Glasgow University

10th February 2009 Scottish Student Newspaper of the Year Folk Maestros Vintage classics Oisin Kealy and Lewis Porteous on Eleanor Mitchell promotes individual the highlights of Celtic Connections style over copycat chic Music Lifestyle Glasgow Uni occupied by Police fail activists George Binning

A SERIES OF STUDENT-DRIVEN to advise protests and occupations in aid of Gaza have prompted drastic action by universities across Scotland. On Wednesday February 4 students of Strathclyde University of attackSarah Smith First-year English Literature staged an occupation of Strathclyde’s Exclusive student, Becky Sharp, told Guardian registry and on Sunday January 25 why she feels it is important for the the Stop the War Coalition (SWC) police and the University to notify and Scottish Palestinian Solidarity THE RESIDENTS OF MURANO students when attacks like this occur. Campaign (SPSC) also staged an Street Student Village were shocked She said: “I think it was irrespon- occupation of the BBC headquarters to learn this week that they had sible for them to not alert the Murano in Glasgow. not been informed of an attack Street residents of the attack as it is Today 10 February around 30 which took place close to one of its important that we know of the threats students of Glasgow University main entrances. that surround the area. were continuing their occupa- A 29-year old woman was inde- “I have, so far, been quite casual tion of the Computing Department cently assaulted whilst walking over about being alone and in the area of the University. The occupation the canal footbridge in the early late at night, and hearing about the was a response to the events of hours of Saturday January 31. The attack makes me feel more suscep- last Thursday when students associ- assailant has not yet been caught tible to the danger and more likely to ated with the SWC marched on the and the police have issued an appeal be cautious. Principal’s office with their demands for witnesses. “It is important to give the attached to two petitions. Despite this, the students living students that awareness so that they The first set of demands, supported at Murano Street were not contacted can make a more informed choice by 560 signatures, requested that about the incident, nor were they about wandering around the area at the University publicly condemn the warned about the fact that a poten- all times.” BBC’s actions concerning the DEC tially dangerous man was known to Another Murano resident, Rachel appeal, that the appeal be publicised be in the area. Mitchell, explained that what was around campus and the University’s Guardian spoke to a number of especially concerning was that the website, also that a collection day students who expressed concern attack took place right next to one of for Gaza be organized. Their second about the lack of information given Murano Street’s main entrances. petition, with 350 signatories, to them. (Continued on page 4) Protesters take to the roof of the Computing Department in solidarity with Palestine (Continued on page 5) Scottish principals receive 10% pay rise GLASGOW UNIVERSITY’S PRINCIPAL, Craig MacLellan The increases will see an additional However, the Scottish Government has Sir Muir Russell, received a pay increase £255,000 taken from Scotland’s higher educa- announced that the figure would rise by only almost four times the rate of inflation last lecturers have seen their pay rise by only 5% tion budget, with the total paid out to principals £30 million. year, making him the highest paid university during the same period. now topping £3m for the first time. Recent research has also shown that English principal in Scotland. Guardian recently discovered that graduate This comes at a time when the higher universities, who already have the advantage Sir Muir, who is due to step down from teaching assistants at the University of Glasgow education sector is dealing with the tightest of top-up fees, are increasing their share of his position in October, received a pay rise of have not recieved a salary increase since 2002 settlement since devolution. research funding. 12.1%, increasing his salary from £205,000 in and, in some cases, may be earning less than In the budget settlement of November 2007, Glasgow University defended the decision 2007 to £230,000 in 2008. When pensions are the national minimum wage. Universities Scotland, the body responsible for to increase the principle’s salary, stating that the included, the figure rises to £262,000. There are meetings planned to address this representing and promoting Scotland’s higher pay rise is related to performance and reflects University principals across Scotland saw situation, but it is unlikely that any increase in education sector, had asked for an increase of the University’s recent success. their salaries rise by an average of 10%, while pay will be as high as 12.1%. £168 million over three years. (Continued on page 3) 2 NEWS [email protected] 10th February 2009 Number of student enrolments down Student survives wall Ross Mathers collapse at Kelvin Hall

THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS ENROLLING News Staff in hospital overnight. He was discharged the in Scottish higher education institutions has following day with minor injuries to his arm fallen, according to new figures. A MEMBER OF GLASGOW UNIVERSITY’S and stitches in his knee. The Higher Education Statistics Agency basketball team made a ‘miracle’ escape after MacLaren recalled the team’s reaction and recently published a report showing that the being crushed by a falling wall in the Kelvin expressed amazement at Astromkas’ escape. number of students enrolling in Scottish univer- Hall International Sports Arena last week. He said: “The way the debris fell it was sities, and some colleges, had fallen by 2 per On February 4, Glasgow student Vytautuas a miracle no bones were broken. The whole cent in 2007-08. Astromkas was trapped by the falling rubble team went up to the hospital, to give him a bit The number of enrolments in Scotland after the entire backboard came loose bringing of support. He’s a good player who regularly stood at 210,180 last year with a 2 per cent the wall with it. The accident took place while features in our 1st team.” decrease in full-time enrolments and a 3 per the University’s team was warming up for a MacLaren also confirmed that Astromkas cent decrease for part-time enrolments. match against Caledonian University, during was up and walking again, and anxious to get While the figures for Northern Ireland and the inter-university Glasgow Cup. back to training. Wales show similar declines, the number of Douglas MacLaren, captain of the Glasgow The collapse took place on the internal enrolments in English higher education institu- University Men’s Basketball Club, witnessed wall of court three and has raised serious tions has increased. the accident from on-court. concerns as to the safety of the Kelvin Hall. An The government has been quick to He told Guardian: “As he dunked the investigation into the incident by Health and blame the trend on the previous Labour basketball, the inner wall started to peel away, Safety is underway. government, which held power in Scotland then the backboard and a lot of masonry came A spokesperson for the Kelvin Hall from 1999-2007. down. Luckily the backboard took the brunt International Sports Arena said: “Due to the Speaking to Guardian, a spokesperson for of it.” accident and ongoing investigation the use of the Scottish Government said: “The bulk of Paramedics swiftly arrived at the scene and the court has been suspended.” students covered by these figures applied to go were able to free Astromkas from the wreckage. On Sunday the hall was opened again to to university under the previous administration, Jim Wilson He was taken to the Western Infirmary and kept host the Scottish Rocks match. before the improved student support introduced by this administration and before the abolition of the graduate endowment fee.” Claire Baker, Labour’s education spokes- person, has been criticised for “scoring an Landmark stem cell trial at Glasgow own-goal” after referring to the new figures as Sarah Smith Dr. Keith Muir, the Principal Investigator research in particular. “a very worrying development indeed.” for the trial, explained to Guardian how impor- Father John Keenan, Glasgow University’s A spokesperson for Claire Baker, RESEARCHERS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF tant this preliminary research is to the develop- Catholic chaplain, told Guardian that although speaking to Guardian, claimed the decrease in Glasgow have been granted approval to begin a ment of improved care for stroke patients. Catholicism opposes embryonic research they 2007-08 was the result of the first year of an trial involving stem cell therapy to treat victims He said: “It will be the first time that stem were in support of adult stem cell research. SNP government. of stroke. cells are used as a potential treatment for stroke He said: “We draw a fundamental distinc- He said: “The HESA stats show that for The UK Medicines and Healthcare Products by delivering them directly into the brain. tion between embryonic stem cell research the first time in years the numbers of students Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have given their “If the trial establishes that the treatment is and adult stem cell research. We are always at Scottish universities actually dropped. This permission for Glasgow University, together safe then there can be further trials to establish asking the media to make that distinction. We is for 2007/08, the first year of the SNP with the ReNeuron Group plc, to begin a the effectiveness of the treatment.” are against is embryonic research, that is to say, Government and the first year of the abolition clinical trial to investigate the use of stem cells Although the trial has been approved by the you creating human embryo and the purpose of of the graduate endowment.” in the treatment of ishaemic stroke, the most MHRA, it must also receive ethical approval creating that embryo is to harvest stem cells, The Scottish Government, however, have common form of the condition. from the Gene Therapy Advisory Committee then you use the stem cells at the destruction of argued that although the figures are from The trial, which is the first of its kind in the before any work can begin. It is, however, the human embryo.” the first year of its administration, Labour’s world, will establish the safety and feasibility unlikely that the trial will not be granted When asked about the ethical implications funding policies still existed, putting off of injecting stem cells directly into the brain. If permission to go ahead. of using foetal-derived stem cells in a medical potential students. the trial is successful, further research will take Stem cell therapy has been the source of trial, Dr. Muir replied that, whilst he under- In addition, a spokesperson has rejected place into how effectively this method could be much debate in recent years, with many reli- stood that some opposed the use of stem cells, the claims that numbers have not decreased in used to treat victims of stroke. gious groups decrying the use of embryonic the therapy has the potential to become vitally recent years. important in treating diseases which, at present, He said: “It is incorrect to suggest that this have very few treatment options available. is the first time that student participation rates He told Guardian: “I think that the other have fallen. side of the ethics debate is that there are a lot of “The age participation index, which esti- people who understand the importance of stem mates the proportion of Scots who will have cell therapy in medicine. experienced full-time HE by their 21st birthday, “It is important in repairing the damage to fell under the last administration from 47.1% in tissue that does not normally repair itself, for 2005-06 to 46.9% in 2006-07.” example, the brain and spinal cord. Gavin Lee, president of the SRC, has “Medical treatments in that area to date expressed concerns as to the cause of the haven’t been terribly successful and future decline in enrolments. stem cell therapy will be important in He said: “The SRC would encourage the changing that.” government to look into the reasons behind this Dr. Muir was keen to stress that if the trial trend. It's important in difficult financial times goes ahead it will still be only the first of many that no potential students are dissuaded from steps before any possible treatment would be attending university for financial reasons." available to the general public. Despite this, the number of full-time under- He explained: “I would never have expected graduates at Glasgow University has in fact to be running this sort of trial if you had told me increased from 14,980 in 2006 to 15,025 in two years ago. It’s a good starting point but it is 2007, and with the figures for 2008 still to be important to remember that there is still a long finalised, numbers are expected to rise further. Courtesy of ReNeuron way to go.” 10th February 2009 [email protected] NEWS 3 Future’s bright for Tommy Amy MacGregor

A GLASGOW UNIVERSITY STUDENT HAS been awarded a £60,000 recording contract after being named 2009’s Orange Unsigned Act. The 19 year old singer-song writer was announced winner on the Channel 4 television programme which documented the competition on Sunday 25th January having won a landslide public vote. Reilly, who was described by Lauren Laverne, one of the show’s four judges, as having an “utterly unique voice”, fought off competition from 7,000 original applicants to win the award which searches for the best unsigned British music act. The other three judges on the panel were Radio One D.J. Jo Whiley, Blur’s Alex James and Simon Gavin from Universal Music. 25 finalists were seen battling for the record contract with Universal Music on the Sunday television show over the past three months. Tommy was not the only Glasgow act to reach the final: also in the competition were electro band Fangs, and eventual runners-up, Hip Parade. Tommy described his shock at winning the contest and the impact it has had on his life. He said: “I can’t believe that I have won – it’s mental! Being part of the competi- tion has been awesome – the tour, all that I have learned, chatting to the other Courtesy of iris London bands, everything!” Speaking to Guardian, Tommy explained While Tommy is planning to focus on his at Tesco, I have all day to work on songs and at work next year so I’m going to have fun that his success comes after years of fitting his music in the short-term, he told Guardian that think about the album. while it lasts!” music career around his degree. he was aware of the fact that his current success “I am really excited about that. I cannot It seems that, for the moment, Tommy’s He said: “I was trying to get my electronics may be short-lived. wait to get into it properly. I also plan to play success is assured - his debut single, ‘Gimme a with music degree from Glasgow University “I had been gigging for about a year and a as many shows as is physically possible. I just Call’ entered the UK singles chart at number 14 and was also working in Tesco and so I would half before the competition took off. As I have really want to use up every little bit of this and his upcoming tour has already sold out on be gigging whenever I was free.” left university for the meantime and quit my job opportunity while it’s there. I may well be back a number of dates. Principal pay rise four times rate of inflation

