CRISIS - OCCUPY - Dalhousie Gazette
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Nov. 18 - Nov. 24, 2011
free
144-12
NOVA SCOTIA SCHOOLS IN
CRISIS
Photos by Pau Balite
OCCUPY FULL COVERAGE FROM
#OWS & #ONS—NEWS,
PHOTOS & OPINIONS
+ HAVE YOUR SAY
November 18 - November 24, 2011 •
Dylan Matthias, Editor-in-Chief
staff
editor@dalgazette.com
Erica Eades, Copy/Arts Editor
copy@dalgazette.com
Katrina Pyne, News Editor
Torey Ellis, Assistant News Editor
news@dalgazette.com
WEEKLY DISPATCH Matthew Ritchie, Opinions Editor
opinions@dalgazette.com
Here is a list of upcoming events that you will want to mark your calendars for: Leslie Gallagher, Assistant Arts Editor
arts@dalgazette.com
Ian Froese, Sports Editor
Mother Mother at the Grawood sports@dalgazette.com
Friday, November 18 Angela Gzowski, Photo Editor
photo@dalgazette.com
Leilani Graham-Laidlaw, Online Editor
The Dalhousie Student Union in Partnership with Dalhousie Invisible Children presents Rob Sangster-Poole, Assistant Online Editor
a special Feel Good Friday Performance. online@dalgazette.com
Jenna Harvie, Creative Editor
From one coast to the other, Mother Mother has become one of Canada's top indy rock creative@dalgazette.com
bands. Upbeat, slightly quirky, and tons of fun, these five guys and gals are rocking stages Jonathan Rotsztain, Art Director
across the country. design@dalgazette.com
Ben McDade, Business Manager
THIS IS AN ALL AGES SHOW (must have Dal ID if under 19) business@dalgazette.com
Tickets only $10.00 in advance/ $15.00 at the door contact us
(get them from the DSU InfoDesk or any student in Dalhousie Invisible Children Society) www.dalgazette.com
The SUB, Room 312
For more information, contact Jamie Arron at DSUVPSL@dal.ca 6136 University Avenue
Halifax NS, B3H 4J2
Advertising Inquiries
Aaron Merchant, Ad Manager
Dal’s Got Talent Stage 2 902 449 7281
advertising@dalgazette.com
Wednesday, November 23
the fine print
Come out to the Quarter Finals where 8 contestants will be judged by a panel of 4 judges The Gazette is the official written record of Dalhousie
University since 1868. It is published weekly during the
This publication is intended for readers 18 years of age
or older. The views of our writers are not the explicit
to see who has got what it takes to advance onto the semi-finals. academic year by the Dalhouse Gazette Publishing views of Dalhousie University. All students of Dalhousie
Society. The Gazette is a student-run publication. Its University, as well as any interested parties on or
primary purpose is to report fairly and objectively on off-campus, are invited to contribute to any section of
This is a free wet/dry event so be sure to come out and cheer on your friends to the final issues of importance and interest to the students of the newspaper. Please contact the appropriate editor
stage where they could win the title of Dal’s most talented act and $1000.00 Dalhousie University, to provide an open forum for the
free expression and exchange of ideas, and to stimulate
for submission guidelines, or drop by for our weekly
volunteer meetings every Monday at 5:30 p.m. in room
meaningful debate on issues that affect or would 312 of the Dal SUB. The Gazette reserves the right to edit
The show starts at 9:00pm at the Grawood Campus Pub! otherwise be of interest to the student body and/or society
in general. Views expressed in the letters to the editor,
and reprint all submissions, and will not publish material
deemed by its editorial board to be discriminatory, racist,
Overheard at Dal, and opinions section are solely those of sexist, homophobic or libellous. Opinions expressed in
the contributing writers, and do not necessarily represent submitted letters are solely those of the authors. Editorials
the views of The Gazette or its staff. Views expressed in in The Gazette are signed and represent the opinions of
the Streeter feature are solely those of the person being the writer(s), not necessarily those of The Gazette staff,
ANSSA News: quoted, and not The Gazette’s writers or staff. Editorial Board, publisher, or Dalhousie University.
The Student Debt Experiment!
Recently the Alliance of Nova Scotia Student Associations (ANSSA), our provincial lobby
organization, produced and released a video called "The Student Debt Experiment".
Check it out here YouTube.com/watch?v=WXwTryzJMXg — it illustrates the history of
student debt in Canada, why we are where we are today and how changing the situation
will make life better for all Canadians.
Campus Copy
Campus Copy got a facelift! Visit the lower level of the SUB to check us out.
While you’re here, let us help you with all of your printing and binding needs.
Are you in need of printing or binding services? For affordable prices, friendly staff and
service while you wait, visit Campus Copy today on the lower level of the Student Union
Building. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Other News
There will be $8.00 Empire Theatre movie tickets available at the Info Desk in the SUB all year
long. They are good for any night and any show. So it’s cheap night for students all year long!
Stay connected with the DSU through Facebook & Twitter
Facebook: Group and Page – Dalhousie Student Union
Twitter: www.twitter.com/dalstudentunion
news
news
news covers Dalhousie and
the greater Halifax community.
Contributions are welcome!
E-mail Katrina and Torey at
news@dalgazette.com
Katrina Pyne News Editor
The trouble with Acadia
University asked for early government funding
Calum Agnew to changes in the way universities are government found an additional very nature high fixed-cost entities,” The O’Neill Report, commissioned
News Contributor funded—changes that Acadia’s pay- $32.9 million for the 2010/11 bud- says Roberts. by the province in 2010, says “find-
ment schedule did not accommodate, get to accommodate the universities’ In their January 2011 newslet- ing ways to sustain so many degree-
Halifax universities aren’t the only says Roberts. request. ter, the president of the Acadia Uni- granting institutions in a province
ones in trouble. Acadia University Nova Scotia’s university funding The government has budgeted versity Faculty Association said the with fewer than a million people
in Wolfville found itself in a predic- has been irregular for two years. In $384 million in grants for 2011/12, “sorry state” of Acadia’s finances was has long been a challenge.”
