http://www.felixonline.co.uk/archive/IC_1991/1991_0890_A

f

Issue Number 890

The other side of the coin: A n Iraqi student's opinion p i 2, 13 And a good time was had by all?

The Carnival report plO, 11 Tony Benn criticises U.S. p2

H Tony Benn Speaks T o n y B e n n M P , a l e a d i n g figure i n the anti-war m o v e m e n t , s p o k e to a p a c k e d M e c h E n g 2 2 0 on W e d n e s d a y at a m e e t i n g o r g a n i s e d b y Socialist W o r k e r s Student S o c i e t y a n d I m p e r i a l College U n i o n L a b o u r C l u b . T h e p u r p o s e of the m e e t i n g was to attempt to b u i l d an antiw a r society at I m p e r i a l C o l l e g e .

M r B e n n , o n c e a p r o d u c e r of the B B C ' s North A m e r i c a n Service and well k n o w n for his a n t i - A m e r i c a n v i e w s , s t r o n g l y c r i t i c i s e d US m o t i v e s for i n t e r v e n t i o n in the Gulf. H e c l a i m e d 'It is quite c l e a r ' that President B u s h is t a k i n g a d v a n t a g e of the present state of Soviet w e a k n e s s , a n d 'wants to d o m i n a t e the w o r l d ' . H e e n v i s a g e d a post-war s i t u a t i o n in w h i c h the ' s u p e r p o w e r of a l l — A m e r i c a — c a n b u y , b u l l y a n d c o n t r o l p e o p l e into s u p p o r t i n g t h e i r policies'.

T o attempt to illustrate the i n c o n g r u i t y of the US p o s i t i o n , he p o i n t e d to the U n i t e d States o w n i n v a s i o n of G r e n a d a , P a n a m a a n d V i e t n a m , a n d its support of Iraq's aggression against Iran. H e i m p l i e d that the U S h a d b e e n m a n i p u l a t i n g the U n i t e d Nations to its o w n e n d , a n d stated that the P r i m e M i n i s t e r , M r Major, h a d c o n f i r m e d o n M o n d a y that U N Secretary G e n e r a l P e r e z de C u e l l a r had not b e e n i n f o r m e d of the U n i t e d States d e c i s i o n to c o m m e n c e the air strike against Iraq before that s t r i k e h a d t a k e n place.

M r B e n n also c l a i m e d that there was a definite link b e t w e e n U n i t e d Nations r e s o l u t i o n 242, d e m a n d i n g Israel's w i t h d r a w a l f r o m the W e s t B a n k a n d G a z a , a n d the U N r e s o l u t i o n d e m a n d i n g Iraq's w i t h d r a w a l f r o m K u w a i t .

In an i n t e r v i e w before the m e e t i n g , w h e n a s k e d about the e s c al at i on of the w a r , M r B e n n r e p l i e d that in N o r t h e r n N i g e r i a , P r e s i d e n t S a d d a m h a d been elected 'Man-of-the-year' in a B B C W o r l d

Mend-a-Bike

S e r v i c e c o m p e t i t i o n . H e c r i t i c i s e d the m e d i a c o v e r a g e of the w a r , a n d said that in B r i t a i n w e w e r e 'actually quite out of t o u c h ' — a l l w e w e r e seeing o n B r i t i s h t e l e v i s i o n was a display of h a r d w a r e , a n d ' K a t e A d i e i n a flak-jacket t r y i n g to l o o k as if she's i n danger'. A c c o r d i n g to M r B e n n , w h a t w a s a c t u a l l y h a p p e n i n g in the w o r l d was a huge surge of o p i n i o n against 'the A m e r i c a n w a r ' . T h e tabloids, he c l a i m e d , w e r e b e i n g u s e d to w h i p up h a t r e d against the A r a b s .

H e said that T u r k e y h a d n o w b e e n

b r o u g h t into the conflict b y the use of the air base at I n c h i r l i k , a n d if it w e r e a t t a c k e d b y Iraq, all N A T O a l l i a n c e c o u n t r i e s w o u l d also be d r a w n i n .

Iraqi students u n d e r threat of d e p o r t a t i o n or i n t e r n m e n t w e r e e n c o u r a g e d b y M r B e n n to get in t o u c h with a Labour M P immediately.

M r B e n n w a s j o i n e d in s p e a k i n g at the meeting by Gary McFarlane and Reem A b d e l H a r d i , b o t h of the N a t i o n a l U n i o n of Students.

New Hall? Break-in T h e e x - L i b y a n e m b a s s y o n P r i n c e ' s Gate m a y be b o u g h t b y I m p e r i a l College.

G o r d o n M a r s h a l l , D i r e c t o r of Estates, said that IC w a s ' l o o k i n g at it' because it is w i t h i n the c a m p u s a r e a . H e said that the b u i l d i n g was in 'excellent c o n d i t i o n ' a n d has been w o r k e d o n for the last t w o years. T h e p r i c e is not yet k n o w n .

A b u r g l a r y at W i l l i s J a c k s o n H a l l was foiled this w e e k w h e n a resident c h a l l e n g e d o n e of the t w o thieves. W h e n a s k e d if he w a s a resident, the m a n r a n dow nst ai rs to the flat that had been burgled.

B o t h m e n t h e n fled into the g a r d e n a n d d o w n the F u l h a m R o a d . G i v i n g chase, the resident caught one of the m e n .

Carnival Punch

, 1

2

A s m a s h e d w i n d o w was the o n l y disturbance at the C a r n i v a l last F r i d a y .

T h e w i n d o w was b r o k e n i n the early hours of S u n d a y m o r n i n g w h e n a m a n p u n c h e d t h r o u g h one of the thick pains, s h o o t i n g glass 15 feet across the Q u a d .

He was f o u n d b y B e n j a m i n T u r n e r , U n i o n D e p u t y President, w e a r i n g a b l o o d

s o a k e d T-shirt, f o r m e r l y w h i t e . His h a n d , b a d l y l a c e r a t e d , had b e e n c r u d e l y bandaged.

F r i e n d s a n d U n i o n Staff e s c o r t e d h i m out of the Q u a d , w h e r e he w a s t h e n i n v o l v e d in a fracas. This w a s r e s o l v e d , peacefully.

III!

Smash

Breaking Glass S m a s h e d glass r a i n e d into Sout hsi de o n T u e s d a y night w h e n a d r u n k m a n b r o k e a large pane of glass a b o v e the bar. T h e m a n h a d b e e n d r i n k i n g d u r i n g the day to celebrate his b i r t h d a y but w a s a s k e d to m o v e a w a y f r o m the a r e a w h e n he was i n v o l v e d i n a r u c k u s outside Southside.

T h e ac c i de nt o c c u r r e d w h e n he r e t u r n e d a c o u p l e of h o u r s later at 9.20pm.

A l l a n L a r s o n , Southside B a r S t e w a r d ,

AtfU

fi||

said the noise of falling glass was ' l i k e a b o m b g o i n g off. Staff, r a c i n g upstairs, f o u n d the m a n u n h u r t e x c e p t for cuts to the face. T h e s h a t t e r e d w i n d o w was q u i c k l y b o a r d e d up b y IC R a d i o a n d was r e - c o v e r e d b y C o l l e g e w o r k m e n later that night. It is r e p o r t e d that the m a n w i l l not be d i s c i p l i n e d if he pays the full cost of repair, o v e r ÂŁ270.

Stress & Anxiety

The East-wing of the Union last weekend.

The door was smashed on the evening before Sunday's Rag Conference.

Chaos

P r e - e x a m stress a n d w o r k a n x i e t y are b e i n g targeted b y the H e a l t h C e n t r e i n a n attempt to e n h a n c e p e r f o r m a n c e at I m p e r i a l . In a letter to F e l i x , D r . G i l l o n , the D i r e c t o r of Imperial's H e a l t h S e r v i c e , e x p l a i n e d that s o m e students get i n c a p a c i t a t e d b y a n x i e t y . This significantly i m p a i r s their p e r f o r m a n c e .

If s t r e s s / a n x i e t y / p a n i c spoils y o u r w o r k or e x a m i n a t i o n p e r f o r m a n c e , the C e n t r e

m a y be able to help. W r i t e to D r . G i l l o n at the H e a l t h C e n t r e , 14 P r i n c e ' s G a r d e n s , London SW7 IN A , saying whether you w o u l d like to either: go to a talk b y a n expert o n st udy a n d e x a m stress, j o i n a w o r k s h o p / g r o u p d e a l i n g w i t h stress r e d u c t i o n or m a k e a n a p p o i n t m e n t w i t h one of the p s y c h o t h e r a p i s t s , nurses or doctors to discuss matters i n d i v i d u a l l y . A n early note w o u l d be a p p r e c i a t e d .

It's the Arts II

' T i m e , D y n a m i c s a n d C h a o s ' is the title of a lecture to be g i v e n b y Prof. Ilya P r i g o g i n e , N o b e l laureate, of the F r e e U n i v e r s i t y of Brussels, a n d the U n i v e r s i t y of T e x a s . A u t h o r of n u m e r o u s b o o k s in fields r a n g i n g f r o m statistical m e c h a n i c s t h r o u g h the t h e o r y of traffic flow to chaos, Prof P r i g o g i n e is a famous a n d c o n t r o v e r s i a l scientist. T h e l e c t u r e is in Physics LT1 on W e d n e s d a y 30 J a n u a r y at 1.15pm.

Refit T h e U n i o n has g a i n e d a ' L o u n g e B a r ' due to the S n a c k - b a r re-fit. A l o n g w i t h it's n e w n a m e , the L o u n g e B a r n o w has a d a r k blue carpet a n d tasteful p i n k walls adorned with attractive prints. The c o n v e r s i o n has cost a r o u n d ÂŁ7000.

N e x t d o o r , the g a m e s r o o m has undergone a similar transformation. As w e l l as the n e w carpet, it has s p r o u t e d a d r i n k s shelf a n d a n e w p o o l table. P a u l S h a n l e y , U n i o n President, said 'I t h i n k it's going really well.'

T h i s year's A r t s W e e k , situated i n the U n i o n L o u n g e at l u n c h t i m e s , started o n W e d n e s d a y w i t h a m i x of funk r o c k a n d p o e t r y f r o m F r e s h C l a i m a n d Stuart H e n d e r s o n . T h e r o c k was l o u d a n d a n g r y , the p o e t r y t h o u g h t p r o v o k i n g .

T h u r s d a y s a w B i l l y P e n n ' s B r o t h e r (solo folk singer) a n d Steve T u r n e r (poet). Steve was a s k e d b a c k after a great s h o w last

y e a r a n d was a success a g a i n , s h o w i n g the trash b e h i n d B r i t i s h R a i l announcements and T V weathermen a m o n g s t o t h e r topics, A r t s W e e k c o n t i n u e s until W e d n e s d a y w i t h gigs in the U n i o n L o u n g e at 12.30pm; see posters for details. It's a l l F R E E , so be t h e r e or let s o m e o n e else get one up o n y o u .

3

IF

Felix's quick crossword for todaycan you beat our 2 A minutes, that's the time it took us to set it! ]

FELIX

Butcherword

General Information Careers Course 'Lift the L i d o n M a n a g e m e n t a n d Investigate Y o u r F u t u r e ' - 1991 Insight Into M a n a g e m e n t C o u r s e o r g a n i s e d b y the L o n d o n C a r e e r s A d v i s o r y S e r v i c e ( U L C A S ) d u r i n g the Easter v a c a t i o n . Y o u must a p p l y b e f o r e the m i d d l e of F e b r u a r y ( A S A P ) as places are l i m i t e d . G o to the C o l l e g e C a r e e r s Office in the Sherfield Building now!

O u r P r i c e M u s i c / B r i t i s h Rail Jools H o l l a n d w i l l be a p p e a r i n g in O u r P r i c e M u s i c i n C r o y d o n o n T h u r s d a y 31st between 11.30am and 12.30pm. He will be there to help l a u n c h a n offer b e i n g r u n in c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h B r i t i s h R a i l . W h e n b u y i n g records etc to a v a l u e of £6 or o v e r (pretty easy these days) y o u c a n request a v o u c h e r to g i v e y o u £6 b a c k o n a n e w R a i l C a r d . Offer closes o n M a r c h 2 n d for p u r c h a s e s a n d thereafter the 2 3 r d M a r c h for use of the v o u c h e r . So, get o n d o w n to 65-67 N o r t h E n d in C r o y d o n o n Thursday.

Science W r i t i n g C o m p e t i t i o n T h e D a i l y T e l e g r a p h invites y o u to w i n a w e e k in the U S A a n d have an article published in their Y o u n g Science Writer A w a r d s 1991. A n article of a r o u n d 700 w o r d s (but not o v e r 800) b a s e d o n the discussion of a n e x c i t i n g scientific discovery, written clearly, concisely and i n f o r m a t i v e l y to be u n d e r s t o o d b y a n o n specialist n e w s p a p e r reader. Entries s h o u l d a r r i v e n o t later t h a n F e b r u a r y 2 3 r d a n d are to be sent to M r Justin W y l i e , B r i t i s h A s s o c i a t i o n , Fortress House, 23 Saville R o a d , L o n d o n W 1 X 1 A B .

M a r k e d o n y o u r e n t r y s h o u l d be the age c a t e g o r y e n t e r e d (16-21 or 22-28), y o u r full n a m e , date of b i r t h , U n i v e r s i t y , a n d contact address a n d t e l e p h o n e n u m b e r .

Across 1. T h e allies are h a v i n g t r o u b l e w i t h these (abbreviation). (4) 6. inflict a p o u n d i n g f r o m afar. (9) 8. C N S r e p o r t e r s t h i n k it's pretty. (4) 12. T h e forces c o n t i n u e to do this for v i c t o r y . (3) 13. S a d d a m is p r o b a b l y g o i n g to n e e d s o m e of this. (4) 14. O n a boat? (6) 16. If o n l y t h e y ' d got across it. (5) 17. T h e A l l i e s are t r y i n g to m a k e S a d d d a m do s o m e t h i n g to a line? (3) 18. T o negotiate? (Saddams action). (7) 19. A s m a l l w o r d . (2) 2 1 . Subject to a p r o p a g a n d a m o v e b y S a d d a m . (6) 22. C o n v e n t i o n a l i n f r i n g e m e n t s ? (6) 25. In hell? S a d d a m just m i g h t (3) 26. A n a i l m e n t of the foot w h i c h w o u l d be useful to t h e A l l i e s . (8)

4

Down 1. F r o m one place to a n o t h e r w i t h airplanes on their m i n d (7,2,3) 2. Stealth fighters e l e m e n t . (4).

