aspect that technology brings and the quick commands make the process better for everybody.

That does not mean that he does not see the potential problems. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With teenagers now, and adults, it takes away a lot of personal touch. I think they are going to have difficulty in the future communicating one on one. Mom is upstairs, youth are downstairs, now they just text. They even text side by side on [the] couch. Sure thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the order of the day, but still,â&#x20AC;? observes Paddock.

Paddock has certain rules to keep from getting caught up in the hustle and bustle like everyone else, a n d to prevent himself from getting out of touch with the life he has always had. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For me itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s good to turn it off every once and a while, go for a walk in a park or beach. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s too stressful if you always have your phone on you, waiting to constantly hear from people. If Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m

in the middle of a good meal with good friends, I will not be bothered by my phone,â&#x20AC;? Paddock states.

Paddock has seen lots of new things in life come and go. He has been there for the trends that last for a little while and then disappear, and for those that become a staple of life. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What I have learned is that it is best to get on the wagon, and learn what you can. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a tough transition, but Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m open and want to know all these things. I want to be a part of that world, the world that the younger generations and my grandchildren are in,â&#x20AC;?

Paddock says.

This is a lesson for all of us as we get older: technology is not slowing down.

There will always be new, bigger and faster things. Eventually we will have a hard time keeping up, and wish for days gone by.

But, as Paddock says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;You have to adapt, you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be like the ostrich and stick your nose in the sand. You have to adapt.â&#x20AC;?

Figuring out technology. (Art by Rebecca Duce)

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12

The Sputnik // Wednesday, September 11, 2013

FEATURES Dillon Giancola // features@thesputnik.ca | @sputnikfeatures

Closing the gender gap

Infographic. (Art courtesy of Kate Turner)

H.G. Watson Cord Community Edition (Wilfrid Laurier University) Local tech hub Communitech will be getting a boost in their recruitment of women over the next three years. The company will be funneling $300,000 from Status of Women Canada into the Communitech Women in Technology project, aimed at strengthening female talent recruitment and retention.

Karen Gallant, senior director of talent at Communitech, said¬ that the initiative is meant to strengthen the tech workforce at Communitech as whole. “Talent for our companies is a challenge. There are lots of unfilled positions,” she said. “Women bring a particularly unique skill set and perspective into the workforce, so trying to create opportunities for them is obviously good

for our companies because it will help them access that significant pool of talent.”

Communitech will be working with four other companies – Teledyne DALSA, Rebellion Media, Magnet Forensics and Desire2Learn – to establish a set of best practices for attracting more women to the tech workforce.

The project is part of an aggressive plan by the federal government to sink more money into bringing women into skilled technical trades. Status of Women Canada has invested more than $46 million in projects designed to focus on women’s economic security and prosperity. “[It’s] making sure women have the skills they need to have a very high quality job,” said Min-

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The number of women working in IT and technology sector over the last 20 years has declined, despite the large role women have played in computer science historically. Status of Women Canada reports that less than 25 per cent of employees in the digital technology sector are women. As well, the number of woman in top leadership roles in publically traded companies has been under 50 for a number of years, while the number of men is in the hundreds.

While Communitech certainly has female employees, Gallant said they don’t have particular numbers on the gender ratio at the hub.

For women in technology, the barriers to entering the workforce include pay disparity, a masculine workplace culture and cultural norms that discourage women from taking leadership roles. Angelique Mohring is CEO of Woman Powering Technology, a Waterloo based group that encourages woman working in technology. She has experienced this first-hand working in digital economy for over 20 years: “It is a tremendous uphill battle trying to...say I’m equal, I’m educated and just as experienced,” she said.

Mohring now owns her own tech company, GAINx, and mentors other women. She’ll also be assisting Communitech with their initiative.

As a mentor, Mohring tries to encourage women who may find it difficult to approach a boss about a raise or other workplace issues. “There tends to be that reluctance to put themselves forwards in case they’re perceived as something less than generous, kind and smart,” she quantities last said, “and that if you’re not going with the status

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Other digital technology centres in the region have also had issues recruiting women. University of Waterloo has one of the best computer science programs in the country, but over the last 20 years it has seen a decline in female students. In 2011-12, just 12 per cent of undergraduate computer science students were women, compared to 18 per cent in 2001-02.

Kate Larson is an associate professor at the Cheriton School of Computer Science at University of Waterloo and is the chair of Women in Computer Science at the school.