ament similar to NSCAD University the 2009/10 budget, a one-time pay- but doesn’t intend to provide either the result of the university’s debt pay- Roberts says Acadia continues to
earlier this year. ment of two rounds of funding was Acadia or NSCAD with an operating ments, which “eat up a significant look toward New England, where it
Both schools asked for and received made to universities. In his most grant. portion” of the university’s revenue. has drawn students “for all of our 173
the 2011/12 operating grants from recent budget address, Premier Dar- Universities are looking to find Although Acadia invested heav- years,” and has “well-established rela-
the provincial government almost a rell Dexter said this left the govern- new sources of revenue. The pro- ily in “residence modernization and tionships with guidance counsellors
year early, meaning they were unable ment “with one payment to make in vincial government reduced general other capital projects” in the early and alumni.”
to pay all their expenses with just two years, and 2010/11 was the year operating grants by four per cent this 2000s, it would “not be correct to Kevin Finch, with the Department
one year's budget. The Department in which no payment was made.” year; revenue from tuition fees and characterize this as a reason for our of Labour and Advanced Education
of Labour and Advanced Education In the 2010/11 fiscal year the prov- ancillary fees remains frozen under arrangement earlier this year,” says says the “government stands by the
says the government made the early ince provided less than a quarter of the Memorandum of Understanding Roberts. commitment to provide universi-
payments at the request of the two the operating grants to all 11 uni- signed in 2008. “We have, since 2000, made con- ties one funding payment in a single
schools, citing unspecified cash flow versities than had been given in ear- Combined, these three sources of siderable changes in our debt struc- year. The circumstances that lead to
issues. lier years: $93.6 million, down from revenue—funding, tuition fees and ture.” He says this is just one of the the advanced payment of the Acadia
But the two schools did not make $450 million the year before and ancillary fees—accounted for 62 per ways Acadia has “been able to man- and NSCAD operating grants do not
those requests together, says Acadia’s $485 million in 2008/09. cent of Dalhousie’s net revenue in age some costs downward.” However, change this.”
director of communications Scott Of the $93.6 million distributed, 2010, and 83 per cent of Acadia’s. other costs, such as energy, “have
Roberts. 30 per cent was directed to Aca- Additionally, expenses are hard to increased at a rate much faster than
Acadia asked for early funding due dia and 14 per cent to NSCAD. The decrease; universities are “by their inflation.”
The Void Part 4 by Chase Veinotte—Dinner time. The guards slid a plate of slop under our cell doors. I didn’t rush to eat it, of course. Slug-sauce, rotten veggies, and years old Tangarian milk wasn’t my idea
4 news November 18 - November 24, 2011 •
The Granville campus of NSCAD University. • • • Photo by Angela Gzowski
NSCAD set to strike
Finances, merger possibility set staff on edge
Torey Ellis about the situation, was “inspiring,” ious atmosphere,” she says, “but kind
Assistant News Editor Graham says. of hopeful too. We know that we can
The O’Neill report from 2010 rec- do something by not crossing picket
On the eve of its 125th anniversary ommends either a merger or a con- lines, writing letters to Howard
year, NSCAD University is at a cross- solidation of NSCAD’s programs Windsor, writing letters to the pro-
roads. to fix the school’s ongoing financial vincial government.”
University instructors and techni- issues, although it recognizes issues “Students are kind of prepared to
cal staff voted 93 per cent Nov. 3 in with the idea of a merge. come together,” says Graham. “We’re
favour of striking if no agreement can “The reputation of NSCAD is ready to do what we need to do, if it
be reached with the provincial gov- argued to be significantly stronger as comes down to that.”
ernment. an independent entity, and the repu-
Howard Windsor, a former provin- tation could be damaged by a merger
cial deputy minister, was appointed
by MLA Marilyn More in September BECOME A
to figure out the best possible course
of action with regards to NSCAD.
“Merging with Dal BUZZDATA
Options include getting rid of pro-
grams or downsizing, as well as merg-
would be awful.” AMBASSADOR
ing to some degree with Dalhousie or
Mount St. Vincent. with another institution,” it says. BuzzData is looking for
The faculty wants to remain auton- However, a merge would not nec- data-loving students to act
omous and keep its programs, and to essarily mean a complete takeover by
have fairer full-time teaching posi- the larger school: O’Neill argues that as Campus Ambassadors.
tions. there are a range of options, includ- Compensation, and
Aislinn Graham is a second-year ing a similar situation as that of Dal
student at NSCAD. “Getting rid of and the University of King’s College.
discretionary bonuses
faculty, getting rid of programs, and The university had a $1.4 mil- based on the level of
especially merging with Dal would be lion deficit in the 2010/11 fiscal year, activity in your BuzzData
awful,” she says. “It would be really, which the province absorbed. This
really bad.” year the deficit is of $2.4 million. campus community.
“We’re the only art school of this NSCAD’s small class sizes and need
kind east of Ontario, and we kind of for extensive technical equipment are INTERESTED?
feel like it would take away that spirit, a major reason the school is losing
those opportunities for students— money, the report says.
Email
Nova Scotia needs us.” Graham says students, as well as anthony@buzzdata.com
A town hall held Tuesday after- teachers, will fight if the two par- for more info
noon, which informed students ties can’t agree. “It’s kind of an anx-
of a good meal. I looked over to my new neighbors across the hallway. It’s been two days since they’ve arrived, and the human hasn’t even touched a meal. I could sympathize with him not liking the damn
• November 18 - November 24, 2011 news 5
LEFT: The Reduce Fees Kraft Dinner Cookout brings its message to the Premier’s Dinner; RIGHT: Federal NDP leadership candidate Romeo Saganash gets cheesy. • • • Photos by Adam Faber
Cookout for tuition cuts
Students make mac and cheese to make a point
Adam Faber Across the street from that dinner response to the high costs of post-sec-
News Contributor was an event put on by the CFS. The ondary education,” says Hoogers.
