The McGill Tribune

SSMU joins lobby group

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The Students' Society's Legislative Council passed a motion last Thursday to join the Table de Concertation, a lobbying collective of Quebec university students' societies.

After leaving the Quebec Federation of University Students (FEUQ) in 2006 and being denied permanent membership in the Canadian Federation of Students in 2007, McGill has operated without formal ties to any provincial or national student lobby groups.

Breweries bid for SSMU beer contract

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The bidding war for the Students' Society's next beer contract has begun, with seven breweries expressing interest in supplying beer for campus events.

Boréale, Molson, Labatt's, Sleeman's, McAuslan, Unibroue, and Bierbrier have all submitted bids to SSMU.

CAMPUS: Death sentence upheld for ex-Concordian

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Despite recommendations to the contrary from Saudi Arabia's Supreme Judicial Council, one of the kingdom's lower courts upheld the death sentence ruling for a former Concordia student last week.

Mohamed Kohail and his younger brother Sultan-both Canadian citizens living in Saudi Arabia-as well as Jordanian citizen Homanna Essat, were convicted in the January 2007 death of Munzer Al-Hiraki following a schoolyard brawl.

CAMPUS: Price tag of new superhospitals ballooning

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Skyrocketing costs and construction delays on Montreal's two new superhospitals have incited further controversy over a project that has been beset with difficulties since its conception.

The Quebec Liberal Party announced on March 30 that construction on the future buildings of the McGill University Health Centre and the University of Montreal's Hospital Centre (CHUM) will cost at least $1.

CAMPUS: Alleged profiling victim Charkaoui speaks out

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Moroccan-born Canadian resident Adil Charkaoui visited McGill on April 1 to speak about the difficult, ongoing ordeal of living under a security certificate in a speech presented by the Refugee Research Project.

Charkaoui's case has received extensive media attention since his arrest in May 2003.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Sitting down with SSMU's outgoing president

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

After four years on the Students' Society Legislative Council and two years as a SSMU executive, April 30, 2009 marks the end of President Kay Turner's career in the Shatner building. She recently sat down with the Tribune, for a candid exit interview, discussing everything from SSMU's future as an organization, to the resignation of former vice-president finance and operations Tobias Silverstein.

NEWS ANALYSIS: Discussing the G20 with McGill professors

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The leaders of the top 19 industrial nations and the European Union gathered for the second time in six months last week, amid mounting global economic turmoil. The G20 summit, held in London, aimed to increase confidence in the financial sector, and the leaders discussed new strategies for the regulation of the global financial market.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: A conversation with Harvard's Steven Pinker

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Aside from his mane of iron grey hair, Steven Pinker appeared every bit the clean-cut professor. Seated in his ninth-floor office, the 54-year-old Harvard psychology professor wore a three-button grey suit when I sat down with him for an interview last week.

Redmen Basketball: B -

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

After a promising start, the 2008-09 McGill Redmen men's basketball season proved to be just as disappointing as the previous year's. Coming into the season, Head Coach Craig Norman stressed the importance of teamwork, commitment, and resilience, all of which had been fortified by intense team workouts during the summer.

Redmen Hockey: A

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The Redmen began the season unburdened by the weight of expectations. Despite making Nationals in two out of the previous three seasons, Head Coach Martin Raymond's squad wasn't expected to seriously challenge for the OUA Far East division title, much less a national championship, because of the losses to graduation they had sustained from the previous season's team.

Martlets Basketball: C

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Head Coach Ryan Thorne didn't stand idly by after a miserable 2-14 conference season last year, in which the Martlets missed the playoffs for the first time since 2003. By recruiting forwards Anneth Him-Lazarenko and Elise Lepine, Thorne secured the post presence and rebounding that his squad lacked last year.

Martlets Hockey: A+

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

After amassing a 37-4-0 record and winning McGill's first-ever women's national championship in 2008, the Martlets replaced the monkey on their backs with a target that every CIS team aimed for throughout the season. Head Coach Peter Smith returned every important player for McGill's championship defence, and added another piece to the puzzle with CIS rookie of the year Marie-Andre Leclerc-Auger.

