How to keep you identity—or get it back

Lisa Dewsberry

It’s that time of the school year again—the end. Parties following the stress of exams; but don’t let the party be overshadowed by theft. Having your identity stolen is as easy as leaving your purse near the door. And if this should happen, what do you do? When it happened to me, I was more worried about someone using my credit cards or my ID than I was about the cash. Worst of all, if I hadn’t been living at home, I wouldn’t have known the steps for ensuring that the theft of my purse would not result in the theft of my identity.

The first thing I learned was that I should never have been carrying my social insurance card. If you have one, memorize the number and lock it away in a safe place because you will rarely—if ever—need to have your actual card. In addition, you should scan the front and back of all your cards because when you report it stolen (which you have to if you want to prove that the 1500 dollar purchase is not a television in your house) the officer will ask for the numbers of all credit cards, bank access cards, government issued identification (health card), et cetera so they can prove theft if they catch someone with those card numbers. Now, if your wallet is stolen (which in an open-door residence setting is entirely possible), prepare to spend a lot of time on the phone. The first call is the credit card agencies—not the police—because then you can prevent your stolen cards from being used (the phone number will be on the photocopies of the credit cards that you have). Next, call the police (the Thunder Bay non-emergency number is 684-1200), because all you can do for now is report and wait. Be sure to get the case reference number and badge number of the officer you are speaking to, just in case you have follow-up information to give them at another time. The officer will ask you for a detailed list of what was in your wallet or purse. It’s a good idea to write everything down ahead of time and just read it to the officer (ie: TD Canada Trust debit card # 1305 ********). If you’ve missed anything important, the officer will ask you. Be sure to note the time your wallet was stolen as well as the location from which it was taken. After you’ve spoken to police, call major credit agencies like Equifax and Transunion so that anyone applying for a line of credit with your identification (including you in the future, unfortunately) will be flagged and will have to prove their identity. And finally, arrives the most daunting task of all: replacing all your stolen items. When you call your credit card agency, they will cancel you current number and send a new card immediately that will take 7-10 business days to arrive at your house. For access cards, you can go to your bank where they will replace it for you so long as you have identification (time to bring out the passport you keep at home except when travelling). Health cards and driver’s licences can be done at Ontario Ministry of Transportation outlets. There is one in Thunder Bay located on Memorial Ave across from Intercity Mall.

Global warming is not a fact and the precautions being made are far from necessary

Michael Ragotte

Through media, movies, and ill informed politicians, people are beginning to believe global warming is not a scientific debate, but rather an impending doom. The latter is far from true. Although no one can say for sure whether Global Warming does or does not exist, taking this phenomenon as fact is certainly not the correct response. As scientists dig deeper into their research, both sides become stronger. Although there is evidence that supports the existence of global warming, there are also many scientists in agreement the warming that occurs is only cyclical, and the earth can heat up and cool down with or without human activity.

Society is leaning more and more towards global warming issues and taking them as fact. Science and researchers that devote time, money and their efforts to disprove global warming are being shunned within the media. In films like ‘An Inconvenient Truth,’ scientists that oppose global warming are seen as bad guys, people working for massive oil companies that don’t care about the world. Considering a lot of the research disproving global warming was developed by scientists working under government grants, one should be aware these scientists are far from the evil ones as seen on cartoons. It is not fair for society to scourge these scientists that work so hard trying to understand the world around us.

At the conference on climate change in 2009 located in Copenhagen, many countries were told that global warming is an immediate threat and must be handled accordingly. According to Chad Everett of Business Green, Denmark proposed that developed nations should cut their emissions by 80 percent to combat the problem.

In order to do this massive reduction in emissions, the economies of the world would take a colossal hit, and suffer enormously under the constraints to reduce global emissions. This huge reduction in emissions and the economy is a big price to pay for a disaster that may not ever occur. Evidently, the task was removed from the Copenhagen agreement because countries were not willing to make a large commitment to something that is not scientifically proven.

