pg.2 Clubs at Dawson pg.6 Time Capsule of Literature pg. 7 A window into SPACE
GOD
SAVE
since 1969
vol43/issue3
QUEEN
the plant
The
US
fRoM
2 EDITOR: Bronwyn Haney CONTACT: bronwyn.haney@yahoo.ca
VOL. 3 ISSUE 3 - Thursday, September 18, 2014
Don't Let the Food Trucks Roll by!
Newest trend in the food industry gains popularity over the summer in Montreal OLIVIA CENTOMO-BOZZO STAFF WRITER The Montreal food truck scene has been a hot topic this summer and for Dawson students it’s certainly quite a novelty. Oliver Berkani, one of the workers of the Pheonix 1 food truck, was recently stationed on Atwater Avenue, outside Dawson, and says that he loves what he does. “I got into this business because I had the opportunity to invest in it and seeing as it was a virgin market I took a risk,” Berkani said. “I prefer food trucks to restaurants and sit down meals because it's funner.” Phoenix 1 sells “urban sandwiches” on Naan bread. They are packed with either braised pork, tandoori chicken, or banana and chocolate. They normally see from 20 to 300 people a day, depending on their location in the city. This year’s street food season was extended and runs from May 1st to October 5th.
The city has granted permits to 30 food trucks, all of which can be found in and around downtown, from 7:00am to 10:30pm, seven days a week. One of the 14 pre-determined locations is Dawson College, on Atwater Avenue (corner of De Maisonneuve West). Berkani said it's great that food trucks came to a multicultural city such as Montreal. “Everybody's favourable of the food truck idea, it’s unanimous,” Berkani said. “I see the industry continuing to thrive as long as we keep doing our thing right.” The city is responsible for rotational patterns of the food trucks and provide schedules to the workers every second week. Websites like cuisinerie.org or the Facebook pages belonging to the individual food trucks provide location details. Berkani said Phoenix 1 decreased in sales when it parked at Dawson. He says he thinks this is because the concept is still fairly new to the area. “It's a bit slow here,” Berkani said. “Maybe the word needs to get out there
Phoenix 1 food truck stationed and serving up delicious food
but people just tend to stumble upon us and rarely come looking.” The grey truck with the bright pink logo
and the smiling workers is inviting. It's clean, the menu is clear and concise, and the prices are reasonable.
Photo credit: mtlstreetfood.com
“Everybody's got a different concept for their food truck so competition is minimal and we actually tend to work together.”
Clubs at Dawson: A How-To Guide As the new year begins, new clubs and old favourites alike are welcomed home ANTONIETTA COVELLI CONTRIBUTOR
If you are new to Dawson, or if you simply haven’t taken the time to look at any of the clubs, this article can help you navigate your way into a club that best suits you. There are a variety of clubs on campus, not all of them have a club space. Here are some of the many clubs you may encounter during your time at Dawson. Creativity (2C11) Focusing on all aspects of creativity, whether it be drawing, music or even dancing the creativity club will support it. To join the creativity club, you don’t need to be in the arts profile. Many of the members who’ve joined already are part of the sciences. This is to say, you don’t have to be an amazing artist to be part of this club, all members are included and all artwork will be displayed! The Creativity club also helps artists create their very own portfolios. DTC (2C11) The Dawson Theatre Collective is a theatre group that throughout the year prepares to put on a show at the end of the year. To join this group, you’d have to attend a meeting on September 23 in 5B 13 at 6:30. If you want to be an actor, or work backstage this is the club for you. If that isn’t enough, the proceeds from the shows go to the Theresa Foundation, a non-profit organization helping grandmothers and orphaned children of AIDS victims. Model UN (2C11) The Model UN is unlike other clubs at Dawson. This club is there to teach us how to learn about resolving issues collectively. A small group of members are assigned a country each, these countries attempt to solve their differences and decide on major issues together. This year, their main focus is drones. This award winning group travels the world in order to compete against schools like Stanford and Oxford for best delegation. If world
issues and traveling are some of your interests, this club would be best suited for you. Animal Protection (2C11) This club’s main focus is to bring awareness to endangered species of animals as well as animal abuse. While spending less than five minutes in this club, you will learn that it is legal to own a tiger in many states in the US without a permit or proper accommodations. You may also learn that Lion steak is easily accessible in North America. Animal Protection is an active club with activities every 2 weeks. The proceeds from these activities go to non-profit organizations and animal sanctuaries. Metal Club (2C9) The metal club is a club mostly focused on the appreciation of metal music. Their club space is interestingly decorated and their music can always be heard from the hallways. If you want to be part of Dawson’s very own metal community, this club is where to be. Pokémon Club (2C9) The Pokémon club can be often seen playing many different videogames in their club space. When interviewed they mentioned that new additions to their club would be welcomed to play videogames along with them. For those who enjoy a relaxing environment to unwind, the Pokémon club may be a perfect fit. Chill Club (2C9) The chill club, found at the very back of the room is littered with couches and interesting people. The members of the club often play things like chess and cards against humanity. The Chill club also has events planned for the year. Events that include a Ladies and Gents mascarade ball, which is a dance where members wear masks! They also have a scavenger hunt planned. Comics and Anime (2C12) This club focuses on comic book appreciation, so if you are interested in any different comics this is the place to be! Members encourage those who want to know more about comics or graphic nov-
els and to indulge in their vast library. The club also offers bi-weekly screenings of anime shows, and various different activities. If you are a fan of comics or are looking for a starting place, this club is a great place to be. Etcetera (2C14) This club offers a Trans* friendly place to hang out and make new friends! Etcetera is all about being accepting, welcoming and friendly to one another. New ideas for queer and Trans* acceptance are highly encouraged, all ideas will be listened to and accepted. If you are a queer individual or are looking to be part of a gay straight alliance then Etcetera is a safe and welcoming place to be. Black Legacy (2C3) The black legacy is a club full of interesting people who are informative and friendly. While interviewing it was obvious that this club was accepting and fun to be a part of. The members mentioned how it is a good place to meet people and to know your legacy. As said from Yakubu Umar “It’s all heart Baby!” MSA (2C11) The MSA is a place for Muslim and nonMuslim students to become aware of the religion of Islam and its culture. Their events include a bake sale and a welcoming dinner for all those who wish to attend. They also hold an event called the Beauty of Islam every semester, this event reaches out to show the beauty of the Islamic religion and Islamic culture. AC (2C11) Arts and Cinema is a club dedicated to the two things in its title. This club focuses on critiquing different movies and different forms of art. They also have many movie screenings to attend. If you find yourself interested in art in any form this club is a good place to be. The club space is a safe place to create your own art as well as critique others on their pieces. Music Club The music club is new to Dawson, and does not have an allocated club space. This doesn’t mean that you can’t find or hear them, as they plan to use Oliver’s as