Reduce Fees Kraft Dinner Cookout “We're trying to get the public
While at Cornwallis Park Nov. 9, had students from Dalhousie, Kings, aware of our frustrations with the
Gabe Hoogers was one of many vol- NSCAD and other post-secondary NDP government right now,” he says.
unteers serving macaroni and cheese institutions chowing down on free While the protest made an effort
to draw attention to student pov- macaroni and cheese. to be loud, with a megaphone and a
erty. The numbers at the event rose ghetto blaster playing “The Student
to as many as 70 at times, with some Poverty Song,” they aimed to keep
people trickling in and out. What he “If you want costs low. “To tell you the truth, you
might not have been expecting was don't need very much (money). It's
for an NDP MP and leadership can-
didate to ask for a bowl.
to invest in the just the cost of the mac and cheese.
We're not even opting for the brand
“What is the rationale behind this
movement?” asked MP Romeo Saga-
future and the name Kraft Dinner; it's a little bit too
expensive.”
nash, as he tossed his snack's cheesy
container.
economy and Some Dal groups were involved
in the organization as well. “Peo-
Hoogers, the King’s Student Union
president and Canadian Federation
have an equitable ple decide to help out when they
see a good cause. The Loaded Ladle
of Students (CFS) executive member,
was quick to respond: “The rationale society, it's donated their little wagon, and we
made the banner from donated paint
is debt reduction. Ultimately, it's our
view that if you want to invest in the important to ourselves,” says Hoogers.
He says the goal of the event was
future and the economy and have an
equitable society, it's important to ensure that people two-fold. The first goal was to raise
awareness for another upcoming
ensure that people get to attend post- event, the Day of Action on Feb. 1.
secondary education.” get to attend The event also aimed to get the atten-
With a promise to relay the mes- tion of the government.
sage, Saganash went inside to the post-secondary "I think that was very success-
NDP fundraising dinner going on at ful," says Hoogers, adding that NDP
the Westin. The Premier’s Dinner,
an event that costs $175 a plate to
education.” leadership candidates Peggy Nash
and Thomas Mulcair attended the
attend, was being held that evening. event, along with Halifax MP Megan
NDP supporters and members of “We used mac and cheese to show Leslie. “The only person we wish
parliament were attending, featuring that this is really the reality for stu- could have made it was Darrell Dex-
Darrell Dexter himself as a keynote dents right now. Food bank use is up ter himself.”
speaker. more than ever, and students need a
stuff, but he even crossed the line and slid every plate the guards gave him back into the corridor. The knock-off, however, was much more inclined to chow down; it scarfed down its meal through its intake
6 news November 18 - November 24, 2011 •
Loaded Ladle Dal pension in trouble
Experts agree pension plan needs reworking
wins appeal Adam Faber
News Contributor
Ken Burt, VP of finance and admin-
istration, commented on the situ-
sity if things are left to the last min-
ute. “It becomes very difficult to
Society will be ratified Restructuring is going to have to hap-
ation. "In 2013, if we don’t have an
agreement with the employee groups
make changes at that point. Employ-
ees don't want to contribute more
if they can meet the criteria pen to Dalhousie's pension plan, says
financial writer Bill Tufts. He says
and the economy hasn’t recovered,
we’re going to be responsible for our
money into [the pension plan], and
they have these grandiose promises
dramatic changes need to be made solvency payments." that you're going to retire at age 55
Torey Ellis debt eliminated.” in order for the university to remain with 70 per cent of your income for
Assistant News Editor However, VP Internal Kayla Kurin sustainable. the rest of your life.”
There were smiles of relief all across
argued that the budget has not been
properly submitted and that the debt
According to Tufts, back in 2008
“these pension plans got whacked
“You can't just The solutions as far as Tufts is con-
cerned are few: “If you have a short-
the DSU council room Nov. 9 when
councillors finally, after nearly two
shouldn’t be repaid until the society
has been audited.
very hard due to negative returns in
the stock market.” Tufts says a long-
kick the can down fall, someone has to pick that up. Cur-
rently there are only three options to
hours of debate, approved a motion
to eventually ratify the Loaded Ladle.
Despite her critique, that criterion
was put through. Loaded Ladle also
term downturn in markets have cre-
ated a bad situation. “Where they got the road anymore, fund that in the short term: you can
cut back on services, you can raise
It was a tense few hours, during
which one councillor was cautioned
needs to have either its own insur-
ance or be insured under the DSU,
caught off-guard is that the invest-
ments haven't returned and 2011 is you have to taxes and tuition to cover it or you can
borrow money to cover that shortfall.”
to watch his language. But in the end
there was more than the two-thirds
which would mean having two more
supervised servings this semester.
going to be a disaster for those same
markets. That's what we see in the deal with it.” Tufts notes that this is not a Dal-
specific problem. “Many schools are
majority vote needed to approve the After ratification the society will third quarter reports out of Dalhou- grappling with this problem; it's on
ratification and the criteria that go have access to the rest of its levy and sie—the disastrous results of 2011.” a global level. You can't just kick the
along with it. a liason will be appointed to oversee Many pension plans are required In a Dal News release, Burt said, "If can down the road anymore. You
communication between the DSU to be solvent, meaning a fund needs we are not moving towards a work- have to deal with it.”
and the Loaded Ladle. to have the money to pay all of its able solution, we’ll have to begin to
“You should A main concern was the liability of
approving a society that had made
obligations, namely any debt and
the pensions of retired workers. The
create a contingency fund to make
those payments, and there will be a Dal‘s annual financial statement
understand that mistakes before. “This whole situ-
ation has dragged on quite a while,”
Dal pension plan was granted exemp-
tion from a solvency test until 2013,
direct hit on the operation of the uni-
versity on top of any changes in pro-
revealed its pension plan would
not pass the solvency test.
there is a risk said VP (student life) Jamie Arron.
“You should understand that there
but Dal’s annual financial statement
revealed the plan only has 60 per
vincial government funding."
Tufts warns that a shortfall in the
• • • Photo by Matt From London via Flickr
involved in this, is a risk involved in this, but if it’s a
risk that people are comfortable that
cent of what it would need to pass
that test.
pension plan translates into some
unpalatable options for the univer-
but if it’s a risk the Ladle is going to respect the rules
news briefs
and no one’s going to get hurt, then
we should go forward with it.”
that people are The DSU had issued an ultimatum
to the Ladle, where the group could
comfortable that continue serving with supervision
and on a smaller basis. Acorn Conference $8 million Occupy Wall Street evicted
the Ladle is going But President Chris Saulnier said
he was worried about setting a prec-
hits up Halifax
Halifax hosted a three-day confer-
donation to LSC
A new learning commons will be
On the morning of Nov. 14, Zuccotti
Park, the centre of the Occupy Wall
to respect the edent. “You know I love the Loaded
Ladle, you know I love you, he said
ence on organic living last weekend,
held at the Dartmouth Holiday Inn
built onto the Life Sciences Centre
as a result of an $8 million donation
Street movement, was pristine. In
the span of only a few hours in the
rules and no one’s to Ladle representative Aaron Beale.