3. W h a t the w a r (oops, s o r r y , P o l i c e A c t i o n ) is about? (3) 4. N e e d e d e v e r y time a n o t h e r bit of ne w s a r r i v e s . (3) 5. T h e u l t i m a t e destination? (5) 7. W i l l he or w o n ' t he? (7) 9. P O W s ? H e s h o u l d n ' t , but he has. (5) 10. C a n be harmless, but not w h e n it's in 1 across. (8) 11. State of the issues w h i c h s o m e p e o p l e are b r i n g i n g up (3) 15. A p p r o p r i a t e response if S a d d a m w i t h d r a w s ? (2) 16. S l a n g for people w h o w o r k in h e a v y a r m o r e d fighting v e h i c l e s (7) 18. E v e r y o n e s fear. (5) 20. O n the result? A bit sick, really. (4) 23. Just say it? S a d d a m d i d w h e n faced w i t h n e g o t i a t i o n . (2) 24. First? Not f r o m F r a n c e . (3)

Big Earner E a r n £410 part time o v e r t w o w e e k s in A p r i l . J o i n the Census t e a m for 1991 as a Census Officer d e a l i n g w i t h up to 250 households i n y o u r l o c a l a r e a . Y o u s h o u l d be r e a s o n a b l e fit a n d able to c o m m u n i c a t e easily a n d a v a i l a b l e to w o r k m a i n l y in the e v e n i n g s a n d at the w e e k e n d s . C o n t a c t A P 1 8 , M r s M Goff, 45 First A v e n u e , L o n d o n , S W 1 4 8SP.

E x p l o r a t i o n 1991 T h e E x p l o r a t i o n B o a r d is interested in h e a r i n g f r o m students t h i n k i n g about p l a n n i n g a n e x p e d i t i o n in the c o m i n g year. A m e e t i n g w i l l be h e l d o n W e d n e s d a y 13th F e b r u a r y of the B o a r d a n d p e o p l e must contact either B o b Schroter, C h a i r m a n , o n e x t 4083, or D o n A d l i n g t o n , S e c r e t a r y , on e x t 3041, before then to talk about y o u r ideas a n d to give y o u details of the d e a d l i n e s for the s u b m i s s i o n of proposals.

G r e m l i n s 11 The New Batch This fim is the sequel to the film which is more cute than Bambi, more vicious than Total Recall, and has more extras than the cast of Sesame Street.

Gizmo the Mogwai is in New York.

The rules for keeping Mogwai's : Keep them out of the light.

Don't get them wet. and Never, ever, feed them after midnight.

ICSF

If you don't like this film then you probably still think that digital watches are a pretty neat idea.

ICSF will be showing Gremlins II on Tuesday the 29th of January, 7pm,Mech Eng 220.

Membership of ICSF is ÂŁ2, and includes entry to a film.

(80p to members as usual)

I C S F v i d e o library now includes: Alien, Aliens,Altered States, Andromeda Strain, Bad Taste, Barbarella, Blade Runner, Blakes 7 (three episodes), Clangers, Conan the Barbarian, Conan the Destroyer, Dark Star, Dr Who (six stories), Escape from New York, Excalibur, Flesh Gordon, Meaning of Life, Metropolis, Predator, Quatermass and the Pit, Return of the Living Dead, Revenge of the Mysterons from Mars, Running Man, Slipstream, Space 1999, Star Trek (9 tapes), The Blob, The Thing, The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Time Bandits, Videodrome.

Only a deposit and passport photo are required to take out videos for one evening from the Library under Beit Quad.

ICSF library is in Beit Quad: through arch, turn left, down metal staircase.

M o z a r t 200

"PP'P

;

O n l y the b r a i n - d e a d o r inhabitants of c u l t u r a l wastelands s u c h as the P h y s i c s d e p a r t m e n t c a n have failed to n o t i c e that 1991 is ' M o z a r t j a h r ' . W e have b e e n b o m b a r d e d b y m a r k e t s p e a k , m e r c h a n d i s i n g a n d h y p e for the last t w e l v e m o n t h s a n d it's p r o b a b l y not g o i n g to stop e v e n after D e c e m b e r 4 (the 2 0 0 t h a n n i v e r s a r y of his death). W h a t c a n a n y sensible h u m a n b e i n g do, apart f r o m find a remote t r o p i c a l i s l a n d w i t h o u t a T V station, C D p l a y e r or a n y p o s s i b i l i t y of e n c o u n t e r i n g N i g e l K e n n e d y in a n y f o r m whatsoever?

W e l l , if y o u must s u c c u m b to wall-tow a l l M o z a r t m a n i a , y o u c o u l d do w o r s e t h a n the B a r b i c a n ' s M o z a r t 200 season.

This was put together b y Jeffrey Tate, E C O Principal Conductor, and Dr Hans Landesmann, Barbican Centre Artistic Adviser and Salzburg Festival Director, w h o m e r c i f u l l y appreciate s e v e r a l things about M o z a r t that stop this festival b e c o m i n g as s i c k l y as a b o x of A u s t r i a n chocolates.

First, a M o z a r t festival s h o u l d be, a b o v e a l l , about his m u s i c (and I don't just m e a n Eine-Kleine-bloody-Nachtmusik).

The c o n c e r t p r o g r a m m e consists of a c h r o n o l o g i c a l series, e a c h c o n c e r t c o n c e n t r a t i n g o n one or t w o years of the c o m p o s e r ' s life. In this w a y , w e l l - k n o w n pieces are m a t c h e d w i t h l e s s e r - k n o w n but e q u a l l y fine c o m p o s i t i o n s . T h i s is a refreshing c h a n g e w h e n c o m p a r e d w i t h the b a n d - w a g o n j u m p i n g offerings of, for e x a m p l e , the M o z a r t F e s t i v a l O r c h e s t r a (also at the B a r b i c a n o n F e b r u a r y 28th), w h o w i l l be p l a y i n g : the o v e r t u r e f r o m Kleine the Marriage of Figaro; Eine Nactmusik; the 23rd Piano Concerto in A; a n d Symphony no 41 in C (the Jupiter). It o b v i o u s l y t o o k t h e m seconds of r a c k i n g t h e i r b r a i n s to c o m e up w i t h that programme.

S e c o n d , M o z a r t 200 has not a i m e d at c o m p l e t e n e s s (in the style of the P h i l l i ps c o m p l e t e M o z a r t C D c o l l e c t i o n — a snip at SI,800). T h e o r g a n i s e r s have r e c o g n i s e d that w h i l e M o z a r t was a b r i l l i a n t c o m p o s e r , he also w r o t e to c o m m i s s i o n a n d w r o t e a lot of dross. If y o u don't b e l i e v e me, just try l i s t e n i n g to, for e x a m p l e , the clarinet, o b o e a n d bassoon concertos. T h e y are all g o o d pieces of m us i c i n d i v i d u a l l y , but y o u m a y notice a passing r e s e m b l a n c e of ideas if y o u p l a y t h e m c o n s e c u t i v e l y . A l s o , do y o u r e a l l y w a n t to listen to a piece for t w o flutes, five trumpets a n d t i m p a n i (I t h i n k that's the scoring?)? T h e B a r b i c a n series has s h o w n delightful restraint a n d a i m e d for quality, not q u a n t i t y .

T h i r d , the a c c o m p a n y i n g e x h i b i t i o n s b o t h a c k n o w l e d g e the c e n t r a l role the M o z a r t m y t h has e x e r t e d (the e x h i b i t i o n Mozart in Art 1900-1990, w h i c h e x p l o r e s artits responses to M o z a r t ' s music) a n d is d o i n g its l e v e l best to d e b u n k it. In the first part of the festival, A Mozart Chronology u n r a v e l s his b i o g r a p h y . In the s e c o n d part, e x h i b i t i o n s o n M o z a r t ' s wife

Speaking

C o n s t a n z e (not the flighty, heartless spendthrift s h e is often p o r t r a y e d as) a n d M o z a r t a n d F r e e m a s o n r y u n r a v e l s o m e of the mysteries w o v e n about h i m .

A season of M o z a r t films i n the Barbican C i n e m a covers v a r y i n g interpretations of M o z a r t ' s life, i n c l u d i n g the a c c l a i m e d Noi Tre (We a r e three) a n d Amadeus.

T h e r e are also free foyer c o n c e r t s b y G u i l d h a l l students.

O n the c o n c e r t side, I s h a l l c e r t a i n l y not w a n t to miss the M a r c h 10 c o n c e r t w h i c h i n c l u d e s the sinfonia concertante for oboe, c l a r i n e t , bassoon a n d h o r n a n d the c o n c e r t o in C for flute a n d harp. I also have to a d m i t a s n e a k i n g desire not to ignore o n p r i n c i p l e the c o n c e r t w i t h N i g e l K e n n e d y o n F e b r u a r y 27, as that's a s m a s h i n g p r o g r a m m e as w e l l .

M o z a r t 200 r u n s at the B a r b i c a n C e n t r e f r o m J a n u a r y 25 to M a r c h 27 a n d f r o m S e p t e m b e r 28 to D e c e m b e r 5. F o r most concerts, tickets cost b e t w e e n £4 a n d £15.

Li z W a r r e n .

Technically

by Sinclair

|: W h a t ? £4.95 for a b o o k that is o n l y 73 pages l o n g s o u n d e d l i k e a b a d deal, a n d c e r t a i n l y out of the price range of the a v e r a g e student. A n a v e r a g e student b e i n g o n e that has n o m o n e y , s o u n d familiar?

D r S i n c l a i r G o o d l a d , a l e c t u r e r at IC, attempts to solve all the p r o b l e m s that a n y o n e c o u l d possibly h a v e w i t h ' s p e a k i n g t e c h n i c a l l y ' . Y o u c o u l d be f o r g i v e n for not k n o w i n g if he s u c c e e d e d , the a p p a r e n t l y easy-to-use b o o k is h e a v y going. I tried r e a d i n g it just about e v e r y w h e r e (well almost!) a n d I f o u n d G o o d l a d ' s style of h i g h l i g h t i n g the vi t al points as '...boxed-in headlines...'

6

distracting. T h e y are s u p p o s e d to p r o v i d e a c h e c k l i s t w h e n p r e p a r i n g the 'next presentation', a n d t h e y do w o r k fine o n their o w n , just not in the text.

T h e text c o v e r s just about a n y possible e v e n t u a l i t y that c o u l d face a 'professional scientist or engineer'. T h e stress of the b o o k is a i m e d m o r e t o w a r d s the successful professional (they c a n afford the book) t h a n the student. If y o u find yourself m a k i n g the o d d after-dinner speech, or h a v e difficulty w i t h the t e l e p h o n e this b o o k w i l l help. It w i l l also be useful for those w h o s e d e p a r t m e n t s insist on presentations a n d talks, w i t h o u t offering a n y a d v i c e o n h o w to do t h e m .

Goodlad

Speaking Technically demonstrates just h o w b a d s o m e lecturers a r e — r e c o m m e n d it to y o u r tutors, t h e y c o u l d l e a r n a lot.

H a v i n g said this, there r e a l l y is s o m e great a d v i c e in the b o o k l e t that is relevant. This i n c l u d e s a d v i c e o n v a l u a b l e subjects s u c h as easing n e r v e s , a n d ideas o n h o w to p r e p a r e y o u r w o r k . But I r e a l l y don't t h i n k that it justifies the expense. H o w e v e r , if y o u f i n d yourself w i t h s o m e free time, I'd r e c o m m e n d y o u give it a try. It might just help. Get it f r o m the l i b r a r y .

Dick.

Catchfire

The View from the Ground

by Martha M a r t h a G e l l h o m w o r k e d as a journalist for o v e r six decades r e p o r t i n g in b o t h w a r a n d p e a c e t i m e . S e l e c t e d articles, g i v i n g the feel for a d e c a d e , have b e e n c o l l e c t e d to give The View from the Ground.

She gives m e a n i n g to the statistics history is full of a n d c o n v e y s the feel of a p e o p l e a r o u n d her, i n r e s p o n s e to events b o t h famous a n d p e c u l i a r ; o r u n k n o w n a n d regular. B e y o n d m e r e factual r e p o r t i n g , she questions w h y things h a p p e n a n d t h e n postulates r e a s o n a b l y .

T h e r e h a v e b e e n m a n y l o v e films m a d e in the history of the m o v i e i n d u s t r y . H o w m a n y , t h o u g h , are b e t w e e n a w i t ne ss (on the run) a n d a m o b h i t m a n (on the job)? O K , ten tops.

This latest f i lm is f r o m the steady d i r e c t o r i a l h a n d of the i n f a m o u s A l a n Smithee. F o r those of y o u w h o do not n u m b e r y o u r s e l v e s a m o n g the film fraternity, this is a p s e u d o n y m used whenever a director declines responsibility for the final cut of the f i l m.

So w h a t was d o n e to the film after D e n n i s H o p p e r finished shooting?

She has seen m a n y c o u n t r i e s in m a n y times a n d i n the pages finished so far, M a r t h a G e l l h o m has m a d e interesting a n d p e r s o n a l , h i s t o r y that h a d b e c o m e mundane.

T h a t , a b o v e a l l else, m a k e s this b o o k a g e m to r e a d . U n f o r t u n a t e l y it is

Gellhom

s i m u l t a n e o u s l y r e l e v a n t to o u r i m m e d i a t e troubles.

She has thus g i v e n history a face at w h i c h to gaze; a n d w h i c h n o w gazes b a c k at us.

Special O f f e r M a r t h a G e l l h o m ' s The View from the Ground, was p r o v i d e d b y the P a n Bookshop on Fulham Road. The p r o p r i e t o r s h a v e a g r e e d to g i v e a discount of 1 0 % o n a l l b o o k s , i n c l u d i n g a n y o r d e r e d b o o k s , for a t r i a l p e r i o d until the e n d of F e b r u a r y to all IC students on the p r o d u c t i o n of their IC u n i o n cards (except for the r a r e species w h o w i s h to p a y b y credit card). T h e shop is l o c a t e d at 158, F u l h a m R o a d , L o n d o n S W 1 0 (071-373 4997).

Undala Alam.

Postcards From the Edge

W e l l , a little bit of the plot justification got cut out. A n n e B e n t o n is an A r t i s t , p l a y e d b y J o d i e Foster ( d e v e l o p i n g a n i c e line in v i c t i m roles), w h o witnesses a brutal m o b k i l l i n g . W h e n police p r o t e c t i o n p r o v e s to be i n a d e q u a t e , she goes o n the r u n . M i l o is a professional h i t m a n e m p l o y e d to t r a c k her d o w n , to do this he c o m p l e t e l y absorbs himself i n his target's lifestyle, s l o w l y falling i n l o v e w i t h her. E v e n t u a l l y he catches her a n d m a k e s her an offer: D i e , or b e c o m e m y property...

