GUUi January 2011
-
Upload
guuimagazine -
Category
Documents
-
view
214 -
download
0
Transcript of GUUi January 2011
-
8/6/2019 GUUi January 2011
1/20
GUUi
columns | sport | music | lm | current affairs
Issue 16 January 2011
-
8/6/2019 GUUi January 2011
2/20
-
8/6/2019 GUUi January 2011
3/20
contentsEditorial
Merry Christmas and a happyNew Year! As my penultimate is-
sue of the GUUi and as a gratefulEnglishman, it is my pleasure tointroduce an issue that is devotedto Robbie Burns, Scotlands great-est poet.
The two girls in charge of the fea-ture article this month have pre-pared a fantastic double-page oneverything to do with Burns andBurns night, even including their
own (and quite cheeky) Toast tothe Laddies. I hope you enjoy it.
Otherwise, we have all the usual,with a special on Black and WhiteFilm and also a revision on the lastissues Top Ten Albums of 2010.
This issue is also quite devotedto the Unions most prestigiouspasstime, Debating. Have a read
of Ross Mitchells letter from theboard for more information on De-bating at the Union, and also checkout Michael Grays article on JohnSmith on page 11.
Lastly, Id like to wish you a happy January and a successful new se-mester and New Year.
Ross CookConvenor of Libraries
Convenor of LibrariesEditor in ChiefRoss Cook
Sub EditorGregor Muir
ContributingWritersCurrent Affairs - Joe Fitzgibbon
Film - Natalie JackMusic - Cameron GreigColumnist- Orla McGowanColumnist- Gregor Muir
Cartoonist- Joseph BucklowNicola ArmstrongMichael GrayHollie Jones
If youd like to contribute to theGUUi in any way; editorially,writing or photography e-mail: [email protected]
The opinions expressed in thispublication do not representthose of the GlasgowUniversity Union.
3
4
56
7
8
9
11
13
14
15
17
The Board - Ross Mitchell says a few words.
Whats On - Glasgow and the GUU this month.
Comment - Guilt and the student psyche.Comment - The SRCs Nightline.
Column - Orla McGowan on Family.
Column - Gregor Muir on New Year.
Feature - A Burns Night Toast.
Debates - John Smith
Film - Black and White Classics
Music - Kanye West and Forest Swords.
Current Affairs - Rising Prices
Sports Page - GUSA Report and Results.
-
8/6/2019 GUUi January 2011
4/20
- 3 -
Good day all!
I am the Convenor of Debates at Glasgow University Union which means I am responsible for organising every ele-
ment of debating at the Union, from running our competitive debating team to deciding the avours of VK at Parlia-
mentaries. Of all the opportunities that the Union has to offer, in my albeit biased opinion, debating is undoubtedly
the greatest. GUU have won the World Championships a staggering ve times, a number no other University hasyet beaten. But the best thing about the opportunity of debating is that all of our speakers are completely new to it
when they come to University. All of our debaters are trained from the very beginning at Speaker Training which
takes place every Tuesday at 6 pm in the Bridie Library.
The most exciting event debating has to offer in the near future is the John Smith Memorial Debate and Dinner on
Friday 4th February. John Smith held the position of Convenor of Debates in his time at the Union and took those
skills on to become leader of the Labour Party in 1992. Smith retained close links with the Union until his death in
1994 and is fondly remembered to this day as the best Prime Minister we never had.
To celebrate this legacy, every two years the Union holds the cross party John Smith Memorial Debate which has
featured in the past the likes of Vince Cable, Harriet Harman, and David Blunkett. This year we are lucky enough tosee our own Rector Charles Kennedy debating as well as Ann Mckechin, the Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland
with the motion This House believes Labour is still best for Britain. Tickets for the debate are completely free, enti-
tle you to a free drink in the Union after the debate and available all day from the Porters Box. Following the debate
is the highly anticipated John Smith Memorial Dinner. This dinner is a grand, black tie ve course meal served in the
Dining Room with plenty of wine and port where a toast to John Smith is given. Dinner tickets also get you entry to
the pre-debate champagne reception and exclusive post debate party. All of this comes at an incredible 40 and can
be purchased from the Union Shop.
I hope to see as many of you as possible at one of our events and especially the John Smith Debate where we are
reminded of the true potential of what debating at the Union can offer!
Ross Mitchell
Convenor of Debates
Glasgow University Union
The Board
-
8/6/2019 GUUi January 2011
5/20
- 4 -GUUi
Happy new year everyone! Us at the GUUi here hope you feel fresh after the holidays, sufciently satiated with
Christmas cheer and copious amounts of turkey. But dont worry, because even if you dont weve got plenty of
things planned to make damn sure you get refreshed this January.
