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Letters Support the U-Pass have a U-Pass.
Re: “Standing up to City Hall” Ted Horton
(Editorial, Nov. 21) Board of Administration faculty
I WOULD LIKE to thank the Ful- director, social sciences
crum for its editorial last week on the
U-Pass—it is important to have stu- Barrhaven solidarity
dents aware of the progress and de- Re: “Heckles” (Opinion, Nov. 21)
lays of the initiative. Having been in- A FEW YEARS ago, the only issue I
volved with the project for two years, had when I used Fallowfield park and
it is exciting to see it so close to com- ride was how close a parking spot I
ing to fruition. I would encourage all could get. Now, the only issue is I have
students who care to see a universal is whether I’ll get a parking spot at all,
student bus pass become a reality in and how much my ticket will cost if
Ottawa, as it is in dozens of cities in I don’t.
North America, to email the coun- About a month ago I did get a $65
cillors of the City of Ottawa (email ticket when I parked at Fallowfield
addresses can be found at ottawa.ca) on my way to campus. Despite the
and express their support for the proj- fact that I wasn’t blocking any other
ect. Supporters can stay up-to-date on cars from leaving, I was one of several
the U-Pass on the “The University of dozen cars ticketed that day. Had the
Ottawa needs a Universal Bus Pass!” transit officer been ticketing my car
Facebook group. when I got back I likely would have
The U-Pass will save money, lower punched him in the face or let loose
emissions, and make a more livable an expletive-laced rant. Instead, I
campus and city for students—but crumpled my ticket into a little ball
only if we can convey our support and, in lieu of voicing my displea-
to city councillors to indicate its ne- sure, handed my crumpled ticket to
cessity. This project has risen and the City Hall employee when I even-
fallen over the last 15 years without tually paid my ticket last week. But I
succeeding, but we are now closer digress.
than ever. Let’s not wait another 15 I read an article a few weeks ago
years for something so crucial. This in one of the local Barrhaven news-
time, let’s have a Student Federation papers that, just like the Fulcrum ar-
of the University of Ottawa (SFUO) ticle, slammed OC Transpo for their
initiative with concrete results. Let’s handling of the Fallowfield situation.
Contents
News U of O raises
tuition fees
BOG votes to raise tuition by an average of
4.2% for 2009–10. p. 4
Amanda Shendruk investigates the prob-
p. 4 lems that riddled the recent CFS membership
referendum. p. 5
Arts Good date, Bad Flirt
Hisham Kelati gets down with Bad Flirt.
p. 9
Peter Henderson lists the top 5 Ottawa
p. 9 celebrities. p. 10
Sports On top of their game
Men’s basketball vies for first place with a
pair of wins. p. 16
Women’s volleyball shut out by Lions. p. 17
p. 16
Feature Five great Canadians
Megan O’Meara highlights Canada’s cream
of the crop. p. 12–13
Di gets pissed. p. 22
p. 12
Nov. 27–Dec. 3, 2008
It seems to me that OC Transpo are a
bunch of lazy jackasses who are more
content to hand out parking tickets
every day than increase the size of
the parking lot to accommodate their
increasingly disgruntled riders. Even
Barrhaven Councillor Jan Harder was
quoted in the article as saying that it’s
ridiculous for OC Transpo to be tick-
eting people when there is nowhere
for them to park and they are not
blocking in other cars.
I couldn’t agree more with Jaclyn
Lytle’s article in the Fulcrum last week;
unfortunately, it’s one of a handful of
like-minded articles I’ve read in the
past few months. As much as I like to
bitch and moan, I think I would pre-
fer if OC Transpo just fixed the mess
that is Fallowfield park and ride be-
fore I get another ticket.
Steve Dunne
Third-year English student
Let’s blame the Irish
ETHICALLY SPEAKING, NOT eth-
nically, I blame the Irish for the Yes
victory in the Canadian Federation of
Students (CFS) referendum. Why is
this, you ask? In the 19th century, Irish
workers were brought over to England
to intimidate voters to vote for a par-
ticular party. In the same way, the Yes
campaign engaged in blatant electoral
thefulcrum.ca poll
Which companion of the Order
of Canada has had the greatest
impact on the country?
Terry Fox
Margaret Atwood
Tommy Douglas
Pierre Elliot Trudeau
David Suzuki
Go to thefulcrum.ca to vote!
Business Department
The Fulcrum, the University of Ottawa’s
independent English-language student
newpaper, is published by the Fulcrum
Publishing Society (FPS) Inc., a not-for-
profit corporation whose members consist
of all Univeristy of Ottawa students. The
Board of Directors (BOD) of the FPS gov-
erns all administrative and business ac-
tions of the Fulcrum and consists of the
following individuals: Ross Prusakowski
(President), Andrea Khanjin (Vice-Pres-
ident), Tyler Meredith (Chair), Peter
Raaymakers, Nick Taylor-Vaisey, Toby
Climie, Scott Bedard, and Andrew Wing.
To contact the Fulcrum’s BOD,
contact Ross Prusakowski at (613) 562-
5261.
Frank Appleyard
Editor-in-Chief
editor@thefulcrum.ca
fraud. I saw groups of Yes support-
ers standing outside polling stations
harassing students. These supporters
would descend on a student, explain
their argument, and then guide the
bewildered student to the polling sta-
tion. When I voted, I even found a Yes
pamphlet inside the polling station!
This is unequivocally the very defi-
nition of electoral intimidation. The
Referendum Oversight Committee
ought to have enforced the rules and
regulations of the SFUO constitution
on referendums. If the CFS wants fair
education fees, perhaps they should
start with a fair referendum.
Matt Fairbanks
Third-year political science
and history student
Diversity and solidarity
51.8 PER CENT and 48.2 per cent
are the numbers everyone is throw-
ing around but I’d like to highlight an
even better statistic: 21 per cent.
That is the percentage of the stu-
dent population who voted in the
CFS full-membership referendum.
For those who don’t know, the larg-
est recorded voter turnout in this his-
tory of the SFUO was 18.9 per cent,
which means that more students were
involved in this decision than ever
before.
Last week’s results
Do you think the Maclean’s
rankings of Canadian
universities accurately
portray the country’s
schools?
Yes
29%
Advertising Department
Deidre Butters,
Advertising Representative
phone: (613) 880-6494
fax: (613) 562-5259
e-mail: ads@thefulcrum.ca
Check out our rate card online.
Go to www.thefulcrum.ca and
follow the link for “Advertisers”.
Multi-market advertisers:
Campus Plus: (800)265-5372
Campus Plus offers one-stop shopping for
over 90 Canadian student
newspapers.
The Fulcrum is a proud
member of Canadian University
Press: www.cup.ca
3
Now, as a member of the Yes cam-
paign, I am overjoyed at these results,
and at the realization of a dream that
for many has involved years of long
hours and hard work to have this
choice even brought to the students.
As a woman especially, I am thrilled
to be a part of an organization that
has fought so hard to make me feel
safe and empowered on campus. But
now the results are in, the campaign is
over and we have collectively chosen
to join the CFS. It’s time to move on.
This shouldn’t be made into a win or
lose situation. As a friend of mine stat-
ed, “We can change more as members
than as isolated critics”. This means
that we can now use our voice to help
the CFS grow as an organization, be-
come more bilingual, etc., and to bring
the concerns of the No side to the table
as well. It’s a matter of respect for the
21 per cent of students who got in-
volved by voting or campaigning that
we work together to unite our campus,
to reach out and understand the posi-
tion where everyone was coming from
and move forward to a solution. This
is a time to unite as a diverse student
body with a wide range of opinions,
but a common interest in students and
their rights. Solidarity!
Becky Dier-McComb
Third-year women’s studies and
political science student
No
71%
Got something to say?
Send your letters to
editor@thefulcrum.ca
Letters deadline: Sunday, 1 p.m.
Letters must be under 400 words unless
discussed with the editor-in-chief.
Drop off letters at 631 King Edward Ave. or
e-mail
editor@thefulcrum.ca.
Letters must include your name, telephone
number, year, and program of study. Pseud-
onyms may be used after consultation with the
editor-in-chief. We correct spelling and gram-
mar to some extent. The Fulcrum will exercise
discretion in printing letters that are deemed
racist, homophobic, or sexist.
We will not even consider hate literature or
libellous material. The editor-in-chief reserves
the authority on everything printed herein.