T h e studio a p p e a r e d to h a v e t r i e d to t u r n this d a r k c o m e d y / t h r i l l e r into a straight t h r i l l e r . L u c k i l y , the attempt seems to h a v e b e e n a l m o s t e n t i r e l y unsuccessful. It is n e v e r m a d e clear w h y A n n e falls in l o v e w i t h M i l o , a n d w h a t c a m e o s w e d o see are suggestive of others that w e r e lost. T h e f i l m still retains its d i s t u r b i n g l y f u n n y edge despite this h a c k i n g a r o u n d , a n d is w o r t h a visit.

Pendragon

—Film

—Book

—Season

j M e r y l Streep p l a y s the d r u g a d d i c t e d actress, S u z a n n e V a l e , i n this w i t t y p o r t r a y a l of the c h a o t i c life of an a s p i r i n g H o l l y w o o d p l a y e r .

Confronted by a hard headed producer, G e n e H a c k m a n , w h o tells her what's w h a t on the film set, she disappears to the comfort of a n o v e r d o s e .

T h e story that unfolds tells of her c o n t i n u i n g battle to stay off the drugs a n d get her life together, d e a l i n g not o n l y w i t h the stress of fighting h e r w a y up the H o l l y w o o d l a d d e r of fame a n d fortune but also c o p i n g w i t h her m o t h e r , p l a y e d

by Shirley MacLaine. Following d e t o x i f i c a t i o n , the film c o m p a n i e s insist that S u z a n n e must stay w i t h a 'responsible p a r t y ' for i n s u r a n c e purposes.

U n f o r t u n a t e l y for her this turns out to be her m o t h e r a n d the pent-up tensions of c h i l d h o o d s o o n rear their u g l y head.

M a c L a i n e p o r t r a y s to p e r f e c t i o n the 1

s h o w b i z m o t h e r w h o ' s b e e n t h r o u g h it all before as a m u s i c a l c o m e d y star of the 50's a n d 60's. H e r tone, attitude a n d e x p r e s s i o n m a t c h e s Streep's p e r f o r m a n c e of the s o m e t i m e s a n x i o u s a n d 'spoilt as a c h i l d ' S u z a n n e . T h e i r carefree airs t u r n s h a r p l y to b o t h o b v i o u s a n d v i c i o u s c o m i c m o m e n t s as o n e attacks the other about t h e i r a d d i c t i o n s — D o r i s about her daughter's d r u g t a k i n g a n d S u z a n n e about her m o t h e r ' s a l c o h o l i s m .

T h i s e n c o m p a s s e s the m a i n t h e m e of the c o m e d y , the difference b e t w e e n a l c o h o l a n d o t h e r drugs - a b s o l u t e l y n o t h i n g kids, so p l a y w i t h b o t h of t h e m carefully. T h e script, p h o t o g r a p h y a n d a c t i n g (by all), one m i n u t e hurls y o u into fits a n d t h e n gags y o u o n an e q u a l l y c o m i c , but t r a g i c line. G o see it, enjoy a n d l a u g h , b u t a b o v e all l o o k out for those v i s u a l a n d v e r b a l gems.

Christ

AKIRA Despite the subtitles, Toby Jones goes mad over a Japanese

Against

the backdrop

of Neo-Tokyo,

mm ' I

N e o - T o k y o , 2019. B e n e a t h its apparent face of p r o s p e r i t y , the rebuilt T o k y o is sick. U n e m p l o y m e n t a n d drugs are rife a n d m a n y y o u n g p e o p l e h a v e t u r n e d to m o t o r c y c l e gangs for c o m r a d e s h i p a n d thrills.

D u r i n g one of the n i g h t l y street battles, K a n e d a a n d T e t s u o , m e m b e r s of one s u c h gang, d u e l w i t h a r i v a l g r o u p . A r o u n d t h e m , a riot flares. A s d e m o n s t r a t o r s a n d police clash, a terrorist escapes w i t h a small child, kidnapped from an armyc o n t r o l l e d l a b o r a t o r y . T h e c h i l d , identified o n l y as e x p e r i m e n t 26, is a freak w i t h extraordinary mental powers.

N u m b e r 26 is r e c a p t u r e d , a l o n g w i t h Tetsuo. T o their surprise, the lab's do c t o rs find that Tetsuo possesses great latent p o w e r s r i v a l l i n g those of t h e greatest e x p e r i m e n t of a l l , A K I R A . W h e n Tetsuo is released, these p o w e r s h a v e b e e n awakened.

A K I R A , the e x p e r i m e n t that h a d to be abo r t e d , k i l l e d , frozen in a huge c o m p l e x to await r e s u r r e c t i o n . H e r e a c h e s out f r o m his c o n c r e t e g r a v e a n d calls to Tetsuo, his s a v i o u r , the catalyst for rebirth.

A K I R A . H e must be s t o p p e d or T o k y o

8

motorcycle

gangs battle for

w i l l be d e s t r o y e d i n a c a t a c l y s m r i v a l i n g that of the t h i r d w o r l d w a r . T w e n t y - s i x is j o i n e d b y the other c h i l d r e n , 25 a n d 27, to c r i p p l e Tetsuo. H e must n o w fight their c o m b i n e d p o w e r s , the a r m y , a n d the force that is c o n s u m i n g his identity, i n o r d e r to release the greatest p o w e r of a l l , AKIRA. A r e c o r d 1 b i l l i o n y e n w e r e used i n the c o n s t r u c t i o n of this feature l e n g t h a n i m a t i o n . T h r e e times the n o r m a l n u m b e r of cells w e r e used in o r d e r to create the realistic style a n d feel necessary to translate the best-selling c o m i c series into film. It w o r k s beautifully.

The author/director/producer, K a t s u h i r o O t o m o , has c r e a t e d a detailed w o r l d with each character endowed with a full p e r s o n a l i t y . T h e three aspects of the future; the rebuilt city, the restless a n d dissatisfied masses, a n d the d a r k but e x c i t i n g u n d e r g r o u n d , are j u x t a p o s e d with frightening authenticity.

This f i lm is h i g h l y p o w e r f u l , w i t h a r e a l i s m n e v e r before e n c o u n t e r e d in a n i m a t i o n . T h e c h a r a c t e r s are h i g h l y b e l i e v a b l e , a n d the s i t u a t i o n so c o n v i n c i n g that w h e n fantastic p o w e r s

cartoon.

supremacy. are e x p o s e d the v i e w e r suspends disbelief a n d c o n c e n t r a t e s o n the m a s s i v e struggle for s u r v i v a l that ensues.

D o n ' t be f o o l ed b y this f i l m . It is not a T o m - a n d - J e r r y c a r t o o n nor a F a n t a s i a e x t r a v a g a n z a . It is m o r e i n t h e B l a d e r u n n e r m o u l d , set in a c y b e r p u n k near-future. A t just o v e r t w o hours, it is a l o n g film, but it w i l l h o l d y o u r attention throughout.

T h e best r e c o m m e n d a t i o n I c a n g i v e this film is to say that I w i l l definitely be seeing this a g a i n , t a k i n g w i t h m e most of the F E L I X staff.

A K I R A o p e n s at the Institute of C o n t e m p o r a r y A r t s (ICA) t o d a y a n d runs until the 7th M a r c h . T h e I C A c i n e m a is situated o n the M a l l , near to A d m i r a l t y A r c h (Picadilly tube). B o x office 071-930 3647. S h o w s a r e M-F 4 . 1 5 p m , 6.30pm, 9 . 0 0 p m a n d w / e 2 . 0 0 p m . T i c k e t s cost S3.80 plus S I d a y - m e m b e r s h i p e x c e p t for the first s h o w e a c h day a n d a l l day M o n d a y w h e n t h e y cost S 2 . 8 0 . Y e a r l y m e m b e r s h i p of the I C A costs ÂŁ9 for students, but y o u do get money-off vouchers.

T h e V i t r u v i a n F i g u r e —the c l a s s i c p r o p o r t i o n s o f m a n L e o n a r d o d a V i n c i (1452-1519)

O u r g r a d u a t e b r o c h u r e L i f e s k i l l s , d e s c r i b e s in d e t a i l t h e s k i l l s a n d e x p e r i e n c e y o u will acquire a t A r t h u r A n d e r s e n .

T h e i n s p i r a t i o n b e h i n d t h e b r o c h u r e is t h e w o r k o f L e o n a r d o d a V i n c i a n d it f e a t u r e s a s e l e c t i o n o f h i s d r a w i n g s .

Leonardo da Vinci represents an outstanding example o f renaissance m a n — t h e t r u e all r o u n d e r e x p l o i t i n g h i s t a l e n t s t o t h e f u l l .

Join A r t h u r A n d e r s e n a n d we'will help y o u develop y o u r o w n talents.

W e will e n c o u r a g e y o u t o s t r e t c h y o u r s e l f t o realise y o u r full p o t e n t i a l , d e v e l o p b u s i n e s s a n d m a n a g e m e n t skills a n d c o n t i n u e p r o g r e s s i n g a s y o u reach for n e w horizons.

Y o u will also discover y o u r t r u e w o r t h , gain a n international perspective and t a k e charge o f change w i t h confidence.

A

PRESENTATION

a t o u r L o n d o n office, 1 S u r r e y Street, W C 2 , on Tuesday 2 9 t h J a n u a r y a t 6 p.m.

If y o u a r e i n t e r e s t e d i n a c a r e e r w i t h o n e o f t h e w o r l d ' s l e a d i n g i n t e r n a t i o n a l c h a r t e r e d a c c o u n t a n c y p r a c t i c e s , w e w o u l d v e r y m u c h like to meet you.

Arthur Andersen Chartered Accountants

FELIX

reviews last Friday's

carnival..

al 991 F o r those of y o u w h o h a v e a n i n o r d i n a t e l y short attention s p a n , or are t e r m i n a l l y h a r d of t h i n k i n g , here is the c o n c l u s i o n of this report: T h e 1991 C a r n i v a l w a s a great night out.

It w a s a d r i z z l y F r i d a y n i g h t w i t h a d u l l g r e y s k y that l o o k e d l i k e getting w o r s e .

T h e skies o p e n e d soon after the doors, a n d the R C S b u r g e r stand was soon r a i n e d off (steamed h a m b u r g e r s don't taste too good). T h e y r e t u r n e d later i n the e v e n i n g , w h e n the r a i n h a d r e d u c e d to a fine d r i z z l e .

T h e m u s i c started w i t h a disco p l a y i n g d o w n s t a i r s w i t h the usual t r a c k s , s l o w l y attracting p e o p l e a n d p r e p a r i n g t h e m for the first b a n d .

BoyGirl Soup, a b a n d of u n c e r t a i n title w h o s e e m e d just as u n s u r e of their m u s i c , h a d a few p r o b l e m s w i t h the s o u n d gear.

E v e r y time o n e of the guitarists t o u c h e d a string, the s p e a k e r s e m i t t e d w h i t e noise at a n e a r b l a s t i n g v o l u m e . T h e trouble was c u r e d , but t h e d e l a y w a s e n o u g h to c o n v e r t a s l i g h t l y b o r e d a u d i e n c e into a t h o r o u g h l y b o r e d one. A b o u t one in three of their songs w a s quite successful a n d s o m e w e r e e v e n d a n c e a b l e , but the m o m e n t u m the b a n d g e n e r a t e d b y a g o o d song was not e n o u g h to c a r r y t h e m t h r o u g h the less i m p r e s s i v e ones. T h e trouble w i t h the b a n d w a s not that t hey w e r e p a r t i c u l a r l y b a d , or that their songs w e r e p a r t i c u l a r l y d i r e , but that t hey didn't s e e m to h a v e e n o u g h m a t e r i a l .

Instead of p i c k i n g a n d c h o o s i n g the best songs that t hey h a d w r i t t e n , t hey s e e m e d to be p l a y i n g everything t h e y had e v e r w r i t t e n . A r e a s o n a b l e b a n d , but I w o u l d be v e r y s u r p r i s e d if they m a d e it b i g time.

Upstairs, i n t h e c o n c e r t h a l l , the Love Kittens started p l a y i n g . T h e lead singer didn't m u c h l i k e us to start w i t h , but w e c e r t a i n l y l i k e d h i m a n d the rest of the b a n d . H e s h o w e d his lack of e n t h u s i a s m for IC students b y s l a g g i n g off the w a y w e d a n c e d . H e was right, it was dire to start w i t h . S o o n , t h o u g h , the w h o l e r o o m l i v e n e d up, a n d their distinctive b r a n d of h e a v y indie r o c k w e n t d o w n really w e l l .

T h e y w e r e a p p l a u d e d so m u c h that t hey e v e n c a m e o n for a n e n c o r e . F o r

Desmond

Decker

Sax this.they e n d e d up r e p e a t i n g one of the n u m b e r s that t hey h a d s u n g earlier, but n o b o d y s e e m e d to m i n d . A great b a n d , a n d w e l l w o r t h seeing in future.

T h e n e x t b a n d d o w n s t a i r s was Sax Appeal, a j a z z b a n d c o n s i s t i n g e n t i r e l y of s a x o p h o n e s (what a surprise!) a n d p e r c u s s i o n . T h e y p l a y e d fairly h e a v i l y , w i t h a distinct beat, p r e s u m a b l y to m a k e their m u s i c m o r e p o p u l a r a n d m o r e danceable. U n f o r t u n a t e l y t h e y failed o n b o t h counts. T h e m u s i c was too h e a v y to s u c c e e d as jazz a n d didn't h a v e e n o u g h clear m e l o d y to d a n c e to. A pity, since t he y had b e e n b i l l e d i n t h e s a m e r o o m that the disco h a d b e e n l o c a t e d earlier.

Guilds'

Since the b a n d failed i n t h e i r c o m p r o m i s e , they s c o r e d a definite a n d r e s o u n d i n g miss.

N o w for the h i g h point of the e v e n i n g , the b a n d that e v e r y b o d y c a m e to see.

D e s m o n d D e c k e r was fabulous; the c o n c e r t hall w a s p a c k e d out a n d e v e r y b o d y was d a n c i n g . Y o u ' v e h e a r d The Israelite ( O K t h e n , the V i t a l i t e advert). That was g o o d . T h i s w a s better.

D e s m o n d D e c k e r live is s o m e t h i n g else.

H e strutted a r o u n d stage l i k e a d e m e n t e d c h i c k e n . T h a t said, this c h i c k e n has style, a n d was dressed in full leathers.