(Continued from front page) a company of similar size in the is part of a culture that is now widely A spokesperson explained: “The private sector.” discredited.” salary of the University’s principal However, Terry Brotherstone, He also argued that other is performance-related and reflects President of the University and members of academic staff have seen the responsibilities of running a large College Union Scotland, which their pay decline when compared to and complex organisation. represents lecturers and other univer- the salaries of those working in the “The increase reflects the sity employees, has called for a wide- private sector. considerable success which the ranging review of higher education He said: “It needs to be stressed University has enjoyed in the and the way in which principals’ that the bulk of professionals past year. salaries are awarded. who actually do the teaching and “These included a significant rise He told Guardian: “Should research have seen their pay relative in the Times Higher University World universities be looked on as busi- to other professional workers drop Ranking, and the continued consoli- ness or rather as collegial institu- since the early 1980s by a third or dation of our financial position.” tions devoted to critical thought even more.” Universities Scotland also and research serving the educa- Professor Anton Muscatelli, who defended the rises, claiming that they tional and public policy needs of the is due to take over from Sir Muir are comparable to salaries received in Scottish people? as principal and vice-chancellor of the private sector. “If the latter – and this is the Glasgow University on October 1 A spokesperson for the organisa- question I believe should be subject 2009, has also received a similar tion said: “The governing bodies of to a well-researched inquiry and pay rise. all universities have remuneration evidence-led debate in Scotland – In his current role as principal committees that decide the appro- then principals’ pay should be meas- of Herriot-Watt University, Professor priate level of increase. ured in relation to that of their junior Muscatelli saw his salary increase “The level of remunera- colleagues, not that of bosses in the by 12.6%, from £142,000 in 2007 to James Porteous tion is modest in comparison to private sector whose reward system £160,000 in 2008. 4 NEWS [email protected] 10th February 2009 IN BRIEF Scientists discover kidneys’ true age Ross Mathers He said: “This latest research offers prom- Uni announces ising prospects for doctors when it comes SCIENTISTS AT GLASGOW UNIVERSITY to assessing which organs are suitable for honorary degrees have made significant discoveries that could transplantation and how they might perform help patients awaiting kidney transplants. post-transplant. THE LIST DETAILING THOSE WHO The research, carried out at the Western “It could mean that complications in some have accepted honorary degrees from the Infirmary, has shown that the ‘bio-age’ of patients could be avoided through the selection University of Glasgow in 2009 has been a kidney is more important than its actual of more suitable organs.” released to Guardian. chronological age when judging its suitability It was the levels of the gene cyclin-de- Honorary degrees are awarded to those for transplant. pendent kinase 2a (CDKN2a) in kidneys that deemed to have demonstrated excellence in This information will allow doctors to the researchers found determined the biological their particular field. calculate the performance and health of a age of the kidneys. Those being given an honorary degree transplanted kidney and make more informed The research was funded jointly by the this year include: Sir Kenneth Collins, decisions as to suitability for transplant. Cunninghame Trust and Darlinda’s Charity for retired Chair of the Scottish Environmental It was also found that a simple blood test of Renal Research. Protection Agency; Wendy Hall, Senior an older person can determine the ‘bio-age’ of Dr. Shiels also emphasised the importance Vice President of the Royal Academy their kidney. of the recent research for Glasgow University. of Engineering; David Hirsh, Executive With over 3,000 organ transplants taking He explained: “The project demonstrates Vice President for Research at Columbia place last year in the UK and thousands more the quality of research being conducted at the University; and Jane Soons, the first woman on the waiting lists, it is hoped that the informa- University of Glasgow which is working at the to graduate from Glasgow University with a tion can be applied to other organs. forefront of medical science PhD in Geography. Dr. Paul Shiels, Senior Lecturer in the “The benefits our students derive from It is also rumoured that Glasgow band, Department of Surgery at Glasgow University being part of a research-led university are Franz Ferdinand, have been put forward confirmed the significance of the discovery. incalculable.” Jim Wilson for the accolade, although this has not been confirmed by the group. Glasgow Uni in Attack sparks safety fears international study (Continued from front page) who may have any information regarding the did not ask Residential Services to alert students She said: “We should have been warned incident to contact Maryhill Police Office.” at Murano Street.” GLASGOW UNIVERSITY IS TO BE AT about this, especially because it happened so Police officers contacted site security at President of the SRC, Gavin Lee, empha- the forefront of a major study into the role close to where we live. Murano Street the morning after the assault sised how important it is that students keep universities play in regional development. “It’s worrying because I have often walked took place in order to obtain access to CCTV themselves safe, especially late at night. The PURE project will partner fourteen over the canal bridge when coming home from footage, although the University’s Residential He said: “While the woman who was different regions from all over the world, a night out, but knowing that a woman was Serivces were not informed of this until the attacked was not a student, the proximity of the allowing them to share knowledge and attacked there would definitely have made me afternoon of Tuesday, February 3. attack to Murano Street Student Village makes ideas about how universities can accom- call a taxi or use the other entrance.” A University spokesperson explained that it of concern to all students living there. plish their ‘third mission’ of generating A spokesperson for Strathclyde police the reason students weren’t warned was because “The SRC provides minibuses to halls wealth and social capital. admitted to Guardian that there are no formal the police did not ask for them to be told about of residence each evening, so students don’t The two-year project aims to create a measures in place with regards to liaising the incident. need to put themselves at risk by walking benchmark system to compare the activi- with students He told Guardian: “We enjoy good working home alone.” ties of the universities in each region in She explained: “There is no formal policy relationships with local police and they inform The attack is the second recorded incident promoting wealth creation, social capital about informing students of incidents like this. us immediately should they consider that in the vicinity of Murano Street during the and lifelong learning opportunities. It is normally done on a regular basis but not additional measures or precautions should be current academic year. In September, a first It is being carried out by Pascal on this occasion. taken by the University of Glasgow, including year was the victim of an attempted robbery International Observatory, which brings “Police have liaised with security personnel specific briefings to students. on the steps leading to the canal bridge, but the together practitioners and scholars concerned at the campus and are reviewing all available “Police investigating this particular inci- attack was foiled when a friend chased down with the relationship between social capital, CCTV footage. Police would urge any students dent, which involved a member of the public, the assailant and recovered the stolen bag. the management of place, and the concepts of learning regions and lifelong learning. Pascal is a joint initiative, administered by both the University of Glasgow and RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. Mike Osborne, Chair of Adult and Lifelong Learning, believes that universi- ties currently have a major impact on their local communities and additional research into this area will help the institutions better fulfil this role. He explained: “Universities today have been tasked with not only teaching and research activities, but also with contrib- uting to the socio-economic development of the communities. “The PURE project will look at the current activities of universities to deter- mine how they can better engage and succeed in their drive to play a central role in the development of their regions and meet government objectives.” Jim Wilson 10th February 2009 [email protected] NEWS 5

Jim Wilson Glasgow students unite in protest (Continued from front page) Sir Muir remains willing to meet She told Guardian: “We were very “We didn’t get all our demands pation they also demanded refresh- demanded that Glasgow University with students. happy with the result, not only were accepted, but we were prepared for ments and access to facilities. Aamer break its links with BAE Systems “The University respects the right so many of our demands met, which that. One of our main demands was to Anwar, the infamous human rights and Eden Springs, as well as to freedom of speech, but the rights was amazing in itself, but we got have BAE Systems off campus. BAE lawyer, was in attendance in order to awarding scholarships to at least of students and staff to engage in incredible publicity. We got messages is a massive sponsor of Strathclyde give legal advice to the activists. three Palestinian students. their normal business is paramount. of solidarity from all around the University so we knew that would Ian Small, Head of Public Policy David Newell, Secretary of The University will take appropriate world, from India, Israel, Lebanon, be a difficult one to push. But we’ve & Corporate Affairs, met with the Court, and Susan Stuart, Director action if the occupation causes serious and from Gaza itself. We’ve had arranged a public debate on campus group to receive their demands. of Corporate Communications disruption to staff or students.” fantastic support from students and and the University have said they Keith Boyd, representative for received the petitions, and a reply At the time of going to press lecturers on campus. We’ve started will be in touch with a spokesperson SWC, was present at the occupa- was issued on Friday. The university the Computing Department was still building a movement, we left the for BAE systems who will come onto tion. He told Guardian that they agreed to hold a fundraising day, and under occupation. occupation feeling victorious, though campus to justify the use of military were disappointed with the BBC’s proposed a program for the provision Earlier last week 100 students this is the start of a much, much investment at universities.” response to the situation. of old books and computers to the at Strathclyde University targeted bigger campaign.” The five hour occupation of the He said: “None of our major University of Gaza. Strathclyde’s registry, 30 of which In response to the occupation, Dr. BBC came about as the result of demands were met but after a while After receiving the reply, the occupied the building overnight until Peter West, Secretary to the University an impromptu decision by activists the police told us to leave otherwise group organized a rally for Monday the University gave in to their list of of Strathclyde, said: “The University protesting outside the headquarters they would arrest us. They haven’t and took occupation of the building demands for solidarity. expresses its deep concern about the against the BBC’s refusal to broadcast shown the DEC appeal and they are at around 2:30. Inside the group drew At the start of the protest there plight of the people of Gaza. We are the Disaster Emergency Committee continuing their bias towards Israel. up a fresh set of demands which read were claims of violence between the particularly aware that the infrastruc- (DEC) appeal for aid to Gaza. We achieved our objective in that we as follows: occupiers and the University’s secu- ture of Higher Education has been The group demanded that the got massive coverage from all over “We demand: The severing of rity team, however these issues were damaged, making it particularly diffi- BBC show the DEC appeal for the world.” links between the university and quickly resolved. cult for Palestinian students to pursue Gaza and for the resignation of the A spokesperson for the BBC said: arms manufacturers, such as BAE Fiona MacPhail, a member of their studies.” director responsible for the original “We are in the process of replying Systems. An official university SWC and the Socialist Workers The activists’ demand to have the decision not to air the appeal. They formally to the points made by the statement condemning the Israeli Alliance who was present at the University cut its ties with British also demanded that the occupation protesters and we will be responding army’s atrocities in Gaza; boycott protest, explained: “There were Aerospace Engineering Systems was was given coverage by the BBC to them directly. The DEC appeal has of all Israeli produce on campus, issues with the security when we first not fully met, however MacPhail and that no charges were brought not been broadcast because the BBC such as Eden Springs water; dona- went in, they were not expecting the explained that they had reached a against those involved. Because of believes that to do so could question tions of academic resources to help occupation, they were out of order satisfactory compromise: the unplanned nature of the occu- our impartiality.” rebuild Gaza’s battered schools and and definitely using excessive force. universities; a day of fundraising Once we had established that we across campus in support of the DEC were there as a peaceful demonstra- appeal; a commitment to fund schol- tion they were fantastic after that.” arships for Palestinian students. We, The University agreed to termi- the students, will remain in occupa- nate their contract with Eden Springs, tion indefinitely until our demands an Israeli company that draws its are met.” water from the Golan Heights area The university responded with of Syria occupied by Israel. They a statement expressing “disappoint- also agreed to strengthen its ties with ment” with the group, and offered the University of Gaza including a SWC delegates a meeting with Sir promise to provide at least one to Muir Russell. three scholarships for Palestinian The letter read: “The University is students. The DEC appeal will also disappointed that students have occu- be publicised on campus and on the pied a floor in the computing science University’s website. building, despite the Principal’s offer MacPhail was delighted with the to meet with a representative group. outcome of the occupation. Jim Wilson 6 FEATURES [email protected] 10th February 2009

Benzo Harris

JamesAt Maxwell Rest reflects on theand life and work Remembered of one of America's finest writers, John Updike ohn Updike, who died last month from lung cancer at the invasion and occupation of Vietnam, more, one suspects, Although he collected a plethora of accolades and the age of 76, was a uniquely talented literary polymath out of exasperation with what he viewed as an infantile and honours — including two Pulitzers and a Howells Medal — who excelled as an essayist, poet, critic, commentator petulant anti-war movement, as opposed to the integrity of and enjoyed consistent and substantial success with both the and fiction-writer. Over five decades as a professional his ideological convictions. However, Updike’s opponents high and low-brow public, Updike was never made a Nobel author,J he rigorously documented and explored the constantly were not exclusively of the left. Many conservative readers Laureate. In 2008, Horace Engdahl, the Swedish academy’s shifting social, sexual and cultural mores of Middle America, found his thematic preoccupation with sex crass and inde- permanent secretary, accused modern American literature of with frequently controversial results. British novelist Martin cent, but the more reactionary among them also recognised being excessively self-referencing and parochial: “The U.S. Amis, a friend and admirer of Updike’s, recently remarked how subtly subversive and radical he could be. is too isolated, too insular. They don’t translate enough and that “John Updike has that single inestimable virtue: having In his famous tetralogy, Rabbit, Run (1960), Rabbit don’t really participate in the big dialogue of literature. That read him once you admit to yourself, almost with a sigh, that Redux (1971), Rabbit is Rich (1981), Rabbit at Rest (1990) ignorance is restraining.” Many interpreted these remarks as you will have to read everything he writes.” and Rabbit Remembered (2001), Updike ruthlessly stripped an official, pre-emptive, explanation for why Updike would Updike was born in rural Pennsylvania in 1932, in the the gloss off America’s treasured image of suburban domes- not, in his lifetime, be awarded the grand prize. midst of Depression-era austerity. As a child he developed ticity and exposed the dirt below. Harry ‘Rabbit’ Angstrom There is, however, some validity to Engdahl’s criticisms. a fascination with the artefacts of his future craft — fresh is a lousy, intermittently thuggish husband, a struggling Too many of Updike’s novels are located in the northern white paper, 0.45 pencils, roller-ball pens, type-writers, father, and an inveterate mediocrity. He relentlessly subjects corner of East-coast America, and hardly any stray outside print-presses etc. — that fuelled his first creative efforts. his slow wife and errant son to the worst consequences of U.S. territory; his occasional cosmopolitan excursions tend to He quickly became captivated by the processes and mecha- his own failures, which are many and ever-present. Flooded start and end in Manhattan. Indeed, in Terrorist — Updike’s nisms involved in the physical act of writing. At school, with guilt, he nonetheless lacks the requisite intelligence to most limp and insipid work — the protagonist, an adoles- Updike proved an exceptionally conscientious and indus- articulate or nullify it. Redemption and absolution are, for cent Islamist, doesn’t even make it to through the Jersey trious student. He left in 1952 as class valedictorian, and in Harry Angstrom, congenitally elusive, and remain so until tunnel. Unfortunately, Terrorist — published in 2006 — was 1953 earned a place at Harvard College, before swapping the end. The ‘Rabbit Books’ chart the passage of a peripheral indicative of a once great mind in decline. His final hardback the States for Oxford the following year, where he studied and unsatisfactory life — the life of an American everyman fiction, The Widows of Eastwick (a sequel to the massively drawing and fine art courtesy of a Knox Fellowship. While — and to that extent should be read as a critique of the spir- popular Witches of Eastwick) suggests that toward the end of Updike was in England he discovered that The New Yorker itual state of the Union. Yet, Updike manages to tease out his life, the writer’s interest, as well as his talent, had begun had agreed to publish a number of his short stories and was those rare moments of purpose and profundity sparsely scat- to diminish. prepared to offer him permanent employment. He promptly tered throughout, and, in turn, imbue his protagonist with a On reflection, Updike’s vast back-catalogue is littered returned to Harvard, graduated summa cum laude, and rough elegance. Angstrom is unquestionably Updike’s most with failures. Perhaps the most notable embarrassment is moved to Manhattan, were he spent the next two years as fascinating creation; perhaps single-handedly securing the Memories of the Ford Administration; a laborious and sham- writer-in-residence at offices of The New Yorker on 155th author’s status as one of American literature’s most signifi- bolic attempt to blend an unfinished biography of former Street. By the time he was twenty-three, Updike already cant and influential figures. president James Buchanan into a satire of post-modernity had a wife and a baby, and the arrival of a second son was In many ways, Harry Angstrom is a vulgarized, fictional and bad sex. He would be lucky, and perhaps posthumously enough to persuade him that the city was not the right place reflection of Updike. Updike belonged to a generation of grateful, if it was quietly forgotten. to raise children. In 1957 he took his young family to the American writers (largely deceased) that included Saul Updike himself, of course, will not be quietly, or, for that Massachusetts sticks, where he stayed until his death. Bellow, Gore Vidal, Norman Mailer and, give or take a matter, quickly forgotten. His best novels encourage you to Despite his reputation for genuine warmth and generosity, few years, Philip Roth. All were concerned with measuring review your understanding of literature in a profound and Updike was often accused of being an irritant and antagonist, the distance between the promise of the Republic and the permanent way. His prose possesses a remarkable and seem- particularly by those on the liberal fringes of American poli- reality; all were staunch and uncompromising modernists; ingly effortless fluidity. Updike was a humane and empa- tics. Much of the tension and discomfort Updike provoked all were distinctive and original stylists. Where Updike stood thetic writer, who used his considerable gifts to elucidate the stemmed from his refusal to capitulate to the dictates of apart from his contemporaries, though, was in his refusal experiences of those not considered worthy by other lesser popular or intellectual fashion. In the midst of the sixties’ sex to embrace the ludicrous privileges that come with being talents. As Martin Amis writes, “What Updike is saying - revolution he wrote Couples, which ridiculed the conceits of a ‘famous writer’. He was, by all accounts, an extremely or conclusively demonstrating - is something very simple. the age and anticipated the darkened mood of the post-Nixon modest man; essentially free of the excessive intellectual That the unexamined life is worth examining, that indeed it Republic. He also foolishly offered some qualified support to vanity of his colleagues. swarms with instruction and delight.” 10th February 2009 [email protected] FEATURES 7

TheGeorge Binning weighs upDevil’s the scales of criminal justice with Scottish Advocate legal heavyweight Donald Findlay Q.C.

