Tue 16 May 2006
I think I’ve actually settled in finally to the fact that we have a Conservative government. While I disagree with the softwood lumber deal, the GST cut (over the income tax), and the child care program, they seem to actually be getting stuff done and that has pleased many people. Today I saw gun registry has been axed. I’m quite glad that they followed through with this as I believe it really added no value and just cost extreme amounts of money. As long as they don’t go too far by repealing abortion and same-sex marriage laws, I think I may get through this government.
In a follow up to my last post, I am getting closer to making up my mind over who I’d like (and my riding) to support for the Liberal Leadership. The Globe released an article saying who were the bilingual candidates and this really has influenced my opinions. This effectively crosses off Fry, Bennet, and Dryden (Who you’d think would have better French from all that time in Montreal!) from the running for me. For reference, Wikipedia’s entry on the Liberal Leadership Candidates and the Globe’s profiles.
I’d really like to meet the other candidates, but the Waterloo meet is during the week when I’m working in Windsor. Maybe they’ll come down here. After meeting Hall-Findlay, I’ve scratched her off my list as well.
Leading for me is Rae. While he has a lot of Ontario baggage, he did what was needed to be done in the early 90s to fight the recession. Intellectual, bilingual, high profile, and very good views in my opinion. The next tier I’m going to stick Kennedy and Ignatieff, though they seem quite opposed to each other. Respectively, too left, then too right. But only on a few issues. I want to meet them before ruling them out. Third tier is Brison (French problem), Bevilacqua (Low profile), Volpe. Volpe apparently has Comuzzi supporting him…and we all know I hate Comuzzi…it’s like being in league with the devil…something has got to be up with that.
I’m going up to Waterloo for the Long weekend (I get 4 days actually). I plan on seeing the Da Vinci Code and catching up with friends for a nice enjoyable weekend. Not rushed like 2 weekends ago.
One unrelated topic I’m disgusted at the UW Admitted Students Forum. The lack of moderation has spawned countless threads and discussions that are breeding false information. It’s mostly the blind helping the blind with no one telling them which ones of there opinions are true or not. Atrocities range from program information, to co-op, to student services. Many of the moderator responses are even misinformed! There are so many opportunities for them to set the record straight, or to provide more info. (Example: thread on clubs lead into service territory and people were just let to believe that GLOW was a club). It’s just a rumour mill that will disappoint or surprise people when they see the error of their discussions. Shame on the Office of the Registrar for their failure in the propagation of truth and information.
Oh, and everyone should check out Mike’s book.
Currently Listening to: Dear Mr. President - Pink
Random Wikipedia Article: Evil Albino
May 17th, 2006 at 7:37 pm
is being bilingual not a prerequisite for leadership?
geez.
and. you can totally get by in montreal sans french.
May 17th, 2006 at 8:06 pm
Technically…no…but I doubt someone who isn’t will ever get in.
I agree that you can get by in Montreal without french, but if you live there 9 years you’d think you’d learn enough to pass a french test.
May 29th, 2006 at 11:02 pm
Hey Jeff,
Regarding the forum for admitted students, it’s actually run by the Marketing and Undergraduate Recruitment department. However, most of the moderators are not from that department. Once students arrive on campus, the forums are handed over to the Student Life Office. Last year, the forums were frozen shortly after being handed over to the SLO (maybe 3 weeks at most…I can’t remember).
I agree with what you said about the misinformation and unfortunately, I don’t think it’s necessarily different in the forums than within the UW community as a whole. Many people don’t know the answers (or where to find them) to the questions posed in the forums and many, if not most, people (student and staff alike) certainly don’t know any more about Feds than those incoming students.
May 30th, 2006 at 6:17 am
One of the problems I have raised with Michelle is my perception that Feds is underrated by the Orientation Committee. During Frosh leader training the spend very little time ensuring students know what Feds does and from what I witnessed, many can’t tell the difference between Feds services and UW services.
While this may in part be an issue for Feds to deal with, it’s unclear if any attempt is being made to fix these problems of information distribution. I know we are working to have all the councillors meet people during Student Life 101, and as well there I’m probably going to sit on a question and answer panel for new students. Furthermore, during Frosh week they are trying out a new “Ask Me” program where students can come up to you to request information on a wide variety of topics.
Personally I’ve been trying to raise Feds awareness within Engineering and it seems to be working. We’ve got a regular Iron Warrior column started, make presentations at every EngSoc meeting, and distribute several emails a week to the EngSoc mailing lists. We’ll just have to wait and see if it works.
June 9th, 2006 at 8:09 pm
How is Kennedy too left?