/1991_0894_A

H i

N a t u r a l

Selection

St M a r y ' s p s y c h o l o g y d e p a r t m e n t has sent out q u e s t i o n n a i r e s to all a p p l i c a n t s for St M a r y ' s H o s p i t a l M e d i c a l S c h o o l a n d four o t h e r m e d i c a l s c h o o l s i n the c o u n t r y .

Press reports, o r i g i n a t i n g f r o m a recent article i n the T i m e s E d u c a t i o n a l S u p p l e m e n t , i m p l i e d that t h e c o m p l e t i o n of the q u e s t i o n n a i r e w a s i n s o m e w a y l i n k e d to the success of a n a p p l i c a t i o n .

C h r i s M c M a n u s , h e a d of the r e s e a r c h g r o u p w h i c h p r o d u c e d the q u e s t i o n n a i r e s , d i s m i s s e d the allegations, stating that c o m p l e t i o n of the q u e s t i o n n a i r e w a s e n t i r e l y v o l u n t a r y . H e a d d e d that the only applications received by medical s c h o o l s w e r e U C C A forms a n d that the list of a p p l i c a n t s w e r e m e r e l y u s e d to target the m a i l s h o t . N o i n f o r m a t i o n passed b e t w e e n the m e d i c a l school's a p p l i c a t i o n d e p a r t m e n t a n d his r e s e a r c h g r o u p , he s a i d .

C o n c e r n i n g p r i v a c y , M r M c M a n u s said that i n f o r m a t i o n g a t h e r e d f r o m the q u e s t i o n n a i r e is e n t i r e l y s e c u r e . T h e d a t a resides o n a c o m p u t e r that is not n e t w o r k e d , a n d is s e p a r a t e d f r o m the medical school.

T h e q u e s t i o n n a i r e is part of a n o n g o i n g project to d e t e r m i n e the attributes of a successful a p p l i c a n t , w h a t m a k e s a successful d o c t o r a n d w h e t h e r p a r t i c u l a r types of p e o p l e c h o o s e p a r t i c u l a r c a r e e r paths. T h e first q u e s t i o n n a i r e , sent out ten y e a r s ago, w a s f o l l o w e d b y further i n f o r m a t i o n g a t h e r i n g , i n c l u d i n g final results a n d c a r e e r s after m e d i c a l s c h o o l .

A c c o r d i n g to M r M c M a n u s o n e of the a i m s of the project is to e n s u r e that the p u b l i c is treated b y the v e r y best doctors.

If the c h a r a c t e r traits that l e a d to a student d e v e l o p i n g into a g o o d d o c t o r c a n be identifiied, a n d the i n f o r m a t i o n i n c o r p o r a t e d into the s e l e c t i o n process, this s h o u l d result in the r i g h t candidates b e i n g s e l e c t e d. M r M c M a n u s does not see this as a d i s c r i m i n a t o r y p r o c e d u r e but r a t h e r as p a r t of a m o r e r e f i n e d selection process.

H e said that p r e v i o u s w o r k b y his r e s e a r c h t e a m h a d s h o w n that the ranking policy employed by U C C A d i s c r i m i n a t e d against s o m e students.

D e p a r t m e n t s rejected a p p l i c a n t s s i m p l y because of w h e r e their i n s t i t u t i o n a p p e a r e d o n the list; B r i s t o l u n i v e r s i t y w a s a m o n g t h e most b l a t a n t offender.

U C C A h a v e n o w since a b o l i s h e d the ranking system.

T h e team's m o n i t o r i n g of applicants f r o m e t h n i c m i n o r i t i e s r e v e a l e d a significant

l e v e l of d i s c r m i n a t i o n . U C C A has n o w set up its o w n m o n i t o r i n g s c h e m e as a direct result of the t e a m ' s w o r k .

M r M c M a n u s felt that the w o r k of his t e a m h a d b e e n m i s r e p r e s e n t e d i n the press a n d has w r i t t e n a letter to o n e of the n e w s p a p e r s c o n c e r n e d . D r G e o r g e T a t e , St. M a r y ' s A d m i s s i o n s T u t o r , c o n f i r m e d M r M c M a n u s ' s statement, s a y i n g that t h e o n l y i n f o r m a t i o n St M a r y ' s r e c e i v e a b o u t applicants is that w h i c h is stated o n the U C C A f o r m .

CCU Election Time!

N e x t w e e k sees the v o t i n g for b o t h R o y a l C o l l e g e of S c i e n c e a n d C i t y a n d G u i l d s U n i o n n o n - s a b b a t i c a l posts.

T h e r e are t h r e e c a n d i d a t e s for the post of C i t y a n d G u i l d s P r e s i d e n t ; T i m P r o c t o r , J o h n Sears a n d Ajit M e d t i a . T h e f o l l o w i n g are s t a n d i n g for other posts: Steve F a r r a n t a n d L u c i a C l i p s t o w e for V i c e President; R o b e r t E v a n s a n d N i a l l D a v i e s for H o n o r a r y S e c r e t a r y ; S t e v e n H o l b r o u g h a n d M a r k J a c k s o n for E n t e r t a i n m e n t s Officer.

2

Mark Payne, Chris B r o w n e , Sarah W e l sh and James Shaw are all unopposed for the posts of A c a d e m i c Affairs Officer, O l d C e n t r a l i a n ' s rep, P u b l i c i t y Officer a n d G u i l d Sheet E d i t o r r e s p e c t i v e l y .

L e a m o n a n d R i c h a r d Thaiss a n d b o t h standing with Simon Gibbons and Chris F i e l d the o n l y candidates for the posts of H o n o r a r y S e c r e t a r y a n d A c a d e m i c Affairs Officer r e s p e c t i v e l y .

In the R o y a l College of Science elections A n g e l a C r e i s s e n a n d L o u i s e Rafferty are s t a n d i n g for the post of President w i t h F l e m m i n g H e i n o and R i c h a r d M u r r a y a n d s t a n d i n g for the post of V i c e - P r e s i d e n t . F o r the post of Honorary Junior Treasurer Robert

T h e hustings for the R C S candidates w e r e h e l d in the U n i o n D i n i n g H a l l o n T h u r s d a y w i t h t h e elections b e i n g h e l d o n M o n d a y n e x t w e e k . T h e e l e c t i o n s for the C i t y a n d G u i l d s posts w i l l be o n T u e s d a y .

C a n d i d a t e s for the R o y a l S c h o o l of M i n e s elections w i l l not b e k n o w n u n t i l next week.

Hub

Explained

A c c o r d i n g to a c o l l e g e s o u r c e Imperial's H u b office is a b o u t to a d v e r t i s e t w o c l e r i c a l positions i n 'The G u a r d i a n ' m e d i a pages. H u b costs w e r e not l i s t ed o n last year's college a c c o u n t s a n d this has led to confusion a n d s u s p i c i o n a b o u t H u b ' s brief.

A c c o r d i n g to L a d y C l a r e A s h , i n o v e r a l l c h a r g e of the office, H u b ' s activities are m a n i f o l d . O n e of her m a i n responsibilities is the p a s t o r a l care of l o n g - t e r m a c a d e m i c visitors a n d t h e i r d e p e n d a n t s . L a d y A s h a n d her assistant are p a r t i c u l a r l y c o n c e r n e d w i t h the w e l f a r e of n o n E n g l i s h s p e a k i n g d e p e n d a n t s ; help c a n range f r o m f i n d i n g part-time jobs for visitors a n d their families to f i n d i n g schools for v i s i t o r s ' c h i l d r e n . L a d y A s h p o i n t e d out that the U n i o n is the official c a r e t a k e r of student w e l f a r e at I m p e r i a l a n d that, apart f r o m the H u b office, t h e r e is no p a r a l l e l o r g a n i s a t i o n for a c a d e m i c visitors.

T h e H u b office is also r e s p o n s i b l e for o r g a n i s i n g the C h r i s t m a s C a p e r a n d S u m m e r F a i r . H u b also o r g a n i s e s a series a d i n n e r s t h r o u g h o u t the y e a r for n e w a c a d e m i c v i s i t o r s a n d n e w m e m b e r s of staff.

False Arrest A m a n w a s a r r e s t e d in G a r d e n H a l l b y a p l a i n c l o t h e s p o l i c e m a n o n S u n d a y 17 F e b r u a r y for a t t e m p t i n g to s e ll a b i c y c l e .

T h e b i k e w a s b e l i e v e d to be o n e stolen f r o m a G a r d e n H a l l resident earl i er this y e a r . T h e m a n , w h o failed to identify himself as a student, was later released w h e n the p o l i c e c o u l d not p r o v e the bicycle was stolen property.

L a d y A s h d i s c l o s e d that t h e r e has b e e n s o m e d i s c u s s i o n about the c r e a t i o n of a n e w a d m i n i s t r a t i v e post in the H u b office w i t h a n a c c o m o d a t i o n brief. L a d y A s h said that she w a s u n a w a r e that the personnel department had made a d e c i s i o n to a d v e r t i s e a n y posts related tc the H u b Office. Miss C o x , p e r s o n n e l officer for H u b w a s u n a v a i l a b l e for c o m m e n t yesterday.

Cock-up!!

Deadline for manifestoes is actually 12.30pm, Friday 1st March, not as mentioned in the editorial...ASF

Lost Theatre T h e Lost Y o u t h T h e a t r e , 450 F u l h a m R o a d , is h o l d i n g t w o f u n d r a i s i n g nights this w e e k e n d . T h e theatre has suffered f u n d i n g cuts f o l l o w i n g the d i s b a n d m e n t of the Inner L o n d o n E d u c a t i o n A u t h o r i t y a n d is s t r u g g l i n g to m a k e ends meet. Lost is a l w a y s k e e n to attract n o t just audiences b u t n e w m e m b e r s ; situated i n

New

the heart of F u l h a m it is v e r y accessible to IC students.

T h e w e e k e n d ' s e n t e r t a i n m e n t opens tonight w i t h 'The B l u e D y e ' a n up a n d coming band from California, followed on S a t u r d a y b y an e v e n i n g of c a b a r e t a n d i m p r o v i s a t i o n . B o t h e v e n i n g s start at 9 . 3 0 p m , nearest tube F u l h a m B r o a d w a y , e n t r y £2.50.

Balls Please!

K i n g ' s C o l l e g e mascot, R e g g i e , is s o o n to be r e u n i t e d w i t h his g e n i t a l i a , say K i n g ' s College U n i o n (KQCU). The Mascot, a m a l e l i o n m a d e of c o n c r e t e filled b r o n z e , was t a k e n b y C i t y a n d G u i l d s C o l l e g e U n i o n ( C & G U ) i n the s p r i n g of 1989. H i s wedding tackle were then removed, allegedly w i t h a t i n o p e n e r .

W h e n r a n s o m e d b a c k to K Q C U for £100, his g e n i t a l i a w e r e n o t r e t u r n e d .

Instead of w h i c h , t hey w e r e h u n g b e h i n d the bar in o u r U n i o n B u i l d i n g (Beit Quad).

A t about 8 . 0 0 p m o n S a t u r d a y K Q C U , h a v i n g o c c u p i e d the b a r a n d c l e a r e d an escape route o u t of the q u a d , r e m o v e d Reggie's w e d d i n g t a c k l e f r o m b e h i n d the

b a r a n d r a n f r o m the q u a d .

S e v e r a l m e m b e r s of IC R a g a t t e m p t e d to stop t h e m , b u t w e r e unsuccessful.

Steve F a r r a n t , R a g c h a i r m a n , w a s flung against one of the b e n c h e s i n the q u a d , f r a c t u r i n g a r i b . C o m m e n t i n g that one of the assailants h a d b e e n in his grasp, he said,'I h a d t h r e e darts i n m y h a n d , but I c o u l d n ' t b r i n g m y s e l f to use t h e m . '

E a r l i e r that day, the s a m e m a n h a d e n t e r e d the h a l l a n d offered to sell a b i c y c l e to o n e of the residents for £10.

T h e student a c c e p t e d a n d p a i d a £2 deposit. H o w e v e r , the student was suspicious of t h e m a n ' s i n t e n t i o n s a n d c o n t a c t e d the w a r d e n , Ian Metcalfe. M r Metcalf i m m e d i a t e l y i n f o r m e d the p o l i c e , w h o sent a p l a i n c l o t h e s officer a l o n g to the scene. L a t e r that a f t e r n o o n , w h e n the m a n r e t u r n e d w i t h a r a c i n g b i k e to the hall, he w a s met b y the officer a n d arrested.

T h e m a n w a s later r e l e a s e d a n d g i v e n a w a r n i n g for t r e s p a s s i n g o n p r i v a t e p r o p e r t y . T h e student c o n c e r n e d , C H W o n g , a P G student in M e c h a n i c a l E n g i n e e r i n g s a i d ; ' W e l l , it's a g o o d d e a l .

C h e a p for just £10. T h e p o l i c e c o u l d n ' t p r o v e it w a s s t o l e n , so w h y not?'

T h e s a m e m a n has b e e n seen w i t h i n the College g r o u n d s o n o t h e r occasions.

A n o t h e r r e s i de nt of the h a l l , J e a n - P h i l l i p e C a r c h a n o , r e c a l l e d , 'Yes , this is not the first time I h a v e seen this m a n , last t i m e he t ri ed to s e ll a T V for £5.' A t a r o u n d 8 p m o n S u n d a y e v e n i n g , the m a n w a s seen a g a i n o n C o l l e g e g r o u n d s , h a v i n g a p i z z a in B e l u s h i ' s .

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

W e have a fantastic offer for a l l y o u students, a cut w a s h and b l o w d r y b y o u r top stylist ( w h i c h n o r m a l l y costs a r o u n d £21) F o r o n l y £11 M e n £12 W o m e n C h e c k us o u t !

A l t h o u g h K i n g ' s m a y n o w be c o n s i d e r i n g d e c l a r i n g R e g g i e ' s testacies a separate v i o l a t e mascot, it s e e m s m o r e l i k e l y that t h e y w i l l be r e a t t a c h e d to h i m r e p l a c i n g the t e m p o r a r y set he is currently wearing.

3

IC ProLife

OPINION

Society give their viewpoint on the current letters page debate

about

abortion

'Did I Kick Too Hard?'

T h e Status Q u o In 1967, D a v i d Steel's A b o r t i o n A c t m a d e abortion a reality in Great Britain, ostensibly for ' h a r d ' cases, ie rape, h a n d i c a p , d a n g e r to the h e a l t h of the m o t h e r . But s u c h was the w o r d i n g of the act that i n p r a c t i c e , b y e x t e n d i n g the m e a n i n g of ' m e d i c a l r e a s o n ' to i n c l u d e e m o t i o n a l distress or i n c o n v e n i e n c e , it c o u l d be i n t e r p r e t e d as a l l o w i n g a b o r t i o n o n d e m a n d . Of the 183,000-plus a b o r t i o n s c a r r i e d out i n B r i t a i n in 1989, f e w er t h a n 1 0 % w e r e for ' h a r d ' cases, yet it is b y c i t i n g this s m a l l m i n o r i t y of cases that most of those w h o s uppo r t a b o r t i o n attempt to justify the r e m a i n d e r . T h e recent letter in F E L I X f r o m A t h e n a w a s a t y p i c a l e x a m p l e of u s i n g c i r c u m s t a n c e s i n v o l v i n g p e r h a p s a few h u n d r e d cases to justify the r e m a i n i n g h u n d r e d s of t h o u s a n d s of cases. It is i m p o r t a n t to realise that the vast majority of a b o r t i o n s are for far less g r a v e reasons, s u c h as c a r e e r d i s r u p t i o n , f i n a n c i a l difficulty a n d

W h y Pro-Life?

T h e difference b e t w e e n those w h o are pro-life a n d those w h o a r e p r o - a b o r t i o n , a n d the r e a s o n for a l l the a n t a g o n i s m b e t w e e n t h e m , is that their r e a s o n i n g stems f r o m e n t i r e l y different bases. Prolifers a r e not u n a w a r e of t h e a r g u m e n t s for a b o r t i o n . T h e y realise that great difficulty is often faced b y the m o t h e r , a n d that the c h i l d m a y not a l w a y s be b r o u g h t up in ideal s u r r o u n d i n g s but t h e y b e l i e v e that t h e right of e v e r y h u m a n b e i n g to life is p a r a m o u n t , a n d that in no case c a n the prospect of h a r d s h i p for o n e p e r s o n justify the d e n i a l of life to a n o t h e r .

H o w e v e r , t h e s a m e c o n c e r n for h u m a n life that p r o m p t s these beliefs m e a n s that most pro-lifers w o u l d not w i s h s i m p l y to b a n a b o r t i o n , but also to c h a n g e the c i r c u m s t a n c e s i n w h i c h the d e c i s i o n is m a d e to favour the pro-life o p t i o n . If, for e x a m p l e , a d o p t i o n h a d e n j o y e d the same g o o d p u b l i c i t y afforded to- a b o r t i o n , a n d DSS p r o v i s i o n for the f a m i l y was i m p r o v e d , a b o r t i o n might s e e m less appealing.

T h r e e areas of p a r t i c u l a r c o n c e r n at the m o m e n t are Post A b o r t i o n S y n d r o m e , the RU486 'abortion pill', and abortion and the h a n d i c a p p e d .

Post A b o r t i o n S y n d r o m e It is u n s u r p r i s i n g that w o m e n often feel e m o t i o n a l l y d i s t u r b e d as a result of a n a b o r t i o n , but in recent y e a r s e v i d e n c e has b e e n i n c r e a s i n g that w o u l d suggest that the m a g n i t u d e of the t r a u m a is far greater t h a n is c o m m o n l y r e c o g n i s e d .

M a n y w o m e n , p e r h a p s y e a r s after h a v i n g a n a b o r t i o n , e x p e r i e n c e feelings of guilt a n d regret of s u c h a d e g r e e that their m e n t a l h e a l t h is t h r e a t e n e d .

T h e m e d i c a l establishment has yet to recognise w h a t is b e c o m i n g k n o w n as

Post A b o r t i o n S y n d r o m e , a n d the health service a n d a b o r t i o n agencies offer little help to the w o m e n to w h o m t h e y so r e a d i l y p r o v i d e abortions. T h e s e w o m e n are, after the u n b o r n c h i l d , the s e c o n d v i c t i m s of a b o r t i o n . T h e y d e s e r v e no resentment for h a v i n g b e e n p u s h e d b y c i r c u m s t a n c e s into h a v i n g a n a b o r t i o n , but o n l y help a n d u n d e r s t a n d i n g i n c o m i n g to t e r m s w i t h w h a t t h e y h a v e b e e n t h r o u g h . It is w i t h the support of the major pro-life o r g a n i s a t i o n s that groups have b e e n r a p i d l y e x p a n d i n g that offer help a n d c o u n s e l l i n g to s u c h

w o m e n , often r u n b y w o m e n w h o have experienced abortion themselves.

RU486 T h e R U 4 8 6 ' A b o r t i o n P i l l ' , a l r e a d y i n use i n F r a n c e , is h e a d i n g for B r i t a i n . M e d i c a l trials have b e g u n , a n d a l i c e n s e has b e e n a p p l i e d for.

T h e r e are m a n y w o r r y i n g points associated w i t h R U 4 8 6 , a n d e v e n m a n y of those w h o s u p p o r t a b o r t i o n i n g e n e r a l w i l l have cause for c o n c e r n .

T h e m o t i v a t i o n b e h i n d the speed w i t h w h i c h the F r e n c h , a n d s o o n o u r g o v e r n m e n t h a v e l i c e n s e d the d r u g m a y

A Woman's Right? ' A W o m a n ' s Right to C h o o s e ' T h i s is a p h r a s e w h i c h n e v e r fails to c o m e up in a n y a b o r t i o n debate. O n e t h i n g the p r o - a b o r t i o n l o b b y h a v e b e e n most successful i n o v e r the past y e a r s is to m a k e it a feminist issue.

W e l l , s p e a k i n g as a w o m a n , I'm a l l for s e x u a l equality. M y rights to e q u a l e d u c a t i o n a n d c a r e e r o p p o r t u n i t i e s are things I feel v e r y s t r o n g l y about; but I a m also pro-life. T h i s is not a c o n t r a d i c t i o n — I just don't see this 'right to c h o o s e ' as a right at a l l .

In the first place, a b o r t i o n is not a legal right. T h e 1967 A b o r t i o n A c t r e m o v e d the c r i m i n a l penalties for p e r f o r m i n g a b o r t i o n s i n c e r t a i n c i r c u m s t a n c e s . It c o n f e r r e d n o rights o n a n y o n e .

S e c o n d l y , this c h o i c e u l t i m a t e l y c o m e s d o w n to w h e t h e r the u n b o r n c h i l d i n the w o m b lives o r dies. F o r a l l m y feminist beliefs, I d o n ' t a c c o r d m y s e l f absolute p o w e r o v e r the life a n d d e a t h of a n y o n e . ' A w o m a n has t h e right to d o w h a t she likes w i t h her o w n b o d y . ' A b s o l u t e l y true, but is the foetus r e a l l y just part of t h e m o t h e r ' s b o d y ? I h a v e not yet h e a r d a c o n v i n c i n g a r g u m e n t against life b e g i n n i n g at c o n c e p t i o n .