S o m e h o w a l l the songs s e e m e d to s o u n d like The Israelite but the r e p e t i t i o n didn't

Appeal

get b o r i n g . D e s m o n d ' s e n t h u s i a s m , a l o n g w i t h that of the rest of his b a n d , kept everbody amused, and dancing. The c o n c e r t hall w a s as full as I h a v e e v e r seen it. There's o n l y one w a y to de s c r i be D e s m o n d D e c k e r ; out of this w o r l d .

A s usual, G u i l d s o r g a n i s e d the casino, w h i c h was p a c k e d (as always), a n d a n almost constant b a r r a g e of films was a v a i l a b l e i n t h e senior c o m m o n r o o m .

T i c k e t s c a m e close to s e l l i n g out, a n d there was v e r y little t r o u b l e ; one jerk stuck his h a n d t h r o u g h a w i n d o w , but that was about it. W h a t a night!

Casino

11

An Iraqi student presents his views on the situation

FELIX

in the

The Puppet Whc Cut His Strings

the s a m e m e d i a w h i c h n o w ignores t h e 150,000 deaths i n Iraq as r e p o r t e d b y T u r k e y a n d S p a i n o n l y t w o days into t h e w a r . ( A n y o n e d o u b t i n g t h e plausibility of the figure s h o u l d r e m e m b e r that i n t h e first t w o days of the w a r , b o m b s w h o s e total e x p l o s i v e effect w a s five times that of the n u c l e a r b o m b d r o p p e d o n H i r o s h i m a w e r e u n l e a s h e d o n Iraq a n d K u w a i t ) . A n A m e r i c a n g e n e r a l said, before the w a r , that t hey ' w i l l b o m b B a g h d a d b a c k into the S t o n e A g e ' . H e was s u b s e q u e n t l y s a c k e d , p r e s u m a b l y for h a v i n g g i v e n a w a y the i n t e n d e d effect of the air raids o n B a g h d a d .

I w o u l d l i k e t o express m y v i e w s , as a n Iraqi, o n the Gulf W a r . B e f o r e I go into detail about these views, I w o u l d l i k e to stress that I a m , a n d h a v e a l w a y s b e e n v e h e m e n t l y o p p o s e d to S a d d a m a n d his B a ' a t h r e g i m e . N o w I a m just as o p p o s e d to the U S A , a n d the w a r it has started i n the Gulf.

F i r s t l y , I'd l i k e to present t h e b a c k g r o u n d to t h e w a r . W h i l s t w a t c h i n g the t r e m e n d o u s g r o w t h of e c o n o m i c p o w e r of G e r m a n y a n d J a p a n , the U S has b e e n e x p e r i e n c i n g a deep e c o n o m i c crisis.

T h e U S felt it h a d to get itself out of the crisis the o n l y w a y it k n e w h o w : o i l . A n important A m e r i c a n report had shown that most of the o i l fields outside t h e M i d d l e East w e r e o n their w a y t o e x h a u s t i o n , a n d that the o n l y major sources of o i l i n this r e g i o n for the n e x t c e n t u r y w o u l d b e i n Iraq, K u w a i t a n d S a u d i A r a b i a . C o n t r o l l i n g this r e g i o n . m e a n t c o n t r o l l i n g the o i l , a n d t he r e f o re having superiority over Japan and E u r o p e , w h o r e l y far m o r e o n o i l i m p o r t s t h a n the US.

T h e t r u t h is that S a d d a m was just a puppet c r e a t e d b y the U S , a n d n o w that the puppet's strings h a v e b e c o m e twisted, the puppet m a k e r s , d i s c o n t e n t e d w i t h their puppet, h a v e c o m e to d o the d i r t y w o r k themselves.

If the U S r e a l l y w a n t e d p e a c e i n t h e M i d d l e East it c o u l d get it i m m e d i a t e l y : it just has to stop interfering. A l l the major p r o b l e m s i n this r e g i o n (like other r e g i o n s a r o u n d the w o r l d ) h a v e b e e n caused, either d i r e c t l y o r i n d i r e c t l y , b y the W e s t ; the c r e a t i o n of Israel a n d of the filthy r i c h o i l states, the p r o p p i n g up of puppets s u c h as S a d d a m , the conflicts i n L e b a n o n .

F o r a w h i l e the U S m a i n t a i n e d c o n t r o l o v e r this r e g i o n t h r o u g h t h e use of puppet g o v e r n m e n t s a n d m a n i p u l a t i o n of the r e g i o n a l b a l a n c e of p o w e r . T h e i r m a i n bases o f c o t n r o l w e r e i n Iran, before the Islamic R e v o l u t i o n , a n d i n Israel.

T h e y also t ri ed f o r years, w i t h o u t success, to put m i l i t a r y bases i n S a u d i A r a b i a a n d o t h e r Gulf c o u n t r i e s , but t h e i r lack of success d i d not m a t t e r m u c h u n t i l t h e o v e r t h r o w of the S h a h b y the Islamic R e v o l u t i o n i n Iran. T h e U S felt it h a d to r e m e d y this s i t u a t i o n ; it's t he r e f o re n o surprise that s o o n after t h e Iranian R e v o l u t i o n , S a d d a m got i n t o p o w e r (helped b y the US) a n d w a s e n c o u r a g e d to w a g e w a r o n Iran.

S a d d a m , w i t h A m e r i c a o n his side, w a s h o p i n g to g a i n a q u i c k v i c t o r y o v e r Iran, so that he c o u l d fulfil his d r e a m of a t t a i n i n g r e g i o n a l mastery. T h e U S , a c o u n t r y w h i c h does not l i k e to see a n y state i n the M i d d l e East g a i n i n g s t r e n g t h (with the e x c e p t i o n of Israel) w a n t e d Iran a n d Iraq to fight for as l o n g as possible, thereby weakening both countries.

Saddam gradually became disenchanted w i t h the US, firstly after t h e Israeli strike o n Iraq's n u c l e a r i n s t a l l a t i o n , a n d later b y the e x p o s u r e of the T r a n - C o n t r a ' s c a n d a l .

A f t e r the eight y e a r w a r w i t h Iran, a w a r w h i c h brought immense destruction and loss of life to b o t h c o u n t r i e s , a n d y e t b r o u g h t n o r e a l gains to e i t h e r side, S a d d a m put pressure o n K u w a i t a n d S a u d i A r a b i a to stop d e m a n d i n g debt p a y m e n t s f r o m Iraq, his r e a s o n b e i n g that his c o u n t r y suffered e c o n o m i c a l l y w h i l e d e f e n d i n g t h e m f r o m Iran. S a d d a m also d e m a n d e d p a y m e n t s f r o m K u w a i t for d r o p p i n g o i l prices against O P E C regulations, c l a i m i n g that this cost Iraq ÂŁ14 b i l l i o n a n n u a l l y .

12

FELIX

I urge a l l those w h o support the w a r t o t h i n k a n d l e a r n about the h i s t o r y of W e s t e r n interference i n the M i d d l e East, a n d to engage i n debate about t h e necessity of the w a r , a d e b a t e w h i c h has b e e n almost c o m p l e t e l y suppressed b y t h e m e d i a . N o d o u b t those of y o u w h o support the w a r don't l i k e it a n d its brutality, but feel that it is a necessary e v i l . W e l l , b e f o r e y o u c o m m i t yourself to s u p p o r t i n g mass g e n o c i d e , y o u h a v e a responsibility t o l e a r n m o r e about the issues i n v o l v e d .

I b e l i e v e that the US i n t e n d e d to fight a w a r against Iraq as s o o n as it s a w that it w a s getting t o o s t r o n g . T h e U S s a w the t e n s i o n g r o w i n g b e t w e e n Iraq a n d K u w a i t a n d almost e n c o u r a g e d Iraq to i n v a d e .

P r i o r to the i n v a s i o n , the U S A m b a s s a d o r to B a g h d a d s a i d that the U S h a d n o o p i n i o n o n Iraq's b o r d e r disputes w i t h K u w a i t , a n d e v e n w h i l e S a d d a m was m a s s i n g his troops o n the b o r d e r w i t h K u w a i t the U S w a s n e g o t i a t i n g o n loans w i t h Iraq. T h i s s h o w s that t h e U S effectively gave a 'green l i g h t ' for S a d d a m to i n v a d e , so that t h e U S c o u l d use 'the l i b e r a t i o n of K u w a i t ' (liberation for w h o m , the c o r r u p t S a b a h f am i ly o r the m i g r a n t w o r k e r s w h o a c t u a l l y r a n t h e country?) as a pretext for t a k i n g m i l i t a r y c o n t r o l o v e r the r e g i o n , a n d starting a w a r . S o m e w o u l d say that t hey g a v e S a d d a m five m o n t h s to l e a v e K u w a i t , thus a l l o w i n g h i m to secure p e a c e , but the U S

refused to c o m p r o m i s e i n a n y w a y d u r i n g t h e i r negotiations. T h e clearest i n d i c a t i o n of this is their v e t o of the F r e n c h p e a c e p r o p o s a l o n J a n u a r y 14. T h e U S k n e w that S a d d a m , f e a r i n g his d e p o s i t i o n , w o u l d not l e a v e K u w a i t w i t h o u t a facesaving compromise.

I t h i n k that the U S w a n t e d to avert a n y chances of a peaceful settlement, a n d this is w h y it refused to link t h e i n v a s i o n of K u w a i t to the i n v a s i o n of Palestine a n d its c o n t i n u i n g o c c u p a t i o n , a l i n k w h i c h I a n d m i l l i o n s of o t h e r p e o p l e c a n see v e r y easily. Israel, a state c r e a t e d a n d g i v e n t r e m e n d o u s s u p p o r t b y the W e s t , l i k e Saddam, invaded a country recognised b y the U N , Israel, l i k e S a d d a m has e x p r e s s e d interests i n e x t e n d i n g its r e g i o n a l p o w e r .

Israel, l i k e S a d d a m , has t r i e d to b u i l d nuclear w e a p o n s , but u n l i k e h i m , has succeeded i n building a hundred w a r h e a d s , s o m e of w h i c h m a y be used i n

this w a r . A n d y e t for a l l these s i m i l a r i t i es b e t w e e n S a d d a m a n d Israel's i n v a s i o n s , the U S has refused t o l i n k t h e t w o together. S o m e m a y argue that Israel has d o n e a l l these things for its security. O n e c o u l d argue that S a d d a m too, i n v a d e d K u w a i t for his o w n security, a l t h o u g h I t h i n k that this does not justify his i n v a s i o n , a n i n v a s i o n w h i c h I totally c o n d e m n . ' T h e r e ' s a difference', s o m e p e o p l e m i g h t say, ' S a d d a m is a b r u t a l i n d i v i d u a l , his security is n o t i m p o r t a n t , a n d he s h o u l d not exist'. T h i s is true e n o u g h , but Israel, i n its present f o r m , is b l a t a n t l y racist a n d b r u t a l , a n d n e v e r should have existed.

T h e US, a c o u n t r y w h i c h g a v e m i l l i o n s to the Contras s o that t hey c o u l d terrorise thousands of i n n o c e n t c i v i l i a n s i n Nicaragua, a country which backed P i n o c h e t , a b r u t a l di c t at o r, so that he could overthrow a democracy i n Chile,

says that it is fighting for d e m o c r a c y . I b e l i e v e that t h e Iraqi p e o p l e h a v e s t r i v e n for d e m o c r a c y for the past 22 years, but their efforts h a v e b e e n s u p r e s s e d b y the B a ' a t h P a r t y of S a d d a m , a P a r t y w h i c h w a s g i v e n help b y the U S , m u c h i n t h e s a m e w a y as P i n o c h e t of C h i l e , a n d t h e C o n t r a s i n N i c u r a g u a . F o r y e a r s the Iraqi p e o p l e h a v e suffered u n d e r S a d d a m a n d his r e g i m e , a r e g i m e a r m e d to the teeth b y b o t h East a n d West, b u t t h e i r cries for help w e r e al most c o m p l e t e l y i g n o r e d b y the m e d i a a n d g o v e r n m e n t s i n the West.

It was not o n l y the K u r d s w h o suffered: i n the S o u t h of Iraq t h o u s a n d s of A r a b s l i v i n g i n the m a r s h e s w e r e gassed to death, a n d yet, w i t h the e x c e p t i o n of the gas attack o n H a l a b j a , a l l o t h e r attacks o n K u r d s a n d A r a b s i n Iraq, the s u m of w h i c h resulted i n the g e n o c i d e of tens of thousands i n Iraq, w e r e a l m o s t c o m p l e t e l y i g n o r e d b y the m e d i a . T h i s is

I a p p e a l to a l l those w h o are o p p o s e d to the w a r to c a m p a i g n against it. T h e r e are m a n y p e o p l e across t h e w o r l d w h o h a v e w i l l i n g l y d i e d i n t h e i r fight for f r e e d o m of s p e e c h . Y o u h a v e that f r e e d o m , so please don't w a s t e it. Use it to stop the w a r before it spreads a n d b e c o m e s far m o r e disgusting than it a l r e a d y is. S a d d a m has said that he ' W i l l leave Iraq a b a r r e n land', m e a n i n g that he w o u l d g l a d l y sacrifice a l l of his c o u n t r y a n d its p e o p l e b e f o r e he is deposed. T h e U S k n o w s this, a n d quite f r a n k l y , does n o t g i v e a d a m n about t h e people (not e v e n their own), after a l l , t he y put h i m i n p o w e r i n the first place.

T h e c o r r u p t feudal m o n a r c h y of K u w a i t c a l l e d u p o n t h e U S to start a w a r i n o r d e r to gain their ' l i b e r a t i o n ' . I w o u l d l i k e to m a k e a c a l l f o r peace, for it is o n l y t h r o u g h peace a n d non-interference i n t h e M i d d l e East that the p e o p l e of the r e g i o n c a n b u i l d just a n d d e m o c r a t i c nations.

13

Anna

FELIX

Teeman continues to discuss her opinions

on the current crisis in the Gulf...

What Can Be Done?

W e are i n d i s p u t a b l y at w a r , but the r e a s o n w h y is u n c l e a r . T h e President of the U n i t e d States is himself confused.

P r e s i d e n t B u s h has g i v e n a v a r i e t y of justifications for w a r . T h e c y n i c s see this as w e a k n e s s but the truth is that he b e l i e v e s e v e r y reason he gives. W h a t he says v a r i e s s i m p l y because he is a t t e m p t i n g to give a p a r t i c u l a r reason at a p a r t i c u l a r t i m e to be in line w i t h p u b l i c opinion.

