Hi Natural Selection

St Mary's psychology department has sent out questionnaires to all applicants for St Mary's Hospital Medical School and four other medical schools in the country. Press reports, originating from a recent article in the Times Educational Supplement, implied that the completion of the questionnaire was in some way linked to the success of an application. Chris McManus, head of the research group which produced the questionnaires, dismissed the allegations, stating that completion of the questionnaire was entirely voluntary. He added that the only applications received by medical schools were UCCA forms and that the list of applicants were merely used to target the mailshot. No information passed between the medical school's application department and his research group, he said. Concerning privacy, Mr McManus said that information gathered from the questionnaire is entirely secure. The data resides on a computer that is not networked, and is separated from the medical school. The questionnaire is part of an ongoing project to determine the attributes of a successful applicant, what makes a successful doctor and whether particular types of people choose particular career paths. The first questionnaire, sent out ten years ago, was followed by further information gathering, including final results and careers after medical school. He said that previous work by his level of discrmination. UCCA has now set According to Mr McManus one of the research team had shown that the up its own monitoring scheme as a direct aims of the project is to ensure that the ranking policy employed by UCCA result of the team's work. public is treated by the very best doctors. discriminated against some students. Mr McManus felt that the work of his If the character traits that lead to a Departments rejected applicants simply team had been misrepresented in the student developing into a good doctor because of where their institution press and has written a letter to one of can be identifiied, and the information appeared on the list; Bristol university the newspapers concerned. Dr George incorporated into the selection process, was among the most blatant offender. Tate, St. Mary's Admissions Tutor, this should result in the right candidates UCCA have now since abolished the confirmed Mr McManus's statement, being selected. Mr McManus does not see ranking system. saying that the only information St Mary's this as a discriminatory procedure but The team's monitoring of applicants from receive about applicants is that which is rather as part of a more refined selection ethnic minorities revealed a significant stated on the UCCA form. process. CCU Election Time!

Next week sees the voting for both Royal Mark Payne, Chris Browne, Sarah Leamon and Richard Thaiss and both College of Science and City and Guilds Welsh and James Shaw are all unopposed standing with Simon Gibbons and Chris Union non-sabbatical posts. for the posts of Academic Affairs Officer, Field the only candidates for the posts of There are three candidates for the post Old Centralian's rep, Publicity Officer and Honorary Secretary and Academic Affairs of City and Guilds President; Tim Proctor, Guild Sheet Editor respectively. Officer respectively. John Sears and Ajit Medtia. The following In the Royal College of Science The hustings for the RCS candidates are standing for other posts: Steve elections Angela Creissen and Louise were held in the Union Dining Hall on Farrant and Lucia Clipstowe for Vice- Rafferty are standing for the post of Thursday with the elections being held on President; Robert Evans and Niall Davies President with Flemming Heino and Monday next week. The elections for the for Honorary Secretary; Steven Richard Murray and standing for the post City and Guilds posts will be on Tuesday. Holbrough and Mark Jackson for of Vice-President. For the post of Candidates for the Royal School of Entertainments Officer. Honorary Junior Treasurer Robert Mines elections will not be known until next week. 2 Hub Explained

According to a college source Imperial's Hub office is about to advertise two clerical positions in 'The Guardian' media pages. Hub costs were not listed on last year's college accounts and this has led to confusion and suspicion about Hub's brief. False Arrest According to Lady Clare Ash, in overall charge of the office, Hub's activities are A man was arrested in Garden Hall by a manifold. One of her main responsibilities plainclothes policeman on Sunday 17 is the pastoral care of long-term academic February for attempting to sell a bicycle. visitors and their dependants. Lady Ash The bike was believed to be one stolen and her assistant are particularly from a Garden Hall resident earlier this concerned with the welfare of non- year. The man, who failed to identify English speaking dependants; help can himself as a student, was later released range from finding part-time jobs for when the police could not prove the visitors and their families to finding bicycle was stolen property. schools for visitors' children. Lady Ash Earlier that day, the same man had pointed out that the Union is the official entered the hall and offered to sell a caretaker of student welfare at Imperial Lady Ash disclosed that there has been bicycle to one of the residents for £10. and that, apart from the Hub office, there some discussion about the creation of a The student accepted and paid a £2 is no parallel organisation for academic new administrative post in the Hub office deposit. However, the student was visitors. with an accomodation brief. Lady Ash suspicious of the man's intentions and The Hub office is also responsible for said that she was unaware that the contacted the warden, Ian Metcalfe. Mr organising the Christmas Caper and personnel department had made a Metcalf immediately informed the police, Summer Fair. Hub also organises a series decision to advertise any posts related tc who sent a plainclothes officer along to a dinners throughout the year for new the Hub Office. Miss Cox, personnel the scene. Later that afternoon, when the academic visitors and new members of officer for Hub was unavailable for man returned with a racing bike to the staff. comment yesterday. hall, he was met by the officer and arrested. The man was later released and given a warning for trespassing on private Cock-up!! Deadline for property. The student concerned, C H Wong, a PG student in Mechanical manifestoes is actually 12.30pm, Engineering said; 'Well, it's a good deal. Cheap for just £10. The police couldn't Friday 1st March, not as prove it was stolen, so why not?' The same man has been seen within mentioned in the editorial...ASF the College grounds on other occasions. Another resident of the hall, Jean-Phillipe Carchano, recalled, 'Yes, this is not the first time I have seen this man, last time he tried to sell a TV for £5.' At around 8pm on Sunday evening, the man was Lost Theatre seen again on College grounds, having a The Lost Youth Theatre, 450 Fulham the heart of Fulham it is very accessible pizza in Belushi's. Road, is holding two fundraising nights to IC students. this weekend. The theatre has suffered The weekend's entertainment opens funding cuts following the disbandment of tonight with 'The Blue Dye' an up and the Inner London Education Authority coming band from California, followed on and is struggling to make ends meet. Lost Saturday by an evening of cabaret and HAIRDRESSERS is always keen to attract not just improvisation. Both evenings start at 15A HARRINGTON ROAD, audiences but new members; situated in 9.30pm, nearest tube Fulham Broadway, SOUTH KENSINGTON entry £2.50. 071-823 8968 We have a fantastic offer for all you students, a cut wash and blowdry by our top stylist New Balls Please! (which normally costs around £21) For only £11 Men £12 Women King's College mascot, Reggie, is soon to bar and ran from the quad. be reunited with his genitalia, say King's Several members of IC Rag attempted Check us out ! College Union (KQCU). The Mascot, a to stop them, but were unsuccessful. male lion made of concrete filled bronze, Steve Farrant, Rag chairman, was flung was taken by City and Guilds College against one of the benches in the quad, Union (C&GU) in the spring of 1989. His fracturing a rib. Commenting that one of wedding tackle were then removed, the assailants had been in his grasp, he allegedly with a tin opener. said,'I had three darts in my hand, but I When ransomed back to KQCU for couldn't bring myself to use them.' £100, his genitalia were not returned. Although King's may now be Instead of which, they were hung behind considering declaring Reggie's testacies a the bar in our Union Building (Beit Quad). separate violate mascot, it seems more At about 8.00pm on Saturday KQCU, likely that they will be reattached to him having occupied the bar and cleared an replacing the temporary set he is escape route out of the quad, removed currently wearing. Reggie's wedding tackle from behind the 3 IC ProLife Society give their viewpoint on the current letters page debate about abortion

