Throughout history, many people have associated serious thought with serious drinking. From the Roman poet Horace to the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche to Benjamin Franklin, many of the greatest thinkers in history were liquor connoisseurs. Perhaps Francois Rabelais, the French writer put it best when he said, "When I drink, I think; and when I think, I drink."

In the wake of the events of September 11, many people were left wondering what they should do. Some people donated money, and others blood. For local musician Simon Billow, the gift of hope fills that void.

"We didn't feel like creating financial donations, there's already a lot of people doing that and doing a good job," says Billow. "We felt it wasn't money that people needed, but hope."

Those of you from the what-have-you-done-for-me-lately school of political criticism best listen close.

Acid Jazz Afternoons, a brand-spanking new Friday event at The Black Lounge, made its debut Fri., Oct. 26. The acid jazz-trip hop-themed afternoon is the latest project of Students' Union Vice-President Events Chris Kerr.

"I just thought it would be a nice, chill change to the regular punk rock afternoon," explains Kerr. "Something more down tempo, something to relax to."

Four years after the release of Basement Songs and the hit single "Chevrolet Way," local musician Tariq has left the shackles of the record label world and begun a new start as an indie musician. Although that move wasn't neccessarily by choice.

Editor, the Gauntlet,

     A controversial and inflammatory exhibition of photographs appeared in the north courtyard of the MacEwan Student Centre Fri., Oct. 12. It portrayed Chinese-occupied Tibet in a most "flattering" manner.

Editor, the Gauntlet,

     Kris Kotarski's piece debating the use of torture borders on absurd.

Mr. Kotarski stated "there is an ongoing debate in the American media about the use of torture to extract information about possible future acts of terrorism." Where is Mr. Kotarski getting his information from?