She explained that the problems with recruiting women into the tech sector start at the grade school level. “[Studies] find that very young girls are being turned off [of computer science] at a very young age – 8 or 9 years old.”

It is perhaps because of the idea that computer science is a lonely profession.

“The perception is that you’re going to be sitting in a dark room writing code all the time,” said Larson. But as the world gets more digitized, computer science is expanding into a number of other fields, making it all the more important to learn.

“Computer science touches on all fields and all problems now,” said Larson. “Sometimes we don’t do a good job explaining its role.” Mohring also noted young girls are subject to the same gender stereotypes that might discourage them from taking leadership roles or being interested in science or math.

But the situation is not at all bleak for women who are interested in pursuing a career in technology. Larson and Mohring regard the Communitech project as a good step, and Mohring has found reasons to be positive among many of her co-workers, female and male. “I think there are more men coming to the table than ever before that are saying ‘how can we help accelerate women in tech and accelerate their careers?’” For her, it is essential that both men and women be at the table to ensure that progress is actually made.

At the end of the Communitech Women in Technology project, Gallant hopes to publish their findings so tech companies across the country can benefit from their outcome. “It’s early days yet,” she said. But it is an exciting time to start encouraging women to enter the tech field.

13

The Sputnik // Wednesday, September 11, 2013

A&E

Amber Richardson // arts@thesputnik.ca | @sputnikarts

with Amber Richardson

: Lights

Lights. (Photo by Cody Hoffman)

From a modest MySpace page in 2005 to a Best New Artist Juno award in 2009, Lights has been a steady icon for electropop music in Canada since she debuted. The gifted musician has been creating music since she was 11 years old, and has no intentions of stopping any time soon. Read all about the pop star’s married life, childhood, and hobbies below.

1. Why did you choose the name Lights?

Um, Lights was a nickname actually when I was younger, that derived from my last name, which is Poxleitner, and I just kinda got called that and took that nickname and made that my MySpace name when I first created MySpace back in like 2005 or something. And that was the launching pad for when people started to find my music, so it started to really become who I was, and then I legally changed my name a few years later.

2. How did being homeschooled influence your music?

I can definitely say I might not have even been a musician f I wasn’t homeschooled. I had time at home to concentrate and really go for what I really dreamed of, and I was with people that supported me. I really didn’t have any standard of comparison, like in a public school setting, where you’re in there with a bunch of people trying to do the same thing. You’re oblivious to that when you’re homeschooled, you’re like, “I can do whatever I want, the world is my oyster.” Whether or not its realistic it’s what I believed in, and kinda went for it.

I’m very thankful I had that, I guess.

3. Do you come from a musical family?

My dad is talented in terms of music - it’s not his line of work, but he loves it.

He taught me everything I know, from the perspective of playing by ear. He taught us to listen and learn based on the chords you know, and play by heart and play by feel.

It wasn’t really about theory and the way things should be formatted, which is nice because I really don’t know much theory. It

keeps me open minded a little bit, not really knowing what I’m doing, I’m just inventing chords and it’s kinda fun. When I feel like I know too much, it’s limiting when it comes to creativity I think.

4. How has being married to a musician affected your career?

It’s a beautiful thing. It’s nice to be able to live and go through life with someone who supports you, and believes in you and understands what you do--whether or not you’re in the same genre. We’re both in pretty different genres, we’re still both frontmen of bands and we know how it is, and how the story goes. The one big difference would be, when you’re together, you learn to segment off time to spend with each other instead of spending every waking minute focusing on music and focusing on success and whatever your career is trying to lead you to do, you change your priorities a little bit. It’s a beautiful change and something that everybody deserves.

5. What do you guys like to do, other than music?

Probably the number one thing that we do is play video games together. We’ve probably played through every offline co-op game that you can find. Right now, we’re on Lord of the Rings, War in the North.

We’re on Legendary, we’ve played through the game twice. We’ve played through all the Lego games, which are actually really fun and a great recommendation for couples who want to play video games together and not get too serious. The lego games are super cool.

6. Your husband, Beau Bokan, follows a straight edge lifestyle, is that something you follow as well?

It’s definitely a part of his identity and who he is, and I support that 100%. I would never ask him to change that, but I come from a German family--I’m very different.

I have loads of wine in the fridge.

