Imprint_2009-01-23_v31_i23 by Editor Imprint

Impr int The university of Waterloo’s official student newspaper

Friday, January 23, 2009

imprint . uwaterloo . ca

vol 31, no 23

Meet Kate Critchley, UW’s Woman of Influence details on page 24

“I’m happiest when I’m learning”

Waterloo police suspect UW student Daniel Eaton was stabbed to death, alongside mother, by father John Eaton

Roz Gunn staff reporter

“Loved by many, influenced hundreds, remembered by thousands, missed for a life time. This group is created in loving memory of Daniel Eaton [August 22, 1985 - January 14, 2009]” is the preamble to a description of a Facebook group created in memoriam for the young man. The group now has 50 members, many of whom have left messages of both consolation and of grief. All who know him share the same shock at the sudden loss of their good friend. Daniel Eaton was enrolled in computer science here at UW, although, for unknown reasons, he did not enrol in the most recent two terms. He had some friends here, but he was somewhat of an introvert and preferred to build friendships through online chat. Florence Kwok spoke with Imprint of the loss of her best friend. Said Kwok, “Dan is truly an awesome person and friend who genuinely loves and cares about his family and acquaintances … No one could have asked for a better friend. Him, being one of my best friends...I am really glad to have known him. It truly is a loss for those who could not. We all miss him greatly, but at least, he will forever be at peace.”

courtesy canwest global

Eaton’s Facebook profile paints a picture of the deceased UW student. His interests included, as he called them, “core geeky stuff,” for instancecomputers, robotics, electronics, and linguistics. He said he loved acquiring knowledge: “I’m happiest when I’m learning,” his profile states. Another friend remembers trying to contact Daniel the day of his death: “I called him last Thursday afternoon to see if he would be able to hang out with me over the weekend. His phone wasn’t on, but his cell phone’s never on so I didn’t think anything of it.” A peculiarity to Daniel was that he had a condition called synaesthesia, which meant for him that numbers, letters, and sounds all inherently had colour associations in his mind. He worked with Daniel Smilek, a UW cognitive psychology professor currently researching synaesthesia. Waterloo investigators are still trying to piece together a timeline. The exact impetus behind the double-murder and the stabbing weapon used are as of yet unknown.

In 2007, Eaton gained media attention for his part in UW’s research on synaesthesia, featuring in a segment for Global News.

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hree bodies were recovered from a fire that broke out around 2 p.m. on Wingrove Court this past Wednesday, January 14 — those of 64year-old John Eaton, 61-year-old Linda Eaton, and their son, 23-year-old Daniel Eaton, a UW student. The Eatons’s other son and daughter were away at university at the time of the fire and will be staying with Linda’s sister, Jennie Rodzen. Police are now releasing information from the autopsies performed in Hamilton that injuries not related to the fire were found on the bodies of Linda and Daniel. Coroners found multiple stab wounds on the two bodies. John Eaton did not have any such injuries and is suspected by the Waterloo police to have slain his wife and son. He died in hospital of carbon monoxide poisoning after being pulled from the charred house by firefighters. The Toronto Sun reports that police say there had been no history of police activity at the house before, a fact that raises more questions than answers. When interviewed by the Record, neighbours only said that the Eatons were a quiet family who kept to themselves during the seven years of their residence in the Beechwood area.

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Imprint, Friday, January 23, 2009 news@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

O L

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Campus Quorum Policy in brief

Maggie Clark editor-in-chief

ome time after numerous recommendations pertaining to graduate studies were presented, and before the matter of PDEng becoming a mandatory math faculty co-op requirement was tabled for the next UW Senate meeting, a set of recommendations emerged, and were adopted, that could significantly impact the primary form of learning at UW. A report by the Task force on Online Learning, comprised of Associate VP Academic Geoff McBoyle, Dean of Arts Ken Coates, Renison College Principal John Crossley, and Institutional Analysis and Planning Director Bob Truman, highlights the dramatically increased role of new technology in university education to date, and from these trends recommends an action plan that fully embraces the move to online learning. According to the task force report, “for the past two Spring convocations ... 50 per cent of the graduation cohort has taken at least one course via [Distance education],” More notably, Spring 2008 saw “more than 80 per cent of these registrations coming from ‘on-campus students,’” a figure signifying that, far from being the choice of part-time and travelling students alone, online courses are actively selected over on-campus, inclass alternatives.

next few years” said Babor, noting that students should be aware of the increased materials and skillsets required of them for future academic success. Over the next four years all distance education courses will be transitioned into fully-online versions. The task force’s report highlights numerous positives to the pursuit of more all-encompassing online learning. It extends the reach of university to more adult and part-time learners, improves “classroom

More notably, spring 2008 saw “more than 80 per cent of [online course] registrations coming from ‘on-campus’ students.” utilization” and efficiency, offers flexibility for students strapped for time, provides a variety of new learning models, and enhance’s “UW’s reputation as a technology leader.” No mention was made of possible deficits to the learning process, though some items stress the inclusion of a constant review process for various online teaching methods. The report also recommends a restructuring of compensation models for faculty who create online courses, to ensure faculty and staff are well-supported in this newly-prioritized learning process.

Over the next four years all distance education courses will be transitioned into fully-online versions. Responses to the task force report were moderate, with only one professor, as well as student senator Allan Babor, expressing any reservations about the transition. These concerns focussed mainly on resource management, with Babor also expressing concern about the need for more undergraduate space and resources not being met by this new direction. “These recommendations effectively make the internet an essential part of the core curriculum in the

• The Task force on the Administration of Graduate Studies concurred with an earlier decision (made six years ago, at the last such review) that UW, having an established graduate studies program already, does not need a Faculty of Graduate Studies, but outlined 19 recommendations to help UW achieve its aggressive goal of doubling graduate studies students from the present number, around 4,000, to 8,000 in the next decade.

Other items of note in the Monday, January 19 UW Senate meeting:

• UW Senate cancelled a faltering master’s of biology concept on the argument that the program lacked the capacity to teach all its varied modules effectively in the two-week spans prescribed to target teachers taking summer coursework. Meanwhile, a master’s of actuarial sciences program went forward.

• UW Senate approved the academic calendar for the upcoming year. Notably, the final Winter 2009 class is scheduled for Saturday, December 5, on account of the Monday schedule being used. • UW engineering programs got high praise for achieving the highest entrance averages of first year engineering students in a 2005 comparison, presenting a 97.6 per cent co-op employment rate in winter 2006, and attaining high external standings for programs such as civil and chemical engineering. More troubling was the high attrition rate for geological engineering (62 per cent), the “unacceptable” fraction of licensed engineers within the chemical engineering faculty, and a “number of occupational health and safety issues” noted after laboratory visits (though no major incidents in the last seven years involved students). • Statistics on full-time university professors highlighted a distinct gender imbalance across the board, with a total of 229 female faculty to 717.25 (averaged over the year) male faculty. The most pronounced divide exists in engineering, with 35.49 female full-time professors to 216 male; the least lies in AHS, with 20.24 female faculty to 29.49 male. Statistics do not include the rate of change (see next week’s Imprint for more details). editor@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

per cent of distance education courses in 2002-03 were fully online. In 2007-08, the percentage of fully online courses had risen to

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Imprint, Friday, January 23, 2009

Campus set to test new emergency alert system Broad-based communication system aims to alert university community in case of incident Duncan Ramsay news editor

ext week, the UW administration will be testing several new emergency communication methods designed to rapidly alert the entire UW community of any widespread emergency. These communications, which have been under development for over a year, will cover a broad range of mediums, and will engage only should the UW administration directly declare an emergency. The system as it stands will operate around a special “UW home page” which will replace the standard home page when an emergency is declared, and will be used to relay information and instructions to the staff and student body at large. The communication methods to be tested next week are largely designed to instruct the UW body to visit the web page and receive additional information there. These methods include voicemail and text messages to all numbers registered with human resources or on Quest, as well as pop-up messages on all Nexus/ADS connected computers.

Additional methods are being considered and will likely be tested later on this year, including mass emails, text alerts on all informational screens across campus and a network of IP phones to be installed across UW. These new systems are designed to act as an aid to authorities in the event of an emergency. These would include the UW Police acting as first responders in event of an emergency, and later the Waterloo Regional Police as they arrive as mandated by the Ontario Emergency Management Act. There are many reasons for declaring an emergency, mainly to do with various natural disasters, but also including chemical spills, plane crashes, armed persons, and other such man-made disasters. As UW main campus includes over seven million square feet of floor space spread over 1,000 acres, this new communication system represents a significant new tool in increasing the security of the campus.

armel chesnais

news@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

Your guide to satellite campuses

Part 2: A continued look at UW’s associate institutions Danielle Whittemore intern

efore the term break we studied two of UW’s new satellite schools, the School of Architecture in Cambridge, and the School of Pharmacy in Kitchener. This week, Imprint looks at the Stratford Institute, the Balsillie School, the Beijing campus and UW exchanges. Balsillie School of International Affairs There are three programs offered at this new university branch, a combined effort from UW, the Centre for International Governance Innovation, and Wilfrid Laurier University. First is a Master’s degree in global governance; a program that is run primarily through UW. The second is a Ph.D in global governance; this is a joint program by UW and WLU’s collaborative efforts. Finally, there is a Master’s in international public policy through WLU. The Balsillie School is not a satellite campus as of yet; students are still a part of their home university, whether that be Waterloo or Laurier. This spring, however, a new building will be built next to the existing CIGI building on the former Seagram lands between Father

David Bauer Drive, Caroline Street, and Erb Street in Waterloo. As far as funding goes, Dr. Andrew Thompson, program officer of the global governance programs, said that they “have been extremely lucky.” The school is moving forward largely due to a generous donation of $50 million from Jim Balsillie, co-CEO of Research in Motion, with WLU and UW each pitching in $25 million of their own funds. Thompson also revealed that they have “big plans” for the school, and that the new programs are “constantly evolving.” Not much is known as far as student activities are concerned, but Thompson did say that the PhD students have already started a regular coffee date for every Tuesday morning. This is a great way to keep them all connected, and a wonderful start to student services.

for… 20 years.” There has been a two-plus-two program intact between the two universities during this time, which allowed students in Beijing to start school at Nanjing University, and transfer to UW after two years for the second half of their schooling. The students could then receive degrees from both schools. UW is now furthering their connection in China by adding the Sino-Canadian College, which will be a part of the Nanjing campus. Programs offered at this new college include the Faculty of Environment Geomatics program, and its Resource and Environment Planning program, both of which operate using the two-plus-two method. The Sino-Canadian College opened to students last semester, in September 2008.

Beijing campus

UW exchanges are a great way to travel and see the world while still working toward your degree. The University of Waterloo has partnerships with other universities around the world, which gives students access to a variety of cultures and learning opportunities. Exchanges are great for students enrolled in language or culture programs, but are not limited to these programs. They are available to students from any faculty, in any program. The wide range

UW’s presence in Beijing will be different from all of the aforementioned satellite campuses. Rather than being a separate entity of UW itself, Beijing shows UW’s new alliance with the Nanjin University in China. “This is not really a new venture,” explained Justin Williams, current Feds president. “Waterloo has been working with Nanjing University

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of universities offers limitless possibilities for new learning, no matter the field. Countries available to visit include Australia, India, France, Japan, Switzerland and Russia, among others. For a full list of countries, and other information on how to sign up for an exchange, go to www.research.uwaterloo. ca/international/exchange. Deadlines for applying vary depending on the destination university, and some are as early as January 12, 2009. Stratford Institute While the rest of us were snug at home, enjoying the winter break, the Stratford campus has made leaps and bounds regarding funding and overall progress.The school will feature a graduate program in digital media, as well as a digital media research centre for students. An undergraduate program will come later. Open Text Corporation has already pledged funding toward this operation, and Sybase iAnywhere will also donate funding as a founding partner in the project. For now, at least, it looks like Stratford has all the funding they need. dwhittemore@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

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News

Katrina Massey reporter

Russian human rights lawyer killed MOSCOW, Russia The murder of renowned lawyer Stanislav Markelov has prompted outrage among Russians. Markelov was considered a hero for his prosecution of Yuri Budanov, human rights violator during the Chechnya conflict. Markelov was shot and killed on January 19, shortly after a news conference appearance in Moscow. During the conference, he told reporters that he was considering filing an international appeal against Budanov’s early release from prison, which had occurred the previous week. Markelov had worked to prosecute Budanov since his confession in 2000 for the murder of 18-year-old Chechen girl Heda Kungayeva. The Russian Republic of Chechnya has experienced heavy fighting due to military attempts to crush a separatist movement in recent years. Budanov believed Kungayeva was a rebel sniper. Budanov was the first to be prosecuted for the killing of a civilian during the Chechnya conflict, and his release, a year early from a ten-year sentence, has been strongly protested by Chechens. Markelov was murdered in daylight, shot at close range in the back of the head with a pistol fitted with a silencer. Journalist Anastasia Baburova was also killed after trying to intervene. Authorities believe that the deaths may have been professionally motivated since they occurred shortly after the conference. The double murder of Markelov and

Imprint, Friday, January 23, 2009

Markelov was murdered in daylight, shot at close range in the back of the head with a pistol fitted with a silencer.