Although it is good to be environmentally aware, it’s not always good to jump at the first sign of smoke, maybe it is better to see the fire first. There are many other environmental problems where there are fires burning that need to be made aware in the media. The issues regarding over fishing and over population are much more severe environmental problems that need to be attended too. Remember, just because Al Gore says that global warming is going to kill us, doesn’t mean it’s true.

Taking women’s hockey out of the Olympics would be stupid, to say the least

With the Olympic Games having come to an end just over a week ago, sports fans and writers have resumed an ongoing debate that has many North American athletes and fans up in arms: let’s take women’s hockey out of the Olympics.
“It’s just too one-sided,” many critics have stated, and to some degree, that statement is true.
Since women’s hockey was included at the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, Japan, Canada has won three gold and a silver medal, while the United States ranks second with a gold, two silvers and a bronze medal to their credit. Meanwhile, only two other teams have won a medal, with Finland recording a pair of bronze, and Sweden receiving a silver and bronze for their efforts.
Sure, Canada and the United States have dominated the tournament, with Canada, for example, scoring 41 goals with only two against in the round-robin portion in Vancouver, but it’s not like this kind of domination hasn’t been seen in the Olympics before.
When men’s hockey was added to the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium, the Canadian team cruised to an easy gold medal, scoring 29 goals while allowing just a single marker in three games.
In fact, Canada’s domination in the early days of Olympic men’s hockey is astounding. Between 1920 and 1952, a span of seven Olympic Games, the Canadian team captured six gold medals in ice hockey, loosing only in 1936 to Great Britain, a team which was, for the record, made up of many Canadians living abroad.
In the ten Olympics that followed the 1952 games, the Soviet Union became the benchmark for success in men’s hockey, winning eight gold and a pair of bronze medals, effectively making any team that beat them a huge upset (1980 Miracle on Ice anyone?).
Looking at these stats, two teams won 14 of the first 17 gold medals awarded for ice hockey, yet not once did anyone consider removing the men’s game from the Olympics. Quite the opposite, actually, as the dominance of these teams forced the remaining nations to strengthen their efforts and build much stronger hockey programs. Several years later, the effects have been seen, with eight or nine teams being very competitive in the men’s hockey pool, creating an exciting spectacle in which anything can happen.
Sure, many fans expect to see an always exciting Canada vs. USA final in women’s hockey, however, stranger things can happen. Ask the 2006 USA team that was defeated by Sweden in the semi-finals whether or not women’s hockey is a two-team game. I’m sure they wouldn’t even have to think before disagreeing.
Many critics also argue that it could take several decades for other countries to catch up to the dominant Canadian or United States team, however, a look at some of the competition may prove otherwise.
Finland, this year’s bronze medalists, fielded a team in which half of the players were ages 21 or under. Now, call me crazy, but once the younger players become more experienced, the Finnish team will only become more and more competitive. And, with the team being that young, they have the potential to stick together for two to three more Olympic games, which will only build more chemistry and overall potential.
It is not as if other sports at the Olympics haven’t been dominated by a single nation. The half-pipe competition in snowboarding has seen a total of  24 medals awarded since its conception at the 1998 games, and the United States have won 14 of them, effectively amounting to seven times more than any other nation.
Luge, on the other hand, has seen a total of 120 medals awarded in three categories since it’s inclusion in the 1964 games, and Germany has run away laughing, collecting a total of 70 medals, 52 more than Austria, who clocked in at second place with 18. Yet, has there been any discussion to remove luge from the Olympics? Not a chance.
Not only is it unfair to take a sport out of the Olympics because of domination by a single nation, but it would also be doing an injustice to the female hockey players who compete day-in and day-out for their chance to be in the spotlight. While men’s hockey has the NHL, World Championships, World Juniors, and countless other events televised on a regular basis, women’s hockey receives international coverage for just two weeks every four years.
Removing women’s hockey from the Olympics would do more damage to the sport than good. Sure, the entire world would not have to watch Canada demolish a lower ranked team by 10 or more goals, but how are any other teams supposed to get better without constantly having to face the world’s best team? Just as other nations became stronger in the men’s portion of Olympic hockey due to constantly having to face the Canadians or Soviets over the years, the women’s teams will only improve as well. Remember, just two Olympics ago the thought of Canada’s men’s team loosing to Switzerland or Belarus was laughable at best, and yet, just 8 years later, both nations have held their own against the best in the world, beating a few of the stronger teams along the way.
The dominance of Canada and the United States in women’s hockey is easily explained: both countries currently have leagues in place that are superior to those of other nations. Just like in men’s hockey, where it took nearly 40 years for other countries to catch up to the dominant Canadian squad, women’s hockey will eventually have more than a couple teams consistently considered threats to win gold.