OPINION 'Did I Kick Too Hard?' OPINION administer prostaglandin to expel the effects on fertility or health or the The Status Quo Post Abortion Syndrome, and the health women, often run by women who have not be entirely honourable. Just as embryo, and finally to check abortion is consequences of repeated use, yet it In 1967, David Steel's Abortion Act made service and abortion agencies offer little experienced abortion themselves. governments are keen on abortion as a RU486 complete. Severe pain and heavy seems likely that it will be licensed abortion a reality in Great Britain, help to the women to whom they so means of relieving pressure on The RU486 'Abortion Pill', already in use bleeding is common, sometimes requiring perhaps as early as this spring. We should ostensibly for 'hard' cases, ie rape, readily provide abortions. These women underfunded health and social services, in France, is heading for Britain. Medical a transfusion. The woman is more likely question why the government is so keen handicap, danger to the health of the are, after the unborn child, the second they are keen on RU486 because it is an trials have begun, and a license has been to see her aborted embryo, adding to the to introduce an unproven drug which is mother. But such was the wording of the victims of abortion. They deserve no outpatient method of abortion, lowering applied for. trauma already increased by the far more oppressive to the women that will act that in practice, by extending the resentment for having been pushed by demand for beds. RU486 has been There are many worrying points longer procedure as compared with use it than current methods of abortion. meaning of 'medical reason' to include circumstances into having an abortion, promoted as a leap forward in women's but only help and understanding in associated with RU486, and even many of surgical methods. In 5% of cases, RU486 The long term aim for RU486 is the emotional distress or inconvenience, it - rights, with the image of swallowing the coming to terms with what they have those who support abortion in general fails to abort, making surgical abortion colossal potential markets of the Third could be interpreted as allowing abortion pill and 'solving the problem'. The reality been through. It is with the support of will have cause for concern. necessary as well, heightening the World. As operating theatres and blood on demand. Of the 183,000-plus abortions is less appealing. At least three the major pro-life organisations that The motivation behind the speed with psychological pressure on the woman. transfusion facilities are thought essential carried out in Britain in 1989, fewer than appointments are required over a period groups have been rapidly expanding that which the French, and soon our RU486 is still an experimental drug, precautions for British use, attempts to 10% were for 'hard' cases, yet it is by of around ten days, to administer the offer help and counselling to such government have licensed the drug may with nothing known about long term use the drug in areas where medical citing this small minority of cases that drug and kill the embryo, then to most of those who support abortion facilities are lacking could be disastrous attempt to justify the remainder. The for the women of the developing recent letter in FELIX from Athena was a countries, as well as the worrying typical example of using circumstances prospect that a convenient method of involving perhaps a few hundred cases to abortion might divert attention for A Woman's Right? A Woman Speaks... methods of population control that do not justify the remaining hundreds of involve the killing of the excess populace thousands of cases. It is important to 'A Woman's Right to Choose' involved, and in dealing with one it is pregnant. With support she can carry on constant reminder to the woman of her before birth. It would not be ridiculous to realise that the vast majority of abortions This is a phrase which never fails to surely not acceptable to destroy the with her work or education. ordeal. Should then this be considered as suggest that the support the drug is are for far less grave reasons, such as come up in any abortion debate. One other. During the course of the pregnancy, a special case? Any woman must feel a getting from western governments is not career disruption, financial difficulty and thing the pro-abortion lobby have been All this having been said, the immense many women find that the unwanted horror at the thought of rape resulting in unconnected to a wish to reduce their most successful in over the past years is difficulties raised when faced with an child is very much wanted indeed. pregnancy. It was the most difficult responsibility towards the developing to make it a feminist issue. unplanned pregnancy can of course seem However, for those who still can't cope problem I faced when coming to my pro- world. Why Pro-Life? Well, speaking as a woman, I'm all for overwhelming. Whatever a woman may with a baby, the choice of adoption is life beliefs. How would I feel if it were to there. happen to me? The difference between those who are sexual equality. My rights to equal have believed before, the shock of finding Rights for the Handicapped pro-life and those who are pro-abortion, education and career opportunities are herself pregnant may cause her to Admittedly adoption can be However the crucial fact cannot be and the reason for all the antagonism things I feel very strongly about; but I am consider an abortion. The disruption of traumatic—'giving up' a child is not easy, altered. An unborn child is still a child. A It's encouraging to see how much is being between them, is that their reasoning also pro-life. This is not a contradiction—I her studies, her career, the stigma of but what is abortion if not 'giving up'? separate, unique life has begun. There done to help the handicapped in today's stems from entirely different bases. Pro- just don't see this 'right to choose' as a illegitimacy, the problems of being a With adoption, you giving are giving your can be no 'special case' when it comes to society. For example much is being done lifers are not unaware of the arguments right at all. single parent, and the worst thing child parents for whom a child is much the killing of a human being, wholly to ensure that, when applying for jobs, for abortion. They realise that great In the first place, abortion is not a legal possible, pregnancy as a result of rape, longed for. An aborted child can give no innocent of any crimes committed leading their rights to 'equal opportunities' are difficulty is often faced by the mother, right. The 1967 Abortion Act removed are pressures that must not be one joy or happiness. to his or her conception. recognised. On the practical side, no new and that the child may not always be the criminal penalties for performing underestimated. In fact, abortion can be far more On the practical side, studies have building is planned without taking into brought up in ideal surroundings but they abortions in certain circumstances. It However, the central fact remains. The traumatic than adoption. It can be shown that pregnancy following rape is account their special needs. And yet, the believe that the right of every human conferred no rights on anyone. child is a human being. No matter how it physically damaging to the woman's very rare. The swift administration of same society that welcomes these being to life is paramount, and that in no Secondly, this choice ultimately comes came into being, it is there, and has the reproductive system, and in very many drugs after the rape can prevent changes calmly requires that, whenever case can the prospect of hardship for one down to whether the unborn child in the same right to life as anyone else. cases the woman is emotionally scarred. ovulation and therefore fertilisation. (This possible, the handicapped are killed person justify the denial of life to another. womb lives or dies. For all my feminist All too often, the only real option Post-abortion trauma is extremely is not the same as the 'morning after' pill, before they are born. However, the same concern for human beliefs, I don't accord myself absolute offered to a woman in an unplanned common, and a very neglected condition. which is an abortifacient.) It doesn't make sense. I can only think life that prompts these beliefs means that power over the life and death of anyone. pregnancy is abortion. Other avenues are A woman can be pressurised into having If the worst were to happen, and the of one argument that would allow this most pro-lifers would not wish simply to simply not explored. The child is assumed an abortion, and then discharged only to raped woman became pregnant, then the double-think. However, rather than being ban abortion, but also to change the 'A woman has the right to do what she to be a burden that the mother wishes to suffer regret and confusion, with no back- support and practical help outlined above an attempt to help the handicapped, it circumstances in which the decision is likes with her own body.' dispose of as soon as possible. An up support. Here, surprisingly enough, is available, along with the extra care merely aims to keep the rest of us happy. made to favour the pro-life option. If, for abortion is offered, carried out, and the pro-life groups such as LIFE and SPUC and counselling a woman in that dreadful It goes like this.... 'It must be a miserable example, adoption had enjoyed the same Absolutely true, but is the foetus really woman is then left to carry on with her come into their own. Recently the pro-life situation requires. life, and it's awful living side by side with good publicity afforded to- abortion, and just part of the mother's body? I have not life as though nothing had happened. This movement has suffered a great deal from To sum up then, abortion is not, and misery. So, let's do all we can to make DSS provision for the family was yet heard a convincing argument against is simply not acceptable. All the possible a small number of people standing can never be, the 'right' of a woman. An their life more pleasant—so we feel less improved, abortion might seem less life beginning at conception. alternatives must be considered. outside abortion clinics hurling abuse and unborn child is not part of a woman's uncomfortable—but get rid of all those appealing. The Warnock Committee stated in their Pregnancy need not mean the end of life even debris at frightened young women body, but genetically distinct—a unique who are coming up.' Three areas of particular concern at the report that, '...once the process has as we know it. A great fear is that a girl's entering and leaving. These people are individual—and therefore a woman Such a point of view is not very moment are Post Abortion Syndrome, the begun, there is no particular part of the parents will reject her if they find she is no more a part of the mainstream pro-life cannot have the right to decide whether appealing. Not only does it stink of RU486 'abortion pill', and abortion and development process that is more pregnant. Although this is regrettably true movement than the terrorists who bomb it should live or die as part of her rights selfishness, but, far more important, it the handicapped. important than another. All are part of a in some cases, many will, after the initial the homes of scientists are part of a over her body. Abortion causes emotional denies the very humanity of the continuous process...' shock, offer the support that the mother charity like Animal Aid. Both the and sometimes physical damage to a handicapped. We will all happily say that Post Abortion Syndrome There is no point at which the 'blob of needs—it is after all their grandchild. aforementioned groups recognise the woman, with post-abortion trauma often all persons are equal—that means we It is unsurprising that women often feel cells' in a woman's uterus suddenly Even when the mother is disowned, there considerable social pressure that leads to being left undealt with. A truly free exclude the handicapped. And so, the emotionally disturbed as a result of an becomes a human being. This event took is substantial support available from other so many abortions, and while never woman is one who recognises the argument goes, what's to stop us killing abortion, but in recent years evidence has place at the beginning, when the sperm sources. Pro-life groups such as LIFE offer accepting that abortion can be right, offer humanity of her child and can come them after birth? And the follow-on from been increasing that would suggest that impregnated the egg to give the full both counselling and practical help, counselling and support to women who through the social pressures of abortion, that is—what constitutes a handicap? the magnitude of the trauma is far genetic complement of the new including help with claiming DHSS grants, have had abortions, to help them come to either to bring up the child for herself, or Okay, it may sound far fetched, but it is greater than is commonly recognised. individual. The unborn child is genetically guidance on employment protection and terms with their loss. giving it through adoption to a couple the logical conclusion. Many women, perhaps years after having distinct from both parents. Far from being maternity payments, baby clothing and Of course, the hardest question to deal who want it very much and can give it To sort things out, we need to go back an abortion, experience feelings of guilt another part of its mother's body, it is a equipment, and accommodation both with is that of rape. Rape is almost the love it deserves. to square one. The handicapped are and regret of such a degree that their different, distinct human being. If it were before and after the birth. certainly the most traumatic experience a As a woman who believes in freedom human beings—noone argues with that. mental health is threatened. just the woman's body involved, then the Pregnancy is a wholly natural woman can suffer, and it is argued that from any submission and equal rights for This gives them the right to life itself, The medical establishment has yet to 'her body and her choice' argument occurence. A woman's whole lifestyle pregnancy can only compound this—a all human beings, I cannot be other than which urges us to help them live it, not recognise what is becoming known as might hold up, but there are two bodies needn't be changed because she is pro-life. kill them. Russia House

The name's Blair, Barley Blair. Somehow, it doesn't have quite the same ring about it, does it? Sean Connery's return to the spy game is a long way from his outings as the world's most famous secret agent, and 007's glamorous world is a far cry from this much more realistic portrayal of East/West espionage. Russia House, is a slow, cerebral thriller, set in the heady day of the introduction of Glasnost. The west remains jubilant, the Russians, cynical. They spymasters? The want the good old days of the Cold War back. When a beautiful Russian literary agent (the beautiful, if not Russian, Michelle Pfeiffer) offers drunken Scots publisher (Connery, who is, without doubt, Scots) a book which reveals that the Russians are well behind in the Arms race, they are positively drooling over the possibilities characters are forced to sell out in the beautifully fitted to the cinemascope in that open up. end, to preserve themselves. If anyone which it is filmed. The performances are This film is very much a product of emerges in a truly negative light, it is the all nicely measured, excepting Ken Glasnost, both in it being the result of the Americans, who ride roughshod over the Russell's (better known as a director) author's first trip to Moscow, and in being British, desperately trying to restart the bizarre appearance as an expert on the first film to be allowed to shoot freely cold war, to facilitate greater arms Russia, about which I have certain in the USSR. The attitude is very post contracts for American companies. reservations. Otherwise, this is an Glasnost too. There are no real 'goodies' And so, this broad tale develops against extremely acceptable espionage movie, or 'baddies', instead several different the glorious, if surprisingly alien, the best I've seen in a while. shades of grey. Even the most principled backdrop of the major Russian cities, Pendragon Rusalka I Rusalka is the water nymph who falls in love with a human prince and begs the witch Jezibaba to transform her into a woman. She pays the terrible price of losing the power of speech and, when she is rejected by her lover, is estranged from both the human and spirit world. Kvapil's text is inspired by myths as diverse as Anderson's The Little Mermaid, Czech poet Erben's ballad about The Water Spirit and Fouque's tale of Undine, but is suffused by Czech folk beliefs in which there is no good or evil, but where man, alienated from nature, is corrupt. Dvorak's setting is Wagnerian in scale and construction, but displays his talent for lyrical melody and rich orchestration. It also evinces bravery in composing for a heroine who is dumb for much of the second act. entirely white set; a mirror reflects the the palace staff as spineless, mindless rag Musically, this is an excellent striking deep blue backcloth which dolls shows some inspiration in the production. Nancy Gustavson as Rusalka depicts the sky; Rusalka sits on a swing direction, but mostly the cast alternate has both the strength and subtlety to suspended mid-stage. In the second act, between melodramatic hamming and handle the lead role; Norman Bailey as the palace is represented by a glass room aimless activity. the Water Spirit has gravitas and conveys which revolves around Rusalka as she sits Overall, a production to see, if only for an old man's forebodings of youth's suspended on the swing; later she scuttles the orchestral playing which I would unwise choices; Felicity Palmer's Jezibaba around its glass walls like a trapped happily have sat through as a concert is a malevolent delight, crisp and spider. In the third act we return to the performance. However, it is sad that the powerfully sung. pool which is now darkened, the mirror sexual messages of the legend and the The set is also marvellous, contributing is smashed and a bloated moon hangs opera, exemplified by Rusalka's to the magical aura of the production. against the inky night. dumbness, were skated over and never White boards slide back to reveal a cool It is sad that the acting is not up to the properly addressed. blue pool in the centre of an almost rest of the performance. The portrayal of Liz W

