The Beaver The Newspaper of the LSE SU Issue number 584 Lots of photos - souvenirs of the demo page 6 'Don't Price Students Out!' Demonstrate to educate Atc&riti mm: E*W son I [invito I Thousands of students march through the capital to demonstrate against the government's top-up Managing Editor and News Editor_ Thousands of students from across the UK gathered in London for the National Demonstration against top-up fees on Sunday October 26th. Around 80 LSE students assembled on Houghton Street at 11am on the morning of the march, before heading off to Mallet Street, the headquarters of the University of London Union (ULU), bearing the carefully crafted LSE banner. The standard, which bore the message "Judge me by my brains not my wallet" was designed and painted in the Quad during the days leading up to the demonstration. The LSE contingent arrived on Mallet Street at 12:30, joining students from all over the country who had travelled to London to add their voices to the campaign, as well as yet more LSE students who could not quite make the 11am start. The National Union of Students (NUS), who had organised the demonstration, estimated that 31,000 students participated in the march. However, according to the BBC, police believe the figure to be nearer 10,000. Some politicians also lent their support to the campaign. Liberal Democrats, who do not support the government's White Paper, were represented by Simon Hughes MP, London Mayoral candidate and David Rendel, Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Higher Education. The beleaguered Iain Duncan Smith, Tory Party Leader, also made a brief appearance on Mallet Street for a photo call, but disappeared shortly afterwards. From Mallet Street the march proceeded via a circuitous route, to Trafalgar Square. The protests bore East from ULU, down Kingsway, passing once more by the LSE, before heading off down Embankment into Parliament Square and back along Whitehall to Trafalgar Square. Marchers bore banners, placards and stickers and shouted slogans expressing discontent with the government's plans to increase university tuition fees to £3,000 a year for undergraduates. When the marchers reached the Houses of Parliament, LSE students let MPs in favour of the White Paper encompassing the vilified proposals aware of their dissatisfaction with the government's stance, shouting: "That's not what democracy looks like - this is what democracy looks like." Traffic along Kingsway and Victoria Embankment had to be diverted as protestors blocked the roads. The marchers advanced to Trafalgar Square, where they were addressed by Frank Dobson MP, who repeated his speech made at the LSE on October 23r<^, re-iter-ating his belief that university investment should come from general taxation. He also spoke strongly against the proposals which would mean students would pay the higher fees after they had graduated. He said: "Why should people who earn more pay more because they have worked hard for a degree instead of inheriting their father's business?" Paul Mackney, General Secretary of the lecturers' union NATFHE, Higher Education Union leader, Sally Hunt and NUS President Mandy Telford, also addressed the huge crowd which flooded the Square. They all argued against the introduction of top-up fees and stressed the need to continue the fight against the government's proposals to make sure that they do not become a hideous reality. Telford exclaimed: "Look what we can do together - unity is our strength. We will stop this bill but we must keep fighting." The 'Don't Price Students Out' Campaign Convenor, who organised the LSE component of the National Demonstration, stated that the day had been a success. fee proposals He said: "Today's demonstration is bigger than expected. The large number of people who turned up to protest sends a firm message to the government that now is the time to turn round and back down. "The day has been a significant success and I greatly look forward to us carrying on with the pressure against the government in the months to come." The images of the student protests are likely to reverberate around Westminster in the coming weeks as polls commission by the NUS reveal that up to 80% of voters do not support the government's stance on top-up fees. However, government ministers remained unrepentant last week, as they nailed their colours to the mast by declaring that the government would not cave in to pressure on the issue of university funding. These reaffirmations of government intentions follow an intense campaign on the part of the government to show that the fees are a reaction to perceived inequalities in the system, rather than another way of taxing students. But many, including the student leaders of Sunday's protests, remain unconvinced that the government's plans are anything more than another "tax on learning." Graduate opportunities Whatever you're looking for - a generalist management career or the opportunity to specialise; overseas opportunities or a fast-track UK-based career; the chance to motivate people or to influence global markets - you can find it at HSBC.Together with a host of other experiences that make a career with us enriching on all sorts of levels. Find out more at our presentation on Monday 10th November, 6.30pm at the Great Eastern Hotel, Liverpool Street, London EC2M. Or click on www.hsbc.com/graduates and browse. HSBC The world's local Issued by HSBC Bank pic n' b. * * t t A i ( ( ttt t t i tl i i * * * **•£434*4* The Beaver Tuesday 28th October 2003 T-r-rS' . , •!>.«/ . ,rv.., r r# , 1 r Page 2 The Beaver News Davies Digs in - UGM antics News Editor Howard Davies proved that he can give as good as he gets when he addressed LSE students at the UGM last week. Outside visitors who wish to speak at Union General Meetings have to be given permission to do so by two thirds of the students in attendance. Davies was accorded the right to address the UGM by 80% of the audience, despite a poster campaign designed to prevent him from speaking. Posters appeared throughout campus in the week preceding the event, encouraging students to vote against the Director's oration because of his background working for arms company GKN. The campaign, organised by the Students' Socialist Workers' Society (SSWS) was designed to demonstrate to Davies that not all of the SU supported his appointment as the LSE's Director. A prominent SSWS member said: "We did not actually want to prevent Davies from having his say, we just wanted to show him that not all LSE students believe that he should have been made the Director. "The school has been trying to brush Davies's background with GKN under the carpet. His biography on the School's website lists every single other job he's ever had, but for some strange reason they have not included his time with the arms company, which shows that the School realises that it is bad publicity." Davies justified the students' decision to allow him to take the stage in the Old Theatre by delivering a witty and entertaining speech and answering all questions the audience subjected him to, including an enquiry about whether he considered his appointment as the Director of the LSE as legitimate. He said: "As a candidate I went through an extremely vigorous selection process and my appointment was approved by the Court of Governors, which includes some students, so I do not have any worries about my legitimacy whatsoever." Davies also gave the audience an insight into his working relationship with the SU Sabbatical Officers, confiding: "I have seen more of Elliot [SU General Secretary] than I have of my wife recently", a statement that was received with much laughter from the audience. It remains to be seen whether Davies is received with as much enthusiasm at his second UGM performance later this academic year, when students have had a chance to see exactly how he intends to manage the school. Just Say No - SU Rally Laura Anderson Abroad pull of speakers were greeted by a mixed reception when they came as part of an SU organised rally to promote opposition to top-up fees last week. The panel addressed the audience with a series of speeches, all aimed at highlighting the reasons for opposing the vilified proposals in the government's White Paper on Higher Education. All the speakers addressed the inherent problems contained in the White Paper's proposals. Frank Dobson, Labour MP for Holborn and St Pancreas, re-iterated his many previous statements against any form of tuition fees. The former Secretary of State for Health recalled his heady days as an undergraduate at LSE and insisted that his education here would not have been possible if he had faced any form of imminent debt. He said: "The money universities need for investment should come out of general taxation. Many students will be deterred from going to university by the prospect of a £3,000 bill each year on top of their living costs. There should be more grants to make sure that everyone has the chance of getting a higher education." The audience was also urged to use the power of demonstration to stop the onslaught of top-up fees by joining with fellow students from across the country on last Sunday's March to Trafalgar Square. Roger Kilne of the Universities and Colleges Lecturers' Union (NATFHE), stressed his support for the campaigning activities of the National Union of Students (NUS), and urged listeners to support the activities of his union in turn. He said: "We understand the enormous problems of living costs, especially in London, since we as lecturers experience them too. We all need to fight the government to make sure that we gain a decent amount on which to live in the capital." Mandy Telford, President of the NUS, also concentrated on motivating the crowd for Sunday's demonstration. In an impassioned speech, she addressed the problems that would be experienced by those already facing discrimination if the white paper were to be made law. She explained: "Women are discriminated in the work place and most earn lower salaries that their male counterparts. This means that they will be paying off their student debts for longer at a time when they have to take time off work to have children. "The fact that the loans and grants are means tested makes it impossible for students who have been cut off from their families from gaining the financial aid they need. Gay, lesbian and bi-sexual students who have come out, may be in a position where their parents refuse to pay for their education, but will be unable to pay for it themselves. "Some Muslim students are not permitted to pay interest on loans. This means that if they cannot afford to pay their fees directly, they will not be able to go to university as student loans have an interest rate of 3.1%. This means that the social gaps which already exist will widen." The successful event closed to a barrage of hand claps and whoops of appreciation, with all speakers enthusing their listeners for the fight ahead. However, the star of the day was Green Party member of the Greater London Authority (GLA) and Deputy Mayor of London, Jenny Jones, who spontaneously agreed to take part in the LSE's upcoming environment week after receiving a request from the audi- INVESTMENTid EDUCATION !S ANl INVESTMENT m 'J\ I I gp* ^ !£'±s£2g£ .......... Sj'afei-f "7.' — I ' ' | United panel - debating the issue student' .<'1107 Watch your Glass The Struggle Against Drug-Rape Prashant Rao The National Union of Students has put more momentum into its "drug rape" awareness campaign after the drinks of two Cambridge Freshers were spiked last week. Information packs and posters have been issued to individual student unions, and NUS Services have been liaising with university bar staff to heighten awareness of the problem. For example, one option for bar staff is to put stickers on drinkers'glasses when their backs are turned to indicate that their drink may have been spiked, or in some way tampered with. The two students collapsed at the Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge at their 'Freshers' Bop' after their drinks were spiked by a popular date-rape drug, Rohypnol. The NUS is advising women to stay away from badly-lit areas and, as much as possible, always stay with a group when traveling at night. According to Hannah Essex, NUS Women's Officer, drug rape is, "something that started in clubs in town, and now it's happening more and more on campus," adding that date rape cases have increased in universities over the past few years. She continued to say: "People do need to be vigilant, and be aware of who could go near their drinks. It is something people do need to be aware of, but not to the extent that they don't go out, because although it is a big concern, incidents are still pretty rare. "We have been encouraging people to report it if they think they have been drugged. People can just wake up and, if nothing has happened to them, they might just think they were really drunk." The LSESU Equal Opportunities (Female) Officer, went on to add, "The NUS is quite right to be raising awareness of this important issue. Anyone interested in helping to raise awareness of this problem and supporting the NUS campaign should come along to the LSESU Women's Forums." Rohypnol - date rape drug Take these to Number 10 Blair gets 1,200 Postcards to the SU's postcard campaign has demonstrated the strength of feeling against the iniquitous policy of top-up fees on this campus and by taking the postcards to Downing Street I hope we have done a little to bring that home to Tony Blair. With all the major opposition parties pledged to oppose fees and with his own backbenchers in open revolt, the time has come for Blair to admit that he is wrong and that 85% of the public is right. For the sake of his government and party, he should back down now." Although the National Demonstration against top-up fees has been and gone and the thousands of postcards have been handed in, the SU plans to continue the campaign to halt the progress of the White Paper as the debate rages in Parliament next year. The proposals have already been revised, with the maintainance grant being raised from £1,000 to £2,000 pounds a year for the poorest students, and further student opposition will only result in further favourable alterations to the White Paper. Outside the corridors of power News Editor_ Members of the LSE SU visited 10 Downing Street to deliver the 1,200 postcards signed by disgruntled union members in opposition to top-up fees and the government's tertiary funding program last week. The postcards, which convey the message that top-up fees are not the answer for improving the higher education system, were carried through the imposing iron gates and the security check-point, straight to the front door of Number 10 Downing Street. The 'Don't Price Students Out' Campaign Convener accompanied by other members of the SU Executive, handed over the substantial pile of postcards which students had signed throughout the last few weeks at the stall in Houghton Street, in SU Reception, and whilst waiting in long lines trying to get into Crush. LSE SU Treasurer said: "It was a privilege to be able to convey the voices of so many LSE students to the very heart of power in this country. The amazing response The postcards - more than an armfull The Beaver Tuesday 28th October 2003 The Beaver News Women Get Better Degrees But at the LSE - men do Chenai Tucker Women are reversing the trend and gaining better degrees at university, according to an article published by Brunei University. Mirroring the trend witnessed at GCSE level for the last five years, and A levels last year, women continue to outperform their male counterparts once they get to university. However, this trend does not apply at the LSE. For the 2002-02 period, 66% of women attained a ls^ or 2:1, compared to 71% of men. The figures show no difference at postgraduate level: 10% of women gaining a credit or distinction, to the men's 14%. The female student population continues to grow towards an equal gender balance, so the low figures cannot be a question of representation. The LSE is a social sciences institution - an area of study traditionally dominated by women and the proportion of female academic staff at LSE has increased by 4% over the last 5 years. Women now account for about 30% of nonprofessional academics and 15% of professors - so it cannot be a question of environment that fails to encourage and nurture female success. The Brunei study found that women are more conscientious, less likely to miss lectures and more likely to believe their marks reflect their ability. Female students are apparently more likely to seek and receive support from staff. Boys, according to the study, are more likely to be "lazy and preoccupied with other commitments", such as sport. The report concluded that males underachieve because they felt working hard detracted from their macho image. Women are well represented both academically and in the Students Union. The LSESU has an Equal Opportunities (Female) Officer on its governing executive to promote women's issues and to ensure that women's concerns are fairly represented in the Union. On the academic side, the school has an advisor to women students to ensure that an academic member of staff represents women. The advisor is available to discuss issues of concern, to offer advice and support, and to take new initiatives to improve the quality of life for women students at LSE. So the LSE cannot be accused of being insensitive to women's issues and concerns. Popular myth has it that the LSE awards far fewer First Class degrees than comparable institutions in the University of London and the Russell Group - affecting the overall number of first class degrees awarded in the first place. This is obviously hard to substantiate as pointed out by Judith Higgin, LSE Press Officer. She said: "There are no figures for the LSE at present, though they can be found for some universities. We believe that we are well in the mainstream for social sciences but as we only offer social sciences it is difficult to unpick for other subjects and compare easily." Professor Alan Smither's comments in the Times appear to suggest another reason why LSE women are still lagging behind the men: "women do better at coursework because of their continuous and conscien- tious input. Men are often better at final exams, where they can demonstrate flair and imagination in a one-off situation". So men are better when only required to exhibit short bursts of greatness. At the LSE, the examinations account for 80% of your degree, an obvious advantage for male students. Professor Anne Phillips, Director of the Gender Institute at the LSE, commented: "My first guess at an explanation would be that there is a gender bias in forms of assessment: when assessment is more weighted to final unseen exams, this seems marginally to favour male candidates and when it is more weighted in the direction of course-work, this seems marginally to favour women." Recent changes in assessment at GCSE and A level have exposed the gender bias inherent in exam based assessment, with girls now outperforming boys to such an extent that there are calls for studies into why boys fail to achieve the same exam success as girls at school. An article in the Observer in August of this year went so far as to state: "there are worries that what are seen by some as more 'feminised' ways of working - including continuous assessment and long periods of study leave at home -are leaving boys floundering." Professor Philips continued: "My guess would be that LSE has a more 'masculine' assessment pattern than is becoming the norm across the UK, and that the School needs to look more carefully at the balance between course work and exams so as to ensure it doesn't indirectly discriminate against women students." Kennedy CaHs - Lib Dem Leader's leeture Executive Editor_ Liberal Democrat Leader Charles Kennedy denounced the government's plan to introduce top-up fees at a speaker event held at the LSE on Monday 20t*1 October. In his speech, which coincided with the launch of the Lib Dems' new education policy, Kennedy rejected the government's argument that their proposal to increase university fees to £3,000 a year was fair even if they were paid only after graduation. He reaffirmed his belief that the "deterrent was fear of debt as much as actuality of debt." The average student debt is £12,000 and with top-up fees this would rise to £33,000 in 2010.Though city workers with "telephone number salaries" would be able to cope, he stressed that it would be a severe burden on those who chose to go into professions such as teaching or social work. Speaking to the audience in the packed Hong Kong Theatre, Kennedy dismissed claims that the Liberal Democrat party's policy on higher education was cynical opportunism. In a reference to his party's actions in the Scottish Executive, he said: "We have not just said no... we have done something about it." He backed this up by citing that the year after tuition fees were dropped in Scotland, applications went up by ten per cent while in England they only went up by one per cent. Instead, he accused the Conservative Party of pretending to offer a more inclusive alternative while intending to cut education spending by 20% across the board. This, he said, would reduce the number of university places while "more and more talented young people will be left out." He also drew attention to the LSE Professor of Economics Nick Barr's calculation that under the Conservative scheme, one hundred and fifty thousand university places would be lost. Kennedy did accept that the rising cost of education would have to be met somehow as funding per student had been dropping under both Conservative and Labour governments. He said that his party would like to see "that cost met by fair and transparent taxation" and that under the Liberal Democrats, the top rate of income tax would be raised from 40 to 50 pence in