News
by Emma Godmere
Tuition fees rise for 2009–10
Fulcrum Staff
THE UNIVERSITY OF Ottawa’s
Board of Governors (BOG) has suc-
cessfully adopted the administration’s
recommendations to raise tuition fees
by an average of 4.2 per cent for the
2009–10 academic year.
According to the university, this
means the majority of students can
expect to see an average increase of
$200 each. Currently, the average un-
dergraduate Arts full-time student
pays $5,345.71; the same student will
pay nearly $5,550 for the next aca-
demic year.
The Nov. 24 BOG meeting, which
saw dozens of students with Drop
Fees campaign signs in attendance,
was the last in a series of presenta-
tions by the administration and both
the Student Federation of the Univer-
sity of Ottawa (SFUO) and the Grad-
uate Students’ Association (GSAÉD).
Despite the university’s attempt at in-
cluding students in the tuition nego-
tiation process, SFUO VP University
Affairs Seamus Wolfe criticized the
administration, claiming they were
not actually considering what he and
GSAÉD external commissioner Fed-
erico Carvajal had to say.
Protection officers negotiated with Physics professor Denis Rancourt to
leave Macdonald Hall after the university denied any access to his lab.
“The administration has created
these presentations and special meet-
ings as theatre meant for one sole pur-
pose: to attempt not to have a protest
like two years ago and to increase tu-
ition fees anyway,” said Wolfe in his
presentation to the BOG. “This has not
been an honest debate or an actual con-
versation. The entire time, the admin-
istration planned on pushing through
tuition fee increases regardless of what
was said. This has been an attempt to
co-opt students so that they wouldn’t
shut down this very meeting.”
U of O President Allan Rock ar-
gued during the meeting that the pro-
cess did value the perspectives of the
student representatives.
“I think it means that we’re show-
ing respect. It’s certainly intended to
show respect,” he said. “And Seamus,
if you’re in any doubt about whether
this was just theatre, listen to the
questions being asked by members of
the board who are much influenced
by your presentations. So process
matters. It’s a matter of respect, and it
did make a difference.”
While nine board members, in-
cluding Rock, supported the in-
creases, three board members voted
against the hikes, and two abstained.
Julia Morris, the graduate students’
photo by Frank Appleyard
Nov. 27–Dec. 3, 2008
A CFS sign displays the combined debt of all Canadian post-secondary students.
representative on the BOG, said that
those five votes that did not support
the increase indicated that the student
presentations did have an impact.
“I think it had an effect; I really
think that it’s a good process to have,”
she said. “At least we’re consulting
one another in a professional atmo-
sphere, we’re hearing each other out,
we’re [giving] coherent presenta-
tions, we see the numbers, we hear
both sides of the story, and I really
feel that it had an impact on the de-
cision of those who voted against or
abstained.”
Two of the votes against the increas-
es were from Morris and Ryan Ken-
Laboratory lockout,
CAUT review for Rancourt
Independent
Committee of Inquiry
to examine professor’s
situation at the U of O
by Emma Godmere
Fulcrum Staff
RELATIONS BETWEEN PHYS-
ICS professor Denis Rancourt and
the University of Ottawa will be the
subject of a Canadian Association of
University Teachers (CAUT) Inde-
pendent Committee of Inquiry, ac-
cording to two Nov. 24 letters sent to
Rancourt and U of O President Allan
Rock.
The committee, composed of three
independent professors from York
University, Wilfrid Laurier University,
and Rider University in New Jersey,
has no set timeline for its inquiry and
intends “to investigate the ongoing
series of disputes between [Rancourt]
and the University of Ottawa; to de-
termine whether there were breaches
of or threats to academic freedom and
other faculty rights; [and] to make
any appropriate recommendations”.
The committee will also be speaking
to both Rancourt—who indicated
that the CAUT has been aware of the
difficulties he has experienced with
Emma Godmere
News Editor
news@thefulcrum.ca
nery, the undergraduate representative
on the BOG. Carvajal claimed that
students don’t in fact have any power
or influence in the administration.
“I know that students have no real
power on this board,” he said. “I know
despite how hard our colleagues Ryan
[Kennery] and Julia [Morris] might
fight, they’re only two votes on this
board.”
Debate between BOG members fol-
lowing Wolfe and Carvajal’s last presen-
tation included desires to see a draft U
of O budget that would look at poten-
tially freezing fees and instead using the
university’s $50 million budget surplus
from last year to give the university the
the university for almost a year—and
university representatives in order to
“get a full and fair understanding of
the facts”.
This announcement follows an in-
cident on Nov. 22 when Rancourt was
barred from entering his Macdonald
Hall laboratory after Dean of Science
André Lalonde allegedly changed the
locks earlier that morning.
Rancourt—who had all teaching
assignments for the academic year
revoked—discovered his key did not
work on the afternoon of Nov. 22
and succeeded to jam his foot in the
door once Protection officers inside
the lab opened the door slightly af-
ter Rancourt knocked. He remained
there for three hours with until law-
yers representing the Association
of Professors of the University of
Ottawa (APUO) and the university
administration came to an agree-
ment allowing Rancourt’s students
to retrieve personal and work items
from the lab.
According to Rancourt, the agree-
ment explained that the U of O ad-
ministration admitted it was barring
him from his lab, pledged to negotiate
further on how students and employ-
ees would be able to access lab equip-
ment and facilities, and indicated that
he would be able to retrieve his per-
sonal items then and there.
4
photo by Martha Pearce
extra funds it needs for next year.
“The surplus is not cash sitting on
the shelf ready to be picked up and
used for discretionary purposes,”
said Rock. “It is money that is already
committed to a legitimate and impor-
tant shared purpose, which is creating
new and more space on campus.”
During the meeting, Rock reiter-
ated that the university plans to invest
the revenue from the tuition hike back
into financial aid and scholarships.
“I don’t think at this point what
we’re looking for is students subsidiz-
ing students,” said Carvajal. “What
we’re looking for is society in general
investing in education.”
“This is a kind of occupation to en-
sure that the agreement gets signed,”
said Rancourt. “You’re dealing with
a very ... [uncooperative] institution
that just does things and doesn’t feel it
needs to justify it to anyone. It just de-
cides to do things and does it, doesn’t
explain in any way, doesn’t even re-
spond to you when you ask—that’s
what we’re looking at.”
The embattled professor indicated
that the university cited safety prob-
lems with the laboratory as the reason
for the lock-changing on Nov. 22, and
subsequently explained that neither
Lalonde nor any other representative
from the university ever previously
informed him of any issues, safety or
otherwise, with the laboratory.
While Lalonde was not available
for comment, U of O communica-
tions director Andrée Dumulon ex-
plained the university’s reasons be-
hind barring people from entering
the laboratory.
“Access was prohibited because we
found that there were some unauthor-
ized individuals in the lab,” she said.
After the agreement between APUO
and U of O lawyers was struck, Ran-
court—who had also been relieved of
his responsibilities associated with the
lab—was allowed to retrieve his pos-
sessions from the lab upon agreeing to
leave the premises.
 Referendum in review
The Fulcrum examines the
SFUO’s CFS membership referendum
by Amanda Shendruk
Fulcrum Staff
ON SUNDAY, NOV. 23, at approximately
4 a.m., the Referendum Oversight Com-
mittee (ROC) revealed that undergraduate
students at the University of Ottawa would
be joining approximately 500,000 students
across the country as members of the Ca-
nadian Federation of Students (CFS).
The announcement concluded a 13-
day referendum that, from the start, had
its fair share of controversy. A review of
the Nov. 7–20 campaign reveals that mis-
givings about the referendum timing,
concerns surrounding the ballot ques-
tion, and confusion about voting proce-
dures were not the only problems with
this referendum.
Polls closed at 8 p.m. on Nov. 20, after
three days of voting. After 36 hours of
counting ballots—24 of those consecu-
tive—the ROC, accompanied by Yes and
CFS
No scrutineers, emerged with a tally of
51.8 per cent or 3328 votes in favour of
membership and 48.2 per cent or 3068
votes against. A record 21 per cent of
undergraduate students voted in the ref-
erendum, significantly more than in the
Student Federation of the University of
Ottawa (SFUO) executive and BOA elec-
tions in February, when fewer than 4,000
undergraduate students cast a ballot.
Sixty-seven ballots were recorded as
spoiled, three of which were from stu-
dents who reportedly attempted to vote
more than once.
SFUO President Dean Haldenby said
the SFUO is considering penalties for the
three students.
Referendum Oversight Committee
The ROC was responsible for overseeing
the general administration of the ref-
erendum, and was composed of SFUO
President Dean Haldenby, and Political,
International, and Development Stud-
ies Student Association President Faris
Lehn, along with CFS Northern Ontario
organizer Christine Bourque and CFS
national director for organizing Lucy
Watson.
On occasion, the ROC’s consistency
of response to complaints was called into
question by the No committee, most sig-
nificantly on the matter of the defacing or
destroying of campaign materials.
Each committee was responsible for
any acts of vandalism against the other
campaign’s posters and banners. The
No committee received six penalties for
missing and vandalized materials, while
the Yes committee received none.
“We decided if there was clearly a mas-
sive poster strategy or massive poster
take-down, the side that benefited from
the take-down ... would [be penalized],”
said Lehn. “The Yes side, at one point, had
100 posters taken down in a day.”
The No committee’s most significant
poster-loss complaint involved 46 posters
reported missing on Nov. 12, but because
“[it] could just be the usual wear and tear
www.thefulcrum.ca
[and] it wasn’t on a mass scale,” according
to Lehn, the ROC did not penalize the Yes
committee.
Rules and regulations
Over the course of the campaign, many
complaints from both sides surfaced over
the ROC’s referendum rules and regula-
tions being taken lightly or altogether
ignored.
On the first day of campaigning, the
Yes committee was ordered to remove
their posters, as they were both an inch
too tall and too wide, technically making
them banners. In the rules and regulations
a poster is defined to be no larger than 11
inches by 17 inches, and a banner can be a
maximum of three feet by 10 feet.
“As soon as we were made aware, we
replaced the posters once again,” said CFS
national chairperson and Yes committee
spokesperson Katherine Giroux-Bougard.
The posters were replaced within hours.
On Nov. 17, the No committee filed a
complaint about the Yes committee post-
ing a video on YouTube. According to the
rules and regulations, no online commu-
nities other than Facebook may be used
for campaigning. The No committee
claimed to receive no response from the
ROC, despite the rule that the superviso-
ry body must respond to all formal com-
plaints within 48 hours. No action was
taken against the Yes committee.
“We have complaints that we’re still go-
ing through,” explained Lehn.
The No committee was charged with
pre-campaigning on Nov. 5, the CFS-led
provincial day of action against tuition
fees. As thousands of U of O students
protested the high cost of post-secondary
education on Morisset terrace and around
the city, members of the No commit-
tee made classroom presentations in at-
tempts to recruit volunteers for their own
cause. Lehn said that on Nov. 4, the ROC
sent an email to both campaigns remind-
ing them that pre-campaigning either at
the rally or in classrooms would not be
acceptable. As a penalty, the No commit-
tee was not able to present in classrooms
for most of the first day of campaigning
on Nov. 7.
The No committee lodged a complaint
with the ROC following this penalty, stat-
ing that the Yes committee was using the
slogan “Join the Movement” on campaign
posters, a slogan that was also used on
publicity materials for Nov. 5. They ar-
gued that this constituted pre-campaign-
ing as well.
Lehn explained the ROC’s decision not
to penalize the Yes committee.
“[The use of the slogan] was not done
out of the same bad taste [as the No com-
mittee’s actions],” he said.
Financing
Both committees will be reimbursed
$2,000 of their total campaign expenses.
The funding for reimbursements will be
split between the SFUO and the CFS.
Neither committee was given spending
limits. After all costs were tallied, the No
committee spent $2,648.48 on the cam-
paign. In order to cover expenses above
the reimbursement amount of $2,000, a
donation option was installed on their
website at no-thanks.ca.
“We did get enough money to cover
[the extra expenses],” said Ryan Ken-
nery, chairperson of the No committee.
“There is [about a $100–150] surplus
which we will be donating to the SFUO
food bank.”
Complications with the ROC in ap-
proving a disclaimer for the donation op-
tion led to the link being posted later than
expected.
“As the CFS adage goes: education
shouldn’t be a debt sentence. But cam-
paigning shouldn’t be a debt sentence ei-
ther,” said Kennery.
The Yes committee would not reveal its
budget.
Giroux-Bougard explained that, using
its referenda budget line, the CFS funded
all costs for the Yes committee above the
$2,000 reimbursement limit.
The CFS budget, part of which is al-
located to “membership drives and refer-
enda”, is voted on by members at national
general meetings held twice a year.
The CFS budget states that by May of
the 2007–08 academic year, $37,335.77
out of a budgeted $75,000 had been spent
on referenda. In 2008–09, the CFS has
again allocated $75,000 to referenda.
Although the previously agreed-upon
referendum rules state that each commit-
tee will be reimbursed up to $2,000, the
SFUO may consider covering a greater
amount of the committees’ costs.
“There’s the idea to discuss [it], now
that we’ve gotten the final budgets from
most people,” said Lehn. “Obviously the
goal [is] to limit the amounts students
actually have to spend out of their own
money to express their views.”
Campaigners
Issues surrounding campaigners and
campaigner relations were perhaps the
most contentious during the entire refer-
endum.
The No committee had difficulty ob-
taining permission for off-campus volun-
teers. A number of students from Carle-
ton University who wished to campaign
for the No side were refused permission
from the Carleton University Students
Association (CUSA), who is a member of
the CFS.
“The process to have off-campus vol-
unteers approved was inconsistent and
arbitrary,” Kennery said, in an e-mail.
“The ROC delegated all of its authority on
the matter to member locals of the CFS,
which made it extremely difficult to have
our student volunteers approved.”
Late in the campaign, however, the
committee was able to get permission for
two CUSA councillors to come to cam-
pus in their support.
The Yes committee had students from
Carleton University, Concordia University,
York University, and Laurentian Universi-
ty campaigning on their behalf at the U of
O. Both CFS-Ontario chairperson and Yes
committee member Shelley Melanson and
Giroux-Bougard confirmed that students
from outside Ottawa who campaigned
for the CFS were not reimbursed by the
CFS for expenses incurred during the trip.
Volunteers were expected to shoulder the
expenses themselves.
The referendum not only created con-
troversy at home, but at York University
as well. An article published Nov. 24 in the
University of Toronto student newspaper
The Varsity reveals that York University
students were angry at the York Federa-
tion of Students (YFS) executive for leav-
ing campus unannounced in order to
campaign for the Yes committee during
the SFUO’s CFS membership referen-
dum. CUPE 3903, the union represent-
ing a large portion of part-time teaching
staff at York, is currently on strike, leav-
ing thousands of students without classes.
Students say the YFS, who has shut down
their offices in solidarity with those on
strike, is shirking its responsibilities to
students. When contacted by the Ful-
crum, YFS President Hamid Osman de-
clined to comment.
Interaction between Yes and No cam-
paigners at the U of O was both positive
and negative, say committee members.
“I found [the interaction] overall very
negative,” said Students’ Association for
the Faculty of Arts President and No
committee volunteer Liz Doneathy.
No committee chairperson Michèle
Lamarche echoed Doneathy’s statements.
“Relations between both committees
was tense, but mostly between the No
[volunteers] and the off-campus, or non-
SFUO campaigners, for the Yes [commit-
tee],” she said.
Yes committee spokesperson and
SFUO VP Finance Roxanne Dubois said
that although situations were sometimes
heated, overall interactions were positive.
“Obviously things got very tense … It
was a very charged campaign,” Dubois
said. “Although some individuals may
have felt personally insulted, and that’s on
our side as well, I think that it was a hard
campaign, it was an engaging campaign,
and relations kept well.”
Moving on
Despite contentious issues surrounding
the referendum method and campaign-
ing process, both the Yes and No com-
mittees have agreed that it is time to leave
the experience in the past.
“I think it is important to move on and
it is not our intention to point fingers at
people on the No side,” said Yes com-
mittee chairperson François Picard via
email.
Dubois agreed.
“It was a hard campaign and not nec-
essarily fun or necessarily enjoyable as
a campaign, but it went through, so let’s
move on together and try to do what we
do for students on a daily basis,” she said.
On Sunday, Nov. 23, once the results
were known, chairpersons for both com-
mittees talked briefly.
“We [have] discussed and agreed that
both sides were essentially fighting for
what they believed was best for [U of O]
students,” said Lamarche. “Rather than
let the issues divide us, we should let that
common goal bring us together.”
Nov. 27, 2008 NEWS
THE LIST
ISSUE
Top five actual
Associated Press
headlines
(with commentary)
5. “Wisconsin man ac-
cused of urinating on
roommate’s dog after
woman refuses his sexual
advances”
Okay… That’s totally ap-
propriate, right? Jennie
rebuffed my suggestive
glances, so I’m off to the
dog bed to turn Rover into
a urinal pug. That will show
her!
4. “Prosthetic eye gives
horse a shot at show ca-
reer”
As opposed to its previous
options, which were a) to
become a legendary crea-
ture of myth, the cylorse,
b) to don an eye patch,
grow a beard, and sail the
high seas in search of hors-
ey treasure, or c) be shot
by a farmer.
3. “Man charged after al-
legedly passing gas toward
cop”
This man is my hero, and
he should be yours, too.
He had the gall to fight
the man in the most juve-
nile and silly way possible
= fart-wafting. We salute
you!
2. “Teacher OK after crash-
ing into bear on a bicycle”
This, like our number one
headline, has a grammati-
cal variable in it that makes
it all the more hilarious.
Can you spot it? Yes you
can. It seems as though
a teacher smashed into
a bear who was riding a
bicycle. Awesome. Just…
just awesome.
1. “Woman riding a don-
key fights off lion with ma-
chete”
There are superheroes,
and they ride donkeys. I
don’t care where the lion
came from, I don’t care
how he got that machete,
and I don’t even care why
this woman was riding a
donkey. All I care about is
that on this planet, some-
thing this awesome has oc-
curred.
THE LIST—Dave Atkin
Atkinson
ISSUE
5
 THE LIST ISSUE
Top five U of O controversies U of O campaigns to
May–Novemberb
5. The introduction of the Code of Conduct and
its subsequent demise:
end violence against women
When former U of O president Gilles Patry intro-
duced a draft version of a student Code of Con- Campaign and Montreal
duct for students this past spring, undergraduates Massacre memorial extends to
and graduates alike immediately rallied at Tabaret
Hall at the end of April to demand the draft code all corners of campus
be dropped and an ombudsperson office and stu-
dent bill of rights be created in its place. The new
by Laura Clementson
administration under President Allan Rock has
Fulcrum Contributor
dropped the draft code and has promised to pur-
sue the other two demands.
THIS DECEMBER WILL mark the 19th anni-
versary of the École Polytechnique massacre in
4. Cinema Politica shuts down, re-opens as Cin-
Montreal, where 14 young women were mur-
ema Academica:
dered in their engineering class by 25-year-old
Marc Lépine in 1989.
Physics professor Denis Rancourt’s weekly film-
On Dec. 6, U of O students will join fellow
viewing community group was denied further use
Canadians in remembering women who have
of campus facilities by the university in Septem-
lost their lives to violence. The annual can-
ber, after the U of O claimed the group violated
dlelight vigil and rally organized by the Stu-
the Ontario Human Rights Code in not providing
dent Federation of the University of Ottawa
interpretation services to its members. A commu-
(SFUO) to mark the National Day of Remem-
nity member had filed a human rights complaint
brance and Action to End Violence Against
against the U of O in January when the university
Women will take place on Morisset Terrace at
did not continue deaf interpretation services for
5 p.m. and will unite with the city-wide vigil
the film screenings, and the administration stated
at Minto Park on Elgin Street (at Gilmour
they could no longer allow the film screenings to
Street) at 6 p.m.
continue on campus due to the complaint. Ran-
The SFUO’s Women’s Resource Centre is
court renamed the group “uOttawa Cinema Aca-
leading a 14-day campaign—14 to commemo-
demica” and, with the help of a colleague, was
rate the number of victims at Montreal’s École
able to continue the event on campus.
Polytechnique—that leads up to the Dec. 6 vig-
il. The Engineering Students’ Society (ESS) is
3. Student Appeals Centre calls U of O adminis- photo by Martha Pearce
also taking part, particularly in their organiza-
tration racist:
tion of the white-ribbon campaign on campus. According to WRC coordinator Jordan Le- with several SFUO services, including the Bi-
The white-ribbon campaign is the world’s ichnitz, violence against women is still a major lingualism Centre.
The SFUO’s Student Appeal Centre released a re-
largest male-led effort to end violence against issue that occurs even within our campus. As part of the campaign that began Nov. 18
port in November that examined the university’s
women. Since 1991, the campaign has aimed “In Canada, one in two women over the age and lasts until Dec. 6, the WRC has organized
handling of student appeals and alleged the ex-
to educate young men and boys about violence of 16 will experience sexual or physical assault several events, including a self-defence work-
istence of “unfair practices and systemic racism”
against women and how to prevent it, accord- [over their lifetime],” said Leichnitz. shop for women, bilingual discussion groups,
within the appeals process, specifically claiming
ing to ESS white-ribbon campaign organizer The campaign to end violence against wom- and bake sales to raise funds to end violence
that 71 per cent of reported academic fraud cases
Adam Welcher. en not only involved the WRC and the ESS, but against women. For more details about these
over the last year were filed by students from vis-
“We feel we can do our part and there are a also includes the participation of various fed- events and the white-ribbon campaign, visit
ible minorities. The U of O released an official re-
lot of men in engineering,” he said. erated bodies and student associations along dec6.sfuo.ca.
sponse to the report on Nov. 25.

2. The Marc Kelly debacle:

Sixth-year physics student Marc Kelly was deregis-

tered by the Faculty of Science in October after his
research work and methods were rejected by the
Department of Physics. The university administra-
tion has also denied his request to fill a student
seat on the Senate Appeals Committee as he is in-
volved in an academic appeal himself. Earlier this
month, he proceeded to email a large portion of
the student population on campus about his case
and his dealings with U of O President Allan Rock.
Over 300 annoyed students commented on his
blog in response to receiving the email.
1. CFS referendum:
The 13-day November referendum that asked un-
dergraduate students if the SFUO should join the
Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) was riddled
with complaints and confusion from both the Yes
and No committees and students in general. An
absence of spending limits, the requirement of
students to identify themselves on the outside
envelope of their ballots, and a ballot-counting
period that lasted over 48 hours were all concerns
of referendum volunteers and voters. The SFUO is
now a full member of the CFS after the Yes side
won with 51.8 per cent of the vote.
Go
—Emma Godmere
THE LIST ISSUE
SFUO opens up the floor
Students invited to
submit motions to
campaigns committee
by Len Smirnov
Fulcrum Contributor
ALL UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS will
soon have their first opportunity to experi-
ence the monthly meetings of the Campaigns
Committee of the Student Federation of the
University of Ottawa (SFUO). The committee
will hold its first open meeting on Dec. 2 where
all students will be able to submit motions and
vote alongside elected committee members.
The Campaigns Committee supports the or-
ganization and implementation of campaigns
at the SFUO and had previously restricted its
meetings to elected committee members.
SFUO VP University Affairs Seamus Wolfe
explained that the SFUO felt motivated to open
the meetings to allow students greater input
into the campaigns.
“If the SFUO is going to be the voice for stu-
dents, every student should have the right to
voice their opinion and put forth their issues,”
said Wolfe.
In the past, students have criticized the com-
mittee for not being representative of their inter-
ests, as many encountered complications in com-
municating and implementing their campaign
ideas. With the new format, students will be able
to attend meetings with committee members
who include Wolfe, VP Student Affairs Danika
Brisson, SFUO campaign organizers, two BOA
members, four members from the University
Affairs Roundtable (which is made up of vps
university affairs from various federated bod-
ies), one coordinator from the Roger-Guindon
campus, and three undergraduate students. The
SFUO expects that these changes will increase
student participation in campaigns.
“The changes give students ownership of the
campaigns and will help to get more students
involved,” said SFUO campaigns organizer
Michael Cheevers. “This method can generate
more dialogue and debate.”
The new format can also help students to
present their campaign ideas to the SFUO and
make the campaigns more reflective of student
interests.
“It will be a lot easier to reach out to students
on issues that they think are important,” said
Mike Fancie, campaign organizer. “Before, we
had an elected body looking at the students’ in-
terests and proposing relevant campaigns. This
is a great avenue to explore other issues that are
central to students.”
Several students have already brought mo-
tions to the SFUO, and Wolfe hopes that these
trends will continue.
“I hope that we will have a more engaged
student body as the students gain a greater po-
litical voice at the SFUO,” said Wolfe.
Students can become involved in SFUO cam-
paigns by speaking to a campaign organizer
at the SFUO office, presenting motions to the
campaigns committee, or attending committee
meetings, including the inaugural open meeting
on Dec. 2 at 5:30 p.m. in the UCU Agora.