6 Miller's Crossing The Field

This is a film, not surprisingly, the 1930's and all the characters are true about a field. It's a lovely field, all individuals. John Hurt's simple Bird green and lush, and a delight for all O'Donnel (no chestbursters here) giggles a the cattle that graze thereon. Its lot, grins near toothlessly, causes much prosperity is due to the toil of Bull mischief and carries a lamb, given half a McCabe (Richard Harris) and his son chance. Richard Harris is excellent in his Tadgh (Sean Bean) who gather seaweed first film role for 10 years, giving us a and carry it a fair distance to add 12 proud man who lived for the land and is vitamins and minerals to their impressive still torn from his first son's death in the turf. All the village know that the field is famine. Beringer, just known as 'the the Bull's, due to his love and labour, American', emphasises the difference even though it is owned by the young between the community and the outside This is a film by Joel and Ethan widow (Frances Tomelty) from whom he and shows us a future that could destroy Coen (Raising Arizona and Blood rents it, so when the widow puts the field this way of life. Simple) so you are probably entitled up for auction no-one will bid against This is the second film by Jim Sheridan: to expect something very good indeed. him. Cue the American (Tom Platoon the director of My Left Foot. It is This time the Coens have gone for the Beringer) , who has come to Ireland to beautifully shot and at times is mob/mafia film, borrowing heavily from find his roots, who has piles (Oh No!) of reminiscent of Pertwee's Die Kroppe. The (or playing homage to?) the genre, as cash (Phew!) and outbids the Bull. This is portrayal of a slower life and village they did in Blood Simple. the crux that causes much trouble to the happenings is captured in full, with the The conscience of the film is the Bull, who has a right to the field, by the petty squabbles, small romances and principal character, Tom (Gabriel Byrne). law of the land, but no legal claim. The donkey murder, better than any current Tom is the brains behind the muscle of bad feelings get worse and things get soap (save Lifebuoy). It's Big, it's clever Leo (played by a slightly uncomfortable very out of hand with McCabe's fight for and it's got a good beat! Go and see it Albert Finney), the local boss. the field threatening to lose him his son, because it's smashing. Unfortunately Tom and Leo fall for the wife, freedom and sanity. The Amazing Machine (Sans Gerbil) same dame, Verna. Tom then leaves It is a captivating story of Irish life in Leo's 'establishment' and joins up with a rival, Johnny Caspar (Jon Polito laps up the role of the deranged ape, Johnny). A gang war follows. Comic Relief Comic The Coen's have tried to create the kind of modern tragedy that has become fashionable in Hollywood—prime examples being Coppola's Godfather films or Scorcese's Raging Bull. Tim is the man behind the man, he's the guy with all the 'angles'. But where's his conscience? This is the question the film tries to answer but never really comes to terms with. Ther's a lot of action, too much plot and not nearly enough reflection—although there are moments of insight—the scenes at Miller's Crossing (a majestic forest on the edges of the city where the hoodlums gun down their victims), for example, are indescribably beautiful. The cinematographer is also from the two previous Coen films, Barry Sonnenfield. Raising Arizona would not have been half as funny were it not for the highly original and rather crazy From those lovable rogues who London, The Turtles' approach to Red camerawork. In Miller's Crossing, brought you thos bulbous post Nose Day and the inclusion of virtually however, Sonenfield hasn't quite office red olfactory enhancers every major comic hero (including Dennis produced the same kind of authenticity, comes a comic from the hearts, minds the Menace (and Wolverine—Pendragon) but nevertheless the quality of the picture and loins of the best writers and artists, (and Batman—ASF)). has the moody, dark feel which works that this misunderstood little piece of life The selection of artists and writers is well with the film. can offer. It's a tale of joys, woes and incredible with new people working on I.H. heartaches. Lenny Henry, Johathan Ross just about every page (great mix of and Griff Rhys-Jones collect money little styles). It's a unique team up of Marvel, knowing that Griff has been replaced by DC, IPC and numerous independents. —Film a house-head double and that if only one Which hero has the biggest chin? What person fails to donate to Comic Relief are the Viz characters up to on Red Nose then the househeads will take over the Day? It's great fun and at times simply world. To add to the dilemma a present- excellent. It's only SI.50 and all the —Comic/Plug day Blackadder must be convinced into money goes to Comic Relief. If you're donating by being shown all the places into comics then it's a must. If not, buy it Comic Relief money goes to work. Extra anyway. —Opera sideplots turn up with giant Ben Elton The Amazing Machine. and Dawn French slogging it out over The Third World countries face huge debts. An Introduction to OPINION A Good Deal for th e West? Welfare Week MS Why is the world in the state it is? Why has only 2.5% despite the fact that its less of their products.' (Simba Maknoni, tariffs), increase in production of cash- The student lifestyle can be highly above seminars please sign up in the do some people starve, others wallow in population is four times larger than that 1989.) crops, and cuts in public spending (i.e. demanding on your health. How often do Union Office. plenty? Are things gradually improving? of the USA. So what solutions has the World Bank reduction of expenditure on health, you consider combating the stress caused A health fair has also been organised And are we in the West really helping to What all this means is that the World proposed? During the mid-eighties it came education, removal of subsidies on food, by work? Or stop to think about your where there will be the opportunity to bring about a change for the better in the Bank in effect acts upon policies laid out up with a gem called SAPs (Structural travel and so on). As a result of these alcohol intake or diet? check your heart rate when exercising, lot of the poor nations? by the USA and other industrialised Adjustment Programmes). The Bank will policies, the condition of the poorest Next Monday will be the start of your carbon monoxide levels and blood nations. only allow governments to borrow if they There has always been a feeling in the sections of these communities have 'Survival Week'. The week focuses on pressure, and a chance to analyse the agree to run their economies (and thus West that the developing nations need The poor nations have very little say suffered the most, and in several healthy lifestyles, covering topics such as effect of your alcohol intake on both your the whole political structure of that our help. If only they could learn from how the world economy should be run. countries there have been 'food riots' drinking, smoking, stress, exercise and body and wallet. country) the way the Bank dictates. (We what we have to teach them they would This has had a devastating effect upon when the strain has become unbearable. healthy eating. On a more light-hearted note the might recall the furore caused in this not be so desperately poor. This was them. Over the last decade or so World The economies of these countries have Here is a brief introduction to what will Contagious Performance Co will be country by possible economic exactly the thinking which helped to Bank policies have been deeply experienced a great step backwards be happening during the week. visiting on Tuesday 26 with their show intervention of the European justify the European empires in Latin unpopular in many countries. thanks to the policies of the World Bank Two Stress Seminars have been 'Scoring'. The show is described as a Community—it would seem that some America, Africa and Asia. Today, of Unfortunately they are powerless to do which is interested more in maintaining arranged for Tuesday 26 February, l-2pm 'Chrage through the blood stream that sovereignties are very much more course, this kind of moral validation of anything—they have been denied a voice. or 'looking after' the interests of the and Thursday 28 February, 5-6pm both in blasts alcohol and drug abuse into precious than others). Structural the European presence in these It is generally agreed that the 1980's financial system set up by the the SCR in the Union Building. These will insignificance with a buzz that is Adjustment Programmes involve continents cannot stand up to any kind of were an appalling decade for the poor industrialised nations than improving be run by the local health authority and unforgettable'. Tickets are available now liberalisation of trade policies (i.e. scrutiny. It is quite apparent that the nations of the world. Many people also conditions in the developing nations. The will offer practical ways of dealing with for SI in the Union Office. The show is reduction or even elimination of import relationship between Britain and India, argue that the World Bank helped make World Bank insists that any country stress. heavily subsidised. say was somewhat less than a symbiotic things worse rather than alleviate the borrowing directly from or seeking its There will also be a seminar offering More information about the week will one—Britain was in India to exploit her squalor of the poor. The crisis was approval (without which countries are help with giving up smoking. This will be be available in a special FELIX which will resources and any gain on India's part brought about during the 1970s through unable to borrow from anyone) must on Friday 1 March, 3-4pm, SCR in the be out next Tuesday. was minimal and incidental. However, I the massive borrowing by the maintain its (crippling) interest payments Union Building. H Blacker, would suggest that this argument is not governments of developing nations from on loans borrowed in the seventies. Thus If you would like to attend any of the Welfare Officer. very far from the one used today in banks in the West which were these countries must earn lots of hard order to justify Western actions, or rather overflowing with oil dollars from OPEC currency by selling as much raw material interference, in developing countries countries. These commercial banks (which as possible to the west and then return it today. of course include our friendly high street straightaway in the form of interest Let us start with the questions 'What is chums in this country) were very 'liberal' repayments. Unfortunately, since the Voluntary Service aid?', 'What does aid really involve?' If we with their lending policies. The interest Bank has told many other poor countries look at the context in which financial repayments were set at commercial rates, to do the same, there has been a glut in help (be it loans or donations) is offered which seemed reasonable to both parties the commodities markets, resulting in Overseas to developing nations, it becomes clear at the time. This was a period of prices going through the floor. So these economic buoyancy and it seemed that that the intentions of the West are not countries have ended up being much VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas) is an the developing nations might at long last entirely benevolent. One of the prime worse off today than they had been unusual charity. By most yardsticks it break the vicious cycles of poverty. lenders of financial aid today is the World before the World Bank intervened. does not conform to the stereotype of a However this mood of optimism was not Bank. The World Bank was set up by the At 'Third World First' we recognise that 'third world' agency. No aid, no disaster to last very long. During the late USA and the major Western powers after the industrialised world has taken enough relief. Its work is more intangible, seventies, the West was set for a World War Two, with the aim of from the poorest countries in this world perhaps more far reaching. It sends downward slide into recession. This rebuilding war-torn Europe and Japan, and it is time for the process to stop. If people—skilled men and women aged brought with it very high interest rates and after that to promote financial we are too selfish and greedy to put anything between 20 ad 70 to work which meant that debt servicing stability, economic growth and a anything back (and let's not kid ourselves alongside local people in 48 developing repayments by the poor to the rich cooperation with the member states. that we do) we should leave these countries around the world. Today there are 151 countries which are nations were massively increased. countries alone so that they themselves And last year it topped its own record members of the World Bank—most of the However, high interest rates are not the can decide what kind of development it is with over 1,300 professionals working countries except Warsaw Pact signatories. only problem. The fundamental problem that they want to pursue. overseas in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean A condition of membership is that each the developing countries face today is Third World First aims to increase and Pacific. The people VSO now needs country must contribute a certain that of inequality in the world markets awareness of issues concerning the are drawn from an immense diversity of percentage of its Gross National Product imposed by the West. The system is developing countries. At Imperial College backgrounds. They range from (GNP) for the Bank's use. rigged up in such a way that the value of we regularly invite representatives from accountants to builders, computer Much criticism has been made by the manufactured goods far exceeds the value various groups (banks, charities, campaign programmers to doctors, engineers poorer members concerning the of raw materials (excepting oil of course). groups, etc) to hold talks, debates and through to zoologists and even the conditions which the World Bank sets In the 1980s there was a sharp drop in discussions which will hopefully motivate occasionally beekeeper. raw material prices which meant that the before releasing loans to developing people to take positive action (however One of the 1,300 currently overseas is West would have even cheaper access to countries. The undemocratic nature of the small) both now and after they leave former Imperial College graduate Philip them, whereas the value of manufactured Bank means that developing nations are College. These meetings are held almost Churn who is now working as an goods has steadily risen. So it is apparent almost powerless to implement policies of every Thursday at lunchtime—look out electrical lecturer at Ramat Polytechnic in that the West is making a healthy (but their own choice: it is assumed that the for posters in the JCR and around northern Nigeria. As well as classroom sick) profit from the way the markets are West knows more about the problems in College. We shall also have stands in the teaching, Philip is renovating workshop structured. As one economist put it: Mexico, for example, than the Mexicans JCR during this term, so come up and machinery and passing on practical skills qualification experience is also very themselves. There seems to have been no 'The challenge for us is to eliminate the talk to us if you are interested. to local colleagues. important, although VSO always takes change in Western attitudes since colonial senseless dichotomy which makes us Iftikhar Hussain. 'It's hard work, but good fun,' he says. into account practical work undertaken as times. What determines the voting rights wholesale exporters of raw materials, and 'After nine months here I'm finally part of a degree course and relevant of countries in the World Bank is the size wholesale importers of finished goods, settling down. The two years will vacation work. of their pocket. Thus the USA, Japan and under terms determined entirely by the disappear so fast though.' If you'd like more information, please all the industrialised countries have the industrialised countries, terms that compel All VSO jobs are for a minimum of two contact the Enquiries Unit, VSO, 317 majority of the voting power—the USA us to increasingly produce and sell more years with pay based on local rates. Most Putney Bridge Road, London SW15 2PN exercises 18.5% of the votes, while China of our raw materials in order to afford involve a strong training element. Post or telephone 081-780 1331.