the pound. There was an awkward moment at the end of the talk when Kennedy asked those present in the room who they would vote for if the general election was held the following day. Those who indicated that they would vote Conservative or Labour were few, but the Lib Dem leader must have been disappointed when less than a third of the attendants indicated that they would vote for his party. Charles Kennedy was accompanied by Lib Dem Higher Education Spokesman, David Rendel, and Sarah Teather, the newly elected MP for Brent East. Kennedy - addressing the masses London Weighting Managing Editor_ Following Union strike action, the industrial dispute over London Weighting for staff at the LSE has come one step closer to a resolution after the school has announced that it is breaking with the consortium of London Universities designed to resolve the dispute, and will act on its own. The offer is staggered, but will result in an increase in London Weighting from the current £2,134 to £2,404 over the next year for those classed as lower paid staff, and £2,346 for all others. The school claims that in the next academic year "all full time staff at the LSE currently receiving £2,134 London Allowance will be at least £750 better off compared with the position in 2002-03." The offer has yet to be responded to by the unions involved as it was only released on Friday, but it is likely to be seen as a positive move in comparison to that taken by previous administrations. Last year, former Director Anthony Giddens courted controversy by remarking that any increase in London Allowance would be likely to total only £40 per week. This prompted fierce criticism from the unions involved, who claimed that Giddens was out of touch and that £40 per week could make a huge difference to many of the School workers' financial situations. The School has stipulated that an acceptance of the offer would entail the cessation of strike action, that members would be bound to single table consultation regarding the modernization of pay structures and that London Weighting be consolidated into basic salaries. Page 3 Union Jack Howie D's debut UGM was about as revealing, but considerably busier, than could have been expected. Fighting for a pew, and eventually having to sit amongst Hoi Polloi; peasants, pedants and partisans, was a new experience for Jack, and very likely for many of the UGM virgins crammed in like little pink shrimps on a barby of debate, waiting for the grilling to commence. There's nothing quite like this sort of 'hearts and minds' drivel, which the SU doles out so often, when it comes to packing a theatre. Davies began with a somewhat lumbering start, and even Jack was forced to count ceiling tiles to relieve the tedium. Only when the tone was sufficiently lowered to include Elliott 'hussy' Simmons's overtly deviant sex life and Oliver Ranson's unhealthy interest in men's chests, did he begin to work the crowd, and prove himself as the skilled orator we know that he must be. You don't get this far without learning to judge an audience's tastes, and the man achieved this in spades - had he only mentioned badgers or Wrights Bar he would have rivaled the most loyal Union Hack in the UGM-cred stakes. The audience was left hanging on the question of the possibility of ethical investment at the LSE, and indeed whether or not our Howard is an evil genius/arms dealer, or both, but it was revealed that our incoming director has thespian leanings and wouldn't mind a small part in a little prince. On a scarier note, the Righteous Sister showed her dark side last week in an attack on front rower, Dinesh 'on stage for no good reason' Panch, and his apparent tardiness. Jack certainly feared for his life as weeks of built up venom, and indeed spittle was thrown our way. It should be remembered that these are Sabbs; their time is precious, and not to be wasted with paltry questions about union policy. Despite this threatening behaviour, and the trawling of the depths of our own Gen See's depravity, there was time for yet more Constitutional Matters. The bitchfight over whether Sabbs can be mandated to jump through hoops if the student body wills it continues to 'dog' the UGM. Much to the dismay of Right thinking conservatives, the motion passed and is set in stone until the next time the mod-ernistas feel like a shake up, so expect Crufts-esque feats of derring-do from our loyal representatives. Just keep a leash on the mean looking one, and cease that intimate sniffing- Jack is becoming increasingly intolerant of the Quorum calls; a low blow at the best of times, but more damaging still in the light of the Special one's somewhat leisurely pace. You can't claim to represent the interests of the student body while behind your back manipulating a measure designed to ensure a fair process. Those involved should know better than to drag the UGM into pointless bureaucracy- that, my friends, is CnS's role. Elections for what the hell are they good for? threw up the typical mishmash of the ridiculous and worthy, as well as the question of whether Baker is still funny. Trying to get lucky on the coat tails of Papa Wright shouldn't be allowed, nor should the crappy humour which makes rational people declare a love of Bargain Hunt and the like. Not on my watch, but of course, vote how you like. Jack ain't your mother. MHHBhhhnnhhnnhBHBHHHHHHHHBHR The Beaver News Directors' Dialogue - Let Letwin Speak Jens-Ulrich Poppen Oliver Letwin, Member of Parliament for West Dorset, addressed an LSE audience following an invitation to Howard Davies' "Director's Dialogue" last Tuesday. The Old Etonian, who is on record saying that he would rather "go out on the streets and beg" than expose his children to the cruel- Emmeline Kuhn_ Charles Clarke, the education secretary, has implied that ministers are softening their stance on higher tuition after a confrontation a couple of days ago. Two irritated mothers of debt - ridden students criticised Clarke over the government's higher education policy, saying it was out of touch with the reality of students' financial hardships and had failed to take them into account when trying to persuade more youngsters to go to university. They said their children now believed it was acceptable to be in debt, but these debts would only rise. Mr Clarke reacted by saying he was looking at ways to guarantee that youngsters from the poorest backgrounds would be fully exempt from the £3,000 fee when the present limit is raised in 2006. The rises in fees have not only affected parents' opinions about a University career, they have also affected the students. Most pupils starting GCSE courses would be put off going to university if they incurred a £20,000 debt, according to research recently released. The survey of year 10 students, who would be the first cohort affected by government proposals on top-up fees due to take effect in 2006, found that 85% of those who wanted to go to university would change their mind if they accumulated a debt of £20,000 on graduation. More than 70% thought their parents or the government would subsidise their living expenses and most considered student debt a family burden. About 70% said cost was a factor in choosing a degree, and less than 1% of the sample said they were saving for university. Jan Krall, one mother in attendance at Clarke's speech, said she was annoyed that her son, Steven, in his second year of an engineering degree at Swansea University will graduate with debts between £15,000 and £20,000. She said: "I've brought up my children not to borrow and I can't get my head around the idea of now encouraging them to get into £15,000 to £20,000 worth ties of a state-run educational system "took an hour off from plotting", as Howard Davies cuttingly remarked, to beat the drums for Conservative politics in the Old Theatre. Letwin first complimented the current incumbent of 10 Downing Street by declaring the third-way inspired New Labour project to be essentially "conservatism with a cuddly face". He admitted that under Blair and Brown, the economy looked more like a capitalist success story than a Socialist drama. He did, however, trump up the Tory line by saying that while Labour transcended the common ideological divide between left and right, they had also stretched every acceptable budgetary limit in the accounts of the Treasury. He also stated that the improvement of public services came at a price, and certainly not a discounted one. According to Letwin, the price was a dramatic increase in public spending at the taxpayers' expense with fatal consequences for future generations. The freedom of choice in the public services had to be returned to parents, patients and the electorate at large. The Shadow Home Secretary's talk may Too much debt - put off from uni of debts." Mr. Clarke was at the school, where Mrs. Krall's youngest son, Nicholas, is a pupil, to promote a campaign to encourage working-class pupils to study for a degree. Janet Northover, whose son Sherrick, 15, is the school's head boy, said he wanted to study law but that she was concerned that she would not be able to afford fees. When asked how . he would counter the financial fears of families such as Mrs Krall's, Mr Clarke replied: "We are looking at getting to a situation where the total fee, even where it is £3,000, is covered for families in the poorest 30% to 35%. The concerns expressed by Ms Krall and Ms Northover are precisely why we are reforming the current system of fees to make it fairer. "We are scrapping up-front fees, reintroducing the grant, bringing in meaningful bursaries and looking at more ways in which we can help children from the poorest backgrounds. We are listening to people's concerns." Mandy Telford, president of the National Union of Students, said: "Many parents rightly fear that their offspring will not be able to fulfill their potential because they inherited brains rather than money. We need a higher education system that doesn't discriminate against any student." The Beaver conducted a quick poll to see if this was the case for parents of students at LSE. When speaking to the parents of Priya Bose, a third year studying have opened him up to accusations of not being in favour of freedom of choice for everyone. For instance, he denounced the freedom for criminals to receive vouchers from the government with which they could then be able to "choose by which police officer they want to get arrested". If anyone was under the illusion that Letwin, described by Davies as the "thinking man's conservative", was not really a Tory, then this should have set the record straight. However, he also drew attention to the fact that David Blunkett's approach to immigration and crime did not, in his view, fundamentally differ from the approach propagated by the Conservatives. He went further in describing the Home Secretary as a "Michael Howard in sheep's clothes". Questions about the current state of the Conservative party and its leadership inevitably came up. Letwin managed to manoeuvre elegantly around the shallow waters of the festering IDS debate. Instead he focused on Conservative unity in the face of constitutional onslaught. Letwin showed a brave face when asked by Davies whether the Tories were out of touch with their rigorous opposition to European inte- Social Policy and Government, strong feelings emerged. "The concept of student's fees is totally unacceptable," said Mrs Bose, "Free education is a basic right. You shouldn't have to burden yourself with financial worries. The way the system is going, you are being made to feel that it is a privilege when it isn't. It is a right." Mr Bose agreed. He said: "When children suffer with stress, parents suffer too. When pressure is put on children, parents worry about them. Parents should get involved." So they did. The Bose's joined hundreds of parents in 2002 to protest the fee hikes. Speaking of the nature of the event, Mrs Bose said: "The mixture of ages, races, plus the long distances traveled demonstrated how strongly they felt about the issue, even though many were not directly affected by the fees. There were quite a few older people there who must have been thinking about the effects of future generations. Ministers expect the higher fees to raise £1.5 billion for universities. One third of this was allocated for bursaries for the poorest students, but Mr. Clarke's comments proposed that the exact amount was still being settled. Mr Clarke added that it was expected that families in the poorest 35% of the population would be exempt from the fees. The government was still examining what proportion of poorer students might be exempted from top up fees, Tony Blair said recently at the monthly Downing Street press conference. Secretary of State for Education gration. He said that if political clout was "pushing towards a United States of Europe" then yes, the Tories may have to push harder to get their view across. He maintained that the majority of citizens were against such moves and that the Conservative Party was not "out of tune" with the general public. Davies debates RAE Reforms Prashant Rao_ Universities and academics are calling for individual research grading to be scrapped according to a recent report. Over 100 people took part in the review, conducted by Professor Sir Gareth Roberts, the chair of the Research Committee of the Higher Education Funding Council for England and of Medical Solutions pic, to determine the future of the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). Though the universities and academics have no problem with being judged by expert panels in the RAE, they also want changes in terms of being assessed on the basis of the work of an entire department or unit, rather than on individual researchers, as was previously the system. The current grading system rates a department based on its research submitted for review. The department is then allocated a rating, from 1 to 5*, depending on the quality of the research received by the RAE. According to some academics, the problem with this system is that some departments do not submit work of "weaker" researchers, on the basis that they would drag the department's rating down. This decision 'could therefore have a major impact on the department's future research funding. Roberts proposes a scheme where the various proportions of a group's research could be graded on a three-point scale, and all the various ratings could then be added up for a final score. He believes this would cut back on the "games" universities might play to try and raise their rating. Roberts' report also mentioned that there was broad agreement that the future assessments should be judgments, not just of citations or grants but also of research quality. His review also considered scrapping expert panels as a way of reducing cost and time. In the 2001 RAE, 18 LSE departments or centres were rated either 5 or 5*, with the university submitting 97% of its staff for review, the highest percentage in the country. It remains to be seen if the LSE's ratings will stay as impressive once the reforms to the grading system are made. Letwin lets forth Parental Pressure - fighting fees ¦¦ ¦ E mm u JL w ¦mi Michaelmas Competition 1st Prize 3 day (2 night) Tour of Scotland Includes flights to Edinburgh To Enter simply cut out and collect 3 coupons. There will be 2 coupons in next week's paper so you can still enter even if you haven't collected any yet. There is a tie-break question on the this week's coupon. When you have collected 3 coupons and filled in the tie-break, put them in the drop box inside STA Travel Runners-up Prizes 3 Day (2 night) Tour of Wales 3 Day (2 night) Tour of the West Country [in Association with Radical Travel I Britain's best backpacker tours! Local Guides Guaranteed! Never, EVER cancelled! Fantastic Routes! Great overnights! Small group sizes - for THE very best experiences! ..............— ___I Competition Coupon 3 Doing it once? ... do it right! EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE! ¦ m — ¦ ¦ — ¦ —¦ ¦ ¦ I___ Name Department LSE Email Keep this coupon safe. When you have collected 3 coupons, put them together in the drop box in STA Travel (in the Quad). Do not drop them in until you have collected 3 coupons. The drop box will be available in STA Travel from today until Friday 7th November. Tie Break: If you were stuck on a desert island with nothing but a copy of The Beaver, what would you do with it? STA TRAVEL The Beaver If you haven't collected 3 coupons yet, don't worry! There will be 2 coupons in next week's paper Terms and Conditions: Subject to availability Non exchangeable for cash. Non transferrable. Valid for travel until 10/12/2003 Additional costs: Accommodation for nights of tour, approx £10/night in a hostel dormitory. Accommodation will be pre-booked but paid locally Meals, spending money, transfers not included The Beaver/STA Travel's decision is final For Full Terms and conditions or further information contact thebeaver@lse.ac.uk This competition is only open to current registered students and staff of the LSE Cut out the coupon above for your last chance to win with The Beaver LEARNING TO LEAD www.teachfirst.org.uk is it that time already? You can forget nine to five when you're trying to make a big impression. When you make a start in the world of work it's invariably an early one. But is it the best start for your career? If you're not sure about the timing, maybe we can offer you something that you may not have considered? Teach First represents two years you will never forget -paid teaching in London, building a close circle of friends, training for business and, most importantly, truly finding out what your best long-term career could be. To find out more about what we can offer, visit us at our presentation at 6.30pm on Monday 3rd November at Le Meridien Russell Hotel, Russell Square, London. If you're unable to make it on the day, you can find more information by browsing www.teachfirst.org.uk vT%i;I|eaver Tuesday 28th October 2003 COOS? -rwdoloO rilBS yjjhafwT rr*.»»«i» *v*-* f»» JV«m /Trrtx «».«< *•.«£ *.*«»< r4« Ou.~*-»«f , »n JM<^Afc^/0A A*V«C & £&*lt*t,H 60 tcvitMit M»~4i #*. tk.*s* o-f. fM (^d'j $*<>***.£*4 , ***- * J ^ (NKtS-S «*vr you *.ead the riot act ? The Beaver Tuesday 28th October 2003 H "Visl[ _ ^ j i r.(y»p /. •.'» ij.',--,T Comment and Analysis Editorial Comment Push off Top-Ups Differential Fees: A Disaster in the Making n Saturday, thousands of students turned out to march against top-up fees. Traffic was brought to a standstill in parts of central London and the march even managed to disrupt a naval parade taking place at Trafalgar Square. The issue of top-up fees is close to every student's heart. It is something which directly affects us. A student may be able to intellectually justify paying for education, but if she is unable to meet that cost, then she will not be able to attend university. Many people view the march that took place over the weekend as a demonstration by a certain group of society fighting to protect their own interests. In this sense, it is no different from the pro-fox hunting marches that have disrupted urban life since Labour came to power. But it is not as simple as that. Many students turned out to march because they would rather see higher education paid for by general taxation rather than fees paid by those who will actually be consuming that education. This is a viewpoint that has divided students, especially those who have had the fortune of listening to the eloquent arguments made by proponents of the system including Nick Barr. After all, the new system does sound fair. Graduates will pay the fees, not students. Surely the NUS can live with that? The solution is not quite so rosy as it first appears. The Beaver believes that fear of debt is an incredibly huge factor, and of course, many will be dissuaded from entering higher education because of this. The government says that graduates who are not able to afford the fees, will not have to pay until they are able to afford to do so. But the actual income which a graduate has to earn before he has to pay his fees, with interest, is very low. This will place a massive burden on those who choose, or a are forced, to enter low paid jobs. But there is one very fundamental clause in the governments plan which is repugnant. It could even go as far as destroying the very fabric of the British higher education system, and it is for this reason that figures such as Barr are misguided. Differential fees will have a devastating impact on universi- ties. Both within and between institutions. Take the LSE for example. If fees for degrees in subjects such as sociology and geography were set lower than those of economics and management this would doubtlessly devalue those courses. It would also mean that students, for whom the prospect of debt is a real fear, would be more inclined to choose the cheaper courses even if it is not what they want to do. The same argument applies to different institutions charging different fees. There are about a hundred universities in Britain. The publication of league tables has meant that there is a certain pecking order established in higher education. Universities which do not have a good standing in public opinion are having enough trouble recruiting, while institutions with a reputation for academic excellence are spoilt for choice when sifting through UCAS forms. This is how it should be. Those that have trouble recruiting will inevitable try and raise their standards if they wish to avoid long term decline and therefore improve the education system as a whole. However, differential fees would mean that they would be forced to charge lower fees. Such is the nature of the market place. The point is, the system would be bad for universities and students alike. On the one hand, the poorer universities will have to accept that they will only be able to raise a fraction of what the elite universities can, and only be able