Re: ‘We say (tentative) yes to CFS.’ Aside from the accusations from both sides of improper election tactics, I was surprised that the CFS stands to gain over $400,000 a year by default from all full-time undergraduate students. Considering our SAC society fees are currently $18.10, the $12.54 each of us has to pay is a 70 per cent increase! I’m sure most students did not even realize they had to pay CFS, for what student would agree to raising their tuition fees! CFS is not even part of U of T.There is something fundamentally wrong with a group coming to campus, holding a referendum where less than 10 per cent vote “Yes,” then requiring all undergraduates to pay to join them. If students wish to join the CFS, there is no one stopping them; they can do it on their own. It is a dangerous precedent to allow any outside agency to force a paying membership on all undergraduates and shows a lack of good judgement on SAC’s part. This referendum should not have been allowed to take place.John LemConFlict of intereStLet’s see here. We had CFS supporters and staff running a referendum in which they gained half a million bucks from students. Not only did they act as a disciplinary board, judging what was acceptable campaign material for the “No” side, they also ran the booths and counted the ballots. Hmmm. If that isn’t a sham election then my name is Hanging Chad. I mean, does the CFS (or SAC for that matter) even know what the phrase “conflict of interest” means? Of course not, because when I tried to get some straight answers from the “Yes” side, all I got was lame, hackneyed phrases like “solidarity” and “CFS is all of us” as a response. I’m sorry, but neo-Marxist rhetoric wouldn’t cut it for my vote. Right-wing, left-wing, who cares? If you can’t be accountable to students, it’s all the same bullshit. CFS prides itself on being a progressive organization, but whatever credibility they had was lost with this shameless money-grab.Mike Winters
Re: Varsity Coverage of Freakin’ StupidityHurrah on your excellent editorial on the sham that was the CFS campaign and referendum. I was almost lulled out of my utter contempt and apathy for student government by this miscarriage of propriety. Your editorial hit the nail on the head. Congratulations.Eddie KollaAn open letter to St. Michael’s CollegeDr. Peter Kreeft has published a number of books and articles that describe lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and queer people as immoral, sick, and intrinsically disordered. In his lecture, he described homosexuals as cancer cells and compared homosexuality to sex with dogs. He called upon his audience to oppose equality under the law for gays and lesbians. Given this, LGBTQ observers were unimpressed by his repeated claim that he “loved the sinner but hated the sin.”The SMC Code of Conduct states that “Life at the University is based on mutual respect, consideration, and tolerance,” and that it is an offence under the Code to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation. Further, the SMC Rules of Residence state: “SMC believes strongly in the dignity of all people regardless of race, religion, skin colour, ancestry, place of origin, citizenship, politics, gender, physical/mental ability, social status, or sexual orientation. Any harassment stemming from prejudice against the above-mentioned groups is contrary to the values of St. Michael’s College and will not be tolerated.” Finally, the SMC Statement on Inclusiveness says, “St. Michael’s is committed to doing everything it can to ensure that people of all backgrounds, regardless of religion, colour, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, social or economic class and nationality, will feel welcome in its midst.”By repeatedly inviting homophobic speakers to campus, SMC Students for Life has created an environment in which LGBTQ students, staff, faculty and visitors feel unwelcome and unsafe. SMC administration supports this by welcoming these speakers and providing them with venues in which to spread their prejudice.I believe the majority of people at SMC believe in diversity and human dignity. I don’t believe they can be happy to see hatred spread at their college, and in Christ’s name. It is this majority I challenge to stand up and stop allowing their lecture rooms to be made into venues for hate.Paul Bowser Internal Coordinator, LGBTOUTAnother open letter to SMCWe write regarding Prof. Peter Kreeft’s lecture at St. Michael’s College on Nov. 8, entitled “Sexuality, Marriage and the Family.” The lecture was sponsored by the Intercollegiate Studies Institute and St. Michael’s College Students for Life.While we affirm the right of SMC Students For Life to freedom of expression and the scholarly exchange of ideas, we are concerned that Kreeft’s lecture will affirm prejudice and foster ignorance in our community.We challenge Kreeft’s assertion that non-assenters of the church cannot be Catholic. This is a denial of the right to conscience and personal moral decision-making to which the church entitles all members. Further, it is an insult to many devoted Catholics whose well-formed consciences differ from church teaching.We are concerned with misrepresentations of “ex-gay” groups such as Exodus, which claim the ability to bring homosexuals to happy heterosexual marriages. In claiming success for these initiatives, Kreeft propagates the misunderstanding that homosexuality is choice rather than orientation. We are offended by Kreeft’s comparisons of homosexuality to cancer and bestiality, which affirm prejudice against and attack the dignity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer persons.We question Kreeft’s claim to love all people, while he calls on his audience to deny LGBTQ people legal protection from hate crimes.Bernard FitzpatrickPresident, q@SMCMichael NicholsonChair, q@SMC PoliticsSixth place ain’t too shabby, we guessThe articles that were published by The Varsity on the Varsity women’s rugby team this year appalled me. Mediocre is not a word to be used in describing the women’s rugby team, especially after a fantastic showing at nationals. I understand that a mediocre paper like The Varsity perhaps would not research a fine team such as the Varsity Blues, who, over their best season ever, managed to tie the number-one team in Ontario and beat the number-two team in Canada.Never before have I had the privilege to play for such remarkable coaches and play with such wonderful players. It is athletes like us who are making rugby the fastest growing women’s sport in Canada.I find it heartbreaking to have a sports reporter that did not even investigate the team, players or coaches before writing such a spiteful article. We should be working together to help promote all aspects of the university, not insult each other. Congratulations Varsity, you’ve managed to aid the crushing of this school’s spirit, one team at a time.Hayley Lapierre