Jim Wilson

f you believed everything you read in the tabloids, Donald for child killing or child abuse, say, ‘Well I’m not going to try perspective of the Scottish legal system as a whole was based Findlay QC would be a name to steer clear of. This is a very hard for him’, of course he would, it’s his duty. He does much more on principle than pragmatism. man who only ever seems to appear in connection with the not make a value judgment on the person in front of him, that “You really have to go back to the fundamentals of what most horrible crimes, who has forged a career no doubt in is not his job.” the legal system is all about, which is very seldom, if ever, Igleefully hypnotising juries into acquitting the hardest criminals To illustrate his point further, he recalled a time in 2002, portrayed. In a free society, if you take the view, which we do and murderers. Although there are two sides to the story, it is when journalist James Doherty had written a condemning story in this country, that if the state makes an allegation against one rare for Mr Findlay to defend himself in public. He claims he has about him for the Scotsman. Although it was very difficult to get of its citizens of a criminal act, and it doesn’t make any differ- no inclination to speak to the press, or have anything to do with past his unwavering professionalism in the field of law, Findlay ence if it’s a minor criminal act or a serious criminal act, our law them, made clear by his refusal to let us photograph him. certainly was not holding back his distaste for the media. says it is the duty of the state to prove it…. An accused person “Given the way I regard the media as having misrepresented “Some years ago I was asked casually if I would defend is entitled in an open court, to have the allegations against them and mistreated me in the past, I don’t frankly see why I should Osama bin Laden, and my answer was ‘yes of course’. Some tested and that quite simply is what defense lawyers do. Very waste my time talking to them. I haven’t read, bought, looked journalist somewhere wanted to run this great story that I was often the claims the prosecution makes are, to say the least of at a newspaper for ten years. Principally I wouldn’t waste my prepared to defend Osama bin Laden, until somebody else it, optimistic. money on a paper, I don’t read them and if that upsets them I pointed out to him that if I wasn’t prepared to defend Osama bin “It is the job of the court to decide the guilt of the accused, don’t care.” Laden, that would be a story. The fact that I was wasn’t a story at and it’s our job to make sure the evidence is tested, and if it The highest earner in the Scottish legal trade for three years all. The reality is that if I had been around in 1946, I could have stands up to that scrutiny and the accused is convicted, that running, Findlay has lead the defense in a number of infamous found myself representing the Nazis at the Nuremberg trials and seems to me that justice has been done. If you test that evidence murder cases including Peter Tobin, Luke Mitchell and ex-sol- and it doesn’t stand up to scrutiny and the accused is acquitted, dier Michael Ross, who was convicted last year for the murder “If I had been around in 1946, I could have that also seems to me that justice has been done. If you don’t like of Shamsudden Mahmood in Orkney in 1994. He has most found myself representing the Nazis at the it, don’t bitch about it.” recently been recruited to defend Tommy Sheridan against his Nuremberg trials” In 2008, the Scottish Parliament began to discuss a proposal perjury charge. Although he would not discuss any of his cases to revise the double jeopardy law — a law which prevents past or present, I was keen to hear, straight from the source, a citizen being tried for the same crime twice. Findlay was why those accused of the worst crimes needed and deserved the of course I would have done that because it was my professional extremely critical of the idea, highlighting a number of the strongest legal representation available. responsibility.” Whilst his point served its purpose in the wider issues it raised for an accused suspect and their lawyers. Findlay explained, as he continued his denunciation of the context of our discussion, I could easily understand how his “The double jeopardy is a huge issue; there are so many popular press, that the image of court proceedings portrayed by outspoken manner was easily picked up upon in the press. ramifications to it. For example, where do you draw the line? If the media was far from accurate. It follows, then, that accepting a client’s instruction is also somebody is acquitted can you come back five, 10, 20, 25 years “Generally the media are not interested in justice, they’re a question of professionalism, but I wanted to know how far a later and reopen it? What if an essential witness for the defense only interested in sensationalizing certain aspects of the trial. criminal lawyer would put their trust in an accused suspect’s has died in the meantime? What if evidence has been lost? And that, I came to the conclusion, has been evidenced over the statement. Again Findlay was a model of good practice, adamant “The basic principle of the law is if you are tried for the years because when in a major trial someone is acquitted, you that he had no personal opinion on the subject. defense, you are tried once. Now if an appeal is successful you never see that as being heralded as a triumph of the Scottish “You will test it to some extent obviously, for example if can be retried, the crown can have another go, but I believe the legal system. Its always presented along the lines of: another a person says I have never been in that bank which they say state should be given one opportunity to prove guilt, and if it guilty man walks free.” I robbed, but his fingerprints are found inside the bank vault, fails to prove guilt then that should be the end of it. Otherwise One of the most admirable, yet difficult to grasp, aspects of then you would have to point out to him that that would tend to you just leave the thing open ended and it brings a level of criminal law is the dispassionate approach which a lawyer must indicate that he is either a safe maker or a safe breaker and that uncertainty to the whole legal system that is not in the interests take with their clients. This became quite evident in speaking to his position that ‘I have never been in that bank in my life’ does of anybody.” Findlay, who never seemed to let his professional guard down, not appear to hold good. While I certainly would not like Donald Findlay’s job and his opinions, though often controversially phrased, seemed “If somebody comes to me and says I committed this crime, myself, and perhaps because of this, I do admire his dedication. well grounded. I’d like you to get me off, then we would part company there and It can’t be easy to suffer the accusations leveled by the media, “If your professional role is to represent someone charged then. We don’t sit around with various defenses on the shelf and and when the importance of one’s role in a free society is under- with a crime then the nature of the crime is almost irrelevant, pull one down and say ‘that’s the one for you my boy’.” stood by relatively few, it must take a steadfast constitution as any more than would a consultant cardio thoracic surgeon, Findlay’s career frequently puts him in the unenviable posi- well as a fantastic legal mind to take on such notorious and confronted with a patient who had a lengthy criminal record tion of devil’s advocate, but his description of his role in the challenging cases. 8 FEATURES [email protected] 10th February 2009 Occupy and resist: the return of student radicalism? As universities around the UK and the world are occupied by their students, James Foley examines whether students are reclaiming their radical past

In the last two weeks, more than twenty universities in the UK have seen in South Africa, distanced themselves from direct action politics. “The issues. However, the evidence is quite clear: the existing student bodies will not campus occupations by students angered at Israel’s invasion of Gaza. The protesters need to find new ways to campaign vocally without causing disrup- ‘campaign’ unless they can exert political influence of the most narrow variety format of the occupations was established by the School of Oriental and African tion to students on campus,” said Wes Streeting, NUS President. The Gaza — they are happy to have a coffee and chat with Labour politicians, but not to Studies (SOAS) in London: occupy a small but strategic centre of the university, issue has brought out underlying differences on the direction of the student lead a student movement against the Labour government’s policies. According present the university authorities with a list of demands, and prepare for a long movement. At last month’s NUS extraordinary General Meeting, around 30 to their opponents, this is partly because holding a position in the NUS bureauc- stay until they relent. students stormed the stage to protest the NUS’ failure to take a stance on the racy is seen by many as the mainline from student politics, to influence inside Most of the occupations have been remarkably successful. BAE Systems, Israel-Palestine conflict. the Labour Party. which has extensive research links to university engineering departments, has In many ways, the context of these occupations is more interesting than the The fledgling movement of student occupations and demonstrations over been made a pariah for providing Israel with technology and parts for its F-16 phenomenon itself. Gaza provides a second force to consider. It is currently very small. While a few fighters; various student unions and universities have agreed to boycott Eden If you trust the forecasts, three million people will be unemployed by the of the occupations were large, most were the actions of about 50 students. Springs mineral water, after it was discovered that its parent company Meya end of the year. Nearly half of these will be under 25, many of them holding However, the movement scored remarkable successes around the country, Eden sources its water from illegally occupied territory in the Golan Heights. degrees that, in these lean times, do not amount to very much. The graduate despite opposition from the existing student bureaucracy and despite their In Scotland, Strathclyde and Dundee Universities have scored a series of unemployed will have the particular misfortune of being saddled with a massive limited forces, because they were audacious and they took on the university concrete victories. At Dundee, students marched on the Principal’s office with authorities directly. If the tactics of direct action continue to score successes, a list of demands, including divestment in BAE, boycott of Eden Springs, and “We have proved that protesting does work, and students they could be implemented on a larger scale to force concessions on wider scholarships for Palestinian students. The university body has agreed to disin- have the power to make a difference.” issues like debt, fees, and grants. vest its BAE shares, while members of the student union voted overwhelmingly In the midst of a recession, with the threat of unemployment looming over to condemn investments in the defence sector in general and to support, in debt burden from fees, loans, overdrafts, and credit cards. graduates and current students, we will be forced to fight to defend our interests. future, “ethical investments”. The existing student bodies have proved incapable of responding to the This will require national, coordinated action by millions of students (and not Strathclyde students occupied their Registry overnight. Their actions forced shocks and convulsions that have left the economic system on the brink of just those in the elite, Russell Group universities). Can the tactics of occupations the university governors to cancel their contract with Eden Springs and organise global recession. NUS, long the bastion of student democracy in the UK, has and demonstrations succeed? a debate with a representative from BAE; additionally, the authorities have recently voted to bypass most of its democratic channels in favour of a rigid, A series of student movements around the world point the way forward. offered scholarships for three Palestinian students. top-down bureaucracy run by non-student political appointees. Perhaps the most obvious example is Greece, where a student revolt had previ- Louise Whiteside, who started the Stop the War Coalition student group The “modernisation” of NUS has had two major policy implications thus ously inspired the overthrow of the US-backed dictatorship in 1973-4. Eighteen in Dundee, said, “We’ve had a remarkable victory in Dundee, the movement far. Firstly, despite strong evidence that debt is reinforcing class inequalities months ago, student protests and occupations over the privatisation of higher around Gaza has brought a real vibrancy onto campus. Our Stop the War group within the higher education system, NUS has abandoned all pretence of a education had led the government to call a snap election, which it won with a has grown significantly in the last few weeks. Everybody has pulled their campaign for free education in England. “Sadly,” laments NUS President Wes narrow majority. weight, done their research and made a big change at the university. We have Streeting, “for students in England it isn’t realistic, or credible, and it doesn’t However, by December, when the economic crisis started to hit, the govern- proved that protesting does work, and students have the power to make a differ- have any chance of being endorsed by any British government under Gordon ment was in even more trouble. Students once again occupied their campuses. ence. I’m really proud to be a part of what’s happening in Dundee, and I’m Brown or David Cameron”. On December 6th, police shot a 15-year old boy in Athens. This led to a series certain we will keep this momentum going.” Secondly, whereas previously the student movement was known for its of demonstrations, strikes, and student walkouts. On the Monday morning, While the wave of occupations and protests was backed by 17 members of controversial international solidarity measures (such as the anti-Apartheid students in hundreds of schools organised strikes and descended on local police the University and College Union (UCU) National Executive, others — univer- campaign), the current NUS leadership defines itself as “pragmatic”, i.e. stations to protest. The following day, teachers walked out against the killing. sity authorities, conservative academics, the National Union of Students (NUS), unwilling to court controversy unless it results in direct economic benefits for By Wednesday, the trade unions were on general strike against the government’s and some student groups — condemned the sit-ins. Nottingham University the organisation. neoliberal austerity measures. forcibly removed students on the grounds that they were “disrupting lectures”. There are now two forces that might constitute a “student movement” in There were similar events in Italy. Students occupied campuses, roads, and Academics from the political right also condemned the actions. the future. The first is a “modernised”, apolitical NUS bureaucracy. NUS repre- train stations around the country in response to Silvio Berlusconi’s plan to cut Most significantly, the NUS, which had led the campaign against Apartheid sents seven million students, and has considerable power to campaign on key teaching jobs and trim £6.4 billion from the education budget. When police

Jim Wilson 10th February 2009 [email protected] FEATURES 9 Occupy and resist: the return of student radicalism? As universities around the UK and the world are occupied by their students, James Foley examines whether students are reclaiming their radical past issues. However, the evidence is quite clear: the existing student bodies will not tried to break up a student sit-in protest in Milan, 100,000 took to the streets in The movement around Gaza has brought a number of valuable lessons. For ‘campaign’ unless they can exert political influence of the most narrow variety protest at the government’s actions. instance, individualistic forms of action — such as deciding to boycott Israeli — they are happy to have a coffee and chat with Labour politicians, but not to In Ireland last week, 15,000 students protested the introduction of tuition oranges at Tesco — do not inspire people. However, boycotts that are adopted lead a student movement against the Labour government’s policies. According fees in universities. The demonstrators directed their anger at the ruling party by collective bodies — such as the BAE divestment at Dundee University — to their opponents, this is partly because holding a position in the NUS bureauc- Fianna Fáil, chanting “no cutbacks, no fees, no Fianna Fáil TDs”. Taoiseach can engage thousands of students in progressive political action. racy is seen by many as the mainline from student politics, to influence inside Brian Cowan has told the Irish people that their living standards will have It took the actions of only a few dedicated students — combined with the the Labour Party. to drop by 10% in the next decade due to the economic crisis. The Union of sympathy of hundreds who signed petitions to bring about an Extraordinary The fledgling movement of student occupations and demonstrations over Students in Ireland (USI) President Shane Kelly told the Irish Times, “We’re General Meeting — to force the vote in the first place. We should ask ourselves: Gaza provides a second force to consider. It is currently very small. While a few not going to stand by and allow the Government to use us as scapegoats to what if these campaigns were led by the student unions? How many could we of the occupations were large, most were the actions of about 50 students. fund massive deficits that have been allowed to develop by the presidents of mobilise against cuts? What changes could we force on the university and the However, the movement scored remarkable successes around the country, the universities.” government if our student leaders were willing to learn from their colleagues in despite opposition from the existing student bureaucracy and despite their Student protests have even spread to the United States of America. 100 Greece, France, Italy, and Ireland? limited forces, because they were audacious and they took on the university students occupied the New School University, New York, in December, authorities directly. If the tactics of direct action continue to score successes, releasing the following statement: “In the midst of a recession, with the threat of unemploy- they could be implemented on a larger scale to force concessions on wider “We have just occupied New School University. ment looming over graduates and current students, we will issues like debt, fees, and grants. “We liberate this space for ourselves, and all those who want to join us, for be forced to fight to defend our interests.” In the midst of a recession, with the threat of unemployment looming over our general autonomous use. We take the university in explicit solidarity with graduates and current students, we will be forced to fight to defend our interests. those occupying the universities and streets in Greece, Italy, France and Spain. Relying on student unions or the NUS to solve problems does not work. This will require national, coordinated action by millions of students (and not “This occupation begins as a response to specific conditions at the New These institutions have their own established methods, and they have proved just those in the elite, Russell Group universities). Can the tactics of occupations School, the corporatization of the university and the impoverishment of educa- time and again to be ineffective next to the potential influence they could wield. and demonstrations succeed? tion in general. However, it is not just this university but also New York City NUS represents millions of students, but the leadership acts more like a timid A series of student movements around the world point the way forward. that is in crisis: in the next several months, thousands of us will be losing our and ineffective pressure group than a genuine union, and fails to inspire action Perhaps the most obvious example is Greece, where a student revolt had previ- jobs, while housing remains unaffordable and unavailable to many and the cost among its membership, who it dismisses as apathetic. ously inspired the overthrow of the US-backed dictatorship in 1973-4. Eighteen of living skyrockets.” Politically-motivated students needs to look beyond our campuses. We can months ago, student protests and occupations over the privatisation of higher Although these protests evolved in separate national contexts, their essential act as a detonator to wider movements, like trade unions, because we have education had led the government to call a snap election, which it won with a features are similar. They have all involved radical direct action; they have all the ability to organise on a day-to-day basis on campus. We must recognise, narrow majority. involved large numbers of students; and they have all been directed at the cuts though, that the agenda of the existing political parties is not the same as ours, However, by December, when the economic crisis started to hit, the govern- students are facing due to the economic crisis. Students around the world are and look to forces that might support us. ment was in even more trouble. Students once again occupied their campuses. making links between living standards and the policies of their government. Many student representatives ask me: why would a nurse or a teacher want On December 6th, police shot a 15-year old boy in Athens. This led to a series After strikes involving millions of workers, President Nicolas Sarkozy of to back our campaigns? By protesting about our living standards, are we not of demonstrations, strikes, and student walkouts. On the Monday morning, France was forced to delay cuts to high school education for fears of further just draining money from an already limited public purse? students in hundreds of schools organised strikes and descended on local police protests. Mass student movements are willing to set their agenda against that of People who make this argument forget that nurses and teachers once stations to protest. The following day, teachers walked out against the killing. the existing political parties, whereas our political bodies are unwilling to break benefited from a university education, and will one day look to send their own By Wednesday, the trade unions were on general strike against the government’s with establishment politics. children there. Thus, they have as much interest in defending free education and neoliberal austerity measures. Students in Britain who want to defend their living standards in the context grants as we do. If we are willing to search out support with groups of workers There were similar events in Italy. Students occupied campuses, roads, and of a failing economic system now face a stark choice. Either we accept the who share our interests, they will gladly give it. train stations around the country in response to Silvio Berlusconi’s plan to cut boundaries established by the present student leadership, or we organise around In the meantime, let us remember that Glasgow University is our university, teaching jobs and trim £6.4 billion from the education budget. When police them and hope, by our actions, to shake their complacency. our space. Let’s not be too timid to use it.