T h e W a r n o c k C o m m i t t e e stated i n t h e i r report that, '...once the p r o c e s s has b e g u n , there is no p a r t i c u l a r part of the d e v e l o p m e n t p r o c e s s that is m o r e i m p o r t a n t t h a n a n o t h e r . A l l are part of a c o n t i n u o u s process...'

T h e r e is no p o i n t at w h i c h the 'blob of cells' i n a w o m a n ' s uterus s u d d e n l y becomes a h u m a n being. This event took place at the b e g i n n i n g , w h e n the s p e r m i m p r e g n a t e d the egg to g i v e the full genetic c o m p l e m e n t of the n e w i n d i v i d u a l . T h e u n b o r n c h i l d is g e ne t i c a l ly distinct f r o m b o t h parents. F a r f r o m b e i n g a n o t h e r part of its m o t h e r ' s b o d y , it is a different, distinct h u m a n b e i n g . If it w e r e just the w o m a n ' s b o d y i n v o l v e d , t h e n the 'her b o d y a n d h e r c h o i c e ' a r g u m e n t m i g h t h o l d up, but there are t w o bodies

i n v o l v e d , a n d i n d e a l i n g w i t h one it is s u r e l y not a c c e p t a b l e to d e s t r o y the other.

A l l this h a v i n g b e e n s a i d , the i m m e n s e difficulties r a i s e d w h e n faced w i t h a n u n p l a n n e d p r e g n a n c y c a n of course s e e m overwhelming. Whatever a woman may h a v e b e l i e v e d b e f o r e, the s h o c k of f i n d i n g herself p r e g n a n t m a y cause her to c o n s i d e r a n a b o r t i o n . T h e d i s r u p t i o n of h e r studies, h e r c a r e e r , t h e s t i g m a of i l l e g i t i m a c y , t h e p r o b l e m s of b e i n g a single parent, a n d the w o r s t t h i n g possible, p r e g n a n c y as a result of r a p e , are pressures that must n o t be underestimated.

H o w e v e r , t h e c e n t r a l fact r e m a i n s . T h e c h i l d is a h u m a n b e i n g . N o matter h o w it c a m e into b e i n g , it is t h e r e , a n d has the s a m e right to life as a n y o n e else.

A l l too often, the o n l y real o p t i o n offered to a w o m a n i n a n u n p l a n n e d p r e g n a n c y is a b o r t i o n . O t h e r a v e n u e s are s i m p l y not e x p l o r e d . T h e c h i l d is assumed to be a b u r d e n that the m o t h e r wishes to dispose of as s o o n as possible. A n a b o r t i o n is offered, c a r r i e d out, a n d the w o m a n is t h e n left to c a r r y o n w i t h her life as t h o u g h n o t h i n g h a d h a p p e n e d . T h i s is s i m p l y not a c c e p t a b l e . All the possible alternatives must be c o n s i d e r e d .

P r e g n a n c y n e e d not m e a n the e n d of life as w e k n o w it. A great fear is that a girl's parents w i l l reject h e r if t h e y find she is pregnant. A l t h o u g h this is r e g r e t t a b l y true i n s o m e cases, m a n y w i l l , after the initial s h o c k , offer the s uppo r t that the m o t h e r needs—it is after a l l their g r a n d c h i l d .

E v e n w h e n t h e m o t h e r is d i s o w n e d , there is substantial s u p p o r t a v a i l a b l e f r o m o t h e r sources. Pro-life groups s u c h as L I F E offer b o t h c o u n s e l l i n g a n d p r a c t i c a l help, i n c l u d i n g h e l p w i t h c l a i m i n g D H S S grants, guidance o n employment protection and maternity payments, baby clothing and equipment, a n d accommodation both before a n d after the b i r t h .

P r e g n a n c y is a w h o l l y n a t u r a l o c c u r e n c e . A w o m a n ' s w h o l e lifestyle needn't be c h a n g e d b e c a u s e she is

not be e n t i r e l y h o n o u r a b l e . Just as g o v e r n m e n t s are k e e n o n a b o r t i o n as a m e a n s of r e l i e v i n g p r e s s u r e o n u n d e r f u n d e d h e a l t h a n d s o c i a l services, t h e y are k e e n o n R U 4 8 6 b e c a u s e it is a n outpatient m e t h o d of a b o r t i o n , l o w e r i n g d e m a n d for beds. R U 4 8 6 has b e e n p r o m o t e d as a leap f o r w a r d i n w o m e n ' s rights, w i t h the i m a g e of s w a l l o w i n g the p i l l a n d ' s o l v i n g the p r o b l e m ' . T h e r e a l i t y is less a p p e a l i n g . A t least t h r e e appointments are required o v e r a period of a r o u n d ten d a y s , to a d m i n i s t e r the d r u g a n d k i l l t h e e m b r y o , t h e n to

OPINION a d m i n i s t e r p r o s t a g l a n d i n to e x p e l the e m b r y o , a n d f i n a l l y to c h e c k a b o r t i o n is complete. Severe pain and heavy b l e e d i n g is c o m m o n , s o m e t i m e s r e q u i r i n g a transfusion. T h e w o m a n is m o r e l i k e l y to see her a b o r t e d e m b r y o , a d d i n g to the t r a u m a a l r e a d y i n c r e a s e d b y the far l o n g e r p r o c e d u r e as c o m p a r e d w i t h s u r g i c a l m e t h o d s . In 5 % of cases, R U 4 8 6 fails to abort, m a k i n g s u r g i c a l a b o r t i o n necessary as w e l l , h e i g h t e n i n g the p s y c h o l o g i c a l pressure o n t h e w o m a n .

R U 4 8 6 is still a n e x p e r i m e n t a l d r u g , with nothing k n o w n about long term

A Woman Speaks... p r e g n a n t . W i t h s uppo r t s h e c a n c a r r y o n w i t h her w o r k or e d u c a t i o n .

D u r i n g the course of the p r e g n a n c y , m a n y w o m e n find that the u n w a n t e d c h i l d is v e r y m u c h w a n t e d i n d e e d .

H o w e v e r , for those w h o still can't c o p e w i t h a b a b y , the c h o i c e of a d o p t i o n is there.

A d m i t t e d l y a d o p t i o n c a n be t r a u m a t i c — ' g i v i n g u p ' a c h i l d is not easy, but w h a t is a b o r t i o n if not ' g i v i n g up'?

W i t h adoption, y o u giving are giving your c h i l d parents for w h o m a c h i l d is m u c h l o n g e d for. A n a b o r t e d c h i l d c a n g i v e n o one j o y or happiness.

constant r e m i n d e r to the w o m a n of her o r d e a l . S h o u l d t h e n this b e c o n s i d e r e d as a s p e c i a l case? Any w o m a n must feel a h o r r o r at the t h o u g h t of r a p e r e s u l t i n g i n p r e g n a n c y . It w a s the most difficult p r o b l e m I faced w h e n c o m i n g to m y prolife beliefs. H o w w o u l d I feel if it w e r e to h a p p e n to me?

In fact, a b o r t i o n c a n be far m o r e t r a u m a t i c t h a n a d o p t i o n . It c a n be p h y s i c a l l y d a m a g i n g to the w o m a n ' s reproductive system, and in very many cases the w o m a n is e m o t i o n a l l y s c a r r e d .

P o s t - a b o r t i o n t r a u m a is e x t r e m e l y common, and a very neglected condition.

A w o m a n c a n be p r e s s u r i s e d into h a v i n g a n a b o r t i o n , a n d t h e n d i s c h a r g e d o n l y to suffer regret a n d c o n f u s i o n , w i t h n o b a c k up support. H e r e , s u r p r i s i n g l y e n o u g h , pro-life g r o u p s s u c h as L I F E a n d S P U C c o m e into their o w n . R e c e n t l y the pro-life m o v e m e n t has suffered a g r e a t d e a l f r o m a s m a l l n u m b e r of p e o p l e s t a n d i n g outside a b o r t i o n clinics h u r l i n g abuse a n d e v e n debris at f r i g h t e n e d y o u n g w o m e n e n t e r i n g a n d l e a v i n g . T h e s e p e o p l e are no m o r e a part of the m a i n s t r e a m pro-life m o v e m e n t t h a n the terrorists w h o b o m b the h o m e s of scientists are part of a c h a r i t y l i k e A n i m a l A i d . B o t h the a f o r e m e n t i o n e d groups r e c o g n i s e the c o n s i d e r a b l e s o c i a l p r e s s u r e that leads to so m a n y a b o r t i o n s , a n d w h i l e n e v e r a c c e p t i n g that a b o r t i o n c a n b e right, offer c o u n s e l l i n g a n d s uppo r t to w o m e n w h o h a v e h a d a b o r t i o n s , to help t h e m c o m e to t e r m s w i t h t h e i r loss.

O n the p r a c t i c a l side, studies h a v e s h o w n that p r e g n a n c y f o l l o w i n g r a p e is v e r y r a r e . T h e swift a d m i n i s t r a t i o n of drugs after the r a p e c a n p r e v e n t o v u l a t i o n a n d t h e r e f o r e fertilisation. (This is not the s a m e as the ' m o r n i n g after' p i l l , w h i c h is a n abortifacient.)

Of course, the hardest q u e s t i o n to deal w i t h is that of rape. R a p e is almost c e r t a i n l y the most t r a u m a t i c e x p e r i e n c e a w o m a n c a n suffer, a n d it is a r g u e d that pregnancy can only compound this—a

H o w e v e r t h e c r u c i a l fact c a n n o t be a l t e r e d . A n u n b o r n c h i l d is still a c h i l d . A separate, u n i q u e life has b e g u n . T h e r e c a n be no ' s p e c i a l case' w h e n it c o m e s to the k i l l i n g of a h u m a n b e i n g , w h o l l y i n n o c e n t of a n y c r i m e s c o m m i t t e d l e a d i n g to his or her c o n c e p t i o n .

If the w o r s t w e r e to h a p p e n , a n d the r a p e d w o m a n b e c a m e p r e g n a n t , t h e n the support a n d p r a c t i c a l help o u t l i n e d a b o v e is a v a i l a b l e , a l o n g w i t h t h e e x t r a c a r e a n d c o u n s e l l i n g a w o m a n in that d r e a d f u l situation r e q u i r e s .

T o s u m up t h e n , a b o r t i o n is not, a n d c a n n e v e r be, t h e 'right' of a w o m a n . A n u n b o r n c h i l d is not part of a w o m a n ' s b o d y , but g e n e t i c a l l y d i s t i n c t — a u n i q u e i n d i v i d u a l — a n d therefore a w o m a n c a n n o t h a v e the right to d e c i d e w h e t h e r it s h o u l d l i v e or die as p a r t of her rights o v e r her b o d y . A b o r t i o n causes e m o t i o n a l a n d s o m e t i m e s p h y s i c a l d a m a g e to a w o m a n , w i t h post-abortion t r a u m a often b e i n g left u n d e a l t w i t h . A t r u l y free w o m a n is one w h o r e c o g n i s e s the h u m a n i t y of her c h i l d a n d c a n c o m e t h r o u g h the s o c i a l pressures of a b o r t i o n , either to b r i n g u p the c h i l d for herself, or g i v i n g it t h r o u g h a d o p t i o n to a c o u p l e w h o w a n t it v e r y m u c h a n d c a n g i v e it the l o v e it deserves.

A s a w o m a n w h o believes in freedom f r o m a n y s u b m i s s i o n a n d e q u a l rights for all h u m a n beings, I c a n n o t be other t h a n pro-life.

effects o n fertility or h e a l t h or the c o n s e q u e n c e s of r e p e a t e d use, yet it seems l i k e l y that it w i l l be l i c e n s e d p e r h a p s as e a r l y as this s p r i n g . W e s h o u l d q u e s t i o n w h y the g o v e r n m e n t is so k e e n to i n t r o d u c e a n u n p r o v e n d r u g w h i c h is m o r e o p p r e s s i v e to the w o m e n that w i l l use it t h a n c u r r e n t m e t h o d s of a b o r t i o n .

T h e l o n g t e r m a i m for R U 4 8 6 is the colossal p o t e n t i a l m a r k e t s of the T h i r d W o r l d . A s o p e r a t i n g theatres a n d b l o o d transfusion facilities are t h o u g h t essential p r e c a u t i o n s for B r i t i s h use, attempts to use the d r u g i n areas w h e r e m e d i c a l facilities are l a c k i n g c o u l d be disastrous for the w o m e n of the d e v e l o p i n g c o u n t r i e s , as w e l l as the w o r r y i n g prospect that a c o n v e n i e n t m e t h o d of a b o r t i o n m i g h t d i v e r t a t t e n t i o n for m e t h o d s of p o p u l a t i o n c o n t r o l that do not i n v o l v e the k i l l i n g of the excess p o p u l a c e before b i r t h . It w o u l d not be r i d i c u l o u s to suggest that t h e s uppo r t t h e d r u g is getting f r o m w e s t e r n g o v e r n m e n t s is not u n c o n n e c t e d to a w i s h to r e d u c e their r e s p o n s i b i l i t y t o w a r d s the d e v e l o p i n g world.

Rights for the H a n d i c a p p e d It's e n c o u r a g i n g to see h o w m u c h is b e i n g d o n e to help the h a n d i c a p p e d i n today's society. F o r e x a m p l e m u c h is b e i n g d o n e to e n s u r e that, w h e n a p p l y i n g for jobs, t h e i r rights to ' e q u a l o p p o r t u n i t i e s ' are r e c o g n i s e d . O n the p r a c t i c a l side, n o n e w b u i l d i n g is p l a n n e d w i t h o u t t a k i n g into a c c o u n t t h e i r s p e c i a l needs. A n d yet, the same society that w e l c o m e s these changes c a l m l y r e q u i r e s that, w h e n e v e r possible, the h a n d i c a p p e d a r e k i l l e d before t h e y are b o r n .

It doesn't m a k e sense. I c a n o n l y t h i n k of one a r g u m e n t that w o u l d a l l o w this double-think. H o w e v e r , r a t h e r t h a n b e i n g an attempt to h e l p the h a n d i c a p p e d , it m e r e l y a i m s to k e e p the rest of us h a p p y .

It goes l i k e this.... 'It must be a m i s e r a b l e life, a n d it's a w f u l l i v i n g side b y side w i t h m i s e r y . So, let's do a l l w e c a n to m a k e their life m o r e p l e a s a n t — s o w e feel less u n c o m f o r t a b l e — b u t get r i d of a l l those w h o are c o m i n g u p . ' S u c h a p o i n t of v i e w is n o t v e r y a p p e a l i n g . Not o n l y does it s t i n k of selfishness, but, far m o r e i m p o r t a n t , it denies the v e r y h u m a n i t y of the h a n d i c a p p e d . W e w i l l a l l h a p p i l y say that all persons a r e e q u a l — t h a t m e a n s w e e x c l u d e the h a n d i c a p p e d . A n d so, the a r g u m e n t goes, what's to stop us k i l l i n g t h e m after b i r t h ? A n d the follow-on f r o m that i s — w h a t constitutes a h a n d i c a p ?

O k a y , it m a y s o u n d far fetched, but it is the l o g i c a l c o n c l u s i o n .

T o sort things out, w e n e e d to go b a c k to square o n e . T h e h a n d i c a p p e d are h u m a n b e i n g s — n o o n e argues w i t h that.

T h i s gives t h e m the right to life itself, w h i c h urges us to help t h e m live it, not kill them.

Russia House The name's Blair, Barley Blair.

S o m e h o w , it doesn't h a v e quite the s a m e r i n g about it, d o e s it? S e a n C o n n e r y ' s r e t u r n to the s p y g a m e is a l o n g w a y f r o m his outings as the w o r l d ' s most famous secret agent, a n d 007's g l a m o r o u s w o r l d is a far c r y f r o m this m u c h m o r e r e a l i s t i c p o r t r a y a l of East/West espionage.

Russia House, is a s l o w , c e r e b r a l t h r i l l e r , set i n t h e h e a d y d a y of the i n t r o d u c t i o n of Glasnost. T h e west r e m a i n s j u b i l a n t , the R u s s i a n s , c y n i c a l .

T h e y s p y m a s t e r s ? T h e w a n t the g o o d o l d d a y s of the C o l d W a r b a c k . W h e n a b e a ut i f u l R u s s i a n l i t e r a r y a g e n t (the beautiful, if n o t R u s s i a n , M i c h e l l e Pfeiffer) offers d r u n k e n Scots p u b l i s h e r ( C o n n e r y , w h o is, w i t h o u t d o u b t , Scots) a b o o k w h i c h r e v e a l s that the R u s s i a n s are w e l l b e h i n d i n the A r m s r a c e , t h e y are p o s i t i v e l y d r o o l i n g o v e r t h e possibilities that o p e n u p .

T h i s f i l m is v e r y m u c h a p r o d u c t of Glasnost, b o t h i n it b e i n g the result of the a u t h o r ' s first t r i p to M o s c o w , a n d i n b e i n g the first f i lm to be a l l o w e d to shoot freely i n the U S S R . T h e attitude is v e r y post Glasnost too. T h e r e are no r e a l 'goodies' o r 'baddies', i n s t e a d s e v e r a l different shades of g r e y . E v e n the most p r i n c i p l e d

c h a r a c t e r s a r e forced to s e l l out i n the e n d , to p r e s e r v e t h e m s e l v e s . If a n y o n e e m e r g e s i n a t r u l y n e g a t i v e light, it is the A m e r i c a n s , w h o r i d e r o u g h s h o d o v e r the B r i t i s h , d e s p e r a t e l y t r y i n g to restart the c o l d w a r , to facilitate greater a r m s c o n t r a c t s for A m e r i c a n c o m p a n i e s .

A n d so, this b r o a d tale d e v e l o p s against the g l o r i o u s , if s u r p r i s i n g l y a l i e n , b a c k d r o p of t h e major R u s s i a n cities,

b e a u t i f u l l y fitted to the c i n e m a s c o p e i n w h i c h it is f i l m e d . T h e p e r f o r m a n c e s a r e all n i c e l y m e a s u r e d , e x c e p t i n g K e n Russell's (better k n o w n as a director) b i z a r r e a p p e a r a n c e as a n e x p e r t o n R u s s i a , about w h i c h I h a v e c e r t a i n r e s e r v a t i o n s . O t h e r w i s e , this is a n extremely acceptable espionage movie, t h e best I've s e e n i n a w h i l e .

Pendragon

e n t i r e l y w h i t e set; a m i r r o r reflects the striking deep blue backcloth w h i c h depicts the s k y ; R u s a l k a sits o n a s w i n g s u s p e n d e d mid-stage. In t h e s e c o n d act, the p a l a c e is r e p r e s e n t e d b y a glass r o o m w h i c h r e v o l v e s a r o u n d R u s a l k a as she sits s u s p e n d e d o n the s w i n g ; later she scuttles a r o u n d its glass w a l l s l i k e a t r a p p e d spider. In the t h i r d act w e r e t u r n to the p o o l w h i c h is n o w d a r k e n e d , the m i r r o r is s m a s h e d a n d a b l o a t e d m o o n hangs against the i n k y night.

the p a l a c e staff as spineless, m i n d l e s s r a g dolls s h o w s s o m e i n s p i r a t i o n i n the d i r e c t i o n , but m o s t l y the cast alternate between melodramatic hamming and aimless a c t i v i t y .

O v e r a l l , a p r o d u c t i o n to see, if o n l y for the o r c h e s t r a l p l a y i n g w h i c h I w o u l d h a p p i l y have sat t h r o u g h as a c o n c e r t p e r f o r m a n c e . H o w e v e r , it is sad that the s e x u a l messages of the l e g e n d a n d the opera, exemplified by Rusalka's dumbness, were skated over and never properly addressed.

Liz W

Rusalka I R u s a l k a is the w a t e r n y m p h w h o falls i n l o v e w i t h a h u m a n p r i n c e a n d b e g s the w i t c h J e z i b a b a to t r a n s f o r m h e r into a w o m a n . She p a y s the t e r r i b l e p r i c e of l o s i n g the p o w e r of s p e e c h a n d , w h e n she is rejected b y her l o v e r , is e s t r a n g e d f r o m b o t h the h u m a n a n d spirit w o r l d .

K v a p i l ' s text is i n s p i r e d b y m y t h s as Mermaid, d i v e r s e as A n d e r s o n ' s The Little C z e c h poet E r b e n ' s b a l l a d a b o u t The Water Spirit a n d F o u q u e ' s tale of Undine, but is suffused b y C z e c h folk beliefs i n w h i c h there is n o g o o d or e v i l , but w h e r e m a n , a l i e n a t e d f r o m n a t u r e , is c o r r u p t .

D v o r a k ' s setting is W a g n e r i a n i n scale a n d c o n s t r u c t i o n , but d i s p l a y s his talent for l y r i c a l m e l o d y a n d r i c h o r c h e s t r a t i o n .