to work with limited revenue. Similarly, the poorer students will be inclined to accept offers at cheaper universities than those which their academic ability would suggest they go to. Top-up fees will create a vicious cycle and lead to the further stratification of higher education. It is to raise our voices and make our opposition known to the government that we joined the march against top-up fees. In the week leading up to the demonstration one prominent LSE Students' Union figure was spotted inebriated at a house in Holloway declaring that "This week, we defeat the government!". This hasn't happened, and probably will not. Yet, as Paul Merton would say, it was the being there that mattered Corrections and Clarifications The Beaver would like to express its sincere regret over the publication of the article 'The Association for Dead People' in last week's Beaver, issue 583. It was brought to our attention that substantial parts this article had been plagiarised from a similar story in another publication. Whilst we cannot but express our regret that this story was published, the nature of our paper is such that we rely each week upon the honesty and diligence of our contributors. After some confusion caused by Howard Davies's challenge of The Beaver's facts surrounding school numbers in last week's issue, we have, in conjunction with Mark Maloney, Head of Student Administration, decided to print a clarification of the statistics. The confusion surrounded the use of the terms 'targets' (for new students) and 'assumptions' (for new and continuing students). Essentially there was confusion when The Beaver contacted Maloney because we were under the impression that what the school calls 'assumptions' were actually targets. After more consultation with the planning office it appears this is not the case, and the most indicative figures are the school's targets for new students, because the school can only seek to control new intake, rather than continuing students. Thus, with regard to new student admissions, the numbers are as follows: Target for new admission: 4643 Actual new admissions: 4587 The Beaver remains unclear as to where Sir Howard derives this claim that the School achieved 100.8% of admissions targets, and reaffirms that all figures reported in Last week's issue were correct according to the information related to us, before going to press. Dear Sir, At the last UGM, our esteemed Director, Howard Davies, suggested that your maths was rubbish -ie you overshot the amount by which the School is over crowded by a factor of ten. Could you please clear up the confusion? It is a sorry state of affairs when the front page of the paper is at odds with the LSE's notion of the true statistics. A the Union's paper, you should make sure that what you print is not misleading as it can have serious repercussions, as I'm sure you are aware. As an avid reader of your publication, I would also like to think that the stuff I read in it is accurate for my own peace of mind. So who was at fault - you or the School. Yours Laura Anderson Dear Sir, I was just writing to congratulate all the people who went on the no-top-up-fees march this Sunday. I was impressed by the turn out of people, particularly as most of them will not be directly affected by the fee changes. In a world governed by self interested and money grabbing individuals it is nice to see that young people are still willing to stand up for such an important principle. If only this altruistic spirit would infect the leaders of this country then perhaps we might find that in twenty years their predecessors will be people that we can respect. Maybe. Yours Sarah Worthit p.s. Keep up the good work! Dear Sir, I am a foreign student and have been observing with interest the current debate on top-up fees. Quite frankly I think you are all missing the point. The real problem is the fact that I have to pay £10,000 a year to study at this fine institution when you lucky domestic students only pay £1000. So what if my parents have never paid any taxes to this country, or the fact that I am able to pay these ludicrous fees shows that I am clearly not living below the poverty line. We are being ripped off. I demand to have the same cost of education as the rest of you lot, so I can dine more often in the Ivy, and drink more often in the Carlton Club. Yours Angrily, Prince Paolo Clearlynotskintos Letters to the Editor Tfejfrfayer Tuesday 28th October Tft^'BeaverEled^ons "90S * f ffr.ijp ffJ3S ^ nh^ifT IWB« Michaelmas Election Pull-Out HONORARY PRESIDENT Stephen Lawrence Arnold Schwarzenegger ARNOLD SCWARZNEGGAR (my idol!) WILL PROVIDE GYM WORK OUT SESSIONS SO YOU CAN ALL BE FITTER AND SEXIER LIKE HIM. HE HAS HUGE MUSCLES AND HE IS SOFT AT HEART! HE IS A LADIES MAN, HE IS LEAN AND FIGHTS LIKE A MACHINE. VOTE FOR ARNIE OR HE WILL BE BACK!!! HONORARY VICE-PRESIDENT Simon "The Bookseller" Cody Tom Hurndall Tom Hurndall - a young British photographer- was shot in the head by the Israeli army whilst trying to rescue 2 Palestinian children. He is currently in a coma and is not expected to recover. Please salute this human rights activist by electing him your honoray vice-president Joshua Lorin Wiser I'm Joshua Lorin Wiser. I love people. I've spent my life fighting for fairness and equality-the last year-and-a-half advocating for the welfare of healthcare workers in California. I've strong convictions toward fairness and respect. I'm the only experienced candidate-a proven advocate. Wiser for Postgraduates' Officer, the clever choice!!! Ryan Thomas Balis Ryan Balis, MSc Public Policy and Administration. I am the candidate for student choice. Our organizations operate with an undemocratic, top-down approach. This candidate wants a choice given to postgraduates when it comes to their needs. VOTE STUDENT CHOICE! VOTE INDIVIDUAL CONTROL! Manu Bhandari I am an Indian MSc student and have spent the last four years at HEC, Paris where I was the Foreign Student Officer.My experience has taught me one thing that ideas matter- integration for postgrads in LSE community, larger quotas in Halls, support undergraduates in fee campaign; actions matter more. POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS' OFFICER James Meadway I'm proud to have helped build the massive LSE anti-war movement and know that a Students' Union works best when it's active, relevant and campaigning. As postgrad officer, I will fight to ensure that LSESU builds the campaign against top-up fees and privatisation amongst postgrad students. Another LSE is possible. Natalia Mamaeva I major in economic history, have various experience ranging from being the president of the social and physical science society, student representative on the undergraduate committees. I work part time for private investment bank and was GTI's Brand manager. I enjoy social life, love various sports, also published a book. Archana Sankaran If you want practical things like eNoticeboards, departmental alumni mentoring, webspace.......vote for me. If you want an elistist preacher campaigner and no work done....sorry,not me. Murilo Lemos De Lemos What matters most: your grades or how many clubs you got to know this week?! I would say, BOTH of them!! To enjoy school life at its maximum is being able to experience all of its aspects: academic and social. ACTIVE Students - Study AND Participation. Murilo Lemos - Postgraduates Officer candidate COURT OF GOVERNORS Daniel Freedman Hi! Currently as equal opportunities officer I have been working to remove any prejudice and discrimination that exists on campus. If elected, using this position, I will strive further to remove any intimidation, racial discrimination, homophobia and sexism from student life. Making university a friendlier place, Vote Freedman. Kamran Ahmad Vote for your voice to be heard on the Court of Governors. NO to TOP UP FEES and NO to Racism. Had enough of the same old clique in the SU claiming to represent the student body? Then vote for change! Alykhan Velshi I want to prove that you don't have to be a career politician to mount a credible campaign; to debunk charges of racism levelled at the Students' Union over insufficient multicultural representation in its highest ranks, especially true in the Governors and ULU Council, whose diversity is woefully inadequate. Khurshid Faizullaev David Munck Willumsen The wide range of nationalities and cultures are what makes the LSE such a fantastic place to study; the school needs to be reminded of this. If elected, I will work hard to ensure that the LSE remains the place to study for all nationalities. "^Beaver Tuesday 28th October 2003 ^ »do*>0 rf)32 ^basuT Olliver Jelleyman I am a third year student, serving my second year as an elected SU volunteer. As Chair of the Constitution and Steering Committee and a very regular UGM attendee, and through my involvement in societies and a taskforce, I have gained valuable experience that would help in representing students. Franklin Chiao Cheers! I would like to help represent students at LSE, the most vibrant and dynamic community. I am a postgraduate student in the department of accounting and finance. I spent two years working at a bank and would like to bring more companies and socially responsible hedge fund to campus. Rowan Harvey As the SU Education and Welfare Sabbatical a seat on Court would give me the opportunity to raise student concerns at the highest level of LSE governance and work more effectively to bring about improvements in its academic and pastoral provision, helping me help you more effectively. Matthew Sinclair Raised by a family of electric eels I have the ability to dispense powerful electric shocks at a substantial range. Other qualifications include debating at an intervarsity level, founding the union's Badger Group, Beaver columnist and C&S secretary. Vote Matt for abilities opponents of the Union should surely fear. Mike McNair Vote MIKE MCNAIR! You will get a tough as nails, hard-nosed, student focused, informed, persistent, PRAGMATIC DREAMER as your representative. Any thoughts or questions, I'd love to hear from you, m.a.mcnair@lse.ac.uk. I'm ready for you to put me to work, I'm ready to MAKE YOUR CHALLENGE MINE! Jo Kibble As Convenor of the Don't Price Students Out campaign I have a proven track record of fighting against fees for all students -undergraduate, postgraduate, home and international. The Court is split almost 50/50 on top-ups - I will not compromise on this issue or be intimidated by the school hierarchy. Ibrahim Rasheed The Court of Governors is one of the School's key decisionmaking bodies. This year crucial issues such as top-up fees will be brought to the table. As Executive Editor of the Beaver, I am heavily involved in a campaigning newspaper and I hope to carry on representing students at Court. Dave Cole So, you're reading this fifty words wondering what makes me different. I'm experienced, having sat on Court of Governors and ULU Council. I've campaigned for the Union position against differential fees and postgraduate & international students' fee increases as well as improved library provision and access for students with disabilities. Rishi Madlani Vote Rishi Madlani for Court Of Governors. SU Executive Officer. Former President of Passfield. Former Vice-Chair of Constitution and Steering Committee. Experienced candidate. Committed to serving student interests. Approachable and understanding of student needs. Kristian Weise Hermansen Tired of old-fashioned examinations, spending all your time photocopying readings rather than reading them, and not getting the best value of your teaching and supervision? Vote for up-to-date and relevant examinations, official and affordable course packs for all courses, and better use of teaching and supervising resources! ACADEMIC BOARD Ioannis Psimpoulos Michael Warriner I would like to represent you on the school's academic board. I feel that we, the students don't have enough influence in this area and will speak loudly enough to make our voice heard throughout the school administration. Vote Michael Warriner preference 1 for real representation on the academic board. Olliver Jelleyman I am a third year student, serving my second year as an elected SU volunteer. As Chair of the Constitution and Steering Committee and a very regular UGM attendee, and through my involvement in societies and a taskforce, I have gained valuable experience that would help in representing students. Nick Spurrell Experienced, highly-motivated, and persistent, I will represent your interests to ensure we're all getting value for money for our fees. Khurshid Faizullaev ANTI-RACISM OFFICER Yusuf Osman Kevin Chung Yu Liu Let us sustain a harmonic multicultural community at the LSE. Anti-Racism is not just a slogan; it is a duty for all human beings. Peace, Love and Equality. Realise the Dream. Achieve the Dream. Live the Dream. What is your dream? Muhammed Anas Makhdoom Narrow-Mindedness... predisposition... favouritism ... partiality... dislike... anger... antagoism... detestation... abhorrence... hatred... loathing... abomination... disgust... antipathy... revulsion... aversion... repugnance... abhorrence... intolerance... fanaticism... unfairness... bias... predisposition... prejudice... bigotry... injustice... discrimination... racism... Saifedean Ammous Beyzade M. Beyzade BEYZADE will Organise: Events: International Evening ,'Miss World' Student Special , Provide religious and cultural programmes on LSE's new TV station e.g. 'Bollywood' movies. Careers: A careers fair with firms and organisations that promote cultural, racial and ethnic diversity. -Help with timetable conflicts with religious or ethnic traditions. Legal Advice. fetfe!aver Tuesday 28th October •<*¦*«>'*$( -sv^V 'i",0"0 dJ8£ W*ftl4& ThetkxiverlJeakms LGBT OFFICER FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT Beyzade M. Beyzade BEYZADE will Organise: Events: Gay dating events for charity - 'Mr Gay UK' beauty contest round @ LSE -More LGBT nights at LSE-Provide LGBT programmes on LSE's new TV station. Careers: A careers fair with LGBT friendly firms. Advice & Counselling: Free legal advice and counselling on any LGBT issues-Lifestyle Simon Bottomley I am chair of this years LGBT society and have experience to give. I will campaign tirelessly to make your campus a better place to be LGBT and shall hold drop in sessions and raise the profile of LGBT awareness week. I want LSE a great place to be gay! ULU COUNCIL Michael Warriner I would like to represent you at ULU council. Having performed the role of President of Passfield Hall, I am in an ideal position to push for the LSESU at ULU council on all issues including travel costs, education funding and most of all halls space following the Passfield saga. Angus Jones No to top-up fees-LSESU is running a Don't Price Students Out campaign This must be given more prominace in ULU. Defending ULU services-this year ULU took the decision to cut the nursery such cuts must be opposed. Students must be informed of all they can get from ULU. Olliver Jelleyman I am a third year student, serving my second year as an elected SU volunteer. As Chair of the Constitution and Steering Committee and a very regular UGM attendee, and through my involvement in societies and a taskforce, I have gained valuable experience that would help in representing students. Dave Cole So, you're reading this fifty words wondering what makes me different. I'm experienced, having sat on Court of Governors and ULU Council. I've campaigned for the Union position against differential fees and postgraduate & international students' fee increases as well as improved library provision and access for students with disabilities. Alykhan Velshi I want to prove that you don't have to be a career politician to mount a credible campaign; to debunk charges of racism levelled at the Students' Union over insufficient multicultural representation in its highest ranks, especially true in the Governors and ULU Council, whose diversity is woefully inadequate. ! ¦:> \ Real life. Real work. Our idea of progress is simple. It's about changing the life around us for the better. If you want a fascinating breadth of projects and real responsibility, your journey starts here. Local government is a national employer with a complex network of services and a £78 billion remit. To fulfill our mandate to provide the best quality services to local communities we have to run as effectively and efficiently as we possibly can. So we need good quality people on board. The ngdp is a development programme created to build management capability in local government. Join us and you'll become a partner in a national network of graduates with the opportunity to make a real difference throughout England and Wales. Over two years, you'll spend time in a series of placements covering front line services, strategy and support. You'll work on challenging improvement projects within local communities which may sometimes surprise you in their complexity and importance. The variety and completeness of the package is unique; a competitive salary and benefits package, excellent personal and professional development, including the chance to gain a Post Graduate Diploma in Local Government Management at Warwick Business School and the chance to shape your own career path. So take your first step. Come to our presentation at 6.30pm on Tuesday 4th November 2003 at the CBI Conference Centre, Centrepoint, 103 New Oxford Street, London or call 01635 584139 for an application pack, or visit www.ngdp.co.uk NATIONAL GRADUATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME 1 ' ¦ r" p I I l!V_' www.ngdp.co.uk Fhet p.e^aver Tuesday 28th October If 1 * * > > »-» l*i • • » Musammat Sumiyyah Rahman Hi, i'm Sumiyyah, first year Management student, so a lot of you don't know me yet, however I can assure you that as YOUR representative on the ULU council I will make sure YOUR views are heard! Eleanor Xiu Ling Barham Hi. I'm Beaver News Editor, and I'm running to be your delegate to the ULU Council. I believe that students here deserve the best, and I will do all in my power to campaign for your rights and interests in London. Empathy with you, energy for ULU - vote El Barham. Matthew Sinclair Raised by a family of electric eels I have the ability to dispense powerful electric shocks at a substantial range. Other qualifications include debating at an intervarsity level, founding the union's Badger Group, Beaver columnist and C&S secretary. Vote Matt for abilities opponents of the Union should surely fear. NUS CONFERENCE Mark Power The NUS Conference has for too long been a platform for extremist views. The LSE must send a delegation prepared to campaign for a representative, and reformed NUS that is both more democratic, and more representative of the Students of this country. Extremism takes away publicity from sensible opposition to top-up fees and the War James Meadway I'm proud to have helped build the massive LSE anti-war movement and to have played a part in defeating top-up fees last time round. I want to take my experience to NUS because I know Students' Unions work best when they are active, campaigning and relevant. Direct action works. Jimmy Baker Re-Elect The Ents Officer Jimmy Baker to NUS Conference... Go On, One More Time Peter Bellini Voting for Peter Bellini will ensure that LSE has an experienced voice at NUS Conference. Having attended as a delegate for the past 3 years and having dealt with NUS as SU Treasurer last year I believe I have the experience to influence NUS for the better, for LSE students. Matthew Willgress I Chaired the "Stay in NUS" campaign to make NUS relevant to LSE students. This means campaigns against top-up fees and against fees excess for international students. It also means fighting discrimination, including Islamaphobia 'whipped up' by some to justify war. Liberation campaigns must be supported to make this happen. Sarah Waseem Sorry, but I'm not going to go on about the usual student rep. rhetoric about equal opportunities, top-up fees and protection of the sub-Saharan less common sand lizard...50 words isn't enough to discuss such matters of student import. Cheesy slogan: a vote for me is an answer to your plea! Sian Errington I stand for positive campaigning for Women's rights, diversity and equality. The autonomy of the NUS' liberation and equality campaigns should be defended, and must be properly resourced. The NUS should campaign against all forms of racism, including the far-right BNP, attacks on asylum seekers and rising Islamaphobia. Nick Spurrell Experienced, highly-motivated, and persistent, I will represent your interests to ensure we're all getting value for money for our fees. Khurshid Faizullaev Daniel Freedman Hi! Currently as equal opportunities officer I have been working to remove any prejudice and discrimination that exists on campus. If elected, using this position, I will strive further to remove any intimidation, racial discrimination, homophobia and sexism from student life. Making university a friendlier place, Vote Freedman. Rowan Harvey I already work closely with the NUS day to day on welfare and academic issues affecting LSE students. I would make good use of the chance to direct NUS policy to better reflect the needs of our student body, helping me help you more effectively. David Munck Willumsen The NUS has consistently ignored the needs of international students, especially on the vastly higher fees that overseas students have to pay. If elected as one of your NUS delegates, I will work hard to ensure that the NUS will no longer ignore the needs of international students. Jo Kibble NUS at last has a genuine policy for free education - I want to ensure this is maintained and strengthened. Additionally, I will push for a real NUS campaign against Islamophobia and for the prioritisation of fighting against the fascist BNP on campuses and against institutional racism in society. 