It was in the midst of this revived courtship that an article about Victoria Beckham, formerly Posh Spice of Spice Girls fame, caught my eye. In an interview to promote her new biography, Mrs. Beckham casually mentioned that she had never read a book in her life. I wasn’t sure what was worse: the fact that she openly admitted to never having read a book, or how she dropped this bombshell while promoting her own biography. I was dumbfounded, to say the least.

If someone on the streets of Kingston is caught carrying open liquor or violating noise by-laws or is judged to be drunk to the point where they’re endangering themselves or others, they should be charged. That said, students should not be held to a higher standard of the law than permanent residents. Just as visible minorities shouldn’t be targeted by police by virtue of their skin colour, neither should students by virtue of their age, where they live or simply because they are students.

Harvard University claims to have the oldest campus newspaper in North America. The Harvard Crimson started publishing on Jan. 24, 1873. The Crimson beats out the Journal—yes, the very paper in your hands—for the title of oldest campus newspaper in North America by just 10 months. The first issue of the Journal didn’t appear till Oct. 25, 1873.

The nearly four-week CBC lockout of 5,500 of its employees has brought all of the company’s outlets to a virtual standstill. Negotiations had been taking place between CBC management and its employees’ union for the past 15 months with little progress. The main issue of contention is the CBC’s plan to hire more non-permanent employees in an effort to alleviate financial strains on the company.

Earlier this week, on a particularly sticky July afternoon, my friend Emily met me for lunch. It was one of those Maine days where the sun shines so brightly that the entire world seems illuminated; one of those days where even the most mediocre elements of your surroundings assume a certain glow. After we settled on cold Italian sandwiches underneath a patio umbrella right near the Portland waterfront, we hopped back in the hot car seats so that I could head back to work.

As first-year students arrive at Queen’s, they will be entering a dynamic environment and one they can influence more than they may think.

What is truth?” Pontius Pilate’s question seems particularly apt in light of recent political events. In an age where an increasingly disillusioned electorate tends to see politicians as liars and cheaters, the search for truth seems to have fallen by the wayside.

In the past few weeks there has been an enormous media frenzy over the upcoming Live 8, a series of concerts to be held around the world on July 6; the date coincides with the G8 summit where G8 nations are being called upon to forgive debt in Africa. Bob Geldof recently announced that a Canadian concert will be held in Barrie.

I’ll admit it: I’m a nerd. When I first saw the trailer for Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith on the big screen at the Gardiners Road theatre, I got, well, pretty excited. There may have been some drooling and flailing. My non-nerdy housemate gave me her best look of disgust and told me to simmer down, but I couldn’t help myself. Finally! The chapter of evil we’ve all been waiting for!

At a public meeting on May 5, the Union Street Improvement Project unveiled two preliminary plans to renovate Union Street by constructing a more aesthetically pleasing streetscape. According to project planners, it will “provide a comprehensive and cohesive vision for Union Street.” There is ambiguity surrounding the plans, but according to SGPS president, Dave Thomas and Project Director, Jeanne Ma, both proposals include demolishing all or part of The Grad Club.

My first experience of Israel involved a Sheraton hotel suite and two police officers carrying submachine guns.

Officially licensed Queen’s clothing is a popular commodity around campus. Sadly, the University is not doing all it can to ensure that none of its officially licensed clothing is made in illegal sweatshops. Although the University’s current policy requires licensees to provide the University with a list of their suppliers and manufacturers, the University doesn’t currently have the resources to monitor the working conditions of the organizations identified by the licensees.

I’ve grown out of it now, but for six months following grade 12, I was plagued by nightmares of Miss Piggy.
Perhaps it was because I was nearly suspended from high school. Perhaps it was because I lost my best friend. Or perhaps it was because I was faced with a real-life example of the absurd value people place in reputation. Either way, I haven’t seen Jim Henson’s Muppets in the same light since.