gair rhydd - Issue 941

Is sexism intrinsic in today’s world?

Sold out events: your societies

Carey questions Union drug policy

gair rhydd

>> Opinion page 4

>> Features page 16

>> News page 4

Monday February 07 2011 | freeword – Est. 1972 | Issue 941

“The day before my exam, he was charging £30 per hour for extra tuition” PhD tutor offered out of hours tuition for additional fee

Students voice concern over greater tuition charges CarBS to launch internal investigation

Morgan Applegarth News Editor Two Economics tutors have come under question after it is alleged that they told their third-year students that they would have to pay for extra tuition. gair rhydd has learned from a number of students that the unnamed postgraduate tutors told stu-dents who were taking core modules, which included International Finance, that they were to pay a fee in the region of £25 - £40 for additional help.

The extra tuition sessions are said to have been separate from the modules’ weekly lectures and

tutorials, and outside of the tutors’ scheduled office hours.

“The tutors offered further tuition to that which they give during tutorials and provided model answers to past paper questions,” revealed one student, who wished to remain anonymous.

In response to the allegations, a Cardiff University Business School (CarBS) spokesperson stated: “We will investigate this matter further.” gair rhydd understands that the allegations have been brought to the attention of CarBS, and are to be addressed at the next Student Panel meeting.

Continued on page 2

02News

gr EDITOR Sarah Powell

CO-ORDINATOR Elaine Morgan DEPUTY EDITOR Dom Kehat SUB-EDITORS Anna Redbond Isabelle Roberts Hannah Van Den Bergh NEWS Morgan Applegarth Miranda Atty Pippa Lewis Ben Price Hannah Pendleton FEATURES Zoe Bridger Laura Brunt OPINION Holly Howe Chris Williams POLITICS James Dunn Oliver Smith SOCIETIES Bianca London SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENT Tom Clarke Jack Parker SPORT Alex Bywater Lucy Morgan Alex Winter CONTRIBUTORS William Davies Jo Greet Nathanial Smith Yaz Langley Mathew Kelly-Smith Laura Dunn Charlotte McLeod Tim Bergman Jack Doran James Cheeseman Thomas Leeming Hector Roddan Adam Clancy James Goodeve Ballard Catriona Camacho Laura Amey Jonathan Stevens Emily Cope James Davies Nick Case PROOFREADERS Catriona Camacho Eleanor Hughes Emily Kneale Steph Pugh Bethan Cable Hector Roddan

Monday February 07 2011 • gair rhydd • news@gairrhydd.com

Union drug policy under fire Pippa Lewis News Editor Following an article in gair rhydd last week (issue 940) ‘S.U. crack down on drugs;’ the drugs operation conducted by police at the Bedlam event in the Great Hall Saturday December 4 has come under fire from students.

Students have expressed their concern over the necessity of such an investigation with one student telling gair rhydd: “Of course the Union has to comply with its license requirements – and we all know the police love to bully venues – but is this level of activity from plod really necessary?

“Is the Union’s past history so bad that it warranted such attention as 12 police officers and an ‘unspecified’ number of undercover officers – no doubt enjoying themselves at the tax payers’ expense?”

Former Cardiff University Students' Union (CUSU) President Ed Carey echoed these concerns with his comments on the gair rhydd website: “The pressure applied to licensed premises is disproportionate and I’d really like to know how much we can resist this sort of thing.”

Whilst expressly stating that the Union should not specifically come under fire for the operation, Carey added: "Anything short of a reluctant compliance [by the Union] with the authorities is a disservice to our students.

“The war on drugs fails to achieve any of its objectives (even if you think these objectives are sound – which I don’t). We therefore must accept two facts: (i) that people will take drugs and (ii) that, generally, them doing so has no significant impact on anyone besides themselves.”

There have been calls for the Union to formulate a policy on

freewords EDITORIAL est.1972 Ben Price News Editor

this issue, with Carey telling gair rhydd: “Not only should the Union resist such savage police strategies, it should offer support and solidarity to organisations such as Transform and do what unions should do, by representing the interests of students.

“Student unions have been progressively positioned in civil rights campaigns throughout the 20th century – why not civil liberties?

“It is plainly illogical that one of the most aggression-inducing drugs (alcohol) is legal and heavily promoted by the Union – especially at this event, while other drugs such as cannabis and MDMA carry convictions and possible prison sentences. Our Union should acknowledge this injustice and recognise that the future careers of its members are being affected by it.”

Carey added that there should be more debate on an issue that clearly affects young people and the lives of students, stating that he would “proudly propose a motion at the AGM if it is indicated that there is support for him to do so from students.”

CUSU President, Olly Birrell

responded, telling gair rhydd: "Following comments on the website about the police operation on the Students' Union premises, the Union Executive Committee would welcome a discussion to come to Student Council on the issue, or just to our doors, to find out how students feel. This would be the first time that it has cropped up as an issue in recent history and it would be great to hear more views from students.

“The Union could then, if necessary, adopt a stance, take action if required, support groups, support students or do whatever is required after the discussions have taken place. I look forward to hearing more from students on the issue!"

Inspector Mark Williams, from Cathays Police Station, said: “South Wales Police has a clear stance on the use and supply of drugs – it will not be tolerated.

“The operation was run following concerns from the community about the use of drugs and associated anti social behaviour in the area, but also to ensure the safety of all users of the students’ union.”

The use of recreational drugs seems to be an accepted part of many students’ lives. If you have not had direct contact with an illegal drug yourself, it is likely that you know someone who has.

We should not condemn the personal use of drugs because the restrictions upon an individual, of a responsible age, are wrong. This is justified of course, unless the act poses a threat or endangers another individual.

It is fair to say, that as students, the vast majority of us have experienced, at least once, a situation where we have not been completely in control of our actions due to the consumption of alcohol. However, the difference in this case is the fact that alcohol is a legal drug, whereas those arrested at the Bedlam event were in possession of illegal drugs.

This police operation should not be viewed as an attack on students. It should neither be felt that the Union has been specifically targeted. What happened must simply be viewed asolice conduct within the expanse of their social duty.

In addition to this, it is important to stress that more non-Cardiff University students were in attendance at the Bedlam event than Cardiff students themselves.

Surely it is important that the Union’s reputation does not become tarnished and labelled as a haven for illegal drugs?

Tutors face allegations over additional charges Continued from front By charging students in addition to course fees, some students feel it raises questions over equality.

It has been expressed that while some students may be able to afford extra costs, others may not.

“We are paying for this education, therefore we should all have access to equal resources, education and tuition. Money should not be able to buy you more adequate tuition, it should be offered without charge,” continued the anonymous student.

“If the tutors teach tutorials as

well as these additional sessions, then there is a conflict of interests.

They could effectively reduce the level of teaching in their tutorials in order to force students to attend sessions where they have to pay for extra help.”

A third-year Economics student said: “I think it’s unfair that some students who are well-off and have not worked hard all term can fork out £30 for an hour of private tuition to sort themselves out.”

The additional tutorial sessions for third-year students are believed to have been open for one-to-one and group consultations.

“The day before one of my exams, I heard that the PhD tutor who teaches me was charging £30 per hour for extra tuition,” said the third-year Economics student, continuing: “I heard of people wanting to ask quick questions that would’ve taken two minutes to answer, but couldn’t get any help because [the tutor] was being paid by a group of students for last minute tuition.”

He added: “The PhD tutor in question is, in my opinion, by far the best PhD tutor who has taught us over the years.”

The CarBS spokesperson said: “We would like to emphasise that

the quality of the education provision at Cardiff Business School is of paramount importance to us.

“We would like to reassure students that if they feel that they are in need of extra tuition, they are very welcome to raise this with the School’s faculty and their students representatives, and we will do our utmost to provide it.”

As of yet, gair rhydd are unaware as to how many students paid for the extra tuition, nor the exact fees that they faced. However, gair rhydd have been notified that students did pay for the additional support.

News03

Monday February 07 2011 • gair rhydd • news@gairrhydd.com

Protestors point finger at Porter Miranda Atty News Editor

"Aaron Porter deserves to be kicked out of office" Edmund Schluessel, Member of Cardiff's Socialist Student group Porter was approached by a number of students who asked him to justify his record. After spotting him by the University of Manchester Students' Union building he was confronted by the protestors.

Police escorted him away, and subsequently advised him to withdraw his plans to address the rally members.

Joe Rylands, a Cardiff student who attended the rally, said of Aaron Porter: “He’s a sellout. I gave him the benefit of the doubt at first, but ultimately, rather than leading demonstrations, he is doing nothing.”

PhD student Edmund Schlues-

10 June 2010 11 Nov 2010 Aaron Porter elected as NUS President for an initial 12 month term.

He is elected with a majority (65%) of the vote share in the first round of counting.

Porter condemned the violence at the National demo at which 50,000 protestors marched in London over government proposals to higher education.

tendance of Cardiff students ‘a bit disappointing’, comparing the 11 students who arrived from Cardiff with other universities, like Bristol and Edinburgh, whose student protestors numbered in the hundreds.

Schluessel was not surprised with the low turn out, telling gair rhydd: “Given that the Students' Union didn't publicise the transport, and had to be lobbied to put it on at all during the exam period, I think we did well to fill up one mini-bus.”

He continued: "If we have a student government that's more proactive about engaging with students, instead of just trying to sell them club nights, it will be more responsive and more inspiring to everyone.”

PHOTO: AIDAN BYRNE

National Union of Students (NUS) President, Aaron Porter, was forced to cancel his planned speech at a Manchester demonstration after students protested against him.

Eleven students from Cardiff University attended a cuts rally in Manchester on Saturday January 29 2011 to protest against the coalition government’s tuition fee rises and spending cuts.

Thousands of students took part in the NUS, University and College Union-led demonstration in Manchester, with thousands more also protesting in London.

The demonstrations were the first of 2011 and were part of a wave of similar protests against the government’s plans to raise the tuition fees to £9,000 per year.

NUS President Aaron Porter was forced to pull out of an afternoon of speeches at the rally in Manchester after angry protestors called for his resignation.

sel also expressed disappointment with the NUS President, telling gair rhydd: “Aaron Porter deserves to be kicked out of office, but years of dismantling NUS's democratic structures means if he left.

“I've met him on a few occasions...He's an intelligent person and a good administrator, but he's no leader and no representative; he's been an NUS colleague longer than he ever was a university student.”

Schluessel condemned the alleged anti-semitic comments made to Porter: “If any idiot was calling him a "Tory Jew", the way the Telegraph have put around but which I certainly didn't see, then that was absolutely wrong and nobody in Socialist Students or the rest of the left supports it.”

Mr Porter subsequently commented on the events of the rally, stating: "The NUS sought to organise a protest with our union partners at which all individuals could take part without being subject to verbal and physical intimidation.

"It's disappointing not to have had the opportunity to talk about the real issue of the government's cuts to the next generation."

In Porter’s stead, the NUS VicePresident Shane Chowan tried to speak to the protestors but was pelted with eggs and oranges by a small minority of rally members.

Many students have called for the NUS to take a more active stance against the coalition’s budget cuts.

Schluessel, who is a member of Cardiff ’s Socialist Student group, said: "We have to remember that the anger at Porter et al comes from a long-standing failure of the NUS leadership to serve the needs of students, highlighted by the absolutely inadequate response to the government's raising tuition fees.

“If there was a democratic opposition within NUS then this anger would have a healthier route to expression, but there isn't.”

Cardiff University's Students’ Union has also been met with some criticism, in regard to the rally’s lack of advertising.

Student Rylands called the at-

"Their attitude won't achieve anything" Joe Rylands, student protestor Cardiff University's Students’ Union President Olly Birrell explained that 'the fact that the first student demonstration in London in November 2010 had been planned in the summer enabled the Union to launch a large-scale advertising scheme'. He said: “A Facebook group was subsequently set up and those who attended the first demo were encouraged to join up.

“All the details and advertising of subsequent action is sent out through the Facebook group.”

He revealed that not having such advance knowledge of the rally meant that “as a team we can’t put the effort in that we did for the national demo, so we send the information out to the Facebook group for people who we think will be interested."

Rylands commented on the Union’s efforts: “To be honest I wasn’t aware that the University had done much to advertise the rally. I am annoyed the Union hasn’t done more.

“They, like the NUS, go through the motions and don’t follow it up.

Their attitude won’t achieve anything.”

Above: Protesor expresses view toward Porter; Below: Student protestors

28 Nov 2010

17 Jan 2011

Porter apologises for 'spineless dithering' by telling occupiers at the UCL that the NUS had been too cautious about supporting student activism.

Porter angers protestors by saying that students must accept that parliament has voted and must now refocus on lobbying universities

29 Jan 2011 Porter subjected to chants of "students, workers, hear our shout, we want Aaron Porter out," and face criticism of not representing students' views.

04News Stressed students continue to speak out over exams

Monday February 07 2011 • gair rhydd • news@gairrhydd.com

Frustration expressed at mounting pressure caused by exam timetabling Hannah Pendleton News Editor

Following the front page of last week’s gair rhydd (Issue 940) another Mathematics student has come forward to voice concerns over "unfair and overbearing" exam schedules.

The student, who wishes to remain anonymous, expressed their worries to the School of Maths prior to the publishing of the article and upon reading the story, they decided to send Gair Rhydd a copy of the letter they sent.

It stated: “The intensity of this month was ferocious, leaving me overworked, overtired, and majorly stressed.

"The nature of maths modules means there are a substantial number of definitions, theorems and proofs to memorise, as well as algorithms and methods of solving real problems.

"The exams themselves were an exhausting two hours, leaving me mentally drained, but I had to get straight on with revision when I got home.

"Given the proximity of the exams it was becoming increasingly

difficult to replace the previous day's exam content with the relevant knowledge for the next exam…This may sound like sour grapes from one disappointed final year student, but its a universal complaint from my fellow mathematicians.”

"I am not looking for an easy ride, I just want the opportuntiy to perform to the best of my ability" Anonymous student The letter continues: “Regression Analysis weight was disproportionately allocated to unseen elements of the paper. I understand why an unseen element needs to be included but this was a major handicap, and moralesapping at the start of four exams in five days.

"To be clear, I am not looking for an easy ride, I just want the opportunity to perform to the best of my ability. I am certain I am not the only person who feels this way, and hope the University can learn

a lot from this episode and ensure protocol is changed so it doesn’t happen again.”

Alternative views towards exam scheduling begun to surface on the gair rhydd website.

One student argues, "university is not only a test of your academic ability, but your ability to work under pressure, organisation skills and time management.

Exam periods are the same every year, and students have ample time to plan revision in the best possible way. Obviously five exams in five days is a worst case scenario, but if you revise early enough, multiple exams in a short space of time should not pose a problem.

“There are plenty of people who get firsts every year, and so if someone starts revising early enough for eight hours a day and still struggles to pass exams, it indicates a problem with revision technique and understanding, rather than a problem with the content. I am a student with six modules each semester, and of course I would like an infinite amount of time to do each of my modules, but I am competing with my fellow students for the best result, so making it

that everyone can get a first is not realistic.”

