What really drives democracy?

Last week MUNSU shocked me again. This time it wasn't over the booking of a past-his-prime rapper, or an egg-on-the face revelation of bar tabs held by executive members. No, this time it was something different. On Friday, March 5 I had the opportunity to sit in on the candidates’ meeting for the upcoming MUNSU elections. What bowled me over...

Not pulling any punches

Russian media vicious over Canada’s extraordinary performance at Winter Olympics

Jonathan Ryan

As I finish writing this, the Canadian men’s hockey team is accepting gold medals. Despite the criticism of some of our European friends, Canadians, Americans, and the vast majority of other visiting nations seem to be very pleased about how the Winter Olympics have gone. Hell, it’s been enough to make Canadians almost completely forget about that thing with the...

Olympics end on bittersweet note

After the triumphant finale, the closing ceremony was a joke

Liam Kavanagh

Late on Sunday evening, the 21st Olympic Winter Games ended to a resounding cheer from patriotic Canadians all over the country. By and large, the recently closed Winter Olympic Games were tremendously successful for Canada; the Great White North set a new record in the amount of gold medals won. That this history-making moment occurred on home turf made it...

Pixelated tractors come in pink

Suckered into paying to farm online

James McDonald

The most played game thus far in 2010 is FarmVille, a Facebook application in which the player develops a farm and a farming community. The idea is not new. Harvest Moon, a sim-like game in which the player creates a farmer’s life, complete with cows and country fairs, has been on consoles for 14 years. However, the game series has...

Parking issue not black and white

In his letter to the editor, Mr. Fred Windsor of the Sierra club takes the campus parking situation and completely disconnects from reality to pursue his own social and environmental agenda. I would like to know what research Mr. Windsor is referring to that proves that creating more parking spaces leads to an increase in vehicle use. Is he suggesting...

Curse of the diamond

All that glitters does not feed

Diamonds have been coveted since they were first discovered and have been connected to conflict, power, and curses ever since. The Koh-i-noor is probably the most infamous diamond: Discovered in India in one of the earliest mines, it was once the largest diamond in the world. It boasts a long and bloody history and now lies – fittingly, considering its...

Osama to Obama

Bin Laden is many things to many people, but a tree hugger?

Zara Urvashi Ramaniah

Osama bin Laden doesn’t seem to be dead, as former president, George W. Bush had so eagerly hoped he was, with the drone attacks that had been and are still being religiously carried out by the U.S. in the tribal lands that cross the Afghanistan and Pakistan border. The latest audiotape from “Osama to Obama” has caused a great deal...

Big Brother’s dark side

Triumph of the Orwellian as Google attacked; FBI caught crossing the line

Zara Urvashi Ramaniah

Having grown up with computers, mobiles, credit cards, PDAs, and GPSs, we don’t think twice about the amount of information corporations and the government collect about our interests, hobbies, spending habits, or our favourite travel destinations. Identity theft is more likely now that it was 50 or 60 years ago, and we jealously guard that little something that makes us...

The year of environmental respect

So our leaders failed. It doesn’t mean we give up

Kenny Sharpe

Representatives from over 170 of the world’s countries met in Copenhagen from Dec. 7 to 18, 2009, where they discussed the desire to implement emission-reducing targets in an effort to help combat the ongoing depreciation of our environment. The plan was to provide solutions and options about our warming planet to the everyday person but the 15th installment of the...

The broken places

The Minority Report Guruchathram Ledchumanan

Last week I walked into the Muse office when our editor-in-chief, Nathan Downey, asked if I’d heard about the church bombings that had taken place in Malaysia. The bombings had been conducted by Muslim extremists who opposed the use of the word “Allah” in a Catholic publication. I hadn’t heard about it. I’ve been here so long chasing the American...

Mankind’s security blanket

Why do we need religion?

Paul Hussey

My mother once said to me, “You believe in God, don’t you? It’s good for a person to do so.” Without a second thought or justification for my response, I answered, “No, Mom, of course not,” prompting her narrow-eyed chagrin. Looking back on that conversation, however, I’ve put much more thought into what she meant. Religion is the security blanket...

Savvy holidays gift giving

A breakdown of places to score unique presents

Power up with Steph Power

The holidays almost here and for most of us, our loans are on their last legs. The last work pay cheque before the break covers rent, utilities, food, and not much more. ’Tis the season for savvy gift giving. There are many ways to give a great and thoughtful gift without breaking the bank (or letting your account balance go...

Playing the race card

Zara Urvashi Ramaniah

On Nov. 14, the International Student Resource Centre (ISC) hosted its first International Student Recognition Awards Ceremony. Aware of the work that had gone into planning the event, and curious to see who would win, at 7:00 pm I made my way to the Health Sciences Auditorium. The stage was flanked by flags and a slide show was in progress...

Popping the cork on the latest MUNSU scandal

Courtney Barbour

Bring out the gong: yet another MUNSU board of directors blunder has to come to light. This time the indiscretion comes doesn’t come from a concert flop, or an ill-planned communications policy. The hot-button issue at hand facing MUNSU brings forward a much more controversial and touchy subject – the existence of bar tabs for MUNSU board of directors executives....

Stop throwing fries at me PLZKTHX

The leap from high school and university can be huge, but don’t lose your manners along the way

Julie Skinner

After being repeatedly pelted in the back of the head with greasy french fries in the Engineering cafeteria, I’ve come to the conclusion that not all students realize there is a difference between university and high school. For whatever reason, hilarious high school hijinks do not translate well in a university setting and the smartass class clown antics from grade...