“But when I hear representatives of
Harbourview.
The Atlantic Canadian Organic
from Margaret McCain.
The donation is part of Dalhou-
middle of the night, police in full
riot gear cleared protesters, along
going to get hurt, the Loaded Ladle saying, ‘We didn’t
do anything wrong,’ that really upsets
Regional Network (ACORN) hosted
its 12th annual Conference and
sie’s Bold Ambitions campaign. It
was presented Nov. 8, and McCain
with their tents and sleeping bags,
before power washing the square,
then we should go me.”
“Because the Loaded Ladle did do
Trade Show from Nov. 11-13.
The event kicked-off at the Khy-
herself took up a spade to turn the
first patch of earth.
according to The Globe and Mail.
NYC officials originally planned
forward with it.” things that were wrong. They served
without a health permit. I don’t care
ber art gallery on Barrington Street,
where Maritime filmmakers, pho-
Work on the Wallace McCain
Learning Commons, named for her
to reopen the square for protesters
the following morning on the condi-
what excuses you want to use.” tographers and bakers showed off late husband, is scheduled to begin tion that they would not be allowed
Nevertheless Saulnier did vote in their work. next summer. to bring tents or sleeping bags.
Four things need to be done for the favour of the motion. The conference celebrates organic The commons fits into Dal’s Mas- However, a court order obtained
society to be ratified, two beforehand Arts and Science representative and local farming. “Organic farm- ter Plan, which calls for four learn- by the National Lawyers Guild says
and two afterward. First, the DSU Max Ma was one of the proponents ing requires a considerable amount ing commons overall. One, in the the protesters are allowed to return
needs to repay all of the debt—nearly of eventually ratifying the society. of creativity and resilience, which Killam Library, has already been with tents.
$9,000—that the Loaded Ladle has “It seems we have a preoccupation makes it a great focus for many put in place, and the other two are The Globe and Mail reported that
built up without access to their levy. with covering our own asses,” he said, artistic mediums,” said Beth McMa- expected to be on Carleton and Sex- about 70 arrests were made during
The debt criteria seemed to be a “which is good, we don’t want to get hon of the ACORN executive direc- ton campuses. the eviction. However, most protest-
point of agreement across almost in trouble. But I think the main point tory in a press release. “We are ers left Zuccotti Park peacefully.
all the council, even from those of the DSU is to support the members expecting a strong community turn- —Torey Ellis The eviction occurred because
who were not full supporters of the of our societies.” out for this event.” Assistant News Editor officials declared Zuccotti Park
Loaded Ladle. After the decision was made, to a The trade show took place on posed a health and safety threat.
“These are students,” said council long round of applause, Beales and Nov. 12-13, with over 30 local busi-
member Ryan Robski, who created his co-Ladlers left the room smiling, nesses in attendance. —Katrina Pyne
the list of criteria. “Whether or not saying, “It’s been fun.” News Editor
they are ratified, I want to see their
valves between its steely orbed head and its leathery neck. It even complimented the guards on the nutritionist value of the junk when it was finished clearing the plate, and asked its comrade if it could have
• November 4 - November 10, 2011 opinions 7
Occupy NS: Weekend in review
From the eviction to the rallies
Torey Ellis justice. When occupiers made the a month. Why now? Why Remem- group zigzagged up Spring Garden into the square for their rallies on
Assistant News Editor trek back to Grand Parade Nov. 12 brance Day?” he said. Road to St. Andrew’s church, where Saturday.
as planned, three people were re- “Why today? Our homes are minister Russ Dawe and a few volun- Dan Wieb was at a Second Cup
“Happy fucking Remembrance Day.” arrested—this time for breaking the destroyed anyways. Everyone’s down. teers opened their doors to the crowd. when he heard the news of the evic-
Victoria Park echoed Nov. 11 with conditions of their release. They were No one’s on their toes.” Homeless protestors were able to tion. “I think it’s ridiculous,” he said.
the shouts of the Occupy NS protes- not allowed to set foot in a public At that point, he said he could see sleep the night in the church’s meet- “They were accommodating for the
tors, who had learned at noon the park. the eviction being a setback. “I don’t ing hall, although they had to be out Remembrance Day ceremony, peace-
city would be enforcing a no-camping The bylaw prohibits camping in think it’s going be over, but we’re for 8:00 a.m. the next morning to fully.”
bylaw. public parks (which includes the going to have to regroup,” he said. make way for an athletic group. Wieb is a graduate student of soci-
The eviction notice was signed by Grand Parade) without council per- As Dave talked, a small group of Billy Lewis, a Mi’qmaq veteran, ology at Dalhousie. He is not involved
acting CAO Mike Labrecque. Mayor mission at any time, as well as being protestors started taking out their occupier and police liason, was wor- with Occupy in any way, but said “it
Peter Kelly says council made the in a park between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. anger behind him by smashing glass ried about getting back into the seems to be something really signif-
eviction decision. Occupier Dave Ambler has been and tearing tarps. Dave rushed over. Grand Parade for the 11 a.m. rally Sat- icant happening. And it seems to be
The 40 or so police, who were camping since the start of the occu- “Why? Why? That’s awful!” he told urday morning. “There aren’t many growing in strength, which is why in
there on City Hall orders to remove pation. “We’re not doing anything them. “We’re better than that.” entrances and there aren’t many my opinion this kind of clamp down
the tents and camp equipment, were wrong by being here,” he said on That night, at around 6:30 a.m., exits. There are going to be police at is happening worldwide.”
silent—for the most part. Friday afternoon. “Now, camping, protestors let police through their each of them.”
