OPINION

Bourbons: A New Gift for Charlottetown’s Night Life

Whitney Rose Reporter

Charlottetown has been recently gifted with Bourbon’s House of Blues- a new blues lounge which was built as an extension of the Maple Grille on University Avenue. Al- though the lounge acts as an alternate seating arrangement for when the Grille is too full, a stage is created and musicians are brought in on Thursday, Friday and Saturday eve- nings. Comparable to St. James’ Gate (without the threat of a forty plus dance party breaking out), Bourbon’s offers an escape from the typical Prince Edward Island bar scene. With a short but quaint wine list which features Canadian, French, Australian, Italian and American

wines, Bourbon’s compliments The Maple Grille’s praiseworthy din-

ner menu. The atmosphere created by the dramatic yet subtle decor is the perfect setting for experiencing Charlottetown culture. Dinner at the Maple Grille and slipping over to Bourbon’s for a martini and some tunes afterward would be a lovely date night. Or you could skip dinner, head straight for Bourbon’s and drink the night away drowning in your own sorrows as the mellow music plays in the background. Both work.

With everything that Bourbon’s has to offer, it is probable, or at least hoped for, that this hidden gem will soon emerge and Charlottetown nightlife will be blessed with the diversity it so needs.

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Letter to the Editor - STAND

By Ben Fine and Josh Scheinert

One of the dominant narratives of the 20th century was that of human- ity’s collective failure to stand up to evil. In its face of global indifference, however, one group of people con- sistently raised its voice to demand justice: students.

October 1956: Hungarian students march down the streets of Buda- pest triggering that country’s revolt against Soviet rule. 1960s, the Ameri- can South: white students from the North partake in “Freedom Rides” in an attempt to de-segregate busses in the racist South. Late 1980s, around the world: students help lead an inter- national boycott against apartheid. South Africa, crippling its economy and helping bring down the regime.

Fast forward to 2007, Darfur. Its endless graveyards are evidence of crimes against humanity. Burned out villages are becoming permanent reminders of what has thus far trans- pited under our watch. The faces of refugees tell stories of unspeakable horror. :

But, for Darfur, the tides have

been turning. World leaders and

celebrities alike are speaking out. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called the situation “unacceptable.” The UN Human Rights Council held a special session on Darfur. Sudan is starting to feel the pressure. In short, we are moving closer to putting

UN peacekeepers on the ground to strengthen civilian protection.

Study hard, play hard,

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We are at a critical moment. It is time that Canadian students en masse

- join together to pressure our govern-

ment to take concrete steps to bring about an end to the killing in Darfur. After four years of inaction, over 200,000 dead and millions displaced, we need to take a stand. Never Again means never again.

Canada can and must take on a leadership role in ending this crisis. On the diplomatic front we can help jump-start a multilateral mission to protect civilians. Our CF-18 aircraft could help enforce a no-fly zone to prevent Sudanese aircraft from _. bombing villages as they aid the — Janjaweed militias. Financially, our aid dollars can provide critical support. It’s time we come out and commit; we have the capacity to lead.

Acting on that capacity is simple. The prime minister needs to pick up the phone, rally his government and world leaders to join in implement- ing a strong multinational force on the ground to protect civilians. To this point he has not been nearly

vocal enough — and we are seeing the results of inaction. But politi- cians do not act without a reason. If the prime minister is going to pick up the phone he needs to see that his constituents demand more — that Canadians demand leadership.

This is where we come in. Our government answers to us. We just need to be heard. Students know how to organize and mobilize; we do it On Our campuses every day. We’re experts at writing letters, signing petitions and getting our message out there. This instance should be no different. From Victoria to St. John’s, it’s time Canadian students speak as one national voice demanding a real response to the Darfur crisis.

The narrative of the 21st Cen- tury is being written as Darfur is at a crossroads. As students we have a critical role to play in shaping history. Either Darfur will start to live again or it will continue to perish. Let us fight for change as hard as students have before us. For if we don’t, and Darfur dies, a part of our humanity dies with it.