a practise space and an area to hold meetings. They are also looking for a club space to share, so if you know of some extra space that a club is willing to part with, let them know via their Facebook page, Dawson Music Club 2014. This is also where you will go if you want to get involved with the club, and it is open to anyone, regardless of what instrument (or lack thereof) you play and aims to form a collective of musicians and audiophiles alike to communicate musical ideas. If music is your passion, this is your place! Green Club (2C11) The green club is focused on green sustainability. In the past, they worked hard in order to get water bottles banned on campus and succeeded! No water bottles are sold in any of the vending machines due to the fact that they are harmful to our environment. There are some movie screenings planned, and those who are interested in documentaries would definitely enjoy a club like this. During the semester, the green club has what’s called a craft sale. The craft sale is a sale of art made entirely from recycled materials, which stands against overconsumption. The green earth space is a quiet area with very friendly members, if ever you find yourself wanting to help the environment this is a good place to start. Hive (2D1A) Although the Hive is NOT A CLUB It is a very important group to know about. The hive offers products to students such as tampons, pads, condoms, and lube. They offer peer support, so if you are feeling overly anxious or are confused about gender, sexuality or sexual health they offer some help and information about it! The Hive is a gender advocacy group which offers awareness into the gender binary and what it is to be a queer person. They also offer workshops on sexual health and dating health. The Hive is here to start a conversation about learning. Carbon Chemistry (2C15) Forgot your lab coat at home and you have a lab first period? No problem, the
carbon chemistry club offers a lab coat loan! For those who aren’t science students but are interested in science, the carbon chemistry club offers information on anything you may be curious about. They also offer a quiet cozy area to study. Not only do they lend lab coats, they also have manuals in which you could borrow and return! Radio Station (2C7) The radio station on channel 103.1 offers live DJ sets that are broadcasted on campus in the atrium. You don’t have to be a music producer in order to be part of the club, some members simply create playlists and plug their phones in! The DJ event begins next week for all those who want to join this club. Sci-Fi (2C9) The sci-fi club is full of interesting people playing fantastic games! For those who are interested in Magic, or dungeons and dragons this is definitely a club worth checking out. The Sci-Fi club has a large library open to their members, so if you’re looking for a place to relax, play some games, or read you’re in the right place. The sci-fi club has many different events including sword fighting and a medieval day! It definitely goes without saying, this club is something worth looking into.
The clubs can be found in the 2C wing Photo credit: dawsoncollege.qc.ca
the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant
3 VOL. 43 ISSUE 3 - Thursday, September 18th, 2014
EDITOR: Nach Reich CONTACT: reichnachman@yahoo.ca
Steven Sotloff sold to IS by rebels SAMUEL ARAUJO STAFF WRITER
Murdered journalist Steven Sotloff, 31, was sold to the Islamic State (IS) by Syrian rebels for “between $25,000 and $50,000,” said family spokesman Barak Barfi during an interview with CNN. He went on to say that IS had received a tipoff from Syrian rebels of the location near the Turkish-Syrian border where Sotloff enterd Syria. The terror group set up a fake checkpoint in this area, where it would capture the American journalist and hold him in a compound outside Raqqa for the remainder of his life. “It happened so quickly when he was kidnapped, they didn't have the time to mobilize,” says Barfi. In the interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, Barfi said that the tip-off from IS came from “the so-called moderate rebels that people want (the American) administration to support.” Sotloff ’s name, he claims, had been added to a list of people
responsible for the bombing of a hospital. “This was false. Activists spread his name around," said Barfi. Barfi had spoken to Sotloff just minutes prior to the abduction:“He called me from inside Syria to tell me that he was in.” This would be the last time that they would speak. From this point on, the Administration would enter the picture to handle the hostage negotiations. Saying they “could have done more,” Barfi expressed the family’s disapproval over how they went about doing this. The spokesman described the relationship with the American government as “strained,” even before the murder. “We do not believe they gave us the cooperation [needed],” he said, and denied that the White House had been keeping families of kidnapped journalists “regularly and consistently informed.” White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest has since issued a statement denying Barfi’s claim: “Based on the information that has been provided to me, I don't believe that is accurate,” he said. “That information does not match the information that I’m currently aware of.”
Officials of the moderate Free Syrian Army Syrian opposition group have also denied allegations that they were in cahoots with IS. Still, it should be noted that the Syrian opposition is made up of around a dozen groups, some of whom are extremists and would have been ideologically motivated to kidnap Sotloff. The kidnapping took place in August 2013, shortly after Sotloff entered Syria to report on the civil war. Thereafter, the reporter was not heard from again by the general public until September 2nd, of the following year, when a video showing Sotloff ’s gruesome murder at the hands of the British jihadist dubbed “Jihadi John,” surfaced online. Sotloff was not the first American journalist to be murdered by IS. His death came in the wake of a similar video released in August showing the murder of James Foley, another freelance journalist who had been working in Syria. A bill that would reward anyone with information leading to the arrest of those involved in the murder of the two journalists, $10 million, has recently been introduced by a Barak Barfi (top left), Sotloff (center). group of U.S. congressmen.
MH17 Crash ALEXANDER BERNIER STAFF WRITER
On September 9th, investigators tasked by the Dutch Safety Board to ascertain the causes of the recent MH17 plane crash published their findings. Their report stated that the aircraft had not suffered from technical issues of any sort, but rather had been struck by multiple objects whilst airborne, just prior to the crash. These deductions were made primarily based on photographic evidence, eyewitness testimony, and limited physical evidence retrieved from the crash site. The crash, which occurred in Ukraine on July 17th, was initially believed to have been caused by a surface-to-air missile fired at the aircraft. Tragically, it led to the deaths of just under three hundred civilians, primarily passengers, and left no survivors. The victims, who were on their way from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, were primarily Dutch and
Wreckage from the MH17 crash lies strewn across an area of over a mile.
Malaysian, though individuals from across the world were present on the aircraft. Most notably, renowned Dutch scientist and AIDS activist Joep Lange was amongst those killed.