Baburova has strengthened Russian fears regarding the consequences of free speech. Rachel Denber of Human Rights Watch stated that “[Markelov’s] murder shows that those who speak out against abuses and work to hold abusers to account risk their lives.” At least 12 journalists have been killed in Russia since Vladimir Putin came to power in 2000. — With files from BBC and Newsweek Cease-fire between Israel and Hamas achieved GAZA CITY, Gaza After three weeks of fighting, a shaky weeklong cease-fire was called between Israel and Hamas on January 18. Whether the cessation will hold remains uncertain, as scattered outbreaks of violence continue in the area. Two more children have been killed near Gaza City since the halt was declared, further adding to the death toll, which now surpasses 1,300. In an attempt to discourage a resumption of violence between the two parties, UN Secretary-General Ban-Ki Moon went to see the destruction caused by the attacks and to comment on the violence, less than three days after it halted, on January 20. Mr. Ban was the first international leader to visit

Gaza in several years. During his viewing of the damage left by the attacks on a UN food warehouse, reports say Mr. Ban was appalled and called for a judiciary investigation. “I am deeply grieved by what I have seen today,” he said. The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics estimates that it could cost $1.9 billion to rebuild the territory. Approximately 4,000 buildings have been destroyed and over 20,000 have been badly damaged. On January 18, 100,000 people had their water access restored to them, although it has been claimed that 400,000 of Gaza’s 1.4 million citizens still have no water. Israel has stated that if the current ceasefire holds, they will complete their pull-out. Although humanitarian aid is being rushed in to the area, Israel is not yet allowing construction materials to enter. — With files from BBC and CNN Ten million Kenyans face food shortages MAKUENI, Kenya Nearly a third of Kenya’s population is being hit by a food crisis as hunger continues to spread across the country. On January 16 President Mwai Kibaki declared a national crisis and has since appealed for $400 million

(USD) in order to meet the demands of the population. In Makueni, people have been unable to harvest anything at all for the past two rainy seasons, and many other Kenyan districts are experiencing similar problems. The current disaster has been attributed to poor rains and extensive droughts which have been affecting the country for over a decade. Other triggering factors include high food prices and the post election violence that ensued in 2008 from the re-election of current President Kibaki. This violence cut the production of grain in Rift Valley, a heavily relied on agricultural area for the country. Spikes in malnutrition levels occurred at the end of 2008, and people are currently reportedly going for two or three days at a time without any food. The World Food Program and government together are able to feed 1.4 million Kenyans under an emergency program, while another million are being fed through a direct form of government intervention. However, Integrated Regional Information Networks quotes Kibaki as declaring that “these ongoing programs cannot absorb the sharp increase in numbers of needy people requiring relief food without additional resources.” — With files from IRIN and UPI

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News

Imprint, Friday, January 23, 2009

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Government appoints mediator in York strike

Premier Dalton McGuinty appointed labour mediator Reg Pearson to the York strike after striking workers rejected its latest offer Tuesday night. In a vote conducted by the Ontario Ministry of Labour, 63 per cent of the 3,300 striking members rejected the offer made by York, which promised a 9.25 per cent increase in wages over three years as well as a significant improvement in auxiliary benefits. The appointment came after York President Mamdouh Shoukri rejected a request from the union to open a new session of bargaining at one o’clock Wednesday afternoon. Shoukri stated that York was “taking a stand to protect its academic and financial future.” Recently McGuinty has come under pressure from the Conservative Party for his handling of the situation; the Tories are urging McGuinty to call an emergency session

of the legislature to “draft back-towork legislation.” McGuinty has not, however, taken this course nor has he hinted at whether he will order union members back to work. He has implied that these venues will cause “stiff opposition” from the NDP and that collective bargaining is the best road to take at this point. Parents and students have become increasingly frustrated with the situation. A growing number of online groups have formed urging the government to order an end to the strike and pass back-to-work legislation. — with files from The Globe and Mail Professor and former terrorist refused entry into Canada

William Ayers, U.S. professor of education and a former member of a domestic terrorist group, has been refused entry into Canada. Ayers flew into Toronto on Sunday, January 18 to give lectures at the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education and a speech at its Centre for Urban Schooling, but was refused entry

at customs. CUS responded to the incident in an open letter to Canada Border Service, calling the incident “an attack on intellectual exchange and academic freedom.” In the 1970s Ayers was a member of “The Weather Underground,” a radical left-wing group that are accused of bombings in New York’s Greenwich Village and in federal buildings in Washington, DC. During the previous election cycle, Republicans — including Vice-Presidential nominee Sarah Palin — had used the links as a smear that attempted to connect the new President to terrorists. The two had been neighbours in an upscale Chicago neighbourhood and both served as board members of a charitable organization. Ayers is a tenured professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago and an advocate of education reform. According to his faculty profile, his research interests include “social justice, urban educational reform, narrative and interpretive research, [and] children in trouble with the law.” — with files from CP, The New York Times and The Vancouver Province

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Ontario business school applications drop for first time in a decade

Applications to business programs across the province have dropped for the first time in a decade. Ontario Universities’ Application Centre reported that 5.2 per cent fewer high school students named business as one of their top programs; overall universities have seen a drop of 9 per cent in high school applications to business programs. Conversely, interest in environmental studies programs and nursing and social work programs has risen by 8.5 and 11 per cent, respectively. Richard Levin, registrar at McMaster University, said that one of the main reasons for this change is the worsening global economy. He points to examples of when applications to computer programs dropped after the “dot-com bust” or when applications to teachers’ colleges dropped after reports that teaching jobs were dying out. James Norrie, associate dean of Ted Rogers School of Management,

also pointed out that rising requirements for entry have also driven away people’s interest in business programs. Where at one point the minimum requirements ranged from a 70 – 75 per cent average for business programs, they have now risen to 80 – 85 per cent. “When word spreads that you can no longer get in...with 75, some may decide not to apply at all,” said Norrie. Wilfrid Laurier University raised its entry standards this year requiring its applicants to have taken at least two math courses. Some students remain optimistic about their future job prospects, however. “The drop in the number of jobs only means that people will have to wait a little longer to get their dream job,” said Linda Tu, a fourth year commerce student and president of the University of Toronto’s Commerce Students Association at the Rotman School of Business. — with files from The Toronto Star rwebb@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

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Opinion Student Life Centre, Room 1116 University of Waterloo Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1 P: 519.888.4048 F: 519.884.7800 http://imprint.uwaterloo.ca Editor-in-chief, Maggie Clark editor@imprint.uwaterloo.ca Advertising & Production Manager, Laurie Tigert-Dumas ads@imprint.uwaterloo.ca General Manager, Catherine Bolger cbolger@imprint.uwaterloo.ca Ad Assistant, vacant Sales Assisstant, Abbus Abdulali Systems Admin. Dan Agar Distribution, Alicia Mah, Sherif Soliman Interns, Matthew Lee, Brandon Rampelt, Holly Sage, Danielle Whittemore Board of Directors board@imprint.uwaterloo.ca President, Sherif Soliman president@imprint.uwaterloo.ca Vice-president, Vacant vp@imprint.uwaterloo.ca Treasurer, Lu Jiang treasurer@imprint.uwaterloo.ca Secretary, Vanessa Pinelli secretary@imprint.uwaterloo.ca Staff liaison, Peter Trinh liaison@imprint.uwaterloo.ca Editorial Staff Assistant Editor, Dinh Nguyen Head Reporter, James Damaskinos Lead Proofreader, Alicia Boers Cover Editor, Veronika Zaretsky News Editor, Duncan Ramsay News Assistant, Ryan Webb Opinion Editor, Adrienne Raw Opinion Assistant, Christine Nanteza Features Editor, Vacant Features Assistant, Vacant Arts & Entertainment Editor, Tina Ironstone Arts & Entertainment Assistant, Vacant Science & Tech Editor, Vacant Science & Tech Assistant, Rajul Saleh Sports & Living Editor, Caitlin McIntyre Sports & Living Assistant, Vacant Photo Editor, Vacant Photo Assistant, Shannon Purves Graphics Editor, Vacant Graphics Assistant, Vacant Web Administrator, Vacant Systems Administrator, Mohammad Jangda Production Staff Katrina Massey, Derin Howard, Paul Collier, Danielle Whittemore, Michelle B., Emily Stypulkowska, Mavis Au-Yeung, Susie Roma, Alicia Mah Graphics Team Armel Chesnais Imprint is the official student newspaper of the University of Waterloo. It is an editorially independent newspaper published by Imprint Publications, Waterloo, a corporation without share capital. Imprint is a member of the Ontario Community Newspaper Association (OCNA). Editorial submissions may be considered for publication in any edition of Imprint. Imprint may also reproduce the material commercially in any format or medium as part of the newspaper database, Web site or any other product derived from the newspaper. Those submitting editorial content, including articles, letters, photos and graphics, will grant Imprint first publication rights of their submitted material, and as such, agree not to submit the same work to any other publication or group until such time as the material has been distributed in an issue of Imprint, or Imprint declares their intent not to publish the material. The full text of this agreement is available upon request. Imprint does not guarantee to publish articles, photographs, letters or advertising. Material may not be published, at the discretion of Imprint, if that material is deemed to be libelous or in contravention with Imprint’s policies with reference to our code of ethics and journalistic standards. Imprint is published every Friday during fall and winter terms, and every second Friday during the spring term. Imprint reserves the right to screen, edit and refuse advertising. One copy per customer. Imprint ISSN 0706-7380. Imprint CDN Pub Mail Product Sales Agreement no. 40065122.

Next staff meeting: Friday, January 26 12:30 p.m. Next board of directors meeting: Friday, January 23 2 p.m.

A promise in words

hough few in the Great Hall audience this Tuesday, January 20 stood for the playing of the U.S. national anthem, hundreds of eyes were nonetheless riveted to the screen, while down in the den of the Imprint office, even we full-time staff took a moment to bear witness to President Barack Obama’s inaugural speech. In the months leading up to this address, many a conservative pundit (and ‘til-death-do-we-part Hillary supporter) remarked on Obama’s oratory skills as being, well, “all words and no substance.” This is, of course, the role of critics, regardless of their allegiance — to maintain skepticism at all costs and to emphasize an unreadiness in their opponents to lead. And yet, watching Obama speak — watching all these UW students pause in their daily tasks to watch Obama speak — I found myself moved by the absurdity of such a criticism: That words are useless, empty things, lacking the capacity, in and of themselves, to effect change. Moreover, as the U.S. is a deeply religious country, and conservatism is quite prevalent among many such religious groups, the charge of language being ineffective is especially curious from

editor@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

these quarters — how often is the Word of a higher power cited as the ultimate guide to living a prosperous life; how many of those same critics appeal to their ministers and priests for structure or guidance in each Sunday morning address? Better yet, how many of these pundits would be out of a job if words had no power? What these critics perhaps suggest is that Obama’s promises are the real evidence of vacuous speech — that promises cannot endure untested, and furthermore should be distrusted until evidence to the contrary is provided. And yet, what of Obama’s promises? “Today,” said Obama, “I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America: They will be met.” With the time frame and complexity of meeting such aims worked into his promise, there seems little snake-oil in this pitch — just plenty of caution. Beyond this, Obama’s emphasis lay with the people, and the tasks that fall on everyone in the pursuit of a better U.S. “This,” he said, “is the price and the promise of citizenship.” The weight of this appeal, so resonating with John F. Kennedy’s famous “Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country,” is extraordinary, especially when one considers how equally well-received Kennedy was in his own time. Two eloquent presidents, each drawing enormous crowds and excitement around their inaugurations, telling people that the real responsibility for change lies not just with the government,

but also the citizenry itself — and adored for it. Correlation, or perhaps causation? My vote clearly lies with the latter, for here, I feel, is the real power of language — the power that arises in great orators, august and terrible alike, and which resonates with some of the earliest discourses we engage in as youth: the power, that is, both to permit and to restrict. As children told what we can or cannot do, we grow into adults who dictate what the world can and cannot be: This is why studies show even racially-charged or sexist jokes, no matter how harmless their intentions, still foster an environment of discrimination. This is equally why how-to magazines, Oprah, Dr. Phil, and numerous other self-help brands, with their messages of empowerment and self-determination, are so successful. This is why the religious, in times of great need, turn to the books of their faith, and why everyone can take solace in the quotable wisdom of great men and women who’ve come before. And most dangerously, this is why rhetoric can compel so many to unthinking action, or opinion. “What I tell you three times is true,” wrote Lewis Carroll, and sure enough a lie, often repeated, gains its own life as “truth” in public discourse. This is as true in politics as it is in media, as it is in personal social spheres. After all, rhetoric spun a WMDs-based war on Saddam Hussein, and has some 40 per cent of the American population, according to a Newsweek poll, believing Hussein was involved in 9/11. Of all the weapons humanity has at its disposal, language can most assuredly be one of the worst. See LANGUAGE, page 10

Hope for the future commentary Christine Nanteza assistant opinion editor

ES WE CAN! The Obama campaign slogan replays in our minds every time he takes centre stage to deliver a jaw-dropping, awe-inspiring speech. On Tuesday, January 20, Barack Obama stood in Washington, poised, humbled, and prepared to take his oath as the 44th president of the United States. He addressed the nation as the first African American president in the history of the United States of America. As the world watched and absorbed his every word, he conveyed a message of hope for the future, remembrance of the past, and belief in our abilities as a united people. President Obama speaks for all walks of life, all races, all ages, and all nations alike. As he said in his inauguration speech, “…our patchwork heritage is a strength not a weakness … the lines of tribes shall soon dissolve. As the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself.” Martin Luther King Jr. had such a dream; Obama’s presidency brings that dream to life. President Obama’s inaugural speech bore a slight resemblance to former Presidents Kennedy and Lincoln’s messages of an America that leads the world not by instilling fear, but by the courage shown by its people — an America that encourages diversity and prosperity through unity and social as well as economic growth. He sowed a seed of confidence in ourselves saying, “…greatness is never given, it must be earned … [it has] never been one of shortcuts or settling for less … nor been

the path for the faint-hearted. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers of things … men and women obscure in their labour, who have carried us up the long rigid path towards prosperity and freedom.” President Obama embodies the belief that anything is possible: that it is possible for a young man to struggle through this repressive smothering society and emerge an influential figure; that this potential lies in each and everyone of us; and that we are “bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions, greater than all our differences of wealth or birth or faction.” Throughout his campaign, President Obama has spoken of ending the war in Iraq responsibly and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan, and encouraging democracy through summits and understanding one another’s differences and reservations. One quotation that stood out for me was, “our power alone cannot protect us nor does it entitle us to do as we please… To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict or blame their societies’ ills on the West, know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy.” Since the beginning of time, the world has turned on terrorizing the frail and fearful, and feeding the greed of the wealthy. President Obama stands up for the forgotten “little man,” for the women and children of the Middle East, for the dying elderly with no healthcare, and for the unemployed father of six at risk of losing his home.