6 NEWS Nov. 27, 2008 www.thefulcrum.ca

Vote of confidence

Where we go from here

Emma Godmere
News Editor
COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS
from both the Yes and No sides re-
garding the Student Federation of the
University of Ottawa (SFUO)’s ref-
erendum to join the Canadian Fed-
eration of Students (CFS) may still be
rolling in, but it’s time to realize—no
matter which result you wanted to
see—what this campus has actually
achieved, beyond full membership in
the CFS.
Twenty-one per cent of undergrad-
uate students on this campus felt pas-
sionate enough about what they be-
lieved was right for the campus that it
pushed them to vote. It may seem like
a small percentage, seeing as though
the 59.1 per cent voter turnout for
the recent federal election was an all-
time low, but when you compare it to
the 3.7 per cent turnout for last year’s
SFUO presidential by-elections, this
referendum was a huge victory for
political awareness on campus.
Regardless of how anyone wishes
to define or claim “student move-
ment”, the true student movement
that emerged from this referendum
was exemplified in the 6,481 under-
graduate students who realized the
gravity of this vote and felt passion-
ate and motivated enough about their
beliefs to head to the polls.
Both sides of this referendum recruit-
ed an immense number of volunteers,
a large portion of whom were never
involved or even interested in student
politics before, and the campaign has
likely inspired them to remain involved
and informed about what happens on
campus. Who knows, we may have
more potential SFUO executive and
Board of Administration candidates to
choose from in February.
Could you imagine? More than one
candidate running for an SFUO ex-
ecutive position, and more than 6000
students casting ballots?
This is a chance for change, and
we’re already seeing it on our campus.
The number of students volunteer-
ing on both sides of the referendum
compounded with the record num-
ber who came out to vote effectively
demonstrated that apathy might just
be nearing its end at the U of O.
And not only does this signify the
beginning of change on our campus,
but perhaps within the CFS, too.
Since the referendum has ended—
and in a few cases, before it even be-
gan—many students have indicated
their desire to see the SFUO use their
shiny new membership and look into
making the national lobbying group
a more efficient and more acceptable
organization for all 500,000 mem-
bers, including the recently acquired
30,000 from the U of O.
So where do we go from here? First,
U of O students—represented by the
SFUO and the Graduate Students’ As-
sociation (GSAÉD)—go to the CFS
National General Meeting (NGM)
Nov. 26–29 in Gatineau as member
locals 94 and 41, respectively. Will we
experience major change there? Prob-
ably not. Is the entire campus going
to be united behind any CFS-related
actions? I seriously doubt it.
Regardless, CFS membership
will still continue to affect us for the
months ahead. Right now there’s no
way to know if an issue as polarizing
as the CFS will appear in the spring
SFUO and GSAÉD elections to push
students to the polls, but it’s crucial
that voters find the same motivation
they experienced this month to get
out themselves to the polls and vote
next February.
Or, you could even consider run-
ning. The SFUO is expected to release
more information about its elections
next month...
news@thefulcrum.ca
613-562-5260
THE LIST ISSUE
Top five Fulcrum news
quotes since September
5. “Tomorrow we will fight harder
than we fought today!”
—Brittany Smyth, Carleton
University Student Association
president, at the November 5 Drop
tuition fees rally.
4. “We have made people cry with
fright and we are proud of it.”
—Antonio Carito, Students’ Associa-
tion of the Faculty of Arts haunted
house coordinator.
3. “[I’ve been] up for most of the
night drinking beer and yakking
with friends. Can anyone here relate
to that?”
—Bob Rae, Liberal member of
Parliament, talking to students at
the University of Western Ontario.
2. “We’re not dead yet.”
—Student Federation of the Uni-
versity of Ottawa President Dean
Haldenby, regarding the U-Pass’s
reconsideration at city council.

1. “It’s very present in my mind as

Staff meetings Thursdays at 1 p.m.
Ottawatch
I sit in this office and in this build-

THE FULCRUM
Drop by 631 King Edward Ave. and pick up a story.
ing, how it sometimes felt that the
distance between the student gov-
ernment and the administration
was farther than just across Laurier
Some post-secondary education issues
Avenue. It seemed like it was across
on new Parliament’s agenda
the universe. Now that I’m sitting
on this side of Laurier Avenue, I try
POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION ISSUES may
to keep that in my mind, and I try
not have been the focus of the opening of the 40th
to say to myself, ‘How can I address
Parliament on Nov. 18, however the re-elected Con-
that feeling? How can I make people
servative government did offer some promises for
feel as though Laurier Avenue is not
students.
that wide after all?’”
While concern for the global and national eco-
—U of O President Allan Rock in an
nomic situations made up the bulk of the speech
interview with Fulcrum
from the Throne, the government pledged to con-
news editor Emma Godmere.
tinue its support of financial assistance for students,
institute additional measures to promote enrolment
— Amanda Shendruk
in apprenticeships and skilled trades, and work to
attract top international students to Canada.
In the debate that followed the speech, Gary
Goodyear, minister of state for science and tech- Top five campaigns that
nology, highlighted the Vanier Canada Graduate won’t get past the SFUO
Scholarship Program that is now accepting appli-
cations. Designed to support Canada’s capacity for
campaigns committee
excellence in research and education, the new pro-
5. Support the U of O administration.
gram will provide 500 three-year graduate scholar-
Let’s just trust their judgement.
ships worth up to $50,000 per year to top Canadian
and incoming international students in the social
4. Trilingualism test for SFUO ex-
sciences and humanities, science and technology,
ecutive. The narrower the pool of
and health.
candidates, the better candidates
Looking ahead to business in coming weeks, sev-
we’ll have!
eral private members’ motions have been tabled on
the topics of students and post-secondary educa-
3. Join up! There’s no job like the
tion. Private members’ motions are draft resolutions
Canadian Forces.
submitted by any member of Parliament who is not
a cabinet minister, a parliamentary secretary, the
2. Raise quorum for elections to 25
speaker of the house, or the deputy speaker. If they
per cent of students. Also, make sure
pass, the motion is adopted as an official message
someone runs for SFUO president
endorsed by the House of Commons, normally ac-
this year.
companied by a course of action the government is
expected to take. In the first few days of parliamen-
1. Hug it out. Complaining never
tary proceedings, Liberal member of Parliament
accomplished anything anyway.
Keith Martin moved to discuss the Canada Student
—Ben Myers
Loan Program, and NDP MP Peter Julian moved to
discuss post-secondary education.
—Kenny Dodd
THE LIST ISSUE
www.thefulcrum.ca Nov. 27, 2008 NEWS 7
 homecoming itself may not be the left school to travel came back within reach an agreement.

News in brief direct cause of the “Aberdeen Street

Queen’s cancels homecoming to
combat massive street party
TORONTO (CUP) – AT A PRESS
conference on Nov. 18, Queen’s Uni-
versity Principal Tom Williams an-
nounced that in 2009 and 2010, his
school would change its annual fall
homecoming tradition to a “home-
coming-styled” reunion in May.
It’s the latest step Queen’s has taken
to battle the massive, infamous Ab-
erdeen Street party that has become
photo by Jaimmie Riley (CUP)
inextricably linked with homecom-
ing.
In 2005, the celebrations turned
into a riot when partiers flipped a car
and set it on fire, and hurled bottles at
police. Last year, one sergeant called
the event a “success”, with only 54
people arrested.
This year, a 35-year-old was hospi-
talized with life-threatening injuries
after being assaulted by a 19-year-old
from Ottawa in town for the party.
Williams indicated that while
gathering”, moving the timing and
changing the event is “an essential
part of the solution”.
Several students have voiced their
preference for a stricter ban on the
Aberdeen Street parties, while others
want to see the proposed changes in
order to move away from the out-of-
control party that many believe hurts
the school’s reputation.
—Joe Howell,
Ontario Bureau Chief
Post-secondary world plagued with
high drop-out rate
HAMILTON (CUP) – A RECENT
STUDY by Statistics Canada and the
Department of Human Resources and
Social Development shows many Ca-
nadian students are dropping out of
post-secondary institutions, and only
a few are coming back. The six-year
study began in 1999 and the results
show that 15 per cent of students who
attended a post-secondary institution
dropped out before completion. The
most frequent reasons cited for leav-
ing school were to travel, change in-
stitutions or programs, take a break,
or work. Only 10 per cent of the stu-
dents who dropped out cited financial
strain as the cause.
The rate of students returning to
post-secondary studies after drop-
ping out is still quite high, depend-
ing on their reason for leaving. For
example, 68 per cent of students who
two years, and 47 per cent who listed
changing their school or program as
their reason came back.
However, only 28 per cent who
York administration has suggested
that both sides agree to binding arbi-
tration, which would bring in a third
party to impose a compromise. CUPE
left to work, and 29 per cent who left 3903 has refused binding arbitration,
because their grades were too low re- saying it would take power out of
turned to school. The survey did not their hands.
specify whether the students returned Students also criticized the York
to their original studies or entered Federation of Students (YFS) for sup-
new programs. porting striking graduate students.
Despite the study’s findings, Can- Protesters said the YFS is supposed
ada boasts the highest rate of post- to represent undergraduate students,
secondary attainment in the world. not CUPE 3903.
Even with the 15 per cent dropout The strike started on Nov. 6 after
rate, there has been a steady increase several months of failed negotiations
in Canadian college and university surrounding wage increases.
enrolment in recent years. —Andrew Fletcher, Excalibur
—Lily Panamsky, The Silhouette
Students rally against York strike
TORONTO (CUP) – WHAT START-
ED AS a Facebook group expressing
student frustration with a part-time
faculty strike turned into a large rally
with over 200 students in attendance
on Nov. 17 at Toronto’s York Univer-
sity.
The ongoing labour dispute be-
tween CUPE 3903—the union rep-
resenting York’s teaching assistants,
graduate assistants, and contract
faculty—and the York administration
has locked students out of classes for
two weeks.
Many York students at the rally said
they felt like hostages of CUPE 3903,
and criticized both the York admin-
istration and the union for failing to

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8 NEWS Nov. 27, 2008 www.thefulcrum.ca


Arts & Culture
Bad Flirt is actually quite charming
Mary Kate and
Ashley’s favourite band
is coming to town
by Hisham Kelati
Fulcrum Staff
FOR A BAND whose name suggests that the
group would be a bad night out, Bad Flirt does
their best to make every show a good time.
Currently touring in support of its third al-
bum, Virgin Talk, Bad Flirt began as the solo
project of Jasamine White-Gluz, a singer and
songwriter from Montreal. In 2003, she released
her debut EP, The August Issue, under the name
Bad Flirt. After taking a break from touring in
2004, she began working on a second EP. This
was when she decided to expand Bad Flirt and
bring in a few other musicians, turning it into a
full band affair.
“I didn’t really like playing solo. It’s sort of
lonely to go on tour by yourself,” she explains.
“Musically, that’s not what I wanted to do. I’m
not really a huge fan of a singer-songwriter
type and those kinds of shows. I always wanted
to have a band—it was just a question of find-
ing the right people.”
Bad Flirt put out their first album with the
new lineup, 6 Ways to Break Your Heart, in
2005. The band’s lineup now consists of White-
Gluz on lead vocals and guitar, Evan Dubinsky
9
Peter Henderson
Nov. 27–Dec. 3, 2008
Arts & Culture Editor
arts@thefulcrum.ca
photo courtesy Bad Flirt
on keyboards and vocals, Laura Lloyd on gui- childhood, growing up, music, and family. And arrangements to songs that are multi-layered
tar, Nick Knowles on guitar and bass, and Raf a lot of sitcoms then had those [themes], so and complex.
De La Durantaye on drums. White-Gluz found we based our songs around that. And if you’re “In 2005, in terms of performance and mu-
it a relief to have other people take over the sneaky, you’ll figure out which songs go with
backing instruments. which sitcoms.”
sic, we’ve also gotten a whole lot better,” White-
Gluz says. “We were a little sloppier [back
“I started off as an acoustic guitar [player] While explaining that the band’s inception then], very lo-fi, but now we have sequences
for most of the time, and electric towards the and initial fame started off in the deep roots and pre-programmed bits.”
end,” she says. “I’d have drum samples and of Montreal’s music scene, White-Gluz credits Bad Flirt’s popularity isn’t limited to those
loops playing as well. It’s just kind of boring to another source as the reason for the band’s suc- north of the border. The band has played gigs
have just one person up there on stage.” cess. all over America, and found fans in surprising
When asked to define Bad Flirt’s music, “Montreal has a great music scene, and a lot places.
White-Gluz hesitantly refers to it as indie pop. of great bands come from it, but it had abso- “We went to York, Pennsylvania, a place that
“I think live, we’re lutely nothing to do before this tour I’d never heard of,” White-Gluz
much louder than with our success,” she explains. “There was an official Bad Flirt fan
people expect,” she ex- explains. “The real club in a place we’ve never been to.”
plains. “Me and Laura reason is all the tour- The band was even the winner of the first
are kind of loud, and “I didn’t really like playing ing—every tour that ever battle of the bands on Mary-Kate and
people are shocked solo. It’s sort of lonely to go we do, we get better Ashley Olsen’s website, which gave them a
we’re not as poppy. and better. The only showcase spot on the site and a huge amount
But I guess we’re at the on tour by yourself.” way that our influenc- of free publicity.
root of it, poppy, and Jasamine White-Gluz es—the 80s hard-rock After finishing a few gigs in Texas, Bad Flirt
we are an indie-rock bands—made it was is coming back to Canada. They play Zaphod’s
band, so I guess we’re by getting in the van on Dec. 3, and the band is looking forward to
indie pop. and playing as many returning to their home country.
“Our influences shows as possible. We “In Canada, we have a big-ass country,
are the bands that sound nothing like us—80s were really influenced by playing in other cities and it’s hard to get across, but of the stops we
hardcore and 90s rock. It doesn’t filter through and other countries.” make, Ottawa and Montreal are definitely al-
into our songwriting, but it influences us per- The heavy touring across both Canada and ways two of them. We’re not forgetting about
sonally tremendously.” the United States has allowed for Bad Flirt to home.”
As for Virgin Talk, the themes on the album continually mature as a group, and the band
hit close to home—the group’s favourite 1990s has come a long way since its birth as a one- Bad Flirt plays Zaphod Beeblebrox on Dec. 3
TV shows. woman show in 2002. The band’s development with Receivers and Micarza Camaro. Tickets
“The album is a themed record, based on can be heard over their two albums, as they are $8 in advance from ticketweb.ca. Doors open
sitcoms of the 90s that we’re fans of. It’s about have moved from simple, minimalist lyrics and at 8 p.m. 19+.
 THE LIST ISSUE
Top five most successful
Listening to the Library Voices
Ottawa celebrities
5. Tom Green

He may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but Green’s

definitely one of Ottawa’s best exports. Green got his
start on the U of O’s CHUO 89.1FM, even though he
wasn’t registered at the university, and he eventu-
ally became one of Canada’s most popular comedi-
ans. The utter disaster that was Freddy Got Fingered
killed his movie career, but Green is experiencing
something of a career renaissance now, thanks to his
Internet talk-show hit Tom Green’s House Tonight.
He’s doing pretty well for a kid who once filmed a
video with his hip-hop group Organized Rhyme on
Elgin Street.