9 0 By Order of the Holder of the Badger i vut 'M The Beaver • Tuesday 28th October 2003 'XkC' «.KIVV;«.0 r'l3£ vfibwjZ' .'.vpiK »',i: Page 4-4 blink Features and Politics >¦ * Edited by Ben Chapman (b.ehapman@lse.ac.uk) blink Face-off How should we react to George Bush's visit to Britain? Both sides of the argument discussed-page 18 & Musings City Knifing, Dangerous Dogs blink Columnist Tabloids have dealt with non-news for many years now. Reality TV's scheme to create a new breed of leverage-less celebrity by infusing genetic material from a bottle of hair gel has supplemented the old staples of football scandals and paedophile chasing; the BBC demonstrates its cutting edge news talent by creating a version for the literate media. In an admirable attempt to bring balance to its news reporting the BBC announced, on 22nd October, "Reservists 'were not poorly prepared"'. News stories soon to come include "Blair says very little about Nauruan phosphate mining", and "Oliver Letwin still dislikes state schools". Andrew "pesky" Gilligan has been put on the backburner. Headlines like "Government are Evil Liars who should ALL DIE" upset everyone. On the other hand such stories grab the attention. I think that reservist training would have to be suffering a lengthy, ongoing and casualty-filled crisis before I would care. Another sign of the new style pervading the BBC is "Hotel attack divides Iraqis". Very few people had no opinion on firing rockets at a hotel, apparently. The Sunday Times' recent business headline "Now City assassin knifes Allen" has the opposite problem. Basically he launched ITV Digital with the worst business plan since the Hovis "free infectious disease with every loaf" promotion. Even Johnny Vegas with a monkey was unable to help the doomed station. Now that he has led Granada into a merger with his ITV Digital partner, Carlton shareholders would rather see no more Allen-Green ventures undertaken with their company. In terms of "knifing" you'll see worse in your average primary school. Know yourself and your enemy; Et. Al. Qaeda must be bloody evil judging by the measures we have to take against them. Tanks in Heathrow say a lot. While ideally suited for breaching defensive lines and hunting other armour, tanks are very little use against an individual such as a suicide bomber. The only reason to deploy tanks would be if international terrorism had found a way to get T?2s to the Strand. I won't point any fingers but there's only one country with a rail link to Waterloo. Now new depths have been reached. A British inventor had followed in the proud tradition of the steam engine, water frame and Charles Clarke's face and had created a toy dog that breaks wind. Dave Rogerson waited for twenty minutes of scanning for anthrax to be completed by American officials certain that the: dog was about to kill off the population ofVirginia. What kind of people would make a biological warfare dog? Well, not Al-Qaeda, yet. y Britain has always been the reluctant Europeanist. Listening to European politicians come here and discuss European integration - most recently over the Euro and the proposed constitution - makes one wonder if they have ever truly understood why. If they have, they have a strange way of showing it. The explanation lies in Britain's history. To appreciate Britain's attitude towards Europe, one needs to understand the guiding principle behind British diplomacy for at least the last one hundred years. That principle, still dominant today, is maintaining the balance of power in the world. From the time that the British Empire was said to cover a quarter of the globe, and was described as the "Empire on which the sun never sets", British diplomats saw their role as maintaining this preeminence. Britain didn't need alliances: they would only serve to limit her freedom of action as her security was ensured by her rule of the seas. In what her prime minister at the turn of the last century, Lord Salisbury, famously termed "splendid isolation", she would only take action when necessary to prevent changes to the world's power structure. This policy was forced to modify itself in 1940, when the advances of Nazi Germany made her realize that she now needed the help of the US to maintain the balance of power. Britain accepted the informal position of a junior partner to the US, viewing herself as Greece to America's Rome. This partnership, cemented by the Cold War, has become the basis for Britain's post-war foreign policy. Therefore, after the war ended, Britain declined to become a founding member of the European Coal and Steel Community, seeing it as an unnecessary alteration to a relatively favorable post-war balance of power. Paradoxically, Britain's eventual conversion to European integration was for the same 'maintaining the balance of power' reason. She was pressured to join by the U.S., which saw more use for her as an ally inside Europe than out of it. Britain reluctantly accepted that to maintain her position as the junior partner of the US, she was needed to be a pro-American influence inside Europe. This understanding was why the former French President Charles de Gaulle vetoed Britain's earlier attempts to join the then European Community. De Gaulle had a vision of Europe as a counterbalance to the US and believed Britain would only serve to undermine this aim. Today, Britain still follows this same principle. Therefore before accepting any change in its relationship with Europe, Britain will want to understand the implications to the balance of power in the world. Britain is satisfied with her current position, enjoying a powerful world role, ranking among the world's top military and industrial powers, and holding important positions such as a place on the UN Security Council and membership of the G-8. Therefore anything that appears to be a 'Gaullist' rather than an 'Atlanticist' approach to Europe will be avoided. This question is central to the debate over whether to accept the euro. The anti-Euro group launched their campaign with cinema advertisements of a comedian dressed as Hitler shouting "ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Euro". The underlying implication, lost on many of its critics, was that joining the Euro would irrevocably bind Britain to Europe, leaving her with no room for independent action. This is why Prime Minister Tony Blair and his government, who are keen on joining the euro, have been trying to put the entire focus of the euro debate on the economic implications of joining, in a clear attempt to remove the issue of sovereignty from people's minds. The same question is behind the debate on the proposed European Constitution. The British government has tried to downplay the significance of the constitution, attempting to portray it as a simple tidying-up exercise before new states join the EU. After returning from the European summit in Greece at the end of June, Mr Blair tried to minimize the constitution's importance by insisting that Britain would never cede control over taxation, defense, and foreign policy to Europe. Opponents on the other hand have been describing it as the end of a sovereign Britain. For example, the Daily Mail wrote an editorial entitled "Blueprint for Tyranny", telling readers that "Britain's ability to prosecute the war in Iraq would no longer exist under such a European regime", highlighting that it would change the balance of power in the world, removing Britain from her special relationship with the US. This also explains Britain's reluctance towards a European defence force. It appears to be a Gaullist plan, as why else would Europe need a new defence force when it has NATO (with the US) for European defence? Blair and other pro-Europeans haven't been helped by comments from European leaders. The president of the convention, Valery Giscard d'Estaing, told reporters that it would leave states with little room to bargain, and the President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, predicted that eventually a common European defence policy would emerge. The European leaders need to appreciate that it is a difficult task for Tony Blair to convince the British public that it is 'safe' to further integrate with Europe. Their reluctance is based on the nation's history and psyche. If these politicians wish to help Blair persuade Britain, they too must focus on the economic benefits of joining, rather than the prospective loss of sovereignty. Their recent comments only serve to push Britain away. The reality is that it might be in Britain's interest to further integrate with Europe, as long as she is able to lead, rather than be led. Until now, the British have recognized that the ruling Franco-German alliance that has effectively controlled European decision-making would make her subservient. But recent events indicate a different future lies ahead. The now famous "letter of eight" showed that important European countries, such as Spain, Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands and Portugal, shared Britain's Atlanticist world-view. The eastern European countries due to join Europe do too. If this is the new majority in Europe, Britain would be the natural leader, and such a Europe Britain would no doubt embrace. The author of this article is standing in the Union elections this week. In keeping with Beaver policy, writers running for a position will not have their names published. If you're interested in writing for blink or have an article that you would like to get published, simply email b.chapman@lse.ac.uk All opinions expressed in blink, including those of its editor, are the writers' own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Beaver or L5ESU Page 15 «r\ | OneEyeOpen In Defence of the WTO "'Free trade in its current form" is a contradiction in terms. The current form of trade is not free. If it were, the WTO would be out of a job.' II-SP r ill f 4 to exploit people#nature . ' ' i£ 1/ i * Will Misguided protesters just don't appreciate the work it's doing. Whenever the World Trade Organisation holds trade talks we very seldom hear good reports. It is almost a month ago now that the organisation's Cancun ministerial ended in failure. Seattle in '99 saw mad riots. Doha in 2001 was a little more difficult for the anti-globalisation globe-trotters to get to. Cancun this year saw a festive spirit, a suicide, and a boost to the international tourism industry as thousands of first-world hippies turned up for protests, 'teach-ins' and revolts against 'global capitalism', free trade, economic liberalisation, and what they saw as elitist suppression of the developing world by the West - all this conveniently embodied in that 'undemocratic' body, the WTO. Meanwhile, in the press back here in London, we have endless reams of pro-protest discharge emitted not only by the likes of The Guardian (to be expected), but the usually more moderate Underground freebie, Metro. Whether it is respected charities like Action Aid and Christian Aid, raving celebrities like George Monbiot or 'happy-word' hijackers like the 'fair trade' camps and movements for 'peace and justice', I feel like everyone is against the WTO; everyone is against free trade. I have it on good word that the view of many of Britain's civil servants charged with trade policy is that most of these protest people do not even understand what the WTO is seeking to achieve. One lefty journalist here tells me she supposes it's "important that those who support free trade in its current form make their case". And there's the problem. "Free trade in its current form" is a contradiction in terms. The current form of trade is not free. If it were, the WTO would be out of a job. Free trade is, most simply, the voluntary exchange of goods and services across borders without tariffs, quotas or other legal barriers, and without market distortions caused by state subsidies and other artificial interventions. World trade right now, in contrast to free trade, is riddled with all these government obstructions. The protesters and Guardianistas seem to think that we should never want free trade since under such a system the rich countries, or the multinational corporations based there, would simply dominate, exploit and manipulate the poorer ones. A local farm-worker in Latin America or sub-Saharan Africa would, if his government didn't have such high tariffs, be victim to Western commercial farms propped up by Western governments. This is the old-fashioned 'infant industry' argument: the developing nation needs to protect its farming industry until it can compete against the rich First World. It is reasonable for the left to argue that it would be unfair to force unsub-sidised African farmers to compete in a market of Western recipients of big, regular government cheques. In fact, I completely agree that this is unfair. Yet the solution is not to be found in 'protecting' third-world markets by tariffs - the current state of play. (Nigeria, Kenya and Pakistan have average tariffs of over 20%, in contrast to the US and EU's 4%.) The developing world needs to trade with the prosperous world if it is to grow. According to a recent University of Michigan report, reducing tariffs and quotas by a third would boost the global economy by $613 billion. Those able to sell their goods cheaply would benefit most. Even the anti-traders can see that. The trouble is, they say, that when the West subsidises its producers so much, it is only Western companies that can sell their products cheaply. How can a Haitian farmer compete when its competitors are subsidised by their governments? Once again, that sounds pretty reasonable. And that's why the WTO is against state subsidies as well as tariffs and quotas. Drafts discussed in Cancun talked about phasing out export subsidies as well as capping tariffs. The success or otherwise of the WTO notwithstanding, it certainly has honourable goals. It seems to me that the protesters have got all a-muddle. They don't even know what they believe, apart from that economic liberalism must by nature harm the world's poor, that the West must be economically liberal, and that therefore the West must be wrong. That sums up their whole train of thought, yet it's quite simply ignorance, confusion, and factual inaccuracy Economic liberalism does not harm the world's poor. Sure, the current structure of trade harms the world's poor. As a recent report by the Centre for the New Europe details, one person dies every 13 seconds - usually in Africa - because of the EU's economically illiberal barriers to trade. Kofi Annan agrees: "There are too many barriers that stunt, stifle and starve which need to be phased out, as fast as possible, for the sake of humanity." Removing these barriers, particularly in the developed world, is what these protesters think they want. For this, as any half-witted economist not taken in by rent-seeking farmers would tell you, would help Third World development. Yet removing these barriers is economic liberalisation if ever anything was. The same economic liberalisation that the anti-WTO protesters think they despise. Indeed, Mexican anti-globalisation leader Subcomandante Marcos described his Cancun protests as a "mobilisation against neo-liberalism". They couldn't possibly admit it, but while they protest against neo-liberalism, they're actually demanding that the EU and US adopt it. It is, however, true that they do reject economic liberalisation for the developing world, but on grounds of the ill-consid-ered infant industry argument. What they can't understand is that African farming is not going to develop if their own tariffs and quotas block out prospects for trade and growth. Policymakers should look further than at isolated industries. Cheap goods help the whole economy. As a September 2003 Times leader put it: "A triumph in Cancun for the anti-globalisers would be a victory for prejudice, ignorance and contempt for the dispossessed." The WTO, then, is no bastion of the West's commercial farming industries. On the contrary, it opposes their protectionist policies, and actively seeks a level playing field throughout the world. The current system of trade is unfair. And the solution is to make it free. This is what the WTO is trying to do. It may not yet have made the breakthroughs it wants, but without it, progress is going to be much, much slower. The author is running for election this week. And so it comes to this. I knew it would happen. Despite trying for weeks to avoid all discussion of overpaid secretarial work, backbiting and general hopelessness, it has got to the stage where there is no choice but to talk about Iain Duncan Smith. Now, whilst I know that on the surface the whole thing is about as interesting as watching paint dry (slowly), there is in fact rather a lot to laugh about in this whole debacle. Once again, we find ourselves questioning why Alfred Noble even bothered to invent dynamite - all you need to do is stick three Tories in a room together and chances are at least one of them will dislike at least one other enough to induce explosive tendencies. The Conservative Party is getting so good at ripping itself apart that it almost seems like a future supplying incendiary devices to small African states (with experience) might be on the cards once the point of being in politics is completely lost. Things just can't go on much longer, which is bad for all of us when you consider Chat-show Charlie Kennedy is the only other alternative to Pinocchio Blair. So I read that this may be the crunch week for IDS; what may laughingly come to be known as Betsygate has taken its almighty toll and given the snipers on the roof plenty to aim at. I always find it rather funny when diverse opposition suddenly emerges when the chips are down. "He was never competent in the first place," splashed across the front page of the tabloid newspaper next to me as I write this. "The shadow cabinet always knew he wasn't up to the job," another damning statement. The front cover of Private Eye made me laugh, though whilst a cyanide plot may remain worrying, the Tory leader can take comfort in the development that scientists in India reckon they have found a cure for arsenic poisoning. Though never particularly popular, this last couple of weeks has just seen IDS open a COW (can of worms) that may have lasting consequences. If he'd just managed to get through conference week without all this rubbish he might have been alright. His great deficiency is as much his inability to steer clear of calamity as his lack of decent leadership qualities. The truth is, and as we have known since day one, Iain Duncan Smith was never the ideal choice for Tory leader. I'm pretty sure I wasn't the only party member who groaned when faced with the choice of IDS or Ken Clarke. Now the Hush-Puppied latter may have his chance again, if only to avoid sharing the number 3 bus with minions like myself in future. Problem is, he won't be elected, and the election system may well leave the party faithful with another no-hoper as its only option. The real tragedy is that the lack of a decent opposition has serious implications for British democracy, and therefore something in all our interests which desperately needs to be resolved. But then again, you really have got to laugh. Haven't you? The Beaver Tuesday 28th October2003 V ,l .v. Yv v v.y'.\V, Page 16 ? 