What does this mean for a Canadian citizen, or an international student at Waterloo? It means that “our challenges may be new…but the values upon which our success depends; honesty and hard work, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism…are old and true.” We have forgiven the blunders of our ancestors, but have not forgotten the lessons they have taught. We have watched America crumble under Bush’s reign and worried that the plague might spread north. America and the world are looking to President Obama to restore peace in the war-torn areas of the world, functionality to the economy, create a safer, cleaner Earth for our children, and re-establish belief in the foundation of our system. He has overwhelming support around the world, paired with high expectations. Some say this is a recipe for failure; others are simply glad to finally have hope in something again.

An historic inauguration

Friday, January 23, 2008 Vol. 31, No. 23

Imprint, Friday, January 23, 2009 opinion@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

graphics by adrienne raw

Opinion

Imprint, Friday, January 23, 2009

Israel not hawkish enough with Gaza policy community editorial Tom Levesque respondent

he very fact that pro-Israeli writers have to remind people that nations have a right to defend themselves — especially from a barrage of 8,700 rockets — shows just how slanted the discussion is in favour of Palestinians. Of course it is true that many Palestinians have died and that living conditions in Gaza are awful. But it’s also true that some Palestinians are firing rockets into a sovereign country — an act of war, by any standard — and the rest of them aren’t doing much to stop it. For that reason, Israel should discontinue its policy of distinguishing between civilians and Hamas. It’s too convenient for the civilians.

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Not only do these civilians do little to discourage the rocket fire, but they’re also the ones who democratically elected the Hamas government that’s behind it all. Your average Palestinian civilian has a choice: speak out against the Hamas rebels or align with Hamas and denounce Israel. To quote a favourite ex-President, “you’re either with us or you’re against us.” But what Israel cannot do is allow civilians to continue to walk that grey line, somewhere in between support and condemnation of the rocket attacks. The “soft suppor ters” are scarcely different from the men firing the rockets. The person who knows someone who is firing rockets, or the person who lets known terrorists stay in their home or

travel freely through their streets — these people share the burden of responsibility. A more hawkish but effective Israeli strategy would be to say, “we will bomb a square-mile area around every rocket launch site we detect. We will leave all other areas of the country untouched and unharmed.” This policy would draw a direct causal link between the actions of Hamas and the reactions of the Israeli government: one rocket attack equals one round of bombing in the vicinity of the launch site. The results would be pronounced. If you happen to know that your cousin’s friend’s uncle is going out with his rocket launcher today, you might have a thing or two to say about. Heck, you might even try to stop him.

You might say to him: “Please don’t — my house is down the street and if you wage war on a neighboring military power today, I fear there might be consequences for my family.” Sounds pretty reasonable, right? Here’s the lesson that would be learned: if people in your country wage war on a neighboring state, then all of you are at war — not just the government, not just some terrorists with rockets; everyone is at war.

One of two things will happen. Either the new policy will polarize all of Gaza against Israel, in which case Israel will have a more well-defined enemy to fight and defeat, or it will polarize your average Gaza resident against the Hamas militants and result in internal pressure to stop firing rockets and seek peace. Either way, Israel wins and peace is restored. (Ehud Olmert, if you’re listening: I’m available for military strategy consulting at the low, low rate of $10,000 per hour).

Feel strongly about this issue? Want to share your comments with the world? Agree or disagree, we want to hear from you. Send us a letter: letters@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

Opinion

Imprint, Friday, January 23, 2009

Who is this girl? to be able to report to you every week. I love talking about things we all think about, but we never divulge to a soul. As the page title suggests, this will be my interpersonal best. W h y should you read my colu m n ? W h o doesn’t want to know how they can improve their love life and enjoy it to the fullest? Besides, that was my motive when I plunged into the internet dating arena. Speaking of which, I’ll be continuing my internet dating adventures in next week’s article. I’d appreciate your opinions on my commentary, so don’t hesitate to drop me a line. adrienne raw and christine nanteza

Language: discourse delivers Continued from page 8

Yet the answer to this is obviously not the eradication of public language. Though many express the opinion that journalists should be forced to get “real jobs,” let’s be realistic here: even if all journalists in the world today were purged, new news-tellers would rise to take their place, because our species has always had a burning desire for knowledge. Nor, for as much as I find Ann Coulter and Bill O’Reilly’s ilk personally reprehensible, would I advocate the extension of hate speech laws to ban such extreme polemics. I would, however, call upon social praise for those whose speakers encompass instead of dividing, and who invite expression and action in turn from all who listen in — I would, that is, if

not for the phenomenon thriving just fine all on its own. For though Obama addressed his nation this past Tuesday, the promise of his speech drew in viewers the world over. And that’s really what it comes down to: the promises that words alone can deliver. What happens in the coming weeks, months, and years will undoubtedly refer back to the events of inauguration, but for the moment there is only the speech itself — a promise of hope made manifest in words of hope, and an affirmation that the right words do in fact have the power to bring the whole wide world together. Would that all of us could be so similarly aware of the power of our words — and act accordingly each and every day.

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modate my crude grandparents. Imagine your Nan’s favourite movie being “Jackass.” My baby brother is impressively a ladies’ man and football maniac. Great combination, eh. I forgot to mention that I was born in Newfoundland. My entire family is a present wrapped in newspaper, topped with a fishing line bow, and a trademark “Made in Newfoundland” stamp. I have come a long way since my days in St. Thomas. I have found some great friends and made a couple of enemies. I have been a depressed introvert to the point of going to counseling, and a carefree extrovert. I’ve been blonde, brunette, and a red head (believe me that is something to write about). I have always had financial difficulties, and I have watched family members give in to addictions. Most importantly, I’ve been cheated on, lied to, and have had horrible rumours spread about me about.I’ve been a matchmaker and I’ve defiled my body in more ways than one. All those days are behind me now. I write this column as a reformed adult. I’ve drawn on all my expereinces in order

Northfield

Stanley, Ontario I later moved to St. Thomas, Ontario somewhere between high school. St. Thomas is one of your typical Canadian towns where hockey players (the most popular being Joe Thorton) and Hollywood actors like Rachel McAdams are staple exports. It’s one of those small towns where either you never leave or if you do leave, you never return. I fall in the latter category. Waterloo became my new home about four years ago. I settled down to school, planted my roots in the ground and began to suck in Waterloo for all it is worth. Anyone from the big city probably wonders how I can possibly enjoy summer in this place, but Waterloo summers are surprisingly enjoyable (except when the Bomber patio is under construction). My dad is Native-American, but he doesn’t enjoy those privileges because he lacks status. He has a couple of souvenirs in form of tattoos all over his arms from his years in the navy. My mom is a tiny, spunky, outspoken woman that commands attention. My lucky parents happen to accom-

Columbia St.

hen it comes to giving advice, people seldom practise what they preach. I am certainly no exception to the art of giving and taking advice, so I thought it would be fair that I introduce myself to all my potential readers before I dish out a few words of wisdom about my experiences. If sharing the lessons I have learned thus far can help a few students out there, then I would have met my goal. I can tolerant hate mail, and having my family and friends disapprove of some of my choices, as long as I can ease the burden of making difficult relationship decisions on my audience. I do not want to sound like a relationship guru, but if I’ve been through it, I’ll talk about it; that includes the great, the painful, the exhilirating, even the sleep inducing moments that all relationships share at some moment in time. Allow me to introduce myself. Known to most as Nikki Best, a fourth year legal studies student who will be staying at UW for a fifth year, or “victory lap” as I prefer to refer to it. Born and raised in Port

nbest@uwaterloo.ca

Ontario St.

Victoria St. Queen St.

Opinion

Imprint, Friday, January 23, 2009

A plague on both your houses! eaboyeji@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

n the short period that reason has overtaken ignorance and frenzy in Israel and Gaza, I hope that the Middle East will see that peace is not only achievable, but desirable. However, the costs of this lesson have been too great. Hamas and the IDF, in a rare collaboration of blood sucking, offered up to their gods of death and destruction 1,200 Palestinian souls. As I sat up ruminating over the tragic events of the last few weeks, I wondered how I would feel if I was a Palestinian caught up in the cross fire of two senseless armies who think of the world as a huge WarCraft game. Or if I was a conscientious Israeli, stained by the abject heartlessness of the actions driven by inept leaders who, from the comfort of “exile” in Syria or the safety of the Knesset, think of me only as a tool with which to make political points. As I thought about these things, a Shakespearian curse, strong enough to express my disapproval but elite enough not to warrant censorship, came to mind. It was brute and simple — and it was not fuck you. “A plague a’ both your houses!” Unfortunately, there are few who share these extreme views on either side of the argument. For them the other side is Satan: programmed to ensure their eventual extinction. I cannot begrudge their views; I would probably feel the same if I was under attack. However, I hope that perhaps the sun of the fragile and transient peace that now exists enables the kind of reason that will dry out the bacteria that mandates this wilful blindness. I begin my blame with those whose memory of past tragedies has muzzled

the world’s criticism. The unfortunate events of the 1940s were the inspiration for an unprecedented campaign for human rights and freedom. The world (with the exception of exhibits of academic foolery such as Prof. Ahmadjinedad) recognised the evil that was done to one of God’s people by Hitler’s Nazi forces. The entire Earth, in one of the remarkable actions of the last century, joined in one voice to say: never again. Ironically, only one country in the developed world has not joined in this response to the Holocaust — Israel. Israel has lacked the political will and common sense to translate its tragedy to the sort of inspiration that produces good works. Instead it uses its tragedy to justify acts of terror from coast to coast, assuming characteristics akin to the military state that once sought the destruction of its people. One would expect Israel to assume a position of influence in the Middle East especially in light of the great success it has made technologically, economically, and politically. However, its government and people have been entirely driven by a fear that blinds them to the responsibilities of their regional status, justifies a shameful apartheid policy against Israeli Arabs, and makes them an acolyte of extremist religious groups. Israel, in this fear of everything, has become a tragic recluse of the lion of the tribe of Judah that it was intended to be. The blame extends not only to the Palestinians, whose leaders have denied their people a future whilst feasting on their blood, but to the entire “jihadi” business of crooks and liars who misinterpret the Prophet’s words and the

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faith for their selfish ends. The time has come for the entire Muslim world to declare them, as I do today — infidels. Their nefarious activities have not only destroyed the faith and its message, but also caused much suffering. The tragedy is that the young men and women of the faith sent to their deaths in terrorist activities are simply political tools to the so-called leaders. As Israel shelled Palestine civilians, one would expect that Hamas would fire their rockets out in the open, so as not to put the people in danger. However, the psychopathic version of the Islamic faith that these half-men proclaim justifies the sacrifice of harmless women and children. The truth remains that Hamas

gave Israel a justification to attack. The same goes for Al-Qaeda, Hezbollah, and the thousand other wimps who distort the Prophet’s message for personal pain. The Quran’s command is simple and true: “O you who believe! Enter into peace altogether.” (2:208) This conflict reflects the absence of meaningful leadership in the East. It increasingly appears that the ideas of a medieval era still hold sway. The East needs to develop the thinking that has contributed so much to Western liberalism. As long as its thinking is interrupted by IDF bombs and Quassam rockets, the peoples of Mohammed and Moses face a common threat — ideological and physical extinction.

So when we pray tonight, let us pray to Jehovah for a leader that will cause us to remember the Holocaust, not as a reminder to increase our shipment of air bombs, ammunition and other instruments of violence, but as an inspiration for the challenge of ensuring that good prevails amongst people of every nation. And as we say the I`sha prayer tonight, let us pray that Allah will send us leaders who will be true to his will, and not use his Holy Book as a political tool. Hopefully in the thought of this now temporary peace, Shalom will come to mean more than the absence of Arabs; Jihad, more than the presence of Jews.

Features

expression Imprint, Friday, January 23, 2009 features@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

against oppression Dinh Nguyen

assistant ediotor-in-chief

matt lee

Global human rights abuses: Sri Lanka

577,000 civilian were estimated to be internally-displaced persons (people who are forced to flee their homes but who, unlike refugees, remain within their country’s borders). 67,000 have been killed. 1,000 missing people are unaccounted for, presumed to be the victims of enforced disappearances. — With files from the United Nations, crisisgroup.org, and internal-displacement.org

Somalia

1,100,000 people have been internally-displaced persons Over 6,000 have been killed 8 journalists were murdered in 2007 — With files from an IDP report by internal-displacement.org and a 2008 UN human rights report

nder the heading, Seeking Your Artistic Talent: Calling all poets, singers, performers, and artists, Students for Palestinian Rights (SFPR) announced on their website, their initiative to create an event called “Expression Against Oppression” on November 28. “The event aims to educate people about human rights abuse. It promotes peace, it promotes human rights,” aaid Aseel Al Dallal, a senior member of SFPR. “We just thought that an event like this would grab people’s attention and make them move forward, and realize that fighting for human rights should be a part of everyday life.” After extensive promotions and invitations sent to different groups on and off campus, the Bombshelter (a.k.a. Bomber), closed its business to the general public as Tuesday, January 21, 2009 marked the event’s debut. Upon entering the Bombshelter, two rows of draped, long tables and pillars filled with artwork could be seen. The tables on the right led up to a booth hosting Youth for Human Rights International, a group devoted to the promotion of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The tables on the left marked a divide between the bar and dinning area, and the dim concert space where regular tables were replaced with rows of chairs facing the stage. With few people standing, the concert seating was occupied by students, members of the community at large, and local artist as well as performers from UW and Laurier. The event brought together a variety of religious groups as well as human rights and activist groups. “We believe [art] is the most peaceful way to speak up against oppression,” said Mahmood Elsweisi, an SFPR member. “ We think art is emotions, it’s less about the mind and more about the heart. And considering the topic of oppression, it requires more heart, more emotions.” But SFPR is known by the general student body to be a group who support one side of the diverse situation in the Middle East. When asked about this in relation to “Expression Against Oppression,” they explained that their focus is on the topic of human rights. “ [The event] makes people realize that Palestinian rights is also general human rights. You cannot fight for Palestinian rights without fighting for rights of [people] from other nations,” said Elsweisi. Judging by the reaction and the enthusiasm towards the performances, “Expression Against Oppression” was a success. I like it, I didn’t know what to expect, but I think it’s cool. I got goose bumps from the talent, from the singing, from messages,” said 2B Social Development studies student, Felicia Ceccacci. dnguyen@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

China

“people 470people were executed and 1,860 sentenced to death during 2007” Death sentences and executions continued to be imposed for:

68 offences, including many non-violent crimes such as corruption and drug-related offences.” In addition:

500,000

people were subjected to punitive detention without charge or trial through “re-education through labour,” and

40,000 farmers’ land has been confiscated without compensation.