4. Dan Aykroyd

He may have fallen off the celebrity radar lately, but

there was a time when Ottawa-born Dan Aykroyd
could do no wrong. In the late 1970s, Aykroyd was
one of the performers in the legendary original cast
of Saturday Night Live. In the 1980s, he wrote and
starred in a series of hit movies, including The Blues
Brothers and Ghostbusters. He has the unique dis-
tinction of being the only Ottawa native to be nomi-
nated for an Academy Award (Best Actor in a Sup-
porting Role for 1982’s Driving Miss Daisy).

3. Peter Jennings

Peter Jennings was one of the most respected jour-

nalists in America during his decades as an anchor,
and his work helped shape modern network news.
He ascended to the job in 1965 at the age of 26, his
good looks and intelligent reporting having earned
him the top spot at ABC. Although his first stint was
short-lived, he returned as a co-anchor of ABC’s photo courtesy Sarah Wyse
World News Tonight in 1978 and was promoted to
We all just kind of got together with some structure,” says Dawson. “Someone will just
sole anchor in 1983. Sixteen Emmys, two Peabody
friends, and those friends grew into more come up with an idea, and you’ll just see
awards, and an Order of Canada later, this Carleton From the Prairies and friends. Really quickly, it just sort of took off. everyone’s eyes light up and you know that
University dropout became one of the most trusted
men in news for decades until his death in 2005. ‘pop as fuck’ Within the first couple weeks of practicing,
we played our first show, and we were in the
that’s going to be the dominant instrument
or where we’re going to go with that part.
by Peter Henderson studio shortly after that.” “A lot of us cut our teeth in punk rock,”
2. Alex Trebek
Fulcrum Staff The 10 members of Library Voices are Dawson adds. “As you get older, you realize
Dawson, Johnson, Darcy McIntyre, Eoin how much more you can do with music. In
Trebek grew up in Ottawa and graduated from the U
REGINA-BASED DECTET Library Voices Hickey-Cameron, Karla Miller, Brett Dolt- our case, it really sincerely is a collaborative
of O in 1961 with a degree in philosophy and political
are a Canadian pop collective that use far er, Amanda Scandrett, Mike Thievin, Paul effort. For us it’s about keeping it clear and
science. He still credits the university with instilling
more than the traditional arsenal of instru- Gutheil, and Brennan Ross. Touring is a keeping it interesting.”
in him a lifelong love of education, something he’s
ments. Organs, accordions, glockenspiels, challenge for the group, but Dawson thinks Hunting Ghosts was recorded in a short pe-
put to good use during his 24 years as the host of the
cellos, and even the theremin populate their that the large amount of members actually riod of time, as the band had already honed
game show Jeopardy!. Trebek got his start hosting on
music, and they’re bringing their travelling makes it easier on the band. their sound performing live. Library Voices
the Canadian high-school game-show Reach for the
carnival of sound to Zaphod Beeblebrox on “There’s moments [on tour] when we’re are currently working on a follow-up, and
Top, and eventually wound up as the ringmaster of
Nov. 28. close, and moments when we want to kill each they’re taking the lessons they learned from
one of television’s most popular and longest-running
Library Voices is touring in support of other,” he says. “It’s like that even in smaller recording Hunting Ghosts to heart.
game shows. Trebek also has the honour of having
their debut EP, Hunting Ghosts (& Other Col- bands, though. There’s a major advantage to “When we did our first EP, we just went in
stars on both the Canadian and American Walks of
lected Shorts), which was released in Septem- [having] 10 people, in that you can branch and hammered it out as quickly as we could,”
Fame.
ber by Young Soul Records. Their sound is off and sort of have your own little clique for says Dawson. “We showed up and played the
halfway between ska music and Arcade Fire, that day. It gets a little crowded in the van as songs exactly how we’d been practicing them.
1. Alanis Morissette
with upbeat songs that are both deeply com- well, but that’s something we put up with— We’re back in the studio right now, finishing
plex and perfectly danceable. Their website it’s a trade-off.” up a full-length, and on that one we have
Everyone’s favourite angry chick is a hometown gal,
claims that they are unashamedly “pop as The band has already garnered attention taken the opposite approach. Instead of just
and her massive success in the 1990s made her an
fuck”. from local promoters in Regina. They played going in and recording our songs, we’re actu-
international celebrity. Morissette’s first two albums
Michael Dawson, lead lyricist for Library at and were featured in a TV commercial for ally trying to make an album—experiment-
were reasonably successful dance-pop concoctions,
Voices, does a little bit of everything with the the Regina Folk Festival, where they shared ing, trying out all sorts of different amps and
but she hit it big with Jagged Little Pill in 1995—the
band. the stage with Broken Social Scene, The combinations.”
album went platinum in dozens of countries, and
“I play a bunch of miscellaneous things,” Weakerthans, and Final Fantasy. The next step for Library Voices is finish-
ended up selling over 30 million copies worldwide.
he says. “Keyboards, noises, theremin, a little “It’s great,” says Dawson. “The opportuni- ing up their full-length debut, projected for
Morissette continued her success with Supposed
bit of guitar, a little bit of bass, [and] I write ties just keep snowballing. It’s nice when it’s release early next year. After that, they plan
Former Infatuation Junkie and Under Rug Swept. Al-
the lyrics.” a band you actually listen to. Getting to share to return to the road and tour in Canada and
though her latest albums haven’t repeated the suc-
Library Voices evolved over a very short the stage with them is flattering, if nothing the United States.
cess of Jagged Little Pill, Alanis is still Ottawa’s big-
period of time in the spring of 2008, with all else.” “We just have a handful of overdubs to do,”
gest star.
10 members joining within the first few days All the members of the band shared the explains Dawson. “We’ll get that all wrapped
—Peter Henderson
of its existence. songwriting duties on Hunting Ghosts, which up by the end of December, then take Janu-

THE LIST ISSUE “It literally sort of fell together overnight,”

explains Dawson. “Carl [Johnson] and I had
been writing songs off and on for forever.
is something rare among collectives as one
or two people usually act as bandleader.
“In most cases, you’ll have the basic song
ary to get that ready and get that released,
and then in February we’re back out [on the
road], headed west.”

10 ARTS Nov. 27, 2008 www.thefulcrum.ca

 Winnipeg’s man THE LIST ISSUE
Top five greatest

behind the music

supervillains
5. Khan Noonien Singh: The closest
thing Star Trek’s Captain Kirk ever
had to a real nemesis. Paraphrasing
Moby Dick while firing photon torpe-
does—that’s badass.

4. Stewie Griffin: Plotting world-

domination while still in the womb.
Tell me he isn’t on his way to becom-
ing emperor of the Earth.

3. Hannibal Lecter: “A census-taker

once tried to test me. I ate his liver
with some fava beans and a nice chi-
anti.”

2. The Joker: A deranged psychotic

madman who likes to wear clown
makeup and a bright purple, three-
piece suit. The Joker was Batman’s
arch-rival, and the only one who ever
struck true fear into his heart.

1. The ghosts from Pac-Man: Blinky,

Pinky, Inky, and Clyde are always eat-
ing. They will never stop. They will
get you.
—Hisham Kelati

Top five movies you didn’t

Producer John Paul Peters hopes to put Winnipeg on the Canadian music map with his studio, Private Ear.
John Paul Peters talks about
how he got into audio
engineering and his
philosophy as a producer
by Curran Faris
The Uniter
WINNIPEG (CUP) – WHAT DO HARDCORE
heavyweights Comeback Kid, pop-magicians
the Waking Eyes, and Canadian Idol con-
testant Katelyn Dawn have in common? All
three acts have had their albums recorded by
renowned audio engineer John Paul Peters.
Originally from Steinbach, Manitoba, Pe-
photo by Mark Reimer (CUP)
isn’t a very valid way to learn, but I’ve always [be-
is a hidden oasis. The heavy steel doors and con-
lieved that] you decide what you need to learn and crete floors give way to newly built walls, decorative
then you make a way to learn it.” throw rugs, hardwood floors, comfortable light-
Peters has been moving quickly. He began his ing, and a control room that would make any band
career working as a freelance engineer out of vari- swoon.
ous studios in Manitoba. In 2003, he worked on his With a brand-new studio, Peters seems to have
first internationally successful record, Comeback the perfect environment to complement his ap-
Kid’s Turn It Around. When compared with cities proach when it comes to recording.
like Toronto or Vancouver, Winnipeg seems to be a “My philosophy is to help the artist realize their
small market for an audio engineer, with only a few goal, not my goal for the project,” says Peters.
big name bands like the Weakerthans and Propa- His role often varies in the studio—in some cases
gandhi making their homes there. However, Peters he gets involved with the writing, arranging, and
says Winnipeg is “a busy music place,” and he has performing of a song, while in other situations he
no intentions of leaving. remains behind the control board.
“I actually like being more creatively in-
volved than being less creatively involved,”
“I just like being in the he says. “I prefer to have [more] responsi-
bility.”
studio. I loved recording, In either case, the final decisions are al-
ways left to the artist.
know were based on
books
5. Casino Royale: The 2006 film,
starring Daniel Craig as the striking,
blond 007, is based on Ian Fleming’s
1953 novel of the same name, which
marked the debut of Bond, James
Bond.
4. Schindler’s List: Thomas Keneally’s
novel Schindler’s Ark was this mov-
ie’s inspiration. Keneally’s book was
based on the life of Oskar Schindler,
an opportunistic and altruistic busi-
nessman who saved over 1,000 Jew-
ish workers from persecution during
the Holocaust by employing them in
his factories.
3. Forrest Gump: Based on the 1986
work of the same name by Winston
Groom, the film starring Tom Hanks
came out in 1994, making “run For-
rest run” the most popular out-of-
context phrase of the 90s.

ters has played guitar in both the punk band

The Undecided and the seminal hardcore playing the instruments, and
band Officer Down. Peters says he got his first
taste of audio engineering by recording rough
demos in his basement.
“I just like being in the studio. I loved re-
cording, playing the instruments, and being
under the gun—I love that part of it,” the 31-year-
old says from the control room of his new Winni-
peg studio, Private Ear.
When it comes to engineering, Peters is essen-
tially self-taught. Instead of attending an engineer-
ing program at a college, he learned through heavy
reading, trial and error in the studio, and working
as a studio apprentice.
“That’s the fastest way to learn. Not that school
www.thefulcrum.ca
Neil Cameron, co-owner of Private Ear
and an accomplished recording engineer,
2. Troy: The 2004 film, starring Brad
Pitt ’s greased, rippling muscles, was
being under the gun.” says Peters’ versatility and ability to fill nu-
merous roles in the studio is what makes
taken from Homer’s epic The Iliad,
though it also incorporates parts
John Paul Peters him such a unique engineer. of his other poem about the Trojan
“He’s really, really good [in] a lot of dif- War, The Odyssey.
ferent areas; he’s an excellent musician, he’s
After the 2003 Comeback Kid record, Peters got great ideas, he works with people really well and 1. Blade Runner: The dystopian film,
worked independently out of his basement. With he’s an absolute wizard on [music recording/editing released in 1982, was very loosely
bands like Figure Four, The Ripperz, and Evil Sur- software] Pro Tools,” Cameron says. “He impresses based on the 1968 novel Do Androids
vives knocking on his door, he made the decision to me every day.” Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K.
jump to a bigger workspace. For Peters, it’s all in a day’s work. Dick.
Peters is now part owner of the newly relocated “I try to bring everything I am capable of to ev- —Jaclyn Lytle
and renovated Private Ear Recording Studio. Lo- ery project, and to take everybody a step above of
cated in an old chemical warehouse, Private Ear where they thought they’d be, and if I can do that,
is unassuming from the outside. Inside, the studio then my job is worthwhile.” THE LIST ISSUE
Nov. 27, 2008 ARTS 11
 Five diverse companions of the Order of Canada

Fulcrum Staff
Celebrated Cana
by Megan O’Meara this honour is awarded to an individual
based on “the highest degree of merit
to Canada and humanity, an outstand-
the contributions made by members
and officers are equally diverse, be-
ing named a companion recognizes
Five of the most notable and recog-
nizable companions include humani-
tarian Terry Fox, novelist Margaret
THE ORDER OF Canada is among the ing level of talent and service to Cana- an enormous positive impact on Ca- Atwood, NDP party leader Tommy
highest awards given in Canada, and its dians, or an exceptional contribution to nadian society as well as on an inter- Douglas, former prime minister Pierre
members have made a notable contri- Canada or Canadians.” national scale. It is the highest civilian Elliot Trudeau, and environmentalist
bution to the nation’s culture and com- There are three levels found within honour in Canada. David Suzuki. Each of these recipi-
munity. This award was created in 1967 the Order: members, officers, and The number of companions ap- ents are recognized for very different
by the Government of Canada.Winners companions. Members are rewarded pointed each year is limited to 15, accomplishments and contributions.
are determined by an advisory board for their impact at a local level and but the total number of living com- They are notable for both their diver-
led by the Governor General. Accord- officers for their remarkable involve- panions cannot exceed 165, exempli- sity of ideas and notoriety in Canadian
ing to the Order of Canada website, ment at the national level. Although fying the exclusivity of this honour. society.

Though he lived only to be 22
years old, Terrance Fox had an
incredible impact in Canada. Fox
grew up in Port Coquitlam, B.C.,
and was known for his athleticism
in high school, being named ath-
lete of the year in his senior year.
He was only 18 when diagnosed
with osteogenic sarcoma (bone
cancer) and, after undergoing
both chemotherapy and radiation
treatment, had his right leg ampu-
tated.
Terry Fox
later after contracting pneumo-
nia. His funeral was broadcast
nationally.
Although Fox was unable to
complete his run, the Terry Fox
Foundation has kept his legacy
alive by hosting the Terry Fox Run
annually in schools and commu-
nities across Canada and in coun-
tries including Japan, Australia,
Cuba, Poland, Kenya, Saudi Ara-
bia.
Over $400 million has been