It also e v i n c e s b r a v e r y i n c o m p o s i n g for a h e r o i n e w h o is d u m b for m u c h of the s e c o n d act.

M u s i c a l l y , this is a n e x c e l l e n t p r o d u c t i o n . N a n c y G u s t a v s o n as R u s a l k a has b o t h the s t r e n g t h a n d subtlety to h a n d l e the l e a d role; N o r m a n B a i l e y as the W a t e r S p i r i t has g r a v i t a s a n d c o n v e y s a n o l d m a n ' s forebodings of y o u t h ' s unwise choices; Felicity Palmer's Jezibaba is a m a l e v o l e n t delight, c r i s p a n d powerfully sung.

T h e set is also m a r v e l l o u s , c o n t r i b u t i n g to the m a g i c a l a u r a of the p r o d u c t i o n .

W h i t e b o a r d s slide b a c k to r e v e a l a c o o l b l u e p o o l i n t h e cent re of a n almost

6

It is sad that the a c t i n g is not up to the rest of the p e r f o r m a n c e . T h e p o r t r a y a l of

Miller's Crossing

T h i s is a film b y J o e l a n d E t h a n C o e n (Raising Arizona a n d Blood Simple) so y o u are p r o b a b l y entitled to expect s o m e t h i n g v e r y g o o d i n d e e d .

This time the C o e n s have gone for the mob/mafia film, borrowing heavily from (or p l a y i n g h o m a g e to?) the genre, as t h e y d i d i n Blood Simple.

T h e c o n s c i e n c e of the f i l m is the p r i n c i p a l c h a r a c t e r , T o m (Gabriel B y r n e ).

T o m is the b r a i n s b e h i n d the muscle of L e o (played b y a slightly u n c o m f o r t a b l e A l b e r t F i n n e y ) , the l o c a l boss.

U n f o r t u n a t e l y T o m a n d L e o fall for the same d a m e , V e r n a . T o m t h e n leaves Leo's 'establishment' a n d joins up w i t h a r i v a l , J o h n n y C a s p a r (Jon P o l i t o laps up the role of the d e r a n g e d ape, J o h n n y ) . A gang w a r follows.

T h e Coen's h a v e t r i e d to create the k i n d of m o d e r n t ragedy that has b e c o m e fashionable i n H o l l y w o o d — p r i m e e x a m p l e s b e i n g C o p p o l a ' s Godfather films or Scorcese's Raging Bull. T i m is the m a n b e h i n d the m a n , he's the g u y w i t h all the 'angles'. But w h e r e ' s his c o n s c i e n c e ? This is the question t h e f i lm tries to a n s w e r but n e v e r r e a l l y c o m e s to t e r m s w i t h .

T h e r ' s a lot of a c t i o n , too m u c h plot a n d not n e a r l y e n o u g h r e f l e c t i o n — a l t h o u g h there are m o m e n t s of i n s i g h t — t h e scenes at M i l l e r ' s C r o s s i n g (a majestic forest o n the edges of the city w h e r e the h o o d l u m s g u n d o w n t h e i r victims), for e x a m p l e , are i n d e s c r i b a b l y beautiful.

T h e c i n e m a t o g r a p h e r is also f r o m the t w o p r e v i o u s C o e n films, B a r r y S o n n e n f i e l d . Raising Arizona w o u l d not have b e e n half as funny w e r e it not for the h i g h l y o r i g i n a l a n d r a t h e r c r a z y c a m e r a w o r k . In Miller's Crossing, h o w e v e r , S o n e n f i e l d hasn't quite p r o d u c e d the same k i n d of authenticity, but nevertheless the q u a l i t y of the p i c t u r e has the m o o d y , d a r k feel w h i c h w o r k s w e l l w i t h the film.

I.H.

—Film

—Comic/Plug —Opera

The Field This is a film, not s u r p r i s i n g l y , about a field. It's a l o v e l y field, a l l g r e e n a n d lush, a n d a delight for a l l the cattle that graze t h e r e o n . Its p r o s p e r i t y is d u e to the toil of B u l l M c C a b e ( R i c h a r d Harris) a n d his s o n T a d g h (Sean Bean) w h o gather s e a w e e d a n d c a r r y it a fair distance to a d d 12 v i t a m i n s a n d m i n e r a l s to t h e i r i m p r e s s i v e turf. A l l the v i l l a g e k n o w that the field is the Bull's, d u e to his l o v e a n d labour, e v e n t h o u g h it is o w n e d b y the y o u n g w i d o w (Frances T o m e l t y ) f r o m w h o m he rents it, so w h e n the w i d o w puts the field up for a u c t i o n no-one w i l l b i d against h i m . C u e the A m e r i c a n ( T o m Platoon Beringer) , w h o has c o m e to Ireland to find his roots, w h o has piles (Oh No!) of c a s h (Phew!) a n d outbids the B u l l . T h i s is the c r u x that causes m u c h t r o u b l e to the B u l l , w h o has a right to the field, b y the l a w of the l a n d , but no legal c l a i m . T h e b a d feelings get w o r s e a n d things get v e r y out of h a n d w i t h M c C a b e ' s fight for the field t h r e a t e n i n g to lose h i m his s o n , wife, f r e e d o m a n d sanity.

It is a c a p t i v a t i n g story of Irish life i n

the 1930's a n d a l l the c h a r a c t e r s are true i n d i v i d u a l s . J o h n H ur t 's s i m p l e B i r d O ' D o n n e l (no chestbursters here) giggles a lot, grins near toothlessly, causes m u c h mischief a n d c a r r i e s a l a m b , g i v e n half a c h a n c e . R i c h a r d H a r r i s is e x c e l l e n t i n his first film role for 10 years, g i v i n g us a p r o u d m a n w h o l i v e d for the l a n d a n d is still t o r n f r o m his first son's d e a t h i n the famine. B e r i n g e r , just k n o w n as 'the A m e r i c a n ' , emphasises the difference b e t w e e n the c o m m u n i t y a n d the outside a n d shows us a future that c o u l d destroy this w a y of life.

T h i s is the s e c o n d film b y J i m S h e r i d a n : the d i r e c t o r of My Left Foot. It is beautifully shot a n d at times is r e m i n i s c e n t of P e r t w e e ' s Die Kroppe.

The p o r t r a y a l of a s l o w e r life a n d v i l l a g e happenings is c a p t u r e d i n full, w i t h the petty squabbles, s m a l l r o m a n c e s a n d d o n k e y m u r d e r , better t h a n a n y c u r r e n t soap (save Lifebuoy).

It's B i g , it's c l e v e r a n d it's got a g o o d beat! G o a n d see it because it's s m a s h i n g .

T h e A m a z i n g M a c h i n e (Sans Gerbil)

C o m i c Relief

F r o m those l o v a b l e rogues w h o b r o u g h t y o u thos b u l b o u s post office r e d olfactory e n h a n c e r s c o m e s a c o m i c from the hearts, m i n d s a n d loins of the best w r i t e r s a n d artists, that this m i s u n d e r s t o o d little piece of life c a n offer. It's a tale of joys, w o e s a n d heartaches. L e n n y H e n r y , J o h a t h a n Ross a n d Griff R h y s - J o n e s collect m o n e y little k n o w i n g that Griff has b e e n r e p l a c e d b y a house-head d o u b l e a n d that if o n l y one p e r s o n fails to donate to C o m i c Relief t h e n the h o u s e h e a d s w i l l t a k e o v e r the w o r l d . T o a d d to the d i l e m m a a presentd a y B l a c k a d d e r must be c o n v i n c e d into d o n a t i n g b y b e i n g s h o w n a l l the places C o m i c Relief m o n e y goes to w o r k . E x t r a sideplots t u r n u p w i t h g i ant B e n E l t o n a n d D a w n F r e n c h sl oggi ng it out o v e r

Comic

L o n d o n , T h e T u r t l e s ' a p p r o a c h to R e d Nose D a y a n d the i n c l u s i o n of v i r t u a l l y e v e r y major c o m i c hero ( i n c l u d i n g D e n n i s the M e n a c e (and W o l v e r i n e — P e n d r a g o n ) (and B a t m a n — A S F ) ) .

T h e selection of artists a n d w r i t e r s is incredible w i th new people w o r k i n g on just about e v e r y page (great m i x of styles). It's a u n i q u e t e a m up of M a r v e l , D C , IPC a n d n u m e r o u s i n d e p e n d e n t s .

W h i c h hero has the biggest c h i n ? W h a t are the Viz c h a r a c t e r s up to o n R e d Nose D a y ? It's great fun a n d at times s i m p l y e x c e l l e n t . It's o n l y S I . 5 0 a n d a l l the m o n e y goes to C o m i c Relief. If y o u ' r e into c o m i c s t h e n it's a must. If not, b u y it anyway.

T h e A m a z i n g Machine.

The Third World countries face huge debts.

OPINION

A Good Deal for th e West?

W h y is the w o r l d i n the state it is? W h y d o s o m e p e o p l e starve, others w a l l o w i n p l e n t y ? A r e things g r a d u a l l y i m p r o v i n g ?

A n d are w e i n the W e s t r e a l l y h e l p i n g to b r i n g about a c h a n g e for the better i n the lot of the p o o r nations?

T h e r e has a l w a y s b e e n a feeling i n the W e s t that the d e v e l o p i n g n a t i o n s n e e d o u r help. If o n l y t h e y c o u l d l e a r n f r o m w h a t w e h a v e to t e a c h t h e m t h e y w o u l d not be so d e s p e r a t e l y p o o r . T h i s w a s e x a c t l y the t h i n k i n g w h i c h h e l p e d to justify the E u r o p e a n e m p i r e s i n L a t i n A m e r i c a , A f r i c a a n d A s i a . T o d a y , of c o u r s e , this k i n d of m o r a l v a l i d a t i o n of the E u r o p e a n p r e s e n c e i n these c o n t i n e n t s c a n n o t s t a n d u p to a n y k i n d of s c r u t i n y . It is quite a p p a r e n t that the r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n B r i t a i n a n d India, say w a s s o m e w h a t less t h a n a s y m b i o t i c o n e — B r i t a i n w a s i n India to e x p l o i t her resources a n d a n y gain o n India's part was m i n i m a l and incidental. However, I w o u l d suggest that this a r g u m e n t is not v e r y far f r o m the one u s e d t o d a y i n o r d e r to justify W e s t e r n ac t i o ns, or r a t h e r interference, i n d e v e l o p i n g c o u n t r i e s today.

Let us start w i t h the q u e s t i o n s ' W h a t is aid?', ' W h a t does a i d r e a l l y i n v o l v e ? ' If w e l o o k at the c o n t e x t i n w h i c h f i n a n c i a l h e l p (be it l o a n s o r donations) is offered to d e v e l o p i n g n a t i o n s , it b e c o m e s c l e a r that the i n t e n t i o n s of the W e s t are not e n t i r e l y b e n e v o l e n t . O n e of the p r i m e lenders of f i n a n c i a l a i d t o d a y is the W o r l d B a n k . T h e W o r l d B a n k w a s set up b y the U S A a n d the major W e s t e r n p o w e r s after W o r l d W a r T w o , w i t h the a i m of rebuilding war-torn Europe and Japan, a n d after that to p r o m o t e f i n a n c i a l stability, e c o n o m i c g r o w t h a n d a c o o p e r a t i o n w i t h the m e m b e r states.

T o d a y t h e r e are 151 c o u n t r i e s w h i c h are m e m b e r s of the W o r l d B a n k — m o s t of the c o u n t r i e s e x c e p t W a r s a w P a c t signatories.

A c o n d i t i o n of m e m b e r s h i p is that e a c h c o u n t r y must c o n t r i b u t e a c e r t a i n p e r c e n t a g e of its Gross N a t i o n a l P r o d u c t (GNP) for the B a n k ' s use.

M u c h c r i t i c i s m has b e e n m a d e b y the p o o r e r m e m b e r s c o n c e r n i n g the c o n d i t i o n s w h i c h the W o r l d B a n k sets b e f o r e r e l e a s i n g loans to d e v e l o p i n g c o u n t r i e s . T h e u n d e m o c r a t i c n a t u r e of the B a n k m e a n s that d e v e l o p i n g n a t i o ns are a l m o s t p o w e r l e s s to i m p l e m e n t p o l i c i e s of t h e i r o w n c h o i c e : it is a s s u m e d that the W e s t k n o w s m o r e about the p r o b l e m s i n M e x i c o , for e x a m p l e , t h a n t h e M e x i c a n s themselves. T h e r e seems to h a v e b e e n n o c h a n g e i n W e s t e r n attitudes since c o l o n i a l times. W h a t d e t e r m i n e s t h e v o t i n g rights of c o u n t r i e s i n the W o r l d B a n k is the size of t h e i r p o c k e t . T h u s the U S A , J a p a n a n d all the i n d u s t r i a l i s e d c o u n t r i e s have the majority of the v o t i n g p o w e r — t h e U S A e x e r c i s e s 1 8 . 5 % of the votes, w h i l e C h i n a

8

has o n l y 2 . 5 % despite the fact that its p o p u l a t i o n is four times l a r g e r t h a n that of the U S A .

W h a t a l l this m e a n s is that the W o r l d B a n k in effect acts u p o n p o l i c i e s l a i d out b y the U S A a n d o t h e r i n d u s t r i a l i s e d nations.

T h e p o o r n a t i o n s h a v e v e r y little say h o w the w o r l d e c o n o m y s h o u l d be r u n .

T h i s has h a d a d e v a s t a t i n g effect u p o n t h e m . O v e r t h e last d e c a d e o r so W o r l d Bank policies have been deeply unpopular in many countries.

U n f o r t u n a t e l y t h e y are p o w e r l e s s to do anything—they have been denied a voice.

It is g e n e r a l l y a g r e e d that the 1980's w e r e a n a p p a l l i n g d e c a d e for the p o o r n a t i o n s of the w o r l d . M a n y p e o p l e also a r g u e that the W o r l d B a n k h e l p e d m a k e things w o r s e r a t h e r t h a n a l l e v i a t e the s q u a l o r of the p o o r . T h e crisis w a s b r o u g h t about d u r i n g the 1970s t h r o u g h the m a s s i v e b o r r o w i n g b y the g o v e r n m e n t s of d e v e l o p i n g n a t i o ns f r o m b a n k s i n the W e s t w h i c h w e r e overflowing w i t h oil dollars from O P E C countries. T h e s e c o m m e r c i a l b a n k s ( w h i c h of c o u r s e i n c l u d e o u r f r i e n d l y h i g h street c h u m s i n this c o u n t r y ) w e r e v e r y ' l i b e r a l ' w i t h their l e n d i n g p o l i c i e s . T h e interest r e p a y m e n t s w e r e set at c o m m e r c i a l rates, w h i c h s e e m e d r e a s o n a b l e to b o t h parties at the t i m e. T h i s w a s a p e r i o d of e c o n o m i c b u o y a n c y a n d it s e e m e d that the d e v e l o p i n g n a t i o n s m i g h t at l o n g last b r e a k the v i c i o u s c y c l e s of p o v e r t y .

H o w e v e r this m o o d of o p t i m i s m w a s not to last v e r y l o n g . D u r i n g t h e late seventies, the W e s t w a s set for a d o w n w a r d slide into r e c e s s i o n . T h i s b r o u g h t w i t h it v e r y h i g h interest rates w h i c h m e a n t that debt s e r v i c i n g r e p a y m e n t s b y t h e p o o r to t h e r i c h nations w e r e massively increased.

H o w e v e r , h i g h interest rates are not the only problem. The fundamental problem the d e v e l o p i n g c o u n t r i e s face t o d a y is that of i n e q u a l i t y i n the w o r l d m a r k e t s i m p o s e d b y t h e West. T h e s y s t e m is r i g g e d up i n s u c h a w a y that the v a l u e of m a n u f a c t u r e d g o o d s far e x c e e d s the v a l u e of r a w m a t e r i a l s ( e x c e p t i n g o i l of course).

In the 1980s there w a s a s h a r p d r o p i n r a w m a t e r i a l prices w h i c h m e a n t that the W e s t w o u l d h a v e e v e n c h e a p e r access to t h e m , w h e r e a s the v a l u e of m a n u f a c t u r e d g o o d s has s t e a d i l y r i s e n . So it is a p p a r e n t that the W e s t is m a k i n g a h e a l t h y (but sick) profit f r o m the w a y the m a r k e t s are s t r u c t u r e d . A s o n e e c o n o m i s t put it: ' T h e c h a l l e n g e for us is to e l i m i n a t e the senseless d i c h o t o m y w h i c h m a k e s us w h o l e s a l e e x p o r t e r s of r a w m a t e r i a l s , a n d w h o l e s a l e i m p o r t e r s of f i n i s h e d goods, u n d e r terms d e t e r m i n e d e n t i r e l y b y the i n d u s t r i a l i s e d c o u n t r i e s , t e r m s that c o m p e l us to i n c r e a s i n g l y p r o d u c e a n d sell m o r e of o u r r a w m a t e r i a l s i n o r d e r to afford

less of their p r o d u c t s . ' (Simba M a k n o n i , 1989.)

So w h a t s o l u t i o n s has the W o r l d B a n k proposed? D u r i n g the mid-eighties it c a m e u p w i t h a g e m c a l l e d S A P s (Structural Adjustment Programmes). The Bank will o n l y a l l o w g o v e r n m e n t s to b o r r o w if t h e y agree to r u n their e c o n o m i e s (and thus the w h o l e p o l i t i c a l s t r u c t u r e of that c o u n t r y ) the w a y the B a n k dictates. (We m i g h t r e c a l l the furore c a u s e d i n this c o u n t r y b y possible e c o n o m i c i n t e r v e n t i o n of the E u r o p e a n C o m m u n i t y — i t w o u l d s e e m that s o m e s o v e r e i g n t i e s are v e r y m u c h m o r e p r e c i o u s t h a n others). S t r u c t u r a l Adjustment Programmes involve l i b e r a l i s a t i o n of trade p o l i c i e s (i.e. r e d u c t i o n or e v e n e l i m i n a t i o n of i m p o r t

tariffs), i n c r e a s e i n p r o d u c t i o n of c a s h crops, a n d cuts i n p u b l i c s p e n d i n g (i.e. r e d u c t i o n of e x p e n d i t u r e o n h e a l t h , e d u c a t i o n , r e m o v a l of subsidies o n food, t r a v e l a n d so on). A s a result of these policies, the c o n d i t i o n of t h e poorest sections of these c o m m u n i t i e s h a v e suffered the most, a n d i n s e v e r a l c o u n t r i e s there h a v e b e e n ' f o o d riots' w h e n the s t r a i n has b e c o m e u n b e a r a b l e .

T h e e c o n o m i e s of these c o u n t r i e s h a v e e x p e r i e n c e d a great step b a c k w a r d s t h a n k s to the policies of t h e W o r l d B a n k w h i c h is i n t e r e s t e d m o r e i n m a i n t a i n i n g or ' l o o k i n g after' the interests of the f i n a n c i a l s y s t e m set u p b y the industrialised nations than i m p r o v i n g c o n d i t i o n s i n t h e d e v e l o p i n g nations. T h e W o r l d B a n k insists that a n y c o u n t r y b o r r o w i n g d i r e c t l y f r o m or s e e k i n g its a p p r o v a l (without w h i c h c o u n t r i e s are u n a b l e to b o r r o w f r o m a n y o n e ) must m a i n t a i n its (crippling) interest p a y m e n t s o n loans b o r r o w e d i n the seventies. T h u s these c o u n t r i e s must e a r n lots of h a r d c u r r e n c y b y s e l l i n g as m u c h r a w m a t e r i a l as possible to the west a n d t h e n r e t u r n it s t r a i g h t a w a y i n the f o r m of interest r e p a y m e n t s . U n f o r t u n a t e l y , since the B a n k has t o l d m a n y o t h e r p o o r c o u n t r i e s to do the s a m e , there has b e e n a glut i n the c o m m o d i t i e s m a r k e t s , r e s u l t i n g i n prices g o i n g t h r o u g h the floor. So these c o u n t r i e s h a v e e n d e d up b e i n g m u c h w o r s e off t o d a y t h a n t h e y h a d b e e n before the W o r l d B a n k i n t e r v e n e d .

A t ' T h i r d W o r l d First' w e r e c o g n i s e that the i n d u s t r i a l i s e d w o r l d has t a k e n e n o u g h f r o m the p o o r e s t c o u n t r i e s i n this w o r l d a n d it is t i m e for the p r o c e s s to stop. If w e are too selfish a n d g r e e d y to put a n y t h i n g b a c k (and let's not k i d o u r s e l v e s that w e do) w e s h o u l d l e a v e these c o u n t r i e s a l o n e so that t h e y t h e m s e l v e s c a n d e c i d e w h a t k i n d of d e v e l o p m e n t it is that t h e y w a n t to p u r s u e .

