FEBRUARY 22, 2005

THE CADRE e 2

Right Here and Now

Rob Walker Managing Editor

Most of you reading this are probably aware that we attempted to publish the 12 cartoons which have caused so much controversy in the last edition of The Cadre. I would like to address a number of issues that were brought up during this time.

First of all, I’m not a racist. For one thing, my black, muslim and asian friends would probably disagree with you. Secondly, Islam is made up of many ethnicities, so the proper term would be ‘bigot’. If you’re going to insult me, do it properly.

The most common question I’ve been getting is, ‘why did you put it in?”

For such a complicated issue, it has a fairly simple answer: It was news. It wasn’t just “news” news either, it was an international news story that had been moving across the world. And before we went to print, every time I asked someone about it or the subject came up, absolutely no one had seen the cartoons. It took our editor 40 minutes to find them online and many people I spoke to simply couldn’t find them.

We asked ourselves if we would print any other type of cartoon that had made such huge international headlines, and agreed that we would (that includes cartoons of Jesus or anyone else, in case you’re wondering).

We then debated whether publishing the pictures would be against the charter of rights and freedoms and decided it wasn’t. In fact, Wade McLaughlan’s statement that

the papers could be distributed but would be removed backs this up. We weren’t breaking any laws. Many people might cite the laws of good taste, but my job is not to coddle people.

We live in harsh times, whether those nestled in the safe cradle of PEI realize it or not, and we cannot live with blinders on. We must be able to debate and discuss in an informed matter, and how is that possible without knowing exactly what people

are talking about? -

My job is to find information that people don’t know about and show it to them, in a context that is easy to understand. I have always tried to be as impartial and unbiased as possible while showing the utmost respect for the people that I write about. Sometimes that isn’t always possible and people are going to be offended, be it for financial, personal or religious reasons.

For the student union and president McLaughlan, this issue was a thorn in their side, seen as another black mark in a year already marked with controversy. An annoyance.

But to me, this is my life.

I have put everything I have into what I do. Spent thousands upon thousands of dollars, fought tooth and nail and spent literally countless hours putting pen to paper. Because I feel I have a responsibility to the people living in this country. To tell the truth. To show people what’s going on in the world around them, no matter how cruel or offensive or ‘wrong’ those things might be. I might, as I said in my last editorial, even disagree with what we have to talk about.

In the end, I feel that I did my job and I did it to the best of my ability, and I will make no excuses for any of It;

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The Newest Addition to Our Great, Small Campus: the Chaplaincy Centre Mural

Man-Sum Yau Production Editor

I felt like I was going to get blown away by the wind on Saturday morning when I walked over to the Chaplaincy Cen- tre with Bryce Elsley to take pictures of the new mural. Yes, while you were away for Reading Week, five residence students—Bryce Elsley, Anthony Filipow, Nikki Tresierra, Matt Lloy, and I—added a little artistic warmth to the little brick building that many peo- ple walk past.

The next time you walk past it, stop by. Open the door, and enjoy the Confederation Bridge scenery with the cotton-white clouds and the gold-en- graved cross. Walk into a corner, look up, and you can see the dark night sky with its radiant adornments. The mu-

This is not because I painted the clouds or because my friend Bryce came up with the idea, but because it is the newest addition to our great, small campus. Bryce commented that “there are so many hidden talents [at out school].” Indeed, this very project is a fusion of his leadership and art skills, Filipow’s precision, Tresierra’s good eye for colours, Lloy’s patience and strength as well as my love for nature. Discover those hidden talents. Appreciate them. Make good use of them.

For more information on the Chap- laincy Centre, check out Will Coop- er’s story on page 4.

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UNIVERSITY OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

Nominations open Friday, Feb 24"

The following positions are open for

nominations: President Science Reps (4) Executive VP Ombudsman (1) VP Activities Board of Governors (1) Senate Reps (1) Valedictorian(morning) Business Reps (3) Valedictorian(afternoon) Nursing Rep (1) Senior Class(5): : Arts Reps (5) (President, Vice President,

Treasurer, Secretary, Education Rep.)

For more information go to upeisu.com or visit the Student Union offices, 2°‘ Floor South, MSC. Nominations close Thursday, March 2" 12:00pm

Nomination forms are available at the SU offices in the WA Murphy Student Centre