A t one stage w e h e a r d that o i l was the r e a s o n to go to war. M r B u s h said this not just b e c a u s e he b e l i e v e d it but because he t h o u g h t that it was w h a t p e o p l e w a n t e d to hear. It is the one r e a s o n that has b e e n c o n d e m n e d b y p e a c e activists globally. T h e a r g u m e n t is ' w o u l d the i n t e r n a t i o n a l c o m m u n i t y , or U S A , have i n t e r f e r e d if K u w a i t h a d g r o w n vegetables?' T h e West has a history of interference i n the a r e a that is b a s e d o n it's p r e s e n c e at the b i r t h of the M i d d l e East o i l i n d u s t r y . T h e W e s t e r n p r e s e n c e i n the M i d d l e East has b e e n a reality for m a n y years. T h e West w a s n e v e r present in A f g h a n i s t a n . T h e W e s t e r n i n v o l v e m e n t i n the Gulf W a r is a n e x t e n s i o n of this h i s t o r i c a l interference.

It c a n be a r g u e d that the Gulf W a r is about o i l , but o n t w o different levels: firstly, h i s t o r i c a l l i n k a g e w i t h the W e s t t h r o u g h the o i l i n d u s t r y , a n d s e c o n d l y , an attempt to p r o t e c t about a quarter of the w o r l d ' s k n o w n o i l reserves. A s the w o r l d ' s e n e r g y policies s t a n d , these o i l reserves are v i t a l to the m a i n t e n a n c e of our m o d e r n lifestyle. T h e m o r a l v a l i d i t y of W e s t e r n i n v o l v e m e n t in the conflict is not so easily d e f e n d e d on it's historical setting. T h i s i n t e r f e r e n c e is b a s e d u p o n w e s t e r n g r e e d for the benefits of A r a b o i l .

H o w d i d e v e r y d a y h u m a n greed c a r r y the M i d d l e East to a conflict situation?

T h e W e s t e r n A l l i a n c e w i t h its E u r o p e a n , A m e r i c a n a n d A r a b m e m b e r s is at w a r with an A r a b country. The predominantly W e s t e r n - l e d A l l i a n c e is fighting an eastern c o u n t r y . West m e t East a n d not o n l y didn't k n o w w h a t to say but it didn't k n o w w h a t l anguag e to use. Neither East n o r West was w i l l i n g to lose face, but the W e s t w a s t o t a l ly u n w i l l i n g to c o m p r o m i s e . T h e W e s t e r n p e r c e p t i o n of the m o r a l i t y of the s i t u a t i o n is of no p r a c t i c a l v a l u e . T h e i r attempts at negotiation w e r e based on a radically different p e r c e p t i o n of the situation f r o m the A r a b p o i n t of v i e w . T h e West folded its a r m s a n d passed j u d g e m e n t o n Iraq, f r o m an e n t i r e l y W e s t e r n set of m o r a l values. T h e F r e n c h (admittedly a n a t i o n that has r e a p e d e n o r m o u s profits f r o m a r m s sales to the A r a b states a n d of A r g e n t i n e E x o c e t fame) d i d attempt negotiations w i t h the A r a b s on their terms.

O n their p o l i t i c a l i n v o l v e m e n t a n d d i p l o m a c y , n o W e s t e r n a l l y is blameless.

Iraq has b e e n a r m e d a n d funded b y the

14

West. Iran w a s also a r m e d b y the West.

Iran a n d Iraq bought W e s t e r n w e a p o n s a n d filled W e s t e r n coffers. Not o n l y d i d the W e s t e r n c o u n t r i e s r e a p e n o r m o u s financial r e w a r d s , but for y e a r s stood b y a n d w a t c h e d A r a b k i l l A r a b . T h e n the u n t h i n k a b l e h a p p e n e d , Iran a n d Iraq s t o p p e d fighting. Iraq, u n d e r a b r u t a l dictatorship, still f u n c t i o n e d as a c o h e s i v e unit. It seems h a r d l y s u r p r i s i n g that a c o u n t r y a r m e d to its teeth s h o u l d enter a n e w conflict.

M u c h has b e e n said about one i n d i v i d u a l , P r e s i d e n t S a d d a m H u s s e i n , as if the w a r w a s solely due to h i m . H u s s e i n is p r o d u c t of w e s t e r n g r e e d , ineffectual diplomacy and irresponsible meddling.

T h e A m e r i c a n s , u n d e r the aegis of the C I A , a c t i v e l y s p o n s o r e d the rise of H u s s e i n in Iraq. B o t h Iraq a n d its leader are the F r a n k e n s t e i n c r e a t i o n s of the West.

N o w b l a m e is allotted, w h e r e do w e go f r o m here? A t the e n d of this w a r (as at the e n d of a n y war) there w i l l be a peace conference. A t the e n d of t h e S e c o n d W o r l d W a r , the aggressor, G e r m a n y , w a s not s h a c k l e d or f i n a n c i a l l y u n d e r m i n e d , she was d i s a r m e d but her infrastructure was rebuilt a n d a n e w s o c i e t y was b o r n .

Despite the o b v i o u s inequities of the l a n d settlements that a c c o m p a n i e d peace, E u r o p e has b e e n in a stable state for o v e r

fifty years a n d G e r m a n y has n e v e r since b e e n a n aggressor: in fact, quite the opposite. A t a Gulf peace table the w e s t e r n allies w i l l sit a l o n g s i d e M i d d l e East leaders. T h e West c a n n o t i m p o s e either its m o r a l s or culture o n that peace conference. T h e c o u n t r i e s of the M i d d l e East must be the major p l a y e r s i n the negotiations a n d the West must act just as observers, or, at most, i n t e r m e d i a r i e s .

T h e o n l y g o o d to c o m e f r o m this t e r r i b l e conflict w o u l d be a long-lasting p e a c e b a s e d o n solutions to a l l the g r i e v a n c e s of this t r o u b l e d r e g i o n . S u c h solutions i n c l u d e the r e s t o r a t i o n of K u w a i t i b o r d e r s , Iraqi d i s a r m a m e n t , a n d the r e s o l u t i o n of the Israeli-Palestinian p r o b l e m . T h e role of the W e s t is not to dictate h o w these p r o b l e m s are s o l v e d , but to sit s i l e n t l y a n d o b s e r v e , a n d if requested, to a i d c o m m u n i c a t i o n s . If w e do not trust o u r M i d d l e E a s t e r n c o u n t e r p a r t s to sort out t h e i r o w n p r o b l e m s , it is a reflection of o u r o w n a r r o g a n c e rather t h a n the r e a l i t y of the situation.

A cessation of hostilities in the a r e a w i l l p r o v i d e the M i d d l e East w i t h an o p p o r t u n i t y to settle its p r o b l e m s a n d p r o v i d e the W e s t w i t h a r o u t e out of the interference a n d m e d d l i n g that has c o n t r i b u t e d to w h a t w i l l p e r h a p s be the bloodiest of m o d e r n wars.

Cat Rapes Dog —Gods, Guns & Gasoline Pure electro t h r a s h , Cat Rapes Dog c o m e at y o u t h i c k a n d fast. T h e beat is p o u n d i n g , ceaseless. T h e v o c a l s hoarse a n d t o r t u r e d . T h i s is the s o u n d of a c o r r u p t society l e a d i n g to d e a t h .

Gods, Guns and Gasoline is the first a l b u m f r o m this S w e d i s h d u o a n d it's not f r o m the s a m e planet as Abba. K i c k i n g the shit out of the corpse of a c i d house, the a l b u m d r a w s its i n s p i r a t i o n f r o m similar 'electro terrorists' l i k e Frontline Front 242 a n d Skinny Puppy.

Assembly, T h e major t h e m e is seen i n the first track, American Dream, 'this is m y rifle, this is m y g u n ' , a n d c o n t i n u e s d o w n the t r a c k list w i t h songs l i k e Homo Bulldozer a n d An Ass For A Brain. A n d m a k e no m i s t a k e , these a r e songs, not a mindless beat w i t h d r i v e l o v e r the t o p . E a c h one is C A R E F U L L Y t o r t u r e d — these p e o p l e w a n t to scare, w a n t to obliterate. E v e n then, a tune seems in d a n g e r of p o k i n g out of s o m e t r a c k s , p a r t i c u l a r l y the title song.

LP

La Dr Phibes & the House p of Wax

'Wmm

.Jit:

J

m1 :::

wmm

m§ does r e v e a l a post Golden Generation 1988 feel s e r v i n g o n l y to i m p r o v e the a l b u m b y s l i g h t l y d i s t a n c i n g the b a n d f r o m their hard-beat c o n t e m p o r i e s . But t h e n , Allt Hag Jar re-emphasises Cat Rapes Dog's stance. T h e v o c a l s c r a w l i n g o v e r a carefully s e q u e n c e d d r u m a n d bass p a t t e r n a n d the s a m p l e a c t u a l l y fits i n !

T h i s is d a n c e m u s i c w i t h a difference.

N o mindless d r u g haze h e r e but a h e i g h t e n e d state, tight r h y t h m s a n d a c l e a n p r o d u c t i o n c l a w i n g at y o u r feet.

M u s i c for the m o d e r n w o r l d as it tries to destroy itself.

T h e Paleoethnobotanist.

The Hollow Men —Pink Panther (Panthera Rosa) 12 Pink by name, pink by cover and pink v i n y l . T h e d e l u g e of utter p i n k n e s s that radiates f r o m t h e turntable is b l i n d i n g . 1 haven't seen a n y t h i n g this p i n k since

M l SIC

Lullaby. T h e o n l y t h i n g to anticipate is the c o l o u r e d cassette single.

T h e song is as bright a n d h a p p y as the pretty p i n k c o v e r but a lot less distressing o n the eyes a n d b r a i n . But... u n l u c k y !

T h e o n l y m e m o r a b l e t h i n g about this IS the p i n k v i n y l , as unless Panthera Rosa is a flower, there's little else to do w i t h oddc o l o u r e d cats or Inspector C l u e s o .

T h e flip holds a c o u p l e of e q u a l l y u n m e m o r a b l e t r a c k s . Rainy Day is a d a m p dirge of misery, but is e n v i g o u r e d b y the last t r a c k . T h i s is a h e a d y folky swirl complete with violins, harmonica a n d i n a p p r o p r i a t e vocals. N e v e r m i n d .

T h e A-side is 'nice' e n o u g h to m a k e up for it, as it left m e t r i p p i n g across s u n n y b l o o m s w i t h t h e sweet scent of flowers in the air.

M i n d - n u m b i n g relief after a v i s u a l burn-out.

SJH

—Sugarhlast

12"

I must a d m i t w h e n I first r e c e i v e d this r e c o r d I c r i n g e d , the c o v e r w r e a k e d of M a n c h e s t e r . B u t was I i n for a surprise?

A f t e r w r e s t l i n g w i t h m y flatmates r e c o r d p l a y e r , w h i c h seems to enjoy p l a y i n g records at e v e r y speed e x c e p t 4 5 r p m , I was g r e e t e d b y a fade-in of feedback w h i c h l e d into a n Interesting Bass L i n e . I felt at first that this r h y t h m s h o u l d be a n n o y i n g m e but I l i k e d it. T h i n g s got better; in c a m e s o m e e x c e l l e n t c h u n k y guitar f o l l o w e d b y r e l a x e d v o c a l s that m a y h a v e b e e n h a p p i e r o n a s l o w Happy Mondays s o n g . T h e s e s o o n c h a n g e d as the s o n g got louder a n d l o u d e r w i t h choruses of 'Sugarblast' b e i n g s c r e a c h e d a n d g l o r i o u s l y o v e r d r i v e n guitar s c r e a m i n g i n the forefront.

T h e t r a c k ends b y u n e x p e c t e d l y c h a n g i n g into a d r e a m y d r u g i n d u c e d sequence of soft vocals a n d o d d noises w h i c h lead perfectly into the n e x t track, / Am The Sky, w h i c h sounds l i k e a n a d v e n t u r e into t h e r e a l m s of the delay p e d a l . Just as t h e t r a c k gets g o i n g it is sadly faded o u t o n l y to be c o n t i n u e d o n the B-side as a n intro to the final song, Marshmallow Madness. T h i s starts off w i t h s o m e beautiful flanged guitar a n d m e l l o w l y r i c s that lure y o u into a false sense of s e c u r i t y t h e n o n c e a g a i n the guitars take o v e r in a c o n f u s i o n of o v e r d r i v e a n d w a h - w a h . I don't k n o w if t h e y have r e l e a s e d an a l b u m but if so it's definitely w o r t h a look at.

Brian.

sugar-blast

u

15

Brits A w a r d s

—Wembley Arena, 19.1.91

For the second night of Wembley's own Greatest Hits Parade, the line-up promised a riot. The only night to be sold out with touts asking up to ÂŁ95 per seat.

The Wedding Present

Billy Bragg Y e s , i n d e s p e r a t i o n to afflict as m a n y people as possible w i t h his dirgant w h i n i n g , B i l l y B r a g g w a l k e d o n . M o s t of W e m b l e y w a l k e d out. O b v i o u s l y the s h o c k of seeing h i m at n i n e t e e n different angles o n the i m m e n s e o v e r h e a d v i d e o s c r e e n was too m u c h of a s h o c k for them.

Gedge's

Ride T h e fans, b a g g i e s a n d C u r e - h e a d s a l i k e , b o u n c e d b a c k for y o u n g demi-gods, Ride.

A l l bands w e r e s e v e r e l y s t u n t e d b y the 20 m i n u t e set b r u t a l l y i m p o s e d u p o n t h e m , but d i d not flinch. Ride gave us their schizophrenic best, including faves Dreams Burn Down a n d Chelsea Girl. T h e s o u n d was c r a p , but w h a t m o r e do y o u expect from W e m b l e y ?

Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine O n c a m e Carter, or d i d t h e y , s t a n d i n g o n either side of the stage. I e x p e c t e d t h e m to c o m e o n a n d do s o m e t h i n g interesting, silly me. T h e c o n c e p t of l i v e o b v i o u s l y b e i n g w a y a b o v e t h e i r heads as either e n d of t h e stage t h e y s t a y e d . T h e d r u m m a c h i n e l a u n c h e d i n t o t h e i r first track, I got a h e a d a c h e a n d l a u n c h e d myself t o w a r d s the exit.

bowl?

Jesus Jones N e x t c a m e the w i n n e r of T h e M e m e b e r W h o Does N o t h i n g But D a n c e S t u p i d l y a w a r d . W i l l y o u please w e l c o m e Jesus Jones? F o l l o w i n g the c u r r e n t t r e n d , t h e y a d v e r t i s e d t h e i r latest hits w i t h a q u i c k p l u g for T h e N e w A l b u m (out n e x t week!). ' B a c k o n Planet P u r p l e , things are getting Real,' but no-one c a r e d that the songs s o u n d e d the s a m e w h e n their c r a z e d circus gave so m u c h to w a t c h .