Fox was unsatisfied with the
insufficient level of cancer research
going on in Canada and decided to
put his athletic skills to use. His de-
fining moment was his decision to
run a marathon across Canada in
order to raise funds for research.
He named his run the Marathon
of Hope and began in St. John’s,
Newfoundland, on April 12,
1980. Fox ran for 143 days, cover-
page 12 | the fulcrum
raised in Fox’s name for cancer
research, and the event continues
to flourish with the help of thou-
sands of volunteers who organize
the run each year.
Fox was named a compan-
ion of the Order of Canada in
1980. Governor General Edward
Schreyer travelled to Port Co-
quitlam to present him with the
award, two weeks after he was
Margaret Atwood is most celebrat-
ed for her literary contributions
to Canada, as her Canadian heri-
tage often influenced her writing;
in setting, plot, and theme. Her
work is internationally renowned
and has helped Canada cement
itself in the literary world. Some
Margaret Atwood
vard’s Radcliffe College. Atwood
has written novels, poems, short
stories, non-fiction, and even
children’s books throughout her
career. She is still actively writing
at age 69, and her 13th novel is ex-
pected to be released next year.
While many know Atwood as
policies, and arts. Over the years,
Atwood has been present for ral-
lies and protests and can often be
found in various community pro-
moting her beliefs. In the 2008
federal election, she promoted the
Green party, emphasizing her sup-
port for Elizabeth May. Atwood

ing 5,373 kilometres between St.
John’s and Thunder Bay.
Fox was forced to stop in
Thunder Bay on Sept. 1, 1980
when, after numerous tests, he
was told by his doctors that the
cancer had spread to both of his
lungs. Canadians who had fol-
lowed his progress over the four-
month marathon were shocked.
He passed away less than a year
forced to stop running. At the
official ceremony, Schreyer ap-
plauded Fox for his determina-
tion and patriotism:
“By his disregard for his own
pain, and by his devotion to a
great cause, Terry embodies the
motto of the Order of Canada:
They desire a better country.”
Fox remains the youngest per-
son ever to receive the honour.
of her most critically acclaimed
novels include The Blind Assassin,
Surfacing, The Handmaid’s Tale,
and Cat’s Eye.
Born in Ottawa, Atwood at-
tended Victoria College at the
University of Toronto. In 1961, she
obtained her Bachelor of Arts in
English with minors in philoso-
phy and French. She went on to
earn an honours degree from Har-
an extraordinary author, few are
aware of the many other contribu-
tions she has made to Canada over
the past four decades. In the late
1960s and 70s, she was a professor
at several universities, including
the University of British Colum-
bia and York University. She has
always been active in the political
sphere, advocating passionately
for woman’s rights, environmental
also attended a rally for the Bloc
Québécois to show her support for
their arts platform, despite the fact
that she is not a Quebec resident.
Atwood was named a compan-
ion of the Order in 1981, in recog-
nition of not only her outstanding
contribution to Canadian culture,
but also the influential role she has
played in the environmental and
feminist communities.
adians
David Suzuki
David Suzuki is one of the most recent re-
cipients of the Order, receiving this honour
in 2005. He was named to the Order for his
dedication to the preservation of the earth
and his promotion of a sustainable society.
At age 72, he is still active in promoting en-
vironmentally friendly practices to the world,
speaking at universities and conferences, and
starring in Canadian commercials that pro-
mote an environmentally friendly lifestyle.
Suzuki was born in Vancouver in 1936. He
received a Bachelor of Arts from Amherst
College in Massachusetts in 1958 and earned
his PhD in zoology at the University of Chi-
cago in 1961. Moving back to Canada, Suzuki
became a professor and researcher of genetics
at the University of British Columbia in 1963,
where he stayed until 2001.
While maintaining his position at UBC,
Suzuki began his broadcasting career in 1970
hosting a weekly children’s show called Su-

photos courtesy Governor General Archives, Wikipedia, Terry Fox Foundsation, Archives of Ontario
zuki on Science. Since then, he has worked for

Tommy Douglas
many different television and radio shows,
including CBC’s Quirks and Quarks from

Pierre Elliot Trudeau

1975–79 and The Nature of Things which he
Tommy Douglas is best known as the father of Canada’s publicly has hosted since 1979.
funded health-insurance system. Douglas was passionate about He continues to spread awareness through
healthcare in Canada because of his own experiences with med- Pierre Elliot Trudeau is one of ment during his tenure as prime the David Suzuki Foundation, which he co-
ical issues. As a child, he had several unsuccessful surgeries for the most popular individuals in minister was the institution of founded in 1991. Through this organization,
a bone infection in his knee. His parents were unable to pay Canadian history, known for his the Canadian Charter of Rights he promotes his Nature Challenge, urging
for specialists to treat him and doctors advised that his leg be charismatic leadership through- and Freedoms in 1982, entrench- Canadians and the rest of the developed
amputated. A visiting surgeon saved his leg by performing an out the late 1960s to early 80s. As ing a bill of rights into Canada’s world to reduce home energy, buy local pro-
operation for free. leader of the Liberal party, Trudeau constitution. In front of a crowd duce, and use public transportation, amongst
Douglas became leader of the Cooperative Commonwealth was Canada’s 15th prime minister, of thousands, including Queen other things. The foundation provides infor-
Foundation (CCF) in 1944, which was the first socialist govern- serving from 1968 to 1979. After Elizabeth II, Trudeau spoke of the mation on how to lead a sustainable lifestyle
ment in North America. While serving as the premier of Saskatch- an interim of less than a year, he achievement. and encourages society to get involved on a
ewan, Douglas created the concept for the program, and in 1962, returned to office to serve from “It is in that spirit of faith, and larger scale.
his successor, Woodrow Lloyd, implemented it. This spawned a 1980 to 1984. of confidence, that I join with Ca- As a result of his hard work and dedication,
health-care revolution within Canadian politics as the federal gov- Trudeau’s performance as prime nadians everywhere in sharing Suzuki has been presented with 22 honoura-
ernment became more involved in issues of health. minister was a source of contro- this day of national achievement. ry degrees from universities in Canada, the
In 1961, he was elected the first federal leader of the New versy due to his unconventional It is in their name, Your Majesty, United States, and Australia. He is the author
Democratic Party (NDP), which gave him the opportunity to behaviour. In an official visit from that I now invite you, the Queen of 43 books and has made a monumental im-
advocate for social issues on a larger scale throughout the 10 Queen Elizabeth II, he broke royal of Canada, to give solemn procla- pact on Canada’s environmental conscience.
years he held the position. During his term, Douglas notably etiquette by doing a pirouette be- mation to our new constitution.” The official citation for his nomination stated,
spoke out against the War Measures Act that was introduced hind her back, much to the delight Trudeau was honoured as a “Always forthright and thought provoking,
during the October Crisis in 1970. of the media looking on. He was companion of the Order in 1985, [Suzuki] continues to reflect on the impact
Douglas stepped down as NDP leader in 1971 but decided also known for using obsceni- shortly after his term as prime of our behaviour on the natural world that
to stay in the House of Commons to become the party’s energy ties in the House of Commons. minister ended. As Rex Murphy sustains us.”
critic. He retired from politics in 1978 and died of cancer in His conduct usually brought wrote in The Globe and Mail,
1986 at age 81. him to the forefront of Canadian shortly after Trudeau’s death in
Douglas was also active outside political circles. In 1971, a media. 2000: “Pierre Trudeau among us
foundation was founded in honour of both Douglas and former As prime minister, Trudeau was his greatest contribution. He
leader of the CCF, M. J. Coldwell. The Douglas-Coldwell Foun- strongly supported the recently was a presence of such ease and
the fulcrum | page 13

dation was created in dedication to the study of social democ- implemented universal health grace, of so many—apparently—
racy, and Douglas served as its first president. care system, and refused to be casually acquired accomplish-
Douglas was named a companion of the Order in 1981 to persuaded by those who opposed ments, intellectual and social, in
recognize his contributions to Canadian society through his it. Trudeau also implemented two languages more fluent and
political career. During a 2005 visit to Canada, Queen Elizabeth French as an official language of ready than the rest of us in one,
II paid tribute to Douglas’s hard work during the Centennial Canada, integrating it into every the man on the flying trapeze in
Gala in Regina, Sask. aspect of the federal government. one guise, the legal scholiast in
“In a lifetime of most remarkable service, first to province Despite his best efforts, he was un- another … patriot and cosmopol-
and later to country, Premier Douglas brought social conscious- able to extend his law on language itan, parent and politician—what
ness to life in the policies that directly affected the lives of Cana- to provincial governments. Francis Bacon called in a different
dians,” Her Highness said. Trudeau’s greatest accomplish- context ‘a full man’.”
 Good
Twilight Film
EVERYONE HAS BEEN there—that brief mo-
ment when your eyes meet those of a beautiful
stranger across the room and you forget to breathe.
Unfortunately for Isabella Swan (Kristen Stewart),
the look in the eyes of that beautiful stranger isn’t
desire for her body—it’s desire for her blood.
Twilight, based on Stephenie Meyer’s best-
selling 2005 teenage romance novel of the same
name and adapted for the screen by screenwrit-
er Melanie Rosenberg, is a love story between
Isabella and Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson).
Unfortunately, Edward is a vampire, and is torn
between his love for Isabella and his deep urge
to sink his teeth into her flesh.
Director Catherine Hardwicke’s film adap-
tation of Twilight perfectly captures the subtle
complexities of Bella and her difficult and often
dangerous relationship with Edward. Hardwicke
(Thirteen, Lords of Dogtown) is no newcomer
to adolescent cinematography. Her choice to
film with a blue-grey palette gives this teenage
romance a darker edge, pushing Twilight away
from the zealously happy and overly bright ste-
reotype of Hollywood teen movies.
B
The onscreen chemistry between Stewart
and Pattinson is palpable in the sexually tense
looks and halting breaths as they convey the
burden of teenage angst in this Romeo and
Julie-inspired tale. Pattinson, best known for
his role as Cedric Diggory in the Harry Pot-
ter movies, has mastered the art of the smoul-
dering gaze, which even caused several young
women in the theatre to moan out loud. How-
ever, his restrained approach to the role leaves
the audience wanting more—when the time
comes for real emotion, Pattinson just doesn’t
have the acting range. Stewart (The Messengers,
Zathura) is evocative as a young woman in love
with a vampire, although she sometimes lacks
the passion expected of a hormonally-charged
teenager.
For those who never read the book, there may
be moments in Twilight that come across as over-
ly long and drawn out, but the movie is an earnest
portrayal of desire in the face of adversity.
—Jessica Sukstorf
Disappointing
Film
Quantum of Solace C-
IT’S ONLY BEEN two movies, but already the based on physical qualities rather their thes-
new Bond has lost his sheen. Daniel Craig re- pian talents. Kurylenko’s rather wooden perfor-
turns as British superspy James Bond in Quan- mance as Camille Montes, Bond’s main ally, is
tum of Solace, the underwhelming follow-up to acceptable given the laughable script she had to
the excellent series reboot Casino Royale. The work with. Craig’s second turn as Bond proves
intrigue, gadgetry, and action that made the last that he might be nothing more than a one-shot
Bond film an instant classic are missing here, wonder in the role. His inscrutable demeanour
replaced with nausea-inducing camerawork, and blank face worked in Casino Royale to show
pointless character development, and a plot with Bond’s aloofness and chameleon-like ability to
more holes than O. J. Simpson’s alibi. Quantum blend in anywhere, but in Quantum of Solace
of Solace is, quite simply, a dis- these same attributes make his
appointment.
Quantum of Solace picks up
It’s only been supposed emotional develop-
ment completely unbelievable.
where Casino Royale ended, two movies, but Given the quality of Casino
with Bond determined to de- Royale, Quantum of Solace is a
stroy the organization that already the new huge disappointment. It’s not a
blackmailed his girlfriend and Bond has lost his terrible movie, and it has some
forced her into comitting sui- of the classic Bond entertain-
cide. The insane camerawork sheen. ment—booze, broads, and bul-
begins in the initial scene, a car lets—that we’ve come to expect.
chase that’s more disorienting But ultimately Quantum of Sol-
than a nuclear-powered merry-go-round. There ace falls frustratingly short of the bar set by its
is never an establishing shot of the cars involved, predecessor. At the end of the film, your brain
so it’s never clear who is chasing whom, and the feels shaken up like a snow globe that’s spent
camera is zoomed in so tightly that it’s nearly weeks in the hands of a class of clumsy and curi-
impossible to decipher what the hell is going on. ous second-graders. Watch Casino Royale while
It only gets worse as the movie goes on, as this falling down a flight of stairs, and you’ll get pret-
opening reveals the ADD-fuelled camerawork ty much the same experience.
that ruins every other action scene in the film. —Peter Henderson
This is director Marc Forster’s (Monster’s Ball,
Stranger Than Fiction) first action movie, and
if there’s any justice for eyeball abuse, it will be
his last.
The visual incoherence is mirrored in the
plot, which soon develops into a sprawl-
THE LIST ISSUE TTop three
h
ing, nonsensical story of oil, water, and global Judd Apatow movies
warming. Apparently Bond is searching for the
group that caused his girlfriend’s death, but it’s 3. Stepbrothers
never actually clear who that group is. He cap-
tures the person most immediately responsible What do you get when you mix equal parts Will
at the beginning of the film, but then promptly Ferrell, John C. Reilly, and the freedom to act like
forgets about him. Bond also begins to disobey spoiled, belligerent 10-year-olds? The funniest
his orders from his bosses at MI6, but it’s not comedy Ferrell has starred in since Anchorman.
entirely clear why or, once he’s been suspended, “You have the voice of an angel. I mean, it’s like
how he keeps moving from place to place. That’s Fergie meets Jesus.” Fucking hilarious.
another problem with the film—there seems to
be dozens of locations explored in less than two 2. Superbad
hours, and the film moves at such a frenetic,
chaotic pace that an intermission feels neces- When it comes to showcasing the angst faced
sary. Although Paul Haggis and Neil Purvis re- by the teenager of the 21st century, Superbad
turn as screenwriters after their success with Ca- does it best. The film succeeds in being a bril-
sino Royale, this film seems like it was written by liant teen-comedy and could even be consid-
someone with the attention span of Tom Green. ered a sociological documentary.
The acting of the two leads in Quantum
of Solace, Craig and Olga Kurylenko, is bad 1. The 40-Year-Old Virgin
enough to take away from the audience’s enjoy-
ment of the movie. That’s saying something for a No one can portray a sexually-frustrated man
film series that usually chooses its lead actresses like Steve Carell. Virgin was Apatow’s biggest
hit and this movie paved the way for one of the
If you’re reading this, you have the attention to best comedy-institutions to take over and bring
detail we need in our proofreaders. life back to Hollywood comedies.
—Hisham Kelati
Come to 631 King Edward Ave.
on Tuesday evenings to keep
the Fulcrum error-free. THE LIST ISSUE
www.thefulcrum.ca

Album reviews
Guns N’ Roses
B
Chinese Democracy
IT’S BEEN 14 years since work be-
gan on Chinese Democracy, the
long-awaited sixth studio album
from Guns N’ Roses that was finally
released on Nov. 23. It’s overblown,
overproduced, and overwrought, but
this is to be expected from the front-
man who personified arena rock. Axl
Rose, lead singer, main songwriter,
and the only original member of
Guns N’ Roses still in the band, com-
bines GnR’s classic anthemic style
with industrial-music influences to
create a multi-textual, complex album
that’s somewhere between Van Halen
and Nine Inch Nails.
earlier work like “Welcome to the
Jungle” and “Sweet Child O’ Mine”.
The guitar solos in “There Was a
Time” are phenomenal, one soft and
evocative like a woman’s sorrowful
voice and the other a triumphant,
raw-edged shred. Rose shows his tal-
ent for mixing rock with soul, as nei-
ther of these disparate pieces seems
out of place in the song. In fact, most
of the guitar solos on the album are
excellent—it’s a testament to guitarist
Buckethead’s talent that he makes the
listener forget the absence of Slash,
GNR’s original guitarist who is widely
regarded as one of the best riff-mak-
ers of all time.
The album is better than it should
be after years in development hell,
but there are still a few missteps. “Bet-
ter” just sounds like a shitty pastiche
of every other Guns N’ Roses bal-
lad, overlaid with some of the most
poundingly pedestrian guitar parts
ever recorded. “Street of Dreams” is
a piano-driven ballad that would’ve
seemed dated even in 1992, and in
2008 it’s positively archaic. These
sour notes aside, Chinese Democracy
is an impressive album that marries
old-school arena rock with modern
ACCORDING TO BEYONCÉ, her third album I Am… Sasha
Fierce is divided into two discs to represent both her real person-
ality and her onstage persona. In an interview with Billboard, Be-
yoncé explained that Sasha Fierce is the aggressive performer that
she becomes under the spotlight, as opposed to her normal, more
reserved self. On the first disc, I Am…, Beyoncé reveals her true
self, who seems to be a whiny annoyance. The songs are a reinter-
pretation of the forgettable pop Beyoncé is known for, with sparse
instrumentation and slower tempos that result in relentless medioc-
rity. The second disc, Sasha Fierce, is packed with the catchy, upbeat
fluff that she’s produced countless times before. If these two albums
Beyoncé
I Am… Sasha Fierce D were on random, you probably wouldn’t be able to tell which one
was supposed to be the “experimental” one. I Am… Sasha Fierce
is the awkward execution of a gimmick idea that wasn’t remotely
interesting to begin with.
—Danyal Khoral
NICKELBACK HAS HIT rock bottom with Dark Horse. While
previous Nickelback releases have mixed alternative rock and
sappy radio ballads with some success, their sixth album removes
any semblance of that balance. On Dark Horse, the ballads are
wimpy and over-produced, and the riff-based rock-outs are shal-
low and repetitive. Exhibit A: “S.E.X.” espouses the wonders of
intercourse in curing all of life’s ills. “Next Go Round” is about
sex too. And “Something In Your Mouth”—well, you figure it out.
Cougars looking for sexual celebration and sympathetic ballads
will be satisfied, but everyone else will want to take this horse to
the glue factory.
Nickelback
Dark Horse D- —Ben Myers