Re-freshers week kicks off on Saturday the 17th with a born-in-the-USA themed Hive so dust off your cowboy hats and comealong for a rootin-tootin good time. Monday brings you the Big Quiz of the Year with the lucky winners bagging themselves
a keg of beer, and Tuesday will get your brain back in gear for serious uni work with the re-freshers debate This house would
ask: Is Islam to blame for terrorism?
On Wednesday night Russell Kane will be bringing the house to their knees with laughter in the debates chamber not one to
be missed! I hope you already know where youll be spending your Thursday night karaoke in Playing Fields followed by
some shape-throwing in the Hive of course!
Now some of you might have heard of a little get-together called Rockness... Well just because we love you were bringing
you a selection of the hottest up-and-coming British acts from Rocknesss line up for 2011. Youre welcome guys! And do
you want to know why the GUU have more fun than anyone else? Because on the Saturday weve got the one and only Kele
Okerke from Bloc Party DJing in the Hive! Last but not least wind down whats set to be an amazing week with a Burns Night
supper and Ceilidh here in the GUU.
Whats On
Take advantage of the calm before the storm the few weeks before the deadline season approaches by exploring
this wonderful city we just know youve missed so much over the vacation. Europes premiere winter music festival,
Celtic Connections celebrates its 18th birthday in 2011, with over 1,500 artists performing in approximately 300 events
taking place over 18 days across 14 venues in Glasgow. Their show Forever Young a 70th Birthday Tribute to Bob Dylan is
even sparking rumours that the man himself might make an appearance already marking this as one of the events of the year.
Check out www.celticconnections.com for information on the shows and booking information.
If you fancy an injection of culture in your life consider heading to the opera this month. Normally the prospect of three hours
of a foreign-language sing-song can be intimidating but the revival of the land-mark production of the Cunning Little Vixen
is a well-loved opera brimming with humour and sung in English. It was a sell-out success last year so get your tickets fast.
Shows are on the 21st and 22nd of January so head to www.ambassadortickets.com now to purchase.
Lastly, if youre dance moves are getting a bit stale and you want to jazz them up for the new year then moonwalk along to
one of the Go Dance 11 showcases running at the Theatre Royale at 7.30pm from the 25th to the 29th. This is an exhilarating
dance festival celebrating some of Scotlands best talent. Who knows, bust out the robot in front the right person and you
might even get spotted...
This month in Glasgow
This month at the GUU
-
8/6/2019 GUUi January 2011
6/20
- 5 -
Comment
Ihave always been a fairly guilty person. Not because
I should be; Ive never been a criminal mastermind or
skyped with Osama Bin Laden. In fact, surprisingly, Ive
never committed any real crimes against humanity (apart
from disgracing myself one or two times after three too many
kamikazes). But, once you start thinking about things, com-
mon daily things, as I often do a little bit too much probably,
I always nd myself feeling really guilty. If you think about
it, when was the last time you phoned your Gran? For me it
feels somewhere circa 1996... And when was the last time you
gave money, if ever, to the harmonica lady at the top of Byres
road, or the homeless man (the one with the hidden ponytail
look out for it) outside the Bank of Scotland? Also, when
was the last time you borrowed your atmates bread, milk,
toilet paper, makeup, socks? This morning? Yep, me too.
Yesterday, a friend told me shed only been to the gym twicethis week. SO?! I replied in angst. I have stepped foot into
the Stevie once this semester to use the toilet. Even though
yes, I did spend 40 on my membership at the beginning of
the year, and yes, I did have every intention of becoming a
healthy stallion of a woman, but, it hasnt happened. And,
yes, I feel guilty about it. My friend however, who frequently
uses her membership felt guilty she hadnt gone every night
of the week. Other friends guilt surrounds exams the fatal
word that has now popped back up from the ery pits of
mount Stufftothebackofbrain. And it is always exam timethat seems to make my guilty conscience rise to a high resem-
bling Beth Dittos blood pressure.
An avid procrastinator, I leave my work to the last minute,
then sit in my exam feeling completely remorseful for the
free moments of time I had where instead of looking up clips
from Hey Arnold! on YouTube, I should have been revising.
The ghost of studying past pats me on the back and congratu-
lates me on being so useless and I leave the exam hall feeling
as guilty as ever. I think most of the guilt I experience is sim-
ply for my laziness. The laziness of not bothering to phone
my Gran, not bothering to get my purse out to give to the
homeless, not bothering to type Sparknotes into Google
in order to revise, or not bothering to shift that extra tyre...
