November, 11 1997

The Cadre

The Island

Yankee

By Suzanne Williams

To me, there is no season more beautiful than autumn, with the leaves changing color and falling from the trees; floating to their designated spots on the ground. It has always amazed me how tree branches are like starfish in a way- they lose a part of themselves, but that part regenerates and the branch is made whole again.

I have never seen a place so beautifully laden with leaves inautumnas this Island, although I hear that Franconia Notch during autumn is nota scene to be missed (Franconia Notch is a valley in the northern part of New Hampshire. I have seen it in the summer, but I have never quite been able to make time for the two-hour drive up there in autumn).

Autumn helps to prepare one’s soul for the desolation of winter. The scene of the. leaves reminds one that even though winter is coming, the world will be green once again. The seasons seem very distinct here.

I personally welcome winter wholeheartedly. The snow acts as a blanket for hibernating animals, and the sight of a snowfall, in my eyes, is one of the most spectacular things to witness. I can hardly wait until winter comes to see what the Island will look like. It must be even more beautiful here than on my lake at home.

It feels so good to be able to breathe again. To see the beauty of the world and to experience another part of it. I feel that this is the main reason why I came up here.

The scenery of everyday life here more than makes up for my long drive to school. People whom I don’t even know smile and wave to me when I drive by. Now, this would never happen where I come from. :

I have noticed that people are more friendly here than they are at home. | think this has something to do with Americans being more “pressed for time”. Americans are always ina hurry to do something; it is not just in New York where one can, “do halfa million things ata quarter to three”. 5 I enjoy being able to relax and have a good time with a

friend instead of worrying constantly. People here are more willing to take the time to talk, about practically anything under the sun.

I would like to thank some people who have helped me to feel welcome here: my friends in my classes, my profes- sors, my fellow ISA members, my fellow Theatre Society members, and especially my fellow staff on the Cadre. Because of these special people, I have felt less homesick and as if I was a friend of many years already.

I know that this expression is very trite, but the Island really is beautiful. Inside as well as out. Just like so many people I know here.

Intolerance! | Or just fighting back My Two Cents

Well can you believe my surprise when I received a reply to my last column “Let’s Change the Rules?”. I had hoped for a reply but always thought that this university was too apathetic. I guess if you tell people that they will tend to believe it, eh? Oh well, to my point! A student sent his reply to my column and said that:

“my...comment concerns the content of your first column.

1 would suggest that the blame for constructional unrest lay

with the ‘rest of Canadiens’ and not the members of ‘any party or organization that attempts to break the Canadien Federation.’”

| am afraid that | would argue that point in that I think all Canadiens can NOT be blamed for one party that seems to be exclusive to Quebec and Quebec issues. | find your comment not only wrong but also insulting. I did not vote for any sep’s nor did any Canadian outside of} Quebec. The idea that we as a nation should keep a culture alive is frivolous. I will not give money nor help a group of people maintain there own culture when their own parents are too ignorant and lazy to pass their culture on to their children.

“In your fourth paragraph, you describe your friend’s

reaction to your idea. | think they are right. Moreover,

the reason you cite in defence of your idea is well-intentioned but unacceptable. What echoes in my mind is the following pear lof wisdom: “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”

The road to hell...ummmm. No I think the road to hell is not paved with good intentions, mostly because “It’s the road to hell!”

“Your friend is right because your idea wreaks of intolerance and political tyranny.”

Well! don’t believe it wreaks of political tyranny or intolerance. They are committing an illegal act! It is called treason. If you are saying my idea of “enforcing the Criminal Code of Canada” is intolerant and full of political tyranny then do tell me when Political thought becomes criminal thought? And if it is criminal thought do we through them in jail?

“think of USA and flag burning- democracy means defending an individual’s right to burn it.”

Maybe so but the price of freedom is eternal vigilance, my friend, and your point only leads us back to my question “when does political thought become criminal thought?” ,

“I suggest that if the rest of us spoke with more patriotism, our convictions could save our country.”

Well thank you Jean Charest. Sure, lets all go to Quebec and show them how much we all lovethem. Our love of ourcountry is not going geta of people who think they are being oppressed, to say “Hey they are patriotic! WOW we do the same, eh Lucien?”. What a wonderful dream you and Charest live in. It was tried and failed.

I however think it is time to play hard ball with these guys. Mr. Manning has the rightkind of idea. Tell Quebec what is gonna happen to them if they separate and also drop this whole distinct society crap. Itdoes not work and it will never work. Remember that we live inacountry were “we let them (Sep’s) set the rules, the time of the election, the question that will be asked, and when the question will be voted on”. What should we do then. What do you as a reader think? Let me know and I will use your in my column. Just e-mail at

789 mm or drop off your letter to Main room 06 label the letter “For and his Two Pennies”. Please leave your name and phone number. If you do not then I will

not use your response. -- By Brody M '