— With Files from Amnesty International and Epochtimes

Zimbabwe

880,000 to 960,000 citizens were IDPs.

570,000 of those were victims of Operation Murambatsvina (alarge scale government campaign to forcibly clear slum areas across the country) in 2005.

—With files from Amnesty International, crisisgroup.org, internal-displacement.org, and UNICIF

Features

Imprint, Friday, January 23, 2009

The Asian culture gap yliu@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

ang out with a group of Chinese students for any length of time and invariably you’ll hear the terms “FOB” and “CBC” tossed around. For those unfamiliar with the two acronyms, they stand for “fresh off the boat” and “Canada-born Chinese” respectively. Traditionally, the two terms have been used to distinguish the recently landed immigrants from those born and raised in Canada. However, most kids these days toss the two terms around to describe differing aesthetic tastes and social values. Identifying as either “FOB” and “CBC” is often a tough question for Chinese-Canadians in figuring out their identities. Most of us, regardless of cultural or ethnic background, feel at odds with even those of the same background as us. Usually it’s a generational gap between ourselves and parents or grandparents. However, for those in immigrant communities there is often a culture gap even between peers in the same age brackets. Coming back to the Chinese community, in a typical conversation you might hear someone proclaim “Oh my god, that haircut is so fobby,” or “I want my playlist to be more CBC.” When describing other Asians, often the first thing brought up is whether they look “fobby”or “CBC.” Now, you’re wondering, what makes someone FOB or CBC if not the literal definition of the word? Well, it’s possible for someone to identify as a FOB, even if they’ve

spent the great majority of their lives raised in Canada. Using a bit of anecdotal evidence, a friend of mine, despite spending 20 of her 22 years in Canada, told me she was as “fobby as someone can be.” Usually when someone says someone is FOB, it means that person’s fashion and entertainment tastes come primarily from the “homeland,” and he or she speaks primarily Chinese among friends. Describing people as CBC means they are thoroughly westernized in all their aesthetic tastes, and that their primary language is English. The two groups are sometimes antagonistic towards each other. CBCs might derisively mock certain attitudes, events, and fashions as being “too fobby,” wondering why FOBs are trapped in their little

Asian bubble. FOBs might punch right back and mock CBCs as being “bananas,” who have little awareness of their own culture. The elephant in the room is that acting more CBC is typically associated with acting “whiter.” “White-washed” is often a slightly derogatory term used to describe someone who veers off the CBC deep end. This issue isn’t anything unique to the Chinese or Asian community; nearly every racial and ethnic minority group in North America grapples with the idea of acting “white” versus remaining true to some idea of “ethnic roots.” If you’ve ever visited the SLC on clubs day, you’ll probably have noticed the cacophany of Asian clubs. The FOB versus CBC divide is of course at play with the Feds clubs as well. Clubs such as CASA

(Canadian Asian Students Association) cater to the CBC crowd, while those such as the CSA (Chinese Students Association) cater to the Cantonese-speaking FOB crowd. Others cater primarily to international students who came straight from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and so one — who fit the FOB definition literally, so to speak. I’ve spent the bulk of this column discussing the differences between FOBs and CBCs, making them out to be distinct social groups. The truth of the matter is that, for many Chinese students, there is a great deal of overlap at the individual level. Some people might prefer Asian fashions and entertainment, but prefer Western social mores over Asian ones. Others might be able to speak Chinese fluently, but strongly prefer

Western entertainment. For those of us who grew up in Canada, but live in cities with large Asian populations such as Toronto or Vancouver, we often have a mix of so-called FOB and CBC characteristics. Personally, I find it hard to identify strictly as either FOB or CBC, as I’ve found myself drifting towards both ends at times. Perhaps the lesson of it all is that labels such as “FOB” and “CBC” are nothing more than heuristics — stereotypes. The lesson most of us have had instilled as school children is to judge people as individuals and not according to group stereotypes. We’re all just struggling to find our social identity and our place within society. Or... maybe what I just said was really CBC ... Ai yaaaaa.

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Let the games begin with Campus Battle ’09, where Rogers customers duke it out to win a private concert for their school in April. It’s open to universities across the country, so cast your vote today and may the best school win. Contest ends March 1.

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Arts & Entertainment Feature

Imprint, Friday, January 23, 2009

Bandy is Dandy Really! It’s awesome sauce Matthew Lee intern

o I’m not really an art guy. I can’t draw a straight line with a ruler, and most people will break into a fit of giggles at my poor attempts to paint. In fact, I haven’t set foot in an art class since the eighth grade. However, for some bizarre reason unknown to me (I think it was cabin fever), I ventured into the cold and boldly strode to the Artery, a UW affiliated gallery for the the opening night of their current exhibit, Bandy. Needless to say, there weren’t tons of people standing around in fancy dresses and tuxedos sipping snooty cocktails and talking about “influences.” Rather, an eclectic mix of students, parents, alumni and musicians occupied the single room gallery, waiting for Defending Otis to take the stage and open the night. I snagged an Orange Crush from the cooler and started snapping away. Like I said, I’m not an art guy, but I was impressed with what I saw. Presented was a variety of media, from traditional oil on canvas, to ink on paper, and some unique pieces of abstract work. I was particularly taken with what can be crassly described as a mix between a party ball and a piñata. Other artists slated to perform that night were Elsa Jane & Band, as well as Stephen Trothen. Although I didn’t stick around to see these acts, I do think that the introduction of live music to an art opening night is an interesting concept, as it adds a certain form of ambiance to the location. Needless to say I rather enjoyed the music, as well as the art. The art itself comes from University of Guelph Fine Arts students, as part of a yearly exchange with the Society of Fine Artists (SOFA) from the University of Waterloo. The pieces from each group are submitted to a juror from their respective schools, where they are judged. The winners are then put on display in various galleries for the world to see and admire. The Artery also plays an important part in the activities of the SOFA. They are dedicated to the promotion of fine arts within the community, as well as working in conjunction with the Faculty of Arts and Render to display the work of UW artists, both current and alumni. Their efforts are to be applauded, as the location of the gallery (right beside City Hall in downtown Kitchener) is not the easiest place to operate out of, nor is it the most accessible place for UW students. They also hold shows for high school artists to display their work, and many schools have used this venue to showcase some of their up and coming artists. Bandy runs until the end of the month, at which point a new exhibition comes into the gallery. One more time, I am not an art person, but I was impressed with what I saw, and I think that everyone can find something there to appreciate and admire. mlee@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

Above and Left: Abstract art is best taken in small doses. Fortunately Bandy delivers just that. Bottom left and centre: The crowd soaks in the arts. Bottom Right: Defending Otis takes the stage with a beautiful blend of alt rock.

All Photos by Matthew Lee

Campus Bulletin UPCOMING

Wednesday, Janaury 28, 2009 Islamic Info Booth from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., SLC, Vendor’s Ally. Drop by for your free copy of The Holy Quran, discussion, books, DVDs, etc. For more info www.uwislam.com or info@uwislam.com. WPIRG presents Canada the Good? Public discussion of Canadian complicity in human rights violations in Honduras. Screening “All That Glitters Isn’t Gold” and discussion led by film maker Steven Schooner, 5:30 to 7 p.m., RCH 302. Free event. For info: info@wpirg. org. Thursday, January 29, 2009 Infusion Angels Innovation Centre: “Independents Day: Gaming Theme” – information about starting your own community game studio, updates on Microsoft XNA 3.0, gaming stations, Guitar Hero contest and food and prizes! Fed Hall, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Register for this free event at events@infusionangels.com or visit ic.infusionangels. com. Friday, January 30, 2009 SASA presents its annual Formal Armaan. Enjoy an elegant evening to mingle with your friends, taste South Asian food and hit the dance floor at St. George Banquet Hall. For info call Mishal 519-722-6584. January Swing Dance at 315 Weber Street, N. Beginner lesson begins at 8:30 p.m. with dancing from 9:15 onward. For info www.waterlooswing.com. Thursday, February 5, 2009 Richard Johnson presents “Ice Huts” at Rotunda Gallery, City Hall, Kitchener, from 5 to 8 p.m. For info call Cheryl at 519-741-3400, ext 3381. Friday, February 6, 2009 Distinguished Teacher Award Nominations – nominations are due in the Centre for Teaching Excellence, MC 4055, no later than 4:30 p.m. For info www. cte.uwaterloo.ca/awards/index.html or www.cte-blog.uwaterloo.ca/?p=9 or call Verna ext 33857. Friday, February 13, 2009 Award for Exceptional Teaching by a Student – nominations are due in the Centre for Teaching Excellence, MC 4055, no later than 4:30 p.m. For info www.cte.uwaterloo.ca/awards/index. html or call Verna at ext 33857. Saturday, February 21, 2009 The Chinese Stem Cell Initiative, partnering with Canadian Blood Service-OneMatch, that will be promoting a Stem Cell Registration Drive to help patients with leukemia and other related disorders. Will be held at First Markham Place, Markham Ontario. Info: chinesestemcell.com; onematch. ca; 416-760-6181.

Imprint, Friday, January 23, 2009 ads@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

CHURCH SERVICE St. Bede’s Chapel at Renison College offers worship on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Come and walk the labyrinth the second Thursday of each month, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more info contact Megan at 519-884-4404, ext 28604 or www.renison.uwaterloo.ca/ministry-centre. Parkminster United is an affirming, liberal congregation open to all, regardless of race, sexual orientation, age, ability, economic, or family status. 275 Erb Street, E., Waterloo. Sunday services at 10 a.m. For more info www.parkuc.ca.

ONGOING

FRIDAYS The Fine Arts Film Society presents a free Contemporary Malaysian film series in ECH 1220 at 7 p.m.: January 23 – Sepet (aka Slit Eyes) January 30 – Gubra (aka Anxiety) February 6 – Mukhsin (aka Sepet prequel) February 13 – Village People Radio Show.

CAREER SERVICES WORKSHOPS Saturday, January 24, 2009 Medical School Interviews – 12:30 to 3 p.m., TC 2218. Monday, January 26, 2009 Networking 101 – prerequisite: work search within “Marketing Yourself” found at cdm.uwaterloo.ca or the same module in PD1, COOP 101, or Co-op Fundamentals for Engineering. 4:30 to 6 p.m., TC 1208. Tuesday, January 27, 2009 Business Etiquette and Professionalism – 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., TC 1208. Basics of Starting a Business – all students interested in implementing their new business ideas are welcome. Note: all sessions re limited to 20 participants. 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., TC 1208. Working Effectively in Another Culture – 4:30 to 6 p.m., TC 2218A. Wednesday, January 28, 2009 Career Exploration and Decision Making – 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., TC 1112. Interview Skills: Selling Your Skills – prerequisite: interview skills within “Marketing Yourself” found at cdm. uwaterloo.ca or the same module in PD1, COOP 101, or Co-op Fundamentals for Engineering. 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., TC 1208. Basics of Starting a Business – all students interested in implementing their new business ideas are welcome. Note: all sessions are limited to 20 participants. 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., CBET Outreach Room – second floor of the

Accelerator Centre (building north of Optometry). Take the bus from campus. Thursday, January 29, 2009 Work Search Strategies – prerequisite: work search within “Marketing Yourself” found at cdm.uwaterloo.ca or the same module in PD1, COOP 101 or Co-op Fundamentals for Engineering, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., TC 1208. Professional School Interviews – 4:30 to 6 p.m., TC 1208.

Friday, January 30, 2009 Interview Skills: Preparing for Questions – prerequisite: interview skills within “Marketing Yourself” found at cdm.uwaterloo.ca or the same module in PD1, COOP 101 or Co-op Fundamentals for Engineering. 1:30 to 3 p.m., TC 1208.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Exchanges for undergraduates and graduates – 2009-2010 academic years:

Classified HELP WANTED

Weekend counsellors and relief staff to work in homes for individuals with developmental challenges. Minimum eight-month commitment. Paid positions. Send resume to Don Mader, KW Habilitation Services, 108 Sydney Street, Kitchener, ON, N2G 3V2. Summer of your life! Camp Wayne for Girls – children’s sleep-away camp, Northeast Pennsylvania, June 20 to August 16, 2009. If you love children and want a caring, fun environment we need counselors and instructors for tennis, swimming, golf, gymnastics, cheerleading, drama, high and low ropes, camping/nature, team sports, waterskiing, sailing, painting/drawing, ceramics, silkscreen, printmaking, batik, jewellery, calligraphy, photography, sculpture, guitar, aerobics, self-defense, video, piano. Other staff: administration, CDL Driver (21+), nurses (RN’s and nursing students), Bookkeeper, mothers’ helper. On campus interviews January 28. Select the camp that selects the best staff! Call 215-944-3069 or apply online at www. campwaynegirls.com. Behavioural therapist wanted for autistic teenager. Wednesdays and Fridays from 2:30 to 6 p.m. Full training and good hourly wage. Ten minutes from University. Need own transportation. Must commit two years. Email resume to steffen.darla@rogers.com. We’ve got what you’re looking for – let’s make 2009 your best summer yet – Camp Wayne, northeast Pennsylvania, USA. Counselor-specialists for all land and water sports including tennis, golf, basketball, baseball, football, martial arts, soccer, outdoor adventure, camping, mountain biking, climbing/ropes, roller hockey, archery, rocketry, water-ski, wakeboard, sailing, canoe/kayaking, fine arts theatre, ceramics, woodworking, drawing, painting, CDL drivers. RN’s for our Health Centre. June 20 to August 15. Let’s get the ball rolling now! Online application www.campwayne.com or info@ campwayne.com or 1-888-549-2963.