Academic and University Affairs Officer, Sarah Ingram, responded to debates sparked by the School of Mathematics’ compact exam timetables.

"University is not only a test of your academic ability, but your ability to work under pressure, organisational skills and time management" Anonymous student Miss Ingram said: “What students should expect from exams both in content and amount is an interesting question.

While it is assumed that there will be a pressure and stress around exam times, at what point does it become too much and students are allowed to ask for change?

In some ways the debate seems futile, as what the University wants is students performing at their best and achieving high marks. It is only

the practicality of having a lot of exams in a short space of time that results in the problems.”

The University is now beginning to clarify students' concerns over exhaustive schedules and reassessment of examination structures is now underway.

Sarah Ingram continued: “During a course representative feedback consultation held this week with the University it was clear that students were unhappy with the amount of time they were given to learn subjects compared to the amount of time they had to revise and be examined on them.

"I have been approached by students with recommendations of how to change the system and I have passed these on to staff within the University as part of the ‘Assessment Matters’ project, which is developing a University-wide policy on feedback and assessment, part of which will hopefully be in place for September. It is a subject the University is taking seriously and rightly so: students’ future careers are at stake and being disadvantaged in exams is not a way to compete on an even playing field with other universities.”

PsyCardiff win national award Ben Price News Editor A Cardiff University student society has gained national recognition for its effort to provide students with work experience opportunities in an attempt to increase student employability.

The PsyCardiff society received the award for the Best University Society and collected a cheque of £1000 at the National Placement and Internship Award in London.

The National Placement and Internship Awards recognise and reward those organisations, universities and students who contribute to excellence within the work placement and internship market Co-president of PsyCardiff, Matthew Price said: “We were thrilled to have such great recognition for Cardiff's Psychology Society. The competition was tough, with nominations from 45 student societies in total, including Cambridge University and UCL. "We feel that this award is a testament to the hard work of not only the committee of PsyCardiff, but also the support and collaborative work with the School of Psychology and Student Volunteering Cardiff.”

The student-led society provides talks for students on diverse career routes. It also works closely with Student Volunteering Cardiff (SVC) as they provide a range of volunteering opportunities, from schools to homes for the elderly.

Through the use of social networking, the society ensures that it

is able to support students during their time on placement.

Head of the University’s School of Psychology, Professor Dylan Jones, said: “The Society has established a cooperative relationship with University staff to the benefit of students throughout the School, and is instrumental in encouraging students to gain work experience through volunteering in the community."

Only 20% of psychology undergraduates work in professional psychology post-graduation.

PsyCardiff aims to equip students with transferable skills such as team work, problem solving and communication and helps them gain hands-on experience.

Professor Jones continued: "Work experience is particularly important for students in psychology because of the diversity of career paths that students take following their undergraduate studies.

Although work experience has traditionally played an important role in engineering, architecture, and business management, professional placement opportunities are less common for student psychologists."

The future looks encouraging for PsyCardiff as it plans to use its money award in order to ensure the progression of the society.

One proposal is to create an Alumni Association, which would provide psychology undergraduates with the opportunity to establish links with graduates in established careers.

News05

Monday February 07 2010 • gair rhydd • news@gairrhydd.com

Patrons to promote research Business School bids Jonathan Stevens Reporter

Stephen Fry is amongst patrons chosen to represent Cardiff Universwity research institutes.

Griff Rhys Jones is patron of the Sustainable Places Research Institute, Sir Terry Matthews is patron of the Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute and Stephen Fry is championing the Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute Griff Rhys Jones, who recently worked on the BBC series Restoration, will support work on finding sustainable solutions for individual areas cities across the globe: “I firmly believe that human ingenuity is the answer to the problems we face with sustainability. They stated, "This Research Institute will bring together different disciplines to measure and assess how different places around the globe need to respond to the challenges ahead.”

Sir Terry Matthews is an entrepeneur in the field of high technology , founding over 80 companies. It is thought that by targeting the cancer stem cell, treatment against cancer

will become far more effective.

Actor and comedian Stephen Fry is the patron of the Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute. Having also worked to raise awareness of bipolar disorder, and as a sufferer of the disease himself, he will be the face for the work devising new treatments for brain disorders and exploring the prejudices surrounding them. He stated that Cardiff University is “truly on the world map as far as leaders in this field are concerned. I think that the University will have a large part to play in breaking down the barriers of stigma around mental illness.

I’m very proud to be playing a small part in it.”.

Vice-Chancellor David Grant announced, “The Research Institutes will carry out international quality research on issues of world importance. It is therefore highly appropriate that we have such widely recognised and respected figures to act as patrons. We are delighted that Stephen Fry, Griff Rhys Jones and Sir Terry Matthews have taken on these roles and look forward to working with them over the coming years.”

for better working conditions worldwide Emily Cope Reporter Cardiff University has allied itself with one of the world’s largest labour organisations in an attempt to provide and promote better working conditions for workers across the globe.

Some of the University’s leading business experts have signed an agreement with the International Labour Organisation (ILO). As part of this unique agreement Cardiff Business School will work with the ILO to promote decent work and sector-specific standards and will help develop new sector-specific research tools designed to advance the social and labour dimension for workers in industrial services and marine industries globally.

Professor George Boyne, Dean of Cardiff Business School, signed the agreement and commented that ‘The ILO has a long and wellrespected tradition of promoting

opportunities for decent and productive work". Professor Boyne also added that "This agreement recognises Cardiff Business School’s expertise in the social responsibilities of organisations, and will allow us to provide our expert knowledge to help promote decent work and sector-specific standards".

The agreement, signed on behalf of the ILO by the Director of the Sectoral Activities Department, Ms. Elizabeth Tinoco, is one of the first in the establishment of an institutional network comprising of specialised universities and institutions linked to social partners, research networks and academics.

This network will benefit the ILO by enhancing their capacity to provide technical assistance and benefit their targeted approach to gathering and disseminating specific information. Cardiff Business School is excited and enthusiastic about this new union that will call in to practice their business expertise and knowledge.

World News06 Do it for England

Top Editing

A Right Croc Up...

Catriona Camacho Reporter

Laura Amey Reporter

Catriona Camacho Reporter

London-based company Crown Jewels have provided us with a startling change from the commemorative mugs and plates traditionally associated with a Royal Wedding by launching 'heritage' condoms to celebrate the impending nuptials of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Their website claims that the souvenirs combine "the strength of a prince with the yielding sensitivity of a princess-to-be" and each pack contains three condoms and a

'collectable' portrait of the couple.

The product has come under fire from critics for its apparent 'tastelessness', yet more than this, scrutiny of the small print reveals that these condoms "are not suitable for contraception or protection against STD's".

One does rather wonder what the point of these produtcs might be, though their creators have helpfully provided us with an explanation, claiming that "our prophylactics are designed to keep hold of them as a momento of a special national occasion".

Foxxxy Roxxxy

Tom Clarke Science Editor Las Vegas Company TrueCompanions revealed the world's first robotic “intimate companion” amid great excitement for lonely nerds everywhere. The anatomically correct Robot is called Roxxxy, stands 5’7’’ tall and weighs 57Kg with “a full C-cup”. She also has fully customizable skin and hair colours.

Whilst 'artificial girlfriends' have been available before, Roxxxy is unique as she exhibits emotion, with a range of five personalities available. Wild Wendy is outgoing and adventurous, while Frigid Farrah is reserved and shy.

Inventor Douglas Hines created Roxxxy and has said "She can’t vacuum, she can’t cook but she can do almost anything else, if you know what I mean."

China's state television channel appears to have used clips from the film Top Gun to enhance its news coverage.

The channel broadcast the footage on January 23 as part of a story about the air force of the People's Liberation Army.

A section that involves a pilot firing a missile at another plane, which then explodes, is said to be identical to a scene from the Tom Cruise film.

Anti-Freeze Laura Amey Reporter A Polish man found lying on a park bench in temperatures minus five degrees Celcius, wearing just his underwear, survived 'because he was so drunk'.

Aleksander Andrzej was discovered in a Warsaw Park and, with an alcohol/blood level of 1024 micrograms per 100ml, was around 30 times over the legal driving limit.

Doctors warned that 300mg could potentially be fatal but in this case concluded that Andrzej's excessive alcohol consumption had saved him. A full recovery is expected for the 32 year old.

Times have moved on from the alarm clock-swallowing crocodile of Peter Pan fame, as an African crocodile in the Ukraine last month may require surgery after swallowing a mobile phone.

The incident occurred at an aquarium in Dnipropetrovs after a woman attempting to take a photo of the crocodile (known as Gena) dropped her phone into the water.

Visitor Rimma Golovko alerted keepers on hand, though they did

not believe her until they actually heard Gena's stomach ringing.

This incident, which seems worthy of pantomine, is unfortunately not without its complications, as since the incident Gena has been behaving restlessly and refusing food. Gena is due to have an x-ray next week but his keepers wish to avoid surgery if possible as the procedure would be dangerous for both Gena and the vets.

Ms. Golovko would, however, like her SIM card back.

Left Wingers Tom Clarke Science Editor Parrots are predominantly left handed, despite their lack of hands, Australian researchers have revealed.

Calum Brown, the senior lecturer at Macquarie University in Sydney, who led the study said: “Basically, you get this very close relationship with the eye that they use to view the object and then the hand that they use to grasp it, and it's very consistent across all the species except a couple."

Over 360 parrots were studied across 17 different Australian species.

He went on to reveal that young parrots experiment with using both hands before settling on one. This shows that parrots learn to use their brain in a similar way to humans and other higher animals. This is a process known as lateralisation, where one hemisphere of the brain is dominant over the other. In humans, the left side is predominant giving mostly right-handers; in parrots, it appears the opposite is true.

07

Opinion

Inception and deception at the Oscars

William Davies Opinion Writer

It’s that time of the year again, Oscar season. A time for Hollywood’s oldest awards ceremony to take the spotlight and recognise excellence in the media industry through the medium of miniature golden statues. The pinnacle of the movie awards calendar sees the best in the business and the critically acclaimed strut the red-carpet in the hope of a lifetime achievement award or, perhaps more importantly, the opportunity to remind everyone of just how brilliant they and their always supportive families are.

This year’s ceremony sees no break with tradition and we can all safely expect the expected, but before you all rush out to see The Kings Speech after it wins the golden trio of ‘Best Film’, ‘Best Director’ and ‘Best Speech Therapist’, perhaps you’ll take a moment to reflect on the role of a multimillion dollar awards ceremony in the context of a multimillion dollar competitive industry.

From its inception (a word I can no longer read or write without getting lost in a series of dreams) the American Academy of Motion Pic-

ture Arts and Sciences has made it its business to recognise excellence in the field of the motion pictures.

Since 1929 the Academy Awards have grown to encompass all manner of accolades, today ranging from ‘Best Live Action Short Film’ to ‘Best Makeup’. However, with absolutely no offence intended towards this year’s nominee Antonella Cannarozzi for what I’m sure was some truly terrific work on the costume design of art-house Italian flick I Am Love, for most of the trillion worldwide Oscars viewers it is the Best Film, Best Director and Best actor/actress awards that matter most.

Returning to the mind-boggling Inception for a moment and if you’ve studied this year’s nominations for ‘Best Film’ you’ll realise that you’re not dreaming and that Inception and Toy Story 3 are the only Best Film nominees for 2010 released before October 2010. If you haven’t scrutinised the ten nominees to that extent, you may have at least noticed that a disproportionate number of the films up for the big award categories are currently playing in your local cinema. Wikipedia reliably informs me that to be eligible for a Best Film Oscar nomination the movie in question must

Above: Some of the actors nominated for their performances

“

The average Oscar Best Picture winner can expect an initial 22% increase in box office revenue

have opened at any point in the previous calendar year from midnight January 1 to midnight December 31.

With films from the whole year eligible, questions naturally arise as to why so many of the nominations in the crucial Oscar categories are currently on global cinema release.

Coincidence? I think not.

The New York Times have found that over the last four years the average Oscar Best Picture winner can expect an initial 22% increase in box office revenue on being nominated and an additional 15% surge after an Academy Award win. This “Oscar Bump” is integral at the business end of the industry and not only justifies hiring people to promote the films during awards season, but justifies the huge expenses of the red-carpet events themselves. With such important financial influence the industry would be shooting itself in the foot to tell cinema goers that they’ve already missed their chance to see the ‘Best’ movies of the year. William Friedkin, an Academy Awardwinning director summed up the Oscars as "the greatest promotion scheme that any industry ever devised for itself." I can’t help but think he’s right, and it takes the meaning out of the whole ceremo-

ny. Instead of annually recognising the truly greatest achievements of the silver screen it seems that the little golden men are being influenced by the big film companies to subtly push cinema goers in their direction.

I’m not saying that you shouldn’t go and see Black Swan just because the film’s distributors may have some influence over the awards and therefore Natalie Portman’s chances of winning the 2010 ‘Best Impression of a Swan Oscar’. There’s no denying that the nominees and eventual winners of the annual Oscar awards are good films, but you can think for yourselves can’t you?

While I’m hoping that 127 hours does win the ‘Best amputation with penknife Oscar’, I’m also hoping that the world’s cinema audience doesn’t throw all its money at the film just because industry people are advertising and promoting the film through Oscar awards. If there’s a sinister financial guidance to the Academy Award interpretation of ‘Best’ then it seems that just as the movie industry can’t handle fame without fortune, perhaps it’s self-congratulatory Oscar awards can’t give us inception without a hint of deception.

Opinion08

Monday February 07 2011• gair rhydd • opinion@gairrhydd.com

Record UCAS applications: What are the implications?

Jo Greet Opinion Writer It may be unsurprising that UCAS has received its highest ever number of applications for courses commencing in September 2011, partially due to the drastic increase in university fees that will take effect in the academic year beginning September 2012.

But should the concern be focused on the probable consequences that escalating fees will have on the number of candidates aspiring to go to university this time next year? Already the proposals to allow institutions to charge up to £9000 per year (up from £3375) for some courses has sparked much controversy. The memories of the student riots in the closing months of 2010 are not all that distant, as thousands of students took to the streets in anger about the proposed rises. The notable rise in applicants for higher education this year is symptomatic of the imminent rising cost of acquiring a degree. But, what will the consequences be, in real terms, for the student popula-

tion of the not too distant future?

The Universities & Colleges Admissions Service has this week revealed that they have received 583,501 applications for courses starting in 2011: a substantial 5.1% increase from last year. However, around 180,000 candidates will be unsuccessful due to decreasing availability at institutions. I am left questioning how all 180,000 unsuccessful applicants will manage to find employment in today’s climate. I acknowledge that accommodating such large numbers in universities is problematic, but feel that this is not the crux of the issue. What provision is there for the one in three applicants who will not gain a place at university next year, when so many colleges and apprenticeship schemes have already reached their capacity? Furthermore, when fees do increase up to an outrageous £9000 a year in 2012, how are students from less affluent backgrounds meant to manage this financial pressure and what other alternatives are available when so many careers, in an already shrinking job market, are dependent on a

degree?