Food is also a major cause of my guiltiness. Nightmares af-
ter watching Hugh Fearnly Whittingstalls documentaries
on chicken farms mean I now only feel ok buying free range
meat. (Its like he hypnotised me). And so, on the morn-
ing after a gallant night out, when I wake up smothered in
Mr Koh-i-noors chicken pakora (denitely no innuendo) I
feel personally culpable for the rise of animal cruelty. The
amount I eat is also a bit of a hazardous situation. I can eat
and eat and eat and my metabolism is still ok at sorting
me out (just). But, Im just waiting for the day when the
Wispa that broke the greedy girls waistline will just be too
much for my brilliant metabolism and I will burst into some
kind of Pavarotti-esque rhino. I eat far too much chocolate,
cakes and sweets, and yesterday the strawberry and mintin a cocktail were the rst traces of fruit and veg Ive had in
about a week... Guilty as charged. But its my own fat fault.
I leave my work to the last minute,then sit in my exam feeling complete-ly remorseful for the free moments oftime I had where instead of looking upclips from Hey Arnold! on YouTube, Ishould have been revising.
In conclusion, after observing my ridiculous guilt levels,
from now on I think I will try to be a little less hard on my-
self. My internet history will permanently contain more Fa-
cebook searches than Shakespeare sonnets, my Gran prob-
ably will probably always be waiting for that phone call,
my ab will continue to ub and the harmonica lady will
continue to play music to earn her place on the street no
matter how many pennies Im able to give her. But, the next
time I visit Mr Koh-i-noor I will remember to ask exc-
coose me.. iss your chicken feee range? *Hiccup*- Megan McEachern
GUIltMegan McEachern on the student psyche
-
8/6/2019 GUUi January 2011
7/20
- 6 -GUUi
Comment
Have you ever got to 3 in the morning and wondered
where your exam is the next day? Feeling a bit
lonely in halls and got no-one to turn to? Or may-
be you just need some information, about where to get your
bike xed, or where to get your bus back from town? Youre
not alone, and there are people who want to help..
Nightline is a free, condential service provided by the SRC,
from 7pm to 7am, every day of the week during term time.
So whatever your problem is, whatever your question is,
trained student volunteers are waiting to pick up the phone.
Although its not a counselling service, Nightline is a sign-
posting service, so its a good place to start if youve got a
problem.
Its a good place to get it off your chest, talking to a non-
judgemental fellow student, who will be able to help you onyour way to solve your problem by sending you in the right
direction. And because its completely condential, what you
say goes no further than the person at the other end of the
phone. Although Nightline volunteers cant provide coun-
selling support, they are trained extensively, and so will be
able to send you in the right direction and give you informa-
tion on the services that will be able to help you.
And if you dont feel condent enough, or ready to pick
up the phone, then fear not. Because Nightline also has anemail service, and so if youre not quite ready to talk through
whats worrying you, and nd it easier to write it down, then
you can do. The emails are checked all night and the volun-
teers who are on shift will answer it as soon as they can.
Remember, whatever your problem is, chances are that
Nightline will have helped somebody with that problem or
something similar. No matter how silly or trivial it may seem,
when everywhere else is closed, Nightline is there for you.
Were all ears. The other great thing about Nightline is that it
is run by students, for students, supported by the Students
Representative Council. That means that its not a stuffy ac-
ademic or somebody your parents age who has forgotten
what its like to be at University who is at the other end of
the phone, and who is organising the service. Its somebody
who is a student, just like you. Somebody who can empa-
thise with your situation, somebody who knows what it is
like to be a student at Glasgow, and somebody who can help
you to send you in the right direction. Someone who knowswhat its like to forget where their exam is. Someone who
knows where you can go to get your bike xed, and someone
who knows where to get a sexual health MOT from.
If youre sat there reading this and you want to get involved,then Nightline is always on the lookout for new volunteers.
If youre interested, then email the SRCs Student Volunteer
Support Service Co-ordinator at [email protected], or
pop in and see Fiona Buckland in her ofce on the rst oor
of the John McIntyre Building (next to the Main Gate). We
regularly hold training sessions run by experienced volun-
teers to allow you to nd out all about the Nightline service,
as well as gaining the necessary skills that will make
Phone Nightline 0141 353 1050
Email Nightline [email protected]
- Tommy Gore
Nightline at the SRCHelp is at hand
-
8/6/2019 GUUi January 2011
8/20
-
8/6/2019 GUUi January 2011
9/20
- 8 -GUUi
Column
It is that time of year again. The time when the crowds of
smokers outside any given pub or club dwindle. When the
cross-trainers and treadmills in every gym across the city
are occupied by intensely motivated athletes. The foreign
language classes probably have a minor inux. Even sales of
chocolate fall. Is it armageddon? No, not quite, it is of course
January. The month which kicks off with the worst hangover,swiftly evolving into short-lived enthusiasm for all things
healthy, with a sculpted Adonis helping you kickstart
the brand new you by shouting encouragement as you
struggle on level 3 of the cycling machine (regretting every
bite of Christmas food you consumed over the festive
season the entire time). And, naturally, the inevita-
ble crash into a crumpled self-hating ball of loath-
ing who didnt even want to get t anyway.