A n d the m e m b e r s definitely H A D to w a t c h the guitarist's l e t h a l l y f l y i n g hair.

T h e v i d e o close-ups shot at t y p i c a l l y d r u n k e n T O T P s a n d D E F II angles r e v e a l e d suitable e x p r e s s i o n s of glee, ecstacy, i n s a n i t y a n d , of c o u r s e , b l i n d p a n i c . G o o d o n v i d e o but b o r i n g live, w i t h n o n e of the w i l d n e s s of the e a r l y Freakol days. T h e y d i d n ' t e v e n p l a y Info Next!

New Model A r m y F r e s h from their tour, New Model Army h a d a perfected set, if s o m e w h a t m i n i s c u l e for s u c h a n epic b a n d . If e v e r a b a n d d e s e r v e d m o r e it w a s n o w . B e t w e e n t h e m , the Cure a n d NMA fans h a d s o l d W e m b l e y out a n d it s h o w e d .

T h e p l a i n t i v e notes of a live electric v i o l i n t o l d us w e w e r e i n for this epic, a n d Vagabonds began. S l a d e s u r v e y e d his m i n i o n s , just as harsh, c o n v i c t i n g a n d u n c o m p r o m i s i n g t h r o u g h the eyes of the ruthless c a m e r a . H e c o m m a n d e d the e n c a p s u l a t e d c r o w d l i k e a t h i r t y foot i c o n f r o m the s c r e e n d a n g l i n g a b o v e . O n l y the hardest s u r v i v e d the sweat a n d v i o l e n c e of their soldiers b e l o w . T h e y don't m a k e ' e m l i k e that a n y m o r e ! O n l y NMA c o u l d b r e a t h e life a n d d e v o t i o n into the sipid venue.

Jesus Jones get Real

T h e t r ac ks w e r e c a r e f u l ly c h o s e n , the best of Thunder and Consolation, from the serenity of Green and Grey to the c l i m a x / Love The World a n d the single (as ever) Get Me Out. F i n a l l y this h a d b e c o m e a gig r a t h e r t h e n a giant T V show.

N o w time for The Wedding Present to r u i n the a t m o s p h e r e a n d Gedgie's silly haircut. T h e c r o w d l o v e d t h e m , u m p i n g up a n d d o w n , s w a y i n g f r o m side to side to the three c h o r d s , a n d s o m e d o i n g s o m e v e r y o d d things o n the steps n e x t to me. I a l m o s t forgot I hate The Wedding Present a n d j o i n e d i n .

The Cure A n d indeed they were, heralded on by video, a The Mish's Tower Of Strength tribute to W a y n e Hussey's p r e s e n c e tonight. T h e c r o w d r o a r e d at the vaguest m o v e m e n t o n stage, those d r o w n e d i n b a g g y t-shirts as w e l l as those d r o w n e d i n hair. T h e n t h e l e g e n d lit t h e stage a n d Pictures Of You t i n g l e d d o w n . N o w the s c r e e n was useless, d r e n c h e d in too m u c h d r y ice a n d a t m o s p h e r e to be seen, but all eyes w e r e o n the b a n d and... R o b e r t Smith's p o n y - t a i l ! Start s p o t t i n g those n e w cult hairdos t o d a y .

W o u l d t h e y p l a y the Mixed Up hashes or e v e n dare a n y t h i n g n e w ? N o , it was yet a n o t h e r Greatest Hits P a r a d e , a l l h i g h l y sterile to fit as m a n y p o p singles into the a l l o t e d 45 m i n u t e s . T h e baggies l o v e d it. T h e fans s w e a t e d . The Cure w e r e a success, but s e e m e d a little s h y at t h e y ' r e T V g l o r y as B o b H i m s e l f h u n c h e d a n d s n a r l e d a n d l a u g h e d b e h i n d his o v e r s i z e c l o t h e s a n d hair.

Thankfully, they were divinely allowed an e n c o r e to b r i n g the festival to a close.

W e were given Five Imaginary Boys w ho are still capable of a cult f o l l o w i n g , i n t e r n a t i o n a l prestige a n d a place in today's chart. A n d w i t h the e m o t i o n a l flood of Disintegration, the s o n g w h i c h ' s h o u l d have b e e n a single', W e m b l e y a g a i n s u b s i d e d into silence a n d w a i t e d for the n e x t l e g e n d to a r r i v e .

The Cure are Never

Enough

T h e M o r o n s F r o m Planet P u r p l e

Bitch Magnet

H

Bitch Magnet is A m e r i c a n slang for a l o o k e r , a b l o k e w h o attracts c h i c k s w i t h o u t h a v i n g to do so m u c h as w i g g l e a n e y e b r o w . T h e y don't s o u n d l i k e l o o k e r s . T h e y don't s o u n d sane. T h i s b a n d is about s c r e a m i n g n o i s e a n d j u d d e r i n g sense d y n a m i c s .

N o w that the thirst for A m e r i c a n r o c k ' n ' r o l l has d i e d d o w n Bitch Magnet are r e d u c e d to the l e v e l t hey k n o w . T h i s does not m e a n t h e i r E u r o p e a n t o u r started w e l l . O n the c o n t r a r y , t h e i r date s u p p o r t i n g t h e Wedding Present at the K i l b u r n N a t i o n a l was a w r e c k . F o r a b a n d used to p l a y i n g to a m a x i m u m a u d i e n c e of 200 the c r o w d of t h o u s a n d s , w h o w e r e n ' t p a r t i c u l a r l y interested i n a n y t h i n g w i t h o u t D a v i d G e d g e , was d a u n t i n g to

say the least. T o c o m p o u n d this, their t o u r v a n had b e e n b r o k e n into a n d t h e y ' d lost their guitars, t-shirts, c a s h a n d c u s t o m amp.

Perhaps u n l u c k i l y their last tour c o i n c i d e d w i t h the sub-pop b o o m a n d t he y w e r e q u i c k l y p i c k e d up a n d p r o m o t e d in the n a t i o n a l m u s i c press.

T h i s is a stark contrast to their recent situation w h e r e the o n l y a t t e n t i o n was a t w o star r e v i e w .

But their m a t e r i a l is i m p r e s s i v e a n d the n e w a l b u m , Ben Hur, definitely represents the q u a l i t y side of A m e r i c a n m us i c. T h e r a w p o w e r , of this, their t h i r d release is s t r e n g t h e n e d b y the p r o d u c t i o n of the noise god. S t e v e A l b i n i , w h o s e r o u g h e n g i n e e r i n g a n d fetish for p o w e r f u l beats a n d s c r a t c h y guitars is c l e a r l y audible.

T h e p r o g r e s s i o n f r o m Star Booty ('1 still don't k n o w h o w 1 got that guitar sound') to Umber a n d n o w Ben Hur is n a t u r a l .

T h e r o u g h e r s o u n d s are s m o o t h e d out a n d all that r e m a i n s is the m o r e m u s i c a l tones w i t h o u t a l l the noise. T h e guitar s o u n d is still c r a z e d a n d S o o y o u n g P a r k ' s b a r e l y audible vocals still relate the tales of their A m e r i c a n e x p e r i e n c e . A b o v e all else a t h r e a d of t h i n l y c o n c e a l a b l e v i o l e n c e runs t h r o u g h the L P . T h e a u r a of the b a n d c e r t a i n l y c o n t r a d i c t s s u c h a n o b s e r v a t i o n a n d singer/bassist S o o y o u n g P a r k c l a i m s not to have b e e n in a fight since the age of e l e v e n .

mm

u n d e r the spotlight. A s s o o n as the first few riffs h a n g o v e r the c r o w d the b a n d t r a n s f o r m . W i e l d i n g guitars as t e r r i b le w e a p o n s . A f t e r o p e n i n g w i t h perhaps their least instant song, Dragoon, and r u n n i n g t h r o u g h most of Ben Hur t hey r e v e r t e d to t h e o l d favourites of Star Booty. A l t h o u g h the d i s t i n c t i v e guitar s o u n d has b e e n lost w i t h the a m p he still m a n a g e s to b e n d his strings into shapes w h i c h p r e v i o u s l y e x i s t e d solely in his head.

W h a t m o r e c a n I say? A great b u n c h of guys w h o I sat a n d t a l k e d to for t w o hours w i t h o u t g l e a n i n g a n y juicy c h u n k s of gossip a n d w h o p l a y shit-hot A m e r i c a n hardcore/rock ' n ' roll.

Seb.

It is o n the stage that the b a n d s c h i t z o p h r e n i c tendencies are b r o u g h t

17

W i t h A Fistful of Dollars Sergio L e o n e r e v i t a l i s e d the w e s t e r n g e n r e b y i n t r o d u c i n g us to the m a n w i t h no n a m e , s h o o t i n g an u n k n o w n b y the n a m e of Clint E a s t w o o d to instant s t a r d o m , a n d so establishing t h e spaghetti w e s t e r n . H e f o l l o w e d up o n his success w i t h For a Few Dollars More a n d The Good the Bad and the Ugly. T h e last of t h e m , a n epic, b e i n g the most stylish a n d classiest of t h e m a l l . It stars, of course, o u r m a i n

Football

IC II—9 (4) L o n d o n H o s p i t a l — 1 (1) Post c a r n i v a l h a n g o v e r s a n d r e l u c t a n c e to go to w a r c o u l d not stop IC r o m p i n g to v i c t o r y , despite not p l a y i n g to full p o t e n t i a l . L o n d o n Hospital's said missile w a s no m a t c h for the s u p e r i o r f i r e p o w e r of IC's patriot, hat-trick h e r o e s S B a r r y and M Abdo.

A belated debut goal f r o m IC's m i d f i e l d g e n e r a l , S W a t s o n , a n d t w o fine salvos f r o m A J a l a n sealed the v i c t o r y . A fine debut b y D P h i l l i p s also g a v e IC's c o m m a n d e r i n chief p l e n t y to be satisfied w i t h , but stressed c a u t i o n to his troops o v e r the battles to c o m e .

m a n Clint (the good), L e e V a n Cleef (the bad) a n d E l i W a l l a c h (the ugly). T h e story c o n c e r n s three o u t l a w s d u r i n g the p e r i o d of the A m e r i c a n c i v i l w a r a n d their s e a r c h for a large s u p p l y of C o n f e d e r a t e g o l d h i d d e n i n a g r a v e y a r d . E a c h of t h e m k n o w s o n e of the clues to its l o c a t i o n , h o w e v e r , of c o u r s e there is no trust b e t w e e n t h e m , a n d e a c h is intent o n d o u b l e c r o s s i n g the others.

T h e film is a classic, the a c t i o n is

IC 4 t h s - 4 London Hosptial 2nds—3 In a t h r i l l i n g g a m e , p l a y e d in terrible c o n d i t i o n s , the 4ths s h o w e d i m m e n s e c h a r a c t e r i n fighting b a c k f r o m 3-1 d o w n for a s p e c t a c u l a r w i n . H a l f w a y t h r o u g h the first half, N a r i n d e r , the 4ths c a p t a i n , t r i e d to p l a y his w a y out of defence, but w a s of course dispossessed, l e a v i n g their striker n e e d i n g o n l y to fart to score: 0-1.

K e v M c C a n n t h e n e q u a l i s e d f r o m ten y a r d s a n d it was o n l y a great save f r o m M a r t i n A t h e r t o n that kept the score l e v e l at half-time. A f t e r 20 m i n u t e s into the s e c o n d half t h e y w e r e 3-1 d o w n . T h e o p p o s i t i o n t h e n d e c i d e d that t h e y d i d not w a n t to w i n after a l l . W i t h t e n m i n u t e s left N a r i n d a f u m b l e d in a l u c k y deflection to m a k e it 3-2, a n d w i t h the g o a l of the g a m e , D a m o n t h o m a s a l m o s t burst the b a l l w i t h a s t u n n i n g half-volley f r o m 20 yards. Finally, with a minute remaining, K e v was put into the c l e a r a n d he c o o l y beat the k e e p e r for p e r h a p s the most astonishing c o m e b a c k of the season.

b r e a t h t a k i n g , the a t m o s p h e r e s u m p t u o u s , the tension u n b e a r a b l e a n d the m u s i c is s i m p l y superb a n d unforgettable. N e x t T h u r s d a y , F i l m S o c w i l l be s h w o i n g the film in M e c h E n g 220 at the earlier t i m e of 7 p m , in s u p e r b i g ' C i n e m a s c o p e ' . T h i s is a treat not to be missed, e s p e c i a l l y at S I . 5 0 , or better still, w h y not take up m e m b e r s h i p at o n l y £3 a n d get in free.

Hang Gliding T h e C h r i s t m a s course p r o v e d to be a great success w i t h five p e o p l e g a i n i n g their F l s a n d three their E P C s .

Discretionary awards T h e Saif S a u d i worst p a c k i n g of c a n o p y a w a r d (5 points) T h e Y a s m i n S a u d i longest r u n w i t h o u t t a k e off a w a r d — 3 0 metres (10 points) T h e N i c k B a r r y longest d r a g b a c k o v e r top of hill a w a r d — 2 0 metres (20 points) T h e Steve D o d s o n d o w n w i n d l andi ng s a w a r d — t h r e e o n the same d a y (30 points) T h e D e n n i s F u r e y w o r s t tangle a w a r d e x t e n d e d to a n o t h e r p a r a g l i d e r in process of t a k i n g off (40 points) T h e S i m o n H a l l highest e n c o u n t e r w i t h a tree a w a r d — s i x metres a b o v e the g o u n d (50 points) The B e a m and K e l v i n discretion a w a r d — not a single m i s h a p r e p o r t e d (0 points)

Scribblers' C o r n e r Athena Carries On W h a t s

LETTERS

On

A N UP-TO-THE-MINUTE GUIDE TO EVENTS.

6. O k Pro-Life time. First let's talk about the six G U Y S that wrote this letter (issue 885, D a Capo), they're G U Y S ! God-squad for that matter. No doubt y o u believe a w o m a n s h o u l d stay at h o m e , a n d have at least five c h i l d r e n (condoms aren't a l l o w e d are they?) thus b a l l o o n i n g the a l r e a d y huge p o p u l a t i o n . M a y b e that's a bit e x t r e m e but 1 r e a l l y h a v e h a d e n o u g h of religious self-righteous bullshit, especially w h e n these m e n (?) w i l l n e v e r require an abortion.