Martlets Volleyball: B

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The Martlets narrowly missed out on a Nationals berth this season, but with the other teams in the ultra-competitive QSSF losing several starters to graduation, the future looks bright. The Red 'n' White won't lose a single player, and their eight freshmen and three sophomores will return ready to challenge for a spot at nationals.

EDITORIAL: McGill gets the TDC shaft

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

All students are equal, but some are more equal than others. That's the basic principle behind the voting system for the Table de Concertation, a new association of which the Students' Society will soon be a founding member.

McGill students have been lacking provincial political representation since SSMU's falling outs with the Quebec Federation of University Students (FEUQ) in 2006, and the Canadian Federation of Students in 2007.

EDITORIAL: Afghan democracy

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Winston Churchill quipped that "democracy is the worst form of government, except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time." That's worth bearing in mind when evaluating recent events in Afghanistan.

This past week, a proposed law to regulate Shia marital relations sparked outrage in the international community-and rightly so.

YOU HAD AN OPTION, SIR: More government isn't always a bad thing

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Over the past two years, I've been writing columns in the Tribune about reducing the size and scope of government, removing trade barriers, and rethinking whether restrictive regulations are necessary. My intention was to increase the diversity of opinions on campus, which is why I stayed away from addressing solutions that come from the perceived consensus at McGill, which is usually liberal.

HISTORIA ME ABSOLVERA: The birds, the bees, and the neo-liberals

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Someone recently told me that international bee populations are on the decline. It's expected that bees who perform the vital act of pollination-a key part of the old "birds and bees" story-will soon be extinct. Following this event, agriculture is expected to enter a tailspin that will result in the greatest food crisis humanity has ever faced.

FRESH HELL: Zoe has a post office epiphany

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

There are many people in the world who you're better than in some respect. Other people may be slower than you, worse at cooking, or bad at telling stories. Sometimes, I get mad that other people don't live up to a standard I have in mind. I forget that they're probably good at things I'm terrible at-like surfing and chemistry.

FOOT IN MOUTH: Living the lonesome life

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

I really didn't want to write this column. It's bitter, pathetic, melodramatic, and self-indulgent. It also makes my life seem like a bad emo song. But I've written this column a thousand times in my head, and I have nobody left to impress by not sharing my thoughts.

Letters to the editor

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Be responsible when reforming McGill residences I spent four years living and working in the McGill residence system: one as a first year student, and three more as a member of the Floor Fellow team in Gardner Hall (2003-2006). These years were incredibly formative for me and the innumerable students I worked with.

Corrections

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

In last week's article, "University of Winnipeg bans bottled water," University of Winnipeg Students' Association President Vijay Iyer's name was incorrectly listed as Vinay Iyer.

Also, in the article "Activist Weeks discusses poverty in Africa," Mathew Cherian's name was incorrectly listed as Mathew Cherlan.

The Tribune thanks you

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The Tribune extends a huge thanks to all of our contributors from the 2008-09 year. If we missed your name in this list, we're very sorry, but we've really appreciated you taking the time to write stories.

Ada Sonnenfeld, Adam Laidlaw, Adam Levine, Adrian Taylor, Alan Boileau, Alana Levine, Alex Eidman, Alexandra Swann, Alice Walker, Alison Bailey, Amélie Gouin, Amrita Kumar-Ratta, Andrew Miller, Andrew Seo, Andrew Sullivan, Andy Yu, Arielle Frank, Arik Schwartz, Ariq EmtenanAustin del Rio, Bean Brenner, Bianca Van Bavel, Brahna Siegelberg, Brittany Paterson, Byron Tau, Cara Wilson, Carly Orleach, Charles Garfinkle, Christie Lee, Cleve Higgins, Danai Reynolds, Daniel Otis Smith, Danielle Cherkas, David Benson, Diane Salema, Elizabeth Perle, Emma Cabrera-Aragon, Emma Quail, Eric Weiss, Greg Osadec, Harpreet Grewal, Haruki Nakagawa, Holly Stewart, Huge Galdones, I.

Editor's Note

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

A special thanks to Eric, Max, Riva, RJ, Tim, and Zoe from your persnickety, but eternally grateful, editor.

You've been a great slate of columnists, and it's been a pleasure editing your work this year. May you continue to be insightful, funny, and judicious in your use of adjectives.