“No irregularities were reported by the crewmembers, and all equipment appeared to be operational until disaster struck.“ In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, a group of Ukrainian separatists released an online statement claiming responsibility for causing the crash. However, once it was made public that the aircraft had exclusively been host to civilians, it retracted its claim. While this only heightened the world’s suspicions that Ukrainian separatists were involved in the disaster, Russian officials called for a
Photo Credit: Xinhua/Landov /Barcroft Media
thorough and transparent investigation before any party was blamed, implying that Ukrainian military jets may be to blame. On the other side, some eyewitnesses have claimed that Russian military personnel shot down the aircraft in the guise of rebels. The accuracy of these claims, however, remains under question. What is undisputable, however, is the report released by the investigators. It states that the cockpit of the plane was the first to break off, followed shortly by the plane, which dipped forwards and went hurtling downwards before breaking into pieces due to excess structural pressure. No irregularities were reported by the crewmembers, and all equipment appeared to be operational until disaster struck. The aircraft, it has then been concluded, was struck by a large number of small, high-energy projectiles, a description corresponding to that of missile shrapnel. Though the information collected on site does not explicitly confirm the missile theory, experts argue that it leaves no room for any other valid interpretation. Currently, investigators are analysing samples of iron collected from the crash site in an attempt to determine which type of missile was used. If it is discovered that it is in the hands of both sides, matters will only become more complicated for the investigators. The report itself did not name any suspects. Still, authorities from Ukraine and some Western countries have taken the findings of this investigation as proof that Ukrainian rebels are at fault. Of note, a criminal investigation spearheaded by the Netherlands is being conducted separately. The Dutch government is hoping its findings will shed light on the matter.
Photo Credit: Splash News
‘Historic’ Summit 2014 ALEXANDRA KAMINSKI STAFF WRITER
On September 4th and 5th, the annual Nato Summit was held in Wales. One of the most important meetings of world leaders in this generation, especially in the West, its main theme was the Ukraine crisis and the actions of Vladimir Putin. At the event there was clear determination by all the members in Nato to stand together in an alliance against the Kremlin, largely view as having exacerbated
Countries included within NATO
the crisis in Ukraine. David Cameron, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, clearly stated this, saying that the conflict is the result of “Russia deny[ing] the people of Ukraine their legitimate choice to be closer to the European Union and have an association agreement with it.” He further discussed the success of the meeting in getting consensus on important topics, and that this proved the importance of having such an organization. Some of these ‘successes’ are agree-
ments accepted by all Nato countries. Most notably, member nations have agreed to spend 2% of their respective GDP’s on defense, as per the “Welsh pledge”. Those that do not currently meet the target have accepted to stop cuts in military spending and gradually
“there was clear determination by all the members in Nato to stand together in an alliance against the Kremlin”
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
increase it over the next decade. In so doing, Nato hopes that all of its members will be in a state of combat readiness. Although very little concrete steps were taken, this meeting provided the groundwork for future Nato action around the world. Given that consensus was successfully established among all parties, the conference is seen as a success. The next step is building off of this to promote concrete action.
the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant
4 VOL. 43 ISSUE 3 - Thursday, September 18th, 2014
EDITOR:Nach Reich CONTACT: reichnachman@yahoo.ca
Aborting Pakistani Democracy SAM ROE STAFF WRITER
On August 14th, the Azadi (Freedom) March, a convoy of cars, trucks, and busses overloaded with protesters, set out from Lahore for the five-hour drive to Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital. The participants have since then camped out in the streets of Islamabad, and are calling for the dismissal of Mian Nawaz Sharif ’s majority government as well as a snap election due to what they perceive as election rigging and corruption. Though unsubstantiated by international election observers, these claims hold sway with a significant minority of Pakistanis loyal to Imran Khan. The famous cricketer-turned-politician’s PTI party placed third with 17% of the vote in the 2013 election, albeit far behind the incumbent Pakistan Muslim league. The protesters are challenging these figures, and have increased in number since Tahir ul Qadri, an influential Muslim cleric, urged his followers to take to the streets alongside Khan’s. Imran Khan’s party is popular, especially amongst Pakistani ex-pats living in liberal democracies abroad and the middle class urbanites of his own nation. Judging by the outcome of the elections, the Pakistani Muslim League is much stronger, however, garnering almost a third of the popular vote. That this figure is not entirely representative of the entire outcome may well be true, but that fraud accounts for the entire gap between both parties seems far-fetched. As such, one must question the wisdom of weakening an already fragile democracy at such a critical juncture in Pakistan’s future. All is not well in the world’s sole Muslim nuclear state. The economy is in bad shape and in need of reforms after years of military dictatorships and dynastic democracies. Exacerbating this is raised energy prices; three times the central Asian average, due to poor infrastructure and droughts. Also economically, a nuclear arms race with India has left public finances in shambles. Security-wise, Taliban has reasserted its control over regions of North and South Waziristan,
using it’s launching base for domestic terrorist attacks. Equally as bad, polio has returned to the country due to vaccinations being banned in areas controlled by the militant group. Sharif ’s government represents the second democratically elected party since the army turned over power in 2008. The previous government, led by the Pakistan Peoples Party, managed to successfully hold power without military intervention for its entire five year term, largely by doing very little. Sharif will have to be bolder if he wishes to solve his country’s problems. As it stands, his government is in danger of being superseded by Pakistan’s armed forces, which have taken a leading role in quelling the elections protests. While sit-ins of Islamabad’s government district have been allowed to continue for a month, casualties are climbing, threatening to result in matters spiraling out of control. In a sign of worse things to
Pakistani police forces beat back protesters
come, assassination and intimidation attempts by government forces against some of Kahn’s hard-line supporters are beginning. While a return to military dictatorship appears unlikely, martial law in the capital and the weakness of the government’s security and police forces in the face of the growing protest movement has placed the fate of Pakistan once more squarely in the hands of the military leadership. While Imran Khan’s party seems like a better alternative to the status quo, given its integrity and vision of a unified, fair, and strongly democratic Pakistan, the cost of forcibly ousting the current party might just be too high. The ongoing protests are forcing the army to intervene, which might tempt it to once again reassert itself on the political scene. Given that this would be the antithesis of democratic rule, it seems that Khan’s supports are favouring ideology over pragmatism.
Photo Credit: Reuters Pics
New Iraqi government HILLEL STEINMETZ STAFF WRITER
Amidst political turmoil and violence, the Iraqi parliament established a new government last Monday. Appointed as its head is Prime Minister Haider alAbadi, who has taken over from Former Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki. Maliki, who resigned from his post in August under international pressure, will now serve as one of the government’s three Vice Presidents, largely considered an honorary position. The vote narrowly missed the country’s constitutional deadline of Wednesday.