7. What is the worst job you’ve ever had?

Probably working at a bakery. I had to get up at 5am, which is very opposing to musician hours, we don’t usually get up that early. So I used to have to get up at 5am and bake bread for the masses, and I didn’t love it.

8. If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing now?

If I wasn’t doing music I’d probably be in some kind of artsy job--like video game design, or comic book artist, or animation or something like that. I became a huge fan of comics, they inspire all of my artwork. I actually put out art now, in limited edition lithographs, and it’s very comic art based.

9. What’s your favourite album?

Probably JoshuaTree by U2 or probably debut by Bjork maybe.

10. Are you planning on putting out a new album soon? And how do you feel about the music industry’s pressure to release albums every year?

I’m definitely working on it right now.

It probably isn’t going to be out until next year, but I’m working on it. I definitely feel the pressure, but I try not to let it make me force out crap. If you’re not insanely prolific or in an inspired time in your life, and you don’t have a record ready for the next year, don’t feel like you have to put out crap, because that’s more harmful to your career than holding off for another year and waiting for the good stuff.

11. How has being Canadian influenced you, and what does it mean to be Canadian?

As a Canadian, you don’t really think of being a canadian artist, it’s just who you are. The only time I’ve ever really noticed the differences was later on in my career when radio play started to happen, or the juno awards nominated me and gave me best new artist. You start to realize there is a real supportive community in Canada for music and that involves factor grants, you get support money from the government to help you build your career, which is amazing - it’s part of the reason I’m here. There’s Canadian content laws which enforce 30% of music here to be Canadian, so suddenly you have a world in which you can be played and you have a better chance than in most places. That in itself just makes me happy to be Canadian, because we really support the arts and it’s very nice. There’s a lot of great talent from here, just such a variety and it’s an honour to be among them.

14

The Sputnik // Wednesday, September 11, 2013

A&E

Amber Richardson // arts@thesputnik.ca | @sputnikarts

Upcoming album releases Amber Richardson A&E Editor

September 9

September 13

September 17

September 21

The Clash - Sound System

Avicii- True

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MGMT- MGMT The Devil Wears Prada8:18

September 10 2 Chainz- B.O.A.T.S. II: Me Time Moving Mountains- Moving Mountains Sean Kingston- Back 2 Life

September 23

September 16 Placebo- Loud Like Love

September 20 Kings of Leon- Mechanical Bull

Birdy- Fire Within Jessie J- Alive

15

The Sputnik // Wednesday, September 11, 2013

A&E

Amber Richardson // arts@thesputnik.ca | @sputnikarts

What is Cinema?

What is Cinema? (Photo courtesy of tiff.net)

Amber Richardson A&E Editor

The world premiere of Chuck Workman’s What is Cinema? debuted this past Friday at the Toronto International Film Festival (where I also managed to sneak a peek of Brad Pitt). The film was a riveting portraiture of the creation and maintenance of the artistic integrity of cinematic films, ranging from blockbusters to the more artsy films, which are often left to the viewers own interpretation. This film views cinema as a language which must use the various cinematic elements such as lighting, cast, and script to divulge the essence of the film to the audience. What is Cinema? has a solid cast of directors and filmmakers, each presenting their own unique ideas of what exactly cinema is, and what it should be. Though each filmmaker had their own preconceptions of what constitutes cinema, there was a fervent concern that

surrounded the genuineness of modern blockbuster films. At one point in the film, there was a suggestion regarding modern film as merely just a reproduction. This reminded me of Walter Benjamin’s work Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction, in which Benjamin states that as works are reproduced and mass produced, they lose their aura. That is, they lose the essence that makes them genuine. This film exposes the nature of filmmaking and calls into question what makes a genuine cinematic piece of art. Throughout the film, there was a constant debate between narrative films, which only act to entertain, and interpretive films, which act to tell a story without conventional narrative. Workman suggests that some narrative film clips shown in the film are from filmmakers who “transcend the narrative.” He says,

“There are certain filmmakers in this film that basically are storytellers, and believe in that--but most of them are not. Most of them want to go past that.” This suggests that there is a complexity to creating nonnarrative films which still act to tell a story, which just does not exist for narrative filmmakers. Workman discusses how the over saturation of film, and the ease in

which films can be created by the masses, has pushed filmmakers beyond their comfort zone because, as he states, “[the audience] wants to see more than they can see on YouTube.” In total, Workman included 230 cinematic clips in his film, all of which he believes fully encompass and answer the question: what is cinema?

teaching tolerance and love, would find its home amongst boys and men? My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic seems to have filled this once untapped niche quite nicely. In fact, contemporary viewers of the show have even coined their own title: “Bronies.”