I love January. Mainly because I have never under-gone the illusion of a New Years resolution I had any
intention of keeping to. Or else, deciding on a resolu-
tion Id be content to stick with, like Try and consume
at least one meal a day. That no doubt goes some way
to explaining my current rubbish physical condition
and burgeoning waistline. Given my previous at-
titude, and the lack of improvement it has brought
(surprise, surprise), I decided that this year would be
a good opportunity to have a crack at the whole resolu-
tion thing.
Im not looking for wholesale change mind, this isnt
Cuba circa 1959. Just minor alterations to perfect the
model. A Gregor Muir 2.0 if you will. So here, in writ-
ing, for all to see, are the things I am going to try and
do this year. Please use my inspiring story of a lower-
middle-class white boy somehow overcoming the in-
credible hardship that is his life with sheer determina-
tion and spirit to strengthen your own resolve. Take
2011 by the scruff of its neck and show it who is boss.
Man, I should be a motivational speaker... Anyway,
here goes. 2011, gird your loins. For I am going to:
-Finally work out exactly what was going on in Incep-
tion.
-Stop talking to people on Facebook chat when Im in the
same room as them.
-Start answering the question How are you? with an
in-depth description of how my day and life in general is
going. If they ask, they must want to know.-Drink less. If I start by cutting out water, this is
well within reach.
-Be nicer.
-Develop a sleeping pattern which ts in with the
rest of humanity. Any pattern which includes
phrases such as Ive been up for 39 hours now,
I cant see properly and I woke up at 6pm
shall henceforth be scrapped.
-Cease my incredibly un-environmentally
friendly policy of going to Primark and buy-ing new clothes just because its easier than
washing and ironing my existing ones.
-Stop getting annoyed by the phrase PIN
number, even though it is clearly wrong, I
mean, even some bank machines have it now,
and thats crazy, because they must know PIN
stands for Personal Identication Number, so
the addition of the word number is entirely
superous.
The odds on me actually holding to these for
an entire year are understandably slim, but if I
last even a month, I am considering this a glow-
ing success. Lets face it, thats probably better
than most people will do. And if, by some casual
miracle, it all holds together, this could be the best
year ever. Im going to be friendly and lovable and
itll be excellent, and you should get to know me. I
think youre great, and we should spend more time
together. Which reminds me; my most important
resolution of all:
-Stop telling lies. - Gregor Muir
The misadventures of
Mr. Gregor Muir
-
8/6/2019 GUUi January 2011
10/20
- 9 -
Feature
P
oets the rappers of the days of yore. Sure, they
werent exactly sipping on Crystal or pimping
their rides. But they did rhyme just as well, have
bad-ass cravats instead of bling, and do just as muchwomanising Robert Burns himself had 12 children by
four different women. Stud. So while Jay-Z and Dizzee
are winning music awards and getting papped,
poets are celebrated in other ways. Take
the aforementioned Rabbie B, a guy
so cool he has his own day com-
ing up on the 25th of Janu-
ary to celebrate his life and
poetry. Take that Kanye.
But for those of you thatdont know, we are go-
ing to talk you through
the traditional format of
a Burns supper so you
can join in the homage to
yesteryears Eminem and
one of Scotlands most fa-
mous cultural icons.
First off you need guests,
you know, a couple of your
nearest and dearest facebook
friends. Once everyone has ar-
rived, as host its your job to wel-
come everyone, declare the event open,
get your pals seated and say grace. The dinner
commences with a soup starter to warm your belly for
the main event a food so important everyone tradi-
tionally stands up when it enters the room and its hon-
oured with a little ditty on the bagpipe. This stage is
called the Entrance of the Haggis and is followed by
a recital of the Address to a Haggis while the haggis
is sliced open from end to end. Once everyone has paid
their respects to this venerated sheeps stomach accom-
panied by some delicious neeps and tatties with a whis-
ky toast the meal can nally begin. Phew. But it doesntstop there, next comes a series of even more toasts and
speeches.
To begin, the host proposes a toast to the
monarch, and then one of the guests
gives a speech called the Immor-
tal Memory about the man
himself remembering some
aspect of R-Bizzles life and
works. Everyone drinks atoast again (I hope you like
whisky...) and then a male
guest comes forth to give
a speech about the ladies
present called the Toast to
the Lassies. This includes
some of the speakers views
on women and is intended
to be amusing and in no-
way offensive. And watch it
lads, because then the girls get
to respond with a light-hearted
reply to let you know just what
they think of you too.
Once the toasts are over with everyone sufciently
jolly, the singing can commence no not Zulu Warrior
but some Burns classics such as Ae Fond Kiss and Par-
cel O Rogues. The Burns Night then nally cumulates
with a big thank you to the host and a round of Auld
Lang Syne with everyone hand in hand. So, as you can
see there is quite a lot to a Burns Night supper but its
Slinte Mhath
-
8/6/2019 GUUi January 2011
11/20
- 10 -GUUi
Feature
Its time to toast our favourite men,Who come so close to perfect tens!