Somehow it’s March already, my term is nearing its end – and schoolwork is piling up! March is that exciting time of the year, term papers, tests, presentations…but of course we all did our work ahead of time, and are not worried. Right? Yah, me too…

Hopefully everyone noticed how unreal our Varsity sports teams are this year. Our wrestling and Nordic skiing teams recently won championships. The women’s and men’s basketball team both won thrillers at home this week to advance to the next round of the playoffs. Our hockey team also beat Guelph to advance into the next round of the playoffs. So there is some incentive to get your homework done quick, because the Thunderwolves hockey team will be hosting another playoff game, and potentially the men’s basketball team will be hosting another playoff game.
Winter Carnival has recently just wrapped up, and I can say confidently that everyone had a great time. Especially with dog sledding, one of the most popular events LUSU has run this year. Mostly because, well, who doesn’t love dogs? LUSU takes the hill at Loch Lomand was slightly lower in attendance than the last time we ran it – which isn’t always a bad thing. Lower numbers mean more rentals. So thanks to Trevor Cava for setting up Winter Carnival this semester, if you see him walking around – give him a high 5.
You also have St. Patrick’s day to look forward to in March. LUSU will be running a few drink responsibly campaigns soon. Why run drink responsibly awareness events? Well…unfortunately drinking and driving is still a large issue, students need to be aware where their drinks are at all times. The sad reality is, some people out there might try to slip something in your drink. I would hope no one at Lakehead would ever do that, but better safe than sorry. At the end of March/beginning of April we will also be doing some stress busters for exams. April exams, in my opinion, tend to be the hardest. Summer is about to start, weather is warming up, and it seems hard not to feel worn out sometimes. Don’t worry though! We provide some stress busters that will help you get through April exams. Then when it’s done, four lovely months off. Unless you’re in summer courses, well then…good luck in your studies.
Until Next week,

Dave Grad
LUSU President

The Argus is hosting an acoustic show at The Study on Friday, March 12th.  Although it is a fundraiser for The Argus, we are approaching it more as a community event. I am aware that these shows do not bring in much cash; it’s more for the fun of it.
It will start at 8pm and is an all ages show; if you are 19+ and want to drink you must get marked. Also, there will be pizza available on top of The Study’s usual homemade goodies.
Thus far, the bands are The Promise and The Other Colour, as well as solo acoustic sets by Marley Giunta and Jon Reid. We are open to have another band and solo act, or even 2 solo acts; send me an email if you’d like to do an acoustic, quieter set. The feel will be fitting for The Study, although maybe not for the members of The Argus – such a crazy staff. The cost will be $5 for students and non-student alike. Enjoy some solid sounds and quality coffee or beer, and engage in conversations with local musicians as well as surrounding community.
I am a huge fan of local talent; whether it be artists, musicians, writers, or craftspeople. The quality of creativity in Thunder Bay is perhaps larger only because we are all so bored. Okay, so at Lakehead we’re all extremely busy; but hey, if we had free time what we do with it but sleep anyways? Exactly!