T h i r d W o r l d First a i m s to i n c r e a s e a w a r e n e s s of issues c o n c e r n i n g the developing countries. A t Imperial College we regularly invite representatives from v a r i o u s g r o u p s (banks, c h a r i t i e s , c a m p a i g n groups, etc) to h o l d talks, debates a n d discussions w h i c h w i l l h o p e f u l l y m o t i v a t e p e o p l e to take positive a c t i o n ( h o w e v e r small) b o t h n o w a n d after t h e y l e a v e C o l l e g e. T h e s e m e e t i n g s are h e l d almost e v e r y T h u r s d a y at l u n c h t i m e — l o o k out for posters i n t h e J C R a n d a r o u n d C o l l e g e. W e s h a l l also h a v e stands i n the J C R d u r i n g this t e r m , so c o m e up a n d talk to us if y o u are interested.

Iftikhar H u s s a i n .

A n Introduction to Welfare Week MS T h e student lifestyle c a n be h i g h l y d e m a n d i n g o n y o u r h e a l t h . H o w often do y o u c o n s i d e r c o m b a t i n g the stress c a u s e d b y w o r k ? O r stop to t h i n k a b o u t y o u r a l c o h o l i n t a k e o r diet?

N e x t M o n d a y w i l l be the start of ' S u r v i v a l W e e k ' . T h e w e e k focuses o n h e a l t h y lifestyles, c o v e r i n g topics s u c h as d r i n k i n g , s m o k i n g , stress, e x e r c i s e a n d healthy eating.

a b o v e s e m i n a r s please sign up in the U n i o n Office.

A h e a l t h fair has also b e e n o r g a n i s e d w h e r e t h e r e w i l l be the o p p o r t u n i t y to c h e c k y o u r hear t rate w h e n e x e r c i s i n g , your carbon m o n o x i d e levels and blood pressure, a n d a c h a n c e to a n a l y s e the effect of y o u r a l c o h o l i n t a k e o n b o t h y o u r body and wallet.

H e r e is a b r i e f i n t r o d u c t i o n to w h a t w i l l be h a p p e n i n g d u r i n g the w e e k .

T w o Stress S e m i n a r s h a v e b e e n a r r a n g e d for T u e s d a y 26 F e b r u a r y , l - 2 p m a n d T h u r s d a y 2 8 F e b r u a r y , 5-6pm b o t h i n the S C R in the U n i o n B u i l d i n g . T h e s e w i l l be r u n b y the l o c a l h e a l t h a u t h o r i t y a n d w i l l offer p r a c t i c a l w a y s of d e a l i n g w i t h stress.

O n a m o r e l i g h t - h e a r t ed note the C o n t a g i o u s P e r f o r m a n c e C o w i l l be v i s i t i n g o n T u e s d a y 2 6 w i t h their s h o w ' S c o r i n g ' . T h e s h o w is d e s c r i b e d as a ' C h r a g e t h r o u g h the b l o o d s t r e a m that blasts a l c o h o l a n d d r u g abuse into i n s i g n i f i c a n c e w i t h a b u z z that is unforgettable'. T i c k e t s are a v a i l a b l e n o w for S I i n the U n i o n Office. T h e s h o w is heavily subsidised.

T h e r e w i l l also be a s e m i n a r offering help w i t h g i v i n g u p s m o k i n g . T h i s w i l l be o n F r i d a y 1 M a r c h , 3 - 4 p m , S C R i n the Union Building.

If y o u w o u l d l i k e to a t t e n d a n y of the

M o r e i n f o r m a t i o n about the w e e k w i l l be a v a i l a b l e i n a s p e c i a l F E L I X w h i c h w i l l be out n e x t T u e s d a y .

H Blacker, Welfare Officer.

Voluntary Service Overseas V S O ( V o l u n t a r y S e r v i c e O v e r s e a s ) is a n u n u s u a l c h a r i t y . B y most y a r d s t i c k s it does not c o n f o r m to the s t e r e o t y p e of a ' t h i r d w o r l d ' a g e n c y . N o a i d , n o disaster relief. Its w o r k is m o r e i n t a n g i b l e , p e r h a p s m o r e far r e a c h i n g . It sends people—skilled men and w o m e n aged a n y t h i n g b e t w e e n 20 a d 70 to w o r k alongside local people in 48 developing c o u n t r i e s a r o u n d the w o r l d .

A n d last y e a r it t o p p e d its o w n r e c o r d w i t h o v e r 1,300 professionals w o r k i n g overseas i n A f r i c a , A s i a , the C a r i b b e a n a n d Pacific. T h e p e o p l e V S O n o w needs are d r a w n f r o m a n i m m e n s e d i v e r s i t y of backgrounds. T h e y range from a c c o u n t a n t s to b u i l d e r s , c o m p u t e r p r o g r a m m e r s to doctors, e n g i n e e r s t h r o u g h to zoologists a n d e v e n the occasionally beekeeper.

O n e of the 1,300 c u r r e n t l y overseas is former Imperial College graduate Philip C h u r n w h o is n o w w o r k i n g as a n electrical l e c t u r e r at R a m a t P o l y t e c h n i c i n n o r t h e r n N i g e r i a . A s w e l l as c l a s s r o o m t e a c h i n g , P h i l i p is r e n o v a t i n g w o r k s h o p m a c h i n e r y a n d p a s s i n g o n p r a c t i c a l skills to l o c a l c o l l e a g u e s .

'It's h a r d w o r k , but g o o d fun,' he says.

'After n i n e m o n t h s here I'm f i n a l l y settling d o w n . T h e t w o y e a r s w i l l d i s a p p e a r so fast t h o u g h . ' A l l V S O jobs are for a m i n i m u m of t w o y e a r s w i t h p a y b a s e d o n l o c a l rates. M o s t i n v o l v e a s t r o n g t r a i n i n g e l e m e n t . Post

q u a l i f i c a t i on e x p e r i e n c e is also v e r y i m p o r t a n t , a l t h o u g h V S O a l w a y s takes into a c c o u n t p r a c t i c a l w o r k u n d e r t a k e n as part of a d e g r e e c o u r s e a n d r e l e v a n t vacation work.

If y o u ' d l i k e m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , please c o n t a c t the E n q u i r i e s U n i t , V S O , 317 Putney Bridge Road, London SW15 2 P N or t e l e p h o n e 081-780 1331.

9

Carter USM -30

Something LP

QqcLS A c r e •Ten Gospel Greats LP God's Acre—the n a m e m a y not i m m e d i a t e l y s p r i n g to m i n d but those i n the k n o w h a v e b e e n f o l l o w i n g the b a n d , t h r o u g h its b e g i n n i n g as a s o l o project i n '87 w h i c h g r a d u a l l y g a t h e r e d m e m b e r s .

F r o m other no n a m e b a n d s i n the C h i c a g o a r e a , a w a i t i n g w i t h eager a n t i c i p a t i o n , this t h e i r d e b u t L P .

Imagine Jane's Addiction's hippy glam s o u n d p r o c e s s e d b y Iain B u r g e s s of Big Black a n d Naked Raygun fame. T h e r e s u l t i n g m e a n d e r i n g w o b b l e t h r o u g h the d o m a i n of 'sub-pop soft-core is a bit s m o o t h for m y taste but does p r o v i d e s o m e e x c e l l e n t tunes.

J i m B o b a n d F r u i t b a t r e t u r n to w r e a k r e v e n g e o n v i n y l w i t h their s e c o n d a l b u m '30 S o m e t h i n g ' . A r m e d w i t h the m u s i c a l e q u i v a l e n t of t w o 15 p o u n d s l e d g e h a m m e r s t h e y set a b o u t d e s t r o y i n g everything in their wake. A n y o n e who has the balls to start a n a l b u m off w i t h a m i n d l e s s f o o t b a l l c h a n t ' Y o u fat b a s t a r d . . . Y o u fat bastard..' (Surfin' U S M ) has got to h a v e s o m e t h i n g u p their c o l l e c t i v e sleeves. D o n ' t t h e y ? ' B l o o d s p o r t F o r A H ' their latest, m u c h p u b l i c i s e d a n d ' b a n n e d ' s i n g l e is o n e of the best t r ac ks o n the a l b u m : 'Suffer in silence said Brigadier General Holmes/or change your name to Smith or Jones/Learn to live with all the death threat notes/the big bananas and the racist jokes' H e a v y stuff. Just r e a d i n g t h r o u g h the i n n e r s l e e ve notes y o u get a n i d e a of s o m e o v e r r i d i n g sadness that d r i v e s t h e m to do w h a t t h e y do, but t h e y w r a p it up i n fun p o p songs a n d their m e a n i n g c o u l d a l m o s t pass y o u by. W i t t y titles l i k e

' S e a l e d w i t h a G l a s g o w kiss' raise a n initial l a u g h but the j o k e goes a bit stale after a w h i l e .

T h e a l b u m is steeped i n c y n i c i s m but w h e n it c o m e s to ' F a l l i n g o n a b r u i s e ' . I'm s o r r y b u t I c a n ' t b e l e i v e t h e y ' r e not t a k i n g the piss.I c o u l d see t h e m as the scene opens, J i m B o b a n d F r u i t b a t l y i n g i n the m i d d l e of the r o a d , a ford C o r t i n a s t o p p e d i n front of t h e m , its w i n d s c r e e n cracked and covered in blood. Looking a r o u n d a c r o w d starts to g a t h e r a n d the a m b u l a n c e s i r e n c a n be h e a r d i n the distance. T h e n J i m (Fruitbat?) opens his e y e s a n d as t h e a m b u l a n c e stretchers t h e m a w a y t h e w o r d s c o m e t u m b l i n g out:

T h e a l b u m is full of contrasts. T h e sweetest g u i t a r s o u n d o n r o l l i n g d r u m beats is f o l l o w e d cl osely b y d e e p flower grooves all covered by deep throaty vocals. The a c c o m p a n y i n g tempo changes are w e l c o m e a n d s u d d e n l e a v i n g little t i m e to c a t c h y o u r b r e a t h . A d d i c t i v e a n d c a t c h y tunes m a k e c o m p a r i s o n s w i t h Nirvana's Sliver easy. B u t the v o c a l s do s e e m to b e a d d e d as a n after-thought a n d are i n most cases i n d e c i p h e r a b l e .

T h e r e are t w o songs of e p i c p r o p o r t i o n s . T h e Jane's Addiction come Big Black s o u n d r e a l l y c o m e s to the fore a n d if t h e y w e r e the o n l y t w o g o o d t r a c k s o n the a l b u m it w o u l d still r e c o m m e n d y o u b o r r o w it.

Seb

' Y o u w i n s o m e a n d y o u lose s o m e a n d I've lost the w i l l to lose...'

O h its so c o m i c a l l y s a d ! M i x i n g i n a d a s h of R e d D w a r f , M i c h a e l C a i n e a n d lots of attitude C a r t e r U S M h a v e m a d e a n a l b u m that k i c k s out i n a l l d i r e c t i o n s but it n e v e r lose its sense of f u n ! D e f i n i t e ly recommended.

Harry Cross

Trip the Light Fantastic This band recently played two u n d e r p u b l i c i s e d gigs i n C o l l e g e , i n Southside a n d the U n i o n L o u n g e bar. T h i s is a s h a m e b e c a u s e t h e y are o n e of the cleanest s o u n d i n g a n d listenable groups that I've h e a r d i n a l o n g t i m e .

T h e music, apart f r o m a few c o v e r s , is a sort of fusion of e a r l y Talking Heads a n d s t r a n g e l y e n o u g h U2. L y r i c a l l y m e a n i n g f u l the s i n g e r / r h y t h m guitarist's agile v o i c e is b a c k e d up b y a n e x c e l l e n t bassist (on a hofner acoustic a l a P a u l

10

McCartney) and drummer giving a very c l e a n c r i sp s o u n d .

Despite the l a c k of n u m b e r s at the gigs t h e y m a n a g e d t o get the a u d i e n c e up a n d dancing and apparently went d o w n very w e l l o n b o t h occasions, w a t c h out for t h e m a r o u n d C o l l e ge a g a i n , w e l l w o r t h a listen!

Sid.

INTERESTED in reviewing an album/gig?

A l l this f r o m a m a n who band—M. Ed.

manages the

See F E L I X Office for details

East Village —Circles

Killing Joke—the r o c k of l e g e n d a n d m us i c of i n s a n i t y . A s t h e y c o n t i n u e d t h e i r conquest of u n c o m p r o m i s i n g d e t e r m i n a t i o n a n d gut i d e o l o g y , T h e A s t o r i a w a s e x p e c t a n t at the d a w n of a n e w w a r against itself. T e r r o r t h r o u g h a n t i c i p a t i o n e b b e d a n d rose i n the h a r d c u t t i n g n e w s r e e l quotes, cut f r o m the last few days of t u r m o i l in the Gulf — a n o t h e r S C U D missile attack o n R i y a d h , m o r e threats of c h e m i c a l r e t a l i a t i o n , p a i n , distrust a n d a n g u i s h . T h e n c a m e the h o r r o r of A m e r i c a n meat a d v e r t i s i n g . T h e shear f l i p p a n c y of the g r e e d after the s t a r v a t i o n just h e a r d w a s p u r e i r o n y .

T h r o u g h this b a c k d r o p — o u r w o r l d today — arise Killing Joke to s h o c k us b r u t a l l y f r o m our satisfied a p a t h y .

Killing Joke are a l e g a c y , a constant r e m i n d e r of w h a t w e s h o u l d be. O n l y t h e y c o u l d i n c i t e a riot, start massacres but instead t h e y r i p at hearts w i t h t h e i r p o u n d i n g c h a n t s . T h e i r m u s i c is b a r e r h y t h m a n d b e a u t y . T h e y p l a y e d a n d the earth changed. N o w returned from d i v e r s i f i c a t i o n w i t h band s s u c h as Ministry, they have returned w i t h new sounds, f o u n d e d b y vocalist Jaz C o l e m a n , Guitarist G e o r d i e , d r u m m e r M a r t i n A t k i n s

Yabby You

a n d r e j o i n e d b y t h e i r o r i g i n a l bassist P a u l R a v e n . G o d , these m e n s h o u l d be immortalised.

Killing Joke m a d e us c a r e . T h e o n s l a u g h t b e g a n w i t h the single Money Is Not Our God a n d r e g r e s s e d v i a classic a n t h e m s Wardance, Empire Song a n d Requiem.

T h e y p r o v e d that their o r i g i n a l insights a n d ideals are still t r u e , a n d that their o r i g i n a l v i s i o n s are a l l the m o r e v a l i d n o w . T h e A s t o r i a lept a n d p u n c h e d t r i u m p h at the roofs. A l l the w h i l e , the v i s i o n s of h a r d s h i p , d e p r a v a t i o n a n d h o r r o r c o m p l e m e n t e d the c ha r g e d- u p p u r i t y flung at us. R o c k m u s i c has b e c o m e the o n l y w a y of r e a c h i n g the ears of s u c h a self-centred society, b y k i c k i n g a n d b i t i n g its w a y out f r o m inside their very bodies.

12"

East Village h a v e b e e n a r o u n d for about t w o y e a r s a n d h a v e r e l e a s e d a few singles o n S u b A q u a , as w e l l as s u p p o r t i n g House of Love. T h e y a r e n o w s i g n e d to the H e a v e n l y l a b e l , h o m e to the (and Manic Street Preachers um....Flowered Up). A fairly t y p i c a l i n d i e guitar b a n d — t h e y s o u n d s i m i l a r to e a r l y Primal Scream, but u n l i k e B o b b y a n d C o t h e y h a v e so far s h u n n e d a n y d a n c e influences. In fact the s i m i l a r i t i e s d o n ' t stop t h e r e — h a v e a l o o k at the b l o k e o n the right of t h e c o v e r — d o e s he r e m i n d y o u of a n y o n e ? T h e i r latest offering Circles is m e l l o w , but m o n o t o n o u s — a tune w a i t i n g for a s o n g to h a p p e n . T h e Bside Here it Comes is m u c h m o r e l i v e l y , but w o u l d s c o r e n o p o i n t s for o r i g i n a l i t y .

O t h e r band s h a v e b e e n here before, o n l y t h e y h a v e d o n e it m u c h better.

E g o r , H e d g e h o g a n d the B a s t a r d Allsort.

T h e final c o n q u e s t c a m e i n the final encore. Exhausted onlookers were d r a g g e d b a c k to the e e r i l y obsessive Love Like Blood, d e d i c a t e d to 'all those w h o are g o i n g to die i n the Gulf.' A s the lines 'As we move towards no end we learn to die, Red tears are shed on grey' r e s o u n d e d , m y heart b l e d . T h e s e m e n d e m a n d to b e listened to.

SJH

—Beware

Dub

So y o u ' v e n e v e r h e a r d of Y a b b y Y o u ? T o be honest n i e t h e r h a d we, but stick w i t h us as w e take y o u (with e n t h u s i a s t i c a b a n d o n ) d e e p into the heart of, err, d u b reggae.

Y a b b y has b e n a r o u n d for quite a w h i l e a n d has d o n e m o s t of his r e c o r d i n g in the late seventies. T h i s a l b u m w a s a c t u a l l y r e c o r d e d i n 7 8 / 7 9 a n d has b e e n r e - r e l e a s e d d u e to it b e i n g 'a m u c h sought after c o l l e c t o r s i t e m e v e r since it's release'. H e d o e s m o r e or less e v e r y t h i n g

b a r p l a y o n his a l b u m ( w h i c h sounds k i n d of strange but he is c r e d i t e d w i t h c o m p o s i n g , p r o d u c i n g a n d s o m e of the s i n g i n g o n Beware Dub. D e e p , e v e n bass u n d e r p i n s a l l the songs a n d a ' j u s t - a d d - w a t e r ' r y t h m guitar gives e a c h t r a c k the usual r e g g a e s o u n d .

It's a v e r y s p a c e y a l b u m a n d w e t h i n k it w o u l d be i m p r o v e d if y o u l i s t e n e d to it w h i l s t b e i n g s t o n e d , o t h e r w i s e forget it.

Debaser and Pop K i d

11

Alien Sex Fiend investigates sex, violence and social prejudice... oh, and comics.

FEATURES

K i d s Stuff... o r are they?

Zap!... Pow!... K h z a m m m ! ' T a k e that, e v i l fiend! Y o u r p l a n s to r u l e the w o r l d are no m o r e ! ' A n d a n o t h e r m u s c l e - b o u n d idiot i n a silly c o s t u m e puts p a i d to a n o t h e r s c h e m i n g e v i l m a s t e r m i n d , o n l y to find that the b a d d i e has escaped, a n d the w h o l e pointless c h a r a d e w i l l be ree n a c t e d n e x t issue.

W h e n most p e o p l e t h i n k of c o m i c s , this is the k i n d of s c e n a r i o that r u n s t h r o u g h their m i n d , o r m a y b e a f o n d r e m e m b r a n c e of the c h i l d h o o d days of The Beano o r Bunty. It's h a r d l y s u r p r i s i n g : W e live i n a s o c i e t y that r e g a r d s the c o m i c as a c h i l d i s h m e d i u m , a n d are thus b r o u g h t up w i t h this attitude towards them.

But w h y is this? C o m i c s d i d not, as most p e o p l e t h i n k , start out b e i n g a i m e d at c h i l d r e n , but at the s a m e age g r o u p s as most p o p u l a r f i c t i o n . S u p e r m a n , the figure that a r g u a b l y started it a l l , w a s c r e a t e d i n the e a r l y F o r t i e s . A t this t i m e the strip w a s a v i d l y r e a d b y a w i d e v a r i e t y of the A m e r i c a n p e o p l e , f r o m c h i l d r e n to teenagers, to college students a n d b e y o n d . B a t m a n b e g a n as a m u c h d a r k e r , m a t u r e figure t h a n he later b e c a m e i n the p u b l i c eye.

So w h a t c h a n g e d ? W e l l , that's the p r o b l e m : w e d i d , a n d t h e y (the comics) didn't. T h e w o r l d w e l i v e i n has b e e n c h a n g i n g at a n e v e i i n c r e a s i n g rate. W i t h the a d v e n t of i n f o r m a t i o n t e c h n o l o g y , a n d the g r o w t h of the m e d i a i n d u s t r y , p e o p l e b e g a n to see m o r e of the w o r l d t h e y l i v e d i n , a n d to u n d e r s t a n d a little m o r e of its w o r k i n g s . A s w e h a v e b e c o m e m o r e aware and educated, our understanding of ourselves a n d o u r s o c i e t y w a s affected.

T h i s has l e a d to us p l a c i n g different d e m a n d s o n t h e arts a n d e n t e r t a i n m e n t s that are m e a n t to be r e l e v a n t to the fluctuating w o r l d i n w h i c h w e live.

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w i t h the p h e n o m e n o n w i t h differing levels of success, but h a v e g e n e r a l l y m a n a g e d to k e e p u p , so to s p e a k .

T h e n of c o u r s e , w e c o m e to c o m i c s .