The general consensus from prospective applicants is perturbing, as over half of a class of Year 11 students, who would be paying the increased fees, suggested that they were having to seriously rethink their options with regards to a university education. This is echoed by current Cardiff student Charlotte Lewis who vocalised her concerns regarding the hike in fees. She wonders how “people, especially those from less advantageous backgrounds, will ever even consider being almost £40,000 in debt by the end of a four year course in university, which doesn’t even take living costs into consideration.” Of course tuition fees are initially paid for by the student loans company, enabling the government to claim equality of access, but in reality this assertion is somewhat unfounded. How can increasing the cost of a university education by three times still promote equal opportunity and encourage pupils to aspire to furthering their education? Personally, if I had to pay £9000 per year for my degree in English Literature, I would

expect much more than the 5 hours a week of tuition that I currently receive and would have to seriously re-examine the financial viability of university study. Moreover, the increase in fees will merely counteract the reduction in universities funding for teaching, which is to be cut by £300m, so in reality students face paying over the odds, with no change in the delivery of their degree.

Despite the number of university applicants rising slightly each year, these figures not only demonstrate a trend in which a considerable number of students are racing to access higher education before the increase in tuition fees, but also a notable change in the kind of degree that is proliferating. Applications for medicine and nursing courses have risen by 18% in comparison to last year and businessrelated degrees have seen a 9.1% increase. In contrast, applications for classical languages have fallen by 2.7%. This inclination towards degrees more geared towards a specific career is a worry as increasing fees could discourage students

from embarking on degrees in the arts or humanities in favour of career-oriented courses. This would leave humanities and arts subjects dominated by the wealthy and be demonstrative of an unfair and inequitable system. Surely the focus of further education should be on an individual’s academic strengths and personal interests, rather than which degree is most economically viable?

Therefore if the knowledge that university fees will be soaring is already prompting a tangible rise in applicants in order to avoid these higher costs, then we must question the result these fees will have in the following years. It will be interesting to see, this time next year, if the number of university applicants is as high and which courses will proliferate. Will the arts be abandoned for more practical disciplines or will there be a higher proportion of more affluent applicants due to the increasing fees? Whatever your stance, as current university students these changes are set to affect us all. As a generation, times will be tough.

Celebrities get hacked off

Miranda Atty Opinion Writer

The resignation of David Cameron’s director of communications Andy Coulson is the most recent scandal to result from the News of the World (NoW) phone hacking furore.

The court case which first saw the phone hacking become public knowledge took place way back in 2006, but is as relevant today as it ever was, with more and more figures in the public eye recently launching lawsuits against both the NoW and the police themselves. Almost every day it seems new celebrities are coming out of the woodwork claiming to have been hacked, including Sienna Miller, Steve Coogan, George Galloway, Chris Tarrant and jockey Kieran Fallon.

In fact, if one listens to the Guardian, the News of the World may have hacked up to 3,000 public figures. Yes, some people may argue that being famous and accruing vast amounts of wealth also earns

you the right to a loss of privacy.

But come on. Phone hacking. Seriously? We all know times have been hard lately, but does anything ever justify going to these extremes in the hopes of getting scurrilous private dirt? How private are celebrities’ private lives really allowed to be?

To an extent fame is like a contract – you get to become wealthy off our adulation and interest in you. But phone hacking and illegal monitoring, well, I just don’t think that should be part of the bargain.

No one should be a victim of scrutiny every moment of every day for the rest of their lives.

Everyone should be allowed some sort of private life, and I can’t help but feel that our boundaries are becoming increasingly restricted nowadays. Funny thing for an aspiring journalist to say, but to be honest, with so many important issues in the world, whether or not Prince William has injured his knee (incidentally the story that sparked the scandal and led to both

the royal editor and a private investigator for NoW being sentenced to four and six months respectively) just doesn’t do it for me.

What many did find more scandalous was the Metropolitan Police’s reaction, or lack of it. Former Deputy Prime Minister Lord Prescott, former Met assistant commissioner Brian Paddick, and Labour MP Chris Bryant, requested a judicial review into the Met police case regarding their handling of the situation.

Apparently, the private investigator concerned had a rather lengthy list of public figures at his home, and the Met are accused of failing to properly inform these individuals of the suspected hacking. Even Gordon Brown has asked if he was targeted by the paper. The case was subsequently closed down twice, once in 2009 and once in 2010. It has been reopened as of January 2011 after "significant new information" was discovered.

The former editor of the News of the World has consistently main-

tained that he had no idea that members of his staff were involved in illegal phone tapping, but still found himself at the centre of this very public maelstrom. And rightly so.

How can someone call themselves an editor and not have any idea where these so-called ‘exclusives’ are coming from? It seems inconceivable that he would genuinely not know that phone hacking was prevalent within his newspaper.

How can a paper that is involved in tapping other people’s phones and illegally snooping into others’ private lives not have a clue what is going on in the lower divisions of the organisation?

Other journalists have criticised Coulson, suggesting that he was most likely aware of the hacking.

Of course, nothing can be proved.

But either way the incident highlights Coulson’s own fallibility; if he wasn’t aware of the hacking he is simply an incompetent editor, if he was aware then he has no respect for any measure of privacy. Quite ironic that he has now become tab-

loid fodder himself.

Suggestions have been made, however, that phone hacking is an endemic problem, particularly within the tabloid arena. If this is true, then perhaps, as some have been so quick to suggest, the media can no longer self-regulate.

Perhaps we have moved so far away from the original aim of journalism: to expose the truth, truth that is in the public’s best interest, that we can no longer tell what that interest is any more.

A ComRes poll for The Independent recently revealed that 67% believe the hacking allegations show that the newspaper industry should no longer regulate itself.

It seems that the actions of a few journalists who have stepped over the boundaries of privacy have sparked suggestions that the industry itself be made even more public by being regulated by outside influences.

Perhaps there really is no such thing as privacy any more.

Monday February 07 2011 • gair rhydd • opinion@gairrhydd.com

What makes us happy?

Nathaniel Smith Opinion Writer 7am: Western man extricates himself from his bed, gets dressed and showers, fixes himself up some breakfast and takes himself off to his place of work. Aside from an all-too brief lunch break, his day is spent unrewardingly slumped in front of a computer screen, poring over words, numbers and figures, much like the day before, and the day before that.

The sight of the clock striking 5 inspires mass relief and exodus, as the man hops in his car and drives himself home. He arrives home, and spends the evening searching eBay, refreshing Facebook and watching various ‘celebrities’ flounder around in a jungle somewhere.

For many of us this will be a reasonably accurate representation of our lives once we’re outside the delightful student bubble and in the working world. How does it sound to you?

Ill mental health among developed countries is growing at such an astonishing rate, as to soon overtake obesity to steal the not so coveted top spot in the table of preventable deaths. Yet our health systems are better than they ever have been, with many of us living long, vigorous lives.

Technology has lept forwards in such staggering strides that we now possess the ability to transport ourselves to almost wherever in the world we wish, and we have more entertainment available to us than we could ever hope to fully experience. And we have access to information from all over the world in just an instant, thanks to that wonderful invention called the Internet. So what the heck are we doing wrong?

There can be a very strong case put forward that in western countries we have drifted away from our core human values, and in the process strayed rather from that illustrious path that will take us to a place called ‘happiness’.

Success and achievement have been measured in recent times through GDP; encouraging the desire for economic growth. Not only has there been influx of research suggesting strongly that GDP does not actually correlate with wellbeing, but where material resources are involved one person’s gain is another’s loss.

In fact, if you wind up a business extraordinaire and make lots of money, then a lot of people will lose out and could end up in sub-par living conditions.

You have to be hard-edged and clinical to succeed in the business world, which is often why those that aren’t particularly affected by guilt end up with the high posts. Interesting then, that in recent times, there is growing admiration for those who are kind, rather than those

All 3 components good 2 good, 1 middling 2 middling, one good 3 middling

1 poor

2 or more poor

“

Perhaps it is time that we let go of our Western arrogance and turn our heads to other cultures

The world happiness scale is based on three components: ecological efficiency, human well being and environmental impact. with wealth and status.

It sounds clichéd, but when happiness has been studied the most frequently appearing word is ‘love’, which is probably something we all know deep down anyway. A warm, close network of family and friends is just about invaluable. However, our lives are so manic that we are not afforded as much time as we may desire to nurture these relationships, and the stress that runs rife in our busy lives underlies an enormous number of mental and physical issues.

At this point I would like to refer to the much celebrated and widely referenced Happy Planet Index 2.0.

The document is the end result of an extensive research initiative, courtesy of the New Economics Foundation. Their aim was to draw together a comprehensive table of nations, which compared ratings of happiness and health against that nation’s consumption rates, or ‘global footprint’, and make their findings available to people everywhere on the globe. Featuring an index of 143 countries, and having been downloaded and read in 185 nations all around the world, it would be fair to say that they have succeeded in this sense.

The USA ranks an impressive 10th on life satisfaction, and a respectable 31st on life expectancy.

However, its global footprint is so enormous that overall on the HPI it sits an astonishingly low 114th out of 143. The UK tells a similar story.

The top of the table is dominated

by Latin American countries, who manage to balance strong life satisfaction with a very minor global footprint.

Other nations featuring strongly

are Jamaica, Dominican Republic, and Guetamala. What this tells us is that we don’t need to be such rapid consumers to still feel satisfied with our lives. Costa Rica, which sits atop the table, is very unusual in a number of ways. Having abolished its army in 1949, more money is spent on social and welfare schemes, and they can boast a very well balanced work-life ratio. Along with this, sexist inequalities are almost non-existent, and they are 99% dependent on renewable energy resources.

No doubt we are entering a crucial stage in our species’ history, with some considerable challenges to overcome in the form of rapidlydepleting natural resources, exacerbated by an exponentially growing world population, and a struggling economy. It seems an appropriate time to be thinking about what really is most important to us.

The recent ‘happiness week’ on the BBC, and the development of associations such as NEF and Action for Happiness suggests this is taking place, and that we may be approaching a period of great social change as we re-evaluate our values.

You ask someone the straightforward question of what it is that they most wish to achieve from their life, and the most common response will be that they desire happiness – or something that will cause happiness.

Perhaps it is time that we let go of our western arrogance and turn our heads to other cultures, where their strength of community far surpasses ours, as no doubt we can learn a thing or two about what will bring us joy and fulfilment in our lives.

Opinion09

Too sensitive to sexism Yaz Langley Opinion Writer

Gordon Brown taught us only one thing: turn your microphone off. It’s not complicated, yet suddenly we’re finding ourselves in a state of dejavu as Andy Gray and Richard Keys have been caught red handed for saying something they shouldn’t.

As the debate goes on and on, the first question to ask is- were they really that sexist?

First of all, the comments themselves were not that bad. Okay, so saying women don’t know the offside rule is a little unfair, but, if I so much as even mention the game, I get the exact same reaction. They then went on to ask Redknapp if he had ‘smashed that’ regarding his former girlfriend - not that much of a ridiculous question. And, perhaps the worst one involved Andy stuffing a microphone down his trousers and asking ‘Charlotte... Do you want to tuck this (shirt) in…’ But anyone that’s ever worked in an office will no doubt have heard stuff similar.

Of course, never the ones to miss a controversy opportunity, the media have used it as an example of everything that’s wrong in the world. Yet most people on the street would be happy calling it what it is - nothing more than a bit of banter in the workplace.

One thing that no one has really thought to point out is that the act of firing these two is actually kind of sexist itself. They are pretty much saying that women can’t handle a bit of mocking and joking and they can’t stand up for themselves. The media is rife with men leaping to ‘our defence’ and calling it an outrage. Even the heroic Rio Ferdinand tweeted ‘I'm all for women refereeing in football, discrimination should not happen in our game at all ... prehistoric views if u think otherwise’. Do these men not realise, that actually, most women are smart enough to take these comments with a pinch of salt and just about manage to not get deeply offended? It seems to me men are more offended by these comments than women, the supposed ‘victims’.

The reality of the matter is that these comments weren’t horrendous - women know this, men know this and most importantly, Sky knows this. However, this is unfortunately the society we live in; companies have to protect themselves from the slightest thing, just in case.

One thing I’ve always loved about Sky Sports is the casual, loose style they maintain where they’re not afraid to joke or ad-lib; but we could well see them lose this to become the same scripted, robotic, unoriginal broadcasting we get on every other channel. And that would be the biggest crime of all.

The saddest thing to come from this scandal is Keys’s possible replacement. Gary Neville.

Politics

11

David Cameron's misdirection?

Mathew Kelly-Smith examines other motives for the Royal Wedding.

A

s the Royal wedding draws ever closer it appears that newspapers, both tabloid and broadsheet, report it with an ever greater frequency. We are told of Kate Middleton’s break with tradition in her decision to arrive at Westminster abbey in a car, rather than a horse-drawn carriage. The highest quantity of coverage will inevitably be the few weeks before, and after, the wedding day, with an inevitable news-blackout on other issues. A similar thing occurred with the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana.

However, it just so happens that less than a week later, the government is holding a referendum which proposes a change in our voting system from First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) to the Alternative Vote system (AV).

If passed, this will constitute one of the biggest political reforms to this country in living memory. Britain is a country with a long history of being a two-party system.

Such a system has been propagated by the FPTP electoral system we have currently. This leads to a great deal of wasted votes, usually at the biggest expense to the Liberal Democrats (not that I’m complaining, of course). Yet FPTP usually creates strong single-party governments who can easily, with a little party-discipline, fulfil their

manifesto pledges, as it is from such pledges that they are elected and their mandate is derived.

In my opinion, this system is much better compared with the American separation of powers, where a Republican Congress can gridlock a progressive President, such as Obama currently, over vital issues such as much-needed healthcare reform.

In the United States, millions of American citizens do not have health-care insurance simply because they cannot afford it. Of course we do not have such a situation in the UK, due to our state National Health Service. This was easily proposed and passed by the Labour government in 1946 because of their House of Commons majority, which was achieved due to FPTP, despite futile Tory resistance at the time.

However, returning to the matter at hand, FPTP allows parties to stand for elections on their manifesto pledges, and strong party governments are able to fulfil such pledges when in power. I believe that this is at the heart of democracy in our country. However, when coalition governments are formed in those rare cases when FPTP does not produce an overall majority (such as May 2010), party - leaders enter a situation of bargain and exchange. This leads to a compromise or, in some cases, the abandonment

of manifesto pledges and promises.

Tuition fees is just one such issue that the Liberal Democrats have broken their promise on, as well as their compromises over proportional representation with Nick Clegg submitting to the more dominant David Cameron and his Conservatives.

