Letters to the editor

Send your letters to editor@themanitoban .com or drop them off at 105 University Centre

Misinformation from Blais about UMSU

As the UMSU representative that was present at Parents’ Day held in June 2006, I am rather confused by Christine Blais’ opinion regarding derogatory comments that were apparently made.

At no time were any negative words expressed to anyone by me regarding the U of M administration. There was a discussion between someone from the university and I regarding tuition fees, and the fact that she felt that students could afford to pay more in tuition fees because they had sold out of all the expensive degree frames they had for sale.

As part of the information we had available to students and parents, we had a petition calling for increased government funding for universities and for a continuation of the tuition freeze. Perhaps this is what has led to these comments, but in an institution of higher learning, differing opinions and thoughts are encouraged. Further, comments made during last year’s U1 orientation regarding education being a right should not raise that much controversy, unless of course people don’t believe that education is a right for all people.

It’s unfortunate that Christine Blais is spreading misinformation about the students’ union, and has not taken the time to speak with us about her concerns.

Amanda Jonson
UMSU vice-president (internal)

Jerema missed the point

Carson Jerema’s editorial “Standing Up for UMSU . . . sort of” (Sept. 13, 2006) shows that Jerema is obviously unclear on the purpose of a students’ union. They are not intended to be the student representatives OF the administration; they are the student representatives TO the administration. Does he want UMSU to happily go along with every bad idea the university comes up with? Would he prefer that UMSU simply allow the university admin to screw over students whenever they felt like it?

I am not interested in paying dues to a students’ union that has no fight in it. When something comes up that I disagree with the university administration (something that happens all too often these days), I want my students’ union in MY corner, standing up for MY rights as a student — not piddling their time away in friendly discussion.

Candace Heyliger
Second-year student, faculty of arts

Jerema defended the administration

Another issue of the Toban, another vapid attack on UMSU by Carson Jerema. Apparently, Jerema believes that it is Garry Sran and executive members of UMSU that “crush the bones of helpless and oppressed” university administrators. Thank goodness there’s Carson Jerema to valiantly defend the interests of some of the highest-paid administrators on campus.

I wonder — will Jerema so virtuously defend the rights of the members of the academic and support staff unions when they, too, ask for the 18 per cent raise that President Szathmary got over the past two years? Somehow, I have to say I doubt it.

Bronwyn Guard
University 1 student

The use of marijuana is biblical!

No column about cannabis or marijuana (Aug. 23, 2006) is complete without some biblical insight since a percentage of the support for caging humans for using the God-given plant comes from regular churchgoers or the Christian conservative right.

The practice of persecuting, prohibiting and exterminating cannabis is sinful because God, Our Father, indicated He created all the seed-bearing plants, saying they are all good on literally the very first page of the Bible (see Genesis 1:11- 12 and 29-30). The only biblical restriction placed on cannabis is that it be used with thankfulness (see 1 Timothy 4:1-5).

Cannabis persecution will end sooner when Christian clergy teaches their flock these facts which help protect them from stumbling on the first page of the Bible.

Stan White, Colorado, USA.





Volume 94 Issue 6	The Official University of Manitoba Students' Newspaper Website	September 20, 2006

Home About Us Advertise Contact Staff Current Issue PDF Employment Letters to the Editor Meet the Staff Online Archives Personals Volunteer	Font Size Respond Email Print-Friendly Letters to the editor Send your letters to editor@themanitoban .com or drop them off at 105 University Centre Misinformation from Blais about UMSU As the UMSU representative that was present at Parents’ Day held in June 2006, I am rather confused by Christine Blais’ opinion regarding derogatory comments that were apparently made. At no time were any negative words expressed to anyone by me regarding the U of M administration. There was a discussion between someone from the university and I regarding tuition fees, and the fact that she felt that students could afford to pay more in tuition fees because they had sold out of all the expensive degree frames they had for sale. As part of the information we had available to students and parents, we had a petition calling for increased government funding for universities and for a continuation of the tuition freeze. Perhaps this is what has led to these comments, but in an institution of higher learning, differing opinions and thoughts are encouraged. Further, comments made during last year’s U1 orientation regarding education being a right should not raise that much controversy, unless of course people don’t believe that education is a right for all people. It’s unfortunate that Christine Blais is spreading misinformation about the students’ union, and has not taken the time to speak with us about her concerns. Amanda Jonson UMSU vice-president (internal) Jerema missed the point Carson Jerema’s editorial “Standing Up for UMSU . . . sort of” (Sept. 13, 2006) shows that Jerema is obviously unclear on the purpose of a students’ union. They are not intended to be the student representatives OF the administration; they are the student representatives TO the administration. Does he want UMSU to happily go along with every bad idea the university comes up with? Would he prefer that UMSU simply allow the university admin to screw over students whenever they felt like it? I am not interested in paying dues to a students’ union that has no fight in it. When something comes up that I disagree with the university administration (something that happens all too often these days), I want my students’ union in MY corner, standing up for MY rights as a student — not piddling their time away in friendly discussion. Candace Heyliger Second-year student, faculty of arts Jerema defended the administration Another issue of the Toban, another vapid attack on UMSU by Carson Jerema. Apparently, Jerema believes that it is Garry Sran and executive members of UMSU that “crush the bones of helpless and oppressed” university administrators. Thank goodness there’s Carson Jerema to valiantly defend the interests of some of the highest-paid administrators on campus. I wonder — will Jerema so virtuously defend the rights of the members of the academic and support staff unions when they, too, ask for the 18 per cent raise that President Szathmary got over the past two years? Somehow, I have to say I doubt it. Bronwyn Guard University 1 student The use of marijuana is biblical! No column about cannabis or marijuana (Aug. 23, 2006) is complete without some biblical insight since a percentage of the support for caging humans for using the God-given plant comes from regular churchgoers or the Christian conservative right. The practice of persecuting, prohibiting and exterminating cannabis is sinful because God, Our Father, indicated He created all the seed-bearing plants, saying they are all good on literally the very first page of the Bible (see Genesis 1:11- 12 and 29-30). The only biblical restriction placed on cannabis is that it be used with thankfulness (see 1 Timothy 4:1-5). Cannabis persecution will end sooner when Christian clergy teaches their flock these facts which help protect them from stumbling on the first page of the Bible. Stan White, Colorado, USA.


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