W h y have t h e y not b e e n a b l e to c h a n g e a l o n g w i t h o t h e r forms of fiction? T h e m a i n r e a s o n c a n be t r a c e d b a c k to the M c C a r t h y e r a of A m e r i c a n h i s t o r y . In this p a r a n o i d f r e n z y of i n v e s t i g a t i o n s a l l p r o d u c e r s of fictional w o r k w e r e h e a v i l y s c r u t i n i z e d , a n d a huge a m o u n t of pressure put u p o n t h e m . T h e c o m i c b o o k i n d u s t r y w a s a l l but d e s t r o y e d b y a g r o u p of senate house c o m m i t t e e h e a r i n g s , w h i c h a m o u n t e d to a w i t c h h u n t o n c o m i c b o o k c r e a t o r s . T h e m a i n focus of these purges w a s E C C o m i c s , the o r i g i n a l masters of t h e h o r r o r c o m i c , but i n t he i r al most ecclesiastical z e a l t h e w h o l e

T h i s is the r e a s o n that past fictional w o r k s , of a n y m e d i u m , c a n lose s o m e of their a p p e a l . T h e y b e c o m e less b e l i e v a b l e and credible w h e n viewed w i t h our greater u n d e r s t a n d i n g . T h i s is not to say that t hey are not enjoyable, but i n a different w a y , a n d often w i t h a sense of nostalgia, thus m a k i n g it v e r y h a r d to s u s p e n d our disbelief. T h i s s u s p e n s i o n of disbelief is v i t a l if a w o r k of fiction is to hold our attention and have an impact u p o n us.

T e l e v i s i o n w a s one of the m a i n forces b e h i n d these c h a n g e s , t r a n s f e r r i n g a huge a m o u n t of i n f o r m a t i o n to first h u n d r e d s , t h e n t h o u s a n d s , a n d n o w m i l l i o n s of people. A s s u c h it w a s a b l e to k e e p u p w i t h the t r a n s f o r m a t i o n of people's d e m a n d s . ( A l t h o u g h it c o u l d be s a i d that it w a s forced to b y its v e r y nature). T h e fields of c i n e m a a n d l i t e r a t u r e h a v e dealt

12

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industry w a s subjected to a c o n c e n t r a t e d attack. C o m p a n i e s w e n t o u t of business, a n d s o m e of the best artists a n d w r i t e r s w e r e forced to find e m p l o y m e n t i n o t h e r fields, a n d e v e n b e g a n d e n y i n g that t h e y h a d e v e r b e e n i n v o l v e d i n c o m i c s . So m u c h for the 1st A m e n d m e n t .

T h e r e m a i n i n g c o m p a n i e s w e r e faced w i t h a c h o i c e (?): C l e a n up or close d o w n .

In o r d e r to s u r v i v e t hey f o r m e d the C o m i c C o d e , a self-regulating b o d y w h o s e job w a s (and still is) to m a k e sure that the A m e r i c a n youth only read comic books that w e r e p u r e a n d w h o l e s o m e . V i o l e n c e w a s r e d u c e d to a b a r e m i n i m u m , a n d s e x (previously u n h e a r d of) b e c a m e totally taboo.

T h e c o n s e q u e n c e s of this are still w i t h us today. C o m i c b o o k s (especially M a r v e l ' s output) b e c a m e n i c e a n d c l e a n a n d w h o l e s o m e . A n d b l a n d , a n d silly, a n d s i m p l e m i n d e d , a n d b o r i n g . A t the s a m e t i m e the i n f o r m a t i o n t e c h n o l o g y a n d m e d i a b o o m got u n d e r w a y . T h i s l e a d to a c h a n g e i n the r e a d e r s h i p of the b o o k s .

T h e older r e a d e r s , b e c o m i n g m o r e a w a r e of t he ir society a n d t h e m s e l v e s , d e m a n d e d m o r e t h a n the c o m i c b o o k s w e r e g i v i n g , a n d thus s t o p p e d r e a d i n g t h e m . T h u s t h e a v e r a g e a g e of the r e a d e r s h i p fell. A s the r e a d e r s h i p b e c a m e y o u n g e r the w r i t e r s w e r e forced to a i m the c o m i c s at this age g r o u p , or risk falling sales. T h e n there w a s the a b y s m a l Batman T V series, w h i c h m a d e a farce of o n e of the biggest c o m i c heroes i n the public's eye. A l l of this l e d to society's p e r c e p t i o n of c o m i c s b e c o m i n g that w h i c h is t y p i c a l today: C o m i c s are for kids.

But things have c h a n g e d . It b e g a n as e a r l y as the late sixties. S o m e w r i t e r s became slightly more ambitious. T h e y

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b e g a n to p r o d u c e s l i g h t l y m o r e m a t u r e stories, a n d m a n a g e d to get t h e m past the (by then) s l i g h t l y m o r e r e l a x e d C o m i c C o d e . T h i s h a p p e n e d i n v a r i o u s titles, but m a i n l y those p r o d u c e d b y D e t e c t i v e C o m i c s (the p r o d u c e r s of Batman, Wonder Woman, et al). It w a s Superman, b y n o m e a n s consistent, a n d there w e r e m a n y periods w h e r e stories got silly a g a i n , but the s p a r k w a s t h e r e .

T h e n c a m e the Eighties, a n d w i t h t h e m a m a n called Frank Miller. Miller was s o m e t h i n g of a w i l d c a r d , c o m i n g out of (apparently) n o w h e r e , w o r k i n g as a n i n d e p e n d e n t , a n d p r o d u c i n g h i s first major release, a g r a p h i c n o v e l c a l l e d Ronin, v i r t u a l l y s i n g l e - h a n d e d l y (ie he w r o t e a n d d r e w it himself). H e t h e n w o r k e d his w a y through various characters from various c o m p a n i e s , r e d e f i n i n g t h e m w i t h a far more modern, mature and complex viewpoint. His w o r k quickly became very p o p u l a r w i t h i n the s m a l l g r o u p of c o m i c enthusiasts, those d i e - h a r d fans that hadn't left t h e i r c o m i c s w i t h t he ir r o m p e r suits. A t the s a m e t i m e s e v e r a l o t h e r w r i t e r s a n d artists h a d b e g u n e x p e r i m e n t i n g w i t h m o r e a m b i t i o u s ideas.

Marvel Comics had introduced a c h a r a c t e r , W o l v e r i n e , w h o b y his v e r y n a t u r e w a s a k i l l e r (a first for the c o m p a n y ) , a n d v a r i o u s o t h e r titles w e r e b e c o m i n g m o r e serious.

But the t u r n i n g p o i n t for the w h o l e industry came w i th Miller, and B a t m a n .

A f t e r h a v i n g g a i n e d a l a r g e a m o u n t of respect a n d f o l l o w i n g i n t h e i n d u s t r y after his w o r k o n M a r v e l ' s Daredevil, Detective C o m i c s let h i m go a h e a d w i t h a B a t m a n story. T h e result w a s a four-part l i m i t e d series, n o w r e p r i n t e d as a g r a p h i c n o v e l , c a l l e d The Dark Knight Returns. It c a u s e d a s t o r m . M i l l e r h a d t a k e n o n e of the most

The Dark Knight Returns I (Frank Miller) was the catalyst for a revolution in the comic book industry. famous c o m i c h e r o e s of a l l t i m e , w h o was b o t h e n g r a v e d o n the m i n d s of c o m i c fans w o r l d w i d e , a n d w h o e p i t o m i z e d the essential silliness of c o m i c s to the g e n e r a l p u b l i c (due l a r g e l y to the T V series), a n d totally r e d e f i n e d h i m into a m o d e r n hero, w i t h o u t c o n t r a d i c t i n g a n y of the w o r k that h a d b e e n d o n e b e f o r e . B y d o i n g this he d r a m a t i c a l l y d e m o n s t r a t e d not o n l y that c o m i c s a r e n ' t l i m i t e d to d e a l i n g w i t h c h i l d i s h stories, but also that o n e of the most 'silly' c h a r a c t e r s w a s n ' t v e r y silly after a l l .

The Batman had been portrayed over the y e a r s i n v a r i o u s w a y s , o r i g i n a l l y as a darker, revenge driven vigilante, and t h e n for most of the Sixties a n d Seventies as a r i c h , c o n c e r n e d do-gooder. In M i l l e r ' s hands he r e t a i n e d b o t h these aspects, but

b e c a m e s o m e t h i n g far m o r e . B y i n c o r p o r a t i n g these elements, a n d his o w n i n t e r p r e t a t i o n s , M i l l e r s h o w e d us a far m o r e c o m p l e x c h a r a c t e r t h a n h a d b e e n seen b e f o r e i n a c o m i c . H e c o m b i n e d this w i th another groundb r e a k i n g c o n c e p t i n c o m i c s : T i m e . The Dark Knight Returns is t h e story of the B a t m a n ' s future, of his o l d age. B y m a k i n g the B a t m a n ' s c h a r a c t e r c o m p l e x , M i l l e r t r a n s f o r m e d h i m f r o m a h e r o to a m a n , a n d w i t h t h e a d d i t i o n of t i m e , into a legend.

The Dark Knight Returns w a s the catalyst for a r e v o l u t i o n i n t h e c o m i c b o o k i n d u s t r y . Its sales w e r e huge, it c r o s s e d the age b o u n d a r i e s set al most three d e c a d e s before, a n d i n it's g r a p h i c n o v e l f o r m e n t e r e d the T i m e s best sellers list, the first to do so. It w a s a n m o d e r n , adult story i n e v e r y sense of the w o r d .

D C i m m e d i a t e l y t o o k steps to b r i n g the r e g u l a r B a t m a n titles i n l i n e w i t h M i l l e r ' s v i s i o n . M o r e a n d m o r e titles f r o m a l l c o m i c c o m p a n i e s f o l l o w e d suit. W i t h this more modern, adult a p p r o a c h there was a d e m a n d for better w r i t e r s a n d artists, a n d the q u a l i t y of the c o m i c s w e n t up a c c o r d i n g l y . P e o p l e b e g a n to realise the true p o t e n t i a l of the c o m i c as a n art f o r m . Indeed, it has b e e n h a i l e d as the m e d i u m of t h e future. C o m i c s cross theboundaries between traditional novels a n d the v i s u a l fields of c i n e m a a n d art. It is possible to c o m b i n e the v i s u a l i m p a c t of the latter w i t h the d e p t h of characterisation and narrative techniques of the f o r m e r . A r t i s t s s u c h as B i l l S i e n k i e w i c z h a v e b e e n at t h e forefront of this w o r k , i n b o t h r e g u l a r series l i k e Moon Knight, a n d g r a p h i c n o v e l s l i k e Elektra: Assassin.

T h i s n e w w a v e has l e a d to a n e w e m p h a s i s i n c o m i c s . T h e h e r o i c s have b e c o m e s e c o n d a r y to the c h a r a c t e r i s a t i o n a n d r e l a t i o n s h i p s of the heroes. T h e y are becoming more human, more real, and less l i k e t w o d i m e n s i o n a l c a r d b o a r d cutouts s p o u t i n g i n a n e c o m m e n t at not v e r y t h r e a t e n i n g b a d guys. M a r v e l C o m i c ' s X-Men a n d r e l a t e d ' M u t a n t ' titles h a v e dealt v e r y w e l l w i t h this a r e a .

Detective's Green Arrow has spent t w o y e a r s i n v e s t i g a t i n g he r o l e of the v i c t i m in m o d e r n c r i m e . T h e list c o n t i n u e s to grow.

T h e i m p l i c a t i o n s of this are finally b e g i n n i n g to filter t h r o u g h to the p u b l i c at large. T h e m a s s i v e c o v e r a g e of the B a t m a n m o v i e h e l p e d a great deal. V e r y s o o n w e m a y find o u r s e l v e s l i v i n g i n a s o c i e t y that has r e a l i s e d that c o m i c s aren't just for kids...

Wolverine

Next W e e k : A r e v i e w of the major c o m i c s h o p s i n L o n d o n , and of the best titles a v a i l a b l e at the moment...

13

Chris Riley looks at industry's attitude to the environment

Problems and Pollutions

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W i t h the w o r l d p o p u l a t i o n s p i r a l l i n g t o w a r d s s e v e n b i l l i o n , it is u n r e a l i s t i c to r e v e r t to the s t o n e age t e c h n o l o g y c a l l e d for b y s o m e of the m o r e r a d i c a l 'antip r o g r e s s ' p r e s s u r e groups. ' W e c a n n o t l o o k s o l e l y to t h e use of the l a n d a n d w i n d m i l l s to s uppo r t us i n the future' e x p l a i n s Shell's p u b l i c affairs officer, M r W y b e r r y . ' S i n c e the S e c o n d W o r l d W a r t h e r e has b e e n a five fold i n c r e a s e i n c o n s u m p t i o n of e n e r g y . T h i s d e m a n d has b e e n m e t p r i m a r i l y b y o i l , c o a l a n d gas.

T o d a y , the w o r l d ( e x c l u d i n g t h e c o m m u n i s t countries) c o n s u m e s 53 m i l l i o n b a r r e l s of o i l a d a y . It is, h o w e v e r , o n l y i n the last five y e a r s that w e h a v e b e c o m e a w a r e of the c o r r e s p o n d i n g i n c r e a s e i n C 0 w h i c h has a c c o m p a n i e d the i n c r e a s e i n use of fossil fuels.'

2

S h e l l sees t h e g l o b a l w a r m i n g a n d c l i m a t i c c h a n g e s as a c h a l l e n g e to be m e t by improvements in technology. Waste h a n d l i n g , a i r quality...etc...can a l l be s o l v e d b y t e c h n o l o g y if w e s p e n d e n o u g h m o n e y ' , e x p l a i n s B P ' s p u b l i c relations officer, M r B r o w n . ' H o w e v e r a t e c h n i c a l s o l u t i o n is n o t a s o l u t i o n unless it is economically viable.' ' E u r o p e has set itself the task of b r i n g i n g C 0 levels d o w n to 1988 levels b y the y e a r 2 0 0 5 . W e must s w i t c h f r o m c o a l a n d o i l t o n a t u r a l gas a n d u l t i m a t e l y to non-fossil fuels. ' F o r d e c a d e s gas has b e e n the C i n d e r e l l a of t h e o i l i n d u s t r y — a useless b y - p r o d u c t , not r e a d i l y t r a n s p o r t a b l e a n d instead, f l a r e d off f r o m o i l rigs. B u t w i t h increases i n t e c h n o l o g y its i m p o r t a n c e is i n c r e a s i n g . G a s t u r b i n e t e c h n o l o g y is 6 0 % m o r e efficient t h a n c o n v e n t i o n a l t u r b i n e s . F o r t y p e r cent of the w o r l d ' s p r o v e n gas r e s e r v e s c o m e f r o m the U S S R a n d S i b e r i a , Iran a n d t h e M i d d l e East. T h e p o t e n t i a l to l i n k t h e derelict R u s s i a n e c o n o m y w i t h a n e n v i r o n m e n t a l l y - c o n s c i o u s gas-hungry west is e n o r m o u s . '

E n e r g y c o m p a n i e s s h o u l d not be fighting to p r e s e r v e a n d p r o m o t e the present levels of e n e r g y c o n s u m p t i o n , but to diversify into a l t e r n a t i v e e n e r g y s o u r c e s — t o p l a n for the future. T h e s e soc a l l e d ' a l t e r n a t i v e s ' w i l l o n e d a y be o u r o n l y c h o i c e , w h e n fossil fuels a r e n o longer an alternative.

standards this w i l l a l w a y s h a p p e n , a n d those c o m p a n i e s w h o a r e first to m a k e a n effort to cut p o l l u t i o n w i l l b e p u n i s h e d f i nanci al l y. C o n s e q u e n t l y , n o c o m p a n y is at present p r e p a r e d to m a k e the first m o v e , a n d a l t h o u g h o u r hopes a n d a s p i r a t i o n for t h e future a r e different w e are a l l t a r r e d w i t h the s a m e ' d i r t y ' b r u s h . '

W h e n q u e s t i o n e d about t h e i r i n v e s t m e n t s i n the future their e x c u s e is a l w a y s that l o n g t e r m p r e d i c t i o n s c a n n o t be m a d e i n t h e o i l i n d u s t r y . S h e l l c a n n o t see far e n o u g h a h e a d to t h e point w h e n there is n o m o r e o i l or, m o r e i m p o r t a n t l y , w h e n the c o n s e q u e n c e s of b u r n i n g m o r e o i l a r e fatal. T h e y argue that fifteen y e a r s ago, the N o r t h S e a fields w e r e o n l y g o i n g to support us i n t o the 1990s. S i n c e t h e n e x p l o r a t i o n has s h o w n t h e m to be c a p a b l e for f u e l l i n g us for t h e 'foreseeable

B u t w h o t h e n is to p a y for this mass clean-up of t h e i n d u s t r i a l b a d guys? B P is resolute that a n y c l e a n i n g u p of i n d u s t r y s h o u l d be f u n d e d b y the p u b l i c i n t h e f o r m of taxes. ' T h e e n v i r o n m e n t is for the p u b l i c g o o d . Costs s h o u l d be s h a r e d b y a l l b e n e f i c i a r i e s — a fair share of t h e costs is v i t a l . ' Passing t h e cost to t h e c u s t o m e r i n this w a y is a l l v e r y w e l l i n t h e first w o r l d but it seems that s u c h m e t h o d s a r e not a p p l i c a b l e to a t h i r d w o r l d c o u n t r y that c a n n o t e v e n afford to feed its o w n population.

The simple incentive of saving the planet is not enough.

2

'It is o n t h e fuel c o n s u m p t i o n side that the p o t e n t i a l for s a v i n g e n e r g y exists', argues Shell. ' T h e gas used b y w e s t e r n E u r o p e equals t h a t lost b y l e a k i n g pipes worldwide. Simply by replacing an old fridge w i t h n e w e q u i p m e n t , t h e best that's available, 7 0 % improvements in energy efficiency c a n be a c h i e v e d . T a k e a t y p i c a l p u m p : s i m p l y b y c h o o s i n g the right p u m p for t h e right a p p l i c a t i o n e n e r g y efficiency c a n be i m p r o v e d b y 6 0 % ' .

Despite these c a r i n g c l a i m s , w h e n S h e l l w e r e a p p r o a c h e d about t h e P e t r o m i s e r , (reported i n Issue 891) t h e y w e r e not interested. W h a t it boils d o w n to is that cuts i n p u b l i c c o n s u m p t i o n of e n e r g y m e a n cuts i n business a n d profit for the major e n e r g y c o m p a n i e s .

S h e l l are full of suggestions s u c h as 'biomass e l e c t r i c i t y g e n e r a t i o n ' , ( g r o w i n g of fuel i n fields for gasification to fuel gas turbines), but w h e n a p p r o a c h e d about their o w n a l t e r n a t i v e e n e r g y r e s e a r c h t h e y have v e r y little to boast about.

14

future'. T h e foreseeable future, l i k e tomorrow, never comes.

B P , whilst p r e p a r e d to discuss i m p r o v e m e n t s i n e n e r g y efficiency, a r e a d a m a n t that these goals a r e not p u r s u e d at t h e e x c l u s i o n of e x p l o r a t i o n , t h e i r life b l o o d . ' C o n t i n u e d e x p l o r a t i o n for e x p e n d a b l e fuels a n d the p r e s e r v a t i o n of the e n v i r o n m e n t a r e not m u t u a l l y e x c l u s i v e goals'. S a d l y t h o u g h , as l o n g as t h e r e is still the t e m p t a t i o n of fossil fuels to be e x t r a c t e d a n d utilised, it seems that the ' a l t e r n a t i v e s ' ( r e n e w a b l e e n e r g y sources) w i l l n o t be sought w i t h a n y conviction. B P , like a n y c o m m e r c i a l v e n t u r e n e e d s a f i n a n c i a l i n c e n t i v e to diversify. T h e s i m p l e i n c e n t i v e of s a v i n g the planet is not e n o u g h . F o r n o w t h o u g h , i n c r e a s i n g p r o d u c t i o n costs to c l e a n u p the i n d u s t r y does n o t m a k e business sense. U n t i l t h e p o l i t i c a l i m p e t u s to c h a n g e this is s u p p l i e d , i n d u s t r y w i l l c o n t i n u e to g e n e r a t e t h e i r b i g profits at the e x p e n s e of the e n v i r o n m e n t .

S p o k e s m e n for b o t h B P a n d S h e l l stress that a n y e n v i r o n m e n t a l l e g i s l a t i o n must be i m p l e m e n t e d o n a n i n t e r n a t i o n a l basis.