Those involved in the ‘Take Back Parliament’ campaign will remember his address to those dressed in purple and his commitment to the proportional system, as well as the mass of campaigning that took place before the election and intensified during that period of limbo when deals were being made with other parties. Demonstrators urged for him not to forget his promise on the referendum of the proportional system.

Yet he entered into the coalition without securing this demand from Mr Cameron, as the proposed system is a hybrid between FPTP and Proportional Representation (PR).

Mr Clegg must believe that if such a change is enacted, he will not have to be as subservient in future coalition forming, as the change will partially deal with the wasted votes problem which is so clear in FPTP. It will however, lead to many more coalition governments as parties will struggle to win clear majorities without the current voting system. It is evident that Mr Camer-

on does not want to reform a voting system which favours his party.

Therefore, one does not have to be too cynical when looking at the date of the Royal Wedding, on April 29, and be shocked at its close proximity in date to the referendum on May 5. The media storm surrounding the wedding both before and after will of course eclipse vital coverage and analysis by the media over the voting referendum which is much more politically crucial than a wedding, royal or not. There is a great threat of voters not being accurately informed, or even aware, of such a referendum. This is perfect for the Conservatives, and is not too far-fetched to suggest that members of the Tory-elite, with obvious connections to the Royal Family, engineered or influenced certain people to ensure that the wedding date was placed exactly where they needed it to be. This is, of course, only speculation. But the coincidences are certainly striking.

It is true that one of the benefits of an open democracy is a free-media, allowed to report on topics of its choosing. It is also unfortunate that, due to the apathy amongst the majority of people in Britain, the media recognise that people are far more interested in a glamorous royal wedding than a referendum on the voting system.

Thus, coverage of the wedding is likely to engulf any notable cover-

age of the voting reform. However, as we gain the vast majority of our political information from this freemedia, it is likely that most people will not be adequately informed or aware of the pros and con’s of such an important referendum, especially with the distraction of the Royal Wedding.

This will inevitably lead to a low voting response from the electorate, and hopefully a rejection of the referendum from the point of view of the conservatives.

I for one am opposed to the referendum, yet feel that it’s important to expose such shrewd politics and the impact this may have on the coalition, which may well fall apart when the Liberal Democrats realise that they have gained nothing of lasting value from their partnership with the Conservatives. David Cameron may well have pulled the wool over Nick Clegg’s eyes.

However, the Prime Minister has hopefully awakened many Liberal Democrat voters to the subservience of their parties’ leader, and who will in future support the Labour party as the only viable opposition to the Conservatives and the only party that can deliver fairness and equality to the people of this country. It will certainly be fascinating to see whether voters will embrace such a radical reform.

Above: David Cameron distracts the attention Prince William during the anniversary of the Battle of Britain

Politics12

Monday February 07 2011 • gair rhydd • politics@gairrhydd.com • Follow @GairRhyddPol

State of the Union calls for Unity

Laura Dunn covers President Obama's State of the Union address and finds the underlying message presented to the American people.

S

peaking to a Republican controlled Congress for the first time during his Presidency, President Obama’s third State of the Union address called for a return to civility.

In the newly divided government Mr Obama challenged the Republican Party, reinforcing that everyone must “move forward together or not at all.”

The mood in the House chamber was sobered and less jubilant than previous speeches due to the shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords at the beginning of January. Members of the Arizona delegation sat together in a display of support, with an empty seat left in the chamber to honour Mrs Giffords. All members of Congress, the Supreme Court, the Cabinet and invited guests wore a striking black and white ribbon pin to honour the Congresswoman, the survivors and the victims of the tragedy.

Her husband, Mark Kelly, watched the address from his wife’s bedside.

Joining the First Lady in Washington were Daniel Hernandez, the

intern who saved the Congresswoman’s life, one of her medical staff, Dr. Peter Rhee, and the family of Christina Taylor Green, the nine-year-old girl who was killed during the shooting. The President argued that the tragedy in Tucson reminded citizens that they are all part of the American family, bound together by sharing common hopes and creeds.

Unsurprisingly, the main theme of the President’s speech was the American economy. Obama called for an economic revival with balanced legislative goals through spending and investment in education, research, technology and transportation to make the USA more competitive with other large nations. The benefits of this would create a reduction in the deficit and the removal of wasteful spending, bringing America economic stability. The President also pledged to veto bills with earmarks, cut corporate tax, improve wireless Internet access, consolidate government agencies and freeze discretionary federal spending for five years.

Such measures would save $400 bil-

lion over the next decade. The focus also included small businesses and their growth through innovation, helping to create and stabilize jobs while building a new vibrant economic landscape for all Americans.

“The USA is facing a new Sputnik moment,” the President declared, emphasising his belief that the future is out there for everyone to grasp.

President Obama mentioned his party’s success in passing healthcare reform, legislation which makes prescription drugs more affordable, and subsequently providing students with the opportunity to stay on their parent’s health-care insurance for longer. The political differences were apparent through the levels of applause during this section, although the President maintained that anything can be improved and he was eager to work in a bipartisan approach to move forward. With the Republican Party eager to repeal the health-care bill, only time will tell if the offer is accepted.

The theme of energy independence was featured, with invest-

ment in bio-fuel and alternative energy sources to help America find freedom from the use of foreign oil.

Taxing big oil companies was a remark welcomed by Democrats, but not applauded by the poker-faced Republican Speaker, John Boehner, sitting to the right of the President.

While the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were not centerpieces of the speech, Mr Obama maintained that troops would be withdrawn soon whilst also pressing his support for a comprehensive immigration bill to be introduced in to Congress. It is these aspects of the President’s address which were subtly illustrated by other guests in the First Lady’s box, including the wife of a soldier seriously injured in Afghanistan, and a small business owner who designed technology to help rescue the trapped Chilean miners in November 2010.

Several policy omissions have drawn criticisms from members of the Democratic Party and critics. The pressing issues of climate change and the environment, national security, the Middle East and the hot topic of gun control were all overshadowed by the President’s message of the economy and jobs, setting the scene for the legislative and Congressional agenda over the coming year.

In the predictable post-speech analysis by the media, much attention was given to which members were sitting next to whom. In the aftermath of the Tucson shooting, members of Congress decided to sit next to colleagues in the opposite party in a show of unity and bipartisanship. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sat next to a Republican member from Maryland, while former Presidential candidate John McCain sat close to Senators John Kerry and Barbara Boxer. The cynics among us may believe that this was a publicity stunt but, above all, it draws attention to the structure of America’s government and may have resulted in many more Americans watching one of the centerpieces of the Presidential calendar.

Unusually there were two responses to the President’s address,

Above: A word cloud highlighting the phrases used in the State of Union address

highlighting the new role of the Tea Party in American politics. Rep. Paul Ryan, a member of party leadership, delivered the Republican Party’s address, whose response, as demonstrated by The Huffington Post, illustrated their unbalanced budget proposals, and false facts attributed to health-care reform and the stimulus package. The Tea Party’s response was delivered by Rep. Michelle Bachmann, who addressed similar grievances with healthcare legislation, trade and big government. It was with these opinions that the feeling of bipartisanship was short lived, as some Republican members accusing the President of a socialist agenda.

Overall President Obama’s 61-minute address was received positively. A CBS poll provided a 92% favourable rating, with polls by other networks reporting similar results. This favorable feedback is viewed alongside strengthening poll numbers on Mr Obama’s performance making positive reading for the President and his party as they gear up for the bumper election year of 2012. The White House capitalized on the popularity of new technology by younger members of the population, providing live tweeting platforms, policy data alongside a live stream of the speech and webcasts with members of the President’s team following the end of the address. Mr Obama’s action committee ‘Organizing for America’ even helped to organize live State of the Union parties for supporters across the country, echoing memories of Election Night 2008.

Obama's soaring rhetoric helped to make this State of the Union address one of his most inspiring.

The President’s deliverance of soaring rhetoric, citing influences such as Robert F. Kennedy, helped to make this State of the Union address one of his most inspiring. We remember his first address to Congress in 2009, flanked by Vice President Joe Biden and the first female Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. While the visual dynamic has changed, one thing is consistent: the President’s determination to deliver for the American people. The focus on the economy, employment and small business is one that will turn the country around, providing stability and growth and reversing the devastating effects of downtown. As Obama rightly observed, “the spirit of America endures and what comes of this moment is not if we can sit together tonight, but if we can work together tomorrow.”

13Politics

Monday February 07 2011 • gair rhydd • politics@gairrhydd.com • Follow @GairRhyddPol

The week by...

The Celtic Tiger Loses its Bite Laura Amey Politics Writer

@andrewbonar Everything is fine love. the Egypt government

@Queen_UK Just had a very tearful Mr Clegg on the phone.

Very upset that the News of the World have never tried to hack his phone.

@ukhomeoffice Type in your postcode at http://www.police. uk and find out what crime or antisocial behaviour has happened on your street.

@evgenymorozov Joe Biden eagerly labeled Assange as a "high-tech terrorist" but is reluctant to call Mubarak a "dictator".

America at its best.

@peregr1n #10OClockLive A year ago Alistair Campbell would be booed as the antichrist. Now, he's cheered for not being Andy Coulson.

Send your tweets to @GairRhyddPol to be included next week!

Having enjoyed an economic boom in the 1990s and early 2000s, earning it the nickname ‘Celtic Tiger’, Ireland is now suffering as its banks and government collapse. Its previous financial success was based largely on the property market, which strengthened the construction industry, bolstered by a wave of immigration and cheap borrowing.

Consequently, the government increasingly relied on property-related taxes and the banks borrowed from abroad to fund the boom, creating a system unable to cope with the credit crunch. Property prices have fallen by 50-60% since 2008, leaving the government with low tax revenue and debt-ridden banks to prop up. Added to this, is the increasing demand for unemployment benefits as the crisis takes its toll on individuals.

Until November last year the Irish government claimed it had sufficient funds to last until at least the middle of 2011, but was forced to accept a massive European bail-out totalling around 85 billion euros.

The financial support is to come from mixed sources, including the International Monetary Fund, the EU’s European Finance Stabil-

ity Mechanism and bilateral loans from Denmark, Sweden and the UK. Ireland was ultimately pushed into agreeing to this deal and it is questionable why such a scheme was not also imposed on other crisis-stricken EU nations like Portugal, Spain and Greece.

It has been suggested that central financial powers chose to make an example of Ireland and use it as a trial case for ways of overcoming the deep recession hitting Europe.

It was possibly even selected as a guinea pig because of its shortterm economic certainty, ensuring that even if the rescue package failed the country would not be completely ruined.

Whatever the reasons for, or success of the bail-out, it seems too late for the current Irish government to save its reputation. Taoiseach (equivalent to Prime Minister) Brian Cowen has already stepped down as leader of ruling party Fianna Fáil but continues to run the government for the time being. His last act in office was the passing of the Finance Bill, a crucial part of implementing the international bail-out package. The minority Government had a margin of just three votes for the Bill, and which was passed largely thanks to Independent parliament members.

Failure to pass the Finance Bill would have meant an immediate

collapse of the Government and a general election. An election had been scheduled for 11th March as a result of no confidence demonstrations from politicians and the public but Brian Cowen has stated he aims to dissolve the Dáil (parliament) on Tuesday 1st February and declare an earlier general election date. This announcement has been welcomed by many, including Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams who made his feelings clear saying, “The people will be glad to see the back of this totally discredited Government”.

With an election looming the knives have come out among the different political parties. The Green Party claims credit for amendments to the Finance Bill including taxing the bonuses for bankers, dismissing the input of Independent parliament members to the alterations as “nil.” Meanwhile current Finance Minister, Brian Lenihan, criticised the Greens for leaving the parliament before factors such as changes to civil partnership taxes could be incorporated into the Finance Bill.

One of the consequences of the Irish financial crisis has been a rise in emigration. As well as Eastern Europeans returning home now that their Celtic Tiger dreams are over, many Irish people are now looking to leave the country. The latest wave of emigration is mostly

made up of the young, including highly-skilled graduates, with one third of under-25s in Ireland currently unemployed. Emigration is nothing new for the Irish and was part of the country’s economic survival for most of the twentieth century, according to Mary Corcoran, professor of Sociology at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth. Nonetheless, a mass exodus of young, educated Irish was surely not what was envisaged for the 600 million euros second terminal opened at Dublin airport in November 2010.

Although the British employment situation does not seem much better than Ireland’s, there is confidence that these highly-skilled immigrants will find work here, in areas like IT and business.

They are likely to have less luck in other industries such as construction, where Eastern Europeans have firmly established themselves.

In light of the downward spiral of the Irish economy and government, perhaps the UK should not be too complacent in its survival of the financial crisis so far. Here too we have a potentially fragile coalition government and much discontent, especially among students. It is not difficult to imagine a similar collapse of confidence happening in the UK.

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Features16

Social life for Ca Features editors Zoe Bridger and Laura Brunt catch up with some of the Students'

Charlotte Mcleod on Act One's packed 2011 schedule and a host of previous successes What is your role in Act One? I am currently the President; which involves communicating between the Union and the Society, chairing our weekly committee meetings, supporting the directors and committee members in their roles and generally overseeing the running of Act One.

How has the last term been for you? Any highlights?

Last term we had our first main production in the Great Hall, 'Alice in Pantoland', written and directed

by Matthew Churchill. The show was a great success, and anyone who came to see it I'm sure had a really good laugh!

The cast and crew all worked really hard as they only had around seven weeks to rehearse. We also had our first short-term event of the year, a Welsh play called 'End of the World' directed and translated

by Elin Williams, which was also really enjoyable.

What have you got coming up

this term?

This term promises to be extremely busy, with five upcoming productions and a number of shortterm events already organised! Our first production is 'Pride & Prejudice', which is on from 7th - 11th February at the YMCA Theatre, and it's going to be fab! We also have 'The Crucible', 'The Wonderful World of Dissocia', Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night' and the musical production of 'Rent' coming up! We will also have our end of year Ball to look forward to which is always an amazing night.

How can people get involved if they haven't already?

We would love for people to join if they haven't already; if you are interested in acting and performing then we will be having auditions for our events coming up soon. We are always in need of an extra pair of hands to help with Tech for our productions, so there is something for everyone.

You can sign up online at www.

cardiffstudents.com, or if you have any questions and would like to know more then please feel free to email me at mcleodcj@cf.ac.uk!

Do you have many socials?

What kind of thing do you do for them?

Our socials are always great fun, often with imaginative themes! Our social secs Grace and Chris always organise great nights at various venues, and we always like to meet new people so don't be shy and come along to one.

What would you say to people who would like to join but are too shy?

Act One is a really friendly and welcoming society, so please don't feel like it's too late in the year to join. With new events coming up there are lots of ways to get involved, and there are lots of ways to have fun, giving you a break from uni work. Please visit www.actone. uni.cc or find us on Facebook to find out what's coming up!-

Tim Bergman of Fforwm discusses the society's performances of 2010 and some exciting plans

What is Fforwm society?