Although first created in the early 1990s, the My Little Pony being aired today was rebooted in 2010 with a new image to appeal to the next generations.

Ponies like Tw i l i g h t S p a r k l e , Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy aim to teach lessons about friendship, acceptance, tolerance, and standing up for what you believe in.

On Aug. 25, residents of www.wlusp.com/volunteer Richmond, B.C. saw the first annual Brony convention

— aptly named BronyCAN — which celebrated all things associated with the successful television show. BronyCAN featured musical artists, special guests and even action figures exclusively designed for the convention. Hundreds of costumed fans gathered, many of them men and self-proclaimed “Bronies,” to declare their allegiance to the show and express their support.

Those of the Brony community who attended the convention were aware that their odd obsession is usually met with trepidation. “You have to see it for yourself,” shrug most of the men in response.

In order to fully understand the hypnotic pull of the ponies, I regressed into childhood, wrapped in my fuzzy blanket.

In “Griffon the Brush-Off,” the ponies figure out the course of action when you not only don’t get along with your own best friend’s BFF, but when the said BFF is – to quote Pinky Pie — “a big mean grumpy mean meanie pants.”

As the end credits began to roll, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of emptiness, as if there was something they had left out. Then it hit me: while most television shows – children’s TV included — revolve around a central conflict, here was this little cartoon with no devious villain, no fighting and no troubles.

Essentially the only conflict in the show was resolved through calm discussions and was usually dealt with within seconds of the conflict arising. Yet, by the end of the episode, these hoofed creatures had managed to teach me valuable life lessons: knowing when a joke has gone too far, what to do when you see someone commit a crime and how to stand up to your friends when necessary.

What I had just experienced was a

calm, tender show about how friendship and unity can solve even the largest of problems. Suddenly the world didn’t seem so dreary, the biggest problems didn’t seem so big, and I knew that with the power of friendship I could do anything. Maybe the show really is hypnotic. I need to go play some Grand Theft Auto.

So, although this show is a hit with the younger crowd, a question still remains; why do grown men willingly watch it, even flocking to conventions to celebrate it?

Perhaps it is the flashing bright colours and simple animation that draws them in like moths to a flame. Or maybe the quirkiness of the characters tickles the funny bones of men in particular. Or perhaps it is just nice to watch a show where people (or ponies) are genuinely nice to one another.

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16

The Sputnik // Wednesday, September 11, 2013

SPORTS

Kyle Morrison // sports@thesputnik.ca | @sputniksports

Laurier football Coach Faulds’ return to York ends with loss

Dillion Campbell takes the hand off from quarterback Julien John in the second quarter. Campbell rushed for 146 yards and Touchdown in a loss to York. (Photo by Chris Pimentel)

Chris Pimentel Staff

Michael Faulds’ return to York was spoiled by wet weather early on and a second half collapse by his offence. The offence struggled to move the ball after half time, while the defence struggled to contain York’s quarterback Myles Gibbon from gaining first downs on scrambles and first downs passing.

The first quarter started off great for Laurier. The offence pushed the ball down the field along with the tempo. The defence played aggressively, and helped put the offence in great field position for the entire quarter. That combination lead Laurier to lead 8- 0 after the first quarter.

Being aggressive is something Coach Faulds preached all year with his offence saying after the game “We’re a no huddle offence, and were going to push the ball

and we were able to make some throws early on. The wind was a big factor, and we were able to get the ball to Greg [Nyhof] pretty easily.”

The second quarter started with a bang for Laurier as running back Dillion Campbell took a counter run 69 yards for a touchdown. “It looked great the [offensive line] held the edge perfectly, and I saw the safety coming down and thought ‘no way he gets me a second time’, gave him a stiff arm and took it to the house,” Campbell said after the game.

The rest of the quarter was a defensive battle between both teams, resulting in a York 36 yard field goal, followed by a safety that was conceded by the Lions late in the quarter.

After half time, the game took a quick

turn down hill for Laurier as they started the quarter with a quick two and out. York followed that defensive stand with an 18 yard touchdown pass from Gibbon to Ryan Dunaway. After the pass York followed that up with a 24 yard touchdown run by Gibbon.