E a c h c o u n t r y s h o u l d have its o w n h i g h e n v i r o n m e n t a l standards g o v e r n e d b y l o c a l l a w but b a s e d o n i n t e r n a t i o n a l concepts. W h i l s t e n v i r o n m e n t a l p o l i c y i n i n d u s t r y is still v e r y m u c h a v o l u n t a r y a c t i o n , few c o m p a n i e s a r e p r e p a r e d to follow B P ' s e x e m p l a r y style. ' M a n y c o m p a n i e s t a k e a d v a n t a g e of the l o w safety standards a n d non-existent e n v i r o n m e n t a l laws of the u n d e r d e v e l o p e d c o u n t r i e s to k e e p their costs to a m i n i m u m a n d t o m a x i m i s e their profits. W i t h o u t c o m m o n generic

E v e n w i t h i n the ' b l a c k t r i a n g l e ' of eastern E u r o p e , w h e r e G r e e n p e a c e w o r k e r s are p e r c e i v e d as ' r i c h kids w i t h n o t h i n g better to d o ' , c a r e for the e n v i r o n m e n t is c o n s i d e r e d a n e x p e n s i v e l u x u r y . ' P e r h a p s it is ' argues Peter T i c k l e , eastern b l o c k c o n s u l t a n t to Greenpeace. 'Greenpeace have been a c c u s e d of d e p r i v i n g seal h u n t e r s of a w a y of life. T h e fossil-fuel-free future that w e fight for is u l t i m a t e l y suffocating m i n i n g c o m m u n i t i e s . H o w e v e r if y o u c o n s i d e r the l o n g t e r m costs of c h r o n i c air p o l l u t i o n to p u b l i c h e a l t h , it seems sensible to stop the p o l l u t i o n before it happens. In C z e c h o s l o v a k i a s o m e four m i l l i o n p e o p l e l i v e i n t h e most h e a v i l y

Leaving a window open at night results in throbbing headaches... c o n t a m i n a t e d areas. D u r i n g the w i n t e r , w h e n continuous smog conditions prevail for w e e k s , c h i l d r e n are f o r b i d d e n to indulge i n strenuous activity. Leaving a w i n d o w o p e n at night results i n t h r o b b i n g he adac he s the n e x t d a y . In B r a t i s l a v a , the c a p i t a l of S l o v a k i a , a i r p o l l u t i o n has d e g r a d e d t h e p h y s i c a l l a n d s c a p e a n d the h u m a n e n v i r o n m e n t to t h e point w h e r e the suicide rate is the highest i n E u r o p e . ' B P m a y be m o r e p r e p a r e d t han most for t o ug he r e n v i r o n m e n t a l legislation w h i c h it calls for, b u t it w i l l r e q u i r e m o r e c o m m e r c i a l e v o l u t i o n t h a n just a c h a n g e of logo to s u r v i v e into the 21st C e n t u r y .

I r o n i c a l l y those w h o w i l l dictate a n d i m p l e m e n t a n y future e n v i r o n m e n t a l l a w are also the g u a r d i a n angels of i n d u s t r y .

It is i n their o w n interests to n u r t u r e s u c h c o m p a n i e s p r u n i n g t h e m a n n u a l l y for their taxes. T h e q u e s t i o n is w i l l this s y m b i o s i s f i n a l l y suffocate the a n i m a l s ?

The Slow Moving Snail invites you to celebrate words.

Books for Living In a l l the debate about l i t e r a c y a n d o u r schools o n e s m a l l b l u e d o c u m e n t , costing o n l y ÂŁ2.50, w a s o v e r l o o k e d . T h i s is s a d as it e x a m i n e s the v e r y heart of the issue. It is also h e a v i l y i r o n i c , as it is, u n b e l i e v a b l y , the p r o d u c t of H e r Majesty's Inspectorate f r o m the D e p a r t m e n t of E d u c a t i o n a n d Science. It is a delightful b o o k that a i m s to p e r s u a d e teachers that 'poetry matters a n d that its t e a c h i n g s h o u l d not be r e l e g a t ed to the e n d of the day, the w e e k , or the t e r m ' . W h y r e v i e w it here, y o u m a y be t h i n k i n g . B e c a u s e Teaching Poetry in the Secondary School not o n l y a n s w e r s the q u e s t i o n w h y w e don't r e a d p o e t r y after s c h o o l , it a c t u a l l y inspires a desire to start r e a d i n g it!

Words T h e a r g u m e n t s are n e a r l y poetic in their c l a r i t y a n d e n t h u s i a s m . In l o o k i n g for quotes I w a n t e d to r e p r i n t the w h o l e b o o k l e t . A s p e r p e t u a l students of life a l l of us s h o u l d h a v e a c o p y . M o r e i m p o r t a n t l y w e s h o u l d e n s u r e that a l l parents a n d E n g l i s h t e a c h e r s b u y it. H e r e is a s m a l l taste of the e x c i t e m e n t of the book: ' P o e t r y m a t t e r s because it is a c e n t r a l e x a m p l e of the use h u m a n b e i n g s m a k e of w o r d s to e x p l o r e a n d u n d e r s t a n d . L i k e other forms of w r i t i n g w e v a l u e , it lends shape a n d m e a n i n g to o u r e x p e r i e n c e s a n d helps us to m o v e w i t h c o n f i d e n c e in the w o r l d w e k n o w a n d t h e n step b e y o n d it, to r e s p o n d to the g e n e r a t i o n of m e a n i n g t h r o u g h significant, m e m o r a b l e a n d d e l i b e r a t e k i n d s of l a n g u a g e . It is a n a c t i v i t y to w h i c h w e are d r a w n because i n its range a n d r i g o u r w e feel b o t h the p r e s e n c e a n d t h e pressure of h u m a n e x p e r i e n c e . P o e t r y e m b o d i e s delight i n e x p r e s s i o n , s t r e t c h e d b e t w e e n thought, feeling a n d f o r m . A s w e b e c o m e a w a r e of the 'true s o u n d i n g s ' of p o e t r y so w e b e c o m e a w a r e of w h a t w e o u r s e l v e s m i g h t do w i t h language.'

A s G e o r g e O r w e l l illustrates i n the n e w s p e a k of 1984, it is l a n g u a g e that gives us the p o w e r for o u r thoughts, e x t e n d language a n d y o u w i d e n the h o r i z o n of o u r ideas a n d f reedoms. T h i s b o o k l e t is front-line a m m u n i t i o n i n the struggle against the forces of i g n o r a n c e a n d b i g o t r y that feed B i g B r o t h e r . It is a s m a l l step i n p r o m o t i n g o u r species' sense of h u m a n i t y .

A c e l e b r a t i o n of these steps, t o l d t h r o u g h the h i s t o r y of h u m a n k n o w l e d g e a n d science, has r e c e n t l y b e e n rep u b l i s h e d i n p a p e r b a c k b y the B B C . A s part of their n e w Classics Series t h e y h a v e b r o u g h t out J a c o b B r o n o w s k i ' s b o o k Ascent of Man. If y o u h a v e lost y o u r primary school inquisitiveness and

c r e a t i v i t y , y o u r sense of w o n d e r at h u m a n k n o w l e d g e because of the soulless n a t u r e of the s e c o n d a r y s c h o o l a n d c o l l e g e c u r r i c u l u m ; if l e a r n i n g has n o w b e c o m e s o l e l y w o r k to a c h i e v e a d e g r e e a n d job - t h e n y o u n e e d this b o o k . It w i l l infect y o u w i t h B r o n o w s k i ' s p e r s o n a l e n t h u s i a s m a n d o p t i m i s m . It w i l l c h a l l e n g e y o u w i t h s c i e n c e that has a h u m a n soul.

B r o n o w s k i is o n e of those scientists, poets, p l a y w r i g h t s , historians a n d p h i l o s o p h e r s w h o celebrates the values a n d u n i t y f o u n d i n science a n d art. A s he expresses i n a s e c o n d b o o k , Science and Human Values, that s h o u l d be r e p r i n t e d a n d sent to a l l u n d e r g r a d u a t e s before t h e y start h e r e - it m i g h t lessen the i n h u m a n i t y of this place: 'In science a n d in art a n d in selfknowledge we explore and move c o n s t a n t l y b y t u r n i n g to the w o r l d of sense to ask, is this so? T h i s is the habit of t r u t h , a l w a y s m i n u t e yet a l w a y s urgent, w h i c h for four h u n d r e d years has e n t e r e d e v e r y a c t i o n of o u r s ; a n d has m a d e o u r s o c i e t y a n d the v a l u e it sets o n m a n , as s u r e l y as it h a d m a d e the l i n o t y p e m a c h i n e a n d the scout knife, a n d King Lear a n d the Origin of the Species a n d L e o n a r d o ' s Lady with a Stoat.'

Glorious M i r o s l a v H o l u b , the C z e c h poet a n d scientist, w h e n he s p o k e h e r e in N o v e m b e r a b o u t Science, Art and Ethics q u o t e d B r o n o w s k i . T h e r e is n o better w a y of e x p r e s s i n g s u c h t h o u g h t s .

H o l u b expresses i n his p o e t r y w a y s of seeing the w o r l d t h r o u g h t h e t u r b u l e n c e of a society s u p p r e s s e d b y S t a l i n i s m , in w h i c h truth is c o r r u p t e d i n t o p o w e r . T h e p o e m s e x p l o r e m e a n i n g s w i t h a sense that t h e y g i v e us the w o r l d , a n d yet, there is the c u t t i n g edge of the final lines that tell of loss. A r e facts real? D o t h e y relate to w h y ? H o w c a n w e k n o w s o m e t h i n g i n a society in w h i c h a fact is a fact t h r o u g h fear? T h i s fear a n d sadness gives H o l u b ' s w o r k a v i t a l i t y a n d significance. H e r e is the p e n as s w o r d , science as l i b e r a t o r .

H o l u b is a p o e t p u b l i s h e d b y B l o o d a x e B o o k s , a c o m p a n y set-up d u e to the anger of N e i l A s t l e y at the insult p o e t r y was given by c o m m e r c i a l publishers. H e has p u b l i s h e d a c o m p i l a t i o n of the w o r k s of 56 poets, w r i t e r s w h o h a v e b e e n e n c o u r a g e d a n d s u p p o r t e d in their w o r k b y B l o o d a x e . Poetry With an Edge is a n i n t r o d u c t i o n to c o n t e m p o r a r y p o e t r y for those of us w h o don't k n o w w h e r e to b e g i n . H o l u b is there, as is J o Shapcott.

H e r b o o k Electroplating the Baby is a , series of p e r s o n a l images, f u n n y ,

r o m a n t i c , e v e r y d a y , m a c a b r e , w i t h an u n d e r l y i n g sense of d i s c o v e r y . H e r i n s p i r a t i o n c o m e s f r o m a r a n g e of objects a n d events, as v a r i e d as a b o o k s t a n d i n a r a i l w a y s t a t i o n to articles in V i c t o r i a n science m a g a z i n e s to a m u g .

O n V a l e n t i n e s D a y J o a r o u s e d her a u d i e n c e w i t h s e x a n d s c i e n c e , the e x p l o r a t i o n of a t o m i c p a r t i c l e s b e c a m e a n erotic massage of her b o d y . U s i n g w e i r d c h a r a c t e r s s u c h as T o m the Cat, M a r i l y n M o n r o e a n d a c o w w i t h B S E , she t u r n e d her a u d i e n c e into a n a r c h i c w o r d destroyers, b o d y l a n g u a g e physicists a n d scientists w i t h a n insane stare a n d a t e n d a n c y for the shakes. T h e H a l d a n e Library vibrated with words.

T w o p r o f e s s i o n a l p s y c h o l o g i s t s got together to p u b l i s h a c o l l e c t i o n of quotations c a l l e d In a Dark Time. T h i s is constructed into a thought journey from s h o c k to d e p r e s s i o n to the joy of hope, as it travels t h r o u g h the i n s a n i t y of w a r . If y o u are d e p r e s s e d b y the i n h u m a n b i g o t r y e x p r e s s e d in the p r e s e n t gung-ho attitude to the Gulf w a r this b o o k w i l l t u r n y o u r d e p r e s s i o n into tears of hope, for 'In a d a r k t i m e the eye be g i ns to see'.

A l l the b o o k s r e v i e w e d here express the v i t a l h u m a n n e e d to r e a d . B y t u r n i n g their pages, t u r n i n g their w o r d s into o u r images a n d c o n c e p t s , w e a r e e x p r e s s i n g and e x p a n d i n g our humanity. Sadly being h u m a n , apart f r o m r e c o g n i t i o n for c o m m u n i c a t i o n , a v o i d a n c e or sex, is not a v a l u e d or w e l l u n d e r s t o o d c o n c e p t at I m pe r i al. T h e r e are a few p l a c e s here that do r e p r e s e n t h o p e of h i g h e r things; the H a l d a n e L i b r a r y - sadly not the H u m a n i t i e s D e p a r t m e n t - a n d most i m p o r t a n t l y , in the P h y s i c s D e p a r t m e n t there is the B l a c k e t t B o o k s h o p , just opposite the g e n e r a l office o n l e v e l 3, o p e n e v e r y l u n c h t i m e f r o m 12:30 to 2:30.

Words Here you can buy second-hand books that s m e l l l i k e h u m a n t h o u g h t a n d imagination.

L o n g m a y the h u m a n spirit struggle to s u r v i v e here a n d e v e n t u a l l y tear d o w n the present m o n s t r o s i t y that sacrifices science to the p o l i t i c s of f i n a n c i a l m a n a g e m e n t , utility a n d m a r k e t i n g .

A l l the B l o o d a x e B o o k s m e n t i o n e d c a n be bought f r o m the U n i o n B o o k s t o r e . Ascent of Man f r o m D i l l o n s i n the S c i e n c e M u s e u m . Teaching Poetry in the School c a n be o r d e r e d f r o m Secondary H M S O tel: 622 3316. In a Dark Time edited b y N i c o l a s H u m p h r e y a n d R o b e r t J a y L i f t on is p u b l i s h e d b y F a b e r a n d F a b e r a n d c a n be o r d e r e d f r o m a n y g o o d bookshop.

15

Clubs and CLUBS

Rag

A Vision Of

Christ

HYPNOSIS T o n i g h t there's t h e S p r i n g H y p n o s i s L e c t u r e . T h i s is a v e r y p o p u l a r e v e n t e s p e c i a l l y for those w h o m i s s e d t h e R a g W e e k v e r s i o n . If a n y o n e w i s h e s to b e h y p n o t i s e d o r w a t c h t h e effects o n others t u r n u p at t h e G r e a t H a l l , 7. 15p m tonight.

It o n l y costs £2.50.

F o r p e o p l e w h o w a n t to c o l l e c t lots of m o n e y for c h a r i t y , w e h a v e p e r m i s s i o n to collect in the R o y a l Albert H a l l over s e v e r a l of t h e E r i c C l a p t o n c o n c e r t s . See M a r t i n H i g h w a y i n t h e R C S Office for m o r e details (or at today's m e e t i n g ) .

A n d f i n a l l y , C o m i c Relief takes p l a c e o n 15th M a r c h . O v e r t h e last 5 y e a r s this has r a i s e d o v e r £44 m i l l i o n . If a n y o n e needs h e l p o r g a n i s i n g a n e v e n t for this o r has a n y ideas for stunts, c o m e to a R a g meeting.

Come & Watch Blasphemy.

T h e r e a r e bits i n t h e B i b l e that a r e erotic, a n d i n s o m e people's m i n d s p o r n o g r a p h i c .

T h e ' S o n g of S o l o m a n ' is o n e of these j u i c y pieces. In t h e last c e n t u r y J o h n Carlisle, b e i n g t r i e d for b l a s p h e m y , w a s p r e v e n t e d f r o m r e a d i n g p u b l i c l y these extracts.

You Will Be There!

Rugby S u n d a y 24 F e b r u a r y sees t h e G u t t e r i d g e C u p final b e t w e e n I m p e r i a l C o l l e g e R F C a n d C h a r i n g C r o s s H M C at t h e U L U Sports G r o u n d i n M o t s p u r P a r k . K i c k off is 1 2 . 3 0 p m so w h y not c o m e a n d s uppo r t us! S u p p o r t e r s c o a c h e s l e a v e t h e U n i o n at 11.30am.

FilmSoc Betty Blue N o w that I've got y o u r a t t e n t i o n , I s h a l l say that J e a n J a c q u e s B e i n e i x , the d i r e c t o r of that i n f a m o u s f i l m , is responsible for next week's Filmsoc p r e s e n t a t i o n , Diva. T h i s is a s t y l i s h French thriller concerning a n opera singer, s o m e illegal r e c o r d i n g s of h e r p e r f o r m i n g , a n d a n a s s o r t m e n t of c r i m i n a l s . T h e plot is s o p h i s t i c a t e d , w i t h a few twists a n d turns, so c o m e a l o n g at 7.30pm o n Thursday, M e c h E n g 220, a n d polish up o n y o u r F r e n c h a n d culture.

16

T h e r e has b e e n a t r a d i t i o n , w i t h i n C h r i s t i a n i t y , to e x p l o r e the s e x u a l i t y to be f o u n d i n its l a n g u a g e a n d i m a g e s . T h e c o n c e p t s of w o r s h i p a n d l o v e of the b o d y a n d spirit of C h r i s t , as w e l l as t h e n u n ' s ' m a r r i a g e ' to G o d , h a v e b e e n d e s c r i b e d i n sexual language. T h e famous blasphemy

trial of ' G a y N e w s ' , p r o s e c u t e d b y M a r y Whitehouse a n d her Christian 'moral' crusaders, w a s for a p o e m b y a g a y C h r i s t i a n f o l l o w i n g this t r a d i t i o n : A t r a d i t i o n that g o e s b a c k c e n t u r i e s . T h e film, Visions of Ecstacy, w a s m a d e b y t w o C h r i s t i a n s , b a s e d o n the e r o t i c d r e a m s of a n u n i n t h e 1 9 t h C e n t u r y . It w a s b a n n e d last y e a r i n this c o u n t r y for b l a s p h e m y .

T o e x a m i n e w h y this w a s d o n e a n d as a protest against t h e b l a s p h e m y l a w t h e T H H u x l e y S o c i e t y w i l l be s h o w i n g this f i l m i n t h e U n i o n L o u n g e at 1.15pm o n Thursday 28 February. C o m e along a n d find o u t w h y it w a s b a n n e d . 5 0 p e n t r a n c e (free to members).

Dance IC D a n c e C l u b t o o k four t e a m s (16 couples) a n d s e v e n ex-student c o u p l e s to Sheffield o n S a t u r d a y F e b r u a r y 2 for t h e Sheffield i n t e r - v a r s i ty c o m p e t i t i o n . T h e Sheffield is often v i e w e d a s a w a r m - u p to the m o r e c o m p e t i t i v e S U D A a n d I V D A events w h i c h w i l l take p l a c e later this t e r m . T h e o v e r a l l t e a m results w e r e n o t startling, w i t h b o t h A a n d B teams r a n k i n g t h i r d . C a m b r i d g e t o o k b o t h first place trophies (which, incidentally, w e r e w o n b y us last y e a r ) b u t w e d i d w i n the T e a m Knockout competition (won by C a m b r i d g e last year!).

O n a n i n d i v i d u a l basis s o m e of the results w e r e quite e n c o u r a g i n g : T e a m W a l t z w a s w o n (rather casually!) b y J a m e s B a r r o n a n d Janet B o n d (A team) w h o also c a m e first i n t h e O p e n V i e n n e s e

Waltz. Gareth Davies a n d Christine B e a r p a r k (A t e a m ) t o o k first place i n T e a m J i v e . W e t h o u g h t that o u r A t e a m Cha C h a C h a couple Wendy T a n a n d M a r k H i g h m a n w e r e v e r y u n f o r t u n a t e to h a v e b e e n k n o c k e d out i n the semi-final and w o u l d probably have been placed quite h i g h l y h a d t h e y m a d e it to t h e final.

Our B team C h a couple Paul Ng a n d Sarita C h a n d r a s e k h a r a n took 3 r d place.

In the O p e n c o m p e t i t i o n s E r i c a n d A n n e came second in Rock and Roll with a very acrobatic r o u t i n e — w e l l done! E x students S t e v e a n d N i c k i w o n the O p e n S a m b a b u t t h e fame w e n t to S h u k o Noguchi a n d Rachel C o n d o r w h o entered w i t h a hastily put together r o u t i n e as a n all-girl c o u p l e , a n d s h o c k e d e v e r y o n e b y coming sixth.

Socs Picocon

5-A-Side IC R a n d o m s : T o p of G r o u p IC l s t s a n d 2 n d s : O u t of R u n n i n g F i v e o ' c l o c k last S u n d a y m o r n i n g , 15 of the toughest s p e d off i n t h e ' h a r d seated, petro-powered conveyance mechanism: destination Southampton University v i a Fleet m o t o r w a y services for o v e r p r i c e d coffee, m u e s l i a n d tea.

It's b a c k ! T h e a n n u a l I m p e r i a l C o l l e g e S c i e n c e F i c t i o n c o n v e n t i o n is set to i n v a d e the U n i o n B u i l d i n g for a w h o l e d a y of t r a n s m u t i n g , t r a n s f e r i n g , transporting and maybe e v e n translating.

W e ' v e got D o n A b n e t t f r o m M a r v e l c o m i c s (co-writer of the K n i g h t s of P e n d r a g o n , editor of Strip a n d c o n t r i b u t o r to the C o m i c Relief C o m i c ) g i v i n g a talk a n d A l e x S t e w a r t (writer, editor) d o i n g s o m e , a l o n g w i t h stalls, the r e a l H i t c h h i k e r s G u i d e to the G a l a x y ( A r c h i m e d e s o w n e r s b r i n g disks), b i g q u i z games, songs, d a n c e , h o p s c o t c h , t o r t u r e , a l i e n i m p r e s s i o n s , v i d e o s a n d the b a r is o p e n A L L D A Y ! ! T h e r e l e v a n t s (big g r e y things w i t h t r u n k s ) a r e as follows: 1. It's o n S a t u r d a y M a r c h 2.