8 9 Carter USM -30 Something LP QqcLS Acre Ten Gospel Greats LP

God's Acre—the name may not immediately spring to mind but those in the know have been following the band, through its beginning as a solo project in '87 which gradually gathered members. From other no name bands in the Chicago area, awaiting with eager anticipation, this their debut LP. Imagine Jane's Addiction's hippy glam sound processed by Iain Burgess of Big Black and Naked Raygun fame. The resulting meandering wobble through the domain of 'sub-pop soft-core is a bit smooth for my taste but does provide some excellent tunes. The album is full of contrasts. The sweetest guitar sound on rolling drum beats is followed closely by deep flower grooves all covered by deep throaty vocals. The accompanying tempo changes are welcome and sudden leaving little time to catch your breath. Addictive and catchy tunes make comparisons with Jim Bob and Fruitbat return to wreak 'Sealed with a Glasgow kiss' raise an Nirvana's Sliver easy. But the vocals do revenge on vinyl with their second album initial laugh but the joke goes a bit stale seem to be added as an after-thought and '30 Something'. Armed with the musical after a while. are in most cases indecipherable. equivalent of two 15 pound The album is steeped in cynicism but There are two songs of epic sledgehammers they set about destroying when it comes to 'Falling on a bruise'. I'm proportions. The Jane's Addiction come everything in their wake. Anyone who sorry but I can't beleive they're not Big Black sound really comes to the fore has the balls to start an album off with a taking the piss.I could see them as the and if they were the only two good mindless football chant 'You fat scene opens, Jim Bob and Fruitbat lying tracks on the album it would still bastard...You fat bastard..' (Surfin' USM) in the middle of the road, a ford Cortina recommend you borrow it. has got to have something up their stopped in front of them, its windscreen Seb collective sleeves. Don't they? cracked and covered in blood. Looking 'Bloodsport For AH' their latest, much around a crowd starts to gather and the publicised and 'banned' single is one of ambulance siren can be heard in the the best tracks on the album: distance. Then Jim (Fruitbat?) opens his 'Suffer in silence said Brigadier General eyes and as the ambulance stretchers Holmes/or change your name to Smith or them away the words come tumbling out: Jones/Learn to live with all the death 'You win some and you lose some threat notes/the big bananas and the and I've lost the will to lose...' racist jokes' Oh its so comically sad! Mixing in a Heavy stuff. Just reading through the dash of Red Dwarf, Michael Caine and inner sleeve notes you get an idea of lots of attitude Carter USM have made an some overriding sadness that drives them album that kicks out in all directions but to do what they do, but they wrap it up it never lose its sense of fun! Definitely in fun pop songs and their meaning could recommended. almost pass you by. Witty titles like Harry Cross Trip the Light Fantastic

This band recently played two McCartney) and drummer giving a very underpublicised gigs in College, in clean crisp sound. Southside and the Union Lounge bar. This Despite the lack of numbers at the gigs is a shame because they are one of the they managed to get the audience up and cleanest sounding and listenable groups dancing and apparently went down very that I've heard in a long time. well on both occasions, watch out for The music, apart from a few covers, is them around College again, well worth a a sort of fusion of early Talking Heads listen! and strangely enough U2. Lyrically Sid. INTERESTED meaningful the singer/rhythm guitarist's in reviewing an album/gig? agile voice is backed up by an excellent All this from a man who manages the See FELIX Office bassist (on a hofner acoustic a la Paul band—M. Ed. for details

10 East Village —Circles 12"

East Village have been around for about two years and have released a few singles on Sub Aqua, as well as supporting House of Love. They are now signed to the Heavenly label, home to the Manic Street Preachers (and um....Flowered Up). A fairly typical indie guitar band—they sound similar to early Primal Scream, but unlike Bobby and Co they have so far shunned any dance influences. In fact the similarities don't stop there—have a look at the bloke on the right of the cover—does he remind you of anyone? Their latest offering Circles is mellow, but monotonous—a Killing Joke—the rock of legend and and rejoined by their original bassist Paul tune waiting for a song to happen. The B- music of insanity. As they continued their Raven. God, these men should be side Here it Comes is much more lively, conquest of uncompromising immortalised. but would score no points for originality. determination and gut ideology , The Killing Joke made us care. The Other bands have been here before, only Astoria was expectant at the dawn of a onslaught began with the single Money Is they have done it much better. new war against itself. Terror through Not Our God and regressed via classic Egor, Hedgehog and the Bastard anticipation ebbed and rose in the hard- anthems Wardance, Empire Song and Allsort. cutting newsreel quotes, cut from the last Requiem. They proved that their original few days of turmoil in the Gulf — another insights and ideals are still true, and that SCUD missile attack on Riyadh, more their original visions are all the more threats of chemical retaliation, pain, valid now. The Astoria lept and punched distrust and anguish. Then came the triumph at the roofs. All the while, the horror of American meat advertising. The visions of hardship, depravation and shear flippancy of the greed after the horror complemented the charged-up starvation just heard was pure irony. purity flung at us. Rock music has Through this backdrop — our world become the only way of reaching the today — arise Killing Joke to shock us ears of such a self-centred society, by brutally from our satisfied apathy. kicking and biting its way out from inside Killing Joke are a legacy, a constant their very bodies. reminder of what we should be. Only The final conquest came in the final they could incite a riot, start massacres encore. Exhausted onlookers were but instead they rip at hearts with their dragged back to the eerily obsessive Love pounding chants. Their music is bare Like Blood, dedicated to 'all those who rhythm and beauty. They played and the are going to die in the Gulf.' As the lines earth changed. Now returned from 'As we move towards no end we learn to diversification with bands such as die, Red tears are shed on grey' Ministry, they have returned with new resounded, my heart bled. These men sounds, founded by vocalist Jaz Coleman, demand to be listened to. Guitarist Geordie, drummer Martin Atkins SJH

Yabby You —Beware Dub

So you've never heard of Yabby You? To bar play on his album (which sounds kind be honest niether had we, but stick with of strange but he is credited with us as we take you (with enthusiastic composing, producing and some of the abandon) deep into the heart of, err, dub singing on Beware Dub. reggae. Deep, even bass underpins all the songs Yabby has ben around for quite a while and a 'just-add-water' rythm guitar and has done most of his recording in the gives each track the usual reggae sound. late seventies. This album was actually It's a very spacey album and we think it recorded in 78/79 and has been would be improved if you listened to it re-released due to it being 'a much whilst being stoned, otherwise forget it. sought after collectors item ever since it's Debaser and Pop Kid release'. He does more or less everything 11 Alien Sex Fiend investigates sex, violence and social prejudice... oh, and comics.

FEATURES Kids Stuff... or are they?

Zap!... Pow!... Khzammm! became something far more. By 'Take that, evil fiend! Your plans to incorporating these elements, and his rule the world are no more!' The Dark own interpretations, Miller showed us a far more complex character than had And another muscle-bound idiot in a been seen before in a comic. He silly costume puts paid to another Knight Returns combined this with another ground- scheming evil mastermind, only to find breaking concept in comics: Time. The that the baddie has escaped, and the Dark Knight Returns is the story of the whole pointless charade will be re- I (Frank Miller) Batman's future, of his old age. By enacted next issue. making the Batman's character complex, When most people think of comics, this was the Miller transformed him from a hero to a is the kind of scenario that runs through man, and with the addition of time, into a their mind, or maybe a fond legend. remembrance of the childhood days of catalyst for a The Dark Knight Returns was the The Beano or Bunty. It's hardly catalyst for a revolution in the comic surprising: We live in a society that Rt€*ff book industry. Its sales were huge, it cms ui TMS regards the comic as a childish medium, revolution in crossed the age boundaries set almost and are thus brought up with this attitude three decades before, and in it's graphic mn €*er mu towards them. the comic novel form entered the Times best sellers But why is this? Comics did not, as list, the first to do so. It was an modern, most people think, start out being aimed INTD f* fflAJCm adult story in every sense of the word. at children, but at the same age groups as book industry. DC immediately took steps to bring the most popular fiction. Superman, the figure regular Batman titles in line with Miller's that arguably started it all, was created in vision. More and more titles from all the early Forties. At this time the strip with the phenomenon with differing industry was subjected to a concentrated began to produce slightly more mature famous comic heroes of all time, who was comic companies followed suit. With this was avidly read by a wide variety of the levels of success, but have generally attack. Companies went out of business, stories, and managed to get them past the both engraved on the minds of comic more modern, adult approach there was a American people, from children to managed to keep up, so to speak. and some of the best artists and writers (by then) slightly more relaxed Comic fans worldwide, and who epitomized the demand for better writers and artists, and teenagers, to college students and Then of course, we come to comics. were forced to find employment in other Code. This happened in various titles, but essential silliness of comics to the general the quality of the comics went up beyond. Batman began as a much darker, Why have they not been able to change fields, and even began denying that they mainly those produced by Detective public (due largely to the TV series), and accordingly. People began to realise the mature figure than he later became in the along with other forms of fiction? The had ever been involved in comics. So Comics (the producers of Batman, totally redefined him into a modern hero, true potential of the comic as an art public eye. main reason can be traced back to the much for the 1st Amendment. Superman, Wonder Woman, et al). It was without contradicting any of the work form. Indeed, it has been hailed as the So what changed? Well, that's the McCarthy era of American history. In this The remaining companies were faced by no means consistent, and there were that had been done before. By doing this medium of the future. Comics cross problem: we did, and they (the comics) paranoid frenzy of investigations all with a choice (?): Clean up or close down. many periods where stories got silly he dramatically demonstrated not only theboundaries between traditional novels didn't. The world we live in has been producers of fictional work were heavily In order to survive they formed the again, but the spark was there. that comics aren't limited to dealing with and the visual fields of cinema and art. It changing at an evei increasing rate. With scrutinized, and a huge amount of Comic Code, a self-regulating body whose Then came the Eighties, and with them childish stories, but also that one of the is possible to combine the visual impact the advent of information technology, and pressure put upon them. The comic book job was (and still is) to make sure that the a man called Frank Miller. Miller was most 'silly' characters wasn't very silly of the latter with the depth of the growth of the media industry, people industry was all but destroyed by a group American youth only read comic books something of a wild card, coming out of after all. characterisation and narrative techniques of the former. Artists such as Bill began to see more of the world they of senate house committee hearings, that were pure and wholesome. Violence (apparently) nowhere, working as an The Batman had been portrayed over Sienkiewicz have been at the forefront of lived in, and to understand a little more which amounted to a witch hunt on was reduced to a bare minimum, and sex independent, and producinghis first major the years in various ways, originally as a this work, in both regular series like of its workings. As we have become more comic book creators. The main focus of (previously unheard of) became totally release, a graphic novel called Ronin, darker, revenge driven vigilante, and Moon Knight, and graphic novels like aware and educated, our understanding these purges was EC Comics, the original taboo. virtually single-handedly (ie he wrote and then for most of the Sixties and Seventies Elektra: Assassin. of ourselves and our society was affected. masters of the horror comic, but in their The consequences of this are still with drew it himself). He then worked his way as a rich, concerned do-gooder. In Miller's This has lead to us placing different almost ecclesiastical zeal the whole us today. Comic books (especially through various characters from various hands he retained both these aspects, but This new wave has lead to a new demands on the arts and entertainments Marvel's output) became nice and clean companies, redefining them with a far emphasis in comics. The heroics have that are meant to be relevant to the and wholesome. And bland, and silly, and more modern, mature and complex become secondary to the characterisation fluctuating world in which we live. simple minded, and boring. At the same viewpoint. His work quickly became very and relationships of the heroes. They are This is the reason that past fictional time the information technology and popular within the small group of comic becoming more human, more real, and works, of any medium, can lose some of media boom got under way. This lead to enthusiasts, those die-hard fans that less like two dimensional cardboard their appeal. They become less believable a change in the readership of the books. hadn't left their comics with their romper cutouts spouting inane comment at not and credible when viewed with our The older readers, becoming more aware suits. At the same time several other very threatening bad guys. Marvel greater understanding. This is not to say of their society and themselves, writers and artists had begun Comic's X-Men and related 'Mutant' titles that they are not enjoyable, but in a demanded more than the comic books experimenting with more ambitious ideas. have dealt very well with this area. different way, and often with a sense of were giving, and thus stopped reading Marvel Comics had introduced a Detective's Green Arrow has spent two nostalgia, thus making it very hard to them. Thus the average age of the character, Wolverine, who by his very years investigating he role of the victim suspend our disbelief. This suspension of readership fell. As the readership became nature was a killer (a first for the in modern crime. The list continues to disbelief is vital if a work of fiction is to younger the writers were forced to aim company), and various other titles were grow. hold our attention and have an impact the comics at this age group, or risk becoming more serious. The implications of this are finally upon us. falling sales. Then there was the abysmal But the turning point for the whole beginning to filter through to the public Television was one of the main forces Batman TV series, which made a farce of industry came with Miller, and Batman. at large. The massive coverage of the behind these changes, transferring a huge one of the biggest comic heroes in the After having gained a large amount of Batman movie helped a great deal. Very amount of information to first hundreds, public's eye. All of this led to society's respect and following in the industry after soon we may find ourselves living in a then thousands, and now millions of perception of comics becoming that his work on Marvel's Daredevil, Detective society that has realised that comics people. As such it was able to keep up which is typical today: Comics are for Comics let him go ahead with a Batman aren't just for kids... with the transformation of people's kids. story. The result was a four-part limited demands. (Although it could be said that But things have changed. It began as series, now reprinted as a graphic novel, Next Week: A review of the major it was forced to by its very nature). The early as the late sixties. Some writers called The Dark Knight Returns. It caused comic shops in London, and of the fields of cinema and literature have dealt Elektra: Assassin became slightly more ambitious. They a storm. Miller had taken one of the most Wolverine best titles available at the moment...