It’s an experimental and applied theatre society.

What is your role within the society?

So my role in this society is secretary, and to begin with this meant logistics and running programmes, however, right now we have given this society to our members to run.

Each week a different person takes the two hour session on whatever they want.

What kind of things do you do?

This is Fforwm’s first active year as a university society and we can safely say it has been a huge success. We meet every Thursday from 7-9pm upstairs at Miligi’s on City Road, where we have been exploring all kind of different theatre techniques. Our sessions involve experimenting with different types of theatre, as opposed to the traditional Shakespearian form, while combining them with social issues.

We have looked into newspaper theatre, image theatre, Colombian

hypnosis, improvisonal theatre and have recently introduced Augusto Boals Theatre of the Oppressed Forum technique. This technique involves taking a social issue, for example sexism, and then acting a scene which climaxes in a portrayal of this sexism. We then ask the audience members, of which some may have been victims of sexual abuse, to come into the scene and show how one might diffuse the situation by replacing one of the actors. It is a technique found around the world used in confronting social problems and learning how to deal with them, alongside increasing self-confidence and gaining in critical consciousness.

Is there a wide variety of people involved with Fforwm?

We have a whole range of people attending Fforwm from Argentineans to Italians to Spanish (alongside the British of course) and we run a democratic society where we all have a say in what we do and where we go with it.

What plans have you got for

this term?

This term we are co-organising an event with STAR (student action for refugees) called Asylum monologue on the 12th February, 6:30pm at Cathays community centre. The event involves professional actors reciting monologues from Asylum seekers from around the world and will be followed by a panel discussion of some very interesting people in the Refugee world.

What have been your highlights so far?

Some highlights have involved making a fully functioning orchestra out of household items, a session on Far Eastern yoga and, recently, one on improvisational theatre techniques from Spain.

This coming term we have plans to do some sessions with refugees and a few performances alongside some original programmes. If any of this sounds interesting to you, or if you have any questions, just send us an email at fforwm@gmail.com or come down to Milgis upstairs every Thursday at 7pm. No experience is needed, honestly.

Features17

gair rhydd • Monday January 31 2010 • features@gairrhydd.com

rdiff's societies

Union societies to see how the year has been and what plans they have for 2011

Jack Doran on TRAFFIC's busy social calendar this year and big name successes What's your role within the society?

I am co-president of TRAFFIC for the second year.

How's the first term gone?

Any highlights?

The first term was really great for TRAFFIC. We kicked things off in fresher’s week with a big old party at Cardiff Arts Institute. The night was circus themed, so we had lots of performers as well as big-top décor and loads of fancy dress.

We had a whole host of quality DJs coming from London, Sheffield and Bristol. In the middle of the term, we invited Gypsy Unit to Cardiff, a West Country crew made up of a DJ and four MCs; they went down really well.

Our final event of the term was on the last Friday, festival band Gentleman’s Dub Club played to the tightly packed crowd. We’ve been really pleased with how it’s gone, every event we’ve run has sold out, and we had over 500 people through the doors at one of the events.

What plans have you got coming up over the next few months?

We’re really stepping things up a gear this term. Aside from our monthly residency at Cardiff Arts Institute, we’re branching out, running events in other venues such as Undertone, CF10 and Koko Gorilaz.

Come Easter we’re really proud to be co-hosting a small, one day/night festival in Herefordshire where the TRAFFIC crew will be running a marquee.

What kind of things do you do?

Our roots lay in dance music, though in reality a thorough knowledge of such music is no prerequisite for getting involved. As much as we love our tunes, we love a good party and that is what we’re trying to bring to Cardiff.

Inspired by crazy events and festivals across the UK, we try to make our events as individual and memorable as possible. We always encourage attendees to get dressed

up, and offer face painting, party games, free gifts and much more at our events.

At any TRAFFIC night you can expect to end up dressed as a tiger, with an inflatable hammer in one hand and a flower in your hair. It’s all about doing away with the pretentiousness of clubbing and having a good time. We also meet up for casual socials to have a few drinks and get a little rowdy.

How often do you have events?

This term we will be hosting at least every other week, which is much to the detriment of my degree. Whoops.

To someone who's interested, how do they get involved?

Get yourself on the ‘TRAFFIC Cardiff ’ Facebook group where we aim to publicise all of our events.

We’re always looking for people to get involved with running things here at HQ, if you’d be interested, don’t hesitate to contact me.

James Cheeseman, Thomas Leeming and Hector Roddan on LGBT+'s plans for the coming year Societies experienced great success in the first term, with many events and perfomances sold out and good reviews across the board Photos above and left: Tom Armstrong

What is your role within the society?

Thomas Leeming (Academic Affairs officer, LGBT+ Campaigns): My role is to focus primarily on homophobia and tackling it, via writing advice pages for the website.

We’re working with Katrin Morgan (E&D dept) to rework the Universities’ anti-bullying policies.

James Cheeseman (Treasurer, LGBT+ Society): I am treasurer of the social society and founder of the LGBT+ Discount Card, which is a card that provides members discounts to various LGBT venues in Cardiff, including free entry to Pulse on certain days and discounts at WoW deli.

had our termly scene crawl and introduced monthly quiz nights at Bar Icon on the first Monday of the month. We signed up over 100 new members and put on tremendously successful Freshers Party and Winter Ball.

How has the first term gone / any highlights?

T: It’s gone really well, because I am the first Academic Affairs officer in the UK, it’s just been establishing what I do. We now have a page on LGBT-phobia and advice on coming out.

J: It’s been pretty successful, we

What would you say to anyone interested in joining?

T+J: Membership is open to everyone, it’s free, and you don’t have to be “gay”. If you're curious or unsure, come along and make some friends or just chat with someone, or if you need advice and support.

We have a variety of socials, includ-

Any plans for this term?

T: We’re looking to expand website content, including information on bullying and where to seek support. There's also going to be a page on victim support for hate crime and a focus on volunteering if you want to give something back, including setting up a helpline. We’re looking to expand information on religion and sexuality.

ing a weekly coffee morning every Saturday in the Vulcan.

What do you do for your socials?

J: There’s always a lot going on.

Coffee mornings, fortnightly club nights, monthly quiz nights, a trip to National Student Pride, jointsocials with Newport, Swansea and Bangor LGBT, movie nights, swimming trips, ice-skating etc. Everything imaginable.

We hear you've got some exciting things coming up for Go Global - can you give us any teasers?!

Hector Roddan (Media Officer): We’re super-excited about Go Global this year. For the first time, we’re going to be celebrating LGBT History Month and the contribution of LGBT+ people to British society and around the world as part of Go Global, which also takes place in February. Keep your eyes peeled for a special bumper LGBT+ section in these very pages.

Ie dros Gymru

Taf-od

19

Gyda’r refferendwm ar y gorwel, mae Taf-od yn trafod pwysigrwydd y bleidlais ‘Ie’...

Cynan Dafydd Llwyd Taf-Od Ie dros Gymru! yw’r enw a roddir ar y grp rhyng-bleidiol sydd yn ymgyrchu dros ddatganoli a lansiwyd ar Ionawr y 4ydd, 2011 er mwyn cyd-drefnu’r ymgyrch ‘Ie’ yn y refferendwm sydd yn cael ei chynnal ar Fawrth y 3ydd, 2011 er mwyn ehangu pwerau deddfwriaeth Llywodraeth Genedlaethol Cymru. Cadeirydd y grp yw Roger Lewis, prif weithredwr Undeb Rygbi Cymru ac mae’n cael ei gefnogi gan ddwy blaid llywodraeth glymbleidiol Cymru’n Un - Plaid Cymru a’r Blaid

Lafur, a hefyd mae’n derbyn cefnogaeth y Democratiaeth Rhyddfrydol a’r Ceidwadwyr.

Ond pam y dylech bleidleisio ‘Ie’ ar Fawrth y 3ydd? Dyma beth sydd gan iedrosgymru.com ei ddweud...

“Ar adeg pan fo pawb yn sôn am doriadau i wasanaethau cyhoeddus, mae’n dda gwybod fod ein Cynulliad yn amddiffyn gwasanaethau i’r rhai mwyaf bregus, megis teithio am ddim ar fysus i bensiynwyr a phobl anabl, a llefrith am ddim i blant dan 7 mewn ysgolion.

Mae’n amser caled, ac y mae ar Gymru angen llais cryf.

Dros y ddegawd ddiwethaf, mae’r

Cynulliad yn raddol wedi tyfu a magu hyder. Ond mae’r system i wneud cyfreithiau sy’n effeithio ar Gymru yn araf a chymhleth.

Mae ar ein Cynulliad angen caniatâd gan Lundain cyn y gall greu cyfreithiau mewn rhai meysydd.

Gall hynny gymryd amser maith.

Mae wedi cymryd tair blynedd i’r Cynulliad gael pwerau wedi eu trosglwyddo o San Steffan i ddiwygio’r drefn o roi organau er mwyn rhoi gobaith am fywyd i bobl sy’n disgwyl am aren newydd. Er bod cefnogaeth eang i’r polisi hwn yng Nghymru, mae’r Cynulliad yn dal i aros am ganiatâd i weithredu.

Mae amser ac arian yn cael ei wastraffu trwy ddilyn camau cymhleth a diangen.

Bydd pleidlais Ie yn helpu i ddwyn Cymru ymlaen trwy gyflymu’r system o wneud penderfyniadau i ganiatáu i Aelodau’r Cynulliad fwrw ymlaen â’u gwaith.

Os bydd pleidlais Na, caiff llais Cymru ei wanhau.

Bydd pleidlais Ie yn rhoi llais cryfach i Gymru.”

Dywedodd Roger Lewis yn y lansiad ; “Y bore hwn mae pobl o bob cwr o’n gwlad yn dod at ei gilydd i uno dros un egwyddor syml. Rydym o’r farn mai yng Nghymru dylai

cyfreithiau sydd ond yn effeithio ar Gymru gael ei wneud. Dyna brif hanfod yr ymgyrch hwn. Mae pobl o bob plaid, ac yn fwy pwysig, pobl nad ydynt ag unrhyw gysylltiad â gwleidyddiaeth yn rhoi’u gwahaniaethau i’r neilltu, i ddod at ei gilydd i sicrhau pleidlais ‘Ie’”.

Bellach mae yna gyfarfodydd wedi eu cynnal ym mhob cwr o Gymru yn lawnsio ymgyrchoedd lleol. Cynhaliwyd cyfarfod lawnsio ‘Caerdydd yn dweud Ie’ Nos Lun diwethaf yn narlithfa Shandon ym mhrif adeilad y Brifysgol.

Peidiwch â’n CON-DEMio Cynan Dafydd Llwyd Taf-Od Ar y 29ain o Ionawr, aeth dwsin ohonom o Gaerdydd i Fanceinion er mwyn gwrthdystio yn erbyn bwriadau amheus llywodraeth glymblaid ‘CON-DEM’. Enw gweddus tu hwnt i lywodraeth sydd a’i mesurau llymder sydd am gondemnio miliynau o bobol i ddiweithdra, dioddefaint a chynni ariannol. Buom yn benodol yn gwrthdystio yn erbyn yr hyn a effeithiai myfyrwyr. Y toriadau a wynebai addysg uwch, diddymiad EMA a chynyddu’r ffioedd yn Lloegr. Dyma adroddiad o’r gwrthdystiad gwefrus hwnnw!

Pam mynd i Fanceinion? Ni fydd myfyrwyr Cymraeg yn gorfod talu rhagor nac y maent ar hyn o bryd am addysg uwch (tan 2015 o leiaf) diolch i ddatganoli. Cymharwch hyn i be wynebai’r myfyrwyr Saesneg.

Bydd rhaid iddynt dalu 9 mil y flwyddyn i fynd i’r Brifysgol, tair gwaith yn fwy na chost Prifysgol ar hyn o bryd! Be a chynddeiriogai’r myfyrwyr yw bod Clegg, ym maniffesto’r Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol wedi gado diddymu ffioedd yn llwyr o fewn 6 mlynedd. Dim rhyfedd fod llawer o bobol ifanc wedi syrffedu a

gwleidyddiaeth prif ffrwd.

Gadewch y Saeson i’w potes ei hunain, dywed rhai. I’r gosodiad yma dyfynnaf eiriau Ross Saunders un o drefnwyr ‘Action Against the Cuts Cardiff ’; sef ‘Solidarity with the Sais!’ (a gweddill y byd yn hynny o beth). Mae brawdoliaeth (a chwaeroliaeth!) yn ystod cyfnodau anodd fel hyn yn hollbwysig.

Rheswm arall dros fynd i Fanceinion oedd er mwyn gwrthdystio yn erbyn y toriadau arfaethedig a wynebai addysg uwch yng Nghymru. Bydd y rhain yn ein heffeithio ni'n uniongyrchol. Mae addysg uwch yng Nghymru yn wynebu toriad o 35%. Mae sïon y caiff adrannau cyfan o brifysgolion eu cau, mae protestiadau wedi bod yn adrannau celf UWIC eisoes.

Yr ym mewn amser o argyfwng ariannol, mae’n rhaid cwtogi er mwyn cael gwared ar ddyledion y wladwriaeth. Dyma’r consensws cyffredinol gan y pleidiau a’r cyfryngau brif ffrwd ac nid ydw i na llawer o fyfyrwyr oedd yn y gwrthdystiad ym Manceinion yn argyhoeddedig bod yr esgus yma dros gwtogi yn dal dr.

Paham bod rhaid i ni dalu am

ffolineb y bancwyr? Maent dal i fwynhau bonws yn y biliynau, hyd ar ôl iddynt wneud smonach ohoni gyda’r argyfwng fancio. ‘Cyfiawnhad’ y llywodraeth dros beidio rhoi rhagor o drethi arnynt a ffrwyno ar eu gamblo yw ei bod ofn iddynt adael y wlad i rywle lle bydd y rheolau llai llym a bydd trethi’n is.

Dyma egwyddor sylfaenol cyfalafiaeth; cystadleuaeth. Mae’n galluogi i’r cyfalafwyr yma i wneud fel y mynnent a bod yn bilynyddon ar gefn pobol gyffredin a weithiai’n llawn mor galed. Beth yw’r ots os maent yn gadael? Gwynt teg ar eu holau! Sut all unrhyw un feddwl eu bod wedi gwneud eu swyddi’n iawn ôl y llanast y crewynt?

Ar ôl yr ail ryfel byd yr oedd Gwledydd Prydain yn doreddig (bankrupt) ond mi lwyddodd y blaid lafur sefydlu’r wladwriaeth les ac adeiladu miloedd ar filoedd o dai.

Pam nad ydynt yn gallu gwneud y fath beth ran? Os nad oedd argyfwng ariannol yn peri toriadau bryd hynna pam ei bod ran?