2. It costs ÂŁ4 o n the day, ÂŁ3.50 a d v a n c e .

3. T h e r e ' s D a n A b n e t t .

4. T h e r e ' s A l e x Stewart.

5. T h e r e ' s no ' R ' i n P i c o c o n .

6. T h e r e ' s A L L D A Y B E E R .

7. It starts at 1 0 a m a n d dies f r o m e x h a u s t i o n , a l c o h o l p o i s o n i n g , satisfaction, b r a i n d a m a g e a n d b o w e l relapse at 1 W h e t h e r it's because y o u b e l i e v e i n klingons, think you're a x e n o m o r p h , think B a r b a r e l l a is h o r n y , w a n t to see the size of the c o l l a r s i n B l a k e ' s S e v e n , h a v e a n y t h i n g e v e n close to a n i m a g i n a t i o n , y o u w a n t to see a n artist's ideas about s c i e n c e or y o u just w a n t to talk a l o a d of c r a p a n d h a v e s o m e o n e w h o ' l l listen to y o u . Y o u ' l l m i s s J i m ' l l F i x It, B l i n d D a t e a n d P a u l D a n i e l s a n d still be b a c k for T w i n P e a k s . B e seeing y o u .

Hyde Park Relay u i i i '

it*' F i v e m o n t h s of b e g g i n g , b o r r o w i n g a n d s t e a l i n g c u l m i n a t e d o n S a t u r d a y i n the 4 3 r d r u n n i n g of the H y d e P a r k R e l a y s .

Fifteen h u n d r e d students f r o m a l l o v e r E u r o p e d e s c e n d e d o n I m p e r i a l C o l l e g e to t a k e part i n t h e biggest r a c e of its k i n d i n the w o r l d . T h i s y e a r the e v e n t w a s s p o n s o r e d b y the l o c a l N a t w e s t B a n k a n d also N e w B a l a n c e .

The event resembled the L o n d o n M a r a t h o n i n its p r o f e s s i o n a l i s m ; sponsors, 3 A ' s officials, v i d e o c a m e r a s , official photographers a n d marshals all gathered to witness the mass start. 150 m e n a n d 53 w o m e n s u r g e d a r o u n d t h e S e r p e n t i n e at a time. IC C r o s s - C o u n t r y C l u b r e l i e d o n

illltll tactics of a pre-race night spent o n the floor i n S o u t h s i d e g y m to w a r d off the foreign c o m p e t i t i o n .

Predictably, Loughborough won both the ladies a n d m e n ' s races, h o w e v e r Imperial runners used their advantage in k n o w i n g the c o u r s e to all r u n w e l l . T h e h e r o of the d a y b e i n g F r a n k w h o r a n 3 legs, e a c h for a different t e a m . G B international, Simon Mugglestone, w o n the m e n ' s i n d i v i d u a l p r i z e .

T h a n k s to A l e x ' s w i z a r d r y , a c o m p u t e r i s e d results s e r v i c e a l l o w e d the m a g n i f i c e n t t r o p h i e s to be p r e s e n t e d to the w i n n e r s w h i l s t the h u n g r y r u n n e r s w r e still d e v o u r i n g the feast p r e p a r e d

H a v i n g e a r l i e r b e e n r o b b e d i n the cafeteria, the l s t s a n d 2nds c o u l d n ' t beleive that it c o u l d h a p p e n a s e c o n d time l o s i n g to t e a m s i n their g r o ups . It w a s d o w n to t h e m i g h t y 3rds to c a r r y the IC flag. A g a i n s t a l l odds a n d a p a r t i s a n h o m e c r o w d , t h e y fought l i k e w o u n d e d animals and twatted Southampton lsts 2-0, A n n a n p a s s i n g the b a l l at least t w i c e i n the w a r m u p . A c l i m a x h a d b e e n set up, a 2nds v e r s u s 3rds c r u n c h m a t c h i n w h i c h b l o o d w a s spilt a n d the g a m e w a s d r a w n . IC Misfits, w i n n i n g their g r o u p a n d the s u p p o r t of the c r o w d w e n t o n to lose rather u n c o n v i n c i n g l y to Sussex, N e l s o n deftly s l o t t i n g a n o w n goal at t h e s e c o n d a t t e m p t past k e e p e r , C hris Collison.

B y the e n d of the d a y w e h a d r i d d e n o u r l u c k too far. T h i s b e c a m e a p p a r e n t w h e n the m i n i - b u s g r o u n d to a halt at Barons Court.

d e l i c a t e l y the n i g h before, u s i n g p r e v i o u s l y h i d d e n c u l i n a r y talents of the IC T r o g a n s . F a s h i o n c o n s c i o u s athletes p u r c h a s e d d e s i g n e r T-Shirts, of w h i c h t h e r e are a l i m i t e d n u m b e r r e m a i n i n g .

T h e r e w i l l be a n o p p o r t u n i t y to b u y these a n d s o m e of last year's m e m o r a b i l i a i n the J C R o n T u e s d a y b e t w e e n 11.30 a n d 2.30pm.

T h e e v e n t w a s a n u n p a r a l l e l l e d success w h i c h couldn't have happened without the help of m o s t of the c l u b m e m b e r s , particularly Dave and Duncan. Thanks also to a b r a v e F E L I X p h o t o g r a p h e r w h o stuck it out u n t i l the e n d .

17

Scribblers' C orner.

What's O n AN

UP-TO-THE-MINUTE GUIDE TO EVENTS

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

Yacht Club Meeting Huxley 413.

Rag Meeting Union Lounge.

Huxley Soc Bookstall JCR. Friday Prayers Southside G y m . See Islamic Society.

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

Yoga Southside Christian Union Meeting 308 Computing.

Swimming Sports Centre. New members always welcome.

Fencing Club Training Club training.

Rag Hypnosis Lecture Great Hall. ÂŁ2.50.

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

Southside Disco Southside Bar.

SATURDAY Kung Fu Club Wu Shu Kwan in Southside Gym.

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

Catholic Chaplaincy Mass 53 Cromwell Road.

Wargames UDH. A l l welcome.

Yoga ^ Southside G y m .

Kung Fu Club Wu Shu Kwan in the Union Gym. Catholic Mass 53 Cromwell Road, followed by supper.

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

Basketball Club Volleyball Court. Men's Team.

Keep Fit Southside Gym. Intermediate Rock 'n' Roll JCR. Swimming Sports Centre. New members always welcome.

Bogged - down Lane Dear Andy, In r e p l y to the s m a l l piece h e a d e d ' R e a l F u n d i n g ' , there w e r e so m a n y points r a i s e d i n the a r t i c l e it is difficult to k n o w w h e r e to start. It is far too easy to b l a m e i n d i v i d u a l s up to a n d i n c l u d i n g sabbaticals for the state of the U n i o n n o w (mind y o u , C o u n c i l a p p r o v e d e x p e n d i t u r e for s u r v e y i n g 2,000 students a c c o r d i n g to the President's r e p o r t request, but at the U G M he c l a i m e d it was for 1,200-1,500 students, a n i n c r e a s e d cost of 2 5 - 4 0 % .

A n d he r e c k o n s I'm t r y i n g to m i s l e a d Council!?!? C o u l d n ' t resist that one Shan).

But o n closer reflection the b l a m e can't lie there. E l e c t e d i n d i v i d u a l s are e n d o r s e d to t r y a n d put i n their o w n ideas a n d feelings for w h a t is best for the students, w h i l s t e n a c t i n g their w i l l as w e l l f r o m U G M s etc. T h e failure of these are not a n i n d i c a t i o n of the w e a k n e s s of a n y proposals, but the i n a p p r o p r i a t e n e s s of t h e i r c o n c e p t i o n i n the c u r r e n t climate.

H o w e v e r , i n the light of n e w proposals to a b o l i s h the U G M , I feel t h e first place to start is w i t h the c o m m i t t e e structure.

P r e s e n t l y , the U G M is the s o v e r e i g n b o d y of I C U , f o l l o w e d b y C o u n c i l , t h e n U F C is b e n e a t h C o u n c i l . N o w U F C is s u p p o s e d to g i v e a d v i c e a n d investigate the finances of the U n i o n . So, it w o u l d be o b v i o u s that U F C s h o u l d report to C o u n c i l . B U T , a few years ago C o u n c i l thought that it was d o i n g too m u c h w o r k , a n d since the majority of U F C s e e m e d to be a sensible c o m m i t t e e , so w h y a b o l i s h it. H e n c e , a l l U n i o n f i nanc i al matters are d e c i d e d b y UFC, then theoretically rubber-stamped b y C o u n c i l , t h o u g h n o w matters don't s e e m to get that far, t hey a r e just accepted.

So that's the c u r r e n t situation n o w , but it seems that the decisions of the U n i o n ' s past are n o w c a t c h i n g up w i t h us i n a b i g w a y . If U G M s are to go t h e n C o u n c i l w i l l h a v e to take m o r e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y . Is that l i k e l y to h a p p e n . W e l l , f r o m M r E y e r s r e c k o n i n g , o n l y a few p e o p l e b o t h e r to take part in i m p o r t a n t discussions. T h a n k s for that, I'm s o r r y if p e o p l e a r e t h i n k i n g that I'm not s a y i n g e n o u g h , but I'm not sure what's g o i n g o n half the time. I c a n o n l y p r e s u m e that their e d u c a t i o n here is s e c o n d to n o n e a n d that t hey u n d e r s t a n d perfectly w h a t ' s g o i n g o n . I doubt that, but the m o r e accurate a n s w e r w o u l d be that p e o p l e a r e not b o l d e n o u g h to ask questions. A n d w h o c a n b l a m e them? I've b e e n here n e a r l y four y e a r s a n d n e v e r for one m o m e n t felt 1 0 0 % c o m f o r t a b l e about what's g o i n g o n !

Y o u r editorial said 'the o n l y w a y things can get a n y better is if y o u get i n v o l v e d ' .

A more accurate perception would have b e e n '...if y o u get I N V O I C E D ! '

Yours, A wfully-bogged-down, Spenser Lane, SCC Chairman.

United?

Dear Andy, I w o n d e r w h a t the C h i l d r e n of the W i n n i e M a n d e l a C e n t r e for the U n d e r F i v e s , t h i n k a b o u t her r e c e n t a p p e a r a n c e in court o n the charges of assault a n d a b d u c t i o n . T h e allegations i n v o l v e the feared M a n d e l a U t d football t e a m w h i c h she ' m a n a g e d ' whilst her h u s b a n d was e n j o y i n g p r i s o n life. T h e c a p t a i n of this football club has a l r e a d y b e e n f o u n d guilty of the m u r d e r or p o o r little Stompie.

T h i s centre for the u n d e r fives is not, as y o u w o u l d i m a g i n e i n a s h a n t y t o w n of S o w e t o , but i n the L o n d o n B o r o u g h of Islington. I w a s w o n d e r i n g w h a t a c o n v e r s a t i o n b e t w e e n a p u p i l a n d teacher m i g h t be l i k e at this centre: ' W e l l , J o h n n y don't d r o p that paint pot a g a i n or I'll r i p y o u r throat out w i t h a p a i r of g a r d e n shears. D o n ' t e v e n t h i n k a b o u t t e l l i n g y o u r parents or w e ' l l go r o u n d y o u r house, set fire to it, a n d g a n g r a p e y o u r sister.'

T h i s w o u l d be consistent w i t h the M a n d e l a U t d c o d e of p r a c t i c e . T h e y h a v e b e e n r e s p o n s i b l e for the fear that has swept m a n y b l a c k t o w n s h i p s . T h i s is s h o w n b y the r e l u c t a n c e of p r o s e c u t i o n witnesses to c o m e f o r w a r d to testify against the ' m a n a g e r ' . I must a d m i t I h a v e v e r y little respect for either M r s M a n d e l a or h e r terrorist h u s b a n d , p a r t i c u l a r l y s i n c e her n o w famous quotation ' W i t h our matches and our n e c k l a c e s w e w i l l liberate this l a n d . ' Isn't it sad that whilst Presi dent D e K l e r k is d o i n g w o n d e r f u l w o r k w i t h his reforms i n t h e R e p u b l i c of S o u t h A f r i c a , the m a i n n e w s that's c o m i n g out of this c o u n t r y is the t r i a l of a w i c k e d w o m a n ?

Islington c o u n c i l s h o u l d i m m e d i a t e l y ren a m e the c e n t r e . Perhaps after s o m e great B r i t i s h h e r o . H o w about the M a r g a r e t T h a t c h e r centre for the U n d e r F i v e s or e v e n after N o r m a n T e b b i t or Enoch Powell. However knowing Islington C o u n c i l as I do, t h e y ' d p r o b a b l y n a m e it after S a d d a m H u s s e i n !

Yours, Alan Bailey.

P.S. I h a v e a c c e p t e d y o u r c h a l l e n g e of a p u b l i c debate. Y o u ' v e got m y n u m b e r so w h e n w i l l y o u let m e k n o w the details?

Apologies...?

Dear Saddam Hussein, I'm w r i t i n g t o a p o l o g i s e for the t e r r i b l e c r i m e s o u r Imperialist Fascist G o v e r n m e n t s h a v e c o m m i t t e d against y o u r c o u n t r y , a n d to a s s u r e y o u that e v e n h e r e a n d i n 'the G r e a t S a t a n ' t h e r e are p l e n t y of p e o p l e w h o w i s h y o u n o harm whatsoever.

A l l t h r o u g h o u t this crisis w e h a v e b e e n c a l l i n g for a p e a c e f u l s o l u t i o n , a n d w e have regularly condemned America's persistent a g g r e s s i o n . E v e n n o w after four w e e k s of w a r w e feel it is n o t too late to negotiate. Y o u s h o w e d y o u r s e l f to b e a r e a s o n a b l e a n d a m i a b l e g e n t l e m a n b y the help y o u g a v e to the f o r e i g n e rs s t r a n d e d in Iraq a n d K u w a i t . O u r l e a d e r s o n the o t h e r h a n d a r e obstinate a n d pi g- headed idiots w h o s e refusal to negotiate is a d a m n i n g i n d i c t m e n t o n o u r so-called democracy.

For the past m o n t h 'the A l l i e s ' h a v e b e e n b o m b i n g h e l l out of Iraq, a n d w h a t has it a c h i e v e d ? Y o u r c o n t i n u e d missile attacks o n S a u d i A r a b i a a n d Israel s h o w that the b o m b i n g is h a v i n g n o r e a l effect on y o u r a r m y , a n d o b v i o u s l y y o u don't g i v e a toss a b o u t c i v i l i a n casualties. A b l o k e I m e t i n t h e p u b s a i d this w a r is c o s t i n g us o v e r forty m i l l i o n q u i d a d a y — that's n e a r l y half w h a t the N H S gets! T h e T o r i e s are c l o s i n g h o s p i t a l s to p a y for s o m e o n e else's w a r , a n d w e say e n o u g h is e n o u g h .

Here's the p l a n : w i t h e v e r y o n e ' s a t t e n t i o n t u r n e d to the Gulf (perhaps y o u c o u l d t u r n the heat up a bit?) w e the p e o p l e w i l l rise u p a n d s i e z e p o w e r , s m a s h the T o r i e s , a b o l i s h t h e P o l l T a x , and stop the Gulf W a r . W e offer y o u this

c o m p r o m i s e : if w e p u l l a l l o u r troops out of t h e G u l f, y o u get o u t of K u w a i t . Y o u can k e e p e v e r y t h i n g y o u ' v e n i c k e d — t h e K u w a i t i s are r i c h a n d w i l l easily r e b u i l d their country.

In f a c t — w h a t the h e c k — y o u c a n k e e p K u w a i t . T h e g i r l at the c h i p p i e r e c k o n s the A l - S a b a h s w h o r a n K u w a i t are d i c t a t o r s — a l l 1200 of ' e m . T h e p e o p l e of K u w a i t aren't m u c h better. T h e N a t i o n a l U n i o n of K u w a i t i Students s a y t h e y ' v e b e e n t r y i n g t o get r i d of t h e A l - S a b a h s s i n c e 1964. It o n l y t o o k us e l e v e n y e a r s to get r i d of o u r dictator, so c l e a r l y N U K S aren't t r y i n g v e r y h a r d . T h e y don't d e s e r v e a c o u n t r y of t h e i r o w n . B e s i d e s , K u w a i t has o n l y b e e n a r o u n d since 1710, so t h e y ' v e n o r e a l h i s t o r i c a l c l a i m to independence.

O n top of a l l that, w e d o n ' t e v e n n e e d K u w a i t . S o m e o n e I w a s c h a t t i n g to in the b o g said t h e y o n l y p r o d u c e d 8 % of the w o r l d ' s o i l , so e v e n if y o u n u k e d the w h o l e p l a c e it w o u l d n ' t h u r t us i n the West v e r y m u c h . Of course, y o u w o u l d h a v e to m a k e a s o l e m n p l e d g e not to i n v a d e S a u d i A r a b i a or a n y w h e r e else; and k e e p that p r o m i s e , n o t l i k e the o n e you m a d e a b o u t not i n v a d i n g K u w a i t n a u g h t y b o y ! In r e t u r n w e w i l l r e m o v e a l l A m e r i c a n a n d U K forces a n d businesses from all A r a b i c countries; destroy all our atomic biological and chemical weapons; p a y y o u s u b s t a n t i a l c o m p e n s a t i o n for the m i l l i o n s of c i v v i e s y o u say h a v e b e e n k i l l e d ; a n d m a k e y o u h o n o r a r y president of the L o n d o n S c h o o l of E c o n o m i c s .

Best Wishes, Ultan McCarthy, Secretary Rejects against the Gulf War.

Rampton

God And...

Dear Andy, 1. I w o n ' t a d m i t m y n a m e b e c a u s e I'm scared? B u l l s h i t . A s I h a v e s a i d before, I w o n ' t tell y o u because it r e d u c e s m y c r e d i b i l i t y w h e n a r g u i n g the point. W o u l d M r C o o k s l e y (892) accuse m e of b e i n g feminist if I w e r e a ' b l o k e ' ? W o u l d I b e rascist if I w e r e c o l o u r e d ? (Sorry, I'd l i k e to c h e c k w i t h t h e w h i t e m a j o r i t y out t h e r e if I'm a l l o w e d to use t h e w o r d c o l o u r e d . N o o n e s e e m s to a s k t h e minorities.) I w i l l also a d m i t that i n m y e a r l i e r letters I was d e l i b e r a t e l y i n f l m a t o r y , a n d I don't p r o m i s e not to do it a g a i n .

2. In the letters' p a g e m o s t p e o p l e put forward a premise, and draw some logical o p i n i o n a n d c o n c l u s i o n s f r o m it. T h e logic is often i n c o r r e c t or the p r e m i s e p e r h a p s leaves things out. But y o u t r y . T h e r e is an e x c e p t i o n to this r u l e . C h r i s t i a n s put

f o r w a r d a p r e m i s e s u c h as 'In L u k e 3:16...' This is not a valid basis for any argument unless you are debating the Bible. It c a n n o t b e a p p l i e d to a n y other situation as t h e B i b l e (and. K o r a n etc) is heavily biased. Do y o u Christians believe the b o o k of M o r m o n , or t h e M o o n i e s ? N o you don't.

I make a premise and conclusion and try to a n s w e r a n y l o g i c a l d i s c u s s i o n .

H o w e v e r y o u r e l i g i o u s t y p e s do not a l l o w any l o g i c a l c r i t i c i s m of the B i b l e etc. 'It's true, G o d t o l d m e i n p r a y e r . ' O h t h e n it must be true. F * * k off. It just doesn't stand up. M r B u t c h e r is n o t b a n n i n g C h r i s t i a n s f r o m w r i t i n g i n , he is just s a y i n g he w i l l not tolerate a n y a r g u m e n t s u p p o r t e d b y f i ct i on, not m a t t e r h o w o l d it is.

3. S o u t h A f r i c a . W h i l e I o p p o s e A p a r t h i e d I w o u l d l i k e to p o i n t out a few

Beginners Rock 'n'. Roll JCR. Talk by Heinz Wolff Physics LT1. Plus Wellsoc A G M afterwards.

Water Polo Sports Centre. Come along and try one of the most physically demanding sports.

Latin American JCR.

TUESDAY C.U. Prayer Meeting Chaplain's Office Grand T-Shirt Sale JCR. Exclusive designs from SI. Riding Club Meeting Southside Upper Lounge.

AudioSoc S.C.R. for cheap records, CDs and hi fi discounts.

Radio Modellers Southside Lounge.

Cathsoc Mass Mech Eng 702. Followed by lunch.

Sailing Club Southside Lounge.

PhotoSoc Southside Lounge. New members to join.