Fourteen people were detained apparently there’s a bylaw. But the human chain to take the last symbolic As it turned out, police were pres-
that day on counts of obstruction of thing is, we’ve been camping here for tent out of Victoria Park. Then the ent. But protestors did make it back
On Nov. 11, 14 people were detained, and later released without charge, during HRP’s eviction of Occupy Nova Scotia from Victoria Park. • • • Photos by Ian Froese
his serving; a request that was always refused. “You know, you should always eat your vegetables. Didn’t your mother ever tell you that?” I remarked, grabbing my plate and retreating back to the cot with it.
opinions
opinions
gazette opinions welcomes any
opinion backed up with facts; but we
don’t publish rants. E-mail Matthew at
opinions@dalgazette.com
to contribute
Matthew Ritchie Opinions Editor
Caught in the web
Facebook’s advancements detract from our social experiences
Nick Laugher to anything it deems inappropriate or of why we're even in class), and we
Staff Contributor that I can't back up with documenta- share pertinent and personal rela-
tion. tionship details in terrible grammar
If Jean Baudrillard was right, we're It is a constant barrage of social and embarrassing abbreviations.
living in the hyperreality. Facebook information. Truly a network. With When you stop using Facebook, it's
is the simulacrum, and we're just Facebook's new addition of a real- a statement. People take breaks from
perpetuating its rapidly advancing, time "activity window" on the right "All the drama" and blame Facebook
increasingly generalizing existence. hand side of your screen, as well as as if it's a trashy blonde instituting
I was filling out a survey the other amalgamating the aging style of "mes- this gossipy, vindictive drama. No one
day that asked me, "How many times saging" into its perpetually annoying ever gave up the telephone because of
a day do you use the Internet?" and and poorly coded "Chat" function, gossip.
I had to stop and reflect on how this we're now subjected to a constantly It's not that Facebook creates all
was utterly and completely irrelevant updated, immovable, sprawling web this drama and self-indulgence, it's
in this day and age. of information on absolutely every- just that it's really amazing at facili-
Even for me, someone who doesn't one we (vaguely) know. There is so tating it. It's become the new stan-
own a cellphone, let alone a smart- much information on Facebook that dard, so no matter how ugly or obtru-
phone, I "use" the Internet for the as soon as I log on, I'm overwhelmed sive it becomes, we have to give it
majority of my day. In the 21st cen- and bored at the same time. Face- precedence. It has become a crutch.
tury, especially in our particular sam- book has so much information about It deadens all face-to-face conver-
ple (tech-savvy university students), my social world that I am completely sation, and it removes any mystery
the majority of our life is lived online apathetic to it. from dates ("Oh, I already knew that,
and, by default, on Facebook. Whenever Facebook introduces I saw your post"). It wraps up who we
Facebook has a monopoly on the any change—no matter how min- are and what we like in a neat, blue
Internet. How many websites do you ute—there is an instant backlash of and white package. We do everything
visit now that don't have a "Like" but- millions of users complaining about faster, more succinctly and with little
ton, or doesn’t tie in with your Face- how "terrible" or "ugly" or "awkward" context. We entrust Facebook to do
book account? If you pick up a girl or the "new Facebook" is. So why not all the work for us, while we sit back
guy in the bar, are you really going to just stop using it? Why put up with and passively wade through the piles
ask them for their phone number and half-assed coding and piss-poor web of information.
go all archaic on their ass, or are you design? Why is it that Facebook can Now, you can blame Facebook all
going to ask them, kindly, to "Face- institute poorly written functions and you want for its cramped, crass pages,
book" you? absolutely garish looking pages with- questionable information distribu-
Now, I could launch into a verbose, out any flak at all? tion, aggressive copyright collect-
self-aggrandizing tirade about Face- Ubiquity. ing and purported underlying right-
book right now, but the fact of the Where else are you going to go? wing, conservative bias. But when it
matter is, I use it just like everyone Facebook is pervasive, viral and inte- all comes down to it, you're using it
else. I am not immune, but Facebook gral. just like everyone else, who are also
is. It is rapidly and efficiently replac- using it just like everyone else. You
Facebook hasn't just set the stan- ing every form of communication. can't blame Facebook any more than
dard for social networking, it is the Email and MSN Messenger seem like you can chastise the *Telegraph*.
social network. Facebook is slowly relics of the past. Within five minutes Instead of pointing the finger to a
becoming an extension of our identi- of meeting someone, we're trawling website, we should take a minute and
ties, as official and binding as a Social for information and informally stalk- reflect on just how much of our lives
Insurance card. ing and forming opinions on a per- we're letting it dictate.
We are obliged to validate our Face- son. Giving up Facebook is like say-
book identities with cellphone num- We live on Facebook. ing you're never drinking again: It's
bers. We need to consistently clar- We update our statuses at concerts unrealistic, attention-seeking and
ify to Mark Zuckerburg and co. that and message our friends telling them soaked in poor decisions and regret.
we're just browsing from a different what a great band they (and we) are But that doesn't mean you can't stop
IP address, and not a hacker. I can't missing. We refresh our friends' pro- using it like an idiot.
even change my name on Facebook files in class (raising the question
Have a topic you want to see covered?
Tell us about it: opinions@dalgazette.com
“There’s veggies from a thousand worlds in this.” A thousand of the worst worlds, I thought to myself as I swallowed a spoonful with such force as to keep myself from gagging. It was still wretched, even after
• November 18 - November 24, 2011 opinions 9
TOO
MANY
PEOPLE
The possibility of seven billion raises a red flag
Sam Vlessing according to the UN, the global popu- Educating women in underde- management of the resources on our
Opinions Contributor lation is expected to grow to nine bil- veloped countries has been a pro- planet for future generations is a
On Oct. 31, the global population
lion by 2050. That’s a huge number.
How are we supposed to sustain a
“In a finite world posed solution by numerous scholars,
becoming a widely accepted meth-
task of utmost importance for those
of us alive today. Based on our cur-
surpassed seven billion people (well,
plus or minus 56 million people). The
population of seven billion, let alone
nine billion people in less than half a where population odology in mitigating our current
population crisis. The world’s popu-
rent trends, it is almost naive not to
acknowledge that the relationship
United Nations census estimates a
one to two per cent margin of error
century?
