A call for election superheroes
I'm writing in response to the government's cuts to the arts and the concerns voiced by artists, especially student artists; and in response to the recent fee increases for international students upon the deregulation of certain student fees; and in response to disillusionment and, in truth, ignorance about the Canadian election.
The arts community and students are suffering. I'm not going to tell you that conservative capitalism rarely favours students, nor am I going to preach my hearty opposition to the political right. I am only going to offer up what I believe is the truth: if government trends continue, not only are we going to find ourselves much poorer, but we will also be significantly less cultured.
I think there is a simple solution to at least part of the problem: do your best to convince others (and yourself) to vote anything but Conservative (or Republican). A mildly more moderate south could help temper the north.
It's really important to vote in Canada's election, no matter what people say about its unimportance when compared to the election of the world's most powerful leader. Many people in the arts community, and students (i.e. those aged 18 to 25) in general, tend not to vote. In fact, the majority (55 per cent in 2006) of us don't. So keep protesting in every way you can-and one of the best ways you can do this is to Rock the Vote!
Because on October 14, everyone has superpowers.
-Spencer Malthouse, U1 philosophy
Fred likes us! He really likes us!
A well-deserved round of thanks for last week's issue. Particular credit should be given to Timothy Mak's impassioned defence of suburbia, as well as your soundly-articulated editorial supporting recruitment for the Canadian Forces.
These last few weeks of thoroughly reasonable Tribune opinion sections have been disorienting at best. At last the world makes sense again. Thank you.
-Fred Burrill, U3 history
Much ado about the ombudsperson
As a former McGill student who has ventured out into the world with whatever a BA gives in preparation (I've yet to nail this down unequivocally), I'd like to voice my dismay and disappointment with the institution I so proudly graduated from. After reading the "McGill is trapped in ombudsperson limbo" editorial about the biased format of what is supposed to act as a third party lifeline, I wonder whether students, alumni, and staff understand the gravity of this conflict of interest.
Although I found this article very objective and informative on the organization of the ombudsperson, I found that it failed to address any tangible examples of how this conflict of interest affects McGill as an institution. The dismissal of Professor Norman Cornett from the faculty of religious studies stands out as a glaring example of how this supposedly unbiased third party is not functioning in its prescribed role. The sudden and unexplained dismissal of Cornett has not received sufficient review or consideration from this body, or others which are directly responsible for dealing with such issues.
Regardless of my outstandingly positive learning experience in Cornett's class and his fascinating and unique approach to pedagogy, I must admit that this really isn't the issue when it comes to the lack of attention and priority paid to the appointment of this role. I truly hope other students choose to speak out again this lack of transparency and general oversight taken by both the faculty of religious studies in the case of Cornett, and the general issue of the appointment of a new ombudsperson.
-Kanan Kothari, B.A. 2007
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