Opinion pitches!

Hey everyone! Hope you're having a great day! Here are some story pitches if you're interested in writing this week! First drafts should be about 500-550 words, and will be due to me by 5pm Friday evening (but if you want to send them earlier, that's amazing). Just reply to this email if you want to pick up any of these pitches, or if you want any more information about these stories! And as always, if you have an idea for an article, feel free to send it my way. 

Remembrance day is coming up

I think there's a lot to be said about remembrance day, both in the symbolic sense and in the practical sense. What is campus doing/what should campus do for remembrance day? What do you, as an individual, feel that you should do for remembrance day? Is the culture around remembrance day significantly different between the United States and Canada? It could also be interesting to look at the kinds of support programs that are in place for veterans in Canada, and whether the philosophical honour that we give them on remembrance day is backed up by truly honouring them through governmental and societal support. 

A legal case in the Yukon is calling into question the integrity of First Nations treaties (and whether or not the government will uphold them) 

This case in the Yukon is yet another instance where the Canadian government seems more likely to prioritize resource development than treaty rights. This article also suggests that the legal system itself might be slanted in favour of resource exploitation. 

The Paradise Papers, leaked by a Bermuda law firm, show where some of the worlds' richest people keep their money 

From the Queen of England, to 3 former Prime Ministers, to people with ties to the Trump administration and the Trudeau government, the Paradise Papers show what the richest of the rich do with their offshore accounts (some legal and some not). 

Should you read the comments section?

Want to be in the January magazine? Sign up to write the Point-Counterpoint about whether or not you should read the comments section (of Gateway articles, of Facebook fights, of anything). These are pretty quick columns, and I'll set you up with another volunteer on a Google doc so you guys can duke it out, one person writing each side of the story. If you don't have time to write a full PCP, write a Worth It/Not Worth It for the magazine! Take anything that's related to campus or that impacts students (whether it be the sodium levels at L'Express, being on a campus sports team, or any other topic of your choice) and tell me whether or not it's worth it. These are 55-75 word blurbs so they're super quick and fun! 

Ex-Guantanamo detainee is suing the Canadian government for $50 million

Djamel Ameziane's case brings further public scrutiny to Canada's potential complicity in cases of torture and abuse in Guantanamo Bay. Ameziane's lawyer says that the settlement the government reached with Omar Khadr helped deflect criticism from the government, and that a judicial review of the complicity is required. 

Should the word "mansplaining" be banned in the legislature?

Rachel Notley used the word to describe Greg Clark after he asked her whether or not she understood the environmental benefits of building pipelines, and he made a point of order about it. On Wednesday they're deciding whether or not the word should be banned from being used in the legislature. You can read more about that here. 

The Gateway Presents! 

As you may already know, every second Friday from 5:30-6:30pm, CJSR airs a segment of our radio show, The Gateway Presents. Each segment includes an Opinion piece where two people debate on a hot-button issue. Along with pitching Opinion stories for the website or the magazine, please also feel free to pitch me content for The Gateway Presents! Whether you know someone who'd be interested in debating on the show, you have a topic you'd like to see presented, or you'd like to produce a segment all by yourself, let me know and we'll make it happen. 

Shorter segments

Don't have time to write a whole 500-word article this week but still want to write something? Write one of these! They're about 200-300 words and a really good time. - Streeters: I'll match you up with a Photo volunteer and you'll hit the mean streets of campus, armed with a question and a camera, to survey some U of A students. Past questions have included: what should the university's logo be, what was your worst live music experience, and where do you poop on campus.- Burlap Sack: Rant about something that bothers you! - Marble Pedestal: Rant about something you love! - Adulting 101: Either tell us how to do something adult (how to use an iron, how actually make food, etc.) or tell us about a time you failed to do something adult (like that time you put the red sock in with the whites and now everything is pink).