Kay Turner, President: A-

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

After the Tribune gave Kay Turner a C- for her tenure as vice-president internal last year, we weren't optimistic about the prospect of a Turner presidency. But, Turner has outperformed the Tribune's every expectation. She has managed to hold the SSMU Executive together despite the resignation of VP Finance and Operations Tobias Silverstein, picking up many of his responsibilities herself.

Nadya Wilkinson, VP University Affairs: A

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

As part of last year's SSMU election coverage, the Tribune published a cautiously optimistic endorsement of Nadya Wilkinson. At the time, we said that Wilkinson, though warm, polite, and brimming with enthusiasm, lacked legitimate political experience. According to the endorsement, Wilkinson's credentials-two years with the McGill Sustainability Project-were inadequate, and that she would struggle navigating McGill's bureaucratic channels.

Samantha Cook, VP Clubs and Services: B

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

After a strong first semester, VP Clubs and Services Samantha Cook seemed to run out of steam in the new year. Granted, part of her slowdown could be attributed to the nature of the portfolio-most of the workload is concentrated in the fall semester-but Cook seemed to lose interest in the large-scale aspects of the job as the year progressed.

Julia Webster, VP Internal: A-

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Although her portfolio has quieted down considerably this semester, Vice-President Internal Julia Webster has done an excellent job, performing her duties well and contributing as a strong and vocal member of the executive.

SnowAP, one of the winter semester's bigger events, was well-run.

Devin Alfaro, VP External Affairs: D

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Rather than a voice for McGill students, VP External Devin Alfaro has been SSMU's political mime.

His greatest achievement of the year has been laying the groundwork for the Table de Concertation, a new association of Quebec students' societies, and for that we applaud him.

SSMU Legislative Council: B

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

SSMU Legislative Council got most things right this year, but exhausted themselves debating trivialities, and didn't spend enough time on issues that mattered to students. At its bi-weekly meeting, Council was also marred by chronic attendance problems, stalling debate as Speaker Jordan Owens struggled to maintain quorum.

1317 days later: rebuilding in New Orleans

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Ask anyone who's been to New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina-real New Orleans, past the French Quarter and Bourbon Street-and the one thing that's brought up over and over is the people. How kind they were. How thankful. How-and this is the most surprising, after everything they've been through-happy.

A year in photos

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

FOOD GURU: The perfect spring cupcake

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

These simple, adorable cupcakes are the perfect way to celebrate the arrival of spring. They're beautiful to look at-and feature a delicious and surprisingly complex combination of flavours. The cupcakes are very light as well-an airy white almond cake is stuffed with a heavenly raspberry cream and topped with a dusting of chopped pistachio.

LOCAL EATS: How to dump Dominos

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Watching students buy groceries is like watching the food pyramid crumble: the average university student diet consists of Kraft Dinner, coffee, beer, and frozen pizza. This last item disturbs me the most, because frozen and delivery pizzas that taste like their cardboard packaging do not do the dish justice.

FOOD GURU: Not your mama's brownies

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner, and with the sunshine finally emerging, everything could use a little spicing up. Why not give your baked goods a kick? Next time you're craving some brownies, skip the predictable box mix and try these home-made, subtly-spicy brownies instead.

ART: All they were saying was give peace a chance

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Forty years ago, John Lennon and Yoko Ono staged a week-long bed-in for peace, donning pajamas and chanting "Give Peace a Chance" in Suite 1742 of Montreal's Queen Elizabeth Hotel. As Lennon and Ono explained their feelings about the Vietnam War to the global media, their hotel bedroom became a forum for spreading their message of hope, peace, and love.

POP RHETORIC: Bigger than The Beatles

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

It's been 49 years since The Beatles formed in Liverpool, 47 since The Rolling Stones played their first show, and 42 since The Who recorded My Generation. Finally, in 2009 a band has emerged that not only parallels the talent of these legendary artists, but in my opinion, greatly exceeds it.

FILM: Discussing ethics on Fifth Avenue

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Outside of luxury department store Bergdorf Goodman on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, philosopher Peter Singer-author of the well-known essay "Famine, Affluence, and Morality"-explains his theories of distributive justice and the ethical implications of wealth and poverty.