Let's talk a b o u t the Pro-Life w o r l d . T h e w o m a n w h o is r a p e d a n d r e m i n d e d for nine m o n t h s of her h u m i l i a t i o n . W h o perhaps e v e n t u a l l y takes h e r o w n life, or dies h a v i n g a back-street a b o r t i o n . A n d here is the bit that m e n c a n n o t c o m p r e h e n d : a w o m a n c a n feel s u c h m a t e r n a l instinct that she w o u l d k e e p the b a b y , e v e n t h o u g h it r e m i n d s her of her o r d e a l . O r m o r e g e n e r a l l y , e v e n if she c a n n o t p r o p e r l y l o o k after it. She w i l l often s u b c o n c i o u s l y m a k e the chi l d's life hell.

F o r fifty t h o u s a n d y e a r s , u n t i l m a y b e forty years ago, the female m i n d has d e v e l o p e d r e q u i r i n g different instincts to a man's. She must s h o w s t r o n g m a t e r n a l instinct, must a c f s u b m i s s i v e to the m a n .

A n d free f r o m the p h y s i c a l aspect of life, she must d e v e l o p a s u p e r i o r intellect v i t a l i n e n s u r i n g t h e s t a n d i n g of the family.

H o w a n y m e n c a n dare to p r e s u m e that t h e y c a n pass j u d g e m e n t o n a b o r t i o n , a t h i n g t h e y c a n n o t possibly u n d e r s t a n d , pisses m e off. H o w e v e r it is consistent w i t h m y v i e w of C h r i s t i a n h y p o c r i t e s .

But for those of y o u w h o are u n d e c i d e d I w o u l d say this. T h e p r o b l e m w e face is not so s i m p l e as the P r o Life m a k e out.

W h a t must c o m e f r o m d i s c u s s i o n is p r a c t i c a l l a w . E v e n regardless of a n y m o r a l q u e s t i o n , the facts are that w o m e n w i l l a l w a y s r e q u i r e a b o r t i o n . T h e Irish a l t e r n a t i v e a p p e a r s to be i n h i b i t sex e d u c a t i o n , r e l i g i o u s l y p r o h i b i t the use of contraceptives, and m a k e abortion illegal.

Back-street a b o r t i o n s are r e a s o n e n o u g h to a l l o w legal a b o r t i o n . T h e l a w must set S O M E t i m e p e r i o d after w h i c h a b o r t i o n is illegal (the m a x i m u m b e i n g the t i m e at w h i c h the b a b y c a n safely b e r e m o v e d a n d survive). H o w e v e r it is m y o p i n i o n that the u l t i m a t e d e c i s i o n s h o u l d be that of the w o m a n i n v o l v e d .

7. ' G o d c r e a t e d m a n i n his o w n i m a g e ' o n l y because the b i b l e w a s w r i t t e n b y a man.

8. W i l l y o u G o d fearing idiots stop t r e a t i n g the b i b l e as if its reliable, u n b i a s e d , p r i m a r y history e v i d e n c e . W h y a d d '(John 3:16)' as if it p r o v e s its true?

T h e b i b l e was w r i t t e n b y m e n . M e n are c o r r u p t . W h y do y o u b e l i e v e it?

O n e C h r i s t i a n said that G o d had t o ld h i m the b i b l e was true. W h e n 1 put it to h i m that M o r m o n s say that G o d tells t h e m that the b o o k of M o r m o n is true he s a i d that t h e y are h a l u c i n a t i n g . So I put it to h i m that h e says that it is possible for s o m e o n e to h a l u c i n a t e v i s i o n s of G o d .

E v e r y o n e e x c e p t h i m that is!!

Yours, Athena.

College Blackmail Dear Andy, In a n attempt to present a n honest a n d 'studenty' i m a g e of College life m a n y d e p a r t m e n t s ask students to s h o w p r o s p e c t i v e c a n d i d a t e s a r o u n d . These tours are o n l y w o r t h w h i l e if the d e p a r t m e n t s c a n find students w h o enjoy the course a n d C o l l e g e life a n d are w i l l i n g to g u i d e s c h o o l l e a v e r s a r o u n d .

The Electrical Engineering department seems s t r i k i n g l y l a c k i n g i n these students.

T h e H e a d of D e p a r t m e n t first sent out a b e g g i n g letter to s e c o n d y e a r students, a n d w h e n this failed to rouse the troops, a lecturer b o l d l y stated that students w h o s h o w e d c a n d i d a t e s a r o u n d w o u l d be a d d e d to a list. H e a d d e d that b e i n g o n this list c o u l d p o s i t i v e l y affect references g i v e n . D o 1 detect a slight hint of blackmail?

I w o u l d n o r m a l l y be v e r y h a p p y to take p e o p l e a r o u n d , I d i d so often at m y o l d s c h o o l , but 1 w o u l d be honest a n d almost c e r t a i n l y s t r o n g l y d i s c o u r a g e most applicants f r o m c o m i n g .

T h e p r o b l e m is not o n l y the E l e c t r i c a l Engineering department. I a m e m b a r r a s s e d w h e n I see students b e i n g t a k e n a r o u n d the U n i o n B u i l d i n g , t h r o u g h a p r o b a b l y e m p t y a n d not too c l e a n s n a c k bar, a n d s h o w n the l i v e l y a n d friendly h a c k bar.

U n t i l I feel that I c a n t r u t h f u l l y say that the course is s t i m u l a t i n g a n d has an e l e m e n t of p r a c t i c a l i t y 1 s h a l l not be v o l u n t e e r i n g to take people a r o u n d .

1 have a s k e d the editor to w i t h h o l d m y n a m e f r o m this article in case it a d v e r s e l y affects m y references.

An Electrical Engineering Student.

FRIDAY Hang Gliding 12.30pm Southside Upper Lounge. Come and find out about weekend training. Weekly meeting.

Yacht Club Meeting 12.30pm Huxley 413.

Rag Meeting 12.40pm Union Lounge.

Huxley Soc Bookstall l.OOpm JCR. Friday Prayers l.OOpm Southside Gym. See Islamic Society.

4.30pm Kung Fu Union Gym. C.U. Prayer Meeting 5.00pm 413 Maths.

Christian Union Meeting 6.00pm 308 Computing.

Swimming 6.30pm Sports Centre. New members always welcome.

6.40pm Fencing Club Training Club training.

Shaolin System Nam Pai Chuan 7.30pm Southside Gym. Water Polo 7.30pm Sports Centre. Come along and join in.

Southside Disco 3.30pm Southside Bar.

SATURDAY Boat Club Putney Boathouse Kung Fu Club Wu Shu Kwan in Southside Gym.

3.00pm 4.30pm

SUNDAY Sunday Service 10.00am Anteroom Sherfield Building. See West London Chaplaincy.

Catholic Chaplaincy Mass 11.00am 53 Cromwell Road.

Wargames l.OOpm U D H . A l l welcome.

Yoga 10.30am Southside Gym. Kung Fu Club 4.30pm Wu Shu Kwan in the Union Gym. Catholic Mass 6.00pm 53 Cromwell Road, followed by supper.

Boat Club 3.00pm Putney Boathouse.

MONDAY RockSoc Meeting 12.30pm Southside Upper Lounge. A l l abnormalities welcome.

Basketball Club 3.30pm Volleyball Court. Men's Team.

Keep Fit 3.30pm Southside Gym. Rock 'n' Roll Lessons 6.00pm JCR. Intermediate.

Swimming 6.30pm Sports Centre. New members always welcome.

Rock n Roll 7.00pm JCR. Beginners

19

LETTERS

What's O n

Fighting for Arts

ENTRIES S H O U L D BE IN B Y MON DAY. Wellsoc Meeting

7.30pm

Physics LT1. T i m Perrott (Chairman of Ghost Club) speaks.

Water Polo 7.30pm Sports Centre. Come along and try one of the most physically demanding sports. jS.OOpm Latin American JCR. Beginners/Improvers

TUESDAY C.U. Prayer Meeting 3.30pm Chaplain's Office Riding Club Meeting 12.30pm Southside Upper Lounge.

Radio Modellers 12.30pm Southside Lounge.

Cathsoc Mass 12.30pm Mech Eng 702. Followed by lunch.

Sailing Club 12.30pm Southside Lounge.

Envirosoc Lecture 12.45pm Mech Eng 213/214. 'Planning for sustainable development'.

PhotoSoc l.OOpm Southside Lounge. New members to join.

Radio Modellers 3.30pm Student training workshop, Mech Eng. Keep Fit 3.30pm Southside Gym. Amenesty International 3.30pm Clubs Committee Room. Weekly meeting.

Wine Tasting Soc 6.00pm Union Lounge. Weekly meeting. Everyone welcome Social Ballroom 6.00pm JCR. Beginners.

Canoe Club 6.15pm Beit Quad store or 8.30pm in Southside Upper Lounge.

Judo 6.30pm Union Gym. Latin American 7.00pm JCR. Bronze Medal Class.

Yoga 8.00pm Southside Gym. Cricket Nets 3.00pm Lords. Meet at 7.45pm in Mech Eng Foyer.

Must bring whites.

WEDNESDAY Keep Fit 12.30pm Southside Gym. l.OOpm Cycling Training Meet at Beit A r c h .

Wargames l.OOpm UDH. A l l welcome.

Micro Club Meeting 1.15pm Top floor NW corner Union Building. Every week.

Kung Fu 1.30pm Union Gym. Rowing Club 2.00pm Putney Boathouse.

Shaolin System Nam Pai Chuan 7.00pm Southside Gym.

Dear Andy, M u c h as I hate to dignify A l a n Bailey's u n e d u c a t e d a n d , I suspect, d e l i b e r a t e l y c o n t r o v e r s i a l r a n t i n the last F E L I X , 1 feel his c o m m e n t s c a n n o t be a l l o w e d to pass without reply.

B e f o r e I specifically refute his accusations against the p e r f o r m i n g arts themselves, I w o u l d l i k e to point out the i n h e r e n t l y c o n t r a d i c t o r y n a t u r e of M r B a i l e y ' s o w n a r g u m e n t . First he c r i t i c i s e d the arts as the p r e s e r v e of the m o n i e d m i n o r i t y , a n d t h e n d e m a n d s that subsidies s h o u l d be w i t h d r a w n , w h i c h w o u l d s e r v e no p u r p o s e o t h e r t h a n to force the ticket prices up, out of the hands of e v e n m o r e people, or e v e n force the theatres to close. T h e m a t t e r of subsidies is not one of c h e a p e r tickets for p e o p l e w h o w o u l d not notice t h e difference, but of s u r v i v a l for our m a i n arts centres.

T o say that 'no one g a v e a toss' about the closure of the B a r b i c a n T h e a t r e shows that M r B a i l e y doesn't p a y v e r y close attention to the m e d i a . F o r s e v e r a l w e e k s afterwards the papers w e r e full of articles a n d discussion o n this v e r y point, a n d o n the g e n e r a l state of theatre in this c o u n t r y . T h e o n l y reason that there has b e e n n o t h i n g s i n c e is that t h e subject has b e e n c o n d e m n e d to the m e d i a l i m b o of ' O l d News'. H e a p p a r e n t l y k n o w s n o t h i n g of the m a s s i v e fundraising c a m p a i g n to save the Y o u n g V i c w h e n it too e n t e r e d a financial crisis. Solely t h r o u g h p u b l i c support this y o u n g i n n o v a t i v e theatre w a s saved.

M r B a i l e y also seems to m i s u n d e r s t a n d the role of the arts. O n l y a v e r y s m a l l p r o p o r t i o n of t h e arts output is to p r o d u c e a t h i n g of beauty s o l e l y for entertainment's sake. I r o n i c a l l y , those that do are often the most successful, take for example Lloyd-Webber's musicals. They h a v e little or no e d u c a t i o n a l , or p o l i t i c a l

v a l u e , yet are b y far the most successful p r o d u c t i o n s i n the West E n d . V i r t u a l l y e v e r y other p i e c e of t h e a t r e tries i n s o m e w a y to question m o r a l , p o l i t i c a l a n d social issues, to l e a v e its a u d i e n c e n o t o n l y e n t e r t a i n e d , but also e d u c a t e d , or at least m o r e i n f o r m e d of the c o m p l e x questions that d o m i n a t e o u r lives. T h i s , I suspect, is M r B a i l e y ' s r e a l objection to the arts. His phrase 'Pathetic g o v e r n m e n t b a s h i n g e t h n i c fringe theatres' r e v e a l s a l l too c l e a r l y that he doesn't l i k e the i d e a of a n y b o d y c r i t i c i s i n g or q u e s t i o n i n g his b e l o v e d (extreme) right w i n g v i e w s . S u c h debate, A l a n , is f u n d a m e n t a l to a d e m o c r a c y s u c h as o u r s . F r e e d o m of s p e e c h is r a t h e r i m p o r t a n t , y o u k n o w .

H a v e y o u e v e r b e e n to t h e theatre? Not all of it, if a n y , is p e r f o r m e d w i t h p u r e l y anti-Tory m o t i v e s .

Indeed, the o n l y reason that the b i g c o m p a n i e s n e e d s u b s i d i s i n g is that too m a n y people have M r Bailey's bigoted t y p e v i e w s , a n d are u n w i l l i n g to t r y s o m e t h i n g different, a n d , d a r e I say it, m o r e c h a l l e n g i n g t h a n a day at the footy.

If m o r e p e o p l e d i d try the theatre, m o r e w o u l d enjoy it, a n d subsidy w o u l d be unnecessary, because of i n c r e a s e d attendance. O n e o n l y n e e d s l o o k at the r o a r i n g success of the theatre in G l a s g o w , l e a d i n g to its n o m i n a t i o n as last year's city of c u l t u r e to see that.

But I forgot didn't I? Scots don't v o t e Tory.

Yours rationally, Pendragon.

P.S. I heartily a g r e e that m o r e m o n e y s h o u l d be g i v e n to the N H S , but I t h i n k it c o u l d c o m e f r o m a better source. P e r h a p s the huge profits m a d e b y m a n y 1st D i v i s i o n football clubs, or a tax o n the m i l l i o n p o u n d transfer fees?

Pro Censorship?

Dear Sir, A s E d i t o r of F E L I X , I a m sure that y o u try to p r i n t as m a n y of the letters that y o u r e c e i v e as is possible, regardless of w h e t h e r y o u agree w i t h t h e content or not, i n o r d e r to a l l o w a full range of v i e w s a n d a r g u m e n t s to be presented.

H o w e v e r I feel that at s o m e point, y o u must e x e r c i se y o u r e d i t o r i a l p o w e r a n d say ' n o ' to letters w h i c h c a n n o t e n h a n c e or e n l i v e n y o u r m a g a z i n e in a n y w a y .

I refer in p a r t i c u l a r to the letter in last F r i d a y ' s issue (Jan 18) f r o m ' a R e a l M a n ' , o n the subject of s hag g i ng .