Brandi Cameron

Editor-in-Chief

I will start off by giving a disclaimer. This article will be very opinionated, however there are some indisputable facts that I feel will change even the most opinionated minds. I managed to fix the most opinionated person I know, myself. Those of you feeling unsure in anyway should read on as I believe we can join together as equals, never mind the president, VPSI, or health care reps. They are a simple face, with little to no real power to help students. I realize my ideas are radical, however, they are necessary in order revitalize the school. Here is my justification:
I realize now that I am different than anyone else. I always knew that I see things  different from the outside; however, could not articulate this feeling. It wasn’t until grade 6 that I found an answer. I was ADHD, however, despite by severe oppression defiance, the schools explained it as depression. My claims were always disputed and I was not given a simple diagnostic test until  part way into my second year of my social work program. I have suffered psychological harm, resulting from misdiagnosis and over medication. This failure of a medicinal approach was further complicated by a denial of access to behavioural therapy. This resulted in a lifelong disorder that I have come to realize is a gift, that is indispensible in terms of its applications to social problems.
That said a failure of the school system to provide behavioural therapy without a professionals recommendation. The rights of students need to be restored. A student seeking help should not be made to wait at a window, and asked doctor or counsellor. I propose several solutions to the issues here.
I feel it necessary to not single any doctor, counsellor, or other professional out. I have come to except that there is a flaw in the system, and arguing with a single doctor is not, and never will be, effective. Therefore, 18 years of suffering has lead me to the realization that a systematic approach will be necessary for the realization that our current “holistic approach” promised by the school to prospective students is flawed. It is actual a model of the opposite. I find counselling only works if I like the counsellor I go to. I think there are many others who feel the same and submit to physicians magic pills to fix their problems. This further complicates issues because it slows the emotional release necessary for the restoration of sense of self. Feelings of guilt can be prolonged by medication. Don’t believe me, ask your therapist or any other professional. If they say you need antidepressant they are probably wrong, however if your feelings of guilt came on suddenly your anti-depressants can complicate the release of these emotions, and in my case, and I am sure I am not alone results in rebound symptoms after feeling safe that the medicinal approach was never necessary. I promise you, find the right counsellor, try the Aboriginal Centre, or a spiritual advisor. Doctors use theories when often people like myself and other people in tune with their inner sense of self are really the best course of treatment. Far to often anti depressants, and a whole host of other drugs are prescribed as a first line of treatment. Medication is never the answer unless every attempt has failed. I realize our system is not equipped to deal with the ramifications of the advice of this article; however, there is strength in numbers. Look at the provinces setting the pace for the rest of the country: Saskatchewan and Alberta. Both provinces record the sale of every prescription and OTC medication effectively putting an end to the overuse and some cases abuse of drugs that change our brain chemistry. The brain is constantly adapting, the ramifications must be acknowledged (Maybe there is some truth to the theory that some people develop gender issues, despite testimony by psychiatrists that these things are genetic”. I agree in that they are genetic in that if someone’s brain changes, and that person has children it is likely that the child will share similar issues to the parent. ADHD was thought to be boys disease, that was fairly uncommon. We see it in girls now and realize that many people will never fully get over their symptoms. Why not teach them to deal with these symptoms, and perhaps we can reverse this evolution. That said is this what they want? I am gifted and am having trouble accepting it, so I can tell you it is bad for the individual. In conclusion, going back to AB and SK are on the right track (and I realize that they have amazing physicians there) however the powerhouse of the nation remains Ontario, and it will ultimately continue to be the countries main priority when it is time for a change of perspective, or change in government focus. Anyone feel the same way?
From my point of view as a stabilized young professional in the social work program:
Anyone feeling unsure should be treated with the same priority as someone who is seeking or has obtained a medical diagnosis. Remember, accurate diagnosis is the first step to recovery, and sometimes with the right counsellor medication is not effective and can even prolong your suffering. Ever notice doctors always right the brand name of a drug on a script. I have no proof but I am pretty sure there is a contraindication there. That said why do some doctors schedule 15 minute meetings and other half hour interview. Something is not right here and we as students need to right the wrong alleged holistic approach that is really the over prescription of many drugs to which the long term side effects are often not studied. Pharmaceutical companies chemically alter a drug after they lose there patent and remarket it as a better version. Why not stick with the tried and true?