There are a few songs on Chinese industrial sensibilities. It’s worth a

Democracy that are amazing, and
make up for the excessively long wait.
“Shackler’s Revenge” and “I.R.S.” are
incredible, standing up to the band’s
look, even if its development did take
longer than the entire career of the
Beatles.
—Peter Henderson
You’ll never eat brunch in this town again
Taste, criticism,
and Napoleon Dynamite
Peter Henderson
Arts & Culture Editor
THERE’S NO ACCOUNTING for taste. As
English novelist Henry Fielding once wrote,
“one man’s meat is another man’s poison.” As an
arts critic, it’s my job to review and rate the lat-
est albums, movies, and games, but I can never
be sure how someone else is going to feel about
the things I cover. Some movies that I hate, most
people love, and some movies that I love, most
people hate. I always try and detail my reasons
for rating a film the way I do, because sometimes
the reason I hate a movie is the reason someone
else will like it. The hate mail I’ve received from
artists and fans of things I’ve reviewed is proof
that, in the end, everybody’s tastes are different.
Netflix, the American online DVD-rental
service, cares about taste so much that on Oct. 2,
2006, it began offering US$1 million to whoever
can improve the effectiveness of its movie rec-
ommendation algorithm—which uses statistical
analysis of movie ratings by Netflix members
to find similar movies—by 10 per cent. Many
of the nerdiest minds in America have devoted
themselves to the problem, but they’ve hit a
wall around 9.6 per cent. It seems that, no mat-
ter how smart the math, there are some movies
that cause utterly unpredictable reactions in the
people who watch them.
According to the eggheads working on the
problem, one such film is Napoleon Dynamite,
the plotless, meandering independent film
about teenage alienation in Idaho that became
a huge hit thanks to its bizarre, offbeat humour.
Supposedly, if you can figure out why people like
that movie, you’ll be very close to winning that
$1-million prize. Unfortunately, I don’t think it’s
possible—some movies are too unique and too
individual to be compared to others. Some films
are impossible to deconstruct, and how a person
feels toward them is a matter of personal taste—
that is, no matter what, no one can ever predict
how you feel about Napoleon Dynamite.
So what’s the point of criticism? I think it lies
in the balance of the subjective and the objec-
tive, stating an opinion about a film but always
backing it up with reason and proof. There isn’t
a black and white disparity between subjectivity
and objectivity—there’s a continuum between
those two points, and the job of a critic is to
end up somewhere in the middle. Professional
critics like Roger Ebert keep their jobs because,
although they have their own personal tastes,
they are able to quantify and honestly discuss
the strong and weak points of a film, book, or
song—they explain their reviews, and ultimate-
ly let the reader decide for themselves. I’m no
professional, but this is the model I follow for all
of my reviews.
I thought Transformers was terrible because it
was big, dumb, and loud, but some other people
might enjoy movies that are short on plot and
believability and long on giant robots blowing
each other up. One of the films I trash this week,
Quantum of Solace, is a movie that most of my
friends enjoyed. They were able to see past the
terrible camerawork and meandering plot, and
enjoy the film for its other merits. Personal taste
may be inscrutable sometimes, but I’ll always
try my best to explain just what makes good
films good and bad films bad.
arts@thefulcrum.ca
613-252-2311

www.thefulcrum.ca Nov. 27, 2008 ARTS 15

 16
David McClelland

Sports Nov. 27–Dec. 3, 2008

Sports Editor
sports@thefulcrum.ca

Different styles,
same result
DeAveiro after the game. DeAveiro also
mentioned that the best way to play against
Men’s basketball a team like Guelph is to match their physi-
racks up two cal play.
Ward agreed with his coach’s assess-
more wins ment.
“I don’t think anyone can counter
by David McClelland Guelph’s physical play. They’re basi-
Fulcrum Staff cally a football team with basketball jer-
seys on,” said Ward following the game.
THE GEE-GEES MEN’S basketball team “You’ve just got to [play] with them.
proved that they could play two kinds of When they hit, you just try to hit back
basketball on Nov. 21–22 as they defeated twice as hard.”
the Brock Badgers 81-61 and the Guelph Baletic—who had six points against
Gryphons 67-60. Guelph—said that the Gees had trouble
While the Badgers are the defending adjusting to a different style of play be-
Canadian Interuniversity Sports cham- tween the two nights.
pions, most of their championship team “I think we got used to [Guelph]’s level
has moved on and their roster currently of physicality [in the second half]. At the
includes nine first-year beginning [of the
players. The Gees took game], they kind of
advantage of Brock’s “I don’t think anyone can surprised us but later
inexperience on Nov. we got going with the
21, shutting down the counter Guelph’s physical flow,” said Baletic.
Badger’s attack in the play. They’re basically a The Gee-Gees
key and using a diverse football team with certainly looked as
offensive effort to se- though they were hav-
cure their lead. Four basketball jerseys on.” ing difficulty chang-
Gee-Gees each scored Warren Ward ing their game plan
more than 10 points Gee-Gees guard in the first half of the
in the game, including game against Guelph,
16 from third-year for- as they struggled to
ward Nemanja Baletic and 14 from first- get points on the board. DeAveiro noted
year guard Warren Ward. that Ward played a crucial role in breaking
The next night, the Gee-Gees were through the Gryphon defence and find-
forced to play a very different style of bas- ing the basket. The Gee-Gees were able to
ketball. The Gryphons played a physical build upon Ward’s efforts to beat Guelph’s
game against the Gee-Gees, using their defence and hold on to the victory.
intimidating defence to keep Ottawa from For his part, Ward noted that attitude
running up the score. was an important factor in winning both
“[Guelph] is a very physical team. It’s games.
good for us since we don’t see a lot of that “When we play with urgency [and] des-
in our other opponents. So if we can play peration in every single game, no team can
two styles of basketball—the physical kind beat us.”
and then our athletic, carefree style—then
it’s to our advantage down the road in the The Gee-Gees play next on Nov. 28 when
playoffs,” said Ottawa head coach Dave they visit the Waterloo Warriors.

OUA East standings

Team Games played Wins Losses
Ottawa 6 5 1
Carleton 6 5 1
Toronto 7 4 3
Ryerson 7 3 4
Queen’s 6 2 4

Laurentian 7 1 6
York 7 2 5
photo by Alex Smyth
RMC 6 0 6 First-year guard Warren Ward gets airborne against the Brock Badgers.

Losses as stepping-stones
She went on to explain that the Gees
Women’s basket- need to work on not comitting so
many fouls and communicating bet-
ball winning streak ter on the court.
snapped by pair Morasse praised her teammates
for their perseverance throughout
of losses the weekend games.
by Hilary Caton “The team is great, which is why
Fulcrum Staff we have a different top scorer each
game—each player shines in [her]
THE UNIVERSITY OF Ottawa own way,” she said.
women’s basketball team may have However, the Gee-Gees will need
added a pair of losses to their record to improve their defence if they want
this weekend, but they’ve gained to return to their winning ways.
valuable perspective in return. Against both Brock and Guelph, the
After losing to the Brock Badgers Garnet and Grey had difficulty con-
73-67 on Nov. 21, the Gee-Gees taining their opposition’s explosive
were defeated a second time on Nov. offences. The disorganization on de-
22 against the dominating Guelph fence spread to the offence, with the
Gryphons, who silenced the Gees Gees often experiencing long scor-
62-53. ing droughts in both games.
Before the game against Brock, “They basically physically domi-
the Gee-Gees were on a four-game nated us,” said Sparks after the game
winning streak, thanks to the reor- against the Gryphons. “We lost these
ganizing efforts of head coach Andy games this weekend because we lost
Sparks. Although the Gees were un- the inside battles. Until we start to
able to extend their streak, the losses win some of those individual battles
seemed to help the team understand we’ll see if they’ll learn from it and
what it takes to become a true con- grow as players and teammates in
tender. the games ahead.”
“We still have some improve-
ments to make. Our offence couldn’t The Gee-Gees now have a 4-3 record,
come out, because of our weak de- and are tied for third in the Ontario
fence,” said second-year guard Emi- University Athletics East division.
photo by Alex Smyth lie Morasse—who racked up a total They next play Nov. 29 when they
Fifth-year guard Kaitlin Long attempts a long shot against the Brock Badgers. of 24 points against the Gryphons. visit the Waterloo Warriors.
THE LIST
ISSUE
The most successful
sport franchises
5. Real Madrid F.C.
This Spanish football team
has won a record 31 Liga
de Fútbol Profesional titles
and 17 Copa Del Rey tro-
phies. The club has also
won a record nine UEFA
Champions League titles,
and two UEFA cups.
4. Montreal Canadiens
Since 1917, no National
Hockey League team has
had more success than the
Canadiens. Montreal has
won 23 Stanley Cups, eight
conference championships,
and 22 division champion-
ships.
3. A tie between the
Boston Celtics and the
Los Angeles Lakers
The Boston Celtics have
won 17 National Basketball
Association (NBA) Cham-
pionship titles—ten of
which were won between
1959 and 1969—20 East-

Former Gee-Gee
finds her place as an
assistant coach
by David McClelland
Fulcrum Staff
MORIAH TROWELL HAS come full
circle. Twice named to the Ontario Uni-
versity Athletics (OUA) first-team all-
stars when she played for the Gee-Gees,
Trowell has been an assistant coach with
the women’s basketball team since the
beginning of the season.
Trowell first played with the Gee-Gees
during the 2003–04 season and was part
of a resurgence of the women’s basket-
ball program. Along with fellow all-star
Julie Rodrigue, Trowell led the team to
its first winning record since 1993, and
to Ottawa’s first-ever OUA champion-
ship title in 2004.
Trowell stopped playing after the
2005–06 season so she could take time to
travel, but in the summer of 2007 she un-
derwent shin surgery so she could play in
the upcoming season. However, Trowell
was a part of the group of veteran play-
ers who left the team before the regular
season, the culmination of a conflict with
then-head coach Carlos Brown.
“It [was] a little bit frustrating, but ul-
timately it was up to me,” said Trowell.
“I could have stayed if I wanted to. I just
didn’t feel like it was a situation I needed
to stay in. I don’t really have any regrets—I
www.thefulcrum.ca
A new role
Former OUA all-star Moriah Trowell is now an assistant coach with the Gee-Gees.
feel badly for my teammates, obviously—
but I think it was something I needed to
do at the time.”
When Brown was replaced as head
coach by Sparks this July, Trowell be-
came interested in returning to the team
in some way, even though she had al-
ready graduated with a degree in com-
munication.
“I knew I wanted to be involved in some
way [this year],” she said. “I’ve known
[Sparks] for years. I played against his
team [with the Gloucester Wolverines], so
he was interested in me helping out … and
I ended up being an assistant coach.”
photo by Martha Pearce
Trowell has found coaching to be a far Gees, she tries to play whenever she can.
different experience than being a player. “I’m not [playing] at the moment, I’m
“I have so much more sympathy for all a little bit injured,” said Trowell, pointing
of the coaches I’ve played for now,” Trow- at the crutches next to her on the floor.
ell laughed. “It seems a lot easier from the “I got injured playing basketball during
sideline than it does on the floor. It’s easy the summer. I don’t think I’d ever really
for me to sit here and say ‘do this, do this, give it up, to tell you the truth.”
do that,’ but I know as a player it wasn’t Trowell is returning to school at the
that simple on the floor. So I have a new U of O as a part-time student in Janu-
appreciation for both sides.” ary and is hoping to take the nursing
Trowell acts as something of a bridge second entry program beginning in the
between the players and the rest of the
coaching staff, since she is still very close to
2009–10 academic year. Provided she is
still at the U of O, she plans to remain a
her days as a university athlete. And even part of the women’s basketball team for
though she no longer competes for the Gee- as long as she can.
Nov. 27, 2008 SPORTS
ern Conference titles, and
26 Atlantic Division titles.
The Lakers have won 14
NBA Championship titles,
29 Western Conference ti-
tles, and 28 Pacific Division
titles. These two teams
make up one of the NBA’s
greatest rivalries, having
faced each other 11 times
in the NBA finals (Boston
won in nine of those meet-
ings).
2. The New York Yankees
The Yanks have won a re-
cord 26 World Series titles,
39 American League Pen-
nants, and 15 AL East Divi-
sion titles since 1901.
1. Ferrari
This team holds most of
Formula One racing’s re-
cords, including most
World Driver’s Champion-
ships (15), most wins of all
time (209), and most podi-
ums all-time (622). They’ve
won the most times in a
single season (29), and are
also tied for most wins in
one season (15).
—Joseph Delfino
THE LIST
ISSUE
17