With smouldering eyes and gorgeous smiles
Not to mention, killer styles.
But with this comes some imperfections
Making us withhold our deepest affection.
So its time to tell you the honest truth
That youve forgotten in your drunken youth.
Firstly, all those booty calls
Around 3am, aprs pub-crawl,
A drunken quest for sex on tap
Gets you no more than a heavy slap.
But when youre lucky enough to nd a girl
Who decides its time to give you a whirl
You stumble in, and strip right down
Expecting a trip to pleasure town
Then suddenly its over before its begun,
You shouldnt have chinned that last pint of fun.
In due course, you fall asleep
Leaving us awake, counting sheep
Until you decide its time for the loo
And something tells us trouble will ensue.
- Hollie Jones and Nicola Armstrong
Alas! Of course, you took a wrong turnAnd missed the toilet, causing concern.
We nd you beside our atmates bed
Willy in hand, boxers shed
Having a tinkle right by her head,
I swear Im not that drunk, you said.
Then nally, the morning has arrived
And none of your memories have survived.
You leave very early the status quo
So you make it home before anyone knows.
By the time the evening comes around,
Youve decided its time for another round.
Mid-way through your night in the Hive
You see a slammin girl arrive
The farcical circle begins once more
But maybe this time youll nd the bathroom door.
So heres to the lads, and their drunken patter,
Their weak wee bladders and their shameless chatter,
Because even when they drink too much booze
And throw up on our shoes,
The ladies could not survive without them
So raise a glass, to our loveable men!
all in the name of good grub, good company and good whisky. Now, in honour of Burns Night this year weve
thought long and hard about you men and what you get up to and written our own Toast to the Laddies. Guys, this
is for you:
A Burns Night Toast
-
8/6/2019 GUUi January 2011
12/20
- 11 -
Debates
On the 4th of February we remember John Smith
former leader of the Labour Party. In testimony
to his time at the GUU, the union chamber shall
welcome a host of political speakers to contest the motion:
This House Believes Labour Is Still Best For Britain. A
generation after Smiths death, Labours modern legacy is
largely the result of those who followed him Blair, Brown
and Mandelson. Yet many of the last Governments foun-
dations were set in motion by Smith: from tax policy to
devolution. It is this legacy, and Labours future, that shall
be contested across the Glasgow dispatch box. This years
guest speakers include our beloved rector Charles Kennedy
who led the Liberal Democrats in 2005 to what remains
their most successful election result - and Shadow Secre-
tary of State for Scotland Ann McKechin, MP for Glasgow
North. Presiding over the Debate shall be media supremo
Andrew Neil .
Such debates featured prominently in the early life of JohnSmith. Originally from Ardrishaig in Mid Argyll, Smith
gained notoriety through his GUU debating prowess. Dec-
ades later his wisdom and wit held John Major to the prover-
bial ropes, as Labour soared to a 20 point poll lead over the
fag end of the divided Thatcherite Government. John Smith
was renowned for his Parliamentary style and skill. He had
the ability to entertain and engage. As the pound crashed in
92, Major was cast as The devalued Prime Minister of a de-
valued Government. As recession struck, Smith stated that
Major would be faced with the cinematic tragedy of Honey,
I shrank the economy! when facing the electorate.
However, with the shock of Smiths heart attack, political
theatre stopped. British public life stood still to remember
John Smiths greater features: how he conducted himself
with dignity and universal respect for his peers; his val-
ues, faith and sense of social justice; and the loving family
and community he left behind. As the news became pub-
lic, statements of condolence came from across the political
spectrum. The Best Prime Minister We Never Had was
his epitaph. After Blair, Iraq, and the recent political turbu-
lence of expenses and protest, politicians rarely receive the
same admiration and respect. Yet rarely are politicians the
same as John Smith. The story of a principled and respected
Scottish politician dying early and suddenly is sadly not an
isolated one. The ten years which witnessed the passingof Donald Dewar, Robin Cook and John Smith left behind a
void in the Scottish Labour Party which has yet to be lled.
Their political careers shaped Scotland and Britain. Wheth-
er there would be a Scottish Parliament without Smith and
Dewars convictions is doubtful: they committed Blairs
support. The Scottish Parliament therefore forms part of
Smiths lasting legacy.
So does New Labour, although more uncomfortably. Years
after Smiths death as dissatisfaction towards Blairs lead-ership increased - romanticism grew around the memory
of his leadership. Figures on the Labour left, such as Tony
John Smith:Labours Past...
