ran Matthew Steinbach
Opinions See

 

 

You haven't been in school for 100 years... now what?

By Crystal Auffray

A out there. I’ve noticed that when I do pay attention in class, I’m able to contribute to the
| the back-to-school hype that we’ve been hearing in the last few weeks as the semester discussion, and especially when my opinion runs contrary to that of the professor or my

begins is enough to terrify even the most prepared scholar. The frightening thing is, when fellow classmates, the hours tend to fall away faster.
you're a college student, most of the tips and advice seems geared for 18-year-olds.
While I don’t object to making the transition from high school to college easier, I do So, my friends, fear not these first few weeks of the semester—embrace them. After

think that those of us who are back in school after taking alengthy hiatus need some advice _all, free money and free condoms are yours for the taking, if you so choose. Here’s to a
other than how not to freak out when you have a midterm the next morning and still haven’t successful semester!
cracked the textbook.

Not to worry; here’s some wisdom I’m able to share after being back to the books for a
year as an old, ahem, mature student:

1. You’re never too old to get free money.

Scholarship and bursary prospects are not just for the young. The staff at the Financial Aid
Office is great—friendly and extremely informative. So I am never afraid to stop by, say hi,
and ask about opportunities that are right for me.

2. Never underestimate the power of a good night of social festivities (and a few mojitos
while you’re at it!)

Yes, it’s important to study, but having a life has made me a more balanced (and interesting)
person. I am always sure to allot required study time and social time, too—it helps me feel
less stressed when I do settle in to prepare for my next big exam.

3. Condoms aren’t just for the young.

What’s that you say? When I am on campus, I am always on the lookout for one of my
favourite days at Douglas— when the ladies from Vancouver Options for Sexual Health

pay our fair campus a visit. They are super fun and eager to throw more than a fair share of
condoms and lube at you—for free, nonetheless! What more could a mature student ask for?
Your Saturday night beckons with the possibilities.

4. An opinion is sexy—and makes time pass more quickly.

Some lectures rob me of the ability to even pretend that I’m interested and engaged in what
the instructor has to say. Instead of beginning to send out a barrage of text messages that I
hope will help to mentally transport me from the confines of my desk, I throw my thoughts

 

 

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Leadership is a funny thing... » sities sins

Toe our leader Stephen Harper is lacking compared to Pierre Elliot Trudeau—lacking
the charisma and strength that he possessed. Whereas Trudeau used force only when
necessary to bring a truly destructive situation back into,a manageable one, Harper uses
intimidation, not on terrorists, but instead he attacks his opponents and attempts to belittle
them. This is not leadership; it’s a diversionary tactic. He would rather have a situation
where Canadians are so focused on how the other people are not suitable leaders as opposed
to what qualifications he actually possesses to lead. Being Prime Minister for two and a half
years is not a sufficient qualification to lead. Leadership is an innate ability inside only some
of us.

In 1970, Pierre Trudeau— who was perhaps our nation’s most progressive and socialist
leaders we had ever had—had only been Prime Minister for a couple of years. However, one
of the greatest and most serious threats to this country’s security had just erupted: the FLQ
had become dangerous. They were a terrorist threat that had devastated Quebec through mail
bombings and other techniques. Even a diplomat had been assassinated. Finally, he enacted
the War Measures Act, in which he dared the FLQ to defy him. This act essentially gave him
the power to do whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted, in the best interest of national
security. Clearly the situation had spun out of control and it took a strong leader to pull the
pieces back together so that we could walk the streets safely today.

Instead of focusing on real issues like Afghanistan (which clearly is not a threat to our
collective well-being, or else the War Measures Act would be enacted like it was in 1970),
Harper talks a good talk about leading this country through any situation, but that’s easy
to say considering nothing all that bad is truly happening—besides the fact that innocent
Canadians are dying in a foreign country for... what exactly?

If we were to pull out of Afghanistan, it would actually be unlikely that any threat
would come to us, but by meddling over there, we are drawing attention to our society and
creating enemies of people we do not need to fight. If they were to come here, so far the
Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canadian Secret Intelligence Service has shown
themselves to be on top of such threats—threats which have included a plot to assassinate
the Prime Minister, which did not quite pan out how they expected it too.

Give me a break; compared to Trudeau, Harper is no leader.

 

 

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