What we do know is that since the growth is lation is distributed asymmetrically
across the seven continents, with
with our planet between population
growth and the production of finite
in the calculation, which comes out
to approximately 56 million people
1960s—when the global population
was three billion—the world popula- exponential most of the population growth stem-
ming from less developed countries.
resources must change. We have
already “surpassed” the seven billion
when you’re talking about a global tion has expanded at an exponential
population of seven billion. The mar- rate, as opposed to Asia, the most populated continent
on Earth, is home to over four billion
people marker, so if change is going
to happen, it has to be soon.
gin of error is so large that the birth By 2100 there will possibly be people and a whopping 60 per cent of It’s our obligation to the seven bil-
in question could have happened in 50 per cent more people on earth logistic, the per the total global population. So what lionth person, wherever or whenever
August of this year, or the baby might than there were at the beginning of exactly does this mean for women? they may be born.
not even have been conceived yet.
No one really knows when or
the century, all vying for the same
resources.
capita share In most developing (or third world)
countries, access to any sort of con- Check out the real time global popu-
where number seven billion will be—
or was—born, but we do know the
In a finite world where population
growth is exponential as opposed
of the world’s traception is extremely difficult. Not
only do these women have a minimal
lation clock at WorldoMeters.info/
World-Population/
miscalculations come from many of
the world’s poorer nations that have
to logistic, the per capita share of
the world's goods must steadily
goods must amount of time between pregnan-
cies due to lack of contraception, they The light areas on the map show the
extremely inaccurate demographic
birth and death records.
increase in order to provide suffi-
cient resources to all living species.
steadily increase are unable to deliver children into a
safe and healthy environment. Focus-
world’s population density. • • • Map via
the European Commission Joint Research
At a press conference on Oct. 31 at
the UN headquarters in New York,
Since our planet can only support a
finite population, it is inevitable that
in order to ing on education for women in many
of the poorer nations is an essential
Centre Global Environment Monitoring Unit
Secretary General Ban Ki-moon
stated, “Today, we welcome baby
at some point population growth will
equal zero. provide sufficient piece to solving our global popula-
tion problem. By spending more time POPULATION TOO HIGH?
HAVE YOUR SAY:
seven billion. In doing so we must
recognize our moral and pragmatic
So how do we support a grow-
ing population from exhausting the resources to all in the classroom educating the global
population, we'll have a better chance
obligation to do the right thing for
him, or for her.” The secretary gen-
world’s resources? Do we stop having
babies or impose regulations similar living species.” of lessening the population crisis.
Even though there is no clear solu-
eral stated that in 1998 the world’s to the Chinese one child limit in the tion to our population growth prob-
population was at six billion, and that 1990s? lem, the long-term maintenance and
the hundredth plate. I smiled forcefully. “You should try some.” I ate another glop. No wonder my cell smelled rank. The human just sat there, more still than stillness. He hadn’t talked for days. I wasn’t making
10 news November 18 - November 24, 2011 •
THE BIG PICTURE
Retaining your humanity as a budding journalist
Torey Ellis eyes watching the watchdog. sat down to discuss their next steps, reputation. That makes me skeptical: that truly scares me. (Full disclosure:
Assistant News Editor Yet even with that inside knowl- the first point of order made my heart we exist, ideally, to further democ- I did stay at the church. But I stayed
edge, the behaviour I saw on the sink: no media. They wanted me, and racy. “I would rather have a free press as a human, helping out the ladies
On the morning of Nov. 11 I went to morning of Remembrance Day, when my ilk, out. and no government than a govern- in the kitchen, because I like church
the Remembrance Day services at the two minutes of silence fell, sick- ment and no free press,” as Thomas kitchens.)
the Grand Parade—not as a journal- ened me. Jefferson once said. I know journalists who write great
ist, just as a human. Is it possible to
be both at once? Because I’m glad I
I saw veterans bow their heads, and
I saw a crowd taking off their caps.
“I know And so maybe a better journal-
ist would have stayed that evening.
pieces and still retain their humanity.
It happened all day on Friday. But it’s
wasn’t being a journalist that morn-
ing. I am relieved that nobody there
And then I saw the legions of pho-
tographers and videographers flitting
journalists who There was no legal obligations for me
to leave at that point. But all these
a hard line to walk. Especially when
the emphasis of our whole lives is on
affiliated me with what I saw in the
other journalists down at the square.
around, in between the ranks, snap-
ping photo after photo after photo. write great pieces cold, tired people—who, no matter
what you think of their cause, had
the scoop, the story, that great white
goal of getting “The Truth” out to
See, it’s a long service, and an
important day. There are lots of
It’s two minutes. 120 seconds. But
they couldn’t wait that long. and still retain had a very long day—just wanted
some peace and quiet.
“The People.”
It’s a good goal, and a necessary one.
wreaths to lie down, lots of people
looking solemn. And, granted, on a
I felt the same way 10 hours later
at St. Andrew’s church, surrounded their humanity… I know a lot of my fellow journalists
would have stayed in that hall. I also
I just hope I have the courage to
stick to that line. Because I’m just as
blustery day photographers are going by wet, hungry, cold Occupy protes- know a whole lot who would have human as any of us, and that scares
to have a difficult time getting that tors. I’d been there for two hours by But it’s a hard made the same choice that I did. me, too.
perfect shot. But I’m going through then, waiting for the general assem- The people who would have stayed,
the same training those journalists bly to start. I don’t want to sound like line to walk.” tweeting, with a recorder run- Lest we forget.
at Grand Parade went through. I can a martyr here: I wasn’t forced. I chose ning in their pocket: they scare me. • • • Photo by Steve Dinn via Flickr
understand the moral judgements to be there, to get the story. But once The ease with which I could become
that they make, and the weight of the they’d eaten and dried off and finally Occupy has a bit of an anti-media those photographers in the square:
Have our ships come in?
Lack of results thus far from shipbuilding contract
Justin Hartling extent of the contract is revealed. “It’s time, but Halifax will be in the ship- contract. That is a massive amount to ever happen to Halifax. What hap-
Opinions Contributor a framework agreement because the building spotlight for the next 30 of jobs being created in the region. pened to sensibility or moderation in
details of the ship procurement pro- years. This contract, though vague at the the government?