12 13 Chris Riley looks at industry's attitude to the environment Problems and Pollutions ENVIRO

With the world population spiralling Energy companies should not be standards this will always happen, and towards seven billion, it is unrealistic to fighting to preserve and promote the those companies who are first to make an revert to the stone age technology called present levels of energy consumption, but effort to cut pollution will be punished for by some of the more radical 'anti- to diversify into alternative energy financially. Consequently, no company is progress' pressure groups. 'We cannot sources—to plan for the future. These so- at present prepared to make the first look solely to the use of the land and called 'alternatives' will one day be our move, and although our hopes and windmills to support us in the future' only choice, when fossil fuels are no aspiration for the future are different we explains Shell's public affairs officer, Mr longer an alternative. are all tarred with the same 'dirty' brush.' Wyberry. 'Since the Second World War When questioned about their But who then is to pay for this mass there has been a five fold increase in investments in the future their excuse is clean-up of the industrial bad guys? BP is consumption of energy. This demand has always that long term predictions cannot resolute that any cleaning up of industry been met primarily by oil, coal and gas. be made in the oil industry. Shell cannot should be funded by the public in the Today, the world (excluding the see far enough ahead to the point when form of taxes. 'The environment is for the communist countries) consumes 53 million there is no more oil or, more importantly, public good. Costs should be shared by all barrels of oil a day. It is, however, only when the consequences of burning more beneficiaries—a fair share of the costs is in the last five years that we have oil are fatal. They argue that fifteen years vital.' Passing the cost to the customer in become aware of the corresponding ago, the North Sea fields were only going this way is all very well in the first world increase in C02 which has accompanied to support us into the 1990s. Since then but it seems that such methods are not the increase in use of fossil fuels.' exploration has shown them to be applicable to a third world country that Shell sees the global warming and capable for fuelling us for the 'foreseeable cannot even afford to feed its own climatic changes as a challenge to be met population. by improvements in technology. Waste Even within the 'black triangle' of handling, air quality...etc...can all be eastern Europe, where Greenpeace solved by technology if we spend enough The simple incentive workers are perceived as 'rich kids with money', explains BP's public relations nothing better to do', care for the officer, Mr Brown. 'However a technical of saving the environment is considered an expensive solution is not a solution unless it is luxury. 'Perhaps it is ' argues Peter economically viable.' planet is not enough. Tickle, eastern block consultant to 'Europe has set itself the task of Greenpeace. 'Greenpeace have been accused of depriving seal hunters of a bringing C02 levels down to 1988 levels by the year 2005. We must switch from future'. The foreseeable future, like way of life. The fossil-fuel-free future that coal and oil to natural gas and ultimately tomorrow, never comes. we fight for is ultimately suffocating to non-fossil fuels. 'For decades gas has BP, whilst prepared to discuss mining communities. However if you been the Cinderella of the oil industry—a improvements in energy efficiency, are consider the long term costs of chronic useless by-product, not readily adamant that these goals are not pursued air pollution to public health, it seems transportable and instead, flared off from at the exclusion of exploration, their life sensible to stop the pollution before it oil rigs. But with increases in technology blood. 'Continued exploration for happens. In Czechoslovakia some four its importance is increasing. Gas turbine expendable fuels and the preservation of million people live in the most heavily technology is 60% more efficient than the environment are not mutually conventional turbines. Forty per cent of exclusive goals'. Sadly though, as long as the world's proven gas reserves come there is still the temptation of fossil fuels Leaving a window from the USSR and Siberia, Iran and the to be extracted and utilised, it seems that Middle East. The potential to link the the 'alternatives' (renewable energy open at night results derelict Russian economy with an sources) will not be sought with any environmentally-conscious gas-hungry conviction. BP, like any commercial in throbbing west is enormous.' venture needs a financial incentive to 'It is on the fuel consumption side that diversify. The simple incentive of saving headaches... the potential for saving energy exists', the planet is not enough. For now argues Shell. 'The gas used by western though, increasing production costs to contaminated areas. During the winter, Europe equals that lost by leaking pipes clean up the industry does not make when continuous smog conditions prevail worldwide. Simply by replacing an old business sense. Until the political impetus for weeks, children are forbidden to fridge with new equipment, the best that's to change this is supplied, industry will indulge in strenuous activity. Leaving a available, 70% improvements in energy continue to generate their big profits at window open at night results in throbbing efficiency can be achieved. Take a typical the expense of the environment. headaches the next day. In Bratislava, the pump: simply by choosing the right pump Spokesmen for both BP and Shell stress capital of Slovakia, air pollution has for the right application energy efficiency that any environmental legislation must degraded the physical landscape and the can be improved by 60%'. be implemented on an international basis. human environment to the point where Despite these caring claims, when Shell Each country should have its own high the suicide rate is the highest in Europe.' were approached about the Petromiser, environmental standards governed by BP may be more prepared than most (reported in Issue 891) they were not local law but based on international for tougher environmental legislation interested. What it boils down to is that concepts. Whilst environmental policy in which it calls for, but it will require more cuts in public consumption of energy industry is still very much a voluntary commercial evolution than just a change mean cuts in business and profit for the action, few companies are prepared to of logo to survive into the 21st Century. major energy companies. follow BP's exemplary style. 'Many Ironically those who will dictate and Shell are full of suggestions such as companies take advantage of the low implement any future environmental law 'biomass electricity generation', (growing safety standards and non-existent are also the guardian angels of industry. of fuel in fields for gasification to fuel gas environmental laws of the It is in their own interests to nurture such turbines), but when approached about underdeveloped countries to keep their companies pruning them annually for their own alternative energy research costs to a minimum and to maximise their taxes. The question is will this they have very little to boast about. their profits. Without common generic symbiosis finally suffocate the animals?

14 The Slow Moving Snail invites you to celebrate words. Books for Living In all the debate about literacy and our creativity, your sense of wonder at romantic, everyday, macabre, with an schools one small blue document, costing human knowledge because of the soulless underlying sense of discovery. Her only £2.50, was overlooked. This is sad as nature of the secondary school and inspiration comes from a range of objects it examines the very heart of the issue. It college curriculum; if learning has now and events, as varied as a bookstand in a is also heavily ironic, as it is, become solely work to achieve a degree railway station to articles in Victorian unbelievably, the product of Her Majesty's and job - then you need this book. It will science magazines to a mug. Inspectorate from the Department of infect you with Bronowski's personal On Valentines Day Jo aroused her Education and Science. It is a delightful enthusiasm and optimism. It will audience with sex and science, the book that aims to persuade teachers that challenge you with science that has a exploration of atomic particles became an 'poetry matters and that its teaching human soul. erotic massage of her body. Using weird should not be relegated to the end of the Bronowski is one of those scientists, characters such as Tom the Cat, Marilyn day, the week, or the term'. Why review poets, playwrights, historians and Monroe and a cow with BSE, she turned it here, you may be thinking. Because philosophers who celebrates the values her audience into anarchic word Teaching Poetry in the Secondary School and unity found in science and art. As he destroyers, body language physicists and not only answers the question why we expresses in a second book, Science and scientists with an insane stare and a don't read poetry after school, it actually Human Values, that should be reprinted tendancy for the shakes. The Haldane inspires a desire to start reading it! and sent to all undergraduates before Library vibrated with words. they start here - it might lessen the Two professional psychologists got inhumanity of this place: together to publish a collection of 'In science and in art and in self- quotations called In a Dark Time. This is Words knowledge we explore and move constructed into a thought journey from constantly by turning to the world of shock to depression to the joy of hope, as The arguments are nearly poetic in sense to ask, is this so? This is the habit it travels through the insanity of war. If their clarity and enthusiasm. In looking of truth, always minute yet always you are depressed by the inhuman for quotes I wanted to reprint the whole urgent, which for four hundred years has bigotry expressed in the present gung-ho booklet. As perpetual students of life all entered every action of ours; and has attitude to the Gulf war this book will of us should have a copy. More made our society and the value it sets on turn your depression into tears of hope, importantly we should ensure that all man, as surely as it had made the for 'In a dark time the eye begins to see'. parents and English teachers buy it. Here linotype machine and the scout knife, and All the books reviewed here express is a small taste of the excitement of the King Lear and the Origin of the Species the vital human need to read. By turning book: and Leonardo's Lady with a Stoat.' their pages, turning their words into our 'Poetry matters because it is a central images and concepts, we are expressing example of the use human beings make and expanding our humanity. Sadly being of words to explore and understand. Like human, apart from recognition for other forms of writing we value, it lends Glorious communication, avoidance or sex, is not shape and meaning to our experiences a valued or well understood concept at and helps us to move with confidence in Miroslav Holub, the Czech poet and Imperial. There are a few places here the world we know and then step beyond scientist, when he spoke here in that do represent hope of higher things; it, to respond to the generation of November about Science, Art and Ethics the Haldane Library - sadly not the meaning through significant, memorable quoted Bronowski. There is no better Humanities Department - and most and deliberate kinds of language. It is an way of expressing such thoughts. importantly, in the Physics Department activity to which we are drawn because Holub expresses in his poetry ways of there is the Blackett Bookshop, just in its range and rigour we feel both the seeing the world through the turbulence opposite the general office on level 3, presence and the pressure of human of a society suppressed by Stalinism, in open every lunchtime from 12:30 to 2:30. experience. Poetry embodies delight in which truth is corrupted into power. The expression, stretched between thought, poems explore meanings with a sense feeling and form. As we become aware of that they give us the world, and yet, the 'true soundings' of poetry so we there is the cutting edge of the final lines Words become aware of what we ourselves that tell of loss. Are facts real? Do they might do with language.' relate to why? How can we know Here you can buy second-hand books As George Orwell illustrates in the something in a society in which a fact is that smell like human thought and newspeak of 1984, it is language that a fact through fear? This fear and sadness imagination. gives us the power for our thoughts, gives Holub's work a vitality and Long may the human spirit struggle to extend language and you widen the significance. Here is the pen as sword, survive here and eventually tear down horizon of our ideas and freedoms. This science as liberator. the present monstrosity that sacrifices booklet is front-line ammunition in the Holub is a poet published by Bloodaxe science to the politics of financial struggle against the forces of ignorance Books, a company set-up due to the management, utility and marketing. and bigotry that feed Big Brother. It is a anger of Neil Astley at the insult poetry small step in promoting our species' sense was given by commercial publishers. He All the Bloodaxe Books mentioned can be of humanity. has published a compilation of the works bought from the Union Bookstore. Ascent A celebration of these steps, told of 56 poets, writers who have been of Man from Dillons in the Science through the history of human knowledge encouraged and supported in their work Museum. Teaching Poetry in the and science, has recently been re- by Bloodaxe. Poetry With an Edge is an Secondary School can be ordered from published in paperback by the BBC. As introduction to contemporary poetry for HMSO tel: 622 3316. In a Dark Time part of their new Classics Series they those of us who don't know where to edited by Nicolas Humphrey and Robert have brought out Jacob Bronowski's book begin. Holub is there, as is Jo Shapcott. Jay Lifton is published by Faber and Ascent of Man. If you have lost your Her book Electroplating the Baby is a Faber and can be ordered from any good primary school inquisitiveness and , series of personal images, funny, bookshop.

