joerayment.com

Day of Defeat

Joe Rayment — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 11:14:21 +0000

2008 John H. McDonald awards, best feature: 2nd place. I first heard about this year’s tuition protest when the RSU rejected my bursary application. Chris Drew sent the e-mail. “It is not easy to be a student in 2007, and making the decision to select recipients was a difficult task,” he told me. He went on [...]

The Long Arms of the Law

Joe Rayment — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 11:10:30 +0000

Last October, across the ocean, a Lord of the British Realm declared that journalists could print untrue things as long as they practised “responsible journalism.” With time, these weighty words could yet make the voyage to Canada. “My Lords,” Lord Bingham began his opinion for the House of Lords, Britain’s highest court: “This appeal raises two [...]

The Importance of Being Ernesto

Joe Rayment — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 11:04:37 +0000

On March 5, 1960, the French arms freighter “La Coubre” exploded while being unloaded in Havana Harbour, Cuba. One hundred and thirty-six people died. The Cubans suspected terrorism. Fidel Castro spoke at the memorial the following day. As Fidel was speaking, Che Guevara stepped on to the stage and scanned the crowd. Alberto Gutiérrez, better [...]

In Baudrillard’s Army

Joe Rayment — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 11:07:19 +0000

1023 hrs. “Listen up! Everybody who’s a soldier, I want you to go like this to your chin,” the man strokes his chin. “If it doesn’t feel soft and kissable you’re going to have to shave.” I’m standing in a huge hole outside Hamilton, Ontario with soldiers, scientists and directors. Giant piles of sand surround us [...]

Organized Chaos

Joe Rayment — Fri, 07 Apr 2006 10:59:33 +0000

Toronto deputy mayor Joe Pantalone steps to the microphone:“Let’s get it on!” In front of him, 100 kids go psychotic. They run across Dundas Square windmilling pillows and beating each other senseless. Feathers fly and laughter echoes. Sometimes, you have to do something ridiculous to break the monotony of city life. But good chaos takes planning. [...]