1 I I ' I ' 1 1 1 1 1 II'' ....................................................i i . » , blink peatures Mela Magic London Mela was tipped to be the capital's biggest celebration of Asian arts, culture and community this summer. Did it live up to the hype? Nawaz Imam Let me set the scene. Wembley on a freezing Sunday afternoon...the sights and sounds of the high street assault your senses, especially for a first time Londoner! Joining the mass exodus of people walking in the same direction, resolutely staring into space, scowling away, you begin to wonder if making the near-enough one-hour tube journey from Holborn to Wembley Park for the largest Asian exhibition this side of Europe has really been worth it (though I'm probably being a bit 'arsh on Londoners in general). After queuing for a while to get my hands on a very expensive ticket, having rung up too late for a press pass - "Oh sorry Mr Imam, we are closing shop now" (it is amazing what the LSE name can get you), I finally made it inside. And what a sight! Throngs of people in every direction, masses of stalls and representation from all aspects of the British Asian community, be it business or otherwise. The range and variety on offer was astounding. Old stalwarts like BT and the Beeb were out in force, hawking their wares along with a multitude of insurance companies, who, not wanting to be outdone, were also poised for action. One of the most exciting aspects of any event like this is the fusion of art, film, fashion and culture that goes into a definitive portrayal of a particular lifestyle. This event was certainly no different. On display in his usual charismatic self was Ash Kumar, officially the fastest henna artist in the world. He 'wowed' the crowd, which perpetually surrounded the stage, with a series of original designs and motifs. Fcishion, clothing and jewellery in particular have always played a central role in Asian lifestyle - quite literally having to tip-toe your way around hoards of women to even get a glimpse on what was on offer gives a clear indication of the 'ooh aah' factor. Leading brands from Redd London to Maya and Jayashree exhibited exquisite collections ranging from traditional wedding dress to haute couture, blending the best of east and west. Such designs were amply demonstrated live on the BT-sponsored catwalk. The fashion show enticed and amazed with models strutting their stuff, mixed in with choreographed modern dance pieces. At one point even the security staff had their eyes glued to the action on stage. Arguably the strongest British Asian influence throughout was the newfound vogue of fusion bhangra sounds and the current and hopefully permanent fascination with all things Bollywood. Both forms of entertainment have been catapulted into the mainstream, beginning with artists such as Apache Indian, Kula Shaker and Cornershop and continuing with Rishi Rich and Punjabi MC. The film scene has seen 'masala' Bollywood fare, like Lagaan and Devdas, regularly break into the British Top 10, with crossover movies like Bend It Like Beckham and Monsoon Wedding also proving hugely popular. The trend looks set to continue with the release of Bollywood Queen, a new Brit-Asian production starring Preeya Kalidas (of Bombay Dreams fame) and Ray Pantaki amongst others. Both were on show with Preeya describing the Mela as a "fantastic exhibition - a great celebration of Indian culture", and Ray insightfully adding that he was "happy to be here". Blowing up the BBC Asian Network sound stage were Panjabi Hit Squad, DIP and many many more. The real 'Bollywood Queen', Karisma Kapoor, provided a touch of authentic glamour, straight from Mumbai and taking a break from her honeymoon. At the end of the day, that is what this event is all about - a chance to people watch, sample a culture bursting with colour and most importantly, eat enough to make you very very happy. Nawaz Imam is an first year undergraduate student at the LSE studying Economics. Following his speech at the LSE last Chatting with Charlie Pictures reproduced with kind permission of Havard Hughes. and the party as a whole by various political factions. With the Sun branding him 'Red Kennedy' and Ken Livingston hailing him as a threat to progressive politics, much mileage is being made out of the attempts to marginalise Lib Dems. It is easy to see why this is a winning strategy for both the Tories and Labour. By denouncing Lib Dems as either the loony Left or insipidly dangerous Right, they are creating confusion in the electorate, something which a reasoned analysis of Lib Dem policy finds untrue. Kennedy is clear to impress the pragmatic, socially responsible, and liberal ideology that underpin all Lib Dem policies. Returning to higher education, Kennedy was keen to distance Liberal Democrat policy from an increased interference by the government in the spending priorities of universities. "We're certainly in favour of universities having maximum freedom for innovation." Yet he was quick to add a caveat: "We're not arguing let's pull out the plug; we're not going to completely upturn the apple cart. At the end of the day if you have a state university system, and the taxpayer's going to contribute, then the government of the day has got to administer. But there should be a lot more flexibility than is presently the case. If you talk to principals and vice-chancellors, whatever direction they're coming from, the one thing they will always say is that there is far too much administration and control and they're not really left to do their own thing." When asked as to whether he would continue with Labour's target of getting 50% of all school leavers into higher education, Kennedy vented some of the popular frustration with this government's obsession with both targets and over-cen-tralisation. "We think that's arbitrary and eventually counterproductive actually. You want the most people that you can get in society to have the opportunity to go on to tertiary education - I mean that's a good thing. That's something we're strongly in favour of. In terms of putting percentage figures and saying that's the target, it tends to skew the whole administration of the system as a whole." However, he was quick to point out that this did not mean the Lib Dems did not want to improve access. "What we wouldn't do is what the Conservatives seem to have signed up to, which is going to result in an awful lot of people who should and could go into tertiary sector education, not given the chance." When it was time to conclude I asked Kennedy whether he could encapsulate his message to LSE students in one statement. "It's your future, you will shape this future, and if you are looking at politics, then you should look at a party that has its eye on the future, not on the past. When you think of the Labour party and the Conservative party, in their different ways, they are very very moulded or influenced, or conditioned by what went on in days gone by. We are not. We are the party that is looking forward and looking to a sense of opportunity for the country. So it's not a party political message in a way, but I think it's what we are about and what we should be about." The author is running for election this week. David Rendel used the opportunity to relaunch the Lib Dems' higher education policy. m :: '' The newly-elected Sarah Teather is the Lib Dems' youngest MP. The Beaver Tuesday 28th Qctobeh2003' \ v ':;;,V,V,V.V;AV .V Page 17 blink Features week, Charles Kennedy talked about all things Iraqi, Tory, and of course, HE. Managing Editor Following Charles Kennedy's speech in the Hong Kong Theatre last Monday lunchtime, I took the opportunity to pursue a more detailed and intimate interview on his message to the students of LSE. Kennedy came to the LSE with David Rendel MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Higher Education, and Sarah Teather MP, the newly elected member for Brent East. They chose the LSE to effectively re-launch Liberal Democrat higher education policy after it was agreed on at conference, in light of the coming opposition to the Government's proposals to implement top-up fees. Kennedy's talk was one of several events last week, scheduled in the run up to the demonstration on Sunday 26th. Kennedy and Rendel's plans are to abolish all top-up fees, given that they will deter poorer students from applying to universities. The policy is relatively simple in theory: it resolves to introduce a new tier of taxation, whereby those earning over £100,000 will pay 50% tax, as opposed to the 40% they currently pay. The theory is that those who have gained most monetarily from society will then be those who pay more in monetary terms to contribute to the nation's intellectual well-being. Free education is in all our interests, the Lib Dems argue, since it promotes a more socially cohesive society: one that is more economically competitive because of a more highly educated population, and one that promotes the freedom of the individual to choose their own path in life, regardless of their background. Following Kennedy's speech, I tackled him on issues broader than Lib Dem higher education policy. Given the importance of the war in Iraq to the student community, I asked Kennedy whether he found it difficult to stake the stance he did over the war in Iraq. He certainly did not find it easy, and told me that with an "issue as fundamental as whether the country goes to war or peace, it doesn't come much more difficult than that." He went on to say, "I take no pleasure whatsoever in saying I think subsequent events have proved our collective judgment pretty wise to say the least." That the Liberal Democrat opposition to the war in Iraq was a popular move is clear, but Kennedy insisted that it wasn't populist. He stance is thought to have been a crucial element of the Liberal Democrat success in the Brent East by-election after voter upon voter voiced their dissatisfaction with Labour over the war and a failing record in government. Moving to Britain's other main political party, I asked Kennedy whether he felt sorry for Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith, given his current leadership crisis, and his thoughts on the state of the Conservative Party in general. "I don't really feel anything to be perfectly honest. The problem for the Conservatives is that really, since the day Mrs. Thatcher resigned, they have not been able to make their own minds up as to what they're about. They've had three leaders. They seem to be quite intent on undermining or destroying each and every one in turn. IDS is just the next in the line. I think the issue is not really the leadership of that party. I am loath to pronounce as one party leader looking at another, but the issue, it seems to me, is not really the individuality; the issue is whether that party is capable of being led." These comments are apt to appear more appropriate this week as the Conservative leadership is called into question. Kennedy, it seems, is clear to seize the opportunity to give the Tories a taste of their own medicine. After years of being lambasted as both the loony Left and incapable wooly cardigans, it is starting to look like Kennedy is the leader in charge of a serious, united, and determined party whereas Iain Duncan Smith and the Tory party are left languishing with their own petty internal disputes. Moving on to issues closer to home, Kennedy was keen to talk about the industrial dispute that affected many new and returning students over Freshers' week here at LSE. He agreed that a system of weighting was important, not just in London, but generally around the country. He also spoke of Lib Dem proposals for strike resolution, including the presence of what he calls "a system of pendulum arbitration", whereby both sides agree to accept the results of independent mediation. It is hardly groundbreaking stuff, but it is reasonable and equitable, and in keeping with the Lib Dems' general philosophy on being fair to both employers and employees. As was clear in his speech as well as the interview, Kennedy is keen to avoid the labels being slapped on both himself Kennedy on the war... "I take no pleasure whatsoever in saying I think subsequent events have proved our collective judgment pretty wise to say the least." ...on the Conservatives... "They've had three leaders. They seem to be quite intent on undermining or destroying each and every one in turn." ...on universities... "There should be a lot more flexibility than is presently the case. There is far too much central control and they're not really left to do their own thing." Ruth Austin I don't mean what I am about to say in this article as a lecture, or a rant, but as a general and open invitation. George W. Bush (POTUS himself) is due to visit the UK between the 19th and 21st of November. Stop the War has called for a national demo on the 20th and to me this represents an irresistible and rare opportunity for all of us to stick two fingers up (or one depending on your preference) at the not-so-benevolent leader of the free world. In case you hadn't all guessed by now: I don't like George Bush. I really, really don't like this man. Lots of us don't but the problem is that we dislike him for too many and too varied reasons which I won't expand upon too much because there are people far better equipped than me to slag him off in detail. But just off the top of my head there's the Iraq war and subsequent occupation, the subsequent calamity of the occupation and general threatening noises to Syria and Iran since. If you don't want to express an opinion on the Middle East, or indeed are pro-war, there's always his blatantly irresponsible environmental policies. And what about his business connections? Of course there's the way in which he was elected and lastly the most terrible thought of all: what if there is no Pentagon or business power behind the throne and it's just Georgie-boy's finger ready to push the button and slaughter some more kids with a load of cluster bombs? A lot of you aren't going to agree with all or even some of my reasons; some of you won't like my tone in this article (or my minimal use of facts). I am a member of the Stop the War Coalition student group at LSE, but I'm writing this article without having discussed it with the group. Why? Precisely because we're a coalition, and we're diverse, I'm not into partisan (or even student) politics. I certainly don't agree with a lot of the political views some members hold but then I wouldn't expect them to have to agree with mine. I'm simply saying what I would be saying anyway. For me Bush's visit is a chance for us as students, no matter where we come from or what our political views, to tell him that we think he's a muppet. I asked my housemate, who opposed the war and went on the march in February, why she didn't come to Stop the War meetings. Her answer was that we come across as "a bunch of loony wankers". But, realistically, if you disagree with the events being planned for November or the reasoning behind them then you can always find a form of protest that you feel comfortable with. The way I see it, and hell I could be totally wrong, we as individuals can tell Bush to stay away however we want. Wear a badge, go on a demo, sign a petition, start a petition, form your own group, pour a bucket of red paint over your head, whatever. As a student body I know that we don't always agree, and that we don't agree on many things, but let's agree on this: that this is one area where we can set aside our differences. I don't think it matters if you're a Tory, a Tony lover, a Lib-Dem, a socialist or a screaming anarchist, but what I do think matters is that we should throw as many of our various messages at Dubya as we possibly can. That way he might actually get one of them. On the other hand if you think that George W Bush is the funkiest president ever and you want to have his babies and raise a brood of chickens with him, there's probably room for you and your placard too. Ruth Austin is a second year undergraduate studying Social Anthropology. This is her first article for blink. The DUBYA Debate Amid much controversy, President Bush visits London next month on a state visit. Accordingly, the Stop the War Coalition is organising opposition to the trip, blink took stock of both sides of the argument... Hi Thumbs up or down? Should we embrace Bush's visit or tell him to go away? A Killer is Coming to Town", splashed on signs across campus, reads more like an ad for a West End musical than a call to arms against the American president. This could explain why it's receiving so much attention, as freshers, desperately seeking even a trifle of high culture following the gaud of Frosh Week, flock to the stalls in front of the banners to sign up. Instead, they are told that George W Bush is the "Killer" and London is the "Town" and the Stop the War Coalition is the promoter. The event, of course, is not a musical but a protest, one to tell Bush to return from whence he came. Why is George W so loathed? "Bush is a usurper, obtaining fewer votes than Al Gore in the 2000 Presidential elections." Actually, a cursory examination of the US Constitution reveals that the popular vote is unimportant in presidential elections. Like most democracies, the US Electoral College over-represents the rural, under-populated regions so that they don't get drowned out by the big metropolises. George W devastated Al Gore in those areas, with Gore's support predominantly drawn from areas near water, where flight abroad is easier. For better or for worse, that's the way the American system functions; it ill-behooves us to judge them when British prime ministers get elected with even smaller proportions of the popular vote. "His tax cuts have not helped the economy." Bush's first major tax cut was, I concede, no panacea, owing to delays in the implementation of various sections more than anything else. The second tax cut, on the other hand, was just what the flagging US economy needed. The Dow Jones Industrial Index and Nasdaq Composite's value have increased each month since the passage of the tax cut in May. Decreasing unemployment historically follows closely on the heels of rising stock markets; true to form, the US economy has begun creating more jobs. If the tax cuts are not improving the economy, something that Bush has done surely is. "Bush is losing the war on terror." Since September 11, al-Qaeda has been unable to strike the European and North American continents, forced instead to attack targets in its own backyard: Morocco, Indonesia, Iraq, and Afghanistan - areas which are predominantly Muslim. If al-Qaeda's recruitment strategy is limited to terrorising the non-Westem world, then Bush's War on Terror is one step closer to completion. "The war against Iraq violated international law." International law is based on precedent -an evolving consensus if you will. Prior to the UN's creation, decisions to go to war were not contingent on the international community's approval. Subsequent to the UN's formation, there have been thousands of wars between member states, most of which were not sanctioned by the UN. The UN's approval was not required in Kosovo, Afghanistan, or Iraq, nor will it be necessary elsewhere in the future. "The Iraqi people are unhappy." Not according to the Iraqi people themselves. A recent Gallup pole, reported by the Associated Press on 24 September, found that 67% of Iraqis think they will be better off in five years, with only 6% believing the situation will worsen. This should come as no surprise: Iraqis have recently rid themselves of a thuggish brute of a leader; they now have a chance to rebuild their benighted country - that alone is reason for optimism. So, when George W Bush, President of the United States of America and leader of the free world, comes to town, let's salute and tell him, "Thank You - and God Bless America!" The author is running for election this week. blink Politics "Keep him out!" blirik Face-off "Salute the man!" 'j * 0 ^ i____'_'___ _y'j Ki v' > P rfn t.t *' V- ^ -i t n i » I _f. ^ t A ¦4*|> Students' Union Events Live Music Society presents 'Open Mic' Tuesday 28th October, 8 PM Underground Bar Members free, non-members £1 Come watch and support random LSE musicians show off their hidden talent, performing various cover and original songs- ranging from acoustic sets, to Lionel Richie, to full on band performances. LSESU Socialist Worker Student Society presents LSE Marxist Forums: "Islam: resistance and revolution" Tuesday 28 October, 1 pm Societies Room The long history of radical and revolutionary ideas in the Islamic tradition is discussed in light of the so-called "War on Terror", which has seen rising Islamophobia alongside growing resistance to the new imperialism. All welcome (no ticket required). Jewish Society's 'Introductory Evening' Thursday 30 October, 6pm onwards Columbia Bar Relaxed evening for all members of J-Soc and interested students. Russian Society presents the 'Russian Global Party' Saturday 1 November, 8pm - 3am The Globe (by Moorgate Station), EC2M 6SA This year's first massive russian party dedicated to the 5th Anniversary of the Russian Society existence. Professional DJ. All types of music, including russian (of course:), cheap drinks, dancing till early morning and some surprises! The admission fee is £3 only! Everyone is welcome! LGBT Society hosts the first meeting of the now reformed Gay Liberation Front Wednesday 29 October, 6pm-8pm S 53 The first meeting of the now reformed GLF. It will be a forum to discuss the future campaigns, direction and action of the group. Everybody welcome in this bit of history repeated. Refreshments provided. Schapiro Government Club presents its first film evening of the year - Ali G indahouse! Thursday 30 October, 6pm H 101 Come eat FREE FOOD and watch a classic political film (FOR FREE). All LSE students welcome - (IT'S FREE). STA Travel Quiz Tuesday 28th October, 8pm Three Tuns Union General Meeting Thursday 30 October, 1 pm Old Theatre CRUSH Friday 31 October, Quad, Three Tuns, Underground Bar LSE Events Governance without Government? The Case of the Internet Date: Tuesday 28th October 2003 Time: 13:00pm -14:30pm Venue: CARR Seminar Room, H615, 6th Floor Connaught House Speaker: Dr Raymund Werle Free Speech, Human Rights And Western Values? (in conjunction with Index on Censorship) Date: Tuesday 28th October 2003 Time: 1.15- 2.30pm Venue: D602, Clement House Speakers: Andrew Puddephatt, Ursula Owen China and the terrorist challenge Date: Tuesday 28 October 2003 Time: 6pm Venue: D502 Clement House Speaker: Dr Christopher R Hughes, Department of International Relations, LSE The United States and Western Europe After Iraq: just another crisis or transatlantic drift? Date: Thursday 30 October 2003 Time: 6.30pm Venue: Old Theatre, Old Building Speaker: Professor Geir Lundestad Chair: Professor Michael Cox Romania and EU Enlargement: the Challenge of Domestic Reform Date: 31 st October 2003 Time: 9.30am - 5.30pm Venue: J116, Cowdray House, European Institute Speakers: Dennis Deletant, Richard Harding, Leonard Orbanjoan Hoey, Florin Lupescu, Dimitris Papadimitriou, David Phinnemore, Martijn Quinn Humans without rights: asylum seekers in the 21st century Date: Saturday 1st November 2003 Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm Venue: Old Theatre, Old Building 'j * 0 ^ i ' ' y'j Ki v' > P rfn t.t *' V- ^ -i t n i » I f. ^ t A ¦4*|> Don Y Forget to Vote in the LSE Students' Union Michaelmas Term Election. Polling will take place in the Quad on Wednesday and Thursday The Beaver Tuesday 28th October 2003 Page 20 , EDITORIAL love this time of year, when Haloween and Bonfire Night come around. Not only does it break the monotony of waiting until Christmas, but it's an excuse for loads of classic horror movies to be shown on the box. Ring, the Hitcher, The Omen, an American Werewolf in Paris; classic films that never get repeated enough. They're showing the Wicker Man as well, but no matter what anyone tells you, this film isn't in anyway scary. Yes, apparently they cut the film to pieces before they released it. Yes, apparently its Christopher Lee's favourite film. But it's just not scary. Britt Ekland cavorting naked. Lots of silly folk singing. Edward Woodwood looking confused. Not scary, just weird,. The Exorcist is another unscary horror film. I defy you to keep a straight face as Linda Blair shouts "Your mother sucks cocks in Heir. If the Devil said anything about my mother, I wouldn't be scared, I'd be annoyed. In fact I'd glass the cheeky twat. Though I doubt Satan would ever come up to me and say "Justin Nolan, your Mum