15 Clubs and CLUBS

Rag A Vision Of Christ HYPNOSIS Tonight there's the Spring Hypnosis Lecture. This is a very popular event especially for those who missed the Rag Week version. If anyone wishes to be hypnotised or watch the effects on others turn up at the Great Hall, 7.15pm tonight. It only costs £2.50. For people who want to collect lots of money for charity, we have permission to collect in the Royal Albert Hall over several of the Eric Clapton concerts. See Martin Highway in the RCS Office for more details (or at today's meeting). And finally, Comic Relief takes place on 15th March. Over the last 5 years this has raised over £44 million. If anyone needs help organising an event for this or has any ideas for stunts, come to a Rag meeting.

Come & Watch Blasphemy. trial of 'Gay News', prosecuted by Mary There are bits in the Bible that are erotic, Whitehouse and her Christian 'moral' and in some people's minds pornographic. crusaders, was for a poem by a gay The 'Song of Soloman' is one of these Christian following this tradition: A juicy pieces. In the last century John tradition that goes back centuries. The Carlisle, being tried for blasphemy, was film, Visions of Ecstacy, was made by two prevented from reading publicly these Christians, based on the erotic dreams of extracts. a nun in the 19th Century. It was banned You Will Be There! There has been a tradition, within last year in this country for blasphemy. Christianity, to explore the sexuality to be To examine why this was done and as a found in its language and images. The protest against the blasphemy law the T concepts of worship and love of the body H Huxley Society will be showing this and spirit of Christ, as well as the nun's film in the Union Lounge at 1.15pm on Rugby 'marriage' to God, have been described in Thursday 28 February. Come along and sexual language. The famous blasphemy find out why it was banned. 50p entrance Sunday 24 February sees the Gutteridge (free to members). Cup final between Imperial College RFC and Charing Cross HMC at the ULU Sports Ground in Motspur Park. Kick off is 12.30pm so why not come and support Dance us! Supporters coaches leave the Union at 11.30am. IC Dance Club took four teams (16 Waltz. Gareth Davies and Christine couples) and seven ex-student couples to Bearpark (A team) took first place in Sheffield on Saturday February 2 for the Team Jive. We thought that our A team Sheffield inter-varsity competition. The Cha Cha Cha couple Wendy Tan and FilmSoc Sheffield is often viewed as a warm-up to Mark Highman were very unfortunate to the more competitive SUDA and IVDA have been knocked out in the semi-final Betty Blue events which will take place later this and would probably have been placed Now that I've got your attention, I shall term. The overall team results were not quite highly had they made it to the final. say that Jean Jacques Beineix, the startling, with both A and B teams Our B team Cha couple Paul Ng and director of that infamous film, is ranking third. Cambridge took both first Sarita Chandrasekharan took 3rd place. responsible for next week's Filmsoc place trophies (which, incidentally, were In the Open competitions Eric and presentation, Diva. This is a stylish won by us last year) but we did win the Anne came second in Rock and Roll with French thriller concerning an opera Team Knockout competition (won by a very acrobatic routine—well done! Ex- singer, some illegal recordings of her Cambridge last year!). students Steve and Nicki won the Open performing, and an assortment of On an individual basis some of the Samba but the fame went to Shuko criminals. The plot is sophisticated, with a results were quite encouraging: Team Noguchi and Rachel Condor who entered few twists and turns, so come along at Waltz was won (rather casually!) by with a hastily put together routine as an 7.30pm on Thursday, Mech Eng 220, and James Barron and Janet Bond (A team) all-girl couple, and shocked everyone by polish up on your French and culture. who also came first in the Open Viennese coming sixth. 16 Socs Picocon 5-A-Side IC Randoms: Top of Group IC lsts and 2nds: Out of Running

Five o'clock last Sunday morning, 15 of the toughest sped off in the 'hard seated, petro-powered conveyance mechanism: destination Southampton University via Fleet motorway services for overpriced coffee, muesli and tea.

It's back! The annual Imperial College 3. There's Dan Abnett. Science Fiction convention is set to 4. There's Alex Stewart. invade the Union Building for a whole 5. There's no 'R' in Picocon. day of transmuting, transfering, 6. There's ALL DAY BEER. transporting and maybe even translating. 7. It starts at 10am and dies from We've got Don Abnett from Marvel exhaustion, alcohol poisoning, satisfaction, comics (co-writer of the Knights of brain damage and bowel relapse at 1 Pendragon, editor of Strip and contributor to the Comic Relief Comic) giving a talk Whether it's because you believe in and Alex Stewart (writer, editor) doing klingons, think you're a xenomorph, think some, along with stalls, the real Barbarella is horny, want to see the size Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy of the collars in Blake's Seven, have (Archimedes owners bring disks), big quiz anything even close to an imagination, Having earlier been robbed in the games, songs, dance, hopscotch, torture, you want to see an artist's ideas about cafeteria, the lsts and 2nds couldn't alien impressions, videos and the bar is science or you just want to talk a load of beleive that it could happen a second open ALL DAY!! The relevants (big grey crap and have someone who'll listen to time losing to teams in their groups. It things with trunks) are as follows: you. You'll miss Jim'll Fix It, Blind Date was down to the mighty 3rds to carry the 1. It's on Saturday March 2. and Paul Daniels and still be back for IC flag. Against all odds and a partisan 2. It costs £4 on the day, £3.50 advance. Twin Peaks. Be seeing you. home crowd, they fought like wounded animals and twatted Southampton lsts 2-0, Annan passing the ball at least twice in the warm up. A climax had been set Hyde Park Relay up, a 2nds versus 3rds crunch match in which blood was spilt and the game was drawn. IC Misfits, winning their group and the support of the crowd went on to uiii' lose rather unconvincingly to Sussex, Nelson deftly slotting an own goal at the second attempt past keeper, Chris Collison. By the end of the day we had ridden our luck too far. This became apparent when the mini-bus ground to a halt at Barons Court. it*' illltll

Five months of begging, borrowing and tactics of a pre-race night spent on the delicately the nigh before, using stealing culminated on Saturday in the floor in Southside gym to ward off the previously hidden culinary talents of the 43rd running of the Hyde Park Relays. foreign competition. IC Trogans. Fashion conscious athletes Fifteen hundred students from all over Predictably, Loughborough won both purchased designer T-Shirts, of which Europe descended on Imperial College to the ladies and men's races, however there are a limited number remaining. take part in the biggest race of its kind in Imperial runners used their advantage in There will be an opportunity to buy these the world. This year the event was knowing the course to all run well. The and some of last year's memorabilia in sponsored by the local Natwest Bank and hero of the day being Frank who ran 3 the JCR on Tuesday between 11.30 and also New Balance. legs, each for a different team. GB 2.30pm. The event resembled the London international, Simon Mugglestone, won The event was an unparallelled success Marathon in its professionalism; sponsors, the men's individual prize. which couldn't have happened without 3A's officials, video cameras, official Thanks to Alex's wizardry, a the help of most of the club members, photographers and marshals all gathered computerised results service allowed the particularly Dave and Duncan. Thanks to witness the mass start. 150 men and magnificent trophies to be presented to also to a brave FELIX photographer who 53 women surged around the Serpentine the winners whilst the hungry runners stuck it out until the end. at a time. IC Cross-Country Club relied on wre still devouring the feast prepared

