Doug Diaczuk
Features Editor/Editor in Chief/News Editor/Production Manager
The Argus

My time is up. It has been five years since I first wandered into the Argus office asking about a job. Then Editor in Chief Rob Rombouts explained the only position available was Production Manager. Luckily I had some layout and design experience, so I decided to take the job and get my foot in the door. Little did I know, my foot would stay there for the next five years. From there, I would work as Production Manager for two years, News Editor for one year, Editor in Chief for a year, and Features Editor to close it off. Working for the Argus had its ups and downs. I had the opportunity to work with some amazing people and forged friendships that will last a lifetime. However, I also had to put up with a lot of things I would rather not have. I actually miss the days when I knew nothing about LUSU or the goings on at Lakehead. Ignorance is bliss, no matter how clichéd that might sound.
While I enjoyed every minute of it, well almost every minute, I always tried my best to do my job and bring the students the news and share my opinions of what was happening around campus. Sometimes my opinions ruffled some feathers, which I actually enjoyed the most because it shows people are paying attention, it shows they care enough to respond. Hate mail tells me I’m doing my job.
Most recently I received two responses to my “Why you should vote and why you shouldn’t vote” feature. One from Professor X (don’t worry, your identity is safe with me) and one from presidential hopeful Ronnie Smith. I invite both criticisms, however, I would like to explain that I think you both missed the point of the article. While it was rampant with satire, it also raised some good points. Students have the right to choose not to vote. A right I definitely practiced in this year’s election and every election for that matter. But more importantly, I wanted to stress the idea that LUSU over the years has completely lost my respect. The coverage in last weeks Argus regarding Moyer’s actions and the Board of Directors complete disregard for the rules is evidence enough of the complete ludicrousness of LUSU. And I have seen my fair share of ridiculousness at LUSU over years. One Board member stated to the Argus a couple years ago: “The Board of Directors needs adult supervision.” That is far from the case. The LUSU Board of Directors, in any year, needs to be in daycare with a team of adult supervisors. Student politics is so ridiculous because everyone takes everything far too seriously. The rewards are small, but the pettiness is grand.
I found it interesting that Mr. Smith decided to respond to my feature article two weeks after it was published. I wonder: if he had won the election, would he have taken the time to criticise my article or would he have brushed it off with good humour? Mr. Smith needs to understand that those who are willing to put themselves out there and run for public office have to be willing to have their ideas, platforms, and promises criticized, analyzed, and joked about. Or is that not part of the courageousness you speak of Mr. Smith? Mr. Smith and Professor X, thank you for your opinions on my opinions. It is good to create a dialogue. And while I’m at it, thank you everyone who has taken the time to respond to anything I’ve written. You may not agree with all that I have written, but I’m not out to satisfy everyone, in fact I’m not out to satisfy anyone. These are just my opinions, my thoughts, my expressions that I wanted to share with you all.
I would like to thank all those who have read my articles, looked at my layout, and taken the time to respond to my opinions. The Argus has been an amazing experience and I will truly miss it when I finally sign my name on an article with ‘The Argus’ for the very last time. We used to have an old saying back when I first started on the Argus which was: The Argus is life. It was, but not anymore.

Thank you all