does smelly shits and is a lesbian." And even if he did, he better have some of his devil underlings with him or else I would gouge his eyes out SUPER AND FURRY and skull the bastard. Bonfire Night is great as well. There's a certain je ne sais quoi about having things that you can set fire to and explode, legally. Or even illegally if you can get hold of some dodgy Chinese ones. Nevermind airbombs and Catherine wheels, i want some oriental weapons of mass destruction motherfuckers. A mate from home once had a ready supply of them, and decided it would be really funny to put one of these borderline mortar bombs in a pumpkin and explode it. It worked a treat though his next door neighbour did come round the following morning and ask what the explosion at three in morning had been, and why his newly installed french windows were covered in pumpkin. My friend's explanation that the IRA had tried a new tactic of fruit bombs was only partially believed. He should have said it was Prince Lucifer, trying his new tactic of mildly annoying people, and followed it up with a few prank phone calls along the lines of "Hi, its the Lord of the Flies here. I just want to say that your wife is a fat minger and she can't piss straight". Worse than the wicker man anyway. Neil interviews very stoned guitarist Huw Bunford and drummer Daf Leuan of the mighty Super Furry Animals. The Beaver's two Jon's then saw the show. Here's how it all went... edited by Justin Nolan putting airbombs through old ladies' letterboxes How well did you go down in the US? Daf: Brilliant. We've been touring there for years, it's such a big place, British bands just don't put the effort in. You can't just do two or three tours and expect to crack it. Because in Britain you get big with one single. In the Sates you have to put the time in. We were playing to one, one and a half thousand people every night you compared to ten, five years ago. What do you want people to get from "Phantom Power" [their latest album]? Huw: A nice warm feeling, that is... Daf: Money well spent. The Super Furries seemed inspired by an interview with The Beaver's very own Neil Garrett and put on a spectacular show, with more stage props than you can shake a grizzly bear at. They ranged from the bizarre (two volcanoes, with eyes, spewing smoke), to the cutesy (flying baby horses), and everything in between. The visuals were superb too, the large screen situated behind the band showing a vast array of Super Furry animations. For instance, during "Out Of Control" images of Mussolini and Stalin were blended together to make their shouting seem as if they were singing the words. A montage of Blair and Bush pictures also kept the crowd mesmerised, as did an ingenious and moving animation of bombs dropping, but turning into tombstones before they landed in a graveyard. Despite these meaningful touches from resident artist Pete Fowler it is difficult to work out whether the band themselves are for real. Is the song "Golden Retriever" actually about Blair being Bush's lapdog or is it drug induced madness which is, as Gruff suggests, simply about the "second most popular dog in the land"? The Super Furry Animals are not only a joy for the eyes, they are a bit good to hear as well. They finished with a phenomenal rendition of "The man don't give a fuck" which was interspersed by ten minutes of techno (presumably in order to give ample time for spliffage). For the encore (the second part of the aforementioned song), many gentlemen who actually did not give a fuck were invited on stage. Staggering around and smoking fags in shell suits, you wondered if these were carefully picked actors or simply the band's mates. Numerous songs from the new album "Phantom Power" were performed and did not seem out of place, even inducing certain sections of the crowd to sing along. Much of these songs seem preoccupied with the Gulf, and even though songs such as "Hello Sunshine" sound exactly like the title; happy, poppy and easy going, you sense there is an undercurrent of violence and discontent woven in. Live, however, the Furries are a joy to behold. The 'serious' side of their music remains but is overshadowed by a sense of euphoria which seems to be instilled in the crowd. With little stage presence and no great talent on their respective instruments the band's brilliance stems from their tunefulness, which is demonstrated by such classics as "Demons" and "Juxtaposed With You". The Welshmen come close to the Beatles in terms of melodic virtuosity, and seeing the band in all their glory makes you wonder why they are not the most respected band Britain has to offer. JON SUTCLIFFE & JON DE-KEYSER Not a fan then? Daf: No I don't mind them, I just don't see reason for him [Thorn Yorke] to be that miserable all the time, especially with his bank balance you know. Are your songs political? Phantom power seemed to be but tried to hide behind surreal lyrics? Daf: We don't want to come across as pious or preachers. If you've got something to say about the state of the world or anything, even the state of the car, we don't want to be pious cunts like fucking U2 or something. There's nothing worse then bands preaching you know. But at the same time we reserve the right to be political if we want. Huw: We're just commenting about what we do during the day you know and if that's political then so be it. How was your day off? Daf: I was ill. Puking and....I was sweating like...just sweating really. Not very interesting then? Daf: Unless you find putting your head in the toilet interesting then not really. You've been doing loads of festivals this summer, any highlights? Daf: Well we did one ourselves which wasn't an official festival... Huw: Well it was a festival actually...for people that have been striking for years now in a factory in North Wales. Daf: Centenary of the longest ever trade union strike in history. It wasn't a celebration, more of a commendment. So you do that to highlight their cause then? It was that and it was a celebration because we had lots of welsh bands so was very good for the whole area you know. Daf: It's Gruff's home town as well. Did you spot any up and coming Welsh bands? Huw: There's hundreds now. Daf: There's a band called GLC who are playing tonight are a hip hop band from Newport south Wales. Very, very funny. Was there a swimming pool at the Benicassim festival [in Spain this summer]? Huw: Aye but you can't go in there after a few. There's all sorts going on in that swimming pool you know what I mean. The rule is, you only go in the pool on the first day and after that you just don't go near it. All that sweating and whatever. People come off stage and just dive in. Daf: Gruff did that actually. He was quite at home speaking in Spanish, what did he say? Huw: He said that George Bush's mother gets fucked by someone else. It's quite a descriptive language for swearing Spanish. Daf: Bit like Welsh. There's not a lot of actual swear words so you have to be creative. What was it like being up against Radiohead at Glastonbury? Daf: It's cool, I mean we took it on deliberately because we knew Radiohead were headlining. Take on the miserable bastards. Huw: It was a nice day so there was no need to be miserable at all. Daf: Get a fucking grip! The Braver Tuesday 28th October 2003 ,t<\ C06£ TjooijO ds8!l YsbsojT! THE ZUTONS: DANIEL GROTE checks out one of the many up and coming Scouse groups 'If The Coral are cosmic scouse, we are funky mouse'. It's probably not the most orthodox of distinctions between two of Liverpool's finest, but it's clearly one that Dave McCabe favours, as he proudly repeats it just to make sure that I've managed to jot it down. I suppose it's hardly a surprise that despite this being only his fifth interview in The Zutons' short career, frontman Dave already has a ready-made quote to hand (he apparently repeated it to tonight's other interviewer) for whenever the subject of the band's relationship with The Coral is brought up. The issue seems to follow them wherever they go: it seems radio stations (well, Xfm) were incapable of playing breakthrough stamper 'Creepin' and A' Crawlin" without informing the listener that The Zutons are a) A Liverpool Band and b) Friends of The Coral. While acknowledging the doors that have been opened to the band by The Coral's success, Dave is keen to downplay stories of bosom-buddy matinees between the bands, claiming that they don't even really get the chance to see them at the moment as no one is around in Liverpool for enough time. Similarly, the portrayal of a Liverpool scene centered around Bandwagon, a club set up by The Bandits, is an exaggeration: The Zutons have only played there three times and 'we don't go there every night'. Dave even questions their being a Liverpool band, claiming to live 'closer to St. Helens'. Nor can the rise of a few decent Liverpool bands be seen as a victory in some sort; of cultural war against the superclub, evidenced by the demise of Cream. Dave went once, 'on a student night', but harbours no great hatred of the place: 'it's»just a club'. Indeed, despite their undoubted sixties leanings, do not share the same anti-dance and anti-modern narrow-minded prejudices of some of their retro contemporaries like, say, The White Stripes and Jet: Dave professes an admiration for 'proper' Djing, citing Aphex Twin as an example. Moreover, the band possess an impressively catholic array of influences, citing Sly and the Family Stone, Talking Heads and Neil Young as favourites of all members, with Dave and lead guitarist Boyan into rocky, grungy stuff while Abi, Russell and Sean (saxophonist, drummer and bassist respectively) are more into jazz. (Russell enters the room at this point and disputes this, however, claiming to be not 'just into jazz' and protesting that he 'likes Nirvana'.) This openminded-ness guards against the mind becoming a mindless retro pastiche; as Dave claims, they want to play 'new music'. His grandiose ambition to fuse 'gospel, hip-hop and country' sounds worryingly Dave Brent-esque, though: for a minute I thought he was going to start banging on about MC Hammer drum-and-bass shit. The claim isn't absolutely absurd however, as we see tonight. After an achingly dull support band and what seems like an interminable wait, the Zutons finally arrive on stage to a rapturous reception, which they manage to maintain for the next forty five minutes or so. They have technical ability, demonstrated in the intense instrumental wig-out finale; a singer which a distinctive throaty, raspy voice that is able to carry even the weaker songs and, most crucially, they have the tunes. Their music does bring together various influences, but never in the chin-stroking muso way: most of tonight's set has an infectiously swaggering, rocky edge to it. In short, it's a lot of fun. DANIEL GROTE FURTHER SEEMS FOREVER ALBUM OF THE WEEK: The Strokes - "Room on Fire" There have been few bands which have shot to prominence as quick as The Strokes did in 2001. Hyped beyond belief off the back of loud, sweaty, live performances, months before releasing their first album Is This It they were selling out venues and gracing NME front covers. They turned out to justify the hype though. Is This It was not just original but very accessible too. So accessible in fact that along with The White Stripes they spawned a new trend (clothes and all) among the youthful generation. The Strokes manage to generate an entirely alien mood. There is something you just can't seem to say about how distinctive their sound is. Is This It is an album which to this day is part of my recommended daily allowance. With such loyalty to the first, expectations ran high for the release of this, their second album, Room on Fire. It might be of universal accord to assume that a second album should build and mature on its first. Well, Room on Fire doesn't do this. The first album didn't convey a range of moods or sounds - bouncy guitars and distorted vocals the norm on each and every track -and this just does it all again. Room on fire manages to maintain the sound that is The Strokes without being repetitious. Why mess around when you know you have more than a good thing going? To surmise, if you didn't like the Strokes to begin with. Or, if you liked them but wanted this album to show another creative or emotional side, don't look here. If, like myself, you love what they do best and want them to give you tunes that follow in the footsteps of the 'Last Night' anthem then go and bag yourself a copy. SIMA BIBI JAZMIN BURGESS checks out south Florida's emo-punk troubadours on their recent London Astoria date supporting Funeral For A Friend.. Finishing with the perfect pop-punk hyperactivity of 'The Sound', easily the stand out track of 'How To Start A Fire', Further Seems Forever showed themselves to be a band worthy of much respect. They may not be one of the best emo or post-hardcore bands around at the moment,but they certainly have a lot of talent and charisma. Something which is more than evident in a live show that reflects the early promise of their debut album and an ability to transcend the typical boundaries of their genre . JAZMIN BURGESS On their recent-first time trip over to the UK, Futher Seems Forever had more than a few expectations to live up to. Firstly, their lead singer used to be none other than Mr Dashboard Confessional himself, Chris Carrabba, and so they had to attempt to perform all the tracks off their first album to a high enough calibre to impress their older fans with their new singer, plucked from a (relatively) unknown hardcore band. And, if that wasn't pressure enough, then they also have to cope with replacing the beyond brilliant Movielife on the Funeral For A Friend tour after The Movielife's tragic (and by tragic I mean TRAGIC) disbanding a few weeks ago. It's not exactly the best circumstances under which to visit the UK for the first time. Okay, so to be fair, Further Seems Forever by no means put on a show as to such high standards as you would have expected from The Movielife. But at the end of the day, there aren't really many bands out there who can perform to the quality of The Movielife. And that fact aside, Florida's finest emo kids did more than just a damn good job opening for Funeral For A Friend- namely with a set that consisted of just the right mix of older, slightly more mellow songs off first album 'The Moon Is Down' (such as the majestic 'New Year's Project') and more upbeat hardcore orientated songs from recently released second album 'How To Start A Fire' . In fact, Further Seems Forever provided the perfect warm up set to Funeral For a Friend's more aggressive post-hardcore. And they even managed to show a few of the 16 year old kids filling the audience ,who apparantly live and breathe the kind of bland, caustic music of bands like Funeral For A Friend ,that actually melodic emo isn't such a bad thing to like after all. What's more applaud-able though is that the band, or more specifically new singer Jason Gleason, were able to perform their older Chris Carrabba-era material with just as much justice and as much energy as it possesed when it was originally committed to record. $zi?T8£^ver Tuesday 28th October 2003 Album Reviews P002 mloliO /j^baeuT 3\ V/A ROUGH TRADE: STOP ME IF YOU'VE HEARD THIS ONE BEFORE It's rough trade's 25th birthday, and to celebrate the record label with two London shops and a string of live nights to boot, is releasing a compilation LP It's named 'stop me if you think you've heard this one before,' on account of the fact that all of the songs (covers by the like of Belle & Sebastian and British sea power) bear only a passing resemblance to the original versions. It's old meets new with bands represented over the full 25 year stretch of rough trading, played out by the labels newer recruits in their own more 21st centuary stylings. Oneida's version of 'Jazz is the teacher, funk is the preacher' is certainly not jazzy and hardly funky, yet the cut up guitar scratchiness brings a whole new edge to a classic of yesteryear. For all its inventiveness though, this album seems a little bit shambolic -a group of 16 bands all expressing themselves in different ways (and not as professionally as they would in their own projects.) It's more akin to the kind of release you would get free with a magazine, (hence the £5 price tag), but it seems cruel to criticise a pillar of the London music scene, especially on its birthday. JOSS SHELDON RELAXED MUSCLE A HEAVY NIGHT WITH RELAXED MUSCLE Although you cannot tell from the scary picture on the album cover, Relaxed Music is the new incarnation of former Pulp frontman, Jarvis Cocker, who has jacked in his previous group to indulge in less mainstream musical snapshots. He's the freaky clown on the right for those who are interested. However, the album cover is indicative of one thing: the songs are deep, dark and scary, mostly accompanied by an ultra repetitive base line, which cloys the ears after a very small amount of time. Shoving 11 tracks, which vary little in their composition, on a single album does not usually result in an enjoyable listening experience. Nor does it in this instance. Cocker's brilliant lyrics are undistin-guishable from the general sludge in the background. Rashes of interest such as electronic riffs and lighter, struming guitars, are not sufficient to lighten the mood of the album. This is a shame, as these moments prove that Cocker has not completely lost whatever was in his head that made Pulp so good - it's just burried deep down in his depths of his mind. Still, 'A heavy night with...' does achieve what Cocker set out to do -make music as he has not made it before. IPulp fans of the indie persuasion should approach with caution, but those with an eye for experimental music might want to give this a go. LAURA ANDERSON THE EARLY NOVEMBER THE ROOM'S TOO COLD If you're not familiar with The Early November yet, then it probably won't be long until you are. New Jersey's brightest stars are currently Drive Thru Records golden kids-all aged between 17 and 20 and having only ever released one 6 track EP (which coincidentally kicks serious ass), they have somehow managed to produce an intensely infectious debut album in the form of 'The Room's Too Cold'. Consisting of 11 tracks which effortlessly combine the typical post-hardcore and the melodic emo trademarks of bands like The Promise Ring, easily what The Early November deserve the most credit for is that they've taken what they've learned from some of the best bands around and adapted it into a refreshingly unique sound-this album is eleven diverse songs-ranging from the mellow opening track 'Ever So Sweet' to the gloriously upbeat 'Something That Produces Results'. Although admittedly, it's track 6, 'Baby Blue' ,with its feel my-pain- emo lyrics and incredibly catchy melody that steals the show, truly there isn't one song here that you couldn't (and wouldn't) fall in love with. Apparently, 'The Room's Too Cold' sold 40,000 copies in the US on its first week of release. Which means The Early November's star is going to go stellar in the next few months. On the strength of this album they more than justly deserve such rewards. And to be truthful, you're probably unlikley to find another debut album this impressive until well into 2004. JAZMIN BURGESS THE BOGGS STICHES Here's another New York band rising to prominence because of the Strokes then. Only its not. it is, in the fact that yes they are a band and yes they are from New York and yes they do both have heads. But then it isn't, because of everything else. They sound incredibly un-cool, they have banjos and they look a bit strange. They also seem to have a huge number of drums; the album even starts off with a 40 second drum intro. In short, this is not a band who does formulaic rock-by-numbers. Number 1 albums do not beckon. Instead they produce a sound, which at worst sounds confused, and at its best wonderfully inspired. They manage to mix hillbilly banjo playing with some truly furious rock drumming, and off-kilter vocals. The triumphant thing about this band is that they do actually sound rather good. Forthcoming single 'The Ark' is a crawling and raw bluesy number slowly drawing the listener into its web. Yet in 'Low Light Hour' and 'Brown Eyes' they produce an exhilarating foot stomping sound. The Boggs show that in this album they are able to produce a quiet unique sound. Maybe not everybody's taste, but lots of fun. BEN HOWARTH v. ¦jtfrt&SUSS'frV JET JOHNSON MICROPOLITAN Such debuts as this, from the wistful London based three-piece, make you realise why music journalists become so lazy. Who exactly buys this? Like cheese sandwiches they keep you engaged for 30 seconds before you think "why the hell am I eating this when I could have a full English breakfast sandwiched with fried bread?" With leanings towards Belle and Sebastian, Drugstore and Yo La Tengo, JJ are genuine indie. Yet Caroline Nesbo disobeys a golden rule of pop music in attempting to sing with a posh English accent. Unless she has actually travelled through time from the '70s, the undoubted result is ending up sound more like Dido. As if this wasn't bad enough the best song on the album sounds like Sleeper. Furthermore, while the more leisurely numbers expose Johnson's simplicity, Gavin Baker seems unable to play what would be some lovely guitar lines. Disillusioned 16 year olds, people who say "shh" at gigs and maybe even Low fans will be kept occupied with this truly mediocre album, which certainly reinforces the view that music which provokes no reaction at all is far worse than truly bad music. JON SUTCLIFFE Singles CHIKINKI ASSASSINATOR 13 A swaggering bitch-slap of a single with a video to match. Jabbing guitars, big big bass keys and raw, morning after vocals. But it all seems so familiar (they are aptly supporting The Cooper Temple Clause). I didn't like this initially, but it's as infectious as herpes. Keep rubbing on the cream kids, and