“a positive step towards peace and stability.” - UN Secretary General Ban Kimoon’s spokesman The new government has a turbulent future ahead. It was created in an attempt to unify the divided country, and in so doing to combat the terrorist Islamic State (IS). It also intends to quell the violence that plagues Iraq, by strengthening the central government and thus, the army. To do so effectively, Prime Minister Abadi, a member of the Shi’a Dawa party, will have to be the leader of all Iraqis, including Sunnis and Kurds. In an auspicious sign, Abadi’s government is ostensibly more inclusive, with Kurds and Sunnis taking positions in its cabinet. This has legitimized the government, as evidenced by many world leaders, such as the U.S.’s Secretary of State John Kerry, saying that the new government is “unquestionably a major milestone” and that it “has potential to unite Iraq’s diverse communities.” A spokesman for UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon further called it “a positive step towards peace and stability.” While foreign officials were quick to praise the new government, many experts remain unconvinced of it harkening change. Stephen Biddle of the Council of Foreign Relations, for example, told the L.A. times that “there is a
certain tendency in the debate to think if we get rid of Maliki, the problem is solved. Or if we get a balance of portfolios, the problem is solved. This is a much more sweeping challenge than that.” Some skeptics point out that Abadi’s government comes too late in the crisis, given the Kurds’ increasing independence and Sunni mistrust of any Shi’a government, following Maliki’s rule. Known for his sectarian politics, the former Iraqi Prime Minister marginalized the Sunni population by, amongst others, purging the military and political class of members of this faith. As such, increasing the mistrust of the current government is the fact that many of the cabinet positions are occupied by politicians of the past government. Wayne White, an analyst for the Middle Eastern Institute in Washington, told the LA Times that taking this sameness into account, “it’s hardly a signal that a major change in outlook is the offing.” Given IS’s entrenched presence in Iraq, the only way that it will be driven out is if all Iraqis work together. If this does not happen, the many Iraqis who do not believe in IS’s religious doctrines are in acute danger of being murdered. This is
“it’s hardly a signal that a major change in outlook is the offing.” - Wayne White, Analyst for the Middle Eastern Institute the case especially for Iraq’s Shiites and Kurds, as well as smaller non-Muslims minorities such as Yazidis and Christians. Showing himself ready to lead the fight, Prime Minister Abadi vehemently asserted his intentions to combat IS, vowing to “back military operations in all the areas of confrontation against the armed gangs and the forces of terrorism and ensuring their continuation till victory is achieved.” A lot of hope has been placed in the new government, but it is too early to tell if Abadi’s government is the leadership Iraq needs, or simply a band-aid on a bullet wound.
Let your creativity reach its peak
Write for the Plant 2C.10 Iraqi members of parliament
Photo Credit: AP/Karim Kadim, CTV News
the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant
5 VOL. 43 ISSUE 3 - Thursday, September 18th, 2014
EDITOR: Kaitlin Fitzgibbon CONTACT: Kaitlin.fitzgibbon@live.ca
A Time Capsule of Literature 100 Years of Hidden Writing KAITLIN FITZGIBBON ARTS AND CULTURE EDITOR Scottish multimedia artist, Katie Paterson, has put a unique and exciting twist on the classic time capsule idea. She planted 1,000 trees in the Norwegian city of Oslo. In 100 years, these trees will offer their paper to print possibly the greatest anthology of literature since the beginning of time. Every year for the next century, a selected artist will produce a written piece to be held, unpublished until The Future Library Project is over in 2114. Writers can produce anything they want, as long as it complies with the theme of time and imagination. Until then, all the writings will be held in a special room designed for this project in the New Public Deichmanske Library of Oslo that will be opened in 2018. The first to contribute to this inventive artwork is 74-year-old Canadian author,
Margaret Atwood. She is delighted to be part of the project and has many positive comments about Paterson’s idea. “I am very honoured, and also happy to be part of this endeavor,” said Atwood. “This project, at least, believes the human race will still be around in a hundred years! Future Library is bound to attract a lot of attention over the decades, as people follow the progress of the trees, note what takes up residence in and around them, and try to guess what the writers have put into their sealed boxes.” In 2015, a ceremony will be held in honour of Atwood submitting her secret manuscript. Other artists for the upcoming years will be chosen by “The Future Library Trust”, which consists of several authors, editors and publishers. Although we will not be around when the pieces will be revealed and we cannot possibly see the reactions of future generations, Atwood believes being a writer is already like this. “When you write any book, you do not know who's going to read it, and you do
not know when they're going to read it. You don't know who they will be, you don't know their age, or gender, or nationality, or anything else about them. So books, anyway, really are like the message in the bottle,"said the Canadian author. Atwood admitted to buying a special archival paper, so that her piece will not decay in her sealed box for the next 100 years. Smart thinking! She also believes that future readers will need a dictionary to translate the works considering the language might change quite a bit over the next 100 years. This project is exciting for both writers and readers all around the world, even though we will not be able to read the work. This will give future readers a sense of our time and time periods following ours. They can see the progress or decline of lifestyles for the next century. As Paterson said, “I think it's important that the writing reflects maybe something of this moment in time, so when future readers open the book, they will have some kind of reflection of how we were living in this moment."
The Physical World
Atwood and Paterson in Oslo
Photo Credit: artnews.com
Canadian Pop-Punk Band Releases New Album ANASTASSIA TARASSOVA STAFF WRITER Earlier this week, legendary Canadian duo, Death From Above 1979, released their second full-length album. The opus has been out since September 9th. Pompously entitled The Physical World, it is a highly satisfactory blend of abrasive melodies, pleasantly vibrant basslines and enchanting vocals. Death From Above 1979 , apart from being a freaking clever reference to Apocalypse Now, is a Toronto-based pop(ish)-nise-punk group composed of Sebastien Grainger (vocals) and Jesse F. Keeler (bass and synths). The latest member is (or was) operating a bunch of other side-projects, involving acts such as MSTRKRFT, Black
Cat #13 and Femme Fatale. The duo took a hiatus between 2006 and 2011, not giving signs of life for years, before briefly stating that they had disbanded due to personal tension and constant discordances between them DFA1979’s first album, You’re A Woman and I’m a Machine (2004) contains 11 relatively successful tracks, parts of which were recorded here, in Montréal. In addition, the band has also released four or five EPs and even a live session, recorded back in the far away, distant year of 2005. Considering that this second album was produced with the assistance of Dave Sardy (who has previously worked with such famous acts as Nine Inch Nails, Oasis and Marilyn Manson), it must totally fulfill the expectations of the DFA1979 fanbase. The Physical World delights the listener
with powerful vocals and a maddening amount of crash cymbals on some songs, and mellow melodies on others. The album cover portrays a pastel cityscape background, with elephant trunk-bearing portraits of the band members in the center. Very stylish. The single "Trainwreck 1979", which was released earlier this year, is a very energetic tune that surprises the listener with a light and pop-ish chorus, which contrasts greatly with the overall aggressively energetic theme and sound of the song. The official video for that track features an androgynous and barefoot bassist-skater teen witnessing a live show of the band. Oh, well. At least the official audio of the tune had nice visuals. Overall, The Physical World was a pleasant 36 minutes of my existence.