SuMMER CaMP COuNSElOR POSItIONS Must have a love of children, lots of energy and be able to teach one or more of the following activities: All Team Sports, Tennis, Golf, Waterfront Activities, Swimming, Art, Dance, Theatre, Gymnastics, Newspaper, Rocketry & Radio and more.

Great salaries, room & board, travel. For Boys

For Girls

Enjoy a great summer that promises to be unforgettable! For more information and to apply online:

www.campdanbee.com U (800) 392-3752 www.campmkn.com U (800) 753-9118 Interviewers will be at the Partnership for Employment Fair at RIM Park, Waterloo, ON on February 4, 2008 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Check your school for FREE bus times to the fair.

Have the summer of your life at a prestigious co-ed sleepaway camp in the beautiful Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, two and a half hours from New York City. We’re seeking counselors who can teach any team and individual sports, tennis, gymnastics, horseback riding, mountain biking, skate park, theatre, tech theatre, circus, magic, arts and crafts, pioneering, climbing tower, water sports, music, dance or science. Great salaries and perks. Plenty of free time. Internships available for many majors. Interviews on February 4. Apply online at www. islandlake.com. Call 1-800-869-6083 between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time on week days for more information, info@islandlake.com. Part-time help needed at Mambella’s Deli – close to school – lunch time shifts available – must be able to work at a fast pace. Apply at 160 Columbia Street or mambellas@golden.net.

SERVICES

Does your thesis or major paper need a fresh pair of eyes to catch English spelling and grammar errors? Thesis English editing, $50/hour. Five business day turnaround. Neal Moogk-Soulis, ncmoogks@uwaterloo.ca.

COURSES

SP-100 Forest Firefighting course to be held in Waterloo/Kitchener, Ontario March 11-15, 2009. Registration limited to the first 32 applicants. Course will be held during evening hours during the week. To register, please call Wildfire Specialists Inc., 2233 Radar Road, Suite 5, Hanmer, Ontario, P3P 1R2. Toll free 1-877-381-5849. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources accredited. No guarantee of employment.

MICEFA, Paris, France and the Chinese University of Hong Kong internal deadline: March 17, 2009. For info and application forms please contact Maria Lango, International Programs, Waterloo International, Needles Hall 1101, room 1113, ext 33999 or by email: mlango@uwaterloo.ca. General casting call – independent filmmakers looking for acting talent, full cast, extras and potential crew members. Contact Black Cloak Entertainment at casting@blackcloak.ca.

HOUSING Only $399 – four bedroom housing – 34 Bridgeport Road, E., starting May 01/09. Excellent location, on bus route, close to everything, downtown at WLU, near UW, new, immaculate, open concept kitchen, all appliances, dishwasher, dining room and living room open onto a private balcony, central air conditioning, huge rooftop garden patio, complete laundry facilities, dryers free, free parking, gas heat, gas water heater, cheap utilities, on bus route, perfect for students. Rents fast – a must see. Only $399 per room, per month. Call 519741-7724 or www.acdev.ca. For more info and pictures email info@acdev.ca. Attention Cambridge School of Architecture students! Live conveniently and comfortably right across the street from school in this beautifully renovated apartment. 4, 8 and 12-month leases available with excellent signing bonuses and rental incentives! Call Joanne at 519-746-1411 for more details. Only $389 – five bedroom house. Must see – goes fast – excellent location. 147 B Weber Street, N., starting May 1/09. Close to everything, very clean, free washer/dryer, gas heated, cheap utilities, two full bathrooms, two full size fridges, hardwood floors and ceramic tile throughout, large private yard and large deck, free parking for five cars, on bus route. $389 per room, per month. Call 519-741-7724. Only $389 – five bedroom house. Must see – goes fast – excellent location. 121 B Noecker Street, starting May 1/09. Close to everything, very clean, free washer/dryer, gas heated, cheap utilities, two full bathrooms, two full size fridges, hardwood floors and ceramic tile throughout, large private yard and large deck, free parking for five cars, on bus route. $389 per room, per month. Call 519-741-7724.

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Arts & Entertainment

Imprint, Friday, January 23, 2009 arts@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

A void with meaning An interview with the creators of the webcomic BLANK IT , Aric McKeown and Lemeul Pew. Trinh finds out what started their interest in webcomics, what they find most appealing and the impact of webcomics today. What in the world of webcomics, graphic novels, and animation in the past decade has especially impressed you guys, and why?

ric McKeown and Lemeul “Lemmo” Pew, creators of the webcomic Blank It, have been involved in the world of webcomics for about a decade. Blank It’s been around only since June, being their first project together, and it’s already gained a strong readership. Here’s only a sample of what we talked about — about webcomics, the creative process, and the integrity of sequential art.

How did you both end up working in webcomics? Aric McKeown: I started a weekly comic strip in 1995 during my junior year of high school. The strip was Xeroxed in the school library and then stapled to the drama room bulletin board. After graduating in 1997, I lost my highly trafficked cork board and needed to find a new publishing method. I eventually turned to the free website provided by my university and started posting comics online.

McKeown: I don’t remember what the inspiration was, which is bad because it was only six months ago that we started publishing Blank It. We did spend a good two months before that to think of what kind of comic we wanted to create. We came at each other with a lot of different ideas, but nothing inspired us until we came upon the empty universe idea. I’d like to think that Blank It is more grounded in reality than “Duck Amuck,” but then again we flew a giant bug pinata into a shovel traveling at insane speeds. But there is a rhyme and reason to everything. We don’t throw goofiness in there for the sake of being goofy. Everything is driving the crazy story forward.

Lemeul Pew: I’ve been drawing comics since junior high, and got serious about it when I hit college and saw some of the published works of my senior classmates. By 2000 I started up a web server with a friend, but with a lack of any content to put on it, we decided to do a comic strip. I’ve been doing comics online ever since.

What’s your general direction in your writing process? Do you guys co-write at times, or do you rub off ideas between each other?

Do you guys have a history with comics or have any particular inspirations that led you to make comics?

McKeown: Lem and I usually decide on where the story is going over lunch. Other times, I hit a wall of inspiration and write Lem a slightly coherent paragraph on where things could go. The writing and drawing process is kept pretty separate though. We each have our tasks, and we just far enough away from the other person’s task to offer observations that they may be too close to see.

McKeown: When I was a kid, I was drawn to Garfield, the Far Side, and Calvin and Hobbes. Eventually, Sergio Aragones’s cartoons from Mad jumped into the comic soup. He was followed by Groening’s Life In Hell, Lynda Barry, and any number of strips featured in a humor newspaper my mother used to get through the mail. Life In Hell was really the curmudgeonly look at everyday situations that inspired me to stop doodling and start creating. Pew: I was also inspired by Calvin and Hobbes and Saturday morning cartoons, and in high school I discovered manga, particularly Gunnm (Battle Angel Alita). While these popular works definitely inspired me, they seemed out of reach. It wasn’t until I saw people I know drawing comics did I think I had a shot at it. The web was a great no-risk, low-cost way to start, and as it’s become more accessible it’s transformed into a fine place to publish.

Looking at Blank It, the first thing that came up was the Daffy Duck car toon “Duck Amuck,” where he’s stuck on an animation table. Was that the main inspiration, or were there others?

Has the webcomic community advanced in your opinion? What do you find most appealing about webcomics today that’s different from past years? Pew: It’s definitely grown. Honestly, I’m surprised at how little it’s changed. If you had told me back when I was doing Lethal Doses that the same top dogs would be in the same hierarchy, I doubt I’d believe it. There are a lot of great breakout comics recently, but there’s also just a much larger Internet audience these days. I just hope Blank It has room to grow in the community, without being just more of the same.

Pew: I find myself browsing shelves at comic stores more looking for something I haven’t heard of. Or I take recommendations from people seriously. I think Invincible is the best superhero comic to come along in quite awhile, Ryan Ottley is fantastic. And I picked up Mouse Guard, that was great. Computer animation is also just getting ridiculous. I hope someone tries to take on a graphic novel of 9 someday. McKeown: Chris Ware’s Jimmy Corrigan is a fantastic graphic novel that impresses me. There’s something about seeing greatness done in your medium that makes you want to turn out your best work. As far as webcomics go, there are too many that I love to list. There is no shortage of talent on the internet.

How important or how much of an impact do you think webcomics have or should have in today’s society? McKeown: The freedom to create without restrictions brings out people’s best work, and that is what the internet gives the artist. I don’t think there is any special importance or impact webcomics should have on society. There is no special badge of honor for publishing on the internet. But there is and will continue to be thrilling work coming out of the webcomics scene. And that should be enough to keep drawing interest from readers and artists alike. Pew: I’ll take a more cynical approach and say that I’m worried some of the more established webcomic creators are starting to emulate the jacket clubs of the syndicated cartoonists and big publishers. And while I don’t mind an air of professionalism and credibility to our medium, one of the things that makes the web great is that it’s anybody’s game. You never know where the next big thing is going to come from, and we can’t solidify our idea of what the webcomic world is supposed to be like, because it’ll change tomorrow. We need to keep adapting and not get stuck against a wall like the newspaper cartoonists are feeling. The only impact webcomics have are just by providing another example of the freedom and versatility of the internet: that you can do whatever you want if you commit to it.

Trinh’s final thoughts So far, I’ve been enjoying McKeown’s and Pew’s epic tale of their personas, traveling through a blank void of fate. Taking a look at some of their previous works, such as McKeown’s Ashfield Online and Pew’s Lethal Doses, you can see that a lot has improved in their skills in artwork and narrative. You can find them in their webcomic Blank It at www.blankitcomics.com.

Arts & Entertainment

Imprint, Friday, January 23, 2009

Porcupine is unique

his week I’m going to continue with another British band, but one that has been around for a little while. Porcupine Tree dates back to 1987 and has made a wide variety of music within that time, unfortunately most of what was released before the late ’90s is difficult to enjoy without being under the influence of something. Porcupine Tree is generally labelled as a progressive rock band, though the “rock” is somewhat more emphasized than the “progressive” — but I mean that in a good way (at least... after the late ’90s). The band initially started almost as a joke. Lead singer and creator of the band, Steven Wilson, fabricated a history for the “band” (which in reality just consisted of him at the time) that involved the made-up members having met at a music festival in the ’70s — and also that they had been in and out of prison several times. All of this was to initially make it seem as though he was not just another guy just messing around in his room for the record company — which he was. It’s amazing to take that into account and see how far this band has come now. Porcupine Tree now has some of the highest production values around. Even putting the quality of the instrumentation itself aside, I look forward to hearing new Porcupine Tree albums just to hear how great the music sounds on a decent set of speakers. I’m going to suggest the same album that first got me interested in Porcupine Tree, Deadwing. In Absentia and Fear of a Blank Planet are great albums as well but Deadwing is the best place to start. When Deadwing came out in 2005 it quickly became their best-selling album (though that has now been surpassed by their 2008 album Fear of a Blank Planet). The album begins with an almost 10-minute track, named after the album, which is a great introduction to the variety that Porcupine Tree offers. This includes elements like heavy guitars, frequent changes, interesting lyrics and Steven Wilson’s distinctive softer vocal style. Even on Porcupine Tree’s heaviest songs, like “Open Car,” the voAB_GENER06_imprint.qxd

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cal style doesn’t change much. You will never hear Wilson screaming or yelling, his singing always maintains a peaceful sort of feel that can go back and forth between quickly spoken lines to actual singing. A particularly interesting thing about the lyrics in Porcupine Tree is that they can sing lyrics that seem simplistic and still manage to have a power about them that resonates with the listener; a great example of this is “Shesmovedon” — the final song on the album.