-
8/6/2019 GUUi January 2011
13/20
- 12 -GUUi
Benn and Ken Livingstone, viewed the loss of John Smith
as the loss of Labours spirit the moment when its creden-
tials as a radical, socially democratic Government was lost
to Blairites. As Smith was set to inherit a strong majority
in 97 the urge for counter-factual history has been strong
for some. It is true that Britain would have been different
place, but not remarkably so. John Smith was principled
but he was always a centrist reformer. He continued the
Labour re-branding that Neil Kinnock began and that Blair
& Brown escalated after his passing. John Smith was more
Hugh Gaitskell than he ever was Aneurin Bevan.
However, where history will forever freeze is over Iraq. The
war is Labours legacy, but Blairs legacy also. Whether
John Smith would have supported the invasion and the re-
sulting occupation remains an unanswerable question: a po-
litical buttery effect of what could have, would have, may
have changed. We will never know. However, John Smith
was not Tony Blair, and only Blair can fully discern what
thoughts ew through his own mind as he convinced Parlia-
ment that Saddam, and his WMD, were an imminent threat.
Smith, as a different man, may well have thought different-
ly, and as a result averted the greatest British foreign policy
disaster since Suez. In doing so he would have changedthe Middle East, the British Military and the Labour Party.
Any reluctance towards involvement in American led con-
icts would have profoundly changed Britains position on
the world stage. Now, in 2011, British troops patrol Afghan
streets for their eleventh year and Iran is constructed as the
new, great, imminent threat. What if John Smith was here
and had been Prime Minister? is the question of those who
wish for another history, a history that never was and was
lost.
Back on the ground, in the Glaswegian bars and libraries of
Smiths student life, Labours future is local. Old concerns
Debates
such as Westminster foreign policy hang as shadows over
next Mays Scottish elections. A generation on, seventeen
years after Smiths death, Labour is attempting to return to
ofce without the leaders who laid Holyroods foundations.
Without Dewar, Cook and Smith, and now without Brown
as a prominent Scottish leader, there is a generational void
as if Labour stood still in their absence.
In the debate over Labours future, their modern absence
echoes in a telling and lasting silence. Will Scottish Labour
ever reclaim their stature, charisma and ideals? As the tra-
ditional voice of the left wing, and as the last credible de-
fender of the union, Scottish Labour faces a juncture in its
history. Whether it retreats further from radicalism and re-
spect towards loss and lethargy is yet to be seen. However,
in a political sense as the Westminster juggernaut smashes
onwards, unabated by social concerns something, yet per-
haps not Labour, will step into that void.
Will Scottish Labour ever reclaim theirstature, charisma and ideals? As thetraditional voice of the left wing, and asthe last credible defender of the union,
Scottish Labour faces a juncture in itshistory. Whether it retreats further fromradicalism and respect towards loss andlethargy is yet to be seen.
On the 4th of February the Smith memorial debate is one
equally about John Smiths past as it is about this nations
common future. In losing a servant of the public good so
early in life, Scotland lost the compassion of a talented citi-
zen. On the night before his death John Smith spoke at
a dinner event in London: The opportunity to serve ourcountry, he said, that is all we ask.
- Michael Gray
And Labours Future
-
8/6/2019 GUUi January 2011
14/20
- 13 -
Film
Some people trim the tree. Some sing carols. In my house, we watch lms. Christmas lms: Home Alone (1&2), Elf, Jingle
All the Way, Miracle on 34th Street You name it, if there is anything tipping a wink to being merry and wrapping a
present or two, it will more than likely feature in our collection of Christmas classics. But the I-Ching, the epitome of
Seasonal sentiment and all-time favourite is, out of question, Its a Wonderful Life. For many years now, Capras classic has
occupied the central role in Christmas celebrations and this year well, last year was to be no exception. Our previous copy
having been scrapped subject to scratches, a new, collectors edition, fancy-pants DVD was purchased. Little did we know...
The menu appeared. In colour. The credits appeared. In colour. The lm appeared. In colour. Now, I know that in the grand,
Technicolor spectrum of austerity, of ooding and assassination attempts this does not seem like the biggest news item du jour.
But be under no illusion, this is serious stuff.
This lm and such humble others like it, could and should be termed the birthplace of the modern day blockbuster, the bread-
and-butter of lm making. Black and white though they be, they are well worth a watch. Its a wonderful life: could it be
any clearer? This is a lm which shows life in all its ugly and beautiful black and white extremes. Its monochromatic method,
crude special effects and crackling sound are so intrinsic to its success that to remaster it with colour is to paint a Picasso
by numbers. And so, in earnest hope that no such vandalism occurs again, I humbly urge you to watch the following fellow
black and white gems.
Mr Smith Goes To Washington
Yet another example of Frank Capras mastery of capturing sincerity through a lens, Mr Smith Goes
to Washington follows a newly elected Senator Smith on his hero-to-zero experience of cosmopolitan,
cut-throat politics and corruption. The costumes and customs might have dated, but the importance of
principles and the powerful message of truth above all rings as true today as it did then.