Flashback to the 60’s Times they are a changing - Bob Dylan Sunny afternoon - The Kinks Debora - Tyrannosaurus Rex I can see for miles - The Who Do right woman, do right man - Aretha Franklin Bad moon rising - Creedence Clearwater Revival I wanna be your dog - The Stooges California dreaming - Mamas And The Pappas Louie Louie -The Kingsmen Cry to me - Solomon Burke Hey Porter - Johnny Cash Cecilia - Simon and Garfunkel Eleanor Rigby - The Beatles Piece of my Heart - Janis Joplin
Just Chillin’ With a Cat
Photo Credit: mtv.com
the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant
6 EDITOR: Kaitlin Fitzgibbon CONTACT:Kaitlin.fitzgibbon@live.ca
VOL. 43 ISSUE 3 - Thursday, September 18th , 2014
Foreign Finds
Creative Corner! Firmament
Awesome International Artists
Ukranian Band Okean Elzy ANASTASSIA TARASSOVA STAFF WRITER This week’s Foreign Artist is Okean Elzy, a Ukrainian group established in 1994, whose name literally translates to ‘’Elza’s Ocean’’. What may seem like your average and mediocre rock band, Okean Elzy transgresses obscurity and surprises the regular North-American listener with powerful, yet very catchy, slow-paced tunes. Wikipedia cites them as ‘’the most successful post-Soviet rock band in Ukraine.’’ Seriously, these guys are to Ukraine exactly what INXS and AC/DC were to Australia. The band consists of five members, including the main lyricist, Svyatoslav Vakarchuk (one hell of a name), who has been distinguished from the mass of European performers, not only by his unique vocal techniques, but equally by his regular contributions to all sorts of various non-profit organisations. This man has also been appointed as
Ukranian Flag Photo Credit: alliancebroad.com
the Ambassador of Good Will by the UN and has a degree in theoretical physics. That’s pretty damn cool, y’all. Throughout their time as a band, they have released some 8 full-length albums. With the first largely successful album, whose title can be approximately translated to There, Where We Aren’t, the band has broken the stigma laid upon EasternEuropean music and have spread their popularity throughout Europe. From what I’ve personally heard, the songs possess a distinct epic atmosphere, yet with a strangely soft and soothing sound. The band is therefore quite hard to classify by genre (my guess would be ‘’alternative rock ballad’’, but I couldn’t be sure). The latest opus by Okean Elzy has been released last year and is entitled Zemlya, which can be translated as ‘’Earth’’ or ‘’Land’’. This album features great melodies and very nice lyrics. They’re nice, believe me. Like many of you, I barely understand any Ukrainian, but the lyrics sure do sound convincing. The band still has a great impact
on the Eastern-European rock scene today, having acquired quite a large fan base all over Europe. Even here, in our beloved Montréal, we have managed to find a few devoted fans of the band. “The music by Okean Elzy is something very inspiring for me. There is something patriotic about it, but not in a political way, no. It just feels like home,’’said an anonymous Dawson student. Truly, the atmosphere given off by Okean Elzy’s music is something unique and very different from what we’ve been immersed into by pop culture. Despite the lyrics being in Ukraininan, Okean Elzy has achieved an-ever growing popularity in Eurasia. By now, the quintet has performed shows in nearly every major Ukrainian metropolis, as well as most of Europe and Russia. In 2006, they toured across the US, Canada, Russia and most European countries, where they were unanimously well-received. This year, Okean Elzy will be again of visit in Montreal on Thursday October 9th at the Place des Arts.
Photo Credit: liveriga.com
Cool Ukranian Dudes
Weekend Wanderings 1. Get 2009 Jersey Shore Snooki drunk. Yes, I mean wasty pants. 2. Wear your Backstreet Boys t-shirt. Be proud. 3. Draw a super rad picture and give it to a homeless guy, along with breakfast. 4. Let your inner Beyoncé out. 5. Get your wild ass to Tams and enjoy a little herbal meditation before the stressful week
Up in the air, I Looked down there - enthralled: He could not see Me; and so I stop, Oh, how great his shock To be so used, appalled Despised! You realize, however, how could you not? That it was there, that which we’d sought 'twas there, before us all, just right right - there… (I looked away, let fall his state..) It was the sky, all greys, all blues, So bright, so vivid in those myriad hues Each one distinct, each one apart, as one: And likewise we; We could not bear to be …that way, together And thus we saw, observed, How in the brutal lofty aether Our colors darken, start to fall How could he forgive The pure sheer insult of it allIntangible, just barely seen No longer heard, at that Just hanging there, like pale smog Reflected here, in his sick sheen I stare at, very long; I stare; I long, I sit, I hear. A snatch of song, of solemn woe: Of way back when he was no foe, No dire enemy; no furious ire Would dare posses the best of friends. From way back when, before the end: The stars were still aligned, alight, Beneath it all, no room to fight We were as one, unite. As always, bile blight Came soon after - out of spite? Perverted lust for other’s joy Distraught? Disturbed? Whyever ask? When one can simply bask, be coy. And thus it fell, it falls, celestial assurance all But gone, hélàs, distraught And fraught with fright, must meet the end That very one, as is now seen, When, tired, I must bow So low, and from here gaze At my own face, reflect’d in that sheen Matthew Liberman
the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant
7 EDITOR: Alyssia Rubertucci CONTACT: alyssia_rubertucci@hotmail.com
VOL. 43 ISSUE 3 - Thursday, September 18th , 2014
A window into S.P.A.C.E.
Photo Credit: Nancy Pettinicchio
Cultural change induced by elements of a foreign culture tourist rather than that of an Italian. I befriended tourists, lived with tourists, studied with tourists. I was addressed as a tourist in restaurants, malls, and markets. My time in Italy was definite. Therefore, as attached to Florence as I was and always will be, I experienced Italy as a temporary guest, surrounded by thousands of my own kind.
NANCY PETTINICCHIO S.P.A.C.E.
T R A N S V A L U A T I O N
This summer, I spent a month in Florence to study Italian. Although Florence eventually started to feel like home, I remained a tourist in one of the most touristic countries in the world. This became even more apparent when I spent a day in Rome and Venice, away from my "home" in Florence. Throughout my trip, I photographed hundreds of tourists as well as locals, all of whom were in the same physical space as I yet most probably in a different "mental space." Despite our cultural differences as individuals from all around the world, I began to question the universal norms of tourism, such as posing for an innumerable amount of photos or capturing every angle of a foreign country's landmarks. Consequently, tourism became very fascinating to me. I studied my own behavior as well as that of other tourists more closely. Being surrounded by thousands of visitors suddenly made me feel like I was in this transitional or “in-between” world; everyone was similar to me, for we were all experiencing a place that was foreign—yet in the end, we were all strangers who faced separate realities. For the time being, we coexisted, and we inevitably shaped each other’s environments as much as the Italian landscape that we had come to discover.