Yn y rali gwnaeth yr areithwyr y pwyntiau yma tro ar ôl tro, ond dechreuodd y brotest gyda gorymdaith at y rali ei hunain. Dechreuodd

yr orymdaith o Amgueddfa Manceinion, yr oedd 5 mil ohonom yno ac fe ddechreuem gerdded drwy ganol y ddinas.

Cerddom lawr ‘curry mile’, lle anhygoel ac yn ffrwtian o ddylanwadau dwyreiniol. Yr oedd criw Caerdydd yn digwydd cerdded yn gyfagos at griw o anarchwyr. Yr oeddynt yn llusgo bm bocs ar feic yn ystod y brotest ac yr oedd yn dybstep a dnb yn blastio ohoni. Pwy ddwedodd oedd rhaid i brotestio fod yn ddiflas!?

Cyrhaeddom Barc Platfeilds ar gyfer y rali, yr oedd yr areithiau’n ailadroddus braidd ac yr oedd yn amlwg fod y dorf ar bigau’r drain.

Cafodd AS Llafur a dirprwy lywydd yr NUS Shane Chowen ei ‘bwio’ oddi ar y llwyfan a thaflodd rhai wyau ato. Yr oedd rhai o’r dorf yn gandryll bod ymateb yr NUS i fwriadau’r llywodraeth wedi bod mor wasaidd â’i harweiniant mor llipa.

Mi wnaeth y protestwyr golli amynedd a cyn i’r rali ddarfod mi wnaeth mil ohonynt adael a cherddon nhw yn ôl i’r dref gyda’r bwriad i feddiannu siopau sydd yn osgoi trethi. Gweithred symbolaidd

efallai oedd hon a geisiai amlygu gwraidd y broblem; cyfalafiaeth.

Cafodd rhai o’m ffrindiau ‘kettle’ ac mi wnaeth yr heddlu eu gorfodi i roi eu manylion personol iddynt neu ni fuasent yn cael gadael y ‘kettle’. Nid oedd unrhyw hawl gan yr heddlu i wneud hyn gan na gyflawned trosedd gan y myfyrwyr yma. Yr oedd yr heddlu yn cymryd lluniau o’r protestwyr, nid oedd hyn yn digwydd ym mhrotestiadau yn y gorffennol hyd y gwn i. Efallai bod yr awdurdodau yn nerfus gan fod chwyldro yn y dwyrain canol y maent yn wyliadwrus o unrhyw wrthdystio.

Dyma amser tyngedfennol yn ein hanes, bydd canlyniadau o dderbyn y toriadau yma yn ein heffeithio am genhedloedd. Mae Action Against Cuts Cardiff agored i bawb a dyma’r mudiad ymbarél sydd yn trefnu’r gwrthdystiadau a gweithredu yn erbyn y cwtogi yma.

Chwiliwch amdanynt ar facebook a dewch i un o’r cyfarfodydd! Os yr ydych yn anghytuno gydag agenda adain dde'r llywodraeth gwenwch rywbeth, ‘neud nid deud’ yw’r unig ffordd ymlaen.

Want to write?

We're always looking for contributors so come to our meetings every Monday at 5pm on the fourth floor of the Students' Union

21

Science

The Challenge of the Future Tomos Clarke Science Editor Twenty five years have passed since the Challenger Space Shuttle exploded 73 seconds after liftoff from the Kennedy Space Centre.

Challenger was the Space Shuttle prototype, its grace in the air and elegance in flight defined an era of spaceflight.

Flying nine successful missions before tragedy, it began life as the earthbound test vehicle for the Shuttle program.

It performed its role with such admiration NASA had it converted into

a Shuttle in its own right and Challenger took to the skies.

It is rarely remembered; such is the emotion surrounding Challengers final hours that its maiden voyage was the first Shuttle mission to allow an astronaut to “spacewalk”.

Even more auspiciously, the second fight of Challenger transported Sally Ride, the first American in space, into near earth orbit.

The following flight lifted two female astronauts into space.

It was also the first orbiter to launch and land at night and it was also the first Shuttle to land at Kennedy Space Center

The Space Shuttle was and still is a marvel of engineering, upon reentry it withstands temperatures of over 1000° C and speeds of over seven times the speed of sound.

Tragically, as well as the Shuttle was designed, it could not withstand the unusually cold conditions it experienced before liftoff.

One of the rubber seals in the solid fuel booster rockets failed. Hydrogen fuel leaked through these seals and mixed with the burning exhaust gases.

Once the explosion began there was Below: Challenger on an early more sucessful no hope for the 8 astronauts aboard. mission of exploration It took 20 seconds for the shuttle to

be ripped apart and the debis crashed into the Atlantic Ocean at hundereds of miles an hour.

The accident grounded the shuttle programme for two and a half years as the investigation ground on.

It is a testiment to the American pioneer spirit that the program was allowed to contionue in face of such a tragedy.

The sacrifice of the eight astronauts was not in vain, many of the lessons were applied to the Colombia disaster and subsequent safety checks prevented the loss of future orbiters.

They will be remembered.

Its neither here nor there...

Adam Clancy explains the unreal world of quantum physics, from your bed.

You’ve never met me (probably) but I can prove I’ve been in your bed.

I’m not talking about that time you don’t remember what happened after fun factory. Yeah you read that right, bear with me. It's all down to a little something called quantum mechanics. Now that's a scary word, you're not alone in fearing it. It terrified a well known physicist, ever heard of Einstein?

See, if you think of an atom (something you no doubt do regularly) you probably picture a little ball of protons in the middle with electrons whizzing round in circles around it.

I can tell you that this really isn’t the case, what you really have is interacting wavefunctions, probability densities, obeying quantum mechanical rules. Unfortunately that probably makes no sense to you whatsoever, so let me try and explain what’s going on.

First we need to step back and look at something called the uncertainty principle which is pretty neat (yes, I used the word neat, let it go). The lo-

cation of anything can be summed up by its position and velocity. Unfortunately this ends up being like the Bulbasaur/Charmander dilemma (who chooses Squirtle?) where you can only have one. If you want to narrow down where a particle is, you can’t know where it’s going and vice versa.

This isn’t just because we haven’t made a machine that can do both. The issue is that observing one makes you more uncertain about another as it doesn’t have a set place or a set velocity; instead it has a chance of being in a set place and a chance of going at a set velocity. You change it by simply observing it.

They make a big deal out of this observation thing in quantum mechanics as it tends to make weird things happen. Before something has been observed it isn’t just that it has a set speed we don’t know yet but it has various speeds and hasn’t made its mind up yet – it’s going at all the possible speeds. People who study quantum stuff know where this is going; this is the story of Schrödinger’s cat.

“

Observation can make strange things happen.

A cat is put in a box (kind of like the woman who put the cat in a wheelie bin, but for science). A vial of poison is also put in the box and the chance that the vial breaks within a day, filling the cat’s lungs with chemical death, is 50%. We leave the box for a day, come back and all stand round wondering whether Chairman Meow survived the night. So, is he alive or dead?

Well, neither.

See, we haven’t observed in the box so our cat is in an uncertain state – he’s both alive and dead. If we open the box, then we can find out but while it’s closed, he is in a state of 50% alive, 50% not alive. This does all seem a little counter intuitive, if we throw a lemon at someone’s face we can measure its speed and position but that’s just because each atom has a 99.999…% chance of being in a very, very specific place. You can’t say the atom is there, just that it probably is (and until we observe it we will never know).

This means that the other tiny

probability of where the atom in the lemon exists is smeared across the rest of the universe, with the likelihood of it existing at a set point dropping the further you get from the lemon. I could apply this to atoms in my own body. Although they can be said to be pretty much limited to a specific 6ft, lanky area of spacetime, their existence is in fact smeared taking up space over the entire planet.

This includes inside your Bed.

Follow us on Twitter @GairRhyddSci

Societies 24

A warm Welsh welcome Bianca London Societies Editor This January, Cardiff University welcomed over 100 International students from all over the globe.

This week, I spoke to the Erasmus, Spanish, Italian, French and German Societies about the running of their multi-national societies and their plans to give the incoming Erasmus students a warm Welsh welcome.

Language and cultural societies at Cardiff University aim to help incoming Erasmus students from all over the world integrate into the wider student community and make their time in Cardiff as enjoyable as possible. This ranges from organising trips and parties

throughout the year to helping students with problems they face in finding accommodation and language tandem partners.

As some of the largest societies in the Cardiff Societies Guild, the language and cultural societies are also open to home students who are interested in participating in the Erasmus exchange programme or who have already done so. Rachel Bloom, Social Secretary of the Erasmus Society had such an amazing experience when she spent her Erasmus year in Valencia and Montpellier that she wanted to make sure students coming to study at Cardiff were given the same opportunity.

The Erasmus Society have organised many successful socials, particularly ‘Represent Your Na-

tionality’ which was a complete sell out.

“We even had a group of French students come along dressed as frogs!” she says. The society have also organised boat trips around Cardiff Bay and a trip to Bath Christmas Market. Gem Matthewman and Emma Harris, Social Secretary and President of the Spanish and Italian Society say their favourite aspect of being committee members is organising socials to ensure that the Erasmus students feel welcome in Cardiff.

“After spending a year in Spain, we know how important it is to feel welcome and enjoy what your host country has to offer. We have also learnt valuable organisational and networking skills.” Their society

holds language exchange nights with games and quizzes designed to enrich both the Erasmus and home student’s language skills.

“These nights are casual but very beneficial to all members. We also hold regular salsa, paella, tapas and jazz nights” says Emma.

Toby Jarvis, Erasmus Society President, explains how the society has given everyone the opportunity to meet new people.

“We have made good friends with Erasmus students, which is obviously useful in helping one another with our languages!” Anna Wrigley, French Society President, joined the French society committee to meet new people and challenge herself with inventing new and interesting themes for socials.

“I am very proud to be a part of Cardiff University and admire the experience it offers students. I also really enjoy French and love France so it is a way of sharing my enjoyment with other people who like the same things.”

Cardiff University Language Societies organise numerous socials every week for Erasmus students and home students. Stevie Young Lopez, Secretary of the Spanish and Italian Society, says: “The best part is, you don’t even have to study a language to get involved, it is a great way of learning and building your confidence.”

Check the societies calendar weekly for all the latest language society events.

Monday Feb 7 RAG: Fundraising Fairies in Fun Factory -Fun Factory, 10pm

Pole Dancing: Flexibility Class -Aneurin Bevan Room, SU, 6pm

Tuesday Feb 8 Cardiff Mental Wealth Society: Inner Child Event -Solus, 11am-4pm

RAG: Pub Quiz -Taff, 8pm

Harry Potter Society: Pub Quiz -Bar 33, 7.30pm

Wednesday Dec 1 RAG and Fash Soc: RAG Dolls Clothes Swap -Solus, 7pm

Welsh Language Society: Jamie Bevan's Court Hearing Above: The Erasmus Society representing their nations.

Release your inner child James Goodeve-Ballard Reporter Refreshers week set the tone for some huge society events. This Tuesday 8, Cardiff Mental Wealth Society are staging a high-profile and innovative event entitled 'Release your Inner Child.'

The day, which is completely free and supported by PAPYRUS and Student Enterprise, will feature massive inflatables, candy floss machines, pop corn makers, sumo suits, entertainers, face painters and jugglers.

Solus will be decorated with materials allowing students to indulge their creative and expressive side in whatever way they wish.

Society Exec, Nathaniel Smith, spoke about the event: “We have been planning this since last year and have won a national sponsorship award to put on as big a show as possible. It is our showpiece event for the year, with a great deal poured into it in the form of funds, resources, energy and love.

"We hope that the day will get people smiling and give them a different experience to that which they are used to.”

The society feel that by encouraging students to reflect on their own youth they will be reminded of the adventure and easy pleasures which characterise being a child and see that such things are beneficial to a good, healthy men-

tal balance.

There will be plenty of opportunities to be creative and expressive during the day too, which the society feel are qualities that ought to be encouraged.

The Mental Wealth society was formed around the ethos of improving student mental health and wellbeing around Cardiff.

The light-heartedness of the event will provide an important contrast to the stresses and pressures of academic life.

To release your inner child, head to Solus on Tuesday 8 between 11am-4pm for some free frivolities.

-Fitzlan Place

Spanish and Italian Society: Jazz and Paella Evening -Jazz Caf , St Mary’s Street, 8pm

Thursday Feb 10 Arch Soc: Research Seminar -Room 4.45, Humanities, 5.10pm

Friday Feb 11 Catholic Society: Masquerade ball -62 Park Place, 6.30pm

Saturday Feb 12 AIESEC: Young Leaders Skill Development Seminar -Location online at Campus Groups

RAG: Night at the Musicals with the Healthcare Music Society -Health Hospital Site, 7pm

To feature an event or article email societies @gairrhydd.com

If you would like to join a Society, or see a full list of opportunities, visit: http://groups.cardiffstudents.com/societies/home

Puzzles

25

sudoku.

EASY

HARD

crossword.

Across 8. Concludes (4) 9. Inattentive (10) 10. A form of sexual desire (6) 11. From the east (8) 12. Big butte (4) 13. Irritating (10) 17. Summoned (4) 18. Eskimo (5) 19. General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (4) 20. Paltry (10) 22. All excited (4) 23. Flood (8) 27. Every 60 minutes (6) 28. Disorder where dreams are confused with reality (10) 29. A hard smooth ivory colored dentine (4)

Found on Facebook:

Check out these sexual predators

Down 1. Habitual (10) 2. Guess (8) 3. Beguiling (10) 4. Arch type (4) 5. Current event information (4) 6. Not these or those (6) 7. Male cow (4) 14. The opposable digit (5) 15. Stationery (10) 16. Unmoving (10) 19. Alumnus (8) 21. Along a line (6) 24. Close (4) 25. Pimples (4) 26. Where the sun rises (4)

Has your housemate done something stupid? Pissed you off ? Got drunk and made a complete arse out of themselves?

Upload a photo to our facebook group: Found on Facebook, and it might just appear on this page.

Listings26 Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday Thursday

7th Feb

8th Feb

9th Feb

10th Feb

THE LASH, Solus, £3.50, 9.30pm The Lash promises all the best in chart and cheese, which doesn't really sound all that tempting to be honest. But if you're a sporting LAD then it's most definitely the place to be. This week, the theme is Tight and Bright UV. Sounds great, no?

LIVE MUSIC, The Taf, FREE, 8pm Pretty much what it says on the tin really.

Live music. In the Taf. They had a pretty good line-up last week, so expect great things from this night.

LISTEN UP, Clwb, £3, 9pm Listen Up has become an institution within an institution. Everybody loves Clwb. Everybody loves Listen Up. Playing a mix of motown, funk, indie and pop among three floors of cheap bars and trendy kids, this is the place to be every Wednesday.

BOUNCE, Walkabout, £4, 9pm If you really, honestly, have nothing better to do... actually, no, even that isn't a valid excuse. No reason for going to Walkabout is acceptable in my eyes. Okay, so perhaps you have to go once in your university career, but I know that the debauchery and filth will put you off going again. If you have any personal morals, that is.