Gibbon gave the Laurier defence trouble in the second half with his legs; if he wasn’t scrambling for big gains he was taking designed runs for first downs. Add in a zone read option that got him out in space, Laurier had no answer for the fifth year quarterback.

Laurier’s offensive line also had a hard time throughout the second half, struggling anytime York brought pressure by blitzing.

York ended up scoring 23 points in the third quarter.

In the fourth, Laurier did get back into the game with a 44 yard field goal by Ronald Pfeffer, and followed that up by getting York to concede a safety to pull the game within eight points. But after a snap that went over the head of Pfeffer that lead to a blocked punt and gave York possession deep in Laurier territory.

York was unable to gain any points following the block and Laurier took over deep in their territory. But again, a snap over the head of quarterback Julien John forced Laurier to give up a safety and effectively ending any chance for a comeback.

Laurier plays Waterloo next week in search for their first win of the season. This is the first time in nine years Laurier lost to York.

17

The Sputnik // Wednesday, September 11, 2013

SPORTS

Kyle Morrison // sports@thesputnik.ca | @sputniksports

Golden Hawks baseball team beats up on Humber 17-3

Laurier was on the offensive all game, capped off by a 10-run sixth inning. (Photo by Cody Hoffman)

Kyle Morrison Sports Editor

In front of a loud crowd of Laurier Orientation Week first years and Icebreakers, dressed from head to toe in blue, green, red or yellow, as well as decked out in traditional purple and gold, the Golden Hawks men’s baseball team didn’t disappoint, dominating Humber College 17-3.

Thanks to some very wild pitching from Humber College, Laurier scored their 17 runs on 15 walks. “It was a big win [against Humber College] that’s for sure,” Head Coach Scott Ballantyne said. “We didn’t really hit that much, but we scored 17 runs, so I guess you have to walk away pretty happy about that.”

A huge win like this is always a good confidence boost for a team early on in the season. After a 5-0 win to open the season against Waterloo, big things could

be coming for the team. It’s a good time for Laurier, with the strong mix of senior players and first years on the roster.

And with how well the pre-season began (Laurier won four of their first five exhibition games), Ballantyne could use his younger players and get them the playing time and experience necessary to be key pieces during the season. Baseball is always considered a “marathon, not a sprint”, and when you play 24 more regular season games in the next five or so weeks, it is important to have that confidence in your younger players and know that you can put them in games.

But the veterans’ presence is huge, says Ballantyne. “The veteran guys’ experience is definitely going to help. Some have been to the OUA championships, played against the best teams at the highest levels.” And

returning outfielder Mckenzie Maxwell was a great example of this on Thursday, involved in many of the Golden Hawks’ 17 runs, whether it be RBI hits, or his ability to show good plate discipline to draw walks.

The real test comes now, with a four game weekend series happening against the University of Queen’s, Brock, and Guelph, and the two-time defending OUA champion, University of Toronto University Blues. “Our starting pitching will be the key … there’s a lot of baseball to be played, so our pitching is very important,” Ballantyne says. This means it will be up to their strong, veteran starting pitchers like Jordan Petruska, Brett Van Pelt, Ian Filion, and Adam McBride.

The men out in the field making the plays behind the pitchers will also be important. “We just have to play good

defence. If we can field the ball and make good plays we’re going to be in good shape.”

After the first two games against UofT and Queen’s on Saturday were postponed due to rain, it will be interesting to see what sort of affect the conditions will take on the pitching and defence in Sunday evening’s games against Brock and Guelph.

This team does have a shot in the 2013 season and have stood strong, even after the hazing fiasco last September, in which Laurier had to forfeit their next four games.

The team went 5-4 to end the season. If the Golden Hawks can get the timely hitting and pitching they need, Laurier students may be seeing them in the OUA playoffs.

Women’s soccer team in tough against unbeaten Guelph and Western Kyle Morrison Sports Editor

The expectations are high for one of Laurier’s best teams, the eight-ranked women’s soccer team. After suffering their first loss of the season 1-0 to Windsor, the team must now regroup to face a tough Guelph Gryphons team (4-0-0) on Friday. It was Laurier last year who ended Guelph’s season with a 5-1 victory in the quarterfinal of the OUA playoffs.

The 2013 Gryphons stack up to be the first major test for the Golden Hawks on their road back to OUA success. In the past three seasons, the Laurier women have a combined record of 34-5-5, including a tengame win streak to start the season in 2011.