Duncan Brown Jim Wilson 10 FEATURES [email protected] 10th February 2009

TheAs Glasgow’s arts scene word gets all poetic, Nafees Mahmudon reveals the the charm and purposestreet of the spoken word

have a dark and dreadful confession to once also suggested that a sane mind will certain — poetry in Glaswegian poetry is in a Many of those reading may have horrible make. I write poetry.” The opening words never be able to attain poetic excellence. Does healthy state. memories of being forced into dissecting boring of Stephen Fry’s guide to writing poetry the rise in poetry events suggest a Back in 2005 a new poetry group, Seeds of poems, word for word, at school and wonder why showcase the stereotypical view many decline in the mental health Thought, was set up and began hosting events anyone would want to use poetry as a means of take of this artform. Many perceive of this city’s inhabit- expressing themselves. A number of those at the I “Many perceive poetic musings poetic musings as being akin to ants? One would events say it is the immediacy that attracts; it is PIN numbers: they are to be certainly hope as being akin to PIN numbers: quicker and cheaper to express yourself through kept to oneself, and not uttered not. However, they are to be kept to oneself” a poem than other forms of writing and art. For to another soul. However, one thing is many it also feels more natural; an extension this isn’t necessarily so in of the easily accessed skills, used in everyday Scotland’s friendliest city. around the city, prior to establishing itself at the writing, combined with the emotions arising out Over the past four Centre for Contemporary Arts on Sauchiehall of everyday occurrences. years, there has been a Street. At the first few evenings, turnout peaked at So what is causing the rise in writers sharing welcome upsurge in around thirty people, with attendees comprising their work publicly? Tom Coles of DEtM points the number of spoken mostly family members and friends without to the creative writing courses at Glasgow and word events. But an interest in poetry, supporting the ambitious Strathclyde University as an impetus for the why has this been the readers and performers. increase in confidence of new writers. It is also case? Founding member Tawona Sithole observed the inspiration and encouragement that can be The 17th century how crowd numbers increased at each subse- gained by hearing others' work when in attend- academic Richard quent event, as initial attendees who came as ance at events around the city. Burton bluntly stated support were pleasantly surprised by what they Perhaps some people are determined to reach “all poets are mad." heard at the CCA. out to others in an intimate atmosphere, as a S o c r a t e s Word spread beyond family and friends, and way of stepping back from the world of virtual the crowd numbers started increasing. Seeds of communication which can disconnect us from Thought now attracts a crowd of approximately communicating effectively with those in our one hundred at each event it hosts. In the same locality, despite increasing the ease of interac- year as Seeds of Thought was launched, St tion on a global scale. Mungo’s Mirrorball was set up at Glasgow “It is quicker and cheaper to ex- School of Art, and still runs strong today, presenting international poets that range from press yourself through a poem Somalia’s Garriye to local legends such as Liz than other forms of writing and Lochhead. art” 2006 saw the birth of two more events in the West end; Don’t Eat the Microphone, But is Glasgow unique amongst the nation’s now at Tchai Ovna, and Last Monday at cities in the outburst of spoken word enthusi- Rio. Robin Cairns, founder of the latter, asts? The Edinburgh scene has withered, largely suggests the growth is down to the do-it- due to key players on the scene moving away, yourself attitude that permeates certain or onto other projects. One of the major happen- folds of society, as seen prominently, for ings was Big Word, a slam-orientated event example, within music. which ran for ten years, ending last April. Many The scene is not tied down by the Edinburgh poets, such as Anita Govan, now bureaucracy of dependence on funding travel to participate in the vibrant Glasgow bodies, council initiatives or educa- platform. However, Newcastle and Manchester tion committees, but is instead run have growing circuits, with the former having by enthusiastic groups of people, recently benefitted from investments into arts hustling to create a platform projects, spawning a fertile foundation from for voices to be heard from. which new writers can emerge. The technical simplicity Boundary crossing arts nights are also on the of presenting spoken word rise in Glasgow, with nights such as Monosyllabic pushes aside the barrier of and Cryptic Rain combining music, visual art cost, and has allowed those and spoken word. Those there for the other art with passion — but little money forms are being won over, increasing their urge — to propagate the art, with to indulge themselves more in similies, meta- established arts becoming a phors, rhyme and reason. networking ground for poets The danger of all the current activity in and promoters. In 2007 for Glasgow is the possibility of over-saturation, example, Expression was resulting in a decline of quality and and subse- launched at the ICafe, as a quently quantity, in terms of the number of result of like-minded people opportunities to hear and take part in poetry meeting at the events listed readings; just as the launch of one night led above. The emergence of to others following suit in the past, one night vast talent also means that closing could have a domino effect on others in new events are needed the future. to accommodate all the Of course, the potential for a possible down- poets who are willing to turn in the ease with which amateur poetry can set aside their inhibitions, be experienced around Glasgow, if anything, is and pick up a microphone yet another reason to get involved in the spoken David McReadie in front of their peers. word as soon as possible. 10th February 2009 [email protected] DEBATE 11 Stem cell research: Murder or medicine? Autodidakt companies who wished to make a profit out of the military, Orthodoxy the biggest cash-bovine hybrid in the UK research industry. Glasgow University still has extensive corporate links to BAE Systems. BAE sold weapons to Suharto’s regime in Indonesia as he was organising a genocide against the people of East Timor, in which a third of the population was killed. BAE bribed the murderous dictatorship of General Pinochet >>James Foley to secure arms contracts. BAE have previously sold weapons >>Aidan Cook to Mugabe, and they now sell - via an American subsidiary - components for the F-16s that Israel used to massacre civil- Paperback science fiction, religious hysteria, and Stalin’s ians in Gaza. I am not a scientist. And I’m certainly no expert in stem botched attempt to crossbreed a human-ape Red Army in the I would say there is a strong ethical case not to participate cell research. What is important here, however, is more the 1930s have combined to make people suspicious of genetic in military research with BAE. The arguments against stem general morality than the biological details. So I will try and research. Some students proclaim themselves mortified that cell research, by contrast, are moralistic, outdated, and based avoid anything too precise and stick to guiding principles lank-haired boffins are investigating stem cell technology on a limited grasp of current scientific developments. and broad pros and cons. There are certainly some aspects right under our noses at Glasgow University. As research progresses, the notion of embryo gulags of stem cell research which immediately call for caution. I Now and again, the hysteria boils over and some frothing running out of Glasgow University biology departments think I can fairly safely draw the distinction between research at the mouth Christian will be rolled out to proclaim the evils is increasingly redundant. Induced Pluripotent Cell tech- on adult stem cells and research on embryonic stem cells. of modern science. One poster at the GUU warned of the nology allows non-Pluripotent cells (such as skin cells) to be The former involves the use of stem cells collected from dangers of a human-bovine hybrid. Udder infections? No, reprogrammed into stem cells. The technology is in its early developed human tissue, while the latter uses cells sourced nothing that specific. Just the “dangers” of “abominations”. stages, but if we directed funding away from “Homeland through the destruction of an embryo. The denizens of the Beer Bar are not alone in their Security” into research that actually improves our grasp of When the Archbishop of Canterbury spoke at the univer- scepticism. It seems that hardly anyone likes the biological our own biology its benefits could be fully explored. sity last year, he warned against “that aspect of stem cell sciences these days. Only 25% of Britons believe that Most scientific developments are, in themselves, ethically research and the whole biogenetics world which encourages Darwin’s theory of evolution is “definitely true”. Around neutral. The real issue is: who funds them, and who bene- us to think of human tissue and human organs in a more 10% believe that the “Young Earth” theory (i.e. the notion fits? Genetically modified foods have the potential to feed functionalist way.” There is quite evidently a large dose of that the Earth was created by God less than 10,000 years millions of starving people in Africa, if the technology was this functionalism in embryonic stem cell research. To see an ago) is superior to Evolution. That presumably means that 1 subject to democratic scrutiny and scientists were rewarded embryo only in terms of what it can provide to fully-devel- in 10 people you meet believes that the inhabitants of Ancient for enhancing human welfare. oped humans entirely misses the point of what an embryo is. Egypt built pyramids to defend themselves against roving Unfortunately, the best paid scientists are those who It is not a source of raw materials, but is a human life in itself, T-Rex attacks. enhance corporate profits. “Terminator technology”, which albeit an underdeveloped one. The cells can be made into I find all this scepticism rather odd. Biological science causes the second generation of GM seeds to be infertile, has different types of tissue but will always be the same human has vastly improved the quality of human life and has been the potential to destroy the social fabric of third world coun- being, or at the very least the same potentiality. responsible for few fatalities. War, by contrast, destroys tries and make farmers dependent on corporations. millions of lives every year in the name of profit. We should push to make sure the potential of stem cell “To see an embryo only in terms of what it Until June last year, Glasgow University was home to research is exploited for human need, not corporate profit. a grouping called Aerodynamics, Defence, and Security Whereas weapons technology is inherently destructive — can provide to fully-developed humans en- Markets who “intended to support companies interested in and “Homeland Security” inherently a euphemism for state tirely misses the point of what an embryo is.” participating in collaborative research [and] development repression — new technologies in biology can make the projects that will help realise opportunities in aerospace, world a more equitable place, as long as we push for their defence, security and related markets“. In other words, those correct implementation. A relatively useful analogy can be drawn with organ donation and transplants. In effect, destructive embryonic research has many similarities with the killing of a man to harvest his organs: even if the transplants were to save many Glasgow University lives, this would not justify the killing itself. But it is not just embryonic stem cell research that is in danger of suffering an overdose of functionalism. The proposal last year to allow tissue to be removed from incapacitated adults, and indeed children, for the purposes of stem cell research turned the Scottish Student Newspaper of the Year human being into a harvestable source of goods. Life is a mystery that goes beyond our current under- standing, and so we must be particularly cautious when treading in the far reaches of this understanding. It is not a Is your advertising reaching students? choice between science and ethics but a matter of guiding science down an ethical route. We must be careful to draw a distinction between research with human tissue and experi- Glasgow University Guardian, Scotland’s top student newspaper, is looking for ments on human beings. And we must remember that the advertising partners for the current year. emphasis is on the human and not the tissue; that the human always comes first. The ethical route also seems to be We distribute across Glasgow University and the West End of the city, reaching producing the most promising results, which makes the right decision even easier to make. thousands of potential customers every issue. Our rates are extremely None of these is a decisive argument against all stem competitive, and we offer discounts for local businesses. cell research or treatment, nor are they meant to be. They do, however, suggest that we should be cautious over how For more information, please contact us directly: stem cells are collected and used. We must remember that Tel: 0141 341 6215 the ends do not necessarily justify the means. At a time when President Obama is being praised for realising that the Email: [email protected] gathering of intelligence does not justify torture, it would be contradictory to suggest that the potential benefits of unethical research outweigh the loss of respect for human life. Even in this world, some things are absolute. 12 EDITORIAL [email protected] 10th February 2009