everything will be fine... MATT BOYS ADAM MASTERSON SAME SAD STORY 'Same Sad Story' is the same sad indie lament you've heard (and forgotten) far too many times. However, I must admit to playing this steady harmonica soaked record more than neccessary as Masterson's rusty, husky, evocative voice really rescues this otherwise ordinary song making it a rather special sad story. NASTARAN TAVAKOLI-FAR KINESIS ONE WAY MIRROR A fairly average offering from a group whose vocalist has clearly studied at the Courtney Love School Of Angsty Singing. It's not gonna win any awards, but hey, it's a catchy enough tune that is remisniscent of early Idlewild. JON DE KEYSER CLARKESVILLE HEAVY SOUL If Clarkesville were a biscuit they'd be a rich tea. Bland, insipid, dispassionate, lacklustre. Yet, if they were, I'd submerge them in boiling Earl Grey and gaze in puerile satisfaction as they slowly moisten then disintegrate into sonical goo. Someone pass the jaffa cakes. JOHN MCDERMOTT THE COOPER TEMPLE CLAUSE BLIND PILOTS A powerful, gravely and acidic single from the magnificently hairy ones - it's a shame that they're trying so hard to be Muse. "Blind Pilots" strongly hints at their potential but they should stick to their raw underground roots and try not to emulate Matt Bellamy & co.'s anthemic stomp. JON DE KEYSER BRAND NEW THE QUIET THINGS THAT NO-ONE EVER KNOWS Possesing possibly the most beautiful intro you're ever likely to hear, 'The Quiet Things..' is four minutes of perfect melodic hardcore, complete with screamo shouts and endearing melodies. Okay, so it won't make the top 10 but as the stand out track on Brand New's recently released 2nd album 'Deja Entendu' if you're one of the 650 to get hold of this lim ited edition vinyl, you're nothing less than a very very lucky individual. JAZMIN BURGESS TkeJ$eq.ver Tuesday 28th October 2003 fiOOS -wfotoO r(t8S vrhrrjZ' \v 23 Release Of The Week... Waiting For Happiness IONMARTEA goes to Heremakono... Director: Abderrahmane Sissako Starring: Khatra Ould Abdel Kader, Maata Ould Mohamed Obeid, Mohamed Mahmoud Ould Mohamed Running Time: 95 min Certificate: PG Release Date: 24 October 2003 Heremakono (Waiting for Happiness) is a pure cinematic treat. It is a film in which the camera work, the minimal use of dialogue and other stylistic techniques are used exquisitely to tell a truly compelling story. The Mauritanian-born and Russian-educated director, Abderrahmane Sissako, brings to the screen for our viewing pleasure the day-to-day life of a community in Nouadhibou, a small seaside village on the Mauritanian coast. It is a transit city, with predominantly temporary housing, called "heremakono", the Hassianyan for "waiting for happiness". The film's charm is that we, the viewers, are forced to become temporary inhabitants, and we are encouraged to learn disjointed information about the lives of the people we encounter on our way. Maata (Maata Ould Mohamed Abeid) is an electrician who knows little about his job; Khatra (Khatra Ould Abdel Kader) is an orphaned boy who finds his iPol A mm shelter under Maata's protection; Abdallah (Mohamed Mahmoud Ould Mohamed) is a son that decided to visit his mother before emigrating to Europe, frustrated by his rootless past; Nana (Nana Diakite) is a local prostitute who lost a daughter from a failed relationship; and Tchu (Santha Leng) is the corner's dealer of useless objects, trying to integrate in the distorted web of this deserted place. None find happiness in this exile before the voyage, and yet "maybe waiting is actually happiness" (Sissako). Jacques Besse's remarkable cinematography and Oumou Sangare's soothing soundtrack are two shadows that I promise will haunt you for days after you've seen Heremakono. A light bulb will never be only a light bulb, nor will its light ever identify with happiness. We all search for light, and when found we always switch it off; only then do we truly find peace. This abstract metaphor seemed to be the final message of Waiting for Happiness. does not consider time an enemy. He allows us to enjoy the moment, its vibration, its numbness. This is even more laudable if we consider that most characters are played by non-professional actors. And what beautiful performances we are offered, especially from the young Khatra Ould Abdel Kader, who is a true talent to watch out for in the future. Humanity and beauty shine through what is actually a wider story of migration, social displacement and cultural imperialism. Effortlessly moving stuff. Sissako, like Scorsese, b:film Preview...Out Soon... Northfork JAMESKENT goes all Indie... Director:Michael Polish Starring: Nick Nolte, Claire Forlani, Daryl Hannah, James Woods Running Time: 103 min Certificate: PG Release Date: TBC It's 1955, and the Montana township of Northfork is about to be 'dammed'. The barren plains it lies upon are about to disappear under a million gallons of water. The first tale, of Irwin, (Duel Fames) is a story of a seriously ill orphan, cared for by the loving Father Harlan (Nick Nolte). He has feverish dreams about a band of angels who have lost their wings and want to escape Northfork. For the first few minutes, I know I wanted to. There's the English eccentric queen of sarcasm 'Cup of Tea' (Robin Sachs), mute 'Cod' (Ben Foster), childless Flower Hercules (Daryl Hannah) and handless and near-blind Happy (Anthony Edwards). Alone they are unusual, interesting yet pointless, but together they have purpose - seeking their 'unknown angel'. Irwin is that angel, and is out to persuade them, assisted by a lisp and pillow feathers. All the characters are superbly crafted. The other part of the legend is the Evacuation Teams, led by the father-son pair of Walter and Willis (James Woods and Mark 'shoe' Polish). They have the divine (well, state) task of moving the few left to higher ground. One has nailed his boots to the ground; another has his own ark complete with a pair of wives (for they come two-at-a-time). Walter and Willis are also faced with the impending resurfacing of their dearly departed wife and mother - should away? they dig her up or let her float The opening sequence had me looking for the exit - it was just over the top, arty and drawn out. Then I was disturbed by the kid who was seeing dead people, but clearly wasn't Haley Joel Osment. The film was shot on grainy colour stock but with near grey surroundings, producing a dead feeling. At this point, the Polish were trying so hard to be alien they alienated their audience. I soon saw past this and discovered the film. The story isn't complicated or particularly involving. It's about 'moving on' in various senses, and all of the characters do just that, in their own spiritual, physical or mental way. Nolte's performance stands out as the eccentric priest, despite some surprises from the angels. Woods adds his attitude and over-acting to the brew, but the filmmakers' desperation to get him didn't pay off. This won't bode badly for any ailing careers despite being reduced to 'scale'. Once settled, the filmmaking is clever, stylish and a fine example of independent cinema. This is certainly not everyone's 'Cup of Tea' but is nevertheless worth a look for those seeking something a bit different. 4/5 Classic Review... Once Upon A Time In America ABTEENKARIMI reflects on a Sergio Leoni masterwork... Director: Sergio Leone Starring: Robert de Niro, James Woods, Joe Pesci Running Time: 139 min Certificate: 18 Release Date: 17 Feb 1984 Once Upon a Time in America is based around the life of David "Noodles" Aaronson, a Jewish street hood who grows up on New York's Lower East Side in the 1920s. The story follows Noodles through his childhood, bootlegging adventures during Prohibition and eventually his fate as an old man. It also follows his unrequited childhood love for Deborah, who he longingly admires through a hole in the wall, and his relationship with his best friend and partner in crime Max Bercovicz. Translated directly for the screen, the book on which this film was based would have inspired at best a mediocre film. However, the unique atmosphere created by Leone's storytelling style makes it something more. In the first place, this story is built around a non-lin-ear plot structure which begins with a disorienting and confusing sequence featuring a ringing telephone, charred corpses, a Chinese opium den, two gangsters chasing Noodles around New York and a trip to an empty locker at a rail station. This introduction lasts about 30 minutes and purposely makes no sense - it is edited both to throw us right into the story and to create a sense of mystery that will carry us through the film. Following the introduction, the film begins with Noodles as an old man and takes place in three different time periods, 1921, 1933 and 1968. The flashback sequences are flawless -they are not forced or contrived, do not occur in any sort of chronological order nor are they conveniently set up by some obvious line of dialogue. Rather they occur as they often do in our minds; triggered by a passing thought or a casual touch. There are two early scenes, one in Fat Moe's Bar and one near a dump-ster that illustrate this wonderfully. Furthermore, the plots structure allows the story to unfold a piece at a time, showing us exactly what we need to know and then jumping to another time period - this is not only typical of Leone's style, but absolutely essential to keep the audience interested in a film of this length. Adding to the film's dreamlike feel is what at time seems like a complete absence of dialogue - Leone prefers a montage of music and facial expressions to tell his story for him. Part of the reason for this was stylistic choice, the other part necessity - the screenwriters were largely Italians writing a film for the American screen, and the original draft was able to tell the story with no words at all. Listen to all the dialogue in this film and ask yourself how much of it is necessary to keep the plot moving. Many of the conversations seem like they were added so the film could pace itself, and so that the audience would have some idea where a scene began and ended. The film is essentially seen and experienced in the first person, which makes De Niro's performance crucial. His most famous roles are fascinating character studies, but they normally find him playing brutal gangsters, borderline psychotics or in one instance, Satan. Noodles may be a hood but his story is one of reflection and regret. A lesser actor might have been tempted to overact and to spice up what is admittedly a stow paced story, but with De Niro there is no need for grandstanding or explanatory monologues; his face says everything and Ennio Morricone's haunting woodwind score underlines every moment to create an atmosphere that is at once sad and beautiful. (0 ¦o .Q "O Q> The Beaver Tuesday 28th October 2003 ~S- . < Swipe Me Down Jimmy Baker checks out the launch of the new LSE Swipe Film Night with a special screening of the new Johnny Knoxville movie, Grand Theft Parsons. The LSE Swipe Film Night got off to a hugely successful start on Monday, October 20th with the first UK test screening of Johnny Knoxville's new film, Grand Theft Parsons. Those who managed to make it down to the New Theatre for the screening were in for a rare treat as both the film's Director and Producer were on site for a lively Question and Answer session following the film. Grand Theft Parsons centres on the true story of what happened to the body of Gram Parsons, the legendary country singer-songwriter, after his death in the 1970s. Knoxville plays Phil Kaufman, Parsons' road manager, who, following a pact, attempts to take his former employer's dead body to be laid to rest at Joshua Tree. David Caffney, the film's director and Frank Mannion, the film's producer answered questions from eager students wishing to know more about how the film was made, how the budget was found and why Cameron Diaz and Demi Moore received thanks in the film's credits. Caffney described how Knoxville's antics on set differed little from his stunts on Jackass. Indeed in Caffney's own words 'He IS the Jackass you see on TV.' Very much in the spirit of the production, Knoxville worked for minimum wage as did the other actors who wanted to see the story of Gram Parsons made. Bruce Springsteen even let one of his tracks be used on the soundtrack for free, something he has never done before. After the Q and A, Frank and David joined the audience for a few after-movie drinks in the Tuns and entertained with anecdotes from the world of Hollywood, something we're not altogether used to at the LSE... The LSESU Swipe Film Series continues with the first UK screening of the Spanish sex comedy, The Other Side of the Bed (El Otro Lado de la Cama). The screening will be held on Monday, 3 November at 7.30pm at the New Theatre (Admission is £2). This entertaining sexually charged film was a phenomenal hit in Spain last year (outgrossing Almodovor's Oscar winning Talk To Her). The film stars Paz Vega, best known for her role in last year's Sex and Lucia and the equally beautiful Natalia Verbeke (from Son of the Bride). They play best friends who are two-timed by the same boy (played by Ernesto Alterio). Variety described it "as having engaging characters energized by great performances from a good looking, high profile cast and genuinely witty scripting". On Monday, November 10th, at 7.30pm, The LSESU Swipe Film Night will screen the UK premiere of The Cat's Meow, the new film from the legendary Hollywood director, Peter Bogdanovich. The film stars Kirsten Dunst (Spiderman), Joanna Lumley and Eddie Izzard. It's based on a true story of a mysterious murder that occurred in the boat of the newspaper tycoon, William Randolph Hearst. Dani's movie matters-Feeling thoroughly depressed Mainly because I'm feeling lazy, possibly because there are way too many sequels for me to tell you about, and most definitely because the movie world has been on a none too inconspicuous downward spiral into spine-chilling shit (the best movie of the year, City of God, was released in the UK on the 3rd of January - that's 290 days of less-than-spectac-ular film viewing since) I will just glumly tell you about the films that came out this week and last that we had no space to tell you about in the arena of the main features. Phew, long sentence. Out with the crap, in with the good. Also mainly films you freshers should appreciate (lotta sex, relative violence and a bit more sex of the slightly more 'wild' type). So here goes... XX/XY the modern remake of When Harry Met Sally. Make it When Harry and Sally met Larry. An orgy of friends, awkward passion and regrets, this film explains why a) sleeping with your mates can never end well and b) having a threesome with your mates is just asking for even more trouble! Watch it to learn from their mistakes. Or to imitate if you swing that way. My Boss's Daughter, because most people do fancy Ashton Kutcher. But it's supposed to be really shite. Avoid. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: I just rewatched the original the other night and I doubt this remake can really hit that level of pure creepiness that it instilled in me. The new one will no doubt be more gory and more blood will be a-spewing (however if you've seen Kill Bill it will not hold a candle..) but as Hooper illustrated a good horror movie does not grow out of pools of blood. 21 Grams: Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro and Naomi Watts star in this new offering from Alejandro Inarritu (director of Amores Perros). This movie has it all: catchy tag lines (the second we die we apparently lose exactly 21 grams), a stellar cast, and an award nominated director. The story seems to be secondary to all this- but no! The aforementioned, initially not even acquainted, are drawn together after a car accident with twists and turns reminiscent of Amores Perros. Ok, ran out of space, see ya next week. the editor's cut Hype's gone hyper, The London Film Festival fizzes and Alien makes a welcome if pointlessly extended return... It was no surprise to Dani and I to learn that the final installment of the Matrix Trilogy was to be an 'event' in every sense of the word. On November 7th, Revolutions will be released simultaneously across the globe (a friendly 2pm release time for us in Blighty, with those in LA setting their alarm clocks for the ungodly hour of 6:00am). Not for the first time of late, this is a movie that's evidently attempting to make up for a lacklustre cinematic effort by creating a behemoth of build-up in the hope that we won't notice that the film itself is just plain mediocre (or, in the worst case scenario, Die Another Day). I refer of course to the curse of current Hollywood marketing: Hype. They have to learn and learn fast that hype cannot make a movie; it can only increase expectation to the point at which anything, no matter how spectacular, will inspire nothing but disappointment. We are also informed that press screenings for the film are only available a day or so before release, thus delaying the agony until the last minute. This is a sure sign that it's most certainly going to be rubbish. The real tragedy is that you know everyone's still going to pay good money to see it. Last week saw the start of The London Film Festival, playing throughout Central London for the next fortnight. Though there are some highlights amongst the usual arthouse drivel, the vast majority of films appear to be pseudo-surrealist foreign abstractions (visit www.lff.org.uk for information). Having said that, anything different is frankly a welcome distraction from the mainstream pap currently playing (except, of course, for Finding Nemo). And in case you were in any doubt that films nowadays are lacking any originality whatsoever, have a look at Alien: The Director's Cut (released on Friday). Judging by past experiences of re-releases (Apocalypse Now Redux et al.) it'll be inexplicably longer, include previously unseen footage of little relevance to the narrative and you'll no doubt get a glimpse of Sigouney Weaver's baps for no reason whatsoever. This all begs the question of why they don't just release classics in their original format and length. All I will say is this: the day they re-release The Shawshank Redemption with a gratuitous sodomy scene and an alternative ending is the day that I begin my Hollywood cull. Jerry Bruckheimer first, then Mark Wahlberg... Next week we've got Bill Murray's latest Lost in Translation. Looks promising. Until then, stay away from her you bitch! And behave yourselves... Si, b:film editor Get in touch with any comments, ideas or lain Duncan Smith obituaries: s.e.cliff@Ise.ac.uk I V The fieaver Tuesday 28th October 2003 CQ0£ lodoiA) /iib Pride and Promiscuity The lost sex scenes of Jane Austen...wowee just The Fact® Author: Arielle Eckstut Publisher: Canongate Date: November 2003 yPrice: £8.99 Pride % Promiscuity 4 Ml" 3 s *¦ SCKSTuT fc' EStNN! S ASiHTON Pride and Promiscuity: Evocative title undoubtedly. Can you believe that Pride and Prejudice was not the initial title of Jane Austen's novel? Everybody must have either skimmed, read, studied or watched on the telly her greatest classics. Though some of us may have heard about the cut scenes from various Thomas Hardy novels, who had ever thought about lost -and kinkier - scenes from Ms. Austen? Well, I'm here to tell you that there are indeed many lost sex scenes. It's almost unimaginable and it adds a big twist to her novels especially when we think about the genteel society of the Victorian age. Pride and Promiscuity unravels the correspondence between Jane Austen and her sister Cassandra protesting about the imposed censorship by her editor: 'I do believe the novel will be a pale shadow of its former self without including the simple and everyday sort of diversions lovers enjoy.' This important discovery has been made by a Jane Austen scholar while staying at a Herefordshire estate. Exciting indeed!!!! Critics of Jane Austen have said with respect to her novels that she paints miniature with a fine brush and to imagine that she is capable of depicting other scenes with even a finer brush is within a different league. For example, just imagine Elizabeth and Marianne talking about fun with animals... Mrs Hurst, Caroline Bingley and Jane together.... Mr Collins being really bad and being punished... Avid readers might protest Missing Red-haired hi-jinks or a social commentary? Hmm... Just The Facts.. Author: Karin Alvtegen Publisher: Canongate Date: July 2003 .Price: £9.99 A] Aivtegen that they have been deprived of the best scenes of the novels.... The title 'Pride and Promiscuity' shocked me into disbelief. My reaction was as such: 'This can't be the very word of Jane Austen!' Well don't panic (or perhaps, don't get too excited...) - it's from an American amateur scholar who has tried to simulate Jane Austen's writings and it all proves to be a farce. It's true that if Jane Austen were one of the writers of our time, she would have to sex up her novel to attract a wider audience who expect to be carried away in a flight of fancy. Having studied Jane Austen's novels myself, I've never conceived of imagining her novels under such an angle. Readers tend to get more involved into her witty and rippling dialogues. I personally found the original Pride and Prejudice better and couldn't imagine this version standing the test of time - notwithstanding the lack of s&m - but then, I doubt Eckstut set out to make a modern classic anyway. To perceive of Austen's novels under a more sexually oriented dimension is no shame at all because at the end of the day, everyone is entitled to give free reign to their own imagination and to give Arielle Eckstut credit, I have to say that her novel achieved what it set out to do - it's humorous (often hilarious just by the things that are done) and totally light hearted. I will leave it to you to indulge in Arielle's ' Lost Sex Scenes of Jane Austen' and make your own