But even with an OUA title in that span, the team has never been able to come through

on the CIS stage, losing in the final in 2010, consolation final in 2011, and semi-final last season.

As university sports goes, it is hard to continually replenish talent when there is only a four year window of opportunity with top players. It is a testament to the scouting and recruiting of Laurier to put such a great team out on the field each game. But that doesn’t take away from the fact that the Golden Hawks are going to be losing players to graduation in key positions once the season is finished.

Midfielder and 2012 CIS Academic All-Canadian, Amanda Mithrush is in her fourth year, as well as 2012 CIS First Team All-Star defender Kelsey Tikka, and

goalkeeper Katrina Ward. And offensive star, Emily Brown, is entering the season in her third year of eligibility.

Brown, who scored 15 goals in 16 appearances last season, has returned to form right where she left off. Last year’s OUA scoring leader and OUA Women’s Soccer West Division MVP has scored two goals in three games.

Laurier will certainly need Brown’s offensive abilities if they are to beat Guelph, a team that is very strong defensively; having only given up one goal so far in their four games played.

And things do not get any easier, as Brown and the Golden Hawks play Western after their meeting with Guelph. Western is

undefeated so far in 2013, scoring 11 goals in three games, and has yet to give up a goal.

Laurier did not lose to Guelph last year and split their two meetings with Western, but it certainly seems like they will have more trouble against them in 2013.

The OUA may be experiencing an overhaul. Some of Laurier’s key pieces are soon to be graduating, meanwhile, at least early in the season, teams like Guelph and Western are showing what the rest of Ontario can do in women’s soccer. The talent is there for the Golden Hawks year after year, but there might begin to be a bit of an adjustment period in a couple of seasons to come.

Jacky Normandeau battles for the ball against Brock defender in a 3-1 win. (Photo courtesy of Heather Davidson)

18

The Sputnik // Wednesday, September 11, 2013

OPINION

Cody Groat // opinion@thesputnik.ca | @sputnikopinion

From a non-user: Legalize weed Cody Groat Opinion Editor

I’m not going to take the time to bounce around the topic. I honestly think it’s about time marijuana was legalized in Canada. To be quite honest, I don’t see why it isn’t yet. I’ve never personally smoked (or otherwise ingested) marijuana, but I’m still firm in my belief that it should be decriminalized and legalized. Maybe with the confession that Justin Trudeau has smoked it while in office will help others see just how harmless it can be when dealt with properly. Maybe, by the time I’m his age, this article will be moot - maybe even by the time I’m done university. Nice and simply, here’s why I think we’re past due on a revised weed bill.

We’re in debt. Big time, as a country. According to a wonderful website called “debtclock” that helps figure out a rough image of a country’s federal debt, we’re at about $17500 in the red, per person. Keep in mind we have close to thirty-four million people in Canada. We may not be as bad as other countries, but do the math: we’re in the hole.

Now, I’m not saying that national legalization of weed will solve our financial problems, but at the same time it would do a lot to aid in it. In Ontario, according to a smoker’s rights advocacy group, Ontario cigarette prices (for a carton of 200) was around $30.35 in

2003. In my opinion, that’s crazy enough.

Then you figure out that a whopping $20.66 of that price is the multiple taxes from the provincial or federal government. Now you see how we could use legalized weed to our advantage. The taxes alone on legalized weed could easily be a multimillion dollar industry, if sold the same way we’ve been distributing alcohol and cigarettes for decades.

In my eyes, it’s an amazing business move.

Weed.

(Art by Rebecca Duce.)

There’s a whole other argument related to money saving in the sense of not needing police to “waste money” enforcing it anymore, but I’d argue that point in a separate article.