Glasgow University John McIntyre Building University Avenue Glasgow G12 8QQ

T: 0141 341 6215 E: [email protected] glasgowguardian.co.uk www.glasgowguardian.co.uk Our self preservation society Keeping yourself occupied The actions of wildcat strikers, in reaction to tices occurring in Britain – a good way to start Interest groups such as the Stop the War have seemed too fantastic if it hadn’t already the employment of foreign workers at Lindsey picking at the threads of an established method Coalition (SWC) and the Scottish Palestine happened, and that Strathclyde should so will- Refinery, are at best absurd, and at worst a of doing business that works, and has done so Solidarity Campaign (SPSC) seem to split ingly agree to almost all of their occupiers’ shameful indication that flagrant xenophobia is for a number of years. students into two camps. While there are plenty demands is equally surprising. Strathclyde were acceptable in Britain today. Worryingly, the figurehead of the cry ‘British of sympathisers and supporters, a surprisingly faced with some very taxing demands, and their Although at first glance it is hard to see jobs for British workers’ is the man leading our large number of students find ‘that bunch’ very offer to hold a public debate on the future of why a French-owned refinery in the UK would country. His bizarre pledge in 2007 has adorned annoying. Perhaps its all the aggressive rhetoric BAE Systems’ relationship with the University choose to import Italian labour, rather than placards all across the UK, with sympathy and blocking the steps of the Queen Margaret must have been the most diplomatic solu- employing from the area local to the refinery, strikes sharing the same bizarre notion that a Union, perhaps it’s the volatile persecution tion, especially given the considerable sums the reality of the situation is extremely simple. Brit has more right to a job than anyone else. complex, or maybe its just the hats and scarves. of money that are no doubt involved in any The creation of the positions was done so by an Quite what possessed Brown to utter these The most common complaint seems to be; dealing with the company. Italian company, working for the refinery as a words is anyone’s guess – they readmore like “Well they’re never going to stop the war from At the time of going to press our own sub-contractor; why should they be forced to a BNP pamphlet than the speech notes of the here so why don’t they just give it a rest?” occupation continues. Surely the principal will take on staff from another country, if those in Prime Minister – but the result has been the Such complainers should be made to eat be feeling the pressure not just from them, but the UK are so vehemently against the idea? For encouragement of a truly backwards frame of their words since, in the past few weeks, these also from the example set by Strathclyde and such a vocally determined group of protesters, mind, in relation to those who are legitimately groups have brought radical changes not just Dundee. As our university would not match the those on strike are remarkably hypocritical. allowed to work and live in the UK. to the institutions we inhabit, but hopefully gestures made by its sister universities the irate To put it another way, it’s very easy to pull Essentially, the actions of those involved changes that will be noticed on a more global reaction from those pushing for solidarity with up an example of an entire UK industry that are selfish, childish, and embarrassing; jobs scale. This sudden wave of political activity in Gaza is unsurprising. makes the most of the Common Market in the should be for the best workers, not those who universities across Britain has provided long Whether in favour of, or in disagreement very way that strikers are objecting to. British happen to be nearby. It should bring out the awaited evidence that protest can make a differ- with their agenda, one has to appreciate the tour operators export UK staff to foreign coun- best in people, by trying to better others, not ence. Though the nature of the occupations has product of their efforts. It is an admirable feat tries every year; entire resorts are filled with the worst, by trying to exclude them from generally been peaceful, the tactic of targeting that a small group of passionate activists can staff who are alien to the region (I should competing. In the current financial climate, the central nervous system of a university, lean on an institution as massive as a university, know, I was one before university). It creates Britain needs to be less of an island off the i.e. the registry, seems faintly inspired by the armed with nothing but an argument and a peti- fantastic job opportunities abroad, and thanks coast of the EU proper; with attitudes like Bolshevik revolution, and has proved almost as tion. Perhaps this achievement will raise their to the EC, there’s no need to worry about visas those of the Lindsey Refinery strikers making effective in achieving its goals. profile in the eyes of otherwise disinterested or work permits. Narrow-minded nationals here headlines, we are in danger of being branded an The very idea that Dundee University should students, though judging by some reactions it are complaining about similar business prac- economic leper colony. completely disinvest from BAE Systems would might just serve to increase the divide. Photo of the week — Sean Anderson Winter arrives at last, as snow falls on the Kibble Palace in Glasgow's Botanic Gardens 10th February 2009 [email protected] LETTERS 13 To the Editors… Dear Editors, Glasgow University It was difficult not to have a wry smile at the conclusion of your editorial article on the Scottish Government’s consultation on student 21st January 2009 Scottish Student Newspaper of the Year funding (21st Jan 2009). Surely the “criti- On the road again Friday, bloody Friday Kate Winslet goes for gold in the Ninety years on, is the Clyde still a cising and nit-picking from their position of latest offering from Sam Mendes hotbed of communism? relative political impotence” statement is more Film Features applicable to your good selves and your stance Zoe Grams Rob Miller than the Scottish government. SNP “betray” You mention the commitments the Graduate students over There’s nothing glamorous about elec- Government has had to make to other projects: grants pledge tions. They’re full of cold-looking people your readers will be aware that the SNP, as a Ross Mathers standing on a hill, handing out flyers; dozens minority government, has had to have a broader staff fight THE HIGHER EDUCATION of manifestos to be read and deciphered; and funding system in Scotland looks set set of priorities which are more reflective of to face considerable changes in the reminders all over campus that you should do coming years. parliament and therefore less reflective of the The Scottish Government have your duty and vote. announced various plans to update initial manifesto. for fair pay the student support structure in line I asked a room full of people how to make Sarah Smith overdue, given that the last pay with the idea that people should have Exclusive rise was made in October 2002 and access to learning on the basis of You have criticised the SNP over the council consisted of an extra fifty-five pence their academic merits, not on their elections sound interesting and was greeted UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW per hour. ability to pay. tax issue, saying that the freeze was a “compro- employees are campaigning for better Guardian spoke to one of the A 41-page consultation, launched with the blankest bunch of faces I’ve seen working conditions, having received campaign’s original activists about in December by the Secretary for mised election pledge.” However the manifesto no rise in pay for seven years. the situation many teaching assistants Education and Lifelong Learning, since a pub-quiz host asked the room to name Graduate teaching assistants currently find themselves in. Fiona Hyslop, will examine the with which you claim to be familiar stated this (GTAs), many of whom are still The spokesperson for the different options available to tackle a 19th Century French chemist. studying as post-graduate students, campaign, who asked not to be named, the financial problems currently was the route to be taken- an initial freeze then have not received a pay increase explained: “Graduate teaching assist- faced by students. And, you know, elections really don’t seem since 2002 and, in some instances, ants are casual workers, meaning that The consultation has been set replacement with Local Income Tax. are effectively earning less than the they are hired without a contract. up in order to consider the possible all that exciting. But, like going to the gym, or national minimum wage. “This is unusual because many replacement of student loans with Again your statement about the SNP A letter and petition with 76 other UK universities do provide a grants - as was pledged by the SNP in baking a pack of Tom and Jerry cupcakes, the signatures, including those of senior contract for teaching assistants, along its 2007 Election Manifesto. waiting for an unpredicted recession as the members of staff, was submitted with holiday and sick pay. However, despite this manifesto results are worth it. on December 17 to the Principal, “Glasgow University claims that pledge, two further options have been “right moment” is ludicrous. The SNP made the Secretary of Court, the Head it is one of the top universities in the laid out in the paper: to increase the Elections are the foundation of the of Human Resources, and to each country for its outstanding teaching minimum level of overall income clear during the comprehensive spending Faculty Dean. quality, however, a large proportion available; or a combination that Students’ Representative Council, and the The letter claims that an of its teaching staff are given only would see increasing income and a increase in the hourly rates for £17.85 per contact hour.” Tony Benn outlines his latest political vision >> page 7 reduction in debt. review in November 2007, that due to no other graduate teaching assistants is long (Continued on page 6) (Continued on page 4) people who are elected choose what Council parties in parliament supporting their student will focus their energies on over the coming finance proposals; being forced to commit to months. the Edinburgh Trams project (at a cost of over Uni rugby club suspended for rest of year Do you think too many points are deducted THE FUTURE OF ONE OF GLASGOW Colin Daniels Representative Council (SRC), felt the punish- continued misconduct within the Union, with £500 million!) and the tightest financial settle- University’s oldest sports clubs is in jeopardy ment was justified because it protects the inter- the Principal, Sir Muir Russell, received a letter when you hand an essay in late? Do you value following a decision by the University Court On two occasions, club members were ests of the wider student body. of complaint over members’ actions accompa- ment from Westminster since 1999 that the last month. found to be consuming alcohol on a GUSA He said: “The reputation of GURFC and the nied by photographic evidence. student media? Do you resent having to pay Glasgow University Rugby Football Club minibus, following which all travelling privi- behaviour of some of its members were detri- GUU President Chris Birrell explained: "At current £30 million pound proposal would be (GURFC), founded in 1869, has been prohib- leges were suspended. In a separate incident, mental to the University and its students. the beginning of last semester, we sat down council tax as a part-time student? ited from using the University’s name and the club returned an external hire vehicle “The SRC supported GUSA in its decision with the rugby club and highlighted the trouble made available to aid the transition from grants facilities as of January 1. containing vomit. as they were in the best position to decide on there had been in recent years. The SRC has a positive working rela- The drastic action, advocated by Glasgow More recently, the club’s annual dinner the appropriate action to be taken.” “We set out a clear path of disciplinary to loans. University Sports Association (GUSA) and was shut down after details of inappropriate The final straw for GURFC appears to measures that would be taken if these circum- tionship with the University and its depart- unanimously approved at the last meeting of behaviour were published in the Scotsman in have been the club's banning from the Glasgow stances continued; unfortunately, they did, so The SNP continue to have the best proven the Court, comes after an array of controversial March last year. University Union (GUU) last October. we had to take the last resort of banning all resi- ments. We work closely with members of staff incidents over the last three years. Gavin Lee, President of the Students’ This step was taken following reports of dent members of the club.” (Cont. on page 2) track record in supporting Scotland’s students, Editors: George Binning & Film Editors: Emily McQueen- Contributors: Harry Akehurst, to ensure that students are getting the best leaving the debt-loving Lib-Lab pact far behind. James Porteous Govan & Lewis Porteous Laura Cernis, Catriona Reilly, possible teaching and overall experience from They have abolished the Graduate Endowment Deputy Editor: Tom Bonnick Lifestyle Editors: Michelle Eleanor Mitchell, Jessica their time at Glasgow. If you have a problem, or fee, introduced grants for part-time students News Editor: Sarah Smith Williams & David Kirkpatrick McBride, James Maxwell, an opinion on how things could be improved, and are consulting widely on the best way to Features Editors: Tara Picture Editor: Jim Wilson Nafees Mahmud, Colin Daniels, the SRC can work with the University to make Hepburn & Pete Ramand Reporters: Craig MacLellan, Laura Doherty take the issue forward. Your editorial stance and Sports Editor: Harry Tattersall Ross Mathers, Amy McGregor Photographers: Luke Winter, this happen. If there’s a bigger, national issue your front page headline were both misleading Smith Columnists: Aidan Cook, Sean Anderson, Benzo Harris, that affects students, we lobby Parliament. and inaccurate. Music Editor: Oisín Kealy James Foley, Jamie Ross Scott McGinlay Remember the graduate endowment? Thanks The Glasgow University Guardian is editorially independent of the SRC and University. All to the work of the SRC, you no longer have David Baird complaints should be adressed to the editors, who can be reached via the above contact details. to pay an extra £2000 when you graduate. Not glamorous, just essential. This newspaper is funded through and supported by the President, Glasgow University Students' Representitive Council. Nominations close on the 13th February at GU Scottish Nationalist Association 4pm so when you read this there’s still time to think about standing for a position on Council. Dear Editors, peace; indeed, I could list at least half-a-dozen However, one must question the inconsistency You don’t need any previous experience or conflicts that are still ongoing long after the of the students who vociferously express their knowledge, just 2 things: a desire to create The conflict that precipitated the recent growth bombs of Israeli F16s have ceased to fall. anger over Palestinian deaths and yet, to my positive change at University, and passion for in the number of protests against Israel’s Most such conflicts have seen death tolls far in eyes, completely ignore a conflict responsible what you do. Well, 3 if you include the online conduct has ended, yet the protests, if anything, excess of the toll incurred within this small part for significantly more casualties. nomination form you can find at: have increased in frequency and hostility as of of the Middle East, such deaths taking place I can’t help but feel that many people, on www.glasgowstudent.net. late. It is in relation to this matter that I write over a similarly long period. account of the many posters and protest organ- If you don’t want to get involved to such to yourselves, and to my fellow students as a The most pertinent example, given its isers scattered across campus, have allowed an extent, use your right to vote on 4th and whole, in order to express my annoyance at this. current newspaper coverage, is the conflict themselves to succumb to the increasingly 5th March. Between the 16th February and We hear from the organisers of such events between the Sri Lankan government and the distasteful herd mentality of only focusing on then you’ll be able to read all candidates’ of the “war-crimes” committed by the IDF; the Tamil Tigers. Since the late 1980s, it is believed Israel. manifestos online so there’s plenty of time to continuing iniquities committed against the that roughly 70,000 people have been killed in find out what people are wanting to do when Palestinian people that, if the number of said Sri Lanka. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has Edward Wallace elected. protests is anything to go by, are unmatched by seen the deaths of approximately one-tenth this any other state on this earth. Against such asser- number of people over a similar period of time. Glasgow University Guardian welcomes letters Correction tions, I must take umbrage. Now, I don’t doubt for a second that the to the editors; a selection are printed each The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is by no students that partake in protests against Israeli issue. Please mark them ‘To the Editors — for In the last issue of the paper, Gerry McKeever means a solitary fly in the ointment of world policy are strongly supportive of world peace. printing’, and send them to the above address. should have been credited as Music Editor. 14 SPORT [email protected] 10th February 2009 Kelvin Hall hosts 2014 warm-up GU denied by Harry Tattersall Smith late strike Glasgow’s Kelvin Hall played host to the Aviva (continued from back page) International Athletics championships. It was From the resulting set-piece, Smith charged in a heartening performance from the British and cannoned a thundering shot off the post. contingent following a wholly disappointing In the end, Strathclyde managed to complete display on the track in Beijing. a remarkable comeback. With just four minutes The weekend belonged to Mo Farah, the remaining, Clennel was unable to hold onto perennial underachiever who finally lived up Mhairi Quinan’s dangerous cross, and Emma to his potential by shattering the long standing Richardson was on hand to bundle home a UK indoor 3000m by 0.10 seconds, coming dramatic leveller. home in a time of 7 minutes 40.99 seconds. Afterwards, Glasgow coach Niall Marshall Farah, who has spent the winter training in reflected on a disappointing finale to an enthral- Kenya, looked sensational as he strolled to ling contest: “Strathclyde played well, but I victory, in a performance that he will hope can felt we deserved to win. Their third goal was propel him to a successful season, as he at last simply a freak goal and gave them the impetus seems to be offering the form that can see him and confidence to go forward in search of an compete for the major championships. The equaliser. I think that, overall, we had the bulk weekend also saw young British hopeful Craig Culture and Sport Glasgow of the play and the better chances. Pickering pick up victory in the 60m, against season she is very much out to prove herself, Athletics, as local sprint favourite Nick Smith “However, we still have important games the ever-controversial Dwain Chambers in a and at Kelvinhall she destroyed her opposition, secured qualification for the European Indoor still to play. It’s disappointing not to win today, much hyped clash. with a time of 7.95 seconds. Championships, with a superb lifetime best but it’s another point towards winning the There was a moment of redemption for Success from Scottish perspective was equalling, of 6.63 seconds, in the mens 60m. league, and we’re still in a very strong position American Lolo Ferrari in the 60m hurdles. The limited to Susan Scott, whose comfortable As Glasgow gears up to hosting the 2014 to do that.” US runner looked set to claim Olympic gold, victory in the women's 1500m strengthed her Commonwealth Games, the championships Glasgow will continue their title challange yet a stumble at the final hurdle in the Birds position as team GB's premier distance runner. at Kelvinhall have again reiterated the city's on the 18th of February, when they face St Nest, saw glory cruelly snatched away. This There were more positives for Scottish ability to successfully host showcase events. Andrews at home. Double polo victory for GUCC Sport Staff ensured the game was put to bed. The second day of competition saw both of Glasgow's first teams cruise through their respective group stages and into the The annual canoe polo competition kicked off at Glasgow’s finals, with such an ominous amount of ease that both looked Stevenson Building, with the nation’s finest descending on the destined to retain the most highly regarded trophy in Scottish West End to compete for the sport’s most coveted prize. canoe polo. In stark contrast to numerous university sports fixtures, The women’s final saw Glasgow take on their old foes St where spectators frequently number in single figures, the event Andrews, perhaps the only side currently able to challenge saw the Stevenson Building in full carnival swing, with vocif- Glasgow University’s monopoly on the sport. erous fans lining the poolside, whilst at times the whole building That said, anyone hoping for a major shock was to be disap- seemed to rock as an endless array of 80s hits thundered out over pointed as Glasgow exploded from the start, and despite playing the heads of the crowd. the majority of the match without captain Denny, the game was Organiser and women’s captain, Lorna Denny admitted all but over by half time. nerves in the build up to the spectacle, “What with the snow this After losing their captain, it was left to the duo of Amy week, it was really touch and go about whether Aberdeen were Cowell and Cath Johnstone to terrorise St Andrews and lead going to make it. Thankfully they have and I think it’s going to GUCC ladies to a resounding 5-1 triumph, completing a perfect be a really fantastic weekend” season for the team. Such have been the ladies high stand- The two day extravaganza began in front of a raucous crowd, ards this year, there seemed to be a visible disappointment in with a city derby match which saw the Glasgow women’s second conceding a late consolation goal to the Fifers, yet the final team clinically dismantled by a superior Strathclyde outfit, who whistle still sparked mass celebration amongst the Glaswegian sent out an early message of intent with a crushing 10-0 victory team and their support. over the home side. This scoreline could have been a much more The men’s final saw Glasgow take on this year’s surprise bitter pill for the GU team to swallow, had it not been for the outfit, Strathclyde. Glasgow spent the majority of the first period heroics of Ali Macleod in goal, stopping the visitors’ tally from camped in their own half as their city rivals piled on the pres- climbing further. sure in the pool. Regardless of this, one pirouette from Teng Wei The Glasgow ladies’ first team restored university pride, Keong turned defence into attack, and his through ball found with a performance that highlighted the reasons why they have Colin McMorrin in acres of space, leaving him free to slot home yet to be defeated this season. Led by captain Lorna Denny, they the goal from close range. comprehensively outclassed the Napier outfit, and attacked with At times in the tournament Teng Wei was simply untouch- such flair and flamboyance that for large spells of the match, able, and it seemed fitting that it was he who rounded off the Sean Anderson the Edinburgh side could do nothing more than simply chase competition in style. Picking up the ball in his own half, he shadows. Glasgow eventually ran out convincing 5-0 winners regarded in canoe polo circles. The Singaporean has recently unleashed an unstoppable rocket, with fans and opposition alike in the match. battled his way into the national set up, and whilst other players stopping to applaud this prodigious talent. After a couple of fairly one-sided matches, the tournament blustered around the pool, he seemed to be able to effortlessly Both teams now progress to the BUCS Cup to compete really sprang into life with Glasgow’s men’s team taking on dictate passages of play. against the top teams from the UK’s universities, where they Heriot Watt, in a high-octane match with such a degree of physi- At times you could be mistaken for thinking him disinter- will be looking to add to the season’s already extensive collec- cality that it was no surprise to learn that there was ‘history’ ested, but time after time, he exploded through the Edinburgh tion of silverware. Given the blistering performances on home between the sides. Glasgow’s Teng Wei Keong orchestrated side’s defensive ranks. Eventually, he discovered his range with turf in this competition, they will certainly advance as one of the proceedings with a display that reflected why he is so highly devastating effect, and within a couple of quick breaks had favourites to take victory in the competition. 10th February 2009 [email protected] SPORT 15 Volleyball aims to smash records Harry Tattersall Smith fine tunes his skills for the summer with the volleyball club