I am passionate about photography, and I hoped to capture a fresh and thought-provoking series while travelling to Europe. Italy is a place filled with photographers, however, and foreigners snap countless photos of the country’s beauty on a daily basis.
Photo Credit: Nancy Pettinicchio
I wanted to capture more than just souvenirs of a given place at a given time. Although I was originally anticipating shooting landscapes, I became more interested in shooting portraits––or more precisely, portraits of strangers. Most often, I rushed to take a photo of someone without them noticing, but the subject occasionally looked straight into my lens, paused, and continued on with what they were doing. My month in Florence was without question the most enriching experience of my life. The way of life in Italy definitely changed my perspective, and observing the people there made me question my own behavior as a Canadian. Although I do not know where my next destination will be, I look forward to once again joining the touristic culture that I have just begun to discover.
As I continued to reflect on my time in Italy, I realized that I had experienced the lifestyle of a
the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant
T R A N S C U L T U R A T I O N
8 EDITOR: Alyssia Rubertucci CONTACT: alyssia_rubertucci@hotmail.com
VOL. 43 ISSUE 3 - Thursday, September 18th , 2014
Domestic violence crisis in the NFL SAMUEL GRENADE CONTRIBUTOR
The Baltimore Ravens were on the wrong end of a domestic violence charge once again last week. We are only entering the second week of NFL football and a handful of suspensions have already been distributed to individuals across the league. Most notably, Ray Rice who knocked his fiancée out cold in an elevator. Caught on tape, we see him hit her once and then violently punch her a second time to put her out for good. He drags her out of the elevator as if nothing happened and continues on with his night. This incident happened in February of 2014 and apparently the NFL had only seen it this past week. Rice had been suspended for the first two games of this season but once the tape was released the Baltimore Ravens made the decision to terminate Rice's contract and suspend Rice indefinitely. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell had recently tightened up the domestic violence charges in the NFL, so questions arose with how the Rice’s case was dealt with. Some people want Goodell fired and
Do something, Goodell!
Picture Credit: thebighead.com
others do not. This is not the first case of domestic violence in the Ravens history or NFL history. Is this an act of aggressiveness because of football? Is it the sports mentality itself
that causes such an outrage? Two-time Superbowl champ over a 17 season long career with the Ravens, Ray Lewis, said that he was disappointed with Rice's actions. "Never, ever is a man to lay his hands on a woman, ever," said Lewis.
So let’s go over washroom courtesy to make you the best public toileteer you can be. 1. Avoid peak hours Go in the middle of class or at a random time (anywhere near every :15 and :45 of the hour should be avoided, as classes have just ended and everyone’s headed where you are!). You’re welcome.
cluse hallways. If you have a long break to spare, sashé your way to the Pepsi forum to use the finest bathrooms in MTL. George Costanza will be proud of you.
After having played three seasons with Rice, Lewis told the media that he spoke to him as a friend, as a mentor and that he needs help. After seeing this very violent video, it is apparent that Rice had no respect for his
fiancée, whom he is now married to. He had allegedly also spat in her face before entering the elevator. The feeling of disgrace and embarrassment that Rice’s then fiancée must have felt is unimaginable. This type of behavior shouldn’t be tolerated. A second chance? Michael Vick got a second chance, Ray Lewis got a second chance and many other players who have abused the drug policy on numerous accounts have gotten second chances. So why doesn't Ray Rice deserve a second chance? Rice will need to prove to the NFL and Roger Goodell that he has changed for the better. But the main issue is not second chances, it’s the elimination of domestic violence in the NFL. Women cannot defend themselves against 200-pound men even if you are Serena Williams. It is mind-boggling how a man can beat on a woman knowing she cannot fight back. This Ray Rice saga is not the first and will not be the last. This happens in other major league sports and it is very unfortunate. The league commissioners NEED to address these issues very severely and follow through to show fans they mean business.
Dawson poo etiquette and you IGGY POOP POO-FESSIONAL
Fall is in the air: and so is your nether region’s stank. If there’s one thing my several semesters at Dawson has taught me it’s how to be considerate with your bowel movements, especially when sharing washrooms with 10,000 other Dawsonites. We live in a society, people! We ought to work out a system that works for everyone. Let’s get #utilitarian and minimize washroom anxiety and maximize olfactory pleasure.
2. Avoid the danger zone E-wing bathrooms are hell on earth. Yes they are now bright, shiny, and have the Mitsubishi brand dyson airblade hand dryers, however they are also the stuffiest washrooms around. Try finding the quieter bathrooms in re-
3. Kick down those doors *Not literally*. For the ladies of Dawson (I guess guys too?) the bathrooms lineups are akin to Apt. 200’s on Friday night. As the first person in line, the process is sped up exponentially if you give each door a little nudge just to see if one’s free especially in the downstairs metro entrance washrooms. If you want to be a hero, do this if you’re the second person in line. If it works, I and every other lady/man behind you will respect you. That’s high praise.
4. Get your spray game strong We are all human and shit happens. Invest in some body spray (the pink Dove one is dope) and just spritz twice (before and after). The person after you will think you smell delightful and not resent you for putting them through an agonizingly smelly pee sesh. 5. The One Second Plumber If you’re environmentally conscious and anti-body mist, flushing right after you hit the surface helps minimize odors. 6. Don’t doo doo it If you can avoid it, maybe try not to poo
in public at all. Pooping should be a relaxing experience: there’s nothing like taking your sweet ass time while you take care of business. It just isn’t comfortable to rush the ritualistic process of poo. Embrace your home’s porcelain throne and keep your poopies exclusively there. Of course, one should never be ashamed of their natural bodily functions but - trust me - this makes your experience and everyone else’s ten times less stressful. May you carry this knowledge this year at Dawson, and further down your path of life to University, or wherever life takes you.
Rant of the week: piling homework ALYSSIA RUBERTUCCI VOICES EDITOR
Teachers are assigning homework, projects and presentations now more than ever. Aren’t we just getting through the 4th week? I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m still trying to get over the fact that summer is over. There are still a few beautiful days left for us to seize before the bone-chilling cold emerges. Yet, most of us are stuck inside, admiring the weather through a window. Why, you may ask? The answer is simple: homework. Over a year ago, homework was never a stress. High school demands weren’t even close to those of CEGEP. You go from having mild and bearable work to an enormous pile of assignments just like that. The transition was a bit of a shock. And you’d think that the load of homework that’s given becomes more tolerable
HELP!!!
with time, huh? That couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s as if there’s always homework and always something to do. Are teachers doing it on purpose to overwhelm us con-
Picture Credit: sites.psu.edu
stantly? Most of us aren’t just taking one or two classes; we’re responsible for 6-7, even 8 courses. A human being should not be subjected to this much stress and pressure.