Top five ugliest
professional jerseys
THE LIST ISSUE
5. San Diego Padres (1973)
An entirely bright-yellow uniform with
a single black stripe running up each
side. The Padres’ 1973 knits could
only have been more embarrassing
if the team had been renamed the
Bumblebees to match the look.
4. Denver Broncos (1960–1961)
Early in their professional history, the
cash-strapped Broncos actually used
recycled NCAA uniforms, which re-
sulted in vertically striped socks and
a brown-on-yellow colour scheme.
Yes, you did not misread, brown-on-
yellow.
3. Houston Astros (1975–1993)
The 80s-rooted typeface and baffling
orange and yellow stripes around the
waist were terrifying.
2. Denver Nuggets (1982–1993)
Just in case you needed empirical
evidence that incorporating a rain-
bow-coloured Denver skyline into a
uniform was a bad idea, the Nuggets
spent 11 years proving it.
1. Vancouver Canucks (1978–1985)
If nothing else, the Canucks could
have hoped their opponents would
be too busy laughing at their “Flying
V” uniforms (replete with giant letter
V’s and an orange, yellow, and black
colour scheme) to play proper hockey
against them.
—David McClelland
Top three sports games for
the Nintendo
Entertainment System
3. Ice Hockey
This 1988 Nintendo-made game truly
captured the game of hockey. Even
though it was far from a precise trans-
lation, the four-on-four hockey action
was fast-paced and exciting, making it
one of the best sports games released
for the system.
2. RBI Baseball
Okay, so maybe it doesn’t make sense
to see catcher Pat Borders legging
out an inside-the-park home run off
a ground ball to left-centre field, but
Tengen’s RBI Baseball 3 was still a lot
of fun. They nailed the pitcher-batter
interface, and the wacky results be-
come part of the game’s charm.
1. Tecmo Super Bowl
Proving that you only really need eight
plays to win a football game, Tecmo Su-
per Bowl is a classic. It’s a bit wonky at
times (80-yard rushes against pass de-
fences are all too common), but con-
sidering the era in which it was made,
THE LIST ISSUE
the game is a brilliant translation of
football
ootball into digital format.
—David McClelland
18 SPORTS
Sloppy play hurts Gee-Gees
Women’s
volleyball can’t top
first-place York
by David McClelland
Fulcrum Staff
MISTAKES ENDED UP costing the
women’s volleyball team a victory on
Nov. 22 when they lost in straight sets
to the first-place York Lions at Mont-
petit Hall.
Despite the fact that Ottawa held
leads during each of the three sets,
the Lions proved to be the tougher
and more composed team, chipping
away at the Gees’ leads and winning
by scores of 25-21, 25-19, and 25-23.
“We played well process-wise, atti-
tude-wise [and] demeanour-wise, but
bottom line, [the] same thing is hurt-
ing us [as in past games this season]:
unforced errors in play that we can’t
have from veteran players,” said Gee-
Gees head coach Lionel Woods after
the game. “I think we played harder,
we definitely played tougher, but part
of toughness is [knowing] when you
have to execute. I’m okay with a great
dig on the other side and a great hit
on the other side, [but] I’m not okay
with losing games by three or four
points by missing three serves and
three unforced errors.”
The Gee-Gees opened the match
strongly, collecting an early lead in the
first set and playing tough defensive
volleyball, but were unable to maintain
the lead against an undefeated Lions
squad. The Gee-Gees had difficulty
U of O hosts Atlantic guests
Women’s hockey wins
one and loses two in
exhibition games
by Anna Rocoski
Fulcrum Staff
THE GEE-GEES WOMEN’S hockey
team played host to some Atlantic
guests Nov. 21–23, as the Dalhousie
Tigers, St. Mary’s Huskies, and St.
Francis Xavier X-Women came to Ot-
tawa for a series of exhibition games
against the Gee-Gees.
The exhibition series against At-
lantic University Sports (AUS) teams
has been held annually for the past six
years during a break in the teams’ reg-
ular schedules. Normally, teams from
the AUS and Quebec Student Sports
Federation—the Gee-Gees’ confer-
ence—do not cross paths outside of
the year-ending championships.
“The [games] don’t count for CIS
points. However, with respect to the
standings of how teams are ranked …
it does affect our rankings in terms of
where we sit in [the CIS] top ten,” ex-
plained Gee-Gees head coach Shelley
Coolidge, referring to the CIS’s nation-
Nov. 27, 2008
Kaely Whillans blocks a York spike during the Gee-Gees 3-0 loss on Nov. 22.
regrouping and coordinating attacks,
and ultimately ended up playing far
too reactively.
Fifth-year setter Véronique Yeon,
who finished the game with two kills
and 10 digs, agreed with her coach—
the team needs to stop making poorly
timed mistakes.
“I think it was a step up from what
we’ve been playing; we’ve definitely
reached certain goals. [But] there’s
still unforced errors that we have to
eliminate,” said Yeon following the
game. “We don’t know exactly what
[the problem] is, but it’s just [about]
getting the job [done].”
While the Gees again built a signifi-
Cass Breukelmen had the winning
against the Dalhousie Tigers.
al rankings of Canadian teams.
On Nov. 21, the Gee-Gees played
their first exhibition game against the
Dalhousie Tigers, who are third in the
AUS, starting the weekend off with a
6-5 victory thanks to an overtime goal
from fifth-year forward Cass Breukel-
men.
Coolidge was pleased with her
team’s performance against the Ti-
gers.
cant lead in the beginning of the second
set, mistakes soon began to catch up
with them and the Lions ran away with
the frame. In the third and final set, the
Gee-Gees finally started to get the job
done, Yeon worked well with left-side
hitter Karine Gagnon to generate points
for Ottawa, but they couldn’t top York.
The Lions, however, weren’t rattled by
the Gee-Gees’ suddenly improved play
and held on to win the final set.
While unforced errors have been a
problem this season, Yeon feels that
the Gees are finally getting a grip on
their problems, and should be able to
work them out soon.
“I think it’s getting team rhythm
photo by Alex Smyth
goal in overtime for the Gee-Gees
“We played an outstanding game
against Dalhousie and their goal-
tender played really well,” explained
Coolidge. “We had 50 shots on the
young lady and really competed hard
and got pucks in the net.”
“We played really well. We came
out hard and we were all over them
on the forecheck,” said first-year cen-
tre Samantha Delenardo, who scored
her first goal against CIS competition
www.thefulcrum.ca
photo by Martha Pearce
together. That’s the thing we found
today. There were definitely less un-
forced errors, [and] we feel like we
can actually work on those now,” said
Yeon. “You take care of the things you
can take care of—like serves, simple
stuff—and then just push yourself and
push your teammates to just go for it,
be aggressive, and don’t back off.”
The Gee-Gees now have a 6-3 record,
good for second place in the Ontario
University Athletics East Division.
They next play on Nov. 28 when they
host the Queen’s Golden Gaels at 7
p.m. at Montpetit Hall. Tickets are $4
for students.
during the game.
The next day, the Gee-Gees took on
the fifth-place Huskies, and were shut
out 3-0 despite hitting the net with 34
shots.
“I am going to give credit to St.
Mary’s—their players worked excep-
tionally hard and that team beat us
and deserved the win,” said Coolidge.
“They were first to the puck, they won
the battles on the boards, and they
played consistent, [while] we were in-
consistent in terms of our effort.”
The Gees rounded off the weekend
with a 3-0 loss to the X-Women, who
are second in the AUS. Despite hav-
ing a number of excellent chances
on the power play—including a two-
player advantage during the second
period—Ottawa was unable to find
the net. Though Jessica Audet posted
a good effort in net for Ottawa, she
was powerless to stop the X-Women’s
power-play.
“As a team, we bounced back. We
played a much better game overall
against StFX, [but] penalties cost us.
The first two goals were when we
were on penalty kill,” said Coolidge.
“We got a number of chances to finish
things off and it just didn’t go out the
way we expected it to.”
The Gee-Gees resume their regular
season on Nov. 29 when they visit the
McGill Martlets in Montreal.
Lighting the lamp

The sports video gamer’s lament THE LIST ISSUE

David McClelland
Sports Editor
MOST SPORTS FANS can’t help but wish they were
professional athletes—or at the very least, coaches
and general managers. Since most of us will nev-
er get those opportunities, we often turn to video
games to get a taste of the fame and glory of being
an athlete. Unfortunately, video games of late are
rarely what I’m looking for.
Okay, so some of the classic games—such as the
ones on my top three Nintendo Entertainment System
(NES) sports games list on page 18 of this issue, which
inspired this column—are pretty fun, if almost laugh-
ably primitive by today’s standards. Unfortunately, the
sports games released lately often seem like little more
than clones of those classic games; the graphics may
be more realistic than ever, but the gameplay has yet
to catch up, and the feel of the game merely grazes the
surface of how sports are actually played.
I will grant that it would be nearly impossible to
turn a sport into a video game and make it feel real,
but why, given today’s technology, should we have
to settle for putting a fresh coat of paint on last year’s
model? Gameplay in sports games can often be car-
toonish and feature incongruities that pull you out
of the game—I’ve never understood, for instance,
why it seems to be so hard to come close to reality
when simulating pitcher fatigue in baseball games.
I’m tired of having to constantly replace my starting
pitchers in just the fifth or sixth inning.
Every year, it seems like I hear the same prom-
ises: this year the developers got it right so buy
this game and you will have an exact simulation
of [insert sport here]. But once you get the game
home and start playing, you begin to realize that
what you’re playing is basically last year’s game with
freshly updated rosters and slightly better graphics.
EA Sports is particularly bad for doing this, as in-
novations seem to come along only once every four
or five years, with each intervening year seeing little
more than a facelift. This is all-too frequent in many
of their popular franchises, such as its Madden,
NHL, and FIFA titles.
And for every new version, the problems with
the simulation of the sport itself remain. In nearly
every sports game I’ve played, the medium level
of difficulty should provide a reasonable facsim-
ile of reality, with no bonuses given to either the
player or the computer. Yet no game ever seems
to quite break through the barrier and become
truly convincing, even though games in other
genres manage to be extremely convincing mod-
els of reality (flight simulators and war games
come to mind).
While accurate simulation should never supplant
fun when it comes to sports video games, I do wish
that developers would pay a little more attention to
realism. It’s all about getting the details right, and
now that technology has finally reached the point
where it’s possible to do that, I await the day that
sports video games can finally make me feel like I
am, to paraphrase a certain developer’s slogan, “in
the game”.
sports@thefulcrum.ca
613-562-0829
Top three athletes turned
criminals
3. Michael Vick
The first-overall pick in the 2001
National Football League draft and
three-time Pro Bowler was a multi-
talented quarterback who was given
a 10-year, US$130-million contract
in 2004 by the Atlanta Falcons. This
contract made him the richest player
in the NFL at the time. In December
2007, a federal investigation into
a dog-fighting ring known as “Bad
Newz Kennels” led to the convic-
tion of Vick, the leader of the ring.
He pled guilty to felony charges and
is currently serving a 23-month jail
sentence.
2. Mike Tyson
Nicknamed the “Baddest Man on the
Planet” for his escapades inside and
outside of the boxing ring, Tyson was
the youngest boxer to ever win the
heavyweight title at age 20. In 1992,
he was convicted of raping Miss

Scoreboard Black Rhode Island Desiree Washing-

ton, and served three years in jail. In
2007, he was convicted of possession
of narcotics and driving under the
influence, and was sentenced to 24
hours in jail, 360 hours community
Team Record Standing Last game Next game service, and three years probation.

1st in OUA 1. O.J. Simpson

Men’s 5-1 67-60 win
East (tie) Nov. 28 at Waterloo
basketball vs. Guelph A former star running back, Simpson
won the Heisman Trophy in 1968 with
the University of Southern California
Women’s 3rd in OUA 63-52 loss
4-3 Nov. 28 at Waterloo Trojans and was a six-time Pro Bowl-
basketball East (tie) vs. Guelph er. He was famously acquitted of the
murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown
4th in OUA 4-3 OT loss Simpson and her friend Ronald Gold-
Men’s hockey 5-4-2 Dec. 2 at Carleton man in 1995, but was convicted on
Far East at McGill all charges in October 2008 in a Las
Vegas robbery case. He is currently
Women’s 2nd in 3-0 win awaiting sentencing and could face
4-2-0 Nov. 29 at McGill more than 60 years behind bars.
hockey QSSF vs. Carleton
—Steve Verschoote

Women’s 2nd in 3-0 loss Nov. 28 vs. Queen’s. 7 p.m.

6-3
volleyball OUA East vs. York Montpetit Hall.
THE LIST ISSUE
NEW COLLECTION OF CHARMS!
SAVE THE TAXES, plus a chance to WIN a free bracelet & charm.

THURSDAYšNOV 27š9:30-9
Rideau Centre, 2nd level
613.562.0101
FPS Audit now available at:
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http://www.thefulcrum.ca/business Glebe, 799 Bank Street
613.562.0101

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www.thefulcrum.ca Nov. 27, 2008 SPORTS 19


Opinion
Five rules for a generic epic party
by Hisham Kelati
Fulcrum Staff
I HAVE BEEN to some terrible par-
ties, the worst of which was in Grade
10, when the highlight consisted of
party-goers reading excerpts from
J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye.
But I’ve also been to some epic blow-
outs that would melt your mind. The
greatest celebration ever dreamt up
by humankind, which also stands as
my all-time favourite memory, con-
sisted of a 12-hour spectacle held in
a wedding tent, where there were five
kiddie-pools filled with beer, dozens
of go-go dancers, a volcano made
of nachos that spewed salsa, and a
hired house band that played until 7
a.m. the next morning.
But parties like that are few and far
between, and there is a frighteningly
high number of mediocre-to-crappy
parties occurring every weekend.
Unfortunately, there aren’t any com-
prehensive lists or rules to give guid-
ance to those poor hosts and host-
esses who wonder what went wrong
when people didn’t come. So I’m of-
fering you a list of suggestions that, if
strictly followed, will serve as a tem-
plate for a blockbuster party.
1. Music
The music must be good; that is a
given. The playlist (yes, the songs
must be pre-arranged, and you can’t
just play the radio) should consist
of the hottest singles on the charts
at the time of the party. You want a
bumpin’ party, so songs should have
strong bass lines and a catchy cho-
rus. No heavy metal. You can throw
in a couple of slow-jams, but be sure
to place them sparingly and towards
the end of the party, so that every-
one has had a chance to find some-
one to get in a bit of a sappy slow-
dance moment and take off in pairs.
Throw in a couple of eclectic songs
that people have never heard, which
could inspire some chatter. Include a
few old-school classics (The Rolling
Stones, The Clash, The Sex Pistols)
into the mix to score points with se-
rious music fans.
2. Anchor
You need to have a central activity in
place to help anchor the party and its
attendees. Keep it to a single thing, as
having multiple distractions might
20
Michael Olender
Nov. 27–Dec. 3, 2008
Executive Editor
executive@thefulcrum.ca
splinter the overall party. This an-
chor keeps the invitees from wander-
ing and getting restless. The activity
should take the form of a party game
a large number of people can get in-
volved in. Examples include poker
or Twister (with added bonuses such
as drinking or stripping every time
you fall). The new party anchors
these days are Guitar Hero and Rock
Band. Some people might find these
games annoying, as they distract
from candid social interaction, but
really they’re the best game for get-
ting different people together in a
non-stressful activity to have fun.
3. Food and drink
It’s easiest to make the party BYOB,
but you must always have ample
amounts of snacks and non-alcohol-
ic beverages present. You could be an
epic host and have a bit of free booze,
but to really keep the party going you
should cook something. Anything.
Bust out the hot dogs, pancakes, la-
sagna, or tiny little sandwiches with
olives, and people will remember
your party for years to come. And
make sure to have a lot of food and
drinks; it’s better to overstock than
understock. Oh, and one more im-
portant point: always have ice!
4. A big surprise
This should be the party’s main attrac-
tion. Its existence can be announced
when sending out the invites or it
can be announced at the appropri-
ate time during the party’s climax
(preferred). This surprise needs to
be wicked, as it will undoubtedly be
talked about by attendees the next
day. It must be able to be enjoyed by
everyone. Examples include a piñata
(fill with candy, condoms, and toys),
a communal fondue set (meant for a
smaller crowd—fewer than 10), and photo courtesy Hisham Kelati
an actual band performing (will as- You want everyone co-mingling in a more girls can mean that any guys highly effective security force.
sure your party is one for the books). friendly and safe environment, with lurking about are de facto creeps. While your party is roaring, don’t
If you decide on the champagne everyone feeling comfortable around Couples count as a single entity, so forget to be a courteous host. Make
fountain, be careful—it will add a bit everyone else. One of the beautiful don’t factor them into the ratio—but sure to work the room, and try to say
of sophistication to the evening, but things about Facebook is that you are be forewarned, the couples are more goodbye to as many people as you
a lot of bubbly may influence people able to invite specific people to your likely to make use of your bedroom can before they leave. This will give
to do things they’ll regret the morn- party, and make it unknown to any- for a little horizontal monster-mash, people the impression that they are
ing after. one not invited. You can do a ‘+1 rule’ so lock all bedroom doors. Also, to important, and will give you a great
with a condition that the +1 must be ward off the inevitable gate-crashers networking advantage, as well as an
5. Invitees: approved by the host. Most impor- that will come, no matter how secret increase in numbers of invites to
Invite the right people. That is to say, tantly, the ratio of women to men the party, make sure to have a couple other parties.
don’t invite anyone that may end up must be as close to 1:1 as possible. of the bigger guys work the door. You’re welcome. If this works for
ruining the party—like the drama More guys means a sausage fest with Promise them free beer for the night, you, send me a Facebook invite to
queen who cries after two beers. frightened female party-goers, and and you’ll have a highly ruthless, your next bash as a thank you.