17 Scribblers' C orner. What's On AN UP-TO-THE-MINUTE GUIDE TO EVENTS Bogged - down Lane

FRIDAY Dear Andy, Yours, Hang Gliding 12.30pm In reply to the small piece headed 'Real A wfully-bogged-down, Southside Upper Lounge. Come and find out Funding', there were so many points Spenser Lane, SCC Chairman. about weekend training. Weekly meeting. raised in the article it is difficult to know Yacht Club Meeting 12.30pm where to start. It is far too easy to blame Huxley 413. individuals up to and including sabbaticals Rag Meeting 12.40pm for the state of the Union now (mind you, Union Lounge. Council approved expenditure for United? Huxley Soc Bookstall 1.00pm surveying 2,000 students according to the JCR. President's report request, but at the UGM Friday Prayers 1.00pm he claimed it was for 1,200-1,500 Dear Andy, Southside Gym. See Islamic Society. students, an increased cost of 25-40%. I wonder what the Children of the Kung Fu 4.30pm And he reckons I'm trying to mislead Winnie Mandela Centre for the Under Union Gym. Council!?!? Couldn't resist that one Shan). Fives, think about her recent appearance C.U. Prayer Meeting 3.00pm But on closer reflection the blame can't in court on the charges of assault and 413 Maths. lie there. Elected individuals are endorsed abduction. The allegations involve the Yoga 5.30pm to try and put in their own ideas and feared Mandela Utd football team which Southside feelings for what is best for the students, she 'managed' whilst her husband was Christian Union Meeting 6.00pm whilst enacting their will as well from enjoying prison life. The captain of this 308 Computing. UGMs etc. The failure of these are not an football club has already been found Swimming 6.30pm indication of the weakness of any guilty of the murder or poor little Sports Centre. New members always welcome. proposals, but the inappropriateness of Stompie. Fencing Club Training 6.40pm their conception in the current climate. This centre for the under fives is not, as Club training. However, in the light of new proposals you would imagine in a shanty town of Rag Hypnosis Lecture 7.15pm to abolish the UGM, I feel the first place Soweto, but in the London Borough of Great Hall. £2.50. to start is with the committee structure. Islington. I was wondering what a Shaolin System Nam Pal Chuan 7.30pm Presently, the UGM is the sovereign body conversation between a pupil and teacher Southside Gym. of ICU, followed by Council, then UFC is might be like at this centre: 'Well, Johnny Water Polo 7.30pm beneath Council. Now UFC is supposed to don't drop that paint pot again or I'll rip Sports Centre. Come along and join in. give advice and investigate the finances your throat out with a pair of garden Southside Disco J8.30pm of the Union. So, it would be obvious that shears. Don't even think about telling Southside Bar. UFC should report to Council. BUT, a few your parents or we'll go round your years ago Council thought that it was house, set fire to it, and gang rape your SATURDAY doing too much work, and since the sister.' Kung Fu Club 4.30pm majority of UFC seemed to be a sensible This would be consistent with the Wu Shu Kwan in Southside Gym. committee, so why abolish it. Hence, all Mandela Utd code of practice. They have Union financial matters are decided by been responsible for the fear that has SUNDAY UFC, then theoretically rubber-stamped swept many black townships. This is Sunday Service 10.00am by Council, though now matters don't shown by the reluctance of prosecution Anteroom Sherfield Building. See West London seem to get that far, they are just witnesses to come forward to testify Chaplaincy. accepted. against the 'manager'. I must admit I Catholic Chaplaincy Mass 11.00am So that's the current situation now, but have very little respect for either Mrs 53 Cromwell Road. it seems that the decisions of the Union's Mandela or her terrorist husband, Wargames 1.00pm past are now catching up with us in a big particularly since her now famous UDH. All welcome. way. If UGMs are to go then Council will quotation 'With our matches and our Yoga ^ 10.30am have to take more responsibility. Is that necklaces we will liberate this land.' Southside Gym. likely to happen. Well, from Mr Eyers Isn't it sad that whilst President De Kung Fu Club 4.30pm reckoning, only a few people bother to Klerk is doing wonderful work with his Wu Shu Kwan in the Union Gym. take part in important discussions. Thanks reforms in the Republic of South Africa, Catholic Mass 6.00pm for that, I'm sorry if people are thinking the main news that's coming out of this 53 Cromwell Road, followed by supper. that I'm not saying enough, but I'm not country is the trial of a wicked woman? sure what's going on half the time. I can Islington council should immediately re- MONDAY only presume that their education here is name the centre. Perhaps after some RockSoc Meeting 12.30pm second to none and that they understand great British hero. How about the Southside Upper Lounge. All abnormalities perfectly what's going on. I doubt that, Margaret Thatcher centre for the Under welcome. but the more accurate answer would be Fives or even after Norman Tebbit or Basketball Club 3.30pm that people are not bold enough to ask Enoch Powell. However knowing Volleyball Court. Men's Team. questions. And who can blame them? I've Islington Council as I do, they'd probably Keep Fit 3.30pm been here nearly four years and never name it after Saddam Hussein! Southside Gym. for one moment felt 100% comfortable Yours, Intermediate Rock 'n' Roll 6.00pm about what's going on! Alan Bailey. JCR. Your editorial said 'the only way things Swimming 6.30pm can get any better is if you get involved'. P.S. I have accepted your challenge of a Sports Centre. New members always welcome. A more accurate perception would have public debate. You've got my number so been '...if you get INVOICED!' when will you let me know the details? Beginners Rock 'n'. Roll 7.00pm JCR. Talk by Heinz Wolff 7.30pm Apologies...? Physics LT1. Plus Wellsoc AGM afterwards. Water Polo 7.30pm Dear Saddam Hussein, compromise: if we pull all our troops out Sports Centre. Come along and try one of the I'm writing to apologise for the terrible of the Gulf, you get out of Kuwait. You most physically demanding sports. can keep everything you've nicked—the crimes our Imperialist Fascist Latin American ..8.00pm Kuwaitis are rich and will easily rebuild Governments have committed against JCR. your country, and to assure you that their country. even here and in 'the Great Satan' there In fact—what the heck—you can keep TUESDAY are plenty of people who wish you no Kuwait. The girl at the chippie reckons C.U. Prayer Meeting 8.30pm harm whatsoever. the Al-Sabahs who ran Kuwait are Chaplain's Office All throughout this crisis we have been dictators—all 1200 of 'em. The people of Grand T-Shirt Sale 11.30pm calling for a peaceful solution, and we Kuwait aren't much better. The National JCR. Exclusive designs from SI. have regularly condemned America's Union of Kuwaiti Students say they've Riding Club Meeting 12.30pm persistent aggression. Even now after four been trying to get rid of the Al-Sabahs Southside Upper Lounge. since 1964. It only took us eleven years weeks of war we feel it is not too late to AudioSoc 12.30pm to get rid of our dictator, so clearly NUKS negotiate. You showed yourself to be a S.C.R. for cheap records, CDs and hi fi aren't trying very hard. They don't reasonable and amiable gentleman by the discounts. deserve a country of their own. Besides, help you gave to the foreigners stranded Radio Modellers 12.30pm Kuwait has only been around since 1710, in Iraq and Kuwait. Our leaders on the Southside Lounge. so they've no real historical claim to other hand are obstinate and pig-headed Cathsoc Mass 12.30pm independence. idiots whose refusal to negotiate is a Mech Eng 702. Followed by lunch. damning indictment on our so-called On top of all that, we don't even need Sailing Club 12.30pm democracy. Kuwait. Someone I was chatting to in the Southside Lounge. For the past month 'the Allies' have bog said they only produced 8% of the PhotoSoc 1.00pm been bombing hell out of Iraq, and what world's oil, so even if you nuked the Southside Lounge. New members to join. has it achieved? Your continued missile whole place it wouldn't hurt us in the Jewish Society Meeting 1.30pm attacks on Saudi Arabia and Israel show West very much. Of course, you would SCR Union Building. that the bombing is having no real effect have to make a solemn pledge not to Gliding Club Lecture 5.30pm on your army, and obviously you don't invade Saudi Arabia or anywhere else; Aero 266. A short talk with slides 'Mountain give a toss about civilian casualties. A and keep that promise, not like the one Soaring in the Alps'. you made about not invading Kuwait- bloke I met in the pub said this war is Radio Modellers 5.30pm naughty boy! In return we will remove all costing us over forty million quid a day— Student training workshop, Mech Eng. American and UK forces and businesses that's nearly half what the NHS gets! The Keep Fit 5.30pm from all Arabic countries; destroy all our Tories are closing hospitals to pay for Southside Gym. atomic biological and chemical weapons; someone else's war, and we say enough Amenesty International 5.30pm pay you substantial compensation for the is enough. Clubs Committee Room. Weekly meeting. millions of civvies you say have been Here's the plan: with everyone's Wine Tasting Soc 6.00pm killed; and make you honorary president attention turned to the Gulf (perhaps you Union Lounge. Weekly meeting. Everyone of the London School of Economics. could turn the heat up a bit?) we the welcome people will rise up and sieze power, Best Wishes, Improvers Ballroom 6.00pm smash the Tories, abolish the Poll Tax, Ultan McCarthy, Secretary Rampton JCR. and stop the Gulf War. We offer you this Rejects against the Gulf War. Canoe Club ,6.15pm Beit Quad store or 8.30pm in Southside Upper Lounge. Judo 6.30pm God And... Union Gym. Ballroom Bronze Medal 7.00pm Dear Andy, forward a premise such as 'In Luke JCR. 1. I won't admit my name because I'm 3:16...' This is not a valid basis for any Yoga 8.00pm scared? Bullshit. As I have said before, I argument unless you are debating the Southside Gym. won't tell you because it reduces my Bible. It cannot be applied to any other Cricket Nets 3.00pm credibility when arguing the point. Would situation as the Bible (and. Koran etc) is Lords. Meet at 7.45pm in Mech Eng Foyer. Mr Cooksley (892) accuse me of being heavily biased. Do you Christians believe Must bring whites. feminist if I were a 'bloke'? Would I be the book of Mormon, or the Moonies? No rascist if I were coloured? (Sorry, I'd like you don't. WEDNESDAY to check with the white majority out I make a premise and conclusion and Keep Fit 12.30pm there if I'm allowed to use the word try to answer any logical discussion. Southside Gym. coloured. No one seems to ask the However you religious types do not allow Bike Club 12.45pm minorities.) I will also admit that in my any logical criticism of the Bible etc. 'It's Southside Lounge. earlier letters I was deliberately true, God told me in prayer.' Oh then it Cycling Training 1.00pm inflmatory, and I don't promise not to do must be true. F**k off. It just doesn't Meet at Beit Arch. it again. stand up. Mr Butcher is not banning Wargames 1.00pm 2. In the letters' page most people put Christians from writing in, he is just UDH. All welcome. forward a premise, and draw some logical saying he will not tolerate any argument Micro Club Meeting 1.15pm opinion and conclusions from it. The logic supported by fiction, not matter how old Top floor NW corner Union Building. Every is often incorrect or the premise perhaps it is. week. leaves things out. But you try. There is 3. South Africa. While I oppose Kung Fu 1.30pm an exception to this rule. Christians put Aparthied I would like to point out a few 19 LETTERS Union Gym. DramSoc 2.30pm Union Concert Hall. Diving 6.30pm Swimming Pool. ...Other Mascots Shaolin System Nam Pai Chuan 7.00pm Southside Gym. Basketball Club 7.30pm things. First; tribalism. In many African This is not even a worst case scenario. Volleyball Court. Women's Team states white domination of blacks has Lots of schools crocodile children around Kung Fu Club 7.30pm been replaced with maybe one tribe the area. It will happen sometime. It will Union Gym. Wu Shu Kwan. dominating all the others. In South Africa be a rare event, but when it happens for we have the communist ANC and the the first time there is going to be severe THURSDAY tribal Inkatha movement. Because of hell to pay. Fencing Training 11.30am world arms embargoes, South Africa now This is something I think people should Intermediate & advanced coaching. has a huge weapons industry. I do not be concerned about. The mascots are Balloon Club Meeting 12.30pm think that either group is sophisticated hardly ever seen, kept in secret locations Southside Upper Lounge. enough to handle the responsibility yet. by the chosen few. They hardly ever YHA Meeting 12.30pm At the same time I do not think this raise money for charity as they are rarely Southside Upper Lounge. should be used to perpetuate Apartheid. stolen. Mines doesn't appear to care one Postgrad Lunch 12.30pm Anyone got an opinion? way or the other (at least they don't risk Chaplains Office (10 Princes Gardens). 4. Mascotry. This is a proud tradition. It lives). Fencing Training 12.30pm enabled about eight guys on each team to I have an idea for an alternative: Beginners Training. play soldier and use warlike talkies, The mascots must be stored somewhere 'Vision of Ecstasy 1.15pm directing youthful freshers in defence of on College grounds. They must be Union Lounge. A film of a nun's erotic dreams. their mascot. It allows ten people to pile brought to all UGMs and any Union Banned last year for blasphemy. Entrance 50p into the back of a Hertz van and drive at event. (members free). Organised by Huxley Society, silly speeds around London. The Unions I think this will have the following Fencing Training 1.30pm have squads of cars and motor bikes to effects: General. pursue the vans. 1. The mascots will have a much higher Gliding Club Meeting 1.00pm Very soon a van will pull out of College profile, creating support and reducing Aero 266. Come and arrange a trial flight. at high speed and hit a child, a car, apathy. Keep Fit 5.30pm maybe just a lamp-post. The drivers are 2. They will get stolen a lot more often, Southside Gym good, but there's no accounting for the generating even more patriotism and Midweek Service 5.30pm other idiots on the road. There is going loads of money. Chaplains Office (10 Prince's Gardens). to be a witness who reports ten people 3. There is no chance of hitting New Beginners Ballroom 6.00pm running from the back carrying a metallic someone with a van. JCR. object. The hire company will piece 4. The top secret mascotry teams might Judo 6.30pm together that a) ten people is illegal and complain that they'll have no fun. (Well Union Gym. b) the van was being used for mascotry. not publicly, but they'll oppose my plan Improvers Ballroom 7.00pm They are highly likely to say that the for that reason.) I would say to them that JCR. insurance is therefore invalid, and the the challenge of getting it across College Intermediate Ballroom Ji.OOpm Union is legally responsible for the repair once a week or so will be much more JCR. of the van (thousands), and personal satisfying. Southside Disco &.30pm damages to the victim, which can come Southside Bar. to millions. Athena. ICCAG Soup Run 3.15pm Meet Weeks Hall Basement. Toilet Talk FOR SALE & WANTED Nend-a-Bike ESTHER & SIMONE Ltd. Handmade card for Dear Andy, any occasion. 24 hours notice required—Potato I'm not quite sure how it is that a small prints only. minority of people are allowed to grafitti FOR SALE: Ricoh XRX Camera with and destroy the Union Building toilets but 35-70mm zoom lens. Excellent condition. they have. Today I went to the bog by Boxed as new. &220 ono. Contact Kaveh via the bar for a good dump and find no Felix Office (ext 3515). FOR SALE: Golf Diesel 1.6cc. Very good toilet seat or functioning door lock. I then condition, low mileage for year (1980). £900 crossed to the one by the lobby at the ono. Contact Yazi on 5180 (int) or 071-701 foot of the stairs and found no bog paper 0827 (after 9pm). and the walls covered in grafitti. Maybe I'm overly sensitive but I think that ANNOUNCEMENTS 'POPULATION growth in developing instead of £4K to a management countries', guest speaker from Mary Stoppes consultant, perhaps £2K refurbishment Int. Thursday 12.45pm, Mech Eng 5420. and maintenance of the heads should be a good idea? PERSONAL MY KELLOGG'S Honey-Bun—you know tht I A man with a real anus. love you'—Steve. FOREVER and twenty-three and a half hours. P.S. At least the toilets were clean, last Fulham, London SW6 ITD DEAR TIGER, Number 1, Love and Hugs-? time I went I found a lake of chunder in 071-371 5867 one and a still vomiting member of Beans Club in the other, unconscious. 20 Way. /^\qs3 m^clua meaiocriizu