FILM: A film that drifts aimlessly

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Adrift in Tokyo-a Japanese film by acclaimed director Miki Satoshi-is, as the title simply puts it, about two men aimlessly wandering about in Tokyo. Yet unlike most films of this nature, this film contains no romantic catharses, no life lessons, and no particular plotline.

MUSIC: West Mississauga kid is heating things up

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Two musicians meet in East Toronto and form a band called Death From Above 1979. They release only one full-length album, but tour the world from the U.S. to England to Tokyo, garnering an unexpected cult following. After only five years, they break up on bitter terms.

RESTAURANT: Cool digs, hot toasty buns

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Hangover cures are for fools. Any doctor will tell you that prevention is the best medicine, and there's no better way to avoid a hangover than chasing your drinks with a hamburger. Unless, of course, you live in Montreal. Don't get me wrong-I love this city.

FILM: Siding with the enemy

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

You have to hand it to French Cinema-it rarely fails to present warped stories in surprisingly cool ways. Cédric Anger's debut feature The Killer (Le Tueur) is an eerie and intriguing psychological thriller that keeps you thinking and analyzing while still remaining scary for the viewer as the action unfolds.

MUSIC: Too fast to slow down

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The thought of releasing a new album less than a year after its predecessor would be a daunting task for any band, but Los Campesinos! aren't your average band. They released We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed just seven months after their well-received debut Hold On Now, Youngster�

"As soon as we finish a record we want to record another one.

MUSIC: From outback to onstage

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The Presets should give Kanye West a lesson or two about how to effectively use a vocoder device. The electric pop duo hailing from Australia, played in Montreal at the Just For laughs Theatre Sunday night as part of the third leg of their worldwide, two-month tour.

CD Review: Brasstronaut

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Brasstronaut. Old World Lies EP. After their initial formation in 2005, Vancouver-based Brasstronaut continues to piece together songs that lovers of different genres of music can really appreciate. This four-piece group has a sound that demonstrates great musical talent without being pretentious.

Tribune Athletes of the Year: The year's top athletes, by skate and by stroke

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Get a McGill Martlets women's hockey team stat sheet, close your eyes, and drop your finger somewhere on the page. There's a pretty good chance the player you landed on deserves to win the McGill Tribune Female Athlete of the Year award. Goaltender Charline Labonté, who won the award for the past two years, allowed only 40 goals in 37 games, but had 12 fewer shutouts this year (14) than last year (26).

Tribune Athletes of the Year: The year's top athletes, by skate and by stroke

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

It's rare for the Tribune to recognize a rookie with its Athlete of the Year award, but freshman McGill swimmer Steven Bielby lapped the field of nominees this year, making it impossible to ignore his accomplishments.

In February, Bielby became the first male swimmer in McGill history to win three individual gold medals at the CIS National Championships in Vancouver, but what made his medal haul so impressive was the way in which he won his races.

Athletes of the Year: Honourable Mention

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Charline Labonté-Goaltender, Martlets Hockey If Labonté hadn't won the Tribune's Female Athlete of the Year award for the past two years, there's a pretty good chance she'd have won it this year. But, as noted above, her effectiveness dropped off slightly this season (in her defence, it would be practically impossible to replicate last year's performance) and she was rarely challenged playing behind the imposing Martlets' defence.

Tribune Rookies of the Year: Presenting eight fabulous freshmen athletes

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Adam Gordon-Centre Fielder, Redbirds Baseball Coach Ernie D'Alessandro's club surprised a lot of people this past October when they surged into the final game of the Canadian Intercollegiate Baseball Association National Championship Tournament. Adam Gordon kept the Redbirds afloat in the regular season, leading them in hits (16), doubles (five), home runs (one), total bases (26), and OBP (1.

Remember where you were when...

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The Redmen won? On January 18, 2002, the McGill men's volleyball team won a 3-2 road decision over Sherbrooke at the Pavillon Univestrie. Nearly seven years later, the Redmen recorded a 3-1 win in the same venue on January 9, to end a streak of 85-straight losses to Quebec schools.

Editor's Note

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Thank you to everyone who helped out the sports section this year. More specifically: Thank you writers for writing and for making my job a lot easier on the weekends. Thank you Matt for being the de facto second sports editor and for making my job a lot easier on the weekends.