Vol. 16 Iss. 45

Volume 16 Issue 45 - 11/21/2008

On the Hill – For the Record

The Liberals may not be planning to vote against the recent throne speech (or any specific legislation that comes out of it), but the foundation for Canada’s next general election is already being laid as the race for the Liberal leadership heats up. Sadly though, it looks like a lot of election dollars may be… Read more »

The Mindful Bard – Dante’s Inferno

DVD: Dante’s Inferno Theatrical release: August 26, 2008 Production Company: Ricochet Starring: Dermot Mulroney, James Cromwell Director: Sean Meredith Paper Doll Puppets Enact Mythos of Medieval Christendom ?Okay, let’s see . . . organs . . . guts . . . insides . . . It’s?insider trading! Woo-hoo! Where’s my Buick?? Dante in Dante’s Inferno… Read more »

Porkpie Hat – What Comes Next: Some Thoughts on Aging

The accepted milestones of passing time are meaningless. What are birthdays? What are New Years’? It’s all nothing but noise and cake. One day, your life is a bright red balloon, clutched tight in a snotty-nosed kid’s little fist. There’s a distraction, something shiny catches your eye, the grip is relaxed for a moment, your… Read more »

From Where I Sit – Signature Redefined

Several years ago I wrote a column entitled ?Signature? in which I raised the idea of adding a new definition to our understanding of what signature may mean. I suggested: ?the definitive way one distinguishes oneself? should be the new, grown-up definition. This passionate belief arose directly from my experience as a federal census taker… Read more »

The 2008 Voice Writing Contest!

Write for The Voice and win money for your education! The Voice is launching its 2008 writing contest, with categories for both fiction and non-fiction. We’ve got over $1,000 in prizes to give away: one winner in each category will receive a scholarship of one Athabasca University undergraduate course. Please read the contest rules and… Read more »

Health Matters – Mental Health and Work: A silent health issue

Striving for mental health is about establishing and maintaining a balance in the social, physical, spiritual, economic, and mental realms of our lives. Given the hectic pace of many peoples? lives today, this can be especially challenging. In fact, It’s estimated that depression will rank second only to heart disease as the leading cause of… Read more »

The Learning Curve – A Life Without Barriers

There are quite a few challenges I face in my daily life, some of which are more difficult than others. These challenges test my will to be positive because to manage them effectively I must rely on the kindness of strangers. When I go out in my wheelchair, I need to be aware that the… Read more »

In Conversation With . . . Stephen Jenkinson: What Suddenly Breaks on Your Shore

Stephen Jenkinson is a palliative caregiver whose unique approach to palliative care is informed by profound personal recognition of the nature of death and dying. His work is the subject of Griefwalker, a recently released National Film Board of Canada documentary by award-winning filmmaker Tim Wilson. Jenkinson is currently on a country-wide speaking tour accompanying… Read more »

Did You Know? – Holiday Exam Requests

Planning on writing an AU exam as the holiday season approaches? If so, there are a couple of important things to keep in mind. If your course contract ends on December 31, you’ll be allowed some extra time to schedule your exam. As the AU calendar explains: ?All examinations for courses with a contract end… Read more »

Education News – Aboriginal post-secondary levels lag behind

ST. JOHN’S (CUP) ? A recent study shows aboriginal students are less likely to finish university than non-aboriginals?a fact one expert attributes to inadequate high-school education. Aboriginal students aged 25 to 34 have a post-secondary completion rate of 42 per cent, and those aged 35 to 44 have a rate of 47 per cent, according… Read more »

Click of the Wrist – Hot Wheels

There’s a lot of talk these days about a possible bailout for the auto industry, and many North Americans are bemoaning the lost glory days of the Big Three. But automobiles (and their makers) have been evolving since ancient times?beginning with Leonardo da Vinci’s sketches of self-powered vehicles. Great Minds That master of the Renaissance,… Read more »

International News Desk – At Home: Alberta man harassed after buying repossessed home – In Foreign News: EU bans Angolan airlines, citing safety concerns

At Home: Alberta man harassed after buying repossessed home When Bruce Grondin bought a repossessed house and moved to PEI in May, he likely didn’t expect that his new home would come with an extra feature: the angry former owner. Daniel Murphy, 41, began a campaign of harassment that included leaving a dead cow and… Read more »

From the Gallery

We may be just a few weeks away from winter break, but AUSU council is still hard at work. Their latest general meeting took place November 17, and here’s a brief update on the latest news. One important item was the review of policy 9.01, council’s position paper on the deregulation of tuition. The policy… Read more »