Print Edition: February 25, 2014
Do what you love
Here’s a fun fact: after seeing Star Wars for the first time in 1977, truck driver James Cameron quit his job to become a movie director. Fast forward some years and Cameron’s directed the two highest-grossing films in history. We should all follow in Cameron’s footsteps. Now, I’m not saying that everyone should quit their jobs and start directing films, but if you’re in a position of studying or working only for financial gain, and you derive no pleasure from your current situation, change it. I have many friends that are only studying because they think it’s what they should be doing, and many who are working full-time for the same reason. If something inspires you, follow it. Who knows? You might one day create the thing that inspires someone else to quit their job and do what they love.
Extra cur-what?
UFV seems to be one of those schools that seriously lack in extracurricular participation. With all of the clubs and sports teams offered, you would think that people would take advantage of them. Between organizations like The Cascade, SUS, and the clubs and associations, there should be something for everyone. Yet people aren’t interested, and it’s unfortunate. UFV is your home and community for four years. Without effort there is no community, and without a community school is, well … school. It’s kind of boring when all you do is study. It may be a bit too late to join some activities, but make an effort next semester, join a team, and meet some really awesome people. And if clubs aren’t your thing, at least attend the sports events held by our hardworking athletes. A school is only as fun as you make it.
Is nowhere sacred?
Ujjal Dosanjh, former Premier of BC and federal cabinet minister, has called for a registration of all private schools and places of worship. “We want to know what it is that’s being taught,” he said to the Senate national security committee. He continued to say that if the organizations don’t foster the building of a caring society, then a law can be made to revoke charitable status and “starve them out.”
This does not sound like the land of the free; in fact, it is reminiscent of the registration of the Jews. By registering and monitoring mosques, temples, churches, cathedrals, and schools, the government is in complete violation of freedom of religion. By forcing registration, the government could dictate what is and what is not acceptable by its standards in regards to religious practice. As if the state wasn’t having a hard enough time dealing with the issues surrounding the bedrooms of the nation, they’ve now insinuated a desire to step into the ring with its churches, too. Is nowhere sacred?
Take my taxes, please
We mostly take the society built up around us for granted, though it provides us tremendous luxury. This is a thought that I’ve had a lot recently after having family in and out of the hospital for the past few years. While there are inherent government issues and financial cuts taking place everywhere we look, I’m still awestruck at the services that the government is able to provide to all of us in BC and Canada. The massive hospital that we have in Abbotsford, all the equipment within, and all the medical staff who take care of patients: it’s all paid for by our taxes. This awe extends to our police force, infrastructure, and all the other institutions and services that are funded through taxes. It’s amazing what we’ve created through relatively small monetary contributions. While it does hurt to pay, the money that’s deducted from everyday transactions and our salaries surrounds us with many great things that we usually don’t even notice.