Roman Holiday
Gregory Peck shows Audrey Hepburn the sights and sounds of the real Rome. Princess Anne (Hepburn), tired of the stiing
royal schedule runs away, bumping into single and stalled Joe Bradley (Peck) on her way. Its a word too liberally applied, but
this lm truly is a timeless tale of impossible romance.
Schindlers List
Based on the bravery of Oskar Schindler, the lm follows his daring attempt to save some 1000 Jews from capture during the
Second World War. Although some scenes are in colour or have elements of colour (such as the little girl with the red coat),
Steven Spielberg chose to shoot the vast majority of the lm in black and white in order that it might echo the contemporary
black and white images documenting the horror of that time, and to allow the lm a timeless quality.
La Haine
Another modern classic, Mattieu Kassovitzs La Haine (meaning hatred) focuses on the story of three
men, each of different ethnic and religious backgrounds. During a period of riots, one of the three, Abdel
(Abdel Ahmend Ghili), is shot by a policeman; Vinz (Vincent Cassel) claims he will retaliate by killing the
police ofcer if Abdel dies. The race issues concerned are emphasised in the use of the monochromatic
style, highlighting the polarisation caused by race.
So there we have it: old or new, black and white lms still merit a place in 2011. - Natalie Jack
What to see...
-
8/6/2019 GUUi January 2011
15/20
GUUi
Music
- 14 -
What to hear...
The last issue of 2010 contained a list of what a few of us considered to possibly be the top ten albums of the
year. The problem with that list, apart from it being entirely wrong, was that it was made at the beginning of
November and a lot of decent records came out in December. As this year is turning out to be made of disserta-
tions and despair and two of these lost albums in particular are essential, Im going back.
The rst and most essential album is Kanye Wests My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy which
might well be his best album to date and is probably now my favourite album from last year.
Ive always liked Kanye West even when he cried his way through a sea of auto-tune in 808s
and Heartbreak but this album nds him back on incredible form. If Inception showed the lm
world that blockbusters neednt underestimate their audience and that a huge budget could
produce popular, mainstream, intelligent and artistic masterpieces then My Beautiful Dark
Twisted Fantasy stands for something very similar for music. Everything about the record is
epic and perfect, from the hands-in-the-air opener to the wise words of Gil Scott-Heron (who incidentally contributed
a superb album to 2010) which close the album over an hour later.
The albums guest list is a star-studded event including artists from well outside the hip hop staple such as Bon Iver,
the samples list is eclectic and looks expensive ranging from King Crimson to Smokey Robinson and there isnt a dud
track. Everything works and ows, sometimes there is so much going on that it takes a few listens to pick out another
guest or sample buried in the mix. It is probably worth mentioning that Nicki Minaj has done the best verse of her life
on Monster and that the video to Power is perfect in its blind self-centred heavenly magnicence. You can probably
stop reading now.
The next album which just happened to come out on the same day is a re-issue ofDagger Paths
by an artist called Forest Swords, which now comes complete with a new EP and the old 7
latched onto the end and a bonus disk of remixes which serve to apparently push it from be-
ing an EP to an album. The album oats along with a generous helping of reverb, lush ghostly
twinkles bringing to mind ghostly happenings and indecipherable vocals and unexpectedcrashes of guitar doing nothing to chase off this sinister presence.
The captivating sonic exploration continues until the nal track Hjurt which oats poignantly along before being
dubbed into fragile hypnagogia from which it falls upon your subjective response as regards whether to continue
further into the sinister ambiance or to oat on by. The album is the work of some chap from Liverpool which is men-
tal both sonically and geographically as this is what all that American chillwave crap threatened to become when it
wasnt busy being shit. Anyway, the album is absolutely spectacular and long enough to get nice and lost in his world.
His skill at crafting these sonic landscapes is in some ways comparable to that of Burial and that is meant as praise
indeed.
- Cameron Greig
-
8/6/2019 GUUi January 2011
16/20
- 15 -
Current Affairs
2
011 may only be at its start, but for those of us with
a slightly pessimistic outlook on life, it is never too
early to start bemoaning the shortfalls that a new year
may bring. So far, we in the UK have had a pretty toughwinter. Our Government and Airports have continued to
fail us on a monumental level when it comes to operating
under slightly colder temperatures, and as an early New
Year treat/ belated Christmas present we are being battered
with a rise in VAT; a rise in fuel duty; and a further rise in
energy prices.