Marijuana is not lethal, meaning, you will not die as a direct result of smoking or otherwise ingesting weed. I’d say it becomes a pretty reliable fact when the Government of Canada “Healthy Canadians” website clearly states the non-lethality of it, right under the many short-term effects (among them, spontaneous laughter, how scary) and above the list of long-term effects. If you travel on the same website, yet the page dedicated to tobacco, I noticed something that quite frankly pissed me off: The effects of tobacco aren’t listed, that is, not unless you scroll down to the bottom of the page and find a separate link directing you there. Once you read and compare, you see that tobacco effects are in fact much worse, in a shorter amount of time, too. Don’t get me wrong, marijuana is can be bad for it. It can lead to (as our government website tells us); impaired short-term memory, psychosis, mild paranoia, anxiety or panic in the short-term. In the long-term, you could experience enhanced chances of schizophrenia, breathing problems, or cognitive impairment. Now, on that hidden tobacco page? Smokers can experience problems with their heart and blood vessels, certain types of cancers, lung and respiratory problems, menstrual problems, fertility problems, premature delivery, having a low birth weight baby, erectile dysfunction and premature death. I don’t smoke tobacco either, but if I had to choose between a cigarette and a joint, based on what my own government is telling me? I know what I’d be grabbing.

Time for a fun fact. When same-

gendered marriage became legal in Canada, straight people were not forced to marry someone of the same gender.

After abortion became legal in Canada, our nation still had numerous women giving live birth. Odd, isn’t it? Tobacco is legal, but I’ve never smoked in my life. Alcohol is legal, and guess what, people drink. But some don’t. The thing that ties all of these together? Possibly controversial laws, that you don’t have to take part in if you don’t want to (or, in the case of same-gendered married, it may simply not be something that effects you on a personal level). Just like if weed was legal, you wouldn’t have to smoke it if you didn’t want to, as with alcohol or tobacco; if weed was legal, you would have to follow laws related to it, just as with alcohol or tobacco. Of course, it probably wouldn’t be a perfect system.

Many would abuse it, we’d probably still have illegal dealers, and underage users. Laws should be enforced stating that only certain businesses could sell it and to individuals of certain age groups.

If using, there should be limits on what you could be doing afterwards (and for a certain time afterwards), enforced as with drinking and driving, and in overly public places with children.

I could list a hundred other arguments why I think it should be legal. I don’t use it now, and if (when) it’s eventually legal, I still won’t. It’s just something that doesn’t personally appeal to me. But from the eyes of someone who doesn’t use marijuana, I still think it’s well past the time to decriminalize and legalize.

Just ask Justin.

betrayed unspoken protocol issued upon the Catholic leader, and others stating that, finally, the church was adapting.

Personally, I’m leaning with the later group. It just seems that the church is so, well, uptight.

In the twenty-first century, a lot of organizations and beliefs are adapting.

I feel the church should follow suit. But then again, maybe it’s because I’m not religious. From what I’ve been hearing, if any person is to be the only who’ll bring the change, it’ll be Francis. He’s the bearer of a lot of firsts already. He’s the first Jesuit pope, first pope from the Americas, and the first pope from the Southern Hemisphere. Also something that’s modern about the Pope are some of his views on homosexuality. In his eyes, homosexual acts are still a sin, but the sexual orientation as a whole is not. Baby steps Francis, I respect that.

The Pope also has Twitter (@ Pontifex), and although his predecessor did as well, it’s still a major move into the realm of technology. By doing that, he not only became infinitely cooler, but also joined religious leaders worldwide in their membership to the social media site. Along with the Dalai Lama (@ DalaiLama) and Pope Tawadros II of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria (@PopeTawadros), Francis is able to reach out to millions worldwide (in 140 characters or less), especially to youth. This is a major game changer in religion I think. I follow the Pope, and I’m not even religious. I only do it out

of the irony of it, I mean, he’s a 76 year old leader of millions, worth the follow I’d say.

What I’m getting to is that technology is now present in the Pope’s life, as well as with his young followers.

It’s a way for him to relate, and to quite frankly help win the youth over. It breaks down a wall of anonymity and secrecy and shows that before being named to one of the highest religious titles in the world, he was a regular guy.

That’s why things like tweeting and selfies, in my opinion, make religion more appealing to youth. Less strict, less regulated, and easier to associate with. He’s stated that he’s a fan of youth with non-conformist ideals, not surprising seeing as he’s so far been a non-conformist himself.

Those three teenagers broke a social barrier. They modernized religion by asking a simple request. I feel the Pope did a great thing by agreeing.

The amount of regular church goers is going down, and from what I’ve read, the general idea of religion as a whole is going down. Maybe, just maybe, a selfie or two will shake things up.

I suggest the Pope getting a better smile for them though. Maybe even a Pope instagram page? I know I’d follow.