Every song certainly has its own sense of personality, and for the most part they all feel quite distinct. The second track of the album is much more of a standard rock track. It’s a great place to start if long songs frighten you, but the lyrics don’t have the same depth that the rest of the album does — though that seems apt in a song titled “Shallow.” Every song certainly has its own sense of personality and for the most part they all feel quite distinct. The only negative thing I can say about this album is that the quieter songs “Mellotron Scratch” and “Glass Arm Shattering” felt a bit more vacant (they’re still good, just not as good), but this is more than made up for with the song “Lazarus,” one of the best songs ever. Yes, ever. I can’t finish without commenting on “Arriving Somewhere but Not Here” though, which takes up 12 minutes of the album. The problem with longer songs is that they have a habit of getting repetitive or simply boring, but Porcupine Tree has the amazing ability to avoid that. To have a song that lasts 12 minutes without a single moment

courtesy roots-and-branches.com

that is boring or repetitive — and any fans of Opeth should be aware that the later part of this song features a solo by Mikael Åkerfeldt (the lead singer and guitarist for Opeth). In the end there is nothing I can say that will do enough justice for this band and if you do listen to their earlier music you’ll see how far they’ve come. And also if Fear of a Blank Planet is any indication, the complexity and lyrical quality only seems to be increasing with each album. Porcupine Tree is really a band that you can get lost in, falling in love with song after song until you’ve gone through a whole album... and then you check out another one. They’re currently working on a new CD, so now is a great time to start getting up to date on their discography. Come get lost. egassner@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

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March 2, 2009 to March 31, 2010 Train, manage, motivate and co-ordinate a diverse volunteer staff and ensure the print-to-press quality of all content in the University of Waterloo’s weekly student newspaper. Proven editing, layout and design skills, familiarity with Adobe CS2, photo editing packages and Unix/Linux networks makes you an ideal candidate. Volunteer management and web design experiences are definate assets. Applicants are required to provide cover letter, resume and portfolio of relevent work to: Imprint Publications, Waterloo Attention: Hiring Committee University of Waterloo Student Life Centre, Room 1116 200 University Avenue, Waterloo ON N2L 3G1 hiring@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

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Arts & Entertainment

Imprint, Friday, January 23, 2009

Reviews CDs

Senses Fail Life Is Not A Waiting Room Vagrant Records

Senses Fail returned with their third studio album, Life Without A Waiting Room, in early October of 2008. With the success of their previous CD Still Searching, which was released in 2006 and reached #2 on the U.S. Indie chart, Life Without A Waiting Room has been received even more positively, despite repetitive themes and an overall lack of lyrical prowess. The new album succeeded in topping the U.S. Indie chart at #1 with the single “Family Tradition.” The band, whose name is derived from the Buddhist belief of Nirvana, switched the dark, religious focus of their previous albums to a depressing portrayal of decaying romantic relationships. While the concept of drinking away the pain of a failed relationship is an acceptable change of pace at first, the notion grows stale after the fourth or fifth song conveying the exact same message. Also, good portions of the lyrics are “emo” clichés, such as the chorus of “Wolves at the Door:” ‘I wanna drown, in a sea filled with Novocaine, I wanna burn, on a beach where the sand is littered with razor blades.’ Even though the genre of emo music has become mainstream, I think we’ve all

heard enough about razorblades. Still, the album is not without its plus sides. Instrumentally, Life Is Not A Waiting Room is superior to the band’s previous albums and those of similar pop rock bands such as Simple Plan. The solid drumming and sound guitar solos, such as the one in “Ali For Cody,” almost make up for the singer’s slightly nasaly, high pitched voice and overly emotional lyrics. There is a variety in the types of songs, from soft, catchy songs such as “Map the Streets” to the aggressive, thrashing instrumentals and screaming vocals in “Lungs Like Gallows.” Even with the occasional enjoyable song and the decent instrumentals, my excitement to listen to the CD was matched only by my excitement when the CD ended. Rating: 6/10 Tolerable Songs: Blackout, Family Tradition, and Chandelier. — Tim Clark

The nightwatchmen: The Fabled City Tom Morello Sony Music Entertainment

As a long-time Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave fan, I had grown accustomed to hearing the iconic “kill switch” sounds emanating from the guitars of Tom Morello.

Poking around on iTunes late one night, I uncovered Morello’s solo project, called The nightwatchman. Imagine my surprise when I listened to the samples, and discovered an acoustic, folksy sound accompanied by deep, mournful Johnny Cashesque vocals. The Fabled City is the latest album by The Nightwatchmen, and right from the get-go, I was grabbed by the simplicity of the acoustic guitar and the haunting melodies. The album opens with The Fabled City, a song about the impossibility of reaching the American Dream. It speaks of unemployment, servitude and homelessness. The third verse is particularly haunting, speaking of a woman who “for a dollar she sang a song that sounded more like a prayer/A wish that her dead mother and father/couldn’t look down and see her there.” The track Midnight in the City of Destruction also covers a broad range of social issues, from illegal immigrant farm hands, to urban decay, to the ongoing fallout from Katrina, as well as secret CIA holding cells. All of this is set to a three-chord progression that adds a sense of heartbreak to the song, as if Morello is mourning the loss of American innocence. In my opinion, the highlight of the album is the track The Iron Wheel, where upbeat major chords and a guest appearance by Shooter Jennings contrasts sharply with earlier songs. The lyrics speak of ordinary people standing up for what they think is right, and following their heart, rather than the orders they are given. The idea here is that everyone is mortal, “it takes you from the cradle till’ your six feet underground, you’ll ride the wheel till your through, and those who spin the wheel, well, those fuckers ride it too.” The last two tracks on the album,

Facing Mount Kenya and Shake My Shit don’t seem to fit well with the rest of the songs, but are interesting in their own right. The former relies on a well-mixed combination of bass guitar and chimes to create a dynamic background for the deep, tribal vocals while the latter uses elements from Morello’s time spent in RAtM and Audioslave to create a funky musical to-do list. The guitar solo in Shake My Shit is arguably one of the most interesting things to come out of Morello’s amp, sounding like it came straight out of an Audioslave track. All in all, I was rather impressed with this album, and its stripped-down folk hero style of guitar playing. It may take several listens to catch everything that Morello has to say, but the effort is satisfying in the end. — Matt Lee

Film Gran Torino Clint Eastwood Matten Productions

And you shall know him by his growl. There is an age of films upon us that argues for the end of Western justice — for a world in which Tommy Lee Jones belongs to a dying breed of cowboy in No Country for Old Men, and Daniel Day-Lewis shows how ambition can rot a man from the inside out in There Will Be Blood. Yet for all its outward vestiges of similarity — an embittered Korean war vet left guarding his property in a neighbourhood turned to multiculturalism and decay — Clint Eastwood’s Gran Torino offers something different: a passing of the torch, and hope for the world to come. These themes don’t seem likely at the outset: Walt Kowalski (Eastwood) is estranged from his selfish sons and their inconsiderate families, and bandies about a cornucopia of racial epithets whenever given half the chance — which is often,

as his neighbourhood is home to Hmong peoples (from Southeast Asia), Mexicans, and African Americans. When a gang quarrel spills onto his lawn, shattering a garden gnome, Walt’s first instinct is to reach for his military-issue, .308 caliber Garand rifle and grit out the movie’s most notable line (which could easily serve as an alternate title): “Get off my lawn.” But as luck would have it, Walt’s territorialism makes him an inadvertent hero to the Hmong people, who have been terrorized by that self-same gang in its own ranks. Eastwood disregards the gracious offerings first laid at his doorstep, when plucky next-door-neighbour Sue (Ahney Her) invites him over just after Walt’s kicked out his inconsiderate family on his birthday, Eastwood consents to enter their world of strange traditions and entrenched familial support. What he finds there shatters him: He has more in common with these people, with all their respect for custom, family, and authority, than his own flesh and blood. What arises then is a familiar tale of cautious adoption and pursuant bonding — Thao (Bee Vang), Sue’s quiet, bullied brother, is sent to repay Walt for a gang-provoked attempt at stealing Walt’s Gran Torino, a ’72 Ford in mint condition — and as Walt puts him to work fixing up the neighbourhood, he teaches Thao about strength and dignity, coming to regard the whole family with a fondness that ekes through even his roughest, very persistent racial slurs. But the world still is what it is, and Sue’s refusal to cower before the thugs in her neighbourhood ultimately has her violently beaten and raped by the gang consisting even of extended family. At this Walt realizes Thao and Sue will never be safe without those thugs removed, and does what he has to do to set things right. See REVIEWS, opposite

The Department of Physiology and Pharmacology

Graduate Studies Open House Friday, February 6, 2009

Medical Sciences Building, Room 216 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. t Tour of laboratories and core facilities t Meet the experts t Information session for how to apply to our programs t Lunch and refreshments provided For more information and preregistration visit:

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Arts & Entertainment

Imprint, Friday, January 23, 2009

Reviews Poetry “Praise Song for the Dead” Elizabeth Alexander U.S. presidential inauguration poem

courtesy Hollywood.com

Continued from opposite

Eastwood uses a very dangerous narrative device for Gran Torino, electing to have Walt mutter illustrative lines that might be difficult to accept as natural, and any line for which Thao needs to show emotion comes off rather strained— but between the conviction of Walt’s character and Ahney Her’s strong performance in what appears to be a breakout role, the film provides a delicate balance between comedy and tragedy. Though the pace, at times, meanders, there are multiple re-entry points, and for all that Eastwood fans may know of his work, from such striking main characters as he played in Dirty Harry and Unforgiven, he continues in this most recent piece to offer up the unexpected — in the final stand off, yes, but also as Walt, ever the cantankerous racist, leaves to his Southeast Asian neighbours all his hopes for a better America — and the keys to his Gran Torino. — Maggie Clark

At the U.S. presidential inauguration on Tuesday, January 20, millions of viewers heard, for perhaps the first time in many years, the recitation of a contemporary poem. Dying, dead, obsolete: For many the place of poetry in contemporary life is tenuous at best. An excerpt from a poem might factor into a TV show (The Second Coming, by W. B. Yeats, was recited in its entirety on an episode of Heroes), or be read aloud in film; a piece might find itself on a bus ad, or quoted at the beginning of a book. But even as soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan turn increasingly to the form in their darker hours, North America at large puzzles at poetry’s continued existence, and its worth. In this framework occasional poetry, whether for a wedding or an inauguration, is said to play its own strange role, and in the months leading up to this inauguration, literary discourse favoured the pressures and complexities of producing a piece to order. The Associated Press even did their own inaugural poem hunt, soliciting pieces from poets of all spot and stripe across the U.S. (“Poems for the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president”) many of which are worth a read.

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Only three other inaugural poems have been solicited in U.S. history — Robert Frost’s “Dedication” for John F. Kennedy; Maya Angelou’s “On the Pulse of Morning” and Miller Williams’ “Of History and Hope,” respectively, for Clinton’s two terms. Interestingly, Frost’s intended poem, mainly praising the introduction of poets to presidential inaugurations, proved hard to read for the 87-year-old in the sun’s glare, so he instead recited a piece, “The Gift Outright,” which appeals to a sense of predestined authority over American soil, from memory. Years later, Angelou called out America’s diversity by exhaustive name, interspersing these efforts with broad, often saccharine imagery, and Williams, widely recognized as the best of the bunch, managed dignity without heavy-handedness in his treatment of American history. So what of Elizabeth Alexander’s effort, “Praise Song for the Dead?” Notably, there was more mastery of the language in Obama’s inaugural address than the unenlightened colloquialism of even Alexander’s opening lines: “Each day we go about our business, / walking past each other, / catching each others’ eyes or not, / about to speak or speaking.” From this most disconcertingly mundane start — ill-fitted to a day regarded by so many as one of the greatest moments in America’s history — Alexander attempts to stitch together snapshots of her country, but what uninspired choices: “A woman and her son wait for the bus.

courtesy new england cable news

A farmer considers the changing sky; A teacher says, ‘Take out your pencils. Begin.’” Where good poetry has the capacity to create new and striking syntheses between seemingly distinct images, Alexander barely scrapes the surface of America’s many labels — woman, son, farmer, teacher. Something struggles to ascend in her verse about the dead themselves, but then it’s back to “Praise song for every hand-lettered sign, / the figuring it out at kitchen tables” — and worse, the subsequent fall to the most generic of poetic concepts: “Love that casts a widening pool of light.” There is an underlying argument to Alexander’s inaugural poem: that appealing to the common denominator creates a universality even the most poetically uninitiated can follow, and relate to,

with ease. But after Obama spoke about Americans having “duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task,” this race to the bottom embodied by Alexander’s poetic language proves immensely disheartening. Though an inaugural poem may never capture the hearts of viewers as well as the first half of W. H. Auden’s “Funeral Blues” did in Four Weddings and a Funeral, any chance it does have of achieving the highly improbable lies in embracing the precise and the memorable, the striking and the unique. Better luck in 2013? — Maggie Clark

Science & Technology Andrew Kai-Yin MacKenzie staff reporter

New evidence suggests Antarctica following warming trends

A new study, published Wednesday in British journal Nature, suggests that average temperatures in Antarctica have increased 0.6° C over the past 50 years. The new evidence concludes that the continent is warming at a rate of approximately 0.13° C per decade, faster than the global average. Scientists cited in the study did not draw a direct link to human causes, but acknowledged that the warming was “difficult to explain” without taking increasing levels of atmospheric greenhouse gas into account. While scientists have known for many years that the Antarctic peninsula is warming, trends in the inner continent have been less clear, mostly due to a lack of inland research stations to collect data. The study does not change the 2007 conclusions made by the Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change, where they concluded anthropogenic (human-induced) warming over the past 50 years affected every continent but Antarctica. NASA’s Drew Shindell said on BBC News, “We’re almost certain that greenhouse gas increases are contributing to this warming, but what’s difficult is to attribute this warming and so say how much is down to natural warming and how much down to anthropogenic causes.” In a separate finding, Antarctic scientists say that the Wilkins Ice Shelf, about 15,000 km² in area, is “hanging by a thread” from the larger continent and is extremely likely to break free. While satellites show that sea ice is slowly around the continent, the peninsula is rapidly losing ice, which will be significantly affected by the loss of the Wilkins shelf. Both “real” and “sham” acupuncture effective at preventing headaches

A study conducted by the Cochrane Review suggests that acupuncture is more effective than preventative drugs and painkillers in preventing headaches. Of 6,736 patients taking part in 33 separate trials, surveyed over the course of at least eight weeks each, those who received acupuncture treatment suffered fewer headaches than those given only painkillers. However, alternative acupuncture techniques which did not use traditional needle positions were found to be equally effective to traditional acupuncture. Dr. Klaus Linde from the Technical University of Munich said that the benefits of acupuncture found in the study could be the product of a placebo effect. Meanwhile, the director of the British Medical Acupuncture Society, Dr. Mike Cummings, said, “However, we still don’t fully understand what is happening when needles are inserted, although these reviews suggest that for certain conditions, it is effective.” The Cochrane Review study concluded by endorsing the use of acupuncture as a mainstream treatment for headaches, but also said that exactly where the needles went was relatively unimportant. — With files from BBC News and Discovery News

