2. O EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Andrew Kurjata VER THE EDGE (SetntnsintintniaeBer tiie SAA re Volume 13, issue 4 OCTOBER, 25, 2006 MANAGING EDITOR Maggie Gilbert PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Tyler Clarke NEWS EDITOR Cameron Orr ARTS EDITOR Tabatha Lundholm PHOTO EDITOR Jennifer Hawke COPY EDITOR Elizabeth Fyles FEATURES AND OPINIONS EDITOR, SPORTS AND CLUBS EDITOR AND TECHNI- CAL ADVISOR Open AD MANAGER Kurt Nicholson WRITERS Corey Wintemute Dana Bellis Haakon Sullivan Anna Gradowska Rory Conroy Cody Willett Jeremy Johnson Joseph Jeffery Amber L. Richards Mitch Grant Daniel Yule Kristy Da Costa PHOTOGRAPHERS Jesse Haber CONTRIBUTORS Laurel Van de Keere Michael Wainwright Jean Chisolm _ Brian Burleigh Devin King Jorge Cham Andy Cassan [Excalibur - York Univ.] Super Amber Stephanie Wilson Brian “Korno” Kornichuk Over the Edge is the official independ- ent publishing media of students at the University of Northern British Columbia. As such, it is our mandate to report on issues of interest to students in the Northern Region. We encourage all students, both on the main and regional campuses to submit to Over the Edge. Over the Edge is part of the Canadian University Press network of papers, otherwise known as CUP. CUP is an organization that is entirely owned by member papers, and pro- vides such services as a news wire and advertising to Over the Edge. OFFICE LOCATION 7-219 MAILING ADDRESS 3333 University Way Prince George, BC V2N 4A6 PHONE (250) 960-5633 FAX (250) 960-5407 ‘E-MAIL over-the-edge@unbc.ca SSAGE OVER THE EDGE NEWSPAPER. NOVEMBER 8, 2006 EDITOR’S ME Te's rather ironic, isn't it? The poppy, for years a symbol of re- membrance for soldiers who gave their lives, is now at the heart of problems for Canadian and other troops stationed in Afghanistan. It lies in the fact that the about 90% of the world’s opium supply comes from Afghanistan-- and for Af ghani farmers, poppy crops are about as lucrative as you get. Not only are poppies more valuable than anything else in the region, they are also more durable, able to withstand the extreme climate con- ditions in the Middle Eastern country. And even though when it was in power the Taliban all but halted the opium in- dustry, insurgents in the region are now promising farmers that if they come back into power they will allow the poppy trade to continue. Meanwhile, western forces have been ordered to oversee mass destruction of the poppy crops, mostly because the primary demand for opium is in western countries-- the streets of Britain, the United States and, yes, Can- ada, And thus, the war on drugs and the war on terror become linked together. Is it worth it? Do we really want to put the lives of Canadian soldiers at risk-- not to mention cut off the livelihood of poor Afghani farmers-- because we don't want drug addicts in North America to have access to opium? Is there really a belief that in cutting off the supply, the issues of demand will just disappear? Or is it more likely that if the Afghani line is cut off some other source will take its place, legal or not? Unfortunately, this is just one of many questions that we are now being faced with everyday-- and many of them are far more difficult. Because it is in times of war that a country and its citizens are forced to take a long, hard look at them- selves and decide what it is they believe in and value most. It’s easy enough to look at the wars of the past and say which were just and which were not, it is far more difficult to make the same judgements in the present, without the benefit of hindsight. The decision to en- ter Afghanistan may one day turn out to be regrettable-- our very own Vietnam. Conversely, our failure to send even more troops to the region might result in the expulsion of foreign forces and the creation of yet another restrictive regime. Is this something we are willing to tolerate? Are we willing to stand by and watch as men, women, and children the world over are subject to tyrants and dictators? Or do we go in and fight? In making these decisions, we must carefully monitor our own motives and actions. I think the most dangerous thing anyone can do, whether arguing for or against war, is devaluing the lives of others. It is appalling to me when people take joy in the deaths of others, whether it be terrorists rejoicing over a successful attack or Western citizens applauding the decision to hang Sad- dam Hussein, But in making the case against war, you must also be sure that your argument doesnt rest ori the belief that it’s more tolerable for women and children to be killed in zones of conflict than it. is to put Canadian soldiers in danger by sending them to help out. And so we ask of our soldiers an im- possible task: the ability to take lives in the name of protécting others, but to recieve no joy in successfully accom- plishing their duties. To be subject to gunfire abroad and criticism at home, giving your life in the belief that you are making a difference. And as citizens of a democracy, we _ TABLE OF CONTENTS Editor’s Message- This Page It’s over there. No. The other way. En Somme- Page 3 No smoking in hospitals, Communists in Nicaragua, Kanye West Freaks Out News- Pages 4-5 Ping Pong, NUSC and Norwalk Opinion- Pages 6-9 Remembrance Day, the War on Time, and Unions Photos- Page 10 too have a responsibility, It is up to us to make sure that our leaders are properly Halloween and Snow motivated in their decision-making. We { must carefully analyze every situation and be sure that:a given course of action is not only in our best interests, but in the best interests of humanity. We must support our soldiers even as we criticize | the actions of individuals, because with- out security our country is nothing. We need to commend those who are willing to go where so many of us would be un- willing to go, to do what so many of us would not be able to, even when it goes against their basic-instincts. It may not be nice to hear, but the truth is that the world is still a violent place, and we need people who are willing to fight for us rather than against us. And always, we must remember. -Andrew Kurjata JENNIFER HAWKE GAIA- Page 11 The winners of the photo and poem contest Arts & Culture- Pages 12-18 The Art Space goes acoustic, Stuart McLean, Reviews and more Comics- Page 19 Ha. Ha. Lists- Page 20 CFUR Top 30, Essential Pre-Sellout Albums and the Top Ten Things War is Good for r “Cause nothing lasts forever/ And-we both know hearts can change/ And it’s hard to hold a candle/ In the cold November rain.’ The Cover for this issue was created by Jennifer Hawke, Over the Edge’s Photo Editor. Since Canadian troops were sent to Afghanistan, the lives of 42 soldiers and one diplomat have been lost.