The Pope takes a selfie Cody Groat Opinion Editor

I’m not religious. I’m not saying I’m against religion, it’s just not something I believe in. With that being said, I know one thing for sure. If the chance arose for me to take a selfie with the Pope, I’d take up the opportunity in a heartbeat. It’s probably one of the coolest things you could do, talk about an amazing Facebook profile picture.

For those who may still not know what a selfie is, in simple terms, it’s

The Pope selfie. (Photo courtesy of Instagram)

when you use a phone (or camera, if you’re old school), hold it about arms length and take a picture of yourself.

Maybe a little vain, but hey, welcome to the twenty-first century. Selfies have become so popular, the term has even been included in newest edition of the Oxford English Dictionary.

This was what happened with a group of teenagers who met Pope Francis inside St. Peter’s Basilica a week and a half ago.

In the picture, a group of three t e e n s are seen smiling with a slightly confused looking Francis h a l f smiling to the side. As soon as the photo w a s posted on Facebook a n d Tw i t t e r, the world media exploded with conflicting reports. Some stating that Francis

20

The Sputnik // Wednesday, September 11, 2013

OPINION

Cody Groat // opinion@thesputnik.ca | @sputnikopinion

Thinking outside the burger Jessica Lalonde Copy Editor

Precursor: This has the potential to be a very controversial topic, but I am strong in my opinions and believe there should be discussion about this. I am completely open to a dialogue! Please leave your thoughts and comments on the online edition, or on our Facebook page! Have your own strong opinion? Submit a 300 word piece on this or any other topic to opinion@thesputnik. ca.

As a born-and-bred country girl, I grew up in a culture where not eating meat just wasn’t an option. If people in my school were vegetarians, they were the “weird ones” because you were essentially shunning the livelihood of hundreds of your neighbours everyday.

As I grew up, I have come to accept and understand why some people choose to be vegetarians (sorry, Vegans – I’ll never understand that argument), and the good intentions behind it. Honestly, while I have not chosen this lifestyle for myself, I don’t have anything negative to say about those who do … as long as you’re truly invested in doing i t for “the animals.”

Let me begin with a little background on my own lifestyle. I am not a vegetarian, or a vegan. I do, however, believe that there is value in the lives of the animals we use and I try my darndest to

make sure I am educated and aware of what I am consuming and purchasing in regards to their effects on animals.

I purchase cruelty free hair products, body wash, lotions, makeup, and even hair dye. Shopping for food takes me eons because I try to buy things from the farmers market in town, and local food stands. When I do buy from the grocery store, I get in-season and/or organic when I can afford it, and watch where my food comes from. Meat only comes from my local butcher (and family-run farms), other than the very occasional Harvey’s burger or Pantry chilli when I feel my iron is too low.

Vegetarianism as a lifestyle choice has grown exponentially in the last decade or two, and with approximately two per cent of the Canadian population made of up of vegetarians, it’s hard not to know someone who has gone meatless.

I have a couple of friends who are “vegetarian,” that is, until he or she had a few drinks and needed their McDonalds McNugget or Big Mac fix. Or preach the i m p o r t a n c e of not eating

meat while wearing a leather coat (I swear, this actually happened). Am I the only person confused by this logic?

My issue comes when people claim to be vegetarian to protect the animals or make a statement, but then go home and shower using products that have been tested on animals, makeup that is not cruelty or animal byproduct free, or have no problem with medications that have been tested on animals or include animal parts or byproducts.

For example, a close friend of mine in the medical field (as well as the World Health Organization) says a preservative ingredient in some vaccines (primarily the Japanese encephalitis vaccine) contains doses of mouse brain or cow bones being used in the flu vaccines (courtesy of the FDA). I

personally don’t get any vaccines that are not legally required, but where is the line drawn? If you’re a vegetarian and don’t eat a burger, is it ethical for you to get a vaccine made from the same animal? Or tested on animals?

In theory, the entire idea behind vegetarianism is that your needs are not above the welfare or life of another living creature – is your health the exception? Your beauty?

Your favourite Revlon lipstick, ladies? Yeah, there’s grease from animal fur in that, hidden under the name Lanolin).

As intense as PETA can be, their website is actually a great educational resource. If you’re uncomfortable with that, satirical website Cracked has some great articles that will make you cringe.

If your aim is to save little Peter Cottontail, I applaud you, but please educate yourself – being kind to animals extends beyond what you eat.

Check out thesputnik.ca for a list of sources to educate you about vegetarianism.

Watch more than what you eat. (Art by Rebecca Duce)

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