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Managing Editor Kerry Evans editor@otherpress.ca

News Editor Kelly Parry kelly-parry@telus.net

Opinions Editor Kali Thurber opinionsubmit@hotmail.com

Culture Editor Amanda Aikman Submit_to_culture@yahoo.ca

Features Editor Barbara K. Adamski featureseditor@otherpress.ca

Sports Editor Adam “Flash” Gordon desportseditor@yahoo.ca

David Lam Representative Munir Amlani opstuff@amlani.ca

Proofreader Tamara Billau

Production and Graphic Design Gerard Then layour@otherpress.ca

Graphic Design Trevor Hargreaves bunkmedia@hotmail.com

Photography Angela Blattmann

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Web Editor Dawn-Louise McLeod dalomcl@telus.net

Advertising Manager

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Office Manager Lynn Paus lynnpaus@shaw.ca

Accountant Alyona Luganskaya

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Columnists

Follow the Rainbow J.J. McCullough Nick Hogg

Cartoonist J.J. McCullough wart_manu@yahoo.ca

Contributors

Melissa Beedle, Angie Cameron, Oriana Evans, Thomas Fairley, Wendy Harris, Patrick Kitengie, L.T.G., CF Miley, Dave Pearcy, MacDonald Stainsby

New Westminster

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Mail Bag

Mis-attributions & Mis-quotations Dear Ms. Evans:

Please permit me to begin by thanking you fellows at the OP for printing my letter, almost verbatim. Also, I would like to bring to your kind attention, if I may, that some (in fact, all) of your comments about my letter (“From The Editor,” Issue 4, Volume 29) gross- ly misrepresented my clearly stated views. For exam- ple, you wrote:

The letter encourages me to censor Mr. McCullough’s articles because they feature a political perspective the reader doesn't agree with.

While throughout my letter I was questioning the wisdom of printing article after article about the American Conservatives in general, and President Bush in particular, by a person who mistakes Paul Martin for the Prime Minister of Canada, not even once did I “encourage [you] to censor Mr. McCullough.”

Furthermore, my problem with Mr. McCullough’s articles is not that the points of view stated therein dif- fer from my own. I am neither that narrow-minded, nor that conceited. My problem is with the arrogance with which he defends and glorifies the worst aspects of Americana as the gospel’s holy truth, and his total apparent ignorance of the Canadian, US, and world politics. The most egregious claim that you mis-attrib- uted to me was:

The letter further suggests that because we're a school in Canada, we shouldn't focus on foreign poli- tics.

Not only did I never “suggest” anything of the sort, I guess you completely missed the part of my letter where I clearly stated the opposite:

Don’t get me wrong: I wholeheartedly agree with (indeed, advocate) staying abreast of the national and international politics.

You go on to make the following baffling statement, on my behalf, “He claims that we, as students, are not interested.” Could you be so kind as to point me to the part (any part) in my letter were I have made such a claim? Have you forgotten that I myself am a stu- dent, and obviously very interested? Finally, you state:

Lastly, the letter suggests that Mr. McCullough’s article wasn’t thought-provoking. This is an ironic statement since the reader was sufficiently provoked by the articles content to write the letter I’m now dis- cussing.

First of all, again you attributed to me a statement that I never made. Although I questioned what was so “thoughtful about his ranting and raving,” I never mentioned anything about his article being (or not being) “thought provoking.”

Furthermore, there would be nothing ironic about the statement, even if I had made it, which I did not. The reason I was outraged to act and write the letter, had to do with Mr. McCullough’s seeming total disre- gard for the propriety, fairness, truth, or even simple facts (e.g., who the current prime minister of Canada is!!!). If someone writes an article demeaning women, for example, while you most probably will not find it thought-provoking, you may find it provoking enough to respond to it, wouldn’t you? It seems you equate being thought-provoking for just being pro- voking. While any idiot can provoke you, it takes an intelligent, contemplative person to be thought-pro- voking.

Iraj Taher

A Message from the Western Society

Western Society for Children with Birth Disorders has taken part in the Volunteer Fair at Douglas College (October 7, 2003) for the past four years. We were pleased to see the interest and enthusiasm of students who see the value of volunteering.

Many students view volunteering as the first step in work experience related to their field of study. It is that and more. Getting involved in your community is also the first step in changing the future for the better.

Volunteering is much more than putting in hours. Volunteers have the opportunity to give meaningful input and gain a worthwhile experience.

The future starts now—with fresh enthusiasm, new ideas, and dedication to diversity. Here is where we begin to understand and accept people of diverse abilities. As a com- munity, we “walk the walk” of true inclusion.

At Western Society for Children, our volunteers are positively involved in building a future that includes people who are differently-abled. We envision a future of openness and acceptance for all. One in five people live with a disability. We are meant to be here together.

Thank you to the volunteers that recognize volunteering as having true value, without the qualifiers of monetary payment. The intrinsic value of helping others creates a caring and productive community.

Satisfaction is not found with belongings—big houses, fast cars, and faster lives. It is found in the sense of belonging. Volunteering is the chance to build a brighter tomorrow. It starts today.

Sincerely, Wanda Gendron Program Coordinator

Dear Editor,

I am writing to personally thank J.J. McCullough for his enlightening articles concerning anti-Americanism. I do however need clarification on one point. What exactly constitutes anti-Americanism? Is my disapproval of Bush and his policies a sign of my undying hatred of my neighbours to the south? You know, I’m not overly fond of asparagus. I suppose that makes me anti-vegetable. I’ll remember that the next time I’m chowing down on a carrot. To find out how truly anti-American we all are, why not survey Canadians to see how many of us watch American TV, buy American products, and even (horror of hor- rors!) have American friends! Better yet, why not survey Americans to find out how many of them have been discriminated against in our country for being American. How many of them have been turned away at the borders for looking American? How many of them are being held in our prisons on trumped up allegations of terrorism? Please do alert us to the plights of these poor souls and I will be right out there with my posters and slogans declaring “Free the Americans!” Or, of course I would if I didn’t hate them so much. How silly of me to forget. The truth is this so-called phenomena of anti-Americanism is noth- ing more than a myth cooked up by who knows who to make Americans believe we despise them. For shame.

Catherine Jones David Lam Student

J.J. McCullough is Awesome

I just wanted to say that I love J.J. McCullough’s opinion column. He is a smart person, an articulate writer, and his articles are the first thing I read in the paper. A great deal of people are forgetting what an opinion column is about and that it is a place to express one’s opinion. I don’t always agree with his opinions but I appreciate that he is brave enough to share them with all the anti-American sentiment that is going around lately. Because of that I find them interesting and unique. If you have views that differ from McCullough’s I encourage you to write in and express them, but censoring somebody like McCullough would be a travesty and I for one would be appalled.

Arthur Crowson

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