FUN FACT TREE, Solus, FREE, 9pm Fun Factory is an institution among Cardiff students and you simply must check it out.

Playing the very best alternative music, and with various cheap drinks promotions, you're sure to have the best night of the week here and I'm not even biased. It's a staple.

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, YMCA Theatre, £6 (£5 for NUS), 7pm Cardiff University’s drama society Act One presents Helen Jerome’s sparkling adaptation of Pride and Prejudice: A Sentimental Comedy in Three Acts, at the YMCA this February. Directed by Cardiff students, Kirsty Allen and Sophie Brown, the production celebrates spirited lead Elizabeth Bennett, played by Jessica Wretlind, as she navigates her way around the 19th century mating game, with the help and hindrance of the delightful Bennett family.

Performances take place until February 11.

UKULELE NIGHTS CABARET, Gwdihw Cafe Bar FREE, 8pm Stupid Cupid’s Ukulele Cabaret is sure to help provide the perfect antidote to your 2011 Valentine’s Day celebrations.

JUST DANCE, Clwb, £3, 10pm Just Dance returns every Tuesday night at Clwb Ifor Bach with one simple mission...to get you dancing all night long. A mixture of modern day pop, rock and R&B thrown together with some cracking blasts from the past...cheap entry, cheap drinks prices and great, GREAT tunes.

10 FEET LIVE, 10 Feet Tall, TBC, 8pm Live music, singer songwriters, bands and acoustic acts upstairs, new music & party tunes in the bar. Plus, there's the added bonus of two for one cocktails from 5pm until 9pm.

WORLD BICYCLE RELIEF FUNDRAISER: THREE PAIRS OF SHOES, 10 Feet Tall, £2, 7.30pm Fundraising exhibition of postcard-sized art, live music, bicycle-themed fun and excellent DJs. As well as paintings there will be some sculptures from Zambia, pieces created from spokes and other bicycle parts, prints, photographs and more. Three Pairs of Shoes are an awesome band, and well worth seeing live!

JAZZ AT DEMPSEYS, Dempseys, £5, 9pm Music ranges from piano or guitar trio, saxophone or trumpet quartet, quartet with vocals to big band. Hear jazz standards made famous by the likes of Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, and Nina Simone, as well as original tunes.

KERRANG! RELENTLESS TOUR 2011, Great Hall, £16.34, 6.45pm Featuring; Good Charlotte, Four Year Strong and Framing Hanley.

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

11th Feb

12th Feb

13th Feb

BOOMBOX, Solus £3, 10pm Playing an eclectic mix of electro, funk, drum 'n' bass, hip hop, dubstep and breaks with a turntablist twist. Featuring dance classics, chart remixes and old school classics. Expect to hear Pendulum, Calvin Harris, Dr Dre, David Guetta, Major Lazor, A Skillz, High Contrast, Prodigy and much more. To be fair, it's the cheapest Friday night this side of the bridge, fulfilling all your student needs and perfect for bringing those visiting mates too.

Go ahead kids, BOOM YOUR BOX. OCEAN COLOUR SCENE, Great Hall, SOLD OUT, 7pm Ooooooo oo lalala, oooooooooo oooo lalala, the day we caught the train...

OK, TOY HORSES, VIOLAS, Clwb, £3, 7.30pm No vocoders. No keyboards. No ‘The’ in the title. No girls in the band. Wait a minute… A …ginger frontman? Welcome to the bright and colorful world of OK! …Four Cardiffians with a love of pop, truly terrible jokes and generally jumping around like idiots.

COME PLAY, Solus, £3, 10pm A safe bet for a Saturday night. If none of the other events do it for you, head to the Union for guaranteed good music and cheap drinks. Not the most imaginative of nights out, but you'll be sure to have a good time.

And who said that being able to predict the playlist down to the very last minute was a bad thing?

MEIC STEVENS, Clwb, £8, 8pm This is Meic Stevens's final show before he emigrates to Canada. The legendary folk/ pop singer is regarded as the key major influence in Wales’s rich tapestry of 20th century popular music. Support comes from the fantastic psych pop of Colorama who have recently gained critical acclaim with the release of their new album.

FUNKADELIC NEON, Gwdihw, £3, 8pm NEoN are a collective of musicians, brought together by their shared passion for all things musical.These people have travelled far and wide to come together and form an 8-piece hip-hip outfit with the intention of bringing something a little different to the people of the World.

C.Y.N.T, Clwb, £4, 10pm Expect big queues as ravers descend for their dose of electro, techno, dubstep and drum 'n' bass. Advance queue-jump tickets from c-y-n-t.com. This is the only legitimate thing to do on your Thursday night.

HAVE A SUNDAY ROAST The Taf does a wicked, and cheap Sunday roast - as do the CAI. Have a lie in, and then get some classic comfort food to help beat Saturday night's hangover or stave off the end of the weekend blues.

10 FEET TALL SUNDAY SOCIAL, 10 Feet Tall, FREE, 8pm A brand new night featuring Greg Ramshackle and Steve French, whoever the hell they are. However, if you have nothing better to do on a Sunday night and fancy heading out for two-for-one cocktails, perhaps give this a go.

THE BIG SUNDAY RECOVERY PROJECT, CAI, FREE, 12pm What’s the Sunday project ? It’s a regular’s social gathering to end the week. You get together over a late Sunday Roast or just laze around with fellow hung-over friends on the Sofas. Enjoy a Sunday ‘Institution’, weekly - Squeaky Hill Pub Quiz are back.

The only quiz that provides you with a general all round work out, utilising the physical, mental and creative parts of your brain that other pub quizzes just can’t reach! It's free to play, and there's loads of exciting prizes to be won.

Venues Students’ Union, Park Place, 02920 814456 www.cardiffstudents.com ◆ IV Lounge, Neuadd Meirionydd, Heath Park 02920 744948 ◆ Clwb Ifor Bach, 11 Womanby Street 02920 232199 www.clwb.net ◆ Barfly, Kingsway, Tickets: 08709070999 www. barflyclub.com/cardiff ◆ Metros, Bakers Row www.clubmetropolitan.com ◆ CAI, Park Place 02920 412190 ◆ Buffalo Bar, 11 Windsor Place www. myspace.com/wearebuffalobar ◆ Chapter Arts Centre, Market Road, Canton 02920 304400 www.chapter.org ◆ Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay 0870 0402000 www.wmc.org. uk ◆ The New Theatre, Park Place 02920 878889 www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk ◆ The Sherman Theatre, Senghennydd Road 02920 646900 www.shermantheatre.co.uk ◆ Cardiff International Arena, Mary Ann Street 02920 224488 ◆

27

Letters

Comments from the week’s news, opinion, features and sport at www.gairrhydd.com to be able to answer the questions quickly and fluently?

Under Pressure Anon ---

tax payers’ expense? The results on the night didn’t seem to justify such a large operation.

S.U crack down on drugs In my opinion, university is not only a test of your academic ability, but your ability to work under pressure, organisation skills and time management. Exam periods are the same every year, and students have ample time to plan revision in the best possible way. Obviously 5 exams in 5 days is a worse case scenario, but if you revise early enough, multiple exams in a short space of time should not pose a problem. At the end of the day, there are plenty of people who get firsts every year, and so if someone starts revising early enough and 8 hours a day and still struggles to pass exams, it indicates a problem with revision technique and understanding rather than a problem with the content.

I am a student with 6 modules each semester, and of course I would like an infinite amount of time to do each of my modules, but I am competing with my fellow students for the best result, so making it so that everyone can get a first is not realistic. Interesting question: if I run out of time in my exam, is this the fault of the exam writer for not making the exam shorter, or is it my lack of understanding

Carey --CardiffBorn --What a shame Gair Rhydd seems to think this is such a positive story. I’ve been to events at the Great Hall before and been harassed by unprofessional and downright rude security staff. I’ve also suspected that the events I’ve attended have been identified as ‘high risk’ as its thought the number of black people attending the venue is above an average Saturday night at the Union. Why was it necessary to have covert police officers in attendance spotting if people were dumping any drugs they may have – surely the the police should be happy with the way their enhanced presence had acted as a deterrent?

Why is it then necessary to arrest people on top of this? Of course the Union has to comply with its licence requirements – and we all know the police love to bully venues – but is this level of activity from plod really necessary. Is the union’s past history so bad that it warranted such attention as 12 unifromed officers and an ‘unspecified’ number undercover – no doubt enjoying themselves at the

This is a very sad story. And yes, I agree, the pressure applied to licensed premises is disproportionate. I’d really like to know how much we can resist this sort of thing. In my opinion, anything short of a reluctant compliance with the authorities is a disservice to our students. Our drug laws are more retarded than a career crack addict. They are full of hypocrisy and fail to command the necessary respect of reasonable people. The war on drugs fails to achieve any of it objectives (even if you think these objectives are sound – which I don’t). We therefore must accept two facts (i) that people will take drugs and (ii) that, generally, them doing so has no significant impact on anyone besides themselves.

Why, then, must we criminalise them and ruin their lives? Student Unions have been progressively positioned in civil rights campaigns throughout the 20th century – why not civil liberties? It is plainly illogical that one of the most aggression-inducing drugs (alcohol) is legal and HEAVILY promoted by the Union – especially

at this event, while other drugs such as cannabis and MDMA carry convictions and possible prison sentences. Our Union should acknowledge this injustice and recognise that the future careers of its members are being affected by it. Going forward, not only should the Union resist such savage police strategies, it should offer support and solidarity to organisations such as Transform (http://www. tdpf.org.uk/AboutUs_Introduction. htm) and do what Unions should do by representing the interests of students.

be brought to account for these acts of torture (And at all levels).

I also like the point you bring up about the anti-war movement, But two numbers i think are far more important are 15,456 and 6,100.

Those are the number of Iraqi and Afghan security forces respecfully, they are important becuse they aren’t acknowledged by any anti war movement. They are unknow and not honored by us, now that is something we should feel truely shameful for.

Our anger at compensating torture victims shames us all

You are right of course. The treatment of these innocent victims is clearly racial and religeous persecution and to suggest that treating them this way saves ‘western’ lives, as Bush has done, merely reiforces grotesque stereotyping.

We are still awaiting the return of someone committed to making other’s lives better – Shaker Aamer – after more than nine years. To have included him in the pay-out is really an acceptance of guilt about his treatment since he isn’t even here to make his own case to UK inc! Noel Hamel Chair, Kingston Peace Council/CND

Joy Hurcombe --Thanks for this, thoughtful article. Brilliant!

Jackie Chase --I agree with all you say here Chris and respect your honesty and integrity. Facing the facts, taking responsibility and setting things straight where we can has to be the only path forward.

Rhys ---

Noel Hammel---

Nice article, I do think that both US and UK goverments should

Have your say Join the debate online:

www.gairrhydd.com NEWS, LIVE DEBATE, FEATURES, SPORT, QUENCH, EXCLUSIVE CONTENT AND MORE

29

Sport

Millennium Magic returns to Cardiff

A new Rugby League season gets under way at the Millennium Stadium this weekend. Tom Clarke says it's time to forget the growing financial troubles and return focus to the pitch...

A

fter a winter of uncertainty, the focus in the world of Rugby League is now firmly on the season-opening spectacular in Cardiff.

After two years away in Edinburgh, Cardiff welcomes back the Super League Magic Weekend. All 14 teams will play over two days in the Millennium Stadium against their local rivals. The Millennium Stadium is a grand cathedral for the sport of rugby. There are few venues worldwide with a better atmosphere on match day, making it the perfect venue for the opening of Super League XVI. The Magic round is in addition to the 26 regular season games that lead up to the playoffs and ultimately the Grand Final. In previous years it has been held mid-season, a frivolous diversion from the hard graft of the league. But now with its pride of place at the head of the calendar it seems like 2011 will be the year that the magic weekend lives up to its potential.

On paper it has the perfect billing. All 14 teams in one stadium, on one weekend, to get the season off to a flying start. Perfect, more Rugby League than you could ever need. This year also sees the scrapping of the unpopular seeding system and returns to the original format of derby games.

Problems have arisen in the past with the state of the pitch at the end of a weekend packed full of rugby. In League there are no contested scrums so the pitch doesn’t get as torn up as it would in a game of Union. At Murrayfield the pitch had been terrible by the time the final game has been played. Cardiff has the advantage that with the roof closed the pitch will be dry and hold together better. However, after multiple games it still degrades and there is a distinct advantage to playing early in the weekend.

The opening fixture, with the advantage of a fresh pitch, is a mouth-watering match between Warrington Wolves and Huddersfield Giants. The rivalry between the two clubs is intense and the derbies are fiery affairs. An extra

over Salford City Reds.

Indeed, the rise of the Crusaders that has, in part, drawn the Magic Weekend back to Cardiff.

Iestyn Harris led Wales to a shock victory over France in last year's European Cup, earning qualification for this year's Four Nations tournament. The RFL are maximising every opportunity to raise support and awareness for the sport in Wales.

The biggest game of the weekend however is not a mid table Anglo-Welsh scuffle. It is undoubtedly between two teams who will be battling away at the top of the table all the way to the end of the season.

A clash between St Helens and Wigan, in a repeat of last years' Grand Final, promises to be an excellent match. Wigan won that with a classical try scoring display so St Helens will be out for revenge as they look to avenge their fourth straight Grand Final defeat.

All weekend we will be spoiled with an abundance of talent and interest. Its time to get back to business, forget about the finances and get the attention back on the pitch.

Tickets are still on sale and student discounts are available, weekend tickets start at £17.50. Visit www.themagicweekend.co.uk for more details.

dimension is present this year as 2009 man of steel and former Giants captain Brett Hodgson is set to make his debut for Warrington at full back.

It has been an uncomfortable winter for fans of Rugby League; rising costs and shrinking revenue has lead to a number of clubs falling into financial difficulties. Most notable of these has been Wakefield. The Wildcats have an unpaid tax bill of around £300,000 and this week entered administration in order to avoid a winding up order, which would have led to the club's liquidation. As a result, they will most likely face a six point penalty, making a good performance against Castleford vital for their prospects this season.

Another team joining the wildcats in the red at the start of the

Above: (L-R) Gareth Thomas of the Crusaders, Brett Hodgson of Wakefield and Adrian Morley of Warrington

“

The rise of the Crusaders has in part drawn the Magic weekend back to Cardiff

season will be the de-facto home side for the weekend, the Crusaders. After slipping in and out of administration the Wrexham based side were docked four points for this campaign and were lucky to avoid a more stringent penalty.

However, since their move from Bridgend to Wrexham last season the only Welsh side in the Super League find themselves on a much more stable financial footing and will be looking to improve on their eighth place finish last year.

With legendary dual-code Welsh international - and coach of the Welsh national team - Iestyn Harris at the helm and former Welsh Rugby Union captain Gareth Thomas in the form of his life, the play-offs are entirely within their grasp and they will be looking for an early step towards that goal with victory

Super League : How it Works...