A rise in VAT was always going to present the government
with a lose-lose situation. The Labour Government were
criticised as a temporary cut of VAT to 15% was heraldedas a lame attempt to stimulate growth in the economy. The
Coalition is now bearing witness to the exact opposite. Cries
from Ed Miliband that this is the wrong tax at the wrong
time represents a new level of hypocrisy as Mandelsons
memoirs revealed that the Labour cabinet, of which Mr
Miliband was a part, voted for a rise in VAT in November
2009 and again in March of last year, only to be vetoed by
Gordon Brown. The recognition of Ed Miliband as a shame-
less political opportunist will fail to reassure any voter that
the current opposition offer any substantive alternatives intackling the decit.
While the rise in VAT may not be the preferred tax rise of
many it has been defended by George Osborne with the re-
sponse that the choice to raise VAT was all about freedom.
Where a rise in income tax would affect everyone, the in-
crease in VAT will provide people with a choice. A choice of
how this tax rise will affect them, based on their spending,
not income.
While this choice clearly places the burden upon lower
earners, proportionality is feigned with the argument that
the greater level of spending offered by higher earners will
result in them paying proportionally more. It is estimated
that the rise in VAT will raise around 13 Billion in tax rev-
enue; a necessary evil if the decit of 160 billion is to be
effectively reduced.
Although the Coalitions commitment to reducing the decit
is spearheaded by the VAT rise, it will not go unnoticed by
many motorists and small businesses that fuel duty, coupled
with the VAT increase, will add around 3.5 pence to a litre of
fuel. For those who breathed a sigh of relief at the thought
of food being exempt from VAT may reconsider their out-
look as the cost of fuel lters through onto our supermarket
shelves. While some respite may lie in the ultra competitive
high street arena absorbing some of the rising costs, a rise inenergy prices will be felt a little closer to home. As energy
companies announce 40% prots, the public are left aghast
at the prospect of further rises in fuel and energy costs. For
those of us looking to salvage some nancial glimmer of
hope in the New Year, it would take a brave individual to
look upon the 5.8% rise in train fares and soaring commod-
ity prices as a means of comfort. At least when this all calms
down, we can sit back and look forward to the inevitable
rise in tuition fees. - Joe Fitzgibbon
Rising Prices?
... No thanks.
-
8/6/2019 GUUi January 2011
17/20
-
8/6/2019 GUUi January 2011
18/20
- 17 -
Sport
GLASGOW
UNIVERSITY
SPORTS
ASSOCIATION
GUSA Report
Despite many postponed and cancelled matches due to the polar conditions GUSA still managed to
end 2010 on a high with the massive success of the Charity Fashion Show.. Derek Zoolander was put toshame by our range of models from across campus, and the performances from the pole dancers, bar
airers and cheerleaders were jaw dropping. The Debates Chamber of the GUU was packed full and
the night succeeded in raising 1000 for the charity Right To Play.
Not to rest on our laurels, 2011 is set to bring you even more amazing events. The rst of these being
Sport and Wellbeing Week, hosted by GUSA and the Sport and Recreation Service, Monday 24 Sun-
day 30 January 2011. If those New Year resolutions havent quite held up, or you are left with a week
long hangover from Re-Freshers Week, this is the perfect opportunity to relax, refresh and work away
those Christmas calories. The week begins with a talk from the man who cycled the world and former
student Mark Beaumont. The week will continue with seminars, and activity sessions exploring sportand exercise, nutrition, and mental wellbeing. For much more information go to www.glasgow.ac.uk/
sport.
If Sport and Wellbeing Week leaves you feeling particularly inspired and you wish to undertake your
own epic challenge then GUSA may be able to help you out. The Chancellors Fund for Sport provides
students at the University of Glasgow with nancial assistance to use for sport and recreation related
projects and trips that they would not otherwise be able to experience or participate in. Previous suc-
cessful bids have included; driving over 10,000 miles from England to Mongolia in a 1.2L car as part of
the Mongol Rally, 2 weeks of alpine mountaineering and climbing in the Dolomites, and travelling to
India to donate tennis equipment to underprivileged children. Fancy climbing a mountain? Kayaking a
river? Cycling across continents? Anyone wishing to apply to the fund must submit a full proposal by
1st March 2011, for more information please email [email protected].
The 19th February sees the return of the annual GUSA Ball, a fantastic night with over 500 students
from different sports clubs assembled in one place to celebrate GUSAs sporting achievements from the
past year. Tickets cost 40 and get you a 3 course meal, half bottle of wine, DJ and ceilidh, and of course
the priceless GUSA banter. Tickets are on sale from the 24th January to clubs, so get in touch with your
club commitees in order to attend this unmissable night. To mark this event, Macgregor & Macduff are
offering a special deal on mens Highland dress hire for students attending the GUSA Ball with kilt
hire guaranteed right up to the day before the event. Get your voucher from our facebook page - www.
facebook.com/gusa1881.
-
8/6/2019 GUUi January 2011
19/20
-
8/6/2019 GUUi January 2011
20/20