Even when you think you don’t have homework, you always do – it never fails! You may have just one night off, but then you realize that in a few days, there’s something else that’s due, so you start thinking
of that rather than just enjoying the little time you do have to relax. There’s always the next assignment or project to keep in mind. You finish one, and you don’t have time to even take a breath before you have to start the next task. I sometimes feel guilty for taking a break during my homework because I think that I’m wasting the time I need to get my work done. Is that even normal? Aren’t we entitled to have some leisure breaks during the hours we’re doing homework? We can’t be expected to do everything in one sitting, that’s just absurd. I have to say though, there are some considerate teachers out there that try to help our situation as students, but others just don’t see it our way and bury us in books and papers. At the end of the day, the only way you can truly help yourself is by being organized and managing your time efficiently. And it’s best to start now, because in a few weeks, it’ll be even worse.
the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant
9 EDITOR: Maryam Elkahlaoui CONTACT: mb.kahlaoui@gmail.com
VOL. 43 ISSUE 3 - Thursday, September 18th, 2014
Thrift Shop, A Good Deal? PATRICK BAZARBACHIAN CONTRIBUTOR
As people opt for more expensive trends to wear, thriftiness is becoming a relatively old-fashioned characteristic within people’s purchasing habits. Spending is our drug and spending we do well. Our hard earned cash goes to material goods with terrible longevity yet it is emotionally gratifying to buy top-end retail clothing. So why do we do it? or rather why should we give our businesses to thrift shops? The idea of the thrift shop is to promote community based trades and apparel versatility. Too often do we see people dressed similarly or devoted to certain brand names. Thrift shops do a great job in accommodating pretty much every fashion statement. From vintage to designer, the thrift shops spark the interests
of almost any personality. The beauty of thrift shops resides in its variety. Unlike retailers who condone exclusivity, thrift shops are unbiased with regards to the provenance of a piece of clothing. The variety of choices one is presented with is a true pleasure to our creative imaginations as to matching clothing and developing our sense of style. Thrift shops encourage originality; after all, what we choose to wear is a direct expression of who we are as individuals. For the many skeptics out there, thrift shops ensure the cleanliness of their clothes. It’s important to remember that these outlets are also businesses, meaning that those in the executive positions of a thrift shop assure that their product is in a usable and presentable condition. Regardless, it’s always in one’s best interest to wash clothing before using them. Essentially, one’s decision to purchase clothing from a thrift shop lies within the
price tag. Low prices not only keep the integrity of the collectivity-oriented business model but also provides the thriftee with an adequate amount of pleasure out of their cheap buy. At the end of the day, choosing a thrift shop over a retail store is all about giving to an organization, who in return, gives back to its community. Thrift shops are not only stores; thrift shops represent a medium of exchange between consumers and donators. Recycling is the name of the game and it is done to the benefit of the consumer who wants to save a buck or two, the donator who is tired of his/her clothes, and the entrepreneurs who allow an all-around fulfilling environment. Thrift shops are definitely worth the bargain therefore share, donate, and most importantly, save. affordability of the clothing. As cofounder of Dawson Student Thrift Shop Club for two semesters, we made sure
The Infinitely many Commandments for a better lifestyle MARYAM ELKAHLAOUI LIFESTYLE EDITOR
"Yes, I know I shouldn't eat McDonalds but it's just soooo good", "Those are all lies, I read McDonald's website, which is obviously a trustworthy source since they're the only ones who know what's in their products, and they said that...", "We are all gonna die anyway, might as well enjoy what is left of time" and blah blah blah. For ever yone who, after reading "Fast Food Nation", seeing "Super Size Me", watching countless of documentaries about what is in junk food, yet still feel that irresistible pull towards the counter ever y time one is 50 yards or less away from a fast food place, here is how you'll force yourself to stop eating junk food. First, you are going to DIE ! Pretty obvious, eh ? You do not want the scientist in me to start on all that is
wrong about junk food, but I'll just say that MEAT IS SUPPOSED TO START DECOMPOSING AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS !!! Secondly, look for details in your meal : the fries. The potatoes are not peeled properly. Got buy a back of potatoes and see how dirty they are. You can tell me ever ything you want about sanitar y concerns and stuff, the thing is, eating potato skin is bloody darn disgusting. Think about it carefully next time you buy a meal. Look for the green spots in the potatoes. Look how weirdly the bread stretches when you eat it. Think deeply about it. You did ? If you are back to a fast food place again, you can start eating from the floor. Also, don't start about the wonderful taste the fries have, it's just artificial beef tallow flavour. You can cook your potatoes with your meat at home, it will have a better taste.
Photo Credit: Her Fashion Box
that the cost of our items didn’t exceed student budget. To give a rough estimate, most of what was sold was under the 8$
Get your hands dirty
Write for the Plant, 2C.10 Photo Credit: Med Health
the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant
10 EDITOR: Justin Silver CONTACT: justinsilver01@gmail.com EDITOR: Jordan Stoopler CONTACT: jordan.stoopler@gmail.com
VOL. 43 ISSUE 3 - Thursday, September 18th, 2014
Men’s Hockey Team Splits Opening Weekend Schedule JORDAN STOOPLER SPORTS EDITOR
It was a tough home opening loss for the Dawson Blues men’s hockey team Sunday night at Verdun Auditorium. The team gave up a late goal with just under 3 minutes left on the clock, ultimately losing 3-2 to the St. Lawrence Lions. The game-winning goal, scored by St. Lawrence defender Joannick Myrand, came with its fair share of controversy. Blues goaltender, Thierry Messervier, made the initial stop with his glove, but after a high stick by a Lions player knocked the puck down, Myrand was able to bury the rebound. The goal was upheld, causing Messervier to throw his mask on the ice in disgust, and prompting coach Carl Benoit to demand further explanations from the referee. “The referee said it was a high stick but then we touched it right after, eliminating the high stick call and they got the open-
ing afterwards,” Benoit said. “It’s a tough way to lose. At the same time, I think that they deserved to win that game. Hat’s off to them for playing well.” Dawson opened the scoring at the 6:05 mark of the first period on the power play as Michael Cohen potted his first goal of the campaign in on the right side of the net as the goalie was out of position. St. Lawrence would equalize only four minutes later on a slow trickler through Messervier. Despite the loss, Messervier was undoubtedly the star of the hockey game. The game’s first star had to be sharp throughout the contest as the Lions generated strong scoring chances time after time. He finished the game with 44 stops. Benoit would praise his goaltender for his work ethic and dedication after the game. “Thierry is in the zone right now,” Benoit said. “He played well last night as well. If he is not focused and ready and making the saves that he made, this game would have been over earlier. He put a
The Blues
lot of effort over the summer. He arrived at camp with the same kind of frame of mind. He could see every puck. He has the size and the skills. His focus is sharp.” Left-winger, Isaiah Douthwright, gave the Blues an immediate 2-1 lead upon resumption of play in the second period, scoring a power play goal on a knuckler shot from just inside the blue line that the opposing goaltender just could not handle. The Lions would replicate 6 minutes later on a power play goal of their own after a mad scramble in front of the crease. The Blues scored 2 power play goals Sunday in 6 opportunities, and killed off 4 of 5 penalties handed their way. These impressive special teams' numbers come on the heels of a dramatic 6-5 victory over Lionel Groulx in a shootout on Saturday, in which Benoit’s club converted on 3 of their eight power play chances and turned aside 5 of 6 penalties to their own. “Special teams is very positive the past two games,” Benoit admitted. “There is a lot of work to be done 5 on 5, though.”