14 teams (12 British, 1 French)

26 regular season rounds and the Magic Weekend Top 8 qualify for play-offs Play-offs decided in Old Trafford Grand Final in October.

Sport30

Monday February 07 2011 • gair rhydd • sport@gairrhydd.com

Drama on Deadline Day

Alex Bywater looks back at another hectic climax to the transfer window, as over £200 million is spent by Premier League clubs...

Cardif f eye top flight push Alex Bywater Sports Editor After a tricky pre-Christmas period where Cardiff struggled, the Bluebirds are looking to the New Year for signs of revival.

Although in the middle of a difficult run of fixtures, Cardiff are still in a good position to challenge for promotion come May. Manager Dave Jones, has made some inspired moves in the transfer market, bringing in former Bluebird Aaron Ramsey and another Gunner in Arsenal's midfielder Jay Emmanuel-Thomas with the hope of injecting fresh blood into his squad.

Jones will be hopeful that he can keep hold of the latter after an injury to Arsenal's key midfielder Samir Nasri led to calls for Arsene Wenger to recall former Doncaster midfielder, Emmanuel-Thomas.

Above: Ferdando Torres Chelsea move, and Andy Carroll's Liverpool move came to a head on deadline day

W

hat happened to the recession?

In a period of economic instability, Liverpool and Chelsea made a mockery of the financial crisis by spending over £100 million on what was an extraordinary final day of the January transfer window.

Want-away Spanish striker Fernando Torres ended his career at Anfield with a £50 million switch to London rivals Chelsea, while Liverpool Manager Kenny Dalglish essentially got two for the price of one as Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez joined the Merseyside club.

This extraordinary outlay shocked the football world; although only the signing of Carroll seems like a gamble. When learning of the Carroll deal and the money involved, my first reaction was shock. £35 million?

This for a man who has scored just 11 Premier League goals in half season in the top flight and is currently out with injury.

These signings blew the previous January transfer record - Arsenal's signing of Andrey Arshavin for £15 million - out of the water.

Whether or not the signing of Carroll proves a success, the fee is no doubt ridiculous; one hugely inflated by the madness of the January transfer window.

The window has attracted criticism from many managers over the

Top January transfers

1.

Fernando Torres

2.

Andy Carroll

3.

Edin Dzeko

4.

Darren Bent

5.

Luis Suarez

Liverpool to Chelsea £50 million

Newcastle to Liverpool £35 million

Wolfsburg to Manchester City £27 million

Sunderland to Aston Villa £24 million

Ajax to Liverpool £22.7 million

years, who bemoan the time restrictions and increased fees imposed as a result.

Ian Holloway, who held onto his captain, Charlie Adam, despite strong interest from Liverpool and a late bid from Tottenham, has described January as “a silly month," saying "you have to be careful not to get sucked in by it all."

“I’ve always said I hate the idea of transfer windows and this one isn’t proving much better.”

No better was this shown than in the last few days. After it became apparent that Torres wanted out of Liverpool, Dalglish immediately started to look for replacements.

Suarez looks a top signing at not too high a fee; his World Cup performances for Uruguay show great potential though his partnership with Carroll will have to wait a while as the latter recovers from injury.

If Dalglish has gambled on Carroll, Carlo Ancelotti’s has played safe with the signing of Torres .

Although the Spanish striker has struggled at Anfield this season, there is no doubt that he still retains all the characteristics of a top quality player that justifies his price tag. At the time of writing, Torres and Chelsea were preparing to take on Liverpool. A goal for Chelsea’s new Spanish Striker against his former club would be no surprise.

The last few hours leading up to the start of February also saw Chelsea sign defender David Luiz from

Benfica for over £20 million.

The final day of the window provided the most entertainment, January had already seen some big money moves.

Randy Lerner backed Aston Villa Boss Gérard Houllier and outlayed £24 million for the signing of Darren Bent.

Manchester City continued their Eastlands revolution as Roberto Mancini bought in Bosnian Striker Edin Dzeko.

Although these big transfer fees do bring a new sense of excitement to Britain's top flight, the financial security of some of Britain's top clubs must be called into question.

UEFA, whose new financial initiatives require European clubs to break as close to even as possible, have been worried by the expansive spending of Britain's top clubs.

Chelsea's £70.9 million loss for the last financial year particularly highlights the problem.

Although this financial worry will concern those at the higher levels of the game, for the every day fan, transfers mean excitement.

Nothing hightens supporters joy more than the yellow "breaking news" bar flicking across Sky Sports News on deadline day.

There can be no doubt that the arrivals of Suarez and Dzeko into the Premier League highten the quality of a League already described as the best in the world. What has already been a fantastic season looks like having an even better finish.

In Cardiff's last home game at the Cardiff City Stadium, the Bluebirds were lucky to escape with a point against a valiant Reading side. Craig Bellamy (above) equalised with a free kick seven minutes into added time. Despite Bellamy and centre-half Mark Hudson hitting the woodwork, the result saw Cardiff drop to fifth.

Although the outcome was disappointing, the return to form and fitness of star striker Jay Bothroyd is a cause for optimism. Bothroyd is a class apart at Championship level and as long as he retains his fitness, the Bluebirds will continue to be promotion contenders. Will this be enough come May? Let's wait and see.

Sport31

Monday February 07 2010 • gair rhydd • sport@gairrhydd.com

Pritchard fires up Econ Nick Case IMG Football

No European conquest for Liege

Myg Myg 1 Economics FC 10 Another dominant performance from Economics saw them sweep aside Myg Myg and chalk up double figures for the third time this season.

Several first team members returned for Economics’ clash with the Welsh speakers at a wind-swept Trelai on Wednesday afternoon.

Reunited in defence was the formidable pairing of Andrew Wallis and Nick Case, whilst Jamie Baird-Murray and Dan Humphreys started up top as the number one seeds aimed to attack from the first whistle.

A lacklustre opening was soon forgotten when a delightful move saw Sam Vatvani cross for BairdMurray to head home the first, and this was quickly added to by Sam Pritchard who scored to continue his ridiculous scoring run.

Andy Wilson produced a couple of fine saves to keep Myg Myg at

bay before Baird-Murray grabbed his second and Nick Case shouldered home another as Econ went into half time leading 4-0.

A disastrous own goal scuppered any chances of a clean sheet early in the second half but Econ did not let this get them down as BairdMurray completed his hat trick and Gareth Adams-King got on the score sheet with an accomplished finish.

Nick Case got his second of the day with a spectacular half volley from the edge of the box before substitute Maurice Coelho got in on the act, side-footing home from 10 yards.

James Lyons was pulling the strings on the left and it was his cross-field ball that found Case’s run, whose touch unfortunately let him down at the vital moment. Case then spurned a great opportunity to complete a hat-trick of his own when the Myg Myg keeper pulled off a world class save to keep out his spot kick.

But Pritchard was not going to be stopped as he fired in two quick goals to bring up another doublefigure tally for Economics.

Above: The Sub-Standard Liege tour party, who were defeated in Hungary James Davies IMG European Football BMTE Sportpálya 3 Sub-Standard Liege 2 Following 2010’s highly successful tour of the Czech Republic, IMG Premier League contenders SubStandard Liege went even further afield for 2011, taking on Hungarian side BMTE of Budapest.

The hosts were preparing to celebrate next year’s centenary as they welcomed the Cardiff students to their winter training compound.

It was in the following 90 minutes that Liege were looking to break their winless European streak, having suffered defeat at the hands of Dinamo Zizkov and drawing with The International Football Club of Prague last year.

As Tottenham found out in their Champions League first leg against Young Boys of Berne, European winter pitches can prove problematic for visiting Brits. The artificial surface used for winter games immediately proved alien to the SubStandard Liege players, more used to playing on uneven, boggy surfaces at Pontcanna, instead of the flat, firm spread that awaited them.

The initial going proved tough for the Liege players who quickly found themselves on the back foot, having not played a game in nearly two months and with only one training session under their belts following the Christmas break.

The home team used their physical strength and neat passing to leave Liege ball-chasing for most of the opening 20 minutes.

A squad rotated by manager Peter Andrews to the point of unfamiliarity soon settled however, with the direct running of Tom Wood and carefully threaded through-balls of

George Salmon on the flanks giving the strike partnership of James Davies and Ben Pearson plenty of quality service.

The tireless central midfield partnership of Andy Paramore and Jonathan Lyons also kept the Hungarians pegged back in their own final third for the latter portion of the second half.

The new-look defence with the summer signing from Momed AFC, Alex Bywater, and captain Ben Price at its heart, Matt Hussey at left-back and Matt Bee playing his first game of the season for the club at right back produced resolute defending from the beginning.

The intelligent runs of BMTE were tracked all the way and the back line stood firm against the physical and technically skilled eastern Europeans.

Though his start to the match was not the best, it was on the half hour mark that striker James Davies finally made an impact. After losing the ball just outside the BMTE penalty area, Davies recovered quickly, catching the Hungarian left back in possession and making room for himself on the edge of the box with a deft touch before unleashing a pinpoint shot that nestled in the bottom corner, giving Liege a hardfought lead.

The ensuing celebration, a tribute to Paul Gascoigne’s legendary "dentist chair" after scoring against Scotland in Euro ’96, drew laughter and applause from both benches and supporters.

Davies could also have won a penalty for Liege when, after being tripped in the area, he elected to try and stay on his feet to complete his run. The referee did not award the spot kick, much to the irritation of Davies and the Liege bench.

However, it was not long before

BMTE found themselves back in the contest.

After the Liege offside trap failed, the Hungarian number nine was through on goal, but was somehow only able to roll his shot against the post from 10 yards out.

But the Liege defence finally relented towards the end of the second half and the breakthrough that the home side had been waiting for came.

In a chastening period for SubStandard, their hosts quickly put three goals past them, including a superb half volley from the edge of the area after a free kick that Liege did not manage to clear in time.

There was nothing goalkeeper Alex Hybs could have done about the strike and the round of applause Liege afforded the scorer was testament to the quality of the finish. However, the visitors finished the second half strongly and went into half time optimistic of their chances.

There were wholesale changes at half time, with Paramore, Bywater, Davies, Wood, Salmon, Bee and Hussey all being withdrawn as a fresher Liege side emerged for the second half.

Both teams started brightly, as the extensive depth in Liege’s squad began to tell, with the quality in the second half line-up at a very similar level to that of the first. This freshness began to tell midway through the second half as the locals, who had made only one change, began to tire. The quality in Liege’s midfield became even more apparent at this point; they were able to assert themselves more in the middle of the park and the range of passing became more creative and expansive, allowing substitute Daniel Brockley to pick up the ball just outside the BMTE penalty area and

Above: Liege lost out narrowly to the slick Europeans unleash a swashbuckling shot that dipped superbly, leaving the Hungarian keeper rooted to the spot two feet off his line. Though he was injured in the celebration, Brockley’s goal had inspired Liege and they continued to press on for an equaliser.

At the other end, Ben Price’s trademark Cruyff turn left him struggling to make up ground when caught in possession by the home side but fortunately for Sub-Standard, the Hungarian striker could only put his effort high and wide.

With manager Peter Andrews allowing himself a 45 minute run out following four years out after knee surgery, Liege had a more competitive streak than they might otherwise have had. Andrews had earlier in the season been sent off against Chaos and his indiscipline almost cost him again when he received a warning from the referee after launching a tirade against the official for failing to spot shirt pulling just outside the BMTE area. Andrews later claimed in a statement that his behaviour was “totally out of character”.

Liege’s comeback was almost complete when substitute Jack Green broke through the hosts' defensive lines with a surging run from midway through the opposition half and, with Ben Pearson in support, the equaliser was all but assured.

Green unselfishly opted to square to Pearson, but his pass was overcooked and Pearson could not convert the opening, sliding in at the far post but failing to make the contact necessary for the goal that Sub-Standard needed. Pearson has thus far been unable to replicate his fine domestic form for Liege on the continent and his European duck continues.

Though the match ended in defeat for the visitors, there was much to encourage the manager, who commented: “I can’t fault the work rate of the lads under difficult circumstances and this experience will hold us in good stead for the season to come.”

Liege will now be looking to continue their exceptional domestic form into the remainder of the IMG season.

Sport

Millennium Magic << Inside

Millenium Stadium to host Varsity Lucy Morgan Sports Editor Cardiff and Swansea Universities will celebrate the 15th anniversary of Welsh Varsity with the biggest and best event yet in 2011.

For the first time, the showpiece will be held at the Millennium Stadium, on Wednesday March 30.

Organisers are confident switching the match to the home of Welsh rugby will produce an occasion to remember.

Speaking at the official launch, Cardiff Captain Mark Schropfer said, "Varsity is the definitive moment of the season where two teams with an intense rivalry bring everything to the pitch.

"To represent the University in such a prestigious event with such

a great history is truly an honour.

For most, it is the biggest event we will ever play in and for all of us it is the crowning moment of every season with Cardiff University Rugby Club."

The stadium roof will be closed and up to 23,000 fans will be packed in, providing new meaning to the Varsity match.

“There is great pride in playing well in front of the student population and I’m sure spectators can see what Varsity is all about: the passion, the spirit and the team," said Schropfer.

Also at the launch was Welsh international and Cardiff medic, Jamie Roberts, along with Wales' lock and Swansea law graduate, Alun Wyn Jones.

Both players were keen to ex-

press their support.

“Varsity is always a massive fixture attracting superb support. It is fantastic news that the home of Welsh rugby will be hosting this

Transfer Deadline Day Drama << Inside year’s event”, said Jones.

“There’s nothing better than to play rugby with your mates and that’s what’s so great about university rugby. I’m a Cardiff boy through and through and I’ll be rooting for my university side on March 30,” added Jamie Roberts.

For the large part of Varsity his-

tory Swansea have dominated the event, winning ten of the 14 encounters. Swansea have consistently benefited from the ability to select very talented players - the likes of Alun Wyn Jones, Richie Pugh, Dwayne Peel - all current Welsh internationals - having featured in their Varsity squads.

Cardiff have, however, enjoyed success in recent years. The post of Head of Rugby has been created and the current man in the role, Martyn Fowler, was involved in all four of Cardiff's victories, winning back to back matches for the first time in 2009.

The Millennium Stadium showpiece caps off a revamped day of Varsity sport with 24 events taking place.

Sophia Gardens has become the

new focal point with badminton, squash, netball, fencing, basketball and hockey being played throughout the day at the Welsh Institute of Sport.

Golf will be held at the luxurious Vale of Glamorgan course, with football, lacrosse and American football played at Pontcanna Fields.

But at 7pm all eyes will turn to the Millennium Stadium for the 15th Varsity match.

Varsity is always the highlight of the university sporting calendar and this year’s event is certainly not to be missed. Wednesday March 30 is the date for the diaries.

Tickets are available from Cardiff Union Box Office. See www.welshvarsity.com for further details.

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