I guess when I think of volleyball the first things that inevitably Liverpool, and we really want to go down there, play our best come to mind is bronzed Adonis’s and bikini babes frolicking on stuff and who knows what can happen.” the beaches of Rio and Miami … but Glasgow? He is also buoyed by the growing enthusiasm in the club, I’ve come along to train with one of the fastest growing talking of a time when the club was really struggling for clubs at the university and meet with men’s captain, the highly numbers, but after another absolutely packed training session, charismatic Vihar Georgiev. everything appears to be very much on the up for the Glasgow From having played volleyball a couple of times, I perhaps University Volleyball Club. had a slightly ill-conceived notion that I was a fairly proficient Whilst then men’s squad have been fighting for survival the volleyballer/ist, yet within five minutes I’ve had my ‘technique’ women’s team seem to be romping towards the women’s title torn to shreds and my arms are bruised. I’m put right by a and promotion to the National Division One. They currently sit diminutive middle-aged women, who assures me I’m doing it all unbeaten at the summit of Division Two, and barring any major wrong and if I do this, that and the other, I’ll be on my way. hiccups, seem destined next season to once again be competing I have no plans to take heed of her advice — I mean really, against the nation’s finest. what can she know that I don’t? — but then out of nowhere, this Vihar enforces on me a very positive message, and talks to charming little lady almost leaps her own body height before me about the club’s mantra. “Of course when we play we want unleashing a farcically powerful (and ultimately emasculating) to win, but for us that is not all, for me it is about having fun smash, and it is then I concede defeat and abandon my unor- first. If you are having fun with your sport the winning will thodox style. come naturally.” Vihar hopes that in time the squads can rebuild One thing I never realised about volleyball was the degree and regain the success of past teams. “In 2005 we came runners of artistry dedicated to each move. Each play is meticulously up in both the Scottish and British University cups. We don’t thought out and repeatedly drilled until it's seemingly second want to equal those records. We want to go on and beat them!” nature. A whole array of decoys and dummies, blocks and coun- The club is a great social hub and has a real international ter-blocks. So much so, that watching it can easily see someone vibe; I play in a team of five with only two of us boasting mesmerised by the sight of several colossal six-feet-plus giants English as our first language, and this really seems to be no leaping and diving in strictly choreographed routines. anomaly. I ask a friend who has been converted to volleyball The men’s season if effectively over, and although no silver- since arriving at Glasgow about how many nationalities he ware has been won, Vihar is delighted with the squads perform- thinks are involved: “Countless, I think that’s what makes it so Landmark stem cell trial at Glasgow ance. “Last season we lost a lot of our big players, and with a great, even if there is sometimes a language barrier, everyone is squad consisting of many players new to the game, maintaining always laughing and joking around, there really seems a sense our position in the premier division is a huge achievement of community about it.” and one next season we can definitely build on.” Yet it’s not The club has its social drop in sessions on Thursday nights completely over and Vihar insists he will not allow his squad from 7.30pm at the Stevenson Building, and is definitely worth to get complacent in the aftermath of survival from a tough checking out if you want to stay fit, but cannot stomach the relegation dogfight. “We still have the BUCS trophy down in lonely hours on the treadmill. Jim Wilson Tennis club rally for play-off push Harry Tattersalll Smith yet when available his emphatic performances have given plenty of encouragement for the club members. Glasgow University Tennis Club once again Birrell has been partnered by fellow fresher reiterated its strength in depth with a crushing Tim Campbell in the first squad. Campbell 10-0 defeat of Strathclyde. has forced his way into the team with a series The result cemented their place in the of pivotal victories that have been vital in nation’s top division for next season, whilst ensuring Glasgow’s first division status. leaving them in prime position to begin to The men’s focus now turns to the BUCS generate momentum for a play-off push, as the trophy with the squad facing a trip to face league enters its penultimate round of fixtures. Warwick University. Lush speaks confidently The team’s white-washing marked an about the team’s chances: “This season has incredible dominance over their city rivals, as been frustrating for everyone. We’ve been they repeated their early season heroics with fairly erratic and injuries have cost us in impor- another faultless display. tant matches . Yet we’ll go down with a strong Captain James Lush spoke optimisti- side and if we play our best tennis we have a cally about the future of tennis at Glasgow really good chance of progressing” University: “Last season we lost a lot of our The second side,which is centred around squad, but this year we’ve been inundated with a strong contingent of Freshers, currently top a really talented bunch of freshers.” their BUCS Conference Cup pool and also have The club has been led by the talismanic a very real chance of advancing. performances of Andrew Smilie. He boasts Whilst the men’s team has lacked consist- some fairly impressive statistics, having lost ency, the women have been embroiled in a only once in several years of service for the fierce relegation battle. GUTC. Lush feels that but for injuries to In a highly competitive league, dominated several star players, the season could have by the university teams of St Andrews and been far more successful. Fresher star David Edinburgh, a shock draw with the Fife outfit Birrell, who boasts Judy Murray as his former seems to have all but guaranteed safety for the Jim Wilson coach, has seen his season hampered by injury, ladies first team. Inside: Glasgow University Canoe guardian Club host polo extravaganza

also: Guardian goes along to train with the Volleyball Club sport10th February 2008 City derby ends in stalemate Glasgow 4-4 Strathclyde

Colin Daniels

WITH EIGHT GOALS, A GLUT OF STRAMASHES AND the woodwork taking a battering, the latest womens’ derby at Glasgow proved anything but predictable, for both specta- tors and coaching staff alike. The early action gave some indication of the extraordi- nary events that were to unfold in the all-Glasgow derby; the deadlock was broken with only six minutes on the clock, as Katy Emslie stretched to meet Mhairi Robertson’s cross, before a ricochet off visiting goalkeeper Megan Holden fell kindly for the Glasgow striker to tap in from close range. Having established an early lead, the hosts sought to put the game to bed. Emma Smith’s weak back header put her defensive colleagues under pressure, but Holden ran out to clear just before Claire Henderson could latch onto the ball. Katy Hawkins came close with a looping effort from 25 yards as Glasgow looked to assert their dominance on proceedings. Disappointingly, the home side’s early advantage was wiped out by lax defending after 15 minutes. Strathclyde’s Charlene McCreath swung in a corner from the right, and Smith was afforded the freedom of the penalty box to send a simple volley past Siobhan Clennel from just six yards. The whirlwind pace of events continued with two goals inside the next eight minutes. Dana Wilson restored Glasgow’s advantage with a shrewd 20-yard volley, only for Strathclyde to draw level again, as Ciara Barnes latched onto Michelle Keating’s through ball to sidestep Clennel and fire home. The second half kicked off in the same vein as the dramatic opening period. Just thirty seconds had elapsed when Phoebe Broomfield flicked a corner onto the underside of the crossbar; the ball bounced down onto or around the goal line but the referee waved play on despite the vocif- erous protestations of the home players. Shortly afterwards, Henderson turned Julie Farquhar on the edge of the box and crashed a shot off the near post. However, It wasn’t long before Glasgow restored their lead once again. This time Paula Salmi was the provider, sending in a cross from the right, and Emslie stretched to turn the ball in. The hosts appeared home and dry 10 minutes later when Stacy Hughes blocked another effort from Emslie and Henderson pounced to score the rebound. However, the visitors were not to be beaten. The performance of Barnes, who was excellent throughout, argu- ably merited a second goal; however, the manner in which it arrived took everyone by surprise. Her inswinging corner from the left was missed by attackers and defenders alike and the ball simply dropped into the far corner of the net. Buoyed by the lifeline, Strathclyde came at their hosts. Keating surged past two Glasgow defenders before seeing her 15-yard drive turned Jim Wilson behind for a corner. (continued on page 14) The Cribs | Doubt | Celtic Connections | Recoat Gallery Local Produce Eleanor Mitchell on Glasgow’s vintage hotspots

10/02/09in SIGHT

Glasgow University 10/02/09 inSIGHT arts Cancerous Capers An urban dystopia Jessica McBride is impressed by modern uses of a traditional medium at Recoat Gallery