I assume t h e a u t h o r w r o t e the letter as a joke, to be p r o v o c a t i v e . If y o u d e c i d e d to print the letter for the same reason

t h e n I must object—since this letter is o b v i o u s l y a (sick) joke, t h e n a n y o n e w r i t i n g i n to protest w i l l be dismissed as a r a v i n g feminist w i t h no sense of h u m o u r . If y o u r a i m in p r i n t i n g the letter was to s h o w w h a t a sad case s o m e of the m e n at IC are, t h e n w h y b o t h e r ? W e c a n all see that b y l o o k i n g a r o u n d the J C R everyday.

A l t h o u g h it m a y be true that letters p r i n t e d do n o t reflect the v i e w s of the editor, I t h i n k that y o u do not do yourself justice if y o u a l l o w c o m p l e t e c r a p to be published.

Yours sincerely, Alison Payne, PG Elec Eng.

Rip-Off! Peace (?)

Dear Andy, M y parents w e r e furious that m y g r a d u a t i o n p h o t o g r a p h s w e r e , i n the w o r d s of the p h o t o g r a p h e r s 'unsuccessful'.

T h i s didn't h a p p e n to just m e — m y girlfriend's p h o t o s w e r e s i m i l a r l y unsuccessful, a n d I w o u l d l i k e to k n o w to h o w m a n y o t h e r s this h a p p e n e d .

T h e c o m p a n y to b l a m e a r e ' C a m e r a T f r o m C h e s h i r e . A s far as I a m a w a r e these are the o n l y g r a d u a t i o n d a y p h o t o g r a p h e r s , as t h e y are the o n l y ones that C o l l e ge t o l d us about i n the g r a d u a t i o n d a y i n f o r m a t i o n . A t other universities t h e r e are n o r m a l l y s e v e r a l c o m p e t i n g firms. A n y b o d y g r a d u a t i n g n e x t y e a r w o u l d be w e l l a d v i s e d to choose a different c o m p a n y if possible.

Camera 7 have returned m y money (you pay w h e n y o u r p h o t o is t a k e n a n d not w h e n the photos arrive), a n d offered to r e t a k e m y p h o t o for free. T h e y h a v e not t o l d m e h o w , w h e r e or w h e n , or whether they will provide the gown, w h i c h cost n e a r l y £20 to hire. P e r h a p s then m y p a r e n t s w i l l c a l m d o w n .

Yours annoyed, Tim Walker, Physics PG.

Dear FELIX, T h e tragic s i t u a t i o n i n the Gulf does not leave a n y o n e u n m o v e d . W e are at w a r .

P e o p l e are d y i n g — b e i n g m u r d e r e d . It does not matter w h a t p o l i t i c a l stance y o u t a k e — w e are a l l faced w i t h t h e stark r e a l i t y that a t e r r o r i s t c a m p a i g n c o u l d k i l l us or a m e m b e r of o u r f a m i l y . T h e r e are no easy resolutions to the s i t u a t i o n.

W h a t e v e r settlement is r e a c h e d — i f one is—it m a y h a v e disastrous consequence s o n the future of the M i d d l e East.

W h a t c a n I do, as a n i n d i v i d u a l eager to see a n e n d to this w a r ? T h e r e is o n l y o n e perfect s o l u t i o n to this crisis—peace that c o m e s f r o m G o d . T h e r e is no w a y that I w o u l d c l a i m that G o d is o n a n y o n e ' s side . W h e t h e r C h r i s t i a n , J e w , M u s l i m or a d h e r e n t to a n o t h e r faith, w e must unite i n p r a y e r to b r i n g peace to this situation a n d peace o n God's terms.

This is a p l e a to all to p r a y for peace.

T h e r e w i l l be a C h r i s t i a n p r a y e r m e e t i n g to p r a y for p e a c e i n the gulf. T h i s w i l l be o r g a n i s e d h o p e f u l l y , b y a joint b o d y of representatives f r o m all the student C h r i s t i a n g r o u p s i n the c o l l e g e a n d w i l l be a d v e r t i s e d o n posters a r o u n d c a m p u s .

1 w o u l d urge m y J e w i s h a n d Islamic friends, a m o n g others, to a r r a n g e s i m i l a r meetings.

Let m e finish w i t h a thought. ' F o r o u r struggle is not against flesh a n d b l o o d , b u t against the rulers, against the a u t h o r i t i e s , against the p o w e r s of this d a r k w o r l d a n d against t h e spiritual forces of e v i l in the h e a v e n l y r e a l m ' (Ephesians 6:12).

God bless you all, Mark Randall.

Dear Andy, T h a n k y o u for the i n c l u s i o n of the S C C c o l o u r s report i n F E L I X . A fascinating article s h o w i n g the d e p t h a n d p e r c e p t i o n of journalistic i n t u i t i o n s y m b o l i c of the student n e w s p a p e r at I m p e r i a l .

S l i g h l y c o n c e r n e d w h y it w a s p r i n t e d m o n t h s after it was s u b m i t t e d , but a s m a l l p r i c e to pay for h o n o u r i n g those of yesteryear.

M a y 1 also t a k e this o p p o r t u n i t y in r e m i n d i n g S C C clubs that c o l o u r s n o m i n a t i o n s for the session 1995/96 s h o u l d be s u b m i t t e d as s o o n as possible so as to m a k e a l l o w a n c e s for the r e d tape to follow.

Yours, Spenser Lane, SCC Chairman.

Racism or Fact?

Dear FELIX, I w i s h to c o m p l a i n about y o u r r e p o r t i n g of the U n i o n b a r b r a w l ( F E L I X 18.1.91). I d i d not feel it w a s of a n y r e l e v a n c e to indicate the c o l o u r of the m a n arrested for b r a w l i n g . H a d he been w h i t e I'm sure the sentence w o u l d not h a v e r e a d ' A t t e n t i o n w a s d r a w n to a w h i t e m a n w h o was h a r a s s i n g girls'. Sounds silly doesn't it?

I c a n o n l y assume that t h e article was w r i t t e n b y t h e same p e r s o n w h o r e f e r r e d to E n o c h P o w e l l as the 's p e c i a l guest' at the C o n s e r v a t i v e society a n n u a l d i n n e r .

Yours sincerely, Dilip Chauhan, Chemistry PG.

What's O n ADVERTISE Y O U R EVENT HERE. Basketball Club Volleyball Court. Women's Team

7.30pm

Kung Fu Club Union Gym. Wu Shu Kwan.

7.30pm

THURSDAY Fencing Training 11.30am Intermediate & advanced coaching.

Balloon Club Meeting 12.30pm Southside Upper Lounge.

12.30pm Y H A Meeting Southside Upper Lounge.

Postgrad Lunch 12.30pm Chaplains Office (10 Princes Gardens). See West London Chaplaincy.

Fencing Training 12.30pm Beginners Training.

Third World First Meeting 12.45pm Room 542, Level 5, Mech Eng. 'South African Front Line States'.

Huxley Society Meeting 1.00pm Huxley 340. 'Loving and Dying Without G o d Humanist Funeral and Wedding Ceremonies'—a talk by British Humanist Assoc. Chairwoman, Jane Wynne Willson.

1.30pm Fencing Training General.

Gliding Club Meeting 1.00pm Aero 266. Come and arrange a trial flight. A l l newcomers welcome.

Keep Fit 3.30pm Southside Gym Midweek Service 3.30pm Chaplains Office (10 Prince's Gardens). See West London Chaplaincy.

6.00pm Social Ballroom JCR. Intermediate.

6.30pm Judo Union Gym. Social Ballroom 7.00pm JCR. Beginners.

Latin American .8.00pm JCR. Gold medal class.

Southside Disco Ji.30pm Southside Bar. ICCAG Soup Run 3.15pm Meet Weeks Hall Basement.

ANNOUNCEMENTS • RECORD FAIR at Imperial College in the Refectory l l - 4 p m , LPs/Tapes from SI, CDs from £3, 45s and 12"s from 25p.Thursday January 31st.

ACCOMMODATION • F U L H A M F L A T SHARE. Non-smoking PG wanted for single room. Rent £51 pw. Contact Anna on 955 7472 (day) or 731 1375 (eve).

• W A N T E D : Person to share a double room in Earl's Court with three male undergrads. Rent £33 pw plus bills. Ring 071-373 6127 (eve only). Room available from Feb to June.

FOR SALE • S O N Y RECORDING Walkman, complete with microphone, auto reverse, dolby b, am/fm radio with presets, base boost, headphones.

Boxed and brand new. £95 contact Roger Attrill, Computing II. t>mmm

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RCSU HAIRDRESSERS 15A H A R R I N G T O N R O A D , SOUTH KENSINGTON 071-823 8968

We have a fantastic offer for all y o u students, a cut wash and blowdry by our top stylist (which normally costs around ÂŁ21) F o r only ÂŁ11 M e n ÂŁ12 W o m e n

Centenary Banquet & Charity Ball Friday May 3rd 1991 •Champagne reception •5 course banquet

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Tickets ÂŁ60 From the RCSU Office ext 8675

A t Last...He's Back!!

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Editorial Stuff I forgot Just a little thing (don't even think it) that you might find interesting. Last Thursday College released a statement (it was in Felix, on page 3) which basically said that there's nothing to worry about as far as the Iraqi embassy is concerned, and that we should all be good little boys and girls and still turn up to lectures. Fair enough.

The only thing is, when Felix attempted to contact Angus Fraser (Managing Director of College) to get a comment about the statement, he wasn't in college.

Neither was His Rectorness. Neither was Gordon Marshall, although his secretary assured Felix that he would be in college at 3.00pm. At 3.00pm she claimed that he '...had been in, but was now gone for the rest of the day...'.

Well, I certainly believed her. A n d I'm certain that it was pure coincidence that on the first day after the 'commencement of hostilities' (aren't government phrases great?) none of the three most high ranking college personnel were nowhere to be found. A n d you believe that too, right? Hmmmm....

Censorship Last week a letter was published in Felix, by a person using the pseudonym 'A Real Man', which contained some rather, well, dodgy sentiments. This week Alison Payne, an Elec Eng PG, wrote a letter protesting my decision to print said letter.

Her letter is in this week's letters page. I have also been informed by 'El Presidente' Shan that Angus Fraser has written to my humble self, expressing a similar view. (I haven't got it yet, but Shan has a copy).

Right. Time to make a few things clear, I think. Reread the first paragraph of Ms Payne's letter (page 20, in case you're lazy). Therein is my editorial policy, not just for letters, but for any submissions to Felix. After that she's talking about a pet hate of mine: Censorship. As far as I'm concerned it sucks. Thumbs down. Should be banned (subtle joke there?).

I will print any material submitted to Felix, regardless of my personal feelings towards its contents (for example, I think much of what has been said about the situation in the Gulf is wrong, as I attempted to make clear last week), subject to only two constraints: (i) Space (ii) Legal matters As to the first, it's merely a matter of when the material comes in, and how much space we have left. I attempt to fit in as much as possible. If something won't fit, as a rule it goes in next week.

The only significant exceptions are theme

issues, when we plan to publish an issue devoted to a certain subject. A n example is the up-coming travel special: For the last three weeks any articles, etc., concerning travel have been horded up to be printed in that issue.

The second is out of my control. I am legally responsible for material printed in Felix. Thus, if printing it means being sued, and I don't feel strongly enough about the subject at hand, then it won't be printed unless the situation changes.

Sorry.

Coming back to the letter in question, to say that it could not 'enhance or enliven' Felix 'in any way' is, quite obviously, wrong. If nothing else it has prompted Ms Payne's and Mr Fraser's letters, and given me a chance to rant on about what I consider to be a bad thing.

Also, as far as this particular letter is concerned, I had other reasons for printing it, not just those stated above.

No, not as a joke (sorry Ms Payne), and not entirely to show 'what a sad case some of the men at IC are'. In my opinion the letter was extremely bigoted and offensive, and yet only two people in a college of just over seven thousand (quite a few), only two (not many) people have written in to complain.

people concerned are worried that if their identities become known to their departments their degrees may suffer.

A n d you thought that your degree depended on your academic performance.

I'd love to think that these fears are unfounded. I'd love to think that all departments are impartial in their adjudication of people's academic qualifications, and separate the college work of students from their extracurricular activities, whether or not these activities bring the student into conflict with their department. That's what I'd like to think.

Racism Another letter. In answer to any claims of racism in last weeks news article concerning the removal of a man from the union building, the termed 'coloured' was used only in a descriptive sense, in the same manner as the estimation of his age and height. No offence was intended.

I don't feel that describing a man's colour implies any racist statement, and personally think that until we get over the barriers surrounding the words 'black' and 'coloured', etc. we are far from being truly egalitarian.

Staff m e e t i n g M o n d a y L u n c h (1.00pm)

B l a c k m a i l . A n d other d i r t y t r i c k s I'm beginning to think that College has a whole department set aside for this kind of thing. Perhaps there's a director for them. If so he probably acts as an advisor to the CIA, in an attempt to make them more devious and efficient.

Twice this week people have spoken to me about subjects connected with college, towards which they have strong feelings.

Things which they feel something should be done about. Twice this week people have asked me not to use their names in Felix, for fear of reprisals. These events were not unconnected (no prizes if you guessed that already).

One of these people has written a letter, which I have attributed to 'An Elec Eng student'. The other has forbidden me to even mention the subject, for fear that it would be obvious as to whom I had been speaking, whether or not I used the person's name.

I agree whole-heartedly with the basis of both person's feelings, and agree that something should be done about both subjects. But it is a bit hard when people are afraid to come out in the open with their feelings.

So, having (hopefully) set up a suitably enigmatic opening, you should (hopefully) be asking 'So what are they afraid of?' (I live in hope). Basically, in both cases, the

Credits T y p e s e t t i n g & P r i n t i n g : Rose & Andy News E d i t o r : Toby A r t s E d i t o r : Adam T M u s i c E d i t o r : Sarah H Features E d i t o r : Roland Cartoonist: Guess!

T h e T e a m : Stef, James, Ian, Benjamin (it's ridiculous!), Bri, Seb, an Iraqi student, A n n a Teeman, Liz Warren, Richard, Christ!, Undala A l a m Collators: ICSF: Massie, Steven, Stephen, Tom, Nick, Alex, Bumble. RCS: Flemming, Alex, Louise. Also: the team, The Snail and Frank. y

Felix is produced for and on behalf of the imperial College Union Publications Board and is printed at the Imperial College Union Print Unit. Prince Consort Road, London SW7 2BB (Tel 071-225 8672).

Editor: Andrew Butcher. Manager: Chris Stapleton, Business Manager: Jeremy Burnell. Copyright Felix 1991 ISSN 1040-071 1.

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