Although Sunday night’s late third period marker was a tough pill to swallow for Benoit and his players, the head coach is optimistic his team can overcome this challenge and take away key lessons from the game. “The ones who do well in the end are the ones that learn through the rough times,” Benoit said. “We got outshot big time, probably one of the worst in 4
The Blues
Photo Credit: Jordan Stoopler
Beatdown SAMUEL GRENADE
JUSTIN SILVER SPORTS EDITOR
Dawson College, home to approximately 10,000 students, has an array of sports available to its large student body. Zachary Hazan, a 2nd year Pure and Applied Sciences student, was keen on joining one of these sports teams. Of the numerous sports offered, one sport in particular seemed to have piqued his interest. Zach joined Dawson’s hockey team last year. The following interview was conducted with Mr. Hazan earlier this week at Dawson College. How did you get into the sport of hockey? Zachary Hazan: Well, first of all, it’s pretty obvious that as a Canadian, everybody is into hockey. Second of all, my dad at a young age put me into hockey. He actually put me into power skating first, and that’s where I learned how to really skate. After that I tried out hockey and I really enjoyed it and since then I’ve been playing. What made you choose hockey over the myriad sports available, such as basketball or soccer? ZH: I chose it because It is a fast paced game and it is very physical, and I like being physical when I play. Also, it is a team sport which I like, as I do not like playing a sport individually. Who inspired you to to start playing hockey?
ZH: My dad inspired me. He played hockey as a young kid so he wanted to see if I liked it and I ended up falling in love with it the first time I played. How do you train? ZH: This summer I trained at Dawson. Dawson has a program with Matthew Potter and Timothy Miller who are two physical education professors. They trained me for eight weeks. Also, I played rugby on the side. Playing rugby helped me increase my cardio as well as my physical strength. What do you look forward to this year at Dawson in hockey? ZH: Well, individually speaking, I’d like our team to get a better seed than last year. Also, I would like to be a valuable asset to my team this year. Hopefully, this year we can do a lot better than last year and go further in the playoffs and not get knocked off first round. What is your analysis of the team? Do you think your team is the best in the league? ZH: I think that this year’s team is stronger than last year’s team. In my opinion, I think we can definitely be in the top three of the league because we have good speed, size, defense, and we have a good goalie. Also, our four lines are really well balanced.
How often do you practice and how many games do you play per week? ZH: We have practices every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 3:30 5:00 PM. On Tuesday night, after our practice, we have a workout from 6:00 8:00 PM. Our games are usually on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We usually have two games per week, so if we have a game on Friday and Saturday, then Sunday will be a day off. Is hockey just a hobby or do you plan on making a career out of it? ZH: I don’t plan on making a career out of it, but I plan on using it to help me get a better education, such as getting a scholarship to a good school. I would like to play professionally, but realistically it is very hard to do so and I would therefore prefer to take the safer route and instead use my hockey skills to get a good education.
Photo Credit: Thefanzoo
years. The key is to learn from it and work harder so that it doesn’t happen again.” The Blues underwent three straight days of practice this week ahead of their next big test on the road this weekend. Dawson will play Friday night against Laflèche in Trois- Rivieres, and will later travel to Sorel-Tracy on Sunday to cap off the weekend.
STAFF WRITER
Last week, the Baltimore Ravens were on the wrong end of a domestic violence charge once again. We are only entering the second week of NFL football and a handful of suspensions have already been distributed to individuals across the league. Most notably, Ray Rice, who knocked his fiancée out cold in an elevator. Caught on tape, we see Rice hit her once and then violently punch her a second time to put her out for good. He drags her out of the elevator as if nothing happened and continues on with his night. This incident happened in February of 2014 and, apparently, the NFL had only seen it this past week. Rice had been suspended for the first two games of this season, but once the tape was released, the Baltimore Ravens made the decision to terminate Rice's contract and suspend him indefinitely. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell had recently tightened up the domestic violence charges in the NFL, so questions arose with how the Rice case was dealt with. Some people want Goodell fired and others do not. This is not the first case of domestic violence in the Ravens’ history or NFL history. Is this act of aggressiveness because of football? Is it the sports mentality itself that causes such an outrage? Ray Lewis, two-time Superbowl champ over a 17 season long career with the Ravens, said that he was disappointed with Rice's actions. "Never, ever is a man to lay his hands
on a woman, ever," said Lewis. After having played three seasons with Rice, Lewis told the media that he spoke to him as a friend, as a mentor, and that he needs help. After seeing this very violent video, it is apparent that Rice had no respect for his fiancée, whom he is now married to. He had allegedly also spat in her face before entering the elevator. The feeling of disgrace and embarrassment that Rice’s then fiancée must have felt is unimaginable. This type of behavior shouldn’t be tolerated. A second chance? Michael Vick got a second chance, Ray Lewis got a second chance and many other players who have abused the drug policy on numerous accounts have gotten second chances. So why doesn't Ray Rice deserve a second chance? Rice will need to prove to the NFL and Roger Goodell that he has changed for the better. But the main issue is not second chances, it’s the elimination of domestic violence in the NFL. Women cannot defend themselves against 200-pound men, even if you are Serena Williams. It is mind-boggling how a man can beat on a woman knowing that she cannot fight back. This Ray Rice saga is not the first and will not be the last. This happens in other major league sports and it is very unfortunate. The league commissioners need to address these issues very severely and follow through to show fans that they mean business.
the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant
11 EDITOR: Aleksandra Seweryn CONTACT: aleks.seweryn@gmail.com
VOL. 43 ISSUE 3 - Thursday, September 18th, 2014
Deeply Existential Ques tion of The Week While you wait for the waiter, in that moment, do you not become the waiter? P.S. SEND YOUR COMICS TO THE PLANT aleks.seweryn@gmail.com
MAZE
the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant the plant