This year, it’s been more difficult than usual to pick an AMS candidate team worthy of representing students as AMS executive. While no team has promised to “Crack the Clique,” students have certainly heard their share of slogans and seen their share of gimmicks.

Playing nice with the SHRC

February 3, 2006
Why is it that so many people have reservations about their sexuality? Especially at this period in our lives, it’s perfectly normal to engage in intercourse, to masturbate, and find ways to satisfy ourselves. But when I mention my newest purchase from the Sexual Health Resource Centre, I’m often met with disgusted or ashamed expressions.
Last night, in the Lower Ceilidh, AMS executive candidates participated in the final debate before students go to the polls. Even though candidates have had plenty of time to prepare—the campaign period is already over one and a half weeks in and two other debates have taken place—the teams were inarticulate and generally unimpressive.
Google announced last Wednesday it would launch a version of its popular search engine in China, something the company has been trying to do for some time. But there’s a catch. In order for Google to enter the Chinese market, it had to create a censored version of its search engine.
As you read this on Tuesday morning, I’m probably sporting coiffed hair, a crisp white blouse and an artificial smile as I pose for my grad photo. I’m reaching the end of four years here, and I’ve recently started to realize I’m approaching the last of a lot of things, including, in this space, my last signed editorial.
Last Friday, Queen’s radio station, CFRC, began its two-week long funding drive. Their goal is to raise $5,000. If successful, CFRC programming manager Eric Duncan will tattoo the CFRC logo on his body. This is the first time in the station’s 84-year history that it has ever had to raise money. Three years ago, the University sold CFRC to the AMS.
It used to be that students were often forced to wait until as late as April to hear from the universities they had applied to. Now, according to the article, acceptances— often along with hefty scholarships—are handed out as early as October to exceptional students universities are seeking to recruit.

How I lost and found myself

January 27, 2006
I have a confession to make: before coming to Queen’s, I had actually considered going into fine arts. It seemed like a viable option at the time: I had an insatiable desire to draw, and I felt learning in an environment which encouraged such creativity would make a fine arts program a no-brainer. Then reality sank in.
On Tuesday, Dick Marty, the head of an investigation being conducted by the Council of Europe into possible human rights violations committed by the United States, revealed there is growing evidence that the CIA sent detainees to other countries in order to subject them to the kind of interrogation not permitted within the U.S.
In a letter dated Jan. 12, Vice-Principal (Academics) Patrick Deane told Kingston Police the University would not pay the $84,000 requested to cover the costs of the increased police presence during the Aberdeen Street party. We commend the University for refusing to yield to the city on an issue for which the institution is quite clearly free of any responsibility.

Chasing the dragon

January 24, 2006
January and February are never easy months to get through. The winter break is over, summer break seems light-years away, and no matter where in Canada you live, the weather is less than stellar. But there has always been one holiday that has kept me going through this dreary season: Chinese New Year.
Canadians have voiced their disappointment in the Liberals by placing their support behind the Conservatives. While they will potentially help change the way government is carried out, uncertain whether some of this change will actually be beneficial to the country.
Following the barrage of attack ads and smear campaigns we were subjected to during the federal election campaigns, students can sit tight for round two with AMS and rector elections just around the corner. We have four teams and four candidates for the respective elections, which means many class talks and much soliciting of votes.
There is an almost palpable vibe of panic in the air amongst fourth-year students these days. As we inch closer and closer towards the intimidating void of post-university life, everyone seems to be asking the same terrifying question: “What on earth am I going to do with my life?”
Karla, a film re-enactment of the unspeakable crimes committed by Karla Homolka and her husband Paul Bernardo, opens in theatres today, starring That ’70s Show actress Laura Prepon. The film’s release of the film was postponed until January, and it was removed from the Montreal World Film Festival after its screening encountered considerable public opposition.
This federal election was mired with negative ad campaigns and a lot of name-calling. Many voters are still undecided, indicating the state of limbo the country is in and perhaps the closeness of the race.
The Jan. 16 issue of Maclean’s contains an article titled “Stop him before he votes” with a puzzling photo of a young man sporting sunglasses and holding a peeled banana. The authors of the article present the notion that 18-year-olds are “too immature to vote,” and take it a step further in suggesting that the voting age should be raised to 21.
At AMS Assembly on Thursday night, John Manning, the AMS Earth Centre Committee Chair, presented a proposal for the creation of an Environmental Sustainability Coordinator.

Squeam and shout

January 13, 2006
Having a doctor tell me five days before Christmas that I had ulcerative colitis wasn’t as bad as having to drink a solution 24 hours before my first colonoscopy that tasted like the dregs of a diesel truck’s oil filter.
Monday night’s final English debate was the stage for a change in the direction of the election campaign. Stephen Harper appeared more poised and calm than he has ever been, leaving Paul Martin and the other leaders taking aim anywhere possible. Harper behaved more like a prime minister than an angry and disgruntled opposition leader.
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