The Halifax Shipyard is going to cess really won’t be known for some But my main concern is that many moment, will offer Haligonians the As much as I love to play the dev-
make billions of dollars with their years,” he says. politicians and citizens have already opportunity to stay in their home city il’s advocate, it is damn near impos-
new contract, plain and simple. But Peter Stoffer, the MLA for Sack- celebrated the accomplishment with- and still make a decent living. sible to say that this contract is a bad
despite the excitement following the ville-Eastern Shore and official ship- out looking forward. We know barely Since the announcement there thing, even with the lack of results
$25 billion contract awarded to the building critic for the NDP, is weary any details of this contract whatso- have been over 2,000 applications that have been shown thus far. It will
province on Oct. 19, a lot remains of the reactions from some, but ever. No deals have been discussed for employment at the shipyard. have benefits for almost every person
unanswered. says the project "gives (the Halifax and no steel has been cut, but we're However, there have only been 50 and business in the HRM, boosting
We have the where, but not the how Regional Municipality) tremendous partying like it’s already happening. hires (mostly for electrical workers), the province’s faltering economy.
or the when. So excuse me if I am a potential in the world stage." There are approximately 1,000 according to the CBC. But until I see more results, I just
little more skeptical than seemingly And this contract does that—at people currently working in the Hal- My biggest problem with the con- hope our ships pull into dock exactly
every politician in Nova Scotia. least on the national stage. There has ifax shipyard. According to a study tract lies in the lack of results we have how we expect.
Lars Osberg, head of the econom- never been such continuity for a con- conducted by the Greater Halifax seen thus far. Politicians are generally
ics department at Dalhousie, says tract like this. Generally these con- Partnership, up to 11,500 jobs would going into press conferences and say- Nothing new at the shipyard yet.
more time needs to pass before the tracts last a much shorter amount of be created as a by-product of this ing this contract is the greatest thing • • • Photo by Rob Grandy
much progress, evidently. “Master doesn’t talk to strangers.” The knock-off said the same damn thing ev- ery time I tried to initiate a conversation with its companion. But he said something new: “Master doesn’tarts&culture
arts&culture
arts covers cultural
happenings in Halifax.
E-mail Erica and Leslie at
arts@dalgazette.com
to contribute.
Erica Eades Arts Editor
Coal Mining Blues not all blue
Matt Andersen to play Spatz theatre Nov. 18-19
Andrew Mills Each subsequent album has seen
Arts Contributor tighter production and a more pre-
cise capture of Andersen’s music.
Matt Andersen’s acoustic guitar wiz-
ardry fills a concert hall like few
But it’s the increasingly refined song-
writing that catches the ear. Though
“Part prophet,
instruments can—only his voice
equals it for rare, easy power. Ander-
the impeccable recording leaves one
wishing for some of the raw imper-
part reveler
sen’s music has quickly become
emblematic of the east coast blues
fections of his live performance,
Coal Mining Blue is a showcase for
and complete
scene, and his live shows are known
to bring that feeling to a room
beautiful melodies, vocals and tales
of unsung heroes. A few paint the
bluesman,
where audience and performer come
together so seamlessly that the place
threshold between the interior life
and the daily struggle of his charac- Andersen is a
is, for a resonant moment, as alive as
a Cape Breton kitchen party.
ters, saying, “black on my heart and
black on my sleeve,” in an approach worthy Maritime
Andersen's performances com-
mand attention. On stage he bellows,
to understated tragedy.
As a genre, blues is about hard ambassador to
soars and rattles like a ghost carry- times, but it’s also about transcending
ing a hundred-year chain of blues those times with melody and verse. America and
legends behind him; audiences are Anderson reminds us that the blues
entranced. Part prophet, part rev- can be joyful, and in spite of all the Europe, where
eler and complete bluesman, Ander- scrape and wear, life’s consolations
sen is a worthy Maritime ambassa-
dor to America and Europe, where he
may emerge all the sweeter. As he
grows as a storyteller, Andersen also
he has garnered
has garnered significant recognition,
receiving both the Memphis Inter-
captures the plight of ordinary Cana-
dians—lives built on the determina-
significant
national Blues Challenge and Maple
Blues award.
tion to work hard and live humbly.
Andersen’s blues cut close to home,
recognition.”
It’s unlikely that all the interna- and the audience knows it. He might
tional attention will change Ander- just be the antidote to today’s restless,
sen’s modus operandi, which is an rootless and often instrument-less
endless grind, similar to the hard- radio fare. Andersen captures the plight of ordinary
working characters in his new album, Canadians. • • • Photo supplied
Coal Mining Blues (recorded in Levon
Helms Studio NY). All the miles and Matt Andersen will be playing the
jam sessions seem to be paying off. Spatz Theatre Nov. 18 and 19.
Mother Mother comes to Dalhousie
Canadian five-piece brings their unique sound to the Grawood
Sam Elmsley When asked to speak to the cre- other with baguettes” while in France.
Arts Contributor ative process that enabled him and “Everyone really does have
the band to churn out three albums baguettes over there,” he says. “Vic-
Microphone feedback, random guitar since their inauguration in 2005, tory sticks. It makes you want to go
notes and a ceaseless stream of chat- Guldemond explained the song out and get one.”
ter reached my ears when I connected “starts small and ends big. It begins Not desiring to have my interviewee
via phone to Ryan Guldemond of in a place of solitude” and goes forth descend into an uncontained stress
Mother Mother on Nov. 10. I strained from there. It “journeys through the response, I hesitated to ask what
my useless ears to catch what he was hands of the band” and eventually, they would be up to next. The small
saying: “… back in five minutes?” what began small “ends up multilay- interviewer inside me cautioned that
“Yep! Sure! No problem!” I yelled ered and rich.” so many shows probably wouldn’t
back, and hung up the phone, ready He begins on the acoustic guitar, leave him much time to think of what
to call him back in five. Then I prayed and takes note of melodic chords, breakfast cereal to eat, let alone big
that was, in fact, what he was saying. “evolving them into some kind plans for the future.