>> Jamie+ Ross awoke with a jolt of excitement today. I heard my door open, and through bleary eyes I saw my mother coming into the room with an en- Ivelope in her outstretched arm. What could this be? A wistful letter of love from an old flame? A massive order for Jamie Ross charity wristbands? Of course not, it was a letter from my old mates at the sperm bank. I don’t know how you like to start your day, fellow students, but I’d venture that very few of you would choose to wake up by receiving a letter straight from the desk of a sperm nurse which, in its very first sentence, informs you that you have a “slightly low sperm count“. About a month ago, I had to give a sperm sample due to the small chance that my treatment could make me infertile. I don’t know who invented chemotherapy, but his efforts to iron out the flaws in his creation can only really be described as lack- lustre. If he went on Dragon’s Den he’d no doubt present something revolutionary and fantastic, much like Reggae Reggae sauce, but it would prob- ably cause eight of your toes to fall off and make the earth explode. From left: Jacob Smith; Fraser Grey. Photos: Jim Wilson Apparently having a slightly below average count is of little consequence to me, but they hose who lament that painting is of little frame just his face. Batman seems to be struggling with the artist’s own amusement and desire. thought I’d get a kick out of this emasculating importance in art today will be satisfied to with his energy, or a force exerted from beyond the The youngest of the artists on show is Fraser piece of trivia anyway. They claim that it’s “most see what is on offer at Recoat Gallery this frame. This is one frame separated from the narra- Gray, and it is he who examines the medium of likely” down to my illness, which reads to me as a Tmonth. Paint, once the medium of high tive strip usual to a comic book; he stands alone on paint and the painted surface most profoundly thinly-veiled suggestion that I have rubbish testi- art, has been stuck in a quagmire of doubt for the the canvas on the gallery wall. What comes to mind in his work. Rather than confine his painting to cles. However, I am reassuringly told that they last forty years. Aware of this, the artists exhibiting is the sense of frisson in contemporary culture — the canvas, Gray extends the image to the wall have “great motility” which means that, although in Mixed Palette have continued the tradition of the fear of repressed inaction, and sudden thrill of beyond its edge. The painting is no longer framed perhaps low in number, they are a force to be reck- painting whilst engaging in contemporary culture heroic action. in the traditional format; instead the image now oned with. Much like the Spartan army. and the urban environment. The result is an em- Continuing in a similar vein are the works reaches out and engages with the space of the They go on to instruct me that I have to contact by Chinamike and Jacob Smith. Smith, who has viewer. In doing so, Gray makes the work on one them as soon as I enter a serious relationship so “Paint, once the medium of high been described as an ‘urban realist’, fills his large level site-specific, and on another, keeping within that they can sort out the relevant consent forms art, has been stuck in a quagmire canvases with an overlapping pastiche of manga the context of the medium of painting and canvas- for it. This begs the question, how in shitting crikey of doubt for the last forty years” figures, superheroes, and often a fetishist depiction as-object. This lessens the impact of the work as am I supposed to bring this up to the lucky lady? At of women in a slick, stylised manner. There is an a commodity object, and instead emphasises the what stage in a relationship is it acceptable for me brace and commitment to the forgotten medium, irreverence in his work too, often using one pop- relationship people have with their environment in to suggest that her name should be written onto instead of a reaction to the latest ‘ism’ or material. cultural icon to mock another cultural, historical or contemporary culture. my bottle of sperm? This is what makes the exhibition so refreshing. political figure — such as with the inclusion of Care Fraser described his pictures to Guardian as a This also means that somewhere in Ninewells Paint appears as a footnote to the subject matter Bears with the swastika painted on their bellies, or jarring combination of graphics based ‘consum- Hospital there will be an inevitably long and rather than its use being so much the issue. Through George Bush as Zorro. erist’ imagery and traditional Scottish landscape. depressing record of each successive failed rela- this approach, there is something thoroughly old- However, this continual appropriation of It seems appropriate that the Dundee based artist tionship that I have had to cancel consent for. school about the engagement with the medium, pop-culture iconography has less to do with the has chosen neon tartan as one of his main motifs Perhaps the sperm receptionist will moonlight as despite its modern urban look. shock of contradicting images, and more to do for consumerist design. a handy relationship councillor for me. ’Oh dear, The leader of the pack is Dave White, who, with its use as a visual abbreviation which can These artists and others represented in Mixed what happened this time Jamie?’ ’Same as last time prior to exhibiting at Recoat, has shared wall space understood by everyone. Comic-book and manga Palette use different kinds of paint and use them Doreen, I told her I needed her date of birth and with the likes of Andy Warhol, David Hockney and animation were traditionally the reserve interest of in diverging ways, often combining several types in address to fill out the form for her to mother my Damian Hirst. However, lest any association with male youth. Now with the inclusion of a certainly one work. Arching across this collection are refer- test tube spawn‘. Hirst ruin your regard for White, I can testify to the pornographic, almost sadomasochist rendering of ences to what was once anticipated as a future In the final paragraph they inform me that I fact that substance and skill are central to his work. women, a melding of pre-adolescent fetishism and visualised in hyper-heroic vividness, and is now don’t have AIDS, which was a relief. I think that What links White with these formidable pop artists adult fetish comes to the fore. regarded as a future that doesn’t quite function as finding out that I had both cancer and AIDS in the is that his work has a distinct, ‘cool’ mien about it. Talking to Guardian, Smith mentioned that for was expected. By showing the unreality of popular same year would have been somewhat of a bitter The one painting exhibited at Recoat is from his next project he planned a series of paintings of and contemporary culture, one gets the sense of a pill to swallow. Anyway, it was on that bombshell his latest series ‘Superheroes and Villains’. Batman is nude ladies in wrestling masks, which will undoubt- dystopian vision of the future amid the reality of that the letter ended and I was left to pick over the animated with swift, thick oil stokes; the reference edly provoke mixed emotional responses. Perhaps the urban environment. prospect of living my life knowing I make slightly is pop, though unlike the smooth, clean and flat this is a critique of the predominance of sexualised Mixed Palette at Recoat Gallery is exhibiting less sperm than a normal man, but it’s okay, because application used by Warhol and Lichtenstein, his imagery and escapism continually on offer in the until 1st March 2009. For more information, visit they could have AIDS. protagonist’s surface is expressive and cropped to common culture, although I fear it’s more to do www.recoatdesign.com film inSIGHT PAGE 3 An interminably long story Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist surprise! — Tris and Tal (see? The exes have the same alliterative initials as well!) await. Not quite content Dir: Peter Sollett with beating his audience around the head with the obvious stick, Sollett has both his lead actors face the On general release now same, terrible conundrum, in obvious homage to Sophie’s Choice — stick around at the gig with all these >> Tom Bonnick douchebags, or be totally original and split? The laziness with which their relationship is structured would be more irritating if it were not for the fact that it is literally the only semblance of story holding the whole s its title suggests, there is very little more to Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist than one long, ex- rambling, boring tale together. tended boast about how cool a load of underground bands are. Perhaps its lack of conventional In Juno, the film whose aesthetic Infinite Playlist most transparently attempts to replicate, the self- narrative and motifs of perpetual searching and deferred potential are reminiscent of Joyce’s consciously weird characters and obscure music references are silly but excusable, thanks to an ultra-smart AUlysses; but strictly speaking this, would only be true if Ulysses sucked. script and some great casting. In stark comparison, I remain unconvinced that there ever was a script for Michael Cera — whose portrayals of highschoolers are ever more unconvincing — plays Nick to Kat such a turgid farce of independent cinema, and now marks the point that I have fallen out of guy-love for Denning’s Norah, two totally original indie-hipsters who just don’t fit in with their crowds; Queercore punk Cera; a feat I thought would be impossible after Arrested Development. bands and harems of drunken bitches, respectively. Across a single night of po-faced indifference, the unhappy couple emote in a faux-charming manner so nauseatingly contrived that it does not merely beg the question ‘Who the hell cares?’, but indeed, the larger issue, ‘Who the hell thought anyone would care, and would then go ahead and gamble large sums of money on such a surely misguided premise?’ Our Montague and Capulet both spend the night trying to extricate their lives from those of their troublesome exes, rescue Norah’s inebriated friend Caroline from the ignominy of having to face the consequences of her actions, and uncover the location of a gig by their favourite band, the super-cool Where’s Fluffy? As if to underscore how awesome his two leads are — and, by the transitive properties of awesome- eness, how privileged we should consider ourselves to be witnessing their lives — director Peter Sollett constantly draws attention to the fact that Dumb and Dumber are the only ones who really understand Where’s Fluffy, whereas everyone else are just a bunch of shallow, phoney scenesters. Except Caroline, who maybe would be all right, if she weren’t throwing up all the time. Phoney. Catharsis finally comes when Nick awesomely abandons his detritus — sorry, ex — Tris, as she patheti- cally dances for him on the riverbank in the most sluttish fashion imaginable, by driving away announced to leave her stranded. I know; could he more gallant and alternative, right? Meanwhile, Norah hilariously has a couple of zeroes added to her boyfriend’s bar tab in retaliation to his — equally pathetic — pleas for her uber-producer dad to check out his band’s demo. Jeez, Norah, nepotism exists, and is the only way anyone ever gets ahead; stop being such a playa hater. The tedium not quite over, Sense and Sensibility finally head over to the Where’s Fluffy gig, where —

Notorious Voletta (Angela Bassett) in 1970s Brooklyn. Dropping out of school at songs which drive the narrative and reveal the cultural significance of 17 he starts selling drugs on the streets, in order to support his preg- Biggie’s career and his feud with fellow dead legend Tupac Shakur. The Dir: George Tillman Jr. nant girlfriend. After a brief stint in prison he is noticed by Sean ‘P. film rests on Rapper Jamal ‘Gravy' Woolard’s excellent performance as Released 13th February Diddy’ Coombs, who helps him realise his potential as one of the most Biggie. His congested delivery comes frighteningly close to matching innovative and significant artists in the history of hip hop, falling just Biggie’s voice, and he does a terrific job in assuming and inhabiting >> Emily McQueen-Govan short of R. Kelly. the rapper’s larger-than-life persona, and undeniable charm. Naturi ast biopics concerning the rap industry have been a largely Whilst Biggie is generally portrayed as a gentle soul, Notorious Naughton nails the role of Biggie’s lover and sluttish protégée Lil’ Kim, hit and miss affair, which is to say that 50 Cent's ‘Get Rich or doesn’t shy away from his infidelities and the other less savoury acts while Derek Luke’s performance as Puff Daddy successfully conveys Die Tryin’’ wasn’t all that great. Eminem’s ‘8 Mile’ fared bet- he committed; neglecting the daughter he and his first wife spawned the shrewd and opportunistic business man. If the picture fails, it is in Pter, though admittedly it was semi-fictionalised. 'Notorious’, and selling drugs to a pregnant woman. Whilst the film does focus its portrayal of Tupac Shakur (Anthony Mackie) which somehow fails which some are already touting as an urbanised ‘Walk the Line’, chron- on the famous East Coast/West Coast feud it never fully explains the to capture the explosive and volatile charm underlying the rapper’s icles the life of the famous East Coast rapper Notorious B.I.G., aka Big- events surrounding the death of Biggie, and fails to explore the many conflicted personality. gie Smalls. The film charts his rise in fame and the events surrounding myths surrounding the conflict. For anyone interested in the history of hip-hop in the 1990s, old his mysterious death at the age of 24. The musical score is well woven into the film, largely due to the and new fan alike, Notorious is a must see, and looks set to introduce Born Christopher Wallace, Biggie is brought up by his mother concert sequences and the tracks that marked his rise and fall. It is the the work of Biggie Smalls to a new generation of fans.

Doubt doesn’t succumb to every temptation facing those have her adversary removed from his post, buoyed applauded in the past. Adams manages to combine converting material meant for the stage onto by little more than an unshakeable internal convic- endearing charm with her position as the uncom- Dir: John Patrick Shanley screen, there is still a feel of occasionally unneces- tion. For the scenes the two share, both Streep and promised moral centre of the play: unwilling to go On general release now sary expansion and clumsily repeated visual motifs Hoffman are masterful: playing off one another along with her colleague’s vendetta, and unsullied >> Tom Bonnick that are inserted for no reason other than that like a pair of seasoned boxers, neither conceding by accusations. they could be. ground, throwing jabs, and all the while Better still is Viola Davis, playing the mother of t first glance, Doubt seems like little more Philip Seymour Hoffman is maintaining a fragile equilibrium of Miller, who with a single scene manages to steal the than a consummate exercise in box tick- Father Flynn, the young priest power and evenly proportioned entire film from under Streep’s nose. She is simply ing — it’s got everything. Period setting? attempting to broaden the senses of righteousness. Individu- magnificent — flawed, emotionally broken, and ACheck! Nuns? Meryl Streep? The vague appeal of Catholicism with ally, or when faced with one of willing to sacrifice almost every motherly instinct threat of incipient paedophilia? Thrice check! Upon an affable and pragmatic the remaining members of the so that her son can have an education; and the real closer inspection, this may seem unfairly cynical; approachability, whilst all ensemble, however, and both wonder behind Davis’ performance is its compas- after all, the story is adapted from John Patrick the time struggling against the of these performances feel curi- sionately rendered, eminent believability. Shanley’s Pulitzer-winning play — by the play- prevailing dogmatic creeds of Sister ously empty — as if they belong in Although Streep has been tipped as a likely wright himself, no less, who also directs — and has Aloysius (Streep), whose authoritarian a theatre and have been awkwardly contender for a third Oscar, it is Adams and Davis a pedigree cast whose players are not known for rule keeps the local church school displaced. As Sister Aloysius’ lieutenant, who truly elevate Doubt from the rank of well mistakes, Streep aside. in line. After getting wind of Amy Adams effortlessly upstages crafted if slightly self-worthy piece, and into the Still, Shanley’s theatrical reputation and acco- a possible case of Flynn her superior, playing a vari- upper realm of excellent, performance-driven lades do beg the question of what he’s doing slum- abusing a young pupil, ation of the wide-eyed pictures, redeeming it from association with a ming it in cinema at all — and unfortunately, this Donald Miller, Sister ingénue character host of recent films (The Reader, The Curious Case seems to be a thought that occurred to the director Aloysius embarks for which she has of Benjamin Button) which seem to have been at some point during production. Although he upon a crusade to been rightly adapted by people who hate cinema. 10/02/09 inSIGHT life

Glasgow’s style heroes Eleanor Mitchell abandons the High Street and explores the best of the West End’s vintage fashion offerings. Photos by Scott McGinlay

ecently, every fashion journalist worth their salt has been quick to tell us that, in these economic For this photoshoot we headed to Ruthven Lane, in Glasgow’s West End, to style catwalk looks solely climes, fast fashion is out. Instead, we must start buying in beautifully-made, long-lasting staple from what local vintage shops and boutiques had to offer. A veritable Aladdin’s cave awaited us down those pieces that transcend the seasons and will be passed down to our children and grandchildren. cobbled streets. Circa Vintage and Starry Starry Night sell quality vintage clothing at slightly-less-than-Top- RSuch staples tend to include the classic Burberry trench coat, retailing at £734 and the Hepburn- shop-prices. You can pick up an on-trend black lace dress for under £50 and enough tartan to satisfy even chic little black dress as seen on the catwalks at Balenciaga, Chanel, and Givenchy et al. The master of the Dame Westwood’s lust for the traditional heritage look. There is also a glittering array of both vintage and female form, Roland Mouret, has an eternally sophisticated LBD that will set you back a mere £1023. You contemporary jewels at very reasonable prices. Along with vintage clothing, several independent boutiques cannot forget accessories: those black patent Louboutins are £323 but will last a lifetime. have recently opened in the West End. Here you can buy lines from fashion graduates at much cheaper prices than normal designer lines, many of them one-off pieces, so you’ll never spot anyone else in your outfit. “Clever accessorising and combining your vintage gems with more There’s also the opportunity to find the next hot designer before the glossy magazines sniff them out. contemporary pieces can create looks straight from the catwalks for Now obviously we are preaching to the converted. Fashionable Glaswegians have long frequented the a fraction of the price” arcade, aware of the prizes to be had. However, in these harsh times, our local retailers need us more than ever. The abandoned shops littering the West End are a reminder of how rising rents and thrifty shoppers For the average citizen, rising food, mortgage and energy prices don’t leave much money at the end of are affecting the business of smaller retailers. So before you give your hard-earned money to Stuart Rose or the month to buy that everlasting white shirt for the same price as ten from the high street. However, even in Philip Green, think long and hard. You may well have been saving for weeks for that sequinned dress worn by these desperate times we urge you to step away from the harsh fluorescent lighting, acrylic knits and cheap Cheryl Cole on the X Factor, but so has everyone else. You can pick up a second-hand sequinned party dress plastic shoes which are the mainstay of the British high street. Instead, stray off the beaten track and discover in Glorious for a third of the price, safe in the knowledge that most people will have discarded it for fear of the treasure troves of your local retailers. appearing “so last season”. life inSIGHT PAGE 5

Glasgow’s style heroes Eleanor Mitchell abandons the High Street and explores the best of the West End’s vintage fashion offerings. Photos by Scott McGinlay

Some people complain that sifting through the 80’s monstrosities and polyester takes far too much time and often yields little. However, styling the looks for the photoshoot was very easy, as these local style heroes have their finger very firmly on the trends and often organise their rails to reflect this. People will also often bemoan the fact that vintage shopping goes hand in hand with expensive alterations but all the clothing for the shoot came straight off the rail and onto the models, without going anywhere near a needle and thread. However, do not fret if your vintage dress has a less than modern hemline — most purveyors of vintage clothing have a favourite contact for alterations and will be very willing to pass the name onto you and in return for continued business; most tailors can do you a discount. “You may well have been saving for weeks for that sequinned dress worn by Cheryl Cole on the X Factor, but so has everyone else”