Undergrad profile: Nikesh Dattani

Lana Sheridan

Photo by anya lomako

staff reporter

ikesh Dattani can’t seem to get enough of research. Now on his fourth undergraduate research project, Dattani said that he enjoys the opportunity to make new contributions to human knowledge. Currently, he is just wrapping up a paper from his past term’s research with Prof. Raymond Laflamme in the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC). “I’ve been doing theoretical simulations for his experiments,” said Dattani, “in particular, a ‘three-slit’ experiment designed to test quantum theory.” The three-slit experiment is an extension of the standard, famous two-slit experiment, in which single photons can cause interference patterns when shone through a pair of small slits in a card. This behaviour seems to suggest that a photon can be in more than one place at a time and that, traveling through both slits, it interferes with itself. Also, it violates the rule for classical probabilities, which states that the sum of the individual probabilities for two mutually

Imprint, Friday, January 23, 2009 science@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

Jamie Damaskinos staff reporter

Mass-producing nanotechnology

exclusive events should be the likelihood that at least one of the events happens. In the case of the three-slit experiment, there is another slit added to the card, and the test is to see if there can be three-way interference. In other words, is there a higher order correction to the current theory of quantum probabilities that needs to be made? “This is very fundamental,” Dattani points out. “Until now, there have been no experimental tests for this, so it’s exciting.” He added, “I started out more focused on biology, but I also enjoy physics because it’s challenging.” Dattani worked with the IQC last term for his PHYS437 course credit. “It is organized by the physics department and the researcher doesn’t have to pay for the student,” he said with a smile. The other science departments also offer project courses. In addition to doing a biology project course, Dattani has received a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) funded Undergraduate Student Research Award over the summer, and a UW Undergraduate Research Internship. “You should explore all opportunities,” he advises, when looking for chances at doing research. He thought about going to teacher’s college, but figured that trying research would give him the opportunity to see if a job as a professor would be more to his taste. “Now, I’m certain about becoming a professor because that way I can still teach, but also make contributions to science that last forever.” The research projects also give him useful experience for graduate study, he points out. And even if someone is not interested in research as a career, he thinks that these projects are still worth undertaking. “A publication is something that you can pass on to the future,” he explains. “It’s important to contribute something while you can.” What does he advise for other undergraduates interested in pursuing research projects? “Do not hesitate to apply, because the number of opportunities you have are larger than you think. If you don’t get [a job with the] NSERC, you can volunteer in a lab, and this will significantly improve your chances of attaining a paid position afterwards. Don’t be nervous about approaching your professors, there’s always someone looking for a student.”

Thanks to Saroj Nayak, an associate professor in Rensselaer Institute’s department of physics, applied physics, and astronomy, along with Philip Shemella, a post-doctoral research associate in the same department, researchers are coming close to realizing the mass-production of graphenebased nanoelectronics (refer to the use of nanotechnology on electronic components, especially transistors). Graphene is a substance which has become increasingly more appealing to researchers in the field of nanotechnology due to its extremely conductive nature, allowing it to carry more voltage without heating its surroundings. However, graphene’s properties have been problematic in the past. Nayak and Shemella have determined that the properties of graphene can be tweaked based on the surface on which graphene has been deposited. Results have shown that when graphene is deposited on a surface treated with oxygen, graphene assumes the properties of a semiconductor. However, when graphene is deposited onto a surface treated with hydrogen, the substance assumes metallic properties. In the past, realizing the transformation of graphene has been a problem; whenever graphene nanostructures have been produced, some of the graphene is metallic, while the rest is a semiconductor. In order for graphene to be effectively used in nanoelectronics it should either be one or the other. This new development is a step in that direction.

lsheridan@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

jdamaskinos@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

— With files from CBC News and e!Science News

Corporate gm dissident perseveres alienation Anya Lomako staff reporter

“I

don’t do this for money; I haven’t got any. It’s knowledge-based,” said Arpad Pusztai to a member of the audience prior to starting his lecture “Politics and Science: The Biotechnology Industry” on January 19, 2009 at RCH. The Hungarian-born protein scientist paid University of Waterloo a visit on Monday as part of WPIRG’s 35year anniversary this year. Dr. Pusztai is known for his dissent from the Rowett Research Institute in Scotland after suggesting that genetically modified (GM) food research methods may not be suitable for human consumption after his research involving rats and GM potatoes. His work got him declared as a dissident by the corporate world, labeling him a “Luddite” attempting to impede science. Now, just as ten years ago, Dr. Pusztai says that his goal is to ensure

public safety before the commercialization of GM foods. Dr. Pusztai’s research with rats on controlled GM/non-GM diets led him to conclude the GM potatoes had the potential to damage mammal organs and immune systems, while the Rowett Research Institute insisted that while GM food may have negative side effects on certain insects, it won’t harm mammals. The potatoes were field-grown and intended for commercialization, modified with a gene taken from snowdrop (Galanthus) plants for the purpose of causing the potatoes to express snowdrop lactic, a protein that Dr. Pusztai’s previous research had indicated to be toxic to insects but harmless to mammals. However, Dr. Pusztai conducted animal experiments where GM potato consumption damaged the gut of the animal as well as other organs and immune system function, targeting “beneficial, non-target insects such as ladybugs” as well. From his experience,

Dr. Pusztai says it is not uncommon to find immune system damage in GM studies. He said that GM potato-feeding had a “mitogenetic effect on gut tissues in young rats and interfered with organ development compared to iso-potenic/ caloric control diets,” which he discovered during his 110–day study. He said this discovery was particularly alarming since the experiment had isolated a gene not known to have these effects on the gut. He also found potential allergen increases, unpredictability in toxin contents, the possibility of new diseases, and nutritional concerns as a result of his research with GM-fed rats. Once Dr. Pusztai discovered the potential risks of GM food consumption, he saw two choices: “to keep quiet to enable us to continue our research work, or to publicly indicate my concern over the possible health hazards of untested GM food.” In 1998, Dr. Pusztai publicized his findings on British television, causing him to be removed from his position

with Rowett and the disbandment of his work team. Furthermore, his research was discredited and his findings confiscated. During his lecture, Dr. Pusztai criticized science for being overly affected by political pursuit, resulting in a structure where financial gain causes the methods of research to be compromised in a way that does not maximize public health and safety to the best of its potential. Furthermore, he criticized the U.S. system for lacking GM-regulation, an issue affecting Canada because of its GM imports from the U.S. Canada is active in growing GM crops as well, such as corn, canola, soy and sugar beets, according to the Canadian Biotechnology Action network. To solve corruption in the system, Dr. Pusztai proposes that “the claims of corporate science must be independently verified by publicly funded scientists acting as watchdogs. alomako@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

Imprint, Friday, January 23, 2009

ith 1,146,255 abortions between 1970 and 2004, Ontario holds the highest cross-provincial abortion rate in Canada, beating the runner up, Quebec, by 55 per cent. For Ontario, these numbers are both liberating and shameful. In terms of democracy, progress is evident. In terms of sexual education, these numbers are a self-evident indication of a country’s shortcoming in prevention techniques. Abortion is a terrifying concept. As the previous numbers indicate, abortion is an option employed by females. In 2007, The Globe and Mail published an article carrying the following statistics: “In Canada, there are about 330,000 [live births] each year, and about 110,000 abortions.” As such, the focus of the

Science & Technology

Abortion as a valid, non-binding option government should be on informing the public about their abortion options in order to maximize the safety of the mothers, physically and emotionally. Public information centres are certainly a good step, but such a drastic situation calls for proactive measures of informing the public.

Public Health 99 Regina St S, 3rd Floor 519-883-2000 www.region.waterloo.on.ca/ph Currently, there are several abortion options, varying from vacuum aspiration, suction curettage, dilation and extraction, and RU 486 (the Abortion

Pill). These are a few among many — allowing abortion to be performed at different stages and circumstances of the pregnancy. The details of each of these methods are up to you to talk about with a certified medical professional — together, you will decide the best method in accordance with your family health history, the type of pregnancy, and the stage of the embryo. It is extremely important to consider that post-abortion health issues may arise, and are not often considered prior to the abortion. These health concerns include physical complications along with emotional ones, collectively known as PAS (Post-Abortion-Stress). PAS collectivizes a psychological response to abortion, including emotions such as “depression, guilt, anger, anxiety, sui-

cidal thoughts, anniversary grief, flash- particularly among partners with fertility backs of abortion, sexual dysfunction, challenges. Depending on your values, relationship problems, eating disorders, it may be worth compromising nine alcohol and drug abuse, and psycho- months of your life to produce an indilogical reactions,” which are listed vidual with the potential to succeed in, or under the PAS umbrella on the cross- simply experience, life. If one’s values lie national Pregnancy Centers website. The UofW Health Services physical post-abortion (across the creek from the SLC) complications include haemorrhaging, infec519-888-4096 tion, incomplete aborwww.healthservices.uwaterloo.ca tion, sepsis (total body infection), anaesthesia, damage to the cervix, scarring of the elsewhere, a cycle of violence or poverty uterine lining, damage to internal or- may sway the decision towards abortion. gans, and, in extreme cases, death. However, neither of these decisions are Of course, abortion is not the only universally wrong or universally right option. Adoption of newborns is one of — they are both functional and relevant the most sought after types of adoption, in the democratic Canadian society. The best method of pregnancy prevention is to use contraceptives consistently with the understanding that the goal of the human body is to reproduce. The best method of dealing with a potential pregnancy is to seek confidential consultation that has the resources and objectivity to provide information about all the available options — be that abortion, adoption, or can be stacked and placed on the ocean sustenance of the child. If possible, both floor, they extract energy from vibra- partners should be involved in the decitions caused by vortices in the water due sion-making concerning the fetus. After to currents. Energy can be harnessed from slow currents of a few knots or K-W Pregnancy Resource less, but the faster the water, the more Centre energy gathered. It is being tested now, 22 King St S. Suite 303 but could very well be a major source of energy in the next year. 519-886-4001 As students, we obviously don’t www.pregnancycentre.ca have the power, time, or finances to rebuild our homes and fit them with solar panels and windmills. However, all, the genetic composition of the child as citizens, we do have the power to is a one to one ratio of the mother’s and push our governments and policy the father’s contributions. Lastly, every makers to start implementing these sexually active individual who would alternatives. We have the knowledge themselves choose to carry a pregnancy and resources to help create new ways to term should should strive to have an of implementing this technology on emergency health fund at hand for at the large scale. So while you may not least initial testing costs. be buying a geothermal system for The responsibility of providing acyour next apartment, with enough curate, accessible pregnancy preveninvolvement in the community and tion information is the government’s by affecting decisions made by our job; utilizing these resources is the governments, we may not need to. obligation of the public.

A new green year

ith the New Year comes another chance for change. Some of the more overlooked yet very important changes from last year are new innovations in environmentally friendly technology. There have been solar cells that can take in the entire spectrum of the rainbow, ceramic car batteries able to recharge in five minutes yet not degrade, and even new technology that harnesses energy from naturally-occurring slow ocean currents which could power the world over. There are so many ideas and innovations available that, if combined, we may not ever need oil or coal again. Yet the fact still remains that they’re not being implemented nearly as often as they should be. I read the news about these technological breakthroughs in sustainable technology, and then they just disappear into newspaper and internet archives. In 2009, we should relax from creating new technology for renewable energy and, instead, start to implement it on larger scales. It’s impossible to change over the world’s energy sources completely in a year, but that doesn’t mean we should take decades to do so — especially as it’s becoming evident we might not have decades to wait.

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One example is the recent discovery that Canada’s extensive forests, which we have always depended on as the “lungs” of the planet, have now started releasing even more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The stress from the pollution, infestations of invasive species and disease, and fires have forced the trees to start emitting more of the greenhouse gas than they sequester. Not only that, but the forests are expected to continue to do this until 2022, if not longer. In 2008, we saw some of these projects being implemented on small — and even some larger — scales. The city of Boulder, Colorado fully implemented a Smart Grid system using mostly renewable energy sources. The smart grid allows them to control their entire house and hybrid car with a computer — whether or not they’re home. One resident described having so much excess power that enough energy was stored in the house and car for two days of backup power. Another example of sustainable

energy being implemented, which can continue to grow throughout 2009, is from the company Better Place. With their cell phone-like payment methods for electric cars and swappable battery stations, this company is finally gaining support and recognition among large communities, including California, Hawaii, Australia, and Denmark. This program could create a cheap and efficient way for electric cars to become mainstream — a goal to strive for in 2009. Probably one of the most interesting innovations from last year is the invention of technology that can harness huge amounts of energy from ocean currents. Normally, dams are used to speed water up to about five or six knots so that it can push turbines and create energy. While dams may seem sustainable, they actually cause flooding and displacement of nearby ecosystems, people, and animals. This new device was inspired by the way fish swim by using vortices in the water caused by the fish ahead of them. Using cylinders that

thelferty@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

alomako@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

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Sports & Living

Imprint, Friday, January 23, 2009 sports@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