Luckily, it was, and things were of form.” Interestingly, Guldemond Luckily, as in all of his responses,
much calmer on the other end the begins a song with the music, adding Guldemond was cool about it: “Oh,
second time I phoned. Guldemond the lyrics afterwards. He says he looks likely another album sooner or later…
apologized, saying they had just been for the “pillar catchphrases,” then we feel the need to expand our rep-
wrapping up a sound check—unsur- “associates other words with them ertoire. A creative gust of wind has
prising, given that the band is playing and ties them in.” swept the halls of my process, and of
a gig almost every night this Novem- Eventually, we got around to talk- the band’s process… I’ve been work-
ber. The band’s 2011 Eureka! tour has ing about the tour itself. “I like show- ing on some new stuff on and off.”
been ongoing since the March release ing up and being surprised by the So, Halifax MM fans, enjoy the
of their new album, their third to venues,” he says, which he describes shows, with all the tickets for you
date. Recently returned from a two- as “a holy place for the worship of art.” snapped up before I got there. The
week trek across Europe, Mother One can only hope the Grawood will music speaks for itself—it should be
Mother will be gracing Halifax with live up to these standards. a good night.
its unique sound on Nov. 18 and 20,
at the Grawood and Reflections Cab-
Fortunately, I got the sense from
Guldemond that it is less the physi- Mother Mother is playing at the Gra- “I don’t put a demand on how
aret. cal location that makes the venue; wood on Nov. 18, and at Reflections
Once the niceties were observed, rather, it is the people. “I don’t put a Cabaret on Nov. 20. Doors open at people engage in the music—
we turned to talking about the music. demand on how people engage in the 8:30 p.m.
For those as yet unfamiliar with the
band, Guldemond described their
music—if their style is to stand there
with their arms crossed, that’s fine, as
if their style is to stand there with
sound as similar to the Beatles, and
especially the Pixies, in the sense
long as the engagement is there.”
“The energy I bring is, I find, what I
Mother Mother are L-R: Ryan Guldemond,
Molly Guldemond, Ali Sisclat, Jeremy
their arms crossed, that’s fine, as
that they encompass certain “quali-
ties in pop writing that I enjoy and
get back.”
The best part of his tour so far?
Page and Jasmin Parkin.
• • • Supplied photo by Todd M. Duym
long as the engagement is there.”
try to inject into our music… bent, Baguettes in Paris. Guldemond says
melodic—strange but familiar.” he and his band mates “flogged each
like you.” That came as quite a shock. Aside from father and his scurvy gang, everyone liked me, or so I thought. “Master should be careful.” I replied, gulping down another slosh of hell without realizing it.What’s your education issue?
by Katrina Pyne and Jonathan Rotsztain
”Accessibility” ”Tuition fees” ”School takes too long” ”Too expensive” ”Difficult to go in the direction
you want to”
Taylor Owens Ashley MacDonald Jessica George Robert Humenny Marshall Soltice
2nd-year recreational therapy 2nd-year recreational therapy 2nd-year commerce 3rd-year marine biology 1st-year arts
”Apathy” ”Testing” ”Lack of clarity and transparency, ”Unclear requirements” ”Lack of communication/
not just financial” standardization”
John Maize Paul Chudnovsky Phebe Mannell Stephanie Duchon Theo Holland
3rd-year CSP 2nd-year CSP 4th-year HOST 4th-year European studies 4th-year EMSP
HOT NOT
Not being Peter Kelly Being Peter Kelly
HRM police ACTUALLY
St. Andrew‘s Church put
mistake them
up Occupy activists
for campers
Dawgfather’s eats Standing in the cold
in the winter to get some
Free pizza at
“Who ate the last
Dal Gazette
pepperoni slice?”
contributor meetings
He wants you to spend
Prince comes to Halifax
$160 to see him
Gazette staff returns They didn’t get to see a
from Occupy Wall Street Yankees game
Yeti Sasquatch
“I don’t like assholes.”• November 18 - November 24, 2011 arts&culture 13
flicks review
The Rum Diary
Natalie Leventhal entangled with a capitalist entrepre- Throughout the film, Kemp strug- In The Rum Diary, Paul Kemp’s
Arts Contributor neur Sanderson (suave and sexy Aron gles with the form of journalism, experience mirrors that of Hunter S.
Eckhart) whose wish is to turn Puerto especially his means of writing about Thompson’s, who also traveled to San
Adapted from Hunter S. Thomp- Rico into a capitalist American par- what he believes to be important. In Juan to write for a newspaper, where
son’s novel, The Rum Diary mixes the adise. Opposing Kemp’s relation- trying to produce articles that will the ideas for The Rum Diary came to
beauty of Puerto Rican landscape and ship with the high powered Sand- expose truths about Americans in be. Depp’s admiration for Hunter S.
the oh-so-dreamy Johnny Depp with erson is a mounting sexual tension Puerto Rico or the current state of Thompson can be seen in his unwav-
belligerent alcoholism and American between Kemp and Sanderson’s fian- Puerto Rico itself, the editor of The ering dedication to the role. Depp’s
capitalist imperialism. cée Chenault (Amber Heard, Pineap- Daily News (Richar Jenkins), turns drunken antics, alongside his wit,
Depp stars as Paul Kemp, a jour- ple Express), along with the obstinate Kemp’s work down, in lieu of uncon- add an element of humour to the oth-
nalist who moves from 1950s New intoxication of Kemp and his journal- troversial articles that will tickle the erwise serious issue The Rum Diary
York to write for major English news- ist buddy (Michael Rispoli) as they fancy of “ignorant” American tour- tackles—that of American imperial-
paper The Daily News in San Juan, pound back the rum, resulting in a ists. ism in 1950s Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico. While there, Kemp gets little Puerto Rican jail time.
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@gazette_arts
@gazetteopinions 1. In Photos: OccupyNS eviction—Rob Sangster-Poole & Ian Froese, News
2. Citizen journalism’s downfall—Justin Hartling, Opinions
3. St. Andrew’s steps up—Torey Ellis, News
@dalgazettesport 4. Tigers tame AUS—Ian Froese, Sports
5. Mr. Smith goes to Halifax—Matt Ritchie, OpinionsYou can also read