Jewish Society Meeting SCR Union Building.

Gliding Club Lecture Aero 266. A short talk with slides 'Mountain Soaring in the Alps'.

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

Wine Tasting Soc Union Lounge. Weekly meeting. Everyone welcome Improvers Ballroom JCR. Canoe Club Beit Quad store or 8.30pm in Southside Upper Lounge.

Judo Union Gym. Ballroom Bronze Medal JCR. Yoga Southside G y m .

Cricket Nets Lords. Meet at 7.45pm in Mech Eng Foyer.

Must bring whites.

WEDNESDAY Keep Fit Southside Gym. Bike Club Southside Lounge.

Cycling Training Meet at Beit A r c h .

Wargames UDH. A l l welcome.

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

Kung Fu

19

LETTERS Union Gym. DramSoc Union Concert Hall.

Diving Swimming Pool.

Shaolin System Nam Pai Chuan Southside Gym. Basketball Club Volleyball Court. Women's Team Kung Fu Club Union Gym. Wu Shu Kwan.

THURSDAY Fencing Training Intermediate & advanced coaching.

Balloon Club Meeting Southside Upper Lounge.

Y H A Meeting Southside Upper Lounge.

Postgrad Lunch Chaplains Office (10 Princes Gardens).

Fencing Training Beginners Training.

'Vision of Ecstasy Union Lounge. A film of a nun's erotic dreams.

Banned last year for blasphemy. Entrance 50p (members free). Organised by Huxley Society, Fencing Training General.

Gliding Club Meeting Aero 266. Come and arrange a trial flight.

Keep Fit Southside Gym Midweek Service Chaplains Office (10 Prince's Gardens).

New Beginners Ballroom JCR. Judo Union Gym. Improvers Ballroom JCR. Intermediate Ballroom JCR. Southside Disco Southside Bar. ICCAG Soup Run Meet Weeks Hall Basement.

...Other Mascots things. First; t r i b a l i s m . In m a n y A f r i c a n states w h i t e d o m i n a t i o n of b l a c k s has b e e n r e p l a c e d w i t h m a y b e o n e tribe d o m i n a t i n g a l l the others. In S o u t h A f r i c a w e h a v e the c o m m u n i s t A N C a n d t h e t r i b a l I n k a t h a m o v e m e n t . B e c a u s e of world arms embargoes, South Africa now has a huge w e a p o n s i n d u s t r y . I do not t h i n k that e i t h e r g r o u p is s o p h i s t i c a t e d e n o u g h to h a n d l e the r e s p o n s i b i l i t y yet.

A t the s a m e t i m e I do not t h i n k this s h o u l d be used to perpetuate A p a r t h e i d .

A n y o n e got a n o p i n i o n ?

4. M a s c o t r y . T h i s is a p r o u d t r a d i t i o n . It e n a b l e d about eight guys o n e a c h t e a m to p l a y soldier a n d use w a r l i k e talkies, d i r e c t i n g y o u t h f u l freshers i n defence of t h e i r mascot. It a l l o w s ten p e o p l e to pile into the b a c k of a H e r t z v a n a n d d r i v e at silly speeds a r o u n d L o n d o n . T h e U n i o n s h a v e squads of cars a n d m o t o r b i k e s to p u r s u e the v a n s .

V e r y s o o n a v a n w i l l p u l l out of C o l l e g e at h i g h speed a n d hit a c h i l d , a c a r , m a y b e just a lamp-post. T h e d r i v e r s are g o o d , but there's no a c c o u n t i n g for the o t h e r idiots o n the r o a d . T h e r e is g o i n g to be a w i t ne ss w h o r e p o r t s ten p e o p l e r u n n i n g f r o m the b a c k c a r r y i n g a m e t a l l i c object. T h e hire c o m p a n y w i l l p i e c e together that a) ten p e o p l e is i l l e g a l a n d b) the v a n was b e i n g u s e d for m a s c o t r y .

T h e y are h i g h l y l i k e l y to say that the i n s u r a n c e is therefore i n v a l i d , a n d the U n i o n is legally r e s p o n s i b l e for the r e p a i r of the v a n (thousands), a n d p e r s o n a l d a m a g e s to the v i c t i m , w h i c h c a n c o m e to m i l l i o n s .

Toilet Talk FOR SALE & WANTED • E S T H E R & S I M O N E Ltd. Handmade card for any occasion. 24 hours notice required—Potato prints only.

• F O R S A L E : Ricoh X R X C a m e r a with 35-70mm zoom lens. Excellent condition.

Boxed as new. &220 ono. Contact Kaveh via Felix Office (ext 3515).

• F O R S A L E : Golf Diesel 1.6cc. Ver y good condition, low mileage for year (1980). £900 ono. Contact Yazi on 5180 (int) or 071-701 0827 (after 9pm).

ANNOUNCEMENTS • ' P O P U L A T I O N growth in developing countries', guest speaker from Mary Stoppes Int. Thursday 12.45pm, Mech Eng 5420.

PERSONAL • M Y K E L L O G G ' S H oney-Bun—yo u know tht I love you'—Steve.

• F O R E V E R and twenty-three and a half hours.

• D E A R TIGER, Number 1, L o v e and H u g s - ?

20

This is not e v e n a w o r s t case s c e n a r i o .

Lots of s c h o o l s c r o c o d i l e c h i l d r e n a r o u n d the a r e a . It w i l l h a p p e n s o m e t i m e . It w i l l be a r a r e e v e n t , but w h e n it h a p p e n s for the first t i m e t h e r e is g o i n g to be s e v e r e h e l l to pay.

T h i s is s o m e t h i n g I t h i n k p e o p l e s h o u l d be c o n c e r n e d a b o u t . T h e mascots are h a r d l y e v e r s e e n , kept i n secret l o c a t i o n s b y the c h o s e n few. T h e y h a r d l y e v e r raise m o n e y for c h a r i t y as t h e y are r a r e l y stolen. M i n e s doesn't a p p e a r to c a r e one w a y or the o t h e r (at least t h e y don't risk lives).

I have a n i d e a for T h e mascots m u s t on C o l l e g e g r o u n d s . b r o u g h t to a l l U G M s event.

I t h i n k this w i l l have the f o l l o w i n g effects: 1. T h e m a s c o t s w i l l h a v e a m u c h h i g h e r profile, c r e a t i n g s uppo r t a n d r e d u c i n g apathy.

2. T h e y w i l l get stolen a lot m o r e often, generating even more patriotism and loads of m o n e y .

3. T h e r e is n o c h a n c e of h i t t i n g someone with a van.

4. T h e top secret m a s c o t r y teams might c o m p l a i n that t h e y ' l l have n o fun. (Well not p u b l i c l y , b u t t h e y ' l l o p p o s e m y p l a n for that reason.) I w o u l d say to t h e m that the c h a l l e n g e of getting it across C o l l e g e o n c e a w e e k or so w i l l be m u c h m o r e satisfying.

Athena.

Nend-a-Bike

Dear Andy, I'm not quite sure h o w it is that a s m a l l m i n o r i t y of p e o p l e are a l l o w e d to grafitti and destroy the U n i o n B u i l d i n g toilets but t h e y have. T o d a y I w e n t to t h e b o g b y the b a r for a g o o d d u m p a n d find no toilet seat or f u n c t i o n i n g d o o r l o c k . I t h e n crossed to t h e o n e b y the l o b b y at the foot of the stairs a n d f o u n d no b o g p a p e r and the w a l l s c o v e r e d i n grafitti. M a y b e I'm o v e r l y s e n s i t i v e but I t h i n k that instead of £4K to a m a n a g e m e n t consultant, p e r h a p s £2K r e f u r b i s h m e n t and m a i n t e n a n c e of the heads s h o u l d be a g o o d idea?

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P.S. A t least t h e toilets w e r e c l e a n , last t i m e I w e n t I f o u n d a l a k e of c h u n d e r i n one a n d a still v o m i t i n g m e m b e r of B e a n s C l u b i n the o t h e r , u n c o n s c i o u s .

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Comicword Filmword Answers: Down: 1.Postcards, 2.In Laos, I. Punisher, 6.Akira, 7.Slip 3.Hopper, 4.Air, Out, 8.He, 9.Home Alone, 5.Parenthood, 6.At Noon, II. AV, 12.TNT, 15.Ben, 14.Child's, 17.Death, 18.Pyro, W.Ishtar, 10.ET, 13.Marlon, 16.Enter, 18.Pretty, 20.Mad, 20.Monde, 21.Top, 23.Fan, 22.POW, 24.No Two 25. Rocky Across:

Imperial College Union Overseas Students Committee Presents

ACROSS I. C o m i c b e c o m e s b o o k .

(7,5)* 7. : Assassin, by Miller & S i e n k i e w i c z . (7)* 9. O n c e u s e d b y B a d G u y s o n l y , but not a n y more...(3) 10. L e a d e r of N e w M u t a n t s , or e l e c t r i c i t y c a r r i e r ? (5) I I . Desert w a n d e r e r w a s once Captain America's P a r t n e r . (5) 12. Scottish d o g meets P a u l D a n i e l s i n p l a y p a r k . Not i n c o m i c . (6) 13. Masterless s a m u r i , first for M i l l e r . (5)* 15. F e a r f u l e v a l u a t i o n i n M e g a - C i t y O n e . (5) 18. H o n e s t l y , he c a u s e d a r e v o l u t i o n . (5)* 20. O n c r i m e or society?

D e c i d e s the gulf b e t w e e n h e r o a n d v i l l a i n . (3) 22. R e a d i n g c o m i c s is a g o o d o n e . (4) 23. B r i t a i n , A m e r i c a . W h o ' s in charge? (7) 24. C o m i c s c a n , but often p u z z l e . (5) 25. W o l v e r i n e ' s nature w a s a d e a d l y first for M a r v e l . (6)*

DOWN 1. E c o l o g y p o i n t e r to a super hero w i t h b o w . (5,5)* 2. a n d feared. Most v i l l a i n s are. (5) 3. O n c r i m e or o n c o m i c s ?

M c C a r t h y c h o s e the latter.

(5,4)* 4. S i n g u l a r w a y of d e a l i n g w i t h tall b u i l d i n g s . (3,5) 5. B a t m a n l i v e s o n it, a n d e a c h of W o l v e r i n e ' s c l a w s has one. (4) 6. of t h e story? A t least, u n t i l n e x t issue? (3) 8. D a r k s n a k e causes m e a n p r o b l e m for C o m i c Relief C o m i c . (6) 14. T e l l the story. B a t m a n does it himself. (7) 16. T h e c o n s e q u e n c e of a n a n g r y S t o r m . (4) 17. Not a l w a y s the e n d for a M a r v e l h e r o . (5) 19. S o l d i e r s ' c o l o u r : H e r o s prefer b r i g h t e r u n i f o r m s . (5) 2 1 . W a s this W a r l o c k the first m a n i n E d e n ? (4) Clues marked with a '*' can be s o l v e d b y r e f e r e n c e to the feature o n pages 12 & 13.

IMPERIAL COLLEGE BOOKSTORE

Friday 1st March 1991 Food Festival—6.30pm, JCR Cultural S h o w - 8 . 0 0 p m , Great Hall Brazilian Carnival—10.00pm, Tickets available from the Union Office or overseas society officers: £3.50 in advance £4.00 at the door

EVERYBODY WELCOME

Imperial College of Science, Technology & Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London

22

Medicine SW7

VIDEO HIRE Until Easter 1991 Monday to Thursday: all videos only SI Weekend Rate: 3 nights for £3 MEMBERSHIP

FREEH

The Story So Far...

I'm b a c k . S o r r y ; n o c l e v e r little i n t r o this w e e k . I can't t h i n k of o n e .

The End Last w e e k F e l i x r e c e i v e d a letter f r o m a w o m a n who had actually had an a b o r t i o n . O u t of respect f o r h e r a n d h e r feelings, a n d those of a n y other p e r s o n at college in a s i m i l a r p o s i t i o n , I a m d r a w i n g a close to the a b o r t i o n debate. T h e o p i n i o n article w r i t t e n b y IC Pro-Life Soc w a s o n l y p r i n t e d this w e e k a s it h a d b e e n a r r a n g e d before this letter w a s r e c e i v e d .

T h e discussion has b e e n r a g i n g for s e v e r a l w e e k s , a n d c l e a r l y it is a v e r y e m o t i v e issue, a b o u t w h i c h p e o p l e have v e r y s t r o n g p e r s o n a l feelings. It is also g o i n g n o w h e r e . B o t h sides h a v e h a d t h e i r say m a n y t i m e s o v e r , a n d thus I feel that to c o n t i n u e w o u l d m e r e l y cause m o r e u n n e c e s s a r y p a i n to p e o p l e w h o have h a d p e r s o n a l e x p e r i e n c e s w i t h the subject.

If y o u ' r e n o t a c a n d i d a t e , t h e n it's g o i n g to be y o u r first c h a n c e to see w h o ' s w h o , so r e a d c a r e f u l l y . T h e p e o p l e y o u v o t e in w i l l be i n c h a r g e of the U n i o n for the n e x t year. T o o m a n y p e o p l e h e r e c o m p l a i n about the U n i o n ; that it doesn't do e n o u g h for us; it doesn't do the things y o u want; y o u n e v e r k n o w w h a t ' s g o i n g o n ; etc, etc. If y o u don't m a k e the effort to find out about the c a n d i d a t e s , y o u w o n ' t k n o w w h o y o u ' r e v o t i n g for, a n d y o u w o n ' t be able to v o t e for the right p e r s o n . Not v o t i n g at a l l is e v e n w o r s e .

lecture? H a v e y o u e v e r w h i l e d a w a y the t i m e b y p r o d u c i n g an e x q u i s i t e w o r k of l i t e r a t u r e o r art? D o bears do v a r i o u s n a u g h t y t h i n g s i n the w o o d s ? D o e s the P o p e l i k e the taste of c o n c r e t e ? If so (well, m a i n l y if the s e c o n d one...), t h e n F e l i x w a n t s y o u . O r rather, F e l i x w a n t s y o u r creations, w h a t e v e r t h e y m a y be.

T h e o n l y r e q u i r e m e n t is that it w a s p r o d u c e d in a b o r i n g lecture. So go for it: S h o w the w o r l d that not a l l students are t i m e wasters! D r o p y o u r stuff off at the F e l i x office.

T h i s is the biggest c h a n c e w e get to m a k e sure t h i n g s are h o w w e w a n t t h e m .

T h e U n i o n is there for us, but if w e don't m a k e the effort a n d get i n v o l v e d t h e n w e ' v e no right to c o m p l a i n . A p a t h y n e v e r

A l s o c o m i n g s o o n : A o n e off s p e c i a l set of i n t e r v i e w s w i t h the Sab candidates, a s k i n g t h e m the k i n d of questions that t h e y don't w a n t to be a s k e d , but that y o u w a n t to k n o w the a n s w e r s to. T h i s w i l l be i n the issue after n e x t . A N D a s p e c i a l post e l e c t i o n r o u n d - u p , i n t h e issue after that. Y e s , y o u are g o i n g to V O T E , w h e t h e r y o u l i k e it or not...

T h e h e r o e s t r i u m p h a n t (ie, the end!)

W e l l , that's a b o u t it for n o w . W i t h a n y l u c k the n e w c a r t o o n w i l l be r e g u l a r (or a c e r t a i n n e w c a r t o o n i s t w i l l be in trouble).

Y o u ' l l a l l be g l a d (?) to k n o w that e v e r y o n e ' s (?) favourite cat w i l l be b a c k next week, complete w i t h high bodycount (or a c e r t a i n e d i t o r / c a r t o o n i s t / p a r t t i m e b i o l o g i s t / a l i e n sex f i e nd w i l l be i n trouble). A n d r e m e m b e r that the C & G a n d R C S C C U e l e c t i o n s are o n M o n d a y .

T h i n k of t h e m as a w a r m - u p to the I C U ones. IE: V O T E ! ! ! ! ! !

M e a n w h i l e , b a c k at the Batcave...

A s I've a l r e a d y stated, I'm b a c k (bit o b v i o u s b y n o w , really). T h e e v i l m a s t e r m i n d s of the B r o t h e r h o o d of E x a m i n e r s g a v e m e their w o r s t , a n d I l i v e d to tell the tale, a l t h o u g h m y d e g r e e m a y not have d o n e . (Only j o k i n g , M u m .

Honest). T h u s y o u are o n c e a g a i n the p r o u d o w n e r of a b i g , c h u n k y , t w e n t y four pager. H o w e v e r , at t h i s point I must say a huge ' T H A N K Y O U ! ' to the rest of the F e l i x staff for s i n g l e - h a n d e d l y (well, there are s e v e r a l of t h e m , b u t y o u k n o w w h a t I mean...) p r o d u c i n g t h e V a l e n t i n e ' s issue last w e e k , a n d m o r e i m p o r t a n t l y for not s a y i n g a n y t h i n g r e a l l y h o r r i b l e about m e i n t h e i r e d i t o r i a l . It's o k a y , y o u c a n p o i n t the g u n s o m e w h e r e else n o w , guys...

Staff M e e t i n g : M o n d a y 12.30pm

A s you m a y already k n o w , next w e e k is the ( d r u m r o l l , t r u m p e t fanfare...)

T r a v e l Special!!! W h i c h means the w h o l e of F e l i x is g o i n g to be j a m - p a c k e d w i t h articles w r i t t e n b y p e o p l e w h o h a v e b e e n to r e a l l y n i c e h o t places, a n d are v e r y s m u g about it. If y o u h a v e n ' t yet s u b m i t t e d (ooo-er) a n a r t i c l e , t h e n it's not too late (well, n o t quite). T h e final d e a d l i n e is M o n d a y , so get s c r i b b l i n g .

N e x t issue is also the p e n u l t i m a t e o n e before the I m p e r i a l C o l l e g e U n i o n elections. A s s u c h it w i l l c o n t a i n m ug s ho t s of a l l the c a n d i d a t e s for t h e v a r i o u s s a b b a t i c a l p o s i t i o n s (President, D e p u t y President, H o n Sec (Events), a n d of course, the m o s t i m p o r t a n t o n e : F e l i x Editor). M o r e i m p o r t a n t l y it w i l l also present t h e i r manifestoes.

So, if y o u ' r e a c a n d i d a t e , b e a r this i n m i n d : T h e d e a d l i n e is M o n d a y , 2 5 t h F e b r u a r y , 12.30 p m s h a r p . A l l manifestoes must be 300 w o r d s or less. If t h e y are l o n g e r t h e y w i l l be cut at the 3 0 0 t h w o r d , e v e n if i n m i d - s e n t e n c e .

S o r r y , but it's t h e o n l y w a y to ensure that no one c a n d i d a t e gains a n a d v a n t a g e over any other.

a c h i e v e s a n y t h i n g , a n d n e i t h e r does w i n g i n g w h e n it's too late. R i g h t , rant o v e r . B u t m a k e sure y o u V O T E !

W h a t w i l l o u r h e r o e s do next?

W e l l , w e ' v e got a c o u p l e of n e w t h i n g s c o m i n g up (no, I'm not g o i n g to use the s a m e j o k e t w i c e i n o n issue. N e x t w e e k , though...). T h e first is a r e g u l a r d i a r y c o l u m n , w r i t t e n b y a student here, a n d d e t a i l i n g his life in the p r e v i o u s w e e k .

I've a l r e a d y s e e n a s a m p l e , w h i c h he swears is true. T h e easily s h o c k e d n e e d not r e a d , but the n a m e s w i l l be c h a n g e d to protect the i n n o c e n t (guilty?).

Next comes the 'Boring Lecture Forum'.

H a v e y o u e v e r b e e n stuck i n a b o r i n g

The Super T e a m Printing and Typesetting: InkMan and Q u i c k F i n g e r (aka A n d y a n d Rose) N e ws E d i t o r : T o k e n W o m a n (aka A n n a ) A r t s E d i t o r : Idiotically D e d i c a t e d M a n (aka A d a m ) M u s i c E d i t o r : S u p e r R a v e r (aka John) B o o k s E d i t o r : W o n d e r B i g o t (aka Michael) Photo E d i t o r : F l a s ^ M a n (aka R i c h a r d ) F e a t u r e s E d i t o r : S u p e r S y n t a x (aka Roland) C a r t o o n i s t : S i l l y P l o t M a n (aka Ian Cairns) T h e S i d e K i c k s : T o n e B o y (Stef), D a t a K i d (James), Ian t h e B o y B l u n d e r , E c o L a d (Chris R.), the G e r b i l K i d s (Arts R e v i e w e r s ) , the G r o o v y T u n e s (Music R e v i e w e r s ) a n d Pro-Life.

T h e Innocent B y s t a n d e r s : S t e v e n , Y a s i r , K a r e n , Indy, N i c k , M i k e , S i m o n , P a r a n t h a , Stefano, C l a r e , N o r a ( S u p e r R a v e r ' s L o v e Interest), J u l i a , R u t h , W h e e z y , R e b e c c a , Rob, Sam, Frank, and The Rebel Alliance.

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 1040-0711.