Clever accessorising and combining your vintage gems with more contemporary pieces can create looks straight from the catwalks, for a fraction of the price. Not only will you be getting credit crunch-friendly prices, but also a warm glow at having helped to support your local community. A version of this article also appears in the first of issue of thepageturner, which is available on their website at www.thepageturner.co.uk 10/02/09 inSIGHT music Connect the Scots Gigs Oisín Kealy and Lewis Porteous reflect on the highlights of Celtic Connections 2009

he careers of both Teddy Thompson and Broken Records Martha Wainwright were always going to 11/02/09 be haunted by their inherited dynasties. Òran Mór TOver a decade since their musical debuts, Seven piece chamber-pop outfit Broken Records both on the backs of their parents, Martha’s voice is arrange strings, mandolin, accordian and a host arguably foremost within her family. Teddy's, how- of other instruments to great effect. A free gig as ever, does not have the substance to convincingly part of The Mill, they have recently signed to 4AD escape the shadow of his family tree. so see them before they start charging. Thompson’s band are as competent as they are dapper, but their sound is too tight to breathe. Emmy the Great There is also a distracting sense of affectation in his 14/02/09 stage persona, with his Johnny Cash impersona- King Tut's tion reaching parodic proportions during ‘Can’t Emma-Lee Moss returns to Glasgow Promoting Sing Straight’. His voice, though decidedly Amer- her debut album First Love, appropriately enough ican in texture, is pleasantly euphonious. Used to on Valentines day. Bound to be a charming its strength with Leonard Cohen’s ‘Tonight Will Be performance, swooning indie couples aside Fine’, it precipitates mass swaying and some local- ised swooning throughout the venue. Asobi Seksu Wainwright's guitar playing with opener ‘This 14/02/09 Life’ is blend of delicate finger picking and deci- ABC2 sive strumming, but nothing can distract from the Luke Winter What better way to spend Valentines day but authority of her voice. When unleashed, the sheer with some fun sex? Of course, I am talking about power of it is breathtaking, commanding abso- Arriving onstage brandishing a hurdy-gurdy ow in its tenth year, Showcase Scotland the messy translation of Asobi Seksu’s name lute attention, with the transition from whispered and launching into a spirited Medieval-era ‘Edi remains instrumental in getting Scot- here, and not anything else they charge you at to penetrating occurring seamlessly. It is hardly Beo Thu Hevene Quene’, the folk-rocker displays tish talent publicity, as the city becomes the door for. First-rate, dreamy shoegaze sung surprising, then, when she tells us of her recent his versatility from the off. Two numbers later, he Ninundated with promoters. Despite the bilingually. foray into Opera, a revelation which earns a panto- performs ‘So Ben Mi Ca Bon Tempo’ a cuckolding pageant-like aspect, the four acts manage to retain mimic display of reverence from the crowd. song, sung in colloquial Renaissance Italian. a sense of informailty and intimacy this evening. Black Lips This woman has performance in her blood; at Though the lyrics are indecipherable to unilingual First up is Bodega, a young folk quintet with a 17/02/09 ease with the stage at all times, she narrates her audience members, the song’s purported subject host of instruments, ranging from fiddle through ABC2 whims to us whether it be her sudden thirst for a matter is certainly familiar Thompson territory, as is accordion to bagpipes. The talent of this group as Recently being forced to flee India after exposing beer or her decision to steal Thompson’s guitar. She that of ‘The Fause Knight Upon the Road’, in which instrumentalists is striking, and their own compo- themselves on stage, you know you should at soon invites Thompson onto the stage where they a wide-eyed schoolboy randomly encounters the sition, ‘The Midnight Tramp’ proves that they can least be in for an interesting night. Messy, bluesy venture a rendition of The Beatles’ ‘We Can Work It very embodiment of irrational evil. write just as well. It is a swirling storm of a piece, punk with a sixties influence, hopefully it won’t Out’ with all the endearing preamble of a primary The first half of the evening gels incredibly well, with a fusion sound not too far divorced from the be obscured by puerile antics. Unless that is what school talent review. The overall effect of the and Thompson is to be commended for forging his likes of Kíla, complete with some exceptionally you’re into. duet is winning and provides a brief respite from own distinctive imprint on tracks already recorded impressive harp shredding. the largely heart-wrenching material – just brief by his folky peers Bert Jansch and Steeleye Span. Corrina Hewat appears on stage next, heavily Das Pop enough for the audience to crave it once more. Though the second set, encompassing the twen- pregnant, yet (she reminds us) eminently book- 17/02/09 Towards the end of the night she pulls out tieth century, proves less consistent, it is still able, for a much more intimate set. Initially she is King Tut's ‘Bloody Mother Fucking Asshole’ with a wink, trans- intermittently thrilling, and even illuminating in alone with just her harp, but is later accompanied Hailing from Ghent in Belgium, Das Pop play forming a formidable string of expletives into a places. As he ends on a rendition of Nelly Furtado's by acoustic guitar. She plays her instrument in a some very maturely arranged Indie-pop, thing of raw beauty. The evening seems to close ‘Maneater’, complete with a choral Latin interlude, curious manner, dancing ever-so-slightly with it gently influenced by electro to give it a bit of all too soon, though I see it is fast approaching it is clear that no other artist could pull this type of and cycling through a host of facial expressions, momentum. Have hooks coming out of their ears midnight. Without a doubt, she could have kept us show off. ‘1000 Years...’ succeeds greatly as a stop as if engaging it in a secret dialogue, occasionally and a respectable diversity in their material. there until dawn. gap, but one gets the impression that it is slightly throwing the audience a complicit glance. She is more satisfying for Thompson as a break a pleasure to watch perform and the music itself The Dykeenies t may seem odd that of all the artists capa- from his day job, than it is a show is entrancing, as is her sonorous voice combining 18/02/08 ble of channelling and preserving Britain's for paying converts. with it to create a sleepy celtic pop. King Tut's musical and cultural history, a beret-wearing Brendan Campbell has had a In between albums at the moment, The Dykeenies IMuslim expatriate would be the most willing. strange day, he tells us, having just are apparently experimenting with bongos and Then again, traditional songs have always played dashed from the SECC supporting gospel choirs for their prospective release. I an integral part in Richard Thompson’s repertoire Keane — we won’t hold that against wouldn’t hold my breath for the latter fitting on throughout his forty year career in the music indus- him. The only native Glaswegian of the stage. Fun indie from Cumbernauld. try, especially as one of the founding members of the night, Campbell plays your average Fairport Convention. folky-singy-songwritey material. His Tricky If performing compositions from most eras rapid finger-picking is quite good, but 19/02/09 of known musical history in chronological order, somewhat dampened by the output’s The Arches accompanied by just a percussionist (Judith Owen) narrow scope. Along with Portishead and Massive Attack (of and backing singer (Debra Dobkin — appropriately Completing the bill is Fiddler’s Bid, with which he was a founding member), Tricky was the wife of Spinal Tap’s Harry Shearer) sounds like a enough violins to feed an army. As their parts one of the pioneers of the nineties trip-hop ballsy, over-ambitious venture, that’s because it is. have little independence, the abundance of scene– fantastic genre, terrible name. Expect a At least it was when the show was conceived, as by fiddles seems a little redundant, though displays decade spanning set. this stage, any doubts as to whether Thompson their sheer volume of talent. They play a few feet- can recreate Gilbert and Sullivan’s orchestral tapping reels and a couple of airs that make my majesty alone, on an acoustic guitar, have eyelids close of their own accord, rounding off the

been entirely dispelled. Van Gill Media/ The Arian Crow proceedings nicely, though hardly with a bang. music inSIGHT PAGE 7 Rocking the cradle There’s bin a murrdurr The Cribs ABC 04/02/2009 >> Laura Cernis

waggering onto the stage amidst cat calls and cheers, the Wakefield trio (plus one faintly ridiculed ex-Smiths member) >> Oisín Kealy Slaunch straight into new track, ‘We Were For me, Kylie Minogue has made no greater Aborted’, quickly proving their worth to the punt- contribution to music than with her death. This is not ers. A song later and the ever-catchy intro to ‘Hey proposed derisively; for the hit machine she proved Scenesters’ starts up – cue ABC erupting into a cha- herself to be through much of this decade, I cannot os of vowels and excitement. Luckily for those who deny her a certain deserved acclaim. My argument are not Cribs fans (few out of the sold out crowd, is that no artistic endeavour she has made up until it would appear), the hang of The Cribs live is fairly this point, including her nuanced performances in simple — your hair is not supposed to resemble a both Neighbours and Street Fighter: The Movie, will ‘cut’ nor your shoes be attached to your feet by the ever resonate as deeply as her dulcet death rattle at end of the final song. the hands of Nick Cave. They carry on in much the same form as they From the fragrant production to his choice of always have, the new songs they play dotted Luke Winter victim, ‘Where the Wild Roses Grow’ is an exem- among old favourites, showing perhaps a slightly Sonic Youth fame) voicing his spoken-word part of Wrong Way To Be’, probably high on the sugar- plary addition to one of my favourite canons, the heavier edge than seen previously. Their five new the Cribs/Ranaldo collaboration. happy, sweat-drenched crowd — Ryan kicks his murder ballad. Whether killer or victim, Cave knew offerings all go down well, however, ‘Cheat On Me’ Speaking of rich, famous people, I am still shoes into the crowd as a final act of devotion, and how to execute the tradition faultlessly. His Murder receiving as warm a reception as any of the singles pretty nonplussed as to the point of Johnny Marr's it’s a mark of respect that the crowd try to throw Ballads album is, for me, his most enduring work; from their third album. Always a favourite, ‘Another addition to the band — aside from playing the them back. The Cribs’ raw pop sensibilities shine not because of its production values, its diversity of Number’ brings the crowd to riot, yet also high- occasional C chord, his job seems mainly to be that through and are enlivened by the fact that they styles, or the intimidating roster of guest artists, but lights the sad lack of first and second album mate- of whipping the crowd into a frenzy and not being forget words, fall over occasionally and can’t quite because of its sheer body count. This is the sonic rial in the setlist. biologically related to the other members. True, escape technical problems at any of their gigs. equivalent of a slasher flick, but crafted with infi- The advantages of becoming an older, richer he succeeds in this effort, but the thought of him Anything unprofessional in another band becomes nitely more care. band, however, become apparent when ‘Be Safe’ singing about the price of bus fares and teenage endearing with them, teenage, and is made up for is played, a projected video across the back of the love makes me a little queasy. with pure, bloodthirsty enthusiasm. They are live “The only act of passion that stage showing a mammoth-sized Lee Ranaldo (of The band end on an ecstatic, extended ‘The music at its best, exciting, sweaty, and fun. gave me a thrill was frenzied Franz Ferdinand Empire of the Sun murder” Tonight Walking on a Dream My dad first introduced me to the genre by pointing to The Doors’ ‘Riders on the Storm, that Domino - 26/01/09 Domino - 23/02/09 cautionary yet funky tale warning against picking With the characteristic brashness that carried From a glance at the nauseatingly 80s, Sieg- up hitchhikers — a practice he routinely engaged them to fame, Franz Ferdinand’s third album, fried and Roy-esque album cover of Empire in with me in the car after the telling, to my distress. ‘Tonight’ arrives with enthusiastic art in the of The Sun’s forthcoming release of ‘Walking This was a revelation. Until then I had found it hard heart of an especially bleak winter. Their 2004 on a Dream’, you get a fair idea of what might to accept the fact that all anybody ever seemed to debut found success through its immediacy follow sonically. This album is another offering sing about was love; As a seven-year-old boy this and assertiveness, and against our current from Australia’s small but so far innovative was, understandably, of little interest to me. Perhaps backdrop of economic and cultural horror, electro scene, hailing bands such as Cut/Copy, as a sign of the desensitising times, the only act of this record charting the highs, lows and petty The Presets and The Midnight Juggernauts. passion that gave me a thrill was frenzied murder. distresses of Alex Kapranos’ nights out seems Neither of the band’s frontmen are strangers This song combined two of my favourite emerging aimed at setting a similarly lucrative contrast. to the business, Luke Steel being from the interests at that age, the macabre and the musical. From the bottom up, Franz Ferdinand have nurtured a blaring sense little known band Sleepy Jackson, while Nick Littlemore was one half of dance As much as I love a good slaughter through of modernity, a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it imperative, which is carried on duo Pnau. However, this album fails to win any points for being edgy or innova- song, a problem for me in more recent times has throughout Tonight and is easily observed in their lyrics. About half the songs tive as they bear a little too much similarity to a certain four-letter band who been the perceived indivisibility between the artist here are abstract, second-person demands, with repeated commands such as are particularly popular at the moment (sounds like schmem-gmt). and their art. Eminem’s ‘97 Bonnie and Clyde’ is “Turn it on” or “Bite hard” as choruses. Franz Ferdinand are pushing us to act, The album’s first single, ‘Walking on a dream’, is a synth-infused pop track inventive, engaging and horrifying, but just a little embrace something unfamiliar — like this staggeringly original record. with airy strings and a catchy chorus, but despite its merits, the pseudo 80s too grounded in truth for comfort. Rather than The other half are rambling, tongue-in-cheek personal reflections. These sound comes across as a little contrived and more than a little unimaginative. slasher flick, this almost veers into snuff. Sitting now feature the introduction of some Morrisey-lite uncertainties, such as “I This is slightly amended by Steel’s vocals, which switch to soaring falsettos easier with me is Tori Amos’ completely inverted love you, I mean, I mean I need to love,” which, although uncomfortably deriv- at will, giving the album a unique touch. Stylistic similarity could be drawn cover, claiming the voice of victim rather than villain ative, have aged considerably better. After two albums of these clumsy lyrical with David Bowie, musical blasphemy though that comparison may be. They and, crucially, acting instead of ranting. tricks, Franz Ferdinand are at risk of exposing their loud and exciting projec- continue in this way through the tracks ‘Half Mast’ and ‘Tiger by My Side’, which The murder ballad should be an exercise in tion of the future as a merely lukewarm rehash of their own previous ideas. are not altogether bad, but fail to dazzle or excite. theatricality. Lovers, siblings, children; no-one This has been evaded thus far through the incorporation of ‘retro’ musical A track with a little more to show, ‘Delta Ray’, would probably raise the is safe in these accounts of jealousy and jilting, ideas: “sure, it's been done before, but we’re consciously reusing it, so it’s ok”. standard but the horrible vocal effects which poison the song. The same can be revenge and repression. As studies of deeply flawed This time we have more synthesiser, yet the same garage-band guitar loops said for ‘Country’, an ethereal instrumental spoiled by unconvincing Country & humans, they let you confront the tragic without and white-boy dance beats, giving ‘No You Girls’ a delightful tinge of Girls Western guitar parts. Not all the tracks are lifeless or obnoxious though; second experiencing it, in the way horror films allow us the Aloud, but lead single ‘Ulysses’ a frightening similarity to the new U2 song. single contestant ‘Swordfish Hotkiss Night’ is slightly better, employing an same. The fun of murder ballads is in the sense of Although at times enjoyable, Tonight is an empty bet, an emperor with upbeat disco tempo and vocals reminiscent of Prince. In general, this album is costume. Everybody knows the bad guys have the no clothes. The difficulty is in realising that it is much worse than it thinks it is. not terrible, yet lacks something significant: possibly originality, possibly soul. best lines; it only becomes too disturbing when you (Harry Akehurst) Whatever it is, it certainly makes for mediocre music. (Catriona Reilly) think they might actually mean them. @>9O>EE:G EDD8=A>K: 96C8:96C8:96C8: K:C9DG9:;:C9:GA>K: I=::O7DNOG6I=A:I:H

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