HECKLES:
A ballot with my name on
it in a democratic process
is fucking unacceptable
by Dave Atkinson
Fulcrum Contributor
I GOT TO the front of the line, thrilled as
always to go behind the little cardboard
booth thing and put an X in a box. It’s ex-
citing to vote. This time, I was voting in
the Student Federation of the University of
Ottawa’s referendum on full membership
in the Canadian Federation of Students. I
was given an envelope to put my vote in,
which was a bit odd, but okay with me. I do
hate trees, so why not add a redundant step
that’ll eat up one of the smug bark-covered
bastards?
I folded the bilingual novel that was the
referendum ballot in half and sealed it in
an envelope, which I also folded in half as
instructed, and then was handed yet an-
other envelope with my name and student
number on it. “What the fuck is this?” I in-
quired jovially. “Put your vote into the sec-
ond envelope and seal it,” the polling sta-
tion clerk answered. After shitting a brick,
I did as I was told, because no matter what,
my vote wouldn’t be counted if I flipped
the table and kicked someone in the neck,
as was my want.
“Secret ballot my ass!” I screamed as I
walked out of the Unicentre, frightening
a group of birds and two professors walk-
It’s the final countdown!
The last Fulcrum staff
meeting of the semester is
Thursday, Nov. 27 at 1 p.m.
Bring your favourite
synth-based 80s ballad.
www.thefulcrum.ca
ing to the Pivik. My vote was in an enve-
lope that was in another envelope with my
name on it. I did not put my vote into a big
box full of votes where it instantly became
one among many, impossible to trace to
me. Two strips of saliva-moistened adhe-
sive were between my name and my vote.
After calming down chemically and
putting the empty bottles in the yard for
a friendly homeless person to pick up, I
looked into the issue. This voting system,
similar to the absentee voting system used
federally in Canada, had been set up to pre-
vent people from voting at multiple polling
stations. This way, only one vote per per-
son is counted. The outer envelopes were
checked at the end of each day to ensure
that every person voted only once. Then the
envelopes inside were thrown into a pile,
becoming secret. They were opened and
counted and scrutineers from the Yes and
No sides got to watch the whole shebang.
All this because the computer system
used in the past let people vote twice. My
answer to this is clear: “FIX THE SYSTEM,
ASSHOLES!” It should not be difficult to
have a working document with a list of stu-
dents open at each polling station linked
by… let’s say the god-damned Internet,
so when one polling station checks off a
name, it is checked off at all other polling
stations. You can do this with Google Docs
and an Excel spreadsheet for fuck’s sake.
I know that my vote was probably not
mistreated and that it was indeed secret
and I have no problems saying that I voted
No. This is beside the point. This system
did not let me see the moment my vote
became secret. I don’t know when my
vote lost all ties with me anymore, or if it
did. I don’t trust two strips of glue and a
scrutineer I probably don’t know to ensure
my vote stays secret. Like in all the other
democratic elections I’ve taken part in, I
wanted to put my naked ballot into a box
of other naked ballots so that a ballot orgy
of freedom and democracy can go on in
there before counting.
It’s about confidence. I gain confidence
from seeing my ballot go into a box with
no identifying markers on it at all. I know
right away there will be no shenanigans
based on my identity. I still worry about
shenanigans like ballot-stuffing or false
spoils and stuff like that, and I always will.
But why add another thing to be worried
about? Why take away my confidence
while slaughtering a whole lot of those
jackass trees? Get the computers fixed, or
come up with something better. My name
and my ballot hanging out for any length
of time is bullshit.
Sudoku answers
from p. 22
If you’re reading this, you have the
attention to detail we need in our
proofreaders.
Come to 631 King Edward Ave.
on Tuesday evenings to keep
the Fulcrum error-free.
Nov. 27, 2008 OPINION
THE LIST ISSUE
Most frequent Dear Di queries from
readers since 2003
5. Worried that your boyfriend might
be gay: Girlfriends panicked that
their boyfriends might be gay when
they found out that he owned a dil-
do, tasted his own come, had sugges-
tive porn but still fucked cooch with
enthusiasm, dressed metrosexually,
listened to emo music and dressed
like a scenester, and were turned on
by cocks during POV porn. No, I told
you he’s not gay!
4. Disliked the taste of come: You
wanted to know how to persuade
your partner to swallow, desired big-
ger loads, complained about the taste
of come, got come in your ‘do, had
your “stanky” semen, and so many of
you just wanted better tasting come.
I told you to eat citrus fruits and be
sweet to your partner.
3. Curious about ass: Students have
been intrigued by anal sex, trying
to find the ‘p-spot’ (the prostate),
enjoying prostate orgasms, getting
anal requests from your boyfriends,
getting unexpected rim jobs, getting
pegged, licking ass, having rough
anal sex, taking precautions, won-
dering about the best positions for
anal, and wondering if ass play was
clean. I said wash thoroughly and use
a condom.
2. Oral options: You kids wondered
about the risks of blowing air into
vaginas, had wet faces after going
down on girls, had pubes stuck in
your teeth, couldn’t find the clit, got
annoyed with mounds of pubic hair,
hated using condoms and piss-tasting
poon, wondered how to tell her to go
deeper, felt blow jobs took too long,
complained that the boyfriend was
bad at giving head, and wondered
how to suck cocks better. You kids
could just never get the hang of it…
1. Creativity: Over five years, stu-
dents worried about the legal reper-
cussions of sex in exotic locations,
liked to be ridiculed during sex, want-
ed to report your brother’s weird
porn to your parents, asked how far
a penis has to go in before it’s con-
sidered sex, asked how to bring up
your vomiting fetish with your part-
ner, asked “What’s up with snotty
bitches?”, tried to hide your boner
in church, freaked out about finding
your parents’ fetish gear, wondered
if you could swallow come if you’re
lactose intolerant, how to keep your
sex tapes off the net, about doing it
‘wheelbarrow style’, whether to en-
gage in competitive fucking with an-
other couple in the same room, and
whether it’s okay to lick the pole on
a stripper stage. You all have never
ceased to amaze me.
Thanks to everyone who has written
in. Keep the questions coming!
—Di Daniels
THE LIST ISSUE
21

Distractions
Dear Di
If you have a question for Di,
e-mail deardi@thefulcrum.ca.
Dear Di,
I’ve been hesitant about tak-
ing guys home from bars for the
last two weeks because earlier
this month I ended up peeing all
over my partner while having an
orgasm. I don’t know what caused
it, and I’m nervous that it could
happen again. Is it my fault? Is
this something I can stop?
—Did You Just Piss On Me?!
Dear DYJPOM,
Are you sure it was in fact urine
and not your natural lube? Some-
times women can get quite wet
when sexually excited. If it was pee,
the first thing you should do is see
your doctor because you might have
a urinary tract, kidney or bladder
infection. Or maybe you have uri-
nary incontinence (read: overactive
bladder). Luckily, these problems
are treatable. If you’re cleared of any
medical problems but your pipes
are still a bit leaky, you might need
to exercise your poon. Most people
don’t urinate during sex because
the urinal sphincter keeps the blad-
der muscles tight to prevent leak-
age. You could just be experiencing
a weakening of those muscles. To
take care of those weepy muscles,
make sure to do your Kegel exer-
cises. Basically, you clench the mus-
cles that control when you urinate,
and then relax them. Forget using
the women’s only time at the gym,
because nobody can study your
moves while you’re doing these ex-
ercises. Do them during your Inter-
national Relations seminar, while
you’re watching Twilight, or when
you’re on CNN.com. You can do
them standing, sitting,
or walking. Another
option is to find sex
positions that won’t
put as much pres-
sure directly on
your bladder; wom-
an-on-top or doggy-style are best.
But the simplest solution is to visit
the bathroom before you get down
to serious business. That way you’ll
be comfortable and you can enjoy
all the lapsnorkling and synchro-
nized squirming you want.
Love,
Di
Dear Di,
I read your column all the time,
and never thought I’d be writing
in with an inquiry like this, but I
need some advice. My boyfriend,
let’s just call him “Cakes,” really
likes threesomes, especially with
other guys. Don’t get me wrong,
I’m a pretty liberal girl and I will
admit I enjoy having two penises
inside me at once, but the last
time we had a threesome with
another guy, Cakes proceeded to
suck him off. I was shocked since
I’ve never seen anything like this
before. He got really into it, and
cut me out almost entirely. I was
just wondering if this was inno-
cent experimentation, or does it
mean something more?
—Confused Cock Confrontations
Dear CCC,
Since the idea that Cakes enjoys
threesomes “especially with other
guys” didn’t give you the hint, I will
give it to you straight: Your boy-
sudoku answers on p. 21
Nov. 27–Dec. 3, 2008
friend prob-
ably doesn’t only swing one
way. If he didn’t like guys to some
extent, there is no way he would
be doling out blow jobs. The only
way to know how far he swings is
to ask him. It sounds like you and
Cakes have a pretty open relation-
ship, so just be honest with him
about your concerns. My guess is
that it will be up to you to set some
limits, depending on your comfort
level. After the initial shock, can
you see yourself being turned on
by Cakes pleasuring another guy?
If so, maybe that is something you
should explore further. If not, tell
him that, and take it from there.
But remember: no matter how
many people are involved, no one
should ever feel excluded during
sex. Be sure to make it clear that
you felt left out during your last
threesome, and be honest about
whatever insecurities you may have
when you are setting limits. The
more open you are, the less likely
that future experimentation will
lead to confusion or worry. Finally,
keep in mind that there are plenty
of other intriguing, kinky, and sexy
things to do in bed. Threesomes,
foursomes, or moresomes can get
very complicated very quickly. You
and Cakes may want to spend some
time concentrating on just the two
of you. Focusing on what you can
do to please each other—watching
porn or using a dildo for that two-
penis feel are just a couple of sug-
gestions—might remind you that
two can be enough.
Love,
Di
Last Ditch Effort
Sarah Leavitt
Features Editor
features@thefulcrum.ca
Thryllabus
Thursday, Nov. 27
Palestinian film: Peace, Propaganda
and the Promised Land. 7 p.m.
Fauteux Hall. Room 137. Free.
Unicorn Theatre presents:
Dido & Aeneas. 8 p.m. Tabaret Hall.
Room 112. $5 for students.
Friday, Nov. 28
Engineers Without Borders presents:
Buy Nothing Day workshop. 5:30 p.m.
Fauteux Hall. Room 235. Free.
The University of Ottawa Orchestra.
8 p.m. Saint Brigid’s Centre for the Arts
and Humanities. 310 St. Patrick St.
Voluntary contribution.
Saturday, Nov. 29
Women’s volleyball:
Ottawa vs. RMC. 7 p.m.
Montpetit Hall. $4 for students.
La Comédie des Deux Rives
presents: Turcaret (Le Financier).
8 p.m. Academic Hall.
$8 for students.
Sunday, Nov. 30
Women’s hockey:
Ottawa vs. Syracuse (exhibition
game). 2 p.m. Sports Complex. Free.
Itch
22
Concert: Sounds of Christmas.
2 p.m. St. Bonaventure Church.
1359 Chatelain Ave. Free.
Monday, Dec. 1
World Aids Day
Health Promotion presents the film:
Grandmother’s Tribe. 4 p.m.
Alumni Auditorium. Free.
Coffee House: Live music and slam
poetry. 8 p.m. Café Alternatif. Free.
Tuesday, Dec. 2
Lecture: “Guantanamo North” by
Prof. Robert Diab. 6 p.m. Fauteux Hall.
Room 147. Free.
Play: Three Wishes. 7:30 p.m.
Gladstone Theatre.
910 Gladstone Ave. $25.
Wednesday, Dec. 3
Last day of classes.
Concert: Guitar ensemble.
8 p.m. Pérez Hall.
Freiman Auditorium. Free.
Email features@thefulcrum.ca with
suggestions for events for the month
of December.
by Daniel Kaell
by John Kroes
 23
Frank Appleyard

Editorial Nov. 27–Dec. 3, 2008

Editor-in-Chief
editor@thefulcrum.ca

f
Part of a complete
breakfast since 1942.
Volume 69 - Issue 15
Top five most ridiculous
aspects of the CFS referendum
Nov. 27–Dec. 3, 2008
phone: (613) 562-5261
fax: (613) 562-5259
631 King Edward Ave.
Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5
editor@thefulcrum.ca
www.thefulcrum.ca

Recycle this paper or kids will

eat fruit in the morning.

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IT HAS BEEN almost a week since
the results of the Student Federation
of the University of Ottawa (SFUO)
referendum on full membership in
the Canadian Federation of Students
(CFS) were released. Regardless of
the result, the referendum contained
enough eyebrow-raising moments to
make students wonder exactly what
they signed up for when the SFUO
accepted prospective membership
in the CFS on July 27. Here are the
Fulcrum’s lowlights of the three-ring
circus that rolled into town Nov.
7–20.
5. The never-ending ballot count
Over 50 hours passed between polls
closing on Nov. 20 and the results
finally being announced on Nov. 23,
during which time a record number
of voters and dozens of campaign vol-
unteers held their breath and waited
for an announcement, or even a hint
at when the announcement would
come.
Considering that the SFUO elec-
tion results are made public in only
a handful of hours, the delay in an-
nouncing the referendum results was
entirely unexpected. It was important
to all students that the votes be tabu-
lated properly, but the painfully long
process bordered on the unbeliev-
able.
Dave ‘apple jacks’ Atkinson
Devin A. ‘toasties’ Beauregard
Hilary ‘total’ Caton
Laura ‘waffle crisp’ Clementson
Joseph ‘chex’ Delfino
Kenny ‘vector’ Dodd
Kristyn ‘weetabix’ Filip
4. The Referendum Oversight Com-
mittee (ROC)
From the moment the ROC was
formed to run the referendum, there
were concerns over the committee’s
impartiality. Given that two members
were pro-CFS and two proclaimed
themselves to be neutral, the scales of
the ROC were never fairly balanced.
The ROC’s supposed impartiality
was called into question on more than
one occasion during the campaign,
most notably for penalizing the No
committee for a poll distributed by the
Students’ Association of the Faculty of
Arts that was deemed to disadvantage
the Yes side.
The ROC claimed that this was one
of the most tightly regulated referen-
dums in CFS history, but failed to cap
campaign spending and permitted a
one-sided referendum question to ap-
pear on the ballots. Such moves simply
never looked kosher.
3. SFUO ‘neutrality’
The SFUO officially took a neutral
stance in the referendum. The Board
of Administration passed a motion
decreeing that “any campaigning by
the executive and employees of the
SFUO be done outside of paid time, in
good faith”. While this all looked great
in theory, both stances turned out to
be papier-mâché promises.
Contributors
Daniel ‘smacks’ Kaell
Danyal ‘life’ Khoral
Hisham ‘grape nuts’ Kelati
John ‘raisin bran’ Kroes
Jaclyn ‘corn pops’ Lytle
Carl ‘corn chex’ Meyer
Anna ‘frosted flakes’ Rocoski
VP Finance Roxanne Dubois and
VP Student Affairs Danika Brisson
both worked on the Yes committee,
while VP University Affairs Seamus
Wolfe and VP Communications Ju-
lie Séguin openly campaigned for the
same. Though they may not have iden-
tified themselves by their SFUO titles
while campaigning, all four are easily
recognizable faces on campus, and it
is difficult to separate the individuals
from their roles as student leaders. The
SFUO may have been neutral, but most
of its executive certainly was not.
The provision barring SFUO em-
ployees from campaigning during stu-
dent-paid time was entirely toothless,
as several executive and staff members
were seen handing out Yes campaign
literature and talking to students during
paid time. ‘Good faith’ was apparently
misplaced during the referendum.
2. Campaign insanity
When allegations of campaign impro-
prieties began flooding the ROC soon
after the referendum kicked off—and
didn’t stop until polls closed—we
wrung our hands.
When both sides openly cam-
paigned mere steps away from the
polling stations, blatantly flouting the
referendum rules forbidding such
practices, we cringed.
When Protection started getting
Émilie ‘banania’ Sartoretto
Len ‘oreo o’s’ Smirnov
Alex ‘fruit brute’ Smyth
Nick ‘choco crunch’ Taylor-Vaisey
Kristy ‘corn flakes’ Welbourn
called to intervene in disputes between
opposing campaign volunteers, we
knew that the campaign had descend-
ed into madness.
At least the two sides were passion-
ate. That’s about all that can be said pos-
itively about much of the campaigning
during the 13-day referendum.
1. ‘Uniting’ the student movement
The successful Yes campaign referred
heavily to the importance of unit-
ing the Canadian student movement
through joining the CFS. However,
this referendum did nothing to unite
U of O students. The 51.8 per cent ra-
zor-thin majority revealed a very clear
divide on campus regarding the CFS.
This referendum was based upon
ensuring the ability of students to
speak to various levels of government
with a single voice. However, it is clear
that students at the U of O do not share
a single voice. In accepting full mem-
bership, the SFUO may be united with
other CFS member unions, but U of
O undergrads themselves are far from
unified. A referendum on uniting stu-
dents seemingly had the opposite ef-
fect, and there is clearly a lot of work
that needs to be done by U of O stu-
dents to unite this campus—and not
worry about our peers across Canada.
editor@thefulcrum.ca
Cover illustration
by Alex Martin
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