appraisal. Before we get to the book, there are a few things the publisher would like you to know: one, Karin Alvtegen is the great-niece of Astrid Lindgren; two, Astrid Lindgren wrote Pippi Longstocking -regardless of the fact that MISSING contains no mention of pig-tailed pre-teens whatsoever. MISSING, in fact, comes from a whole other side of the library. Karin Alvtegen's first novel is the story of a lost and forgotten woman, who has managed to slip between the layers of society for 15 years, eking out a life that she sees by turns as either independent or depressingly transient. Sibylla Forsenstrom escaped first from her claustrophobic and manipulative upper-class home, then from the confines of a mental hospital, and has hidden amongst the streets and homeless shelters of Stockholm ever since. Despite her homelessness, Sibylla dreams of a more stable life, and fantasises about owning a small cottage one day. In the meantime, she survives on what she considers minor theft and victimless trespassing, and occasionally cadging meals and hot showers from various social services and good Samaritans. One of her more effective ploys for shelter is to wear an elegant wig and an only slightly-wrinkled business suit and con wealthy businessmen into paying for her wine, dinner and room at a swank hotel; a dodge that works well until one of her businessmen is brutally murdered in the middle of the night. Sibylla quickly becomes the prime suspect and the nation-wide hunt for her intensifies when more bodies are discovered ritually desecrated, with her confession attached. While this book is classified as a crime novel, it is much more a portrait of a woman who struggles to maintain her humanity despite being a member of a faceless underclass, either disdainfully ignored by those better off or used as convenient targets or scapegoats for social ills. Sibylla steadfastly maintains her sense of self by refusing to let go of social conventions even while she squats in empty summer cottages and the attics of abandoned buildings. Like all people, she is preoccupied with small pleasures and daily rituals: washing her hair, having neatly pressed and clean clothes, and maintaining elegant and aesthetically pleasing surroundings. This strong heroine is brilliantly evoked through Alvtegen's sharp, straightforward prose and brisk pacing. While the novel shuttles between Sibylla's difficult past and her hunted present, both threads are tightly intertwined and relentlessly compelling. It is most impressive that Alvtegen has been able to weave in subtle commentary about the treatment of the homeless and the mentally-ill in Swedish society, turning over antiquated stereotypes that are prevalent in most Western societies, in the midst of a gripping story about a sadistic serial killer. And she managed to do so without any red-hair related hi-jinks. Kate Burke Interested in writing for the Lit section of ther Beaver? Free books - what more could you possibly need - or want?! Email Dalia at beaverlit@yahoo.co.uk The Be&Ver Tuesday 28th October 2003 b: ¦ a > JPBOURQUE reviews a Marquez-inspired food-space m > . SARAHWARWICK finds slim pickings at FAT! I understand that going into Nike Town on a Saturday afternoon is one of the stupidest things it is possible to do without actually being Jade Goody, so in a way I was asking to experience the kind of frustration that you would only associate normally with having to teach her geography. However, I certainly wasn't expecting to encounter her level of incompetence and moronity from the sales assistants. Obviously I use the word 'sales assistant' lightly, as I obtained no assistance from them whatsoever: they seemed to be perturbed by my questions on the whereabouts of particular sections, as they were obviously under the impression that they had been employed chiefly to chat to their mates and pose as if for an NWA video. After fighting my way through the crowds, simultaneously being smeared with the sweat of a million eager sightseers and deafened by the ubiquitous godsquad spokesman I hoped to be able to buy a single pair of 'normal' trainers and then leave. Laughable. The place is a miracle of capitalism: constructed cleverly so that once in it is both impossible to find what you need and to leave. Instead you are left to puzzle your way through floors of improbably typed sections such as 'ACG' and 'sphere' while your senses are flooded with invasive pro-sport, no-nike-no-life images and sounds. The other shoppers wandered around glazed of eye like zombies from a post-modern crypt. Finally I found the place I was looking for after an 'assistant' had grunted me in the right direction, grabbed the first shoe I could see and tried to try the pair on. Foolish. After 20 minutes and having drummed holes in the ultimately stylish but extremely uncomfortable benches I was forced to ask where the other trainer was. The blankness of the look that I received made me finally understand the situation: Nike Town is actually run by the body snatchers and peopled by its victims. So if you have the misfortune to go in there ever do so both at your own risk and with pity for the employees who are mindless through no fault of their own! Last Saturday night became one of those where you can't decide where to go. It was 12ish and we left the pub with the all the endless choice open to those who live in a city such as London and very little decision-making ability left! We had eliminated the suggestions of (as in couldn't be bothered to trek to) Rain Dance, the End, Fabric, Pasha and the Dome and headed for the Cross in Kings Cross. However, with mixed messages from the early-nighters we saw walking away and the huge queue of late arrivals by the door, we thought it best to eschew its delights and just as we were about to give up and turn in we literally stumbled over the 'KEY.' The night proclaimed itself'Fat!' which immediately struck me as a blatant lie considering the venue was tiny and the clientele were mostly skinny as hell and snooty to boot. Initially, most gave the impression that they disliked dancing and seemed incapable of moving their feet, preferring to pose with overpriced beer (£3.40 a bottle!). They had apparently also contracted the inability to smile from the barmen. But these first impressions were soon countered as beats were broken in style and the djs eventually got the (flashing) dance floor heaving, although this reporter and her friends had still not much competition in the dance-our-socks-off-stakes! We couldn't stop dancing to the excellent collection of summer favourites wound in and out of new house and old-ish school beats: a fun and funky collection. The door was cheap compared to other dance nights (£10) and the place was safe and clean (in the dirt-free way!) There is a chill out area with massive sofas and the people do cheer up if you give them a chance. Would be funkier if it weren't so pretentious, but it does well with the space it has, is good musically and I'd try it again...if I couldn't be bothered to trek anywhere else! ¦ ¦ ¦ SARAHWARWICK experiences 'service' at NikeTown. LSE students are presented with an immense choice of entertainment options within London. The atmosphere of culture with seemingly limitless pubs, clubs and cafes entices and attracts, but finding a club or cafe of any value can be a daunting task, especially for those not from this city or country. In London, one finds much originality, mystery and fun. Yet like any place, it has its fair share of the banal. The formulaic chain bars are ubiquitous and the obvious places (Soho and Notting Hill) can be hit or miss, and reputations may be outdated. London has its options, but for the un-initiated, also its obstacles. Hoxton Square (located in Hackney) is a place of creative and entertaining energy. It is one of those regions of a city where low rents and an indefinable atmosphere attract artists, galleries, collectives, and cafes of a decidedly alternate sort. One such venue is a cafe/bar/ gallery called "Macondo". Its name is borrowed from Gabriel Garcia Marquez's epic novel "100 Years of Solitude". In the novel, the town of Macondo represents Columbian and Latin American civilisation; its Utopian ideals, triumphs, catastrophes, humanity and movement to modernity. Like Marquez's Macondo, the cafe is meant to reflect and embody the complex, varied and rich Latin American cultural experience, in a modern and contemporary physical space. The first thing one notices when entering Macondo is its design. Self described "maverick architect" and co-owner, Santiago Calva Maisterrena built the space. Light bulbs dangle at alternate heights, providing a bright yet textured and shadowed effect that builds the atmosphere. The space is uncluttered with numerous comfortable chairs and sofas. The seating is always comfortable, but also by turns protected or open, offering a versatile potential for groups or individuals who can choose to subsist on their own thoughts, company, or join in on the general activity of the cafe. The walls are white and there is a neutral art gallery section that provides a space for Latin American artists to display their work. The open kitchen and counter is a deep red, providing warmth and direction for the room. One wall is shelved and lined with numerous Latin American pottery and art on view. This is an ethnic but also modern space. Macondo is open to anyone, and is very accessible in terms if pricing. It offers a variety of excellent and unknown ,(at least here) Latin American beers, cuisine, coffees and The clientele is very diverse. I met students, artists, journalists and bond traders as well as locals on the busy Friday night I attended. The diversity of nationalities is also part of the charm. What is most enjoyable about macondo is its versatile and changing nature. It is an art gallery, cafe, and pub. During the day a large table is brought out. The place almost becomes domestic as people sit about, chatting, scribbling in notepads or reading. A variety of dishes are placed on the table for all to nibble at. At night, the table is removed, the lights are dimmed and a relaxed club atmosphere pervades. A sound system plays various Latin American tunes, giving the evening pace but not drowning out the conversation. Macondo is not the obvious or the ubiquitous. Once there, the contemporary Latin American feel will put you at ease and entertain you. It has wit, originality, energy and is, above all else, fun. It conveys much about Latin American culture including the robust social side. It typifies the new engaging spirit of Hoxton which Santiago Calva Maisterrena described as: "a new area and place of London that one must absolutely play around with". Macondo is in Hoxton Square by Old Street tube pFheJBraver Tuesday 28th October 2003 £00c: vkIQ^OO rf}8£ /alr-t^n r -ffvPage<$7r waik:abou= RUTHBARLEY goes on a Sunday stroll around WHITECHAPEL WARNING: nights in whitechapel can get messy! The area is bursting with tempting places to eat. Brick Lane is famous for its hundreds of curry houses which offer great food at fairly standard prices. A set three-course lunch will cost £6 to £7 and most places let you take in your own drinks. It's worth exploring down the side streets as the restaurants there can be cheaper and offer more regional and speciality dishes. If There's so much to do and find in Shoreditch that this really just scratches the surface. The best way to find out more is too explore it yourself; and believe me you will be coming back! If you want something more exciting to do on a Sunday than watch T4 and worry about all the work you haven't done then wander down to Brick Lane and nearby Spitalfields. Whether you want to take advantage of the area's reputation as a centre for fashion and design by shopping like a mad thing, sample the huge range of food, be a culture vulture in the galleries or just sit and watch the trendy people go by and soak up the lovely buzzy atmosphere; this area of London is well worth a visit. It's simple to reach, being just five minutes from Liverpool Street Station. From the front of the station turn left then right past Pizza Express and Spitalfields is in sight! Just make sure you withdraw money in the station as the whole area is curiously short of cashpoints. Its not all spang-ley fashion fluff though. Music lovers and aspiring DJs can spend many a happy hour rummaging through the mountains of second hand you don't fancy a curry and can make it past the slightly frighteningly enthusiastic concierges manning every restaurant door, then check out the Boiler House Food Hall. Inside this spacious warehouse you'll find stalls selling everything from Chilean to Vietnamese food, falafel to traditional English cakes, and from as little as £2 a plateful. There's a sunny courtyard and battered old sofas for you to sit and feast. Further along the road are a handful of coffee shops, most notably the lovely Moroccan cafe which serves great mint tea and, oddly enough, great fry-ups! The famous Brick Lane institution, the 24 hour bagel shop, resides right at the end of the street. The bagels and chocolate cake are unbeatable but be warned; the women that work there are fearsome so be on your best behaviour. Legend has it diva Maria Carey stormed out after having been made to wait at the back of the queue like everyone else. If all this shopping and eating has left you craving something more intellectually fulfilling then fear not, Shoreditch is thriving centre for art and design and home to several art galleries. The newest on the scene is Five Princelet Street, a private gallery just off Brick Lane housed in a converted Georgian House dating back to 1725. The current exhibition is by Pierre- Yves Gervais and is influenced by everything from "mackerel to formula one engines". Being a private gallery the entrance fee is hefty, so maybe best left to those serious about their art. For those more interested in just having a wander around, the popular Whitechapel art gallery a few minutes walk away is free to get in and is open between 11 and 6, Tuesday to Thursday. The gallery itself is a set of beautiful high-vaulted, airy rooms and hosts around eight exhibitions every year. vinyl. There are some gems to be .» found, and for as J ... M \ little as £1 you can finally afford MM MM 111 m Hi mH Hi SI' H all those Wham classics you've been longing for. And if you've just moved into a magnolia walled student hovel this is the perfect place to pick up some luxurious decor. Cushions, wall hangings, lamps and artwork could transform the dingiest abode (if shrink the largest bank balance). Brick Lane itself offers yet more opportunities to fritter away your loan. The market here has plenty of character with stalls set up haphazardly along the road. The goodies on offer are random to say the least, but if you feel your life would be more complete with a deckchair, some roller skates and an ostrich feather then you're in the right place. If you've got the energy left then Shoreditch has spawned numerous clubs and bars over the past few years. The Vibe Bar on Brick Lane is one of the longest running, it's very laid back during the day and has a large garden that's great for people watching (always fun here as most people look like they've fallen out of the pages of a painfully trendy lifestyle magazine!). Later on there's always a bouncy vibe and great music from DJs or live acts playing everything from hip-hop to electro to folk. Right opposite is 93 Feet East which puts on some great nights but is feeling a bit overcooked recently. The Rhythm Factory on Whitechapel Road is constantly growing in popularity but still attracts happy H| party people rather than pretentious posers! The best DJs ^ ^ also seem to be flocking here so you can expect quality g| music and the bar area doubles up as a gallery for local 4§^ J5L artists to display their work. If you want to witness the start of something wonderful then get yourself to the spanking new monthly night Spill the Beans held at the Urban Bar (also on Whitechapel Road). A hip club night that feels like a party and won't cost the earth is rare find, so if you want to know more drop an email to spillthe- beans news@hotmail.com. Spitalfields market is an irresistible magnet for stylish shoppers hunting out unique and original bargains from some of London's brightest new designers. Alongside the plethora of quirky vintage clothes are several regular stallholders whose works have featured in major fashion magazines. The sparkling talent that is Amy n1gmm Anderson creates must-have accessories with her "I B I .'5r> "ij| Want" printed belts and fifties style neckties, which have I |j 'JH been celebrated in Vogue and Elle. Equally chic and ¦ mk-~m desirable is the exquisite hand made jewellery by Sally IL. My Wilcox. Crafted from silver and mother of pearl, her cre- ations are so beautiful you could eat them. Cruise a bit further along to the exclusive butter-soft leather work of Ignacio and Corral and you will realise that, yes, this actually is shopping heaven. Just try not to drool on the handbags. If dressing down is more your thang then Spitalfields is a goldmine for culty printed t-shirts. Labels like Lazy Oaf and Tofu make bright, funky designs at prices that put poncy boutiques to shame. The Beaver Tuesday 28th October 2003 Page 28 „ o cc 0) Good Taste(s) This week Rodrigo Canete, South America's finest writing export since Gabriel Garcia Marquez, turns his razor sharp eye to British Modern Art. His verdict: "que no vale para nada." After so disapointing a day at the Andrew Lloyd Weber's collection I headed with some friends from Passfield Hall to the Tate Britain, where all my concerns were confirmed. British XIX century visual arts are not but an excuse for promoting what UK does best: theatre and music. However, my friends accused me of having an authoritarian perspective on art. The milennium question popped up once again: what is art? Art entails being creative. But, then, what is the difference between art and design or advertisement? Secondly, Art is about "nice" things, so what is the difference between art and craft? Thirdly, Art is to make possible the impossible, so was Maradona's "hand of God" goal against England a work of art? To elucidate all these things, I decided to go to the fashionable mainstream arts new mecca, the Saatchi Gallery, where there is a retrospective on the Chapman Brothers called "Hell". Once again I regretted having paid the politely rec-quired ten pounds. For God's sake, Bosch did it centuries ago without needing to be so literal or derivative. As a matter of fact, Michel Foucault analyzed that in "Madness and Civilization" without falling into idleness. Maimed bodies, phallic noses, mouths like vaginas, and blood everywhere were just another manifestation of the marketing shocking technology. The Saatchi Gallery seems to shout: "I am rich and bold, how rich and bold are you?". That is not art, that is just plain bullying. It looked like London is to the art scene what Oxford Street is for mobile purchasing. Too much marketing, too much money, and too expensive tickets among such poor art. It was in the midst of my tango spleen when I decided to head towards the Tate Modern where London responded to my concerns grandly. The Danish artist Olafur Eliasson has created a statement that puts the London art scene into perspective and challenges the famous Turbine Hall with nothing but light, mirrors, and smoke. The Weather Project represents the ultimate expression of how art can still redefine us without being obscene or just "nice". We all agree that both Brits and recently arrived Londoners share two obsessions: space and weather. Space is not a major consideration when talking about the Turbine Hall since it is 155-metre (508ft) long. A distance that fagocitates any work of art as irrelevant and idle. However, Olafur Eliasson, in his thirties, challenged this by doubling the stakes and its height by putting mirrors in the ceiling. "In a shopping mall, just like a Las Vegas casino, they are trying to make you forget yourself, so you can just stroll around. My project is some kind of opposite to Oxford Street - one of the visitor's first instincts is to look up at the mirror and find themselves in the crowd. I've flipped the exhibition around -you are also being exhibited. Reflecting on the experience is part of the experience itself." It is all about a sun rising displayed in one of the main walls, made up of 200 low sodium mono/frequency lights hung behind a translucent screen to produce a bizarre artificial dawn. You see it and you think of Miss Saigon, if you are ironic enough, but also in the medieval cathedrals, if you still have a little faith in yourself. It certainly constitutes a mystical experience for religious and art's sake. Up on the Turbine Hall bridge, people are lost in the wet, sticky mist. They are part of the whole show, as if in a Brechtian play and as in Brecht he provokes us, disturbs us and makes us a little nearer the Sublime. However, not only does he defy us but he also challenges London art scene as a whole, the art scene of the cult of personalities instead of that of high quality. After the Saatchi Gallery model, he attempts to rescue true art from mere marketing. In an interview in The Times he says: "Museums are not about art, they're about the people who visit them. That's a radical idea. But we should not do what the people want, but what the artists want. People want Oxford Street!" and Art far from mere entertainment and referenda, has some "authoritarian" but brilliant things to say against that. Justin, in art as in soccer, you cannot get always what you want. The thin red line is drawn by art and "the hand of God". Pulse Radio is on air this week, every weekday from 12pm. Tune in at www.pulsefm.co.uk, and contact Aqeel Kadri, A.S.Kadri@ise.ac.uk, or Az Ahmed, A.U.Ahmed@lse.ac.uk, to get involved. Pulse FM. A Better Music Mix. , HS exv'i , _ t.O'.'i ~s