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(erp/ Pendragon and Alien Sex Fiend present... Comicword ACROSS DOWN Filmword Answers: I. Comic becomes book. 1. Ecology pointer to a super (7,5)* hero with bow. (5,5)* Across: Down: 7. : Assassin, by Miller 2. and feared. Most I. Punisher, 6.Akira, 7.Slip 1.Postcards, 2.In Laos, & Sienkiewicz. (7)* villains are. (5) 3.Hopper, 4.Air, Out, 8.He, 9.Home Alone, 9. Once used by Bad Guys 3. On crime or on comics? 5.Parenthood, 6.At Noon, II. AV, 12.TNT, 15.Ben, only, but not any more...(3) McCarthy chose the latter. 10.ET, 13.Marlon, 14.Child's, 17.Death, 18.Pyro, W.Ishtar, 10. Leader of New Mutants, (5,4)* 16.Enter, 18.Pretty, 20.Mad, 20.Monde, 21.Top, 23.Fan, or electricity carrier? (5) 4. Singular way of dealing 22.POW, 24.No 25. Rocky Two II. Desert wanderer was with tall buildings. (3,5) once Captain America's 5. Batman lives on it, and Partner. (5) each of Wolverine's claws has 12. Scottish dog meets Paul one. (4) Daniels in playpark. Not in 6. of the story? At comic. (6) least, until next issue? (3) 13. Masterless samuri, first for 8. Darksnake causes mean Miller. (5)* problem for Comic Relief 15. Fearful evaluation in Comic. (6) Mega-City One. (5) 14. Tell the story. Batman 18. Honestly, he caused a does it himself. (7) revolution. (5)* 16. The consequence of an 20. On crime or society? angry Storm. (4) Decides the gulf between 17. Not always the end for a hero and villain. (3) Marvel hero. (5) 22. Reading comics is a good 19. Soldiers' colour: Heros one. (4) prefer brighter uniforms. (5) 23. Britain, America. Who's in 21. Was this Warlock the first charge? (7) man in Eden? (4) 24. Comics can, but often puzzle. (5) Clues marked with a '*' 25. Wolverine's nature was a can be solved by reference deadly first for Marvel. (6)* to the feature on pages 12 & 13.

Imperial College Union Overseas Students Committee Presents IMPERIAL COLLEGE

BOOKSTORE

Friday 1st March 1991 Food Festival—6.30pm, JCR VIDEO HIRE Cultural Show-8.00pm, Great Hall Brazilian Carnival—10.00pm, Until Easter 1991 Monday to Thursday: Tickets available from the Union Office or overseas society officers: all videos only SI £3.50 in advance £4.00 at the door EVERYBODY WELCOME Weekend Rate: Imperial College of Science, Technology & Medicine 3 nights for £3 Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW7 MEMBERSHIP FREEH 22 The Story So Far...

lecture? Have you ever whiled away the I'm back. Sorry; no clever little intro this If you're not a candidate, then it's going time by producing an exquisite work of week. I can't think of one. to be your first chance to see who's who, so read carefully. The people you vote in literature or art? Do bears do various will be in charge of the Union for the naughty things in the woods? Does the The End next year. Too many people here Pope like the taste of concrete? If so Last week Felix received a letter from a complain about the Union; that it doesn't (well, mainly if the second one...), then woman who had actually had an do enough for us; it doesn't do the things Felix wants you. Or rather, Felix wants abortion. Out of respect for her and her you want; you never know what's going your creations, whatever they may be. feelings, and those of any other person at on; etc, etc. If you don't make the effort The only requirement is that it was college in a similar position, I am drawing to find out about the candidates, you produced in a boring lecture. So go for it: a close to the abortion debate. The won't know who you're voting for, and Show the world that not all students are opinion article written by IC Pro-Life Soc you won't be able to vote for the right time wasters! Drop your stuff off at the was only printed this week as it had been person. Not voting at all is even worse. Felix office. arranged before this letter was received. The discussion has been raging for This is the biggest chance we get to Also coming soon: A one off special set several weeks, and clearly it is a very make sure things are how we want them. of interviews with the Sab candidates, emotive issue, about which people have The Union is there for us, but if we don't asking them the kind of questions that very strong personal feelings. It is also make the effort and get involved then they don't want to be asked, but that you going nowhere. Both sides have had their we've no right to complain. Apathy never want to know the answers to. This will say many times over, and thus I feel that be in the issue after next. AND a special to continue would merely cause more post election round-up, in the issue after unnecessary pain to people who have had that. Yes, you are going to VOTE, personal experiences with the subject. whether you like it or not...

Meanwhile, back at the Batcave... The heroes triumphant (ie, the end!) As I've already stated, I'm back (bit Well, that's about it for now. With any obvious by now, really). The evil luck the new cartoon will be regular (or a masterminds of the Brotherhood of certain new cartoonist will be in trouble). Examiners gave me their worst, and I You'll all be glad (?) to know that lived to tell the tale, although my degree everyone's (?) favourite cat will be back may not have done. (Only joking, Mum. next week, complete with high body- Honest). Thus you are once again the count (or a certain editor/cartoonist/part- proud owner of a big, chunky, twenty time biologist/alien sex fiend will be in four pager. However, at this point I must trouble). And remember that the C&G say a huge 'THANKYOU!' to the rest of and RCS CCU elections are on Monday. the Felix staff for single-handedly (well, Think of them as a warm-up to the ICU there are several of them, but you know ones. IE: VOTE!!!!!! what I mean...) producing the Valentine's issue last week, and more importantly for Staff Meeting: Monday 12.30pm not saying anything really horrible about me in their editorial. It's okay, you can The Super Team point the gun somewhere else now, Printing and Typesetting: InkMan and guys... QuickFinger (aka Andy and Rose) As you may already know, next week News Editor: TokenWoman (aka Anna) is the (drum roll, trumpet fanfare...) Arts Editor: Idiotically Dedicated Man Travel Special!!! Which means the whole (aka Adam) of Felix is going to be jam-packed with Music Editor: SuperRaver (aka John) articles written by people who have been Books Editor: Wonder Bigot (aka to really nice hot places, and are very Michael) smug about it. If you haven't yet Photo Editor: Flas^Man (aka Richard) submitted (ooo-er) an article, then it's not Features Editor: SuperSyntax (aka too late (well, not quite). The final Roland) deadline is Monday, so get scribbling. Cartoonist: SillyPlotMan (aka Ian Cairns) Next issue is also the penultimate one The SideKicks: ToneBoy (Stef), DataKid before the Imperial College Union achieves anything, and neither does (James), Ian the Boy Blunder, EcoLad elections. As such it will contain mugshots winging when it's too late. Right, rant (Chris R.), the GerbilKids (Arts Reviewers), of all the candidates for the various over. But make sure you VOTE! the Groovy Tunes (Music Reviewers) and sabbatical positions (President, Deputy Pro-Life. President, Hon Sec (Events), and of What will our heroes do next? The Innocent Bystanders: Steven, Yasir, course, the most important one: Felix Well, we've got a couple of new things Karen, Indy, Nick, Mike, Simon, Parantha, Editor). More importantly it will also coming up (no, I'm not going to use the Stefano, Clare, Nora (SuperRaver's Love present their manifestoes. same joke twice in on issue. Next week, Interest), Julia, Ruth, Wheezy, Rebecca, Rob, Sam, Frank, and The Rebel Alliance. So, if you're a candidate, bear this in though...). The first is a regular diary mind: The deadline is Monday, 25th column, written by a student here, and February, 12.30 pm sharp. All detailing his life in the previous week. Felix is produced for and on behalf of the Imperial manifestoes must be 300 words or less. If I've already seen a sample, which he College Union Publications Board and is printed at they are longer they will be cut at the swears is true. The easily shocked need the Imperial College Union Print Unit, Prince Consort Road, London SW7 2BB (Tel 071-225 8672). not read, but the names will be changed 300th word, even if in mid-sentence. Editor: Andrew Butcher, Manager: Chris Stapleton, Sorry, but it's the only way to ensure that to protect the innocent (guilty?). Business Manager: Jeremy Burnell. Copyright Felix no one candidate gains an advantage Next comes the 'Boring Lecture Forum'. 1991 ISSN 1040-0711. over any other. Have you ever been stuck in a boring