A “Woman of Influence” OUA honours one of UW’s female athletes

Caitlin McIntyre Sports Editor

his coming February Ontario University Athletics (OUA) will be holding their sixth annual Women of Influence luncheon in honour of female athletes across the province who have shown both proficiency in their sport and academics. This year the University of Waterloo will be represented at the luncheon by an active player and captain of the field hockey team, Kate Critchley. Critchley’s nomination pins her as one of the top university-level female athletes in Ontario, a feat that takes years of dedication and hard work. Her debut into the world of field hockey, however, wasn’t exactly what one would consider “normal” for an athlete of her calibre. In fact, even in high school she had a difficult time establishing herself as an athlete and had very little prior sports experience. “Playing field hockey was actually a bit of a fluke,” Critchley explained during our interview. “I had been cut from every sports team I tried out for in high school.” It took a few encouraging words from her English teacher in order to convince her to try for the field hockey team, which had been struggling with a lack in interest. “They weren’t going to be cutting anybody. So I decided to go out, and it just clicked automatically.” Although field hockey was far from her first choice Critchley maintains that it was the only one that seemed to stick. “ I wasn’t too bad at badminton, and I could play dodge-ball pretty well,” she recounted, “but field hockey was the only sport that really fit.” Critchley’s late

start in the athletic world did nothing to curb her new found enthusiasm for the sport and she soon moved to join various summer leagues, extending her active season and perfecting her game play in order to help establish herself in the field hockey world. With the aid of her teachers, her coaches, and her own self discipline, she moved her game up into the world of university varsity sports. The shift,

The flippant lifestyle that many first years tend to take advantage of, coupled with the stress of waking up as early as 5:30 a.m. for practice, caused a slip in her grades. It wasn’t until her winter term that she began to get the hang of her busy lifestyle. “So I didn’t do very well the first term, it was hard to adjust until I realized that a lot of my spare time had to go to school.” With a bit of a loss to

“Playing field hockey was actually a bit of a fluke...I decided to go out, and it just clicked automatically.” although exciting and full of much greater opportunities, is much more challenging than non-sport goers such as myself are led to believe. The transition, according to Critchley, was both trying academically and socially. “In university there’s required training outside of practices, so you always have to maintain a certain level of fitness. There are morning practices, weekend games, constant physical taxation, and both on and off seasons demanding your time and attention. Majoring in hydrogeology, Critchley, like many other first years in her position, found that her grades, her game and her social life tended to clash in a less than favourable manner. “In my first year at university my average wasn’t very good. I just had such a hard time trying to balance everything,” she explained. “I went to bed too late, got up too early, partied too much — you know, typical residence first year.”

her social life, since it was hard to go to parties when you had tests during the week and games, Critchley began a shift towards a more balanced, structured schedule. “Anytime I’m not playing, I’m studying,” she said, when asked about her studying habits. “I still have a life, I just can’t go out drinking the night before a game or anything.” Don’t get me wrong: Critchley’s position on the field hockey team and her dedicated academic career, which has now led to her return to the school as a grad student to pursue her Master’s in Environmental Hydrogeology, have done very little to stunt her involvement elsewhere in her life. She has spent time tutoring highschool students, working in the field for her major, demonstrating in the Waterloo Wellington Children’s Groundwater Festival, and participating in various intramural sports. She’s even taken it upon herself to learn how to skate this year so she can give hockey a shot.

Caitlin McIntyre

Kate Critchley has proved herself to be a more than worthy recipient of the OUA’s Women of Influence title. The honour is one that she has earned not only through her profound athletic ability, but by the way she has conducted herself throughout her university career. From her late emergence on the athletic scene — one that she pushed past in

order to become a proficient athlete and team player — to her ability to maintain an above 90 average through her later bachelor years, she has remained an active member of our school and our community. sports@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

Top: Kate Critchley cracks open the books for her Master’s in Hydrogeology Left: Critchley participating in the field portion of her major Right: Critchley working on technique with a fellow player during a practice

Courtesy Kate Critchley

Sports & Living

Waterloo Warriors Last Week Women’s Hockey

Men’s Hockey

Women’s Volleyball

Men’s Volleyball

Saturday, January 17 Waterloo 3 - Guelph 1

Friday, January 16 Waterloo 4 - Queen’s 0

Friday, January 16 Waterloo 3 - Ottawa 1

Friday, January 16 Waterloo 3 - Queen’s 2

Sunday, January 18 Windsor 1 - Waterloo 0 In Overtime

Saturday, January 17 Waterloo 9 - RMC 1

Saturday, January 17 Brock 3 - Waterloo 2

Saturday, January 17 Waterloo 3 - RMC 0

Men’s Basketball

Women’s Basketball

Saturday, January 17 Guelph 73 - Waterloo 70

Saturday, January 17 Waterloo 73 - Guelph 71

Upcoming Games Men’s Basketball

Women’s Basketball

Friday, January 23 PAC Building, 9:00 p.m.

Friday, January 23 PAC Building, 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, January 24 PAC Building, 9:00 p.m.

Saturday, January 24 PAC Building, 6:00 p.m.

Men’s Volleyball

Women’s Volleyball

Friday, January 23 at McMaster, 8:00 p.m.

Friday, January 23 at McMaster, 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, January 24 at Guelph, 3:00 p.m.

Saturday, January 24 at Guelph, 1:00 p.m.

wrap-up

WARRIOR

Imprint, Friday, January 23, 2009

OUA Standings Men’s Volleyball McMaster Queen’s Western Guelph Waterloo

GP W 14 12 14 11 14 10 14 8 14 8

L 2 3 4 6 6

GF GA PTS 38 10 24 38 14 22 34 18 20 31 25 16 30 25 16

Swimming

Saturday, January 24 CIF arena, 2:00 p.m.

Friday, January 23 at Ottawa , 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, January 18 at Waterloo, TBD

Saturday, January 24 at Queen’s, 3:00 p.m.

East Division

GP York 13 Ottawa 15 Queen’s 13 Toronto 14 Ryerson 14

W 13 11 7 7 2

L 0 4 6 7 12

GF GA PTS 39 5 26 34 21 22 28 20 14 28 22 14 10 38 4

W 3 3 2 2 2

Queen’s Western Toronto Waterloo Windsor

Friday, January 23 CIF arena , 7:30 p.m.

West Division

GP McMas- 14 ter 14 Western 14 Brock 14 Guelph 13

W 12 12 10 8 7

L 2 2 5 6 6

GF GA PTS 39 10 24 38 13 24 34 19 20 29 23 16 27 23 14

Women’s Curling L 0 1 1 2 2

W 4 3 2 2 2

Western Laurier Trent Queen’s Waterloo

L 0 1 1 1 2

Men’s Basketball East Division

Men’s Hockey

MP MW ML PTS Western 18 16 2 16 McMaster 18 11 7 11 Waterloo 18 8 10 8 Queen’s 2 8 6 6 McGill 3 8 5 5

Women’s Volleyball

Men’s Curling

Women’s Hockey

Men’s Squash

GP W Carleton 12 11 Ottawa 12 11 Toronto 13 8 Ryerson 13 7 Queen’s 13 6

L 1 1 5 6 7

PTS 22 22 16 14 12

West Division

Western McMaster Brock Windsor Waterloo

GP W 12 10 12 8 12 7 12 7 12 6

L 2 4 5 5 6

Athletes of the Week

January 23 vs Lakehead Thunderwolves [W] 6:00 pm, [M] 8:00 pm, PAC Gym

January 24 vs Lakehead Thunderwolves [W] 6:00 pm, [M] 8:00 pm, PAC Gym

Warrior [M] Hockey January 23

Bojana Josipovic

vs Western Mustangs

4th year, Sociology Kitchener, ON

Volleyball

7:30 pm, CIF Arena Warrior [W] Hockey January 24

vs WLU Golden Hawks 2:00 pm, CIF Arena

Chris Ray Hockey

Registered trademarks of Boston Pizza Royalties Limited Partnership, used under license. © Boston Pizza International Inc. 2005

IMPRINT | JANUARY 23

2nd year, Environment & Business Kelowna, BC

PTS 20 16 14 14 12

Comics & Distractions

Imprint, Friday, January 23, 2009

Ask What is the best way to flirt in class?

Shaniqua distractions@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

“There is no formula!” Adwitya Das Gupta 1B environmental science

Dear Shaniqua, I’m your average 21-year-old Asian engineering student here at UW. I have a very nice girlfriend who I’ve been seeing for about a year and a half now and I love her very much. The only problem is, that sexually all I’ve been able to think about for a while now is ball torture. It’s the only kind of porn I look at and I think about it every time my girlfriend and I have sex. I would love nothing more than to have her try it out with me, but she is very straight laced and would probably dump me right away. Can I go back to normal? What do I do?

“I would ask them, ‘how much longer until next lecture, and is that long enough to get to know you?’ “

Paul Pastolero, 2B biomed “I just don’t flirt...wink!” Shivam Ohri 3A science

“I throw things.”

James Crawford 4B Mathematics

— Azn Eng Guy Dear AEG,

“I just tell them: “hey, I don’t have Gonorrhea’“ Proudyumna Krishnan 3B economics

Sounds to me like you are in fetish territory and in deep. The definition of a fetish is a situation or object that may become necessary to practise or think about before you can achieve orgasm, and for you, looking at ball torture porn and thinking about ball torture every time you have sex with your girlfriend. Sounds like a fetish to me.

“I pass a paper note.” Mody Siddiqui 4B science

First off, let me say that as far as fetishes go, ball torture is one of the most dangerous to your own health and safety if not approached properly. I think we all saw BME Pain Olympics. Don’t take it too far. When and if you do give it a try, a few light taps can do the trick as good as the rougher stuff.

“Lawn Bowling Club” “I “Jacelin tease them in a flirtatious way” On” Shirman 1B ArtsSumaroo 3B economics “Play the damsel in distress and drop all of your things. “ Eric Russell, Zoe Tupling 1B Political science, speach communications

As for your girlfriend, sounds to me like she probabally won’t go for anything so kinky, but you have a few options. First, you can tell her what you want to try. I doubt she will dump you over it if she isn’t interested. If you don’t want to bring it up to her, there is always the option of finding somebody from the fetish community online willing to do a lap with you. In the end, it’s also very possible that your girlfriend may feel guilty for giving you unenjoyable sex for so long and do some kink for you. If that’s really the kind of sex that you want though, you’re kinkier than I thought. Dear Shaniqua,

Waterloo

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I just got my tongue pierced and my boyfriend is pressuring me to give him head. The guy at the tattoo parlour said to wait a while, but my boyfriend says that he has needs, too. I’m willing to do anything else, but oral sex is all he wants. I’m very worried about getting an infection (it isn’t the cleanest area to put my mouth on, especially with an open wound) and I don’t know how to tell him to stop pestering me. — Pierced Princess Dear Princess, Girl, tell your dumbass boyfriend he’s got a hand and the bathroom is that-a-way. It is not your responsibility to do anything for him, and if you are in a period of recovery he needs to respect that and leave you be. When a man tries to coerce you like that, he isn’t respecting your boundaries and although it may seem like just an annoyance, it is harassment. You’ve gotta tell him that if he wants head, for the time being, tough shit. You’ll be all healed in a month. If he can’t wait, he’s not worth keeping around.

Comics & Distractions

Crossword Across

1. Ostentatious

6. Abate (2 wds)

11. Canadian Psychological Association

15. Martini garnish

16. Dusk, to Donne

17. Spiked caffeine drink

19. Backstabber 20. Bestow (2 wds) 21. Ones who exhibit affection

34 40

32 35

22 24

19 21

23 25

14. Female demon

Sudoku

Maggie Clark

45 48

53 56

23. Fortune

24. Conforming to standards of conduct

25. Small, spinyfinned fish

64. Casual attire

28. Clean

66. Katmandu’s land

32. Freudian topic

67. Dadaist Jean

33. Hooter

22. Drink of wine and hot water, with sugar, lemon juice, and nutmeg (try it!)

68. Extra inning

34. Codeine source

25. Mongolian desert

69. Ain’t right?

26. Clive or Wilson, for example

39. Grizzly

Down

41. Salon job

1. Meager

27. Least reputable member of a group (2 wds)

42. Thailand, once

2. Fabled racer

43. Ancient Peruvian

3. Cut

44. Messes

4. In a sage manner

45. Took the cake, say

5. Before Google

46. White wine aperitif

6. Plunder

48. Clutter

7. Little toymaker

49. Arrange

8. Minor quarrel

50. Composer Mahler

9. Eye parts containing iris, ciliary body, and choroid

65. Poison plant

36. Reverse

53. Grey, in a way

61. Everyday article 62. Negligent

H A R E

G O B I

O W E N

G U T T A

U S H E R

O M I T

W I S E L B Y L A R C A K I S T H A E E P

L Y O A H C O O U T O T W A O P R I M U M R A V P E D I N A S U M T E N

E T U P L I V E F F E E F A W S E E S H I U M N S E C K S E S S A G E G O T T E N N A C A T H

N E G U S

P E T T E R

30. Because

Cryptogram J UIMIE GWJUD FY HZBICY XB XU JAFU. J OKBG TF HZ GWJUR - X K T E I Z W I Q N K E UR

31. Shells 35. E-mail or text

January 16, Cryptogram Solution

37. Facts and figures 38. Augur 40. Indian salad 47. Paul Bernardo, for one 49. One who gently fondles

13. Impatient

51. Theater employee

January 16 Crossword Solution S L I M

29. Celery’s plant family

12. Oyster’s prize

11. Marked by formality

57. Vanity case? (2 wds)

January 16 Sudoku solution

18. Moth larva that eats young plants

50. Cone-shaped architectural projection (from classical Greek architecture)

10. Herman, for one

55. Like a horseshoe

52. Locale 54. Fixin’ to

C E R E M O N I A L

P E A R L

A N T S Y

56. Condemn to hell

D A T A

O M E N

59. “Terrible” czar

R I P E

I V A N

P E L T

57. Leave one’s mark on 58. Pickable 60. Trapper’s prize 63. Work on a doily

“A career is born in public, talent in privacy.” — Marylin Monroe

Comics & Distractions

Imprint, Friday, January 23, 2009

POSTSCRIPT

GRAHAM MOOGK-SOULIS

IMPRESSION, BY JIM & LAN

LOOSE SCREWS

GEOFFREY LEE & SONIA LEE

KURTIS ELTON

IN THE WEEDS

BY MATT FIG, BRANDON FORLER, AND KEEGAN TREMBLAY

RUNAWAY RINGTOSS

PETER N. TRINH