UNIVERSITY OF Edinburgh students gathered in force last Thursday in protest against the continuing violence in Gaza.
Over two hundred students who expressed their contempt towards the violence and occupation of Gaza attended the protest, led by the Palestine Solidarity Society.
The protest began at 1.30pm in Bristo Square, which took a tour around the George Square campus. The protest was followed up with the organisers of the protest, from the Palestine Solidarity Society and representatives from the university's Stop the War Coalition, and People and Planet, presenting an open letter, which was signed by students, to an MSP at the Scottish Parliament.
Students displayed anti-war signs and chanted "End the siege in Gaza. Ceasefire now!" as they called for an end to the bloodshed with an immediate withdrawal of Israeli military from Gaza.
Shabana Basheer, president of Palestine Solidarity Society and one of the main organisers of the events, was amazed with the amount of student support. She said "I think there were a lot of people who wouldn't normally be moved to protest, but the level of feeling against the war in Gaza is so high that they wanted to make their voices heard."
Students were eager to show their support for ceasefire in Gaza, and the large number remained peaceful. Police presence was felt to be excessive with around 20 police officers attending the protest equipped with video cameras and batons. Students felt 'intimidated' by the police presence. Humphrey Wood, a representative from People and Planet, said "police intervention prevented the protest from marching through Edinburgh and appearing in front of Scottish Government. In this light the police presence was extremely negative and lessened the impact of the protest to the general public and the Scottish parliament itself."
Women in Black students also staged a women-only silent protest in the square on Wednesday afternoon. Women in Black is an international women's group that is opposed to war and violence. It originated in 1988 when Israeli and Palestinian women held a vigil together in Jerusalem in an attempt to end the Israeli occupation of Gaza.
Hilary Cornish, the organiser of the Women in Black protest, stated that "the repeated call for peace is very powerful. Women in Black are trying to prevent the build up of a militaristic, hyper-masculine society, which constantly feeds into each other. Silent protests allow people to come to their own conclusions and can be very moving."
The Palestine Solidarity Society are going to continue with their action by holding the Women in Black vigil and student protest every Wednesday and Thursday until ceasefire. Basheer stated that we need to keep "asking the Scottish Parliament to put more pressure on Westminster to do everything in its power to ensure an immediate ceasefire is put in place."
For Barack Obama's inauguration the Palestine Solidarity Society, along with other human rights groups in Scotland, will be performing a candlelight vigil that will commence at Bristo Square, finishing with a protest outside the US Consulate.
Hilary Cornish stated that the campaigning societies "need to do more to reach out to people who want to call for peace, but who mistakenly feel that calling for a ceasefire could be construed as condemning all Israelis or as offering support for Hamas. "
Saturday 14 February 2009
Tram Chaos, published in Student 13/1/09.
THE LONG-AWAITED laying of Edinburgh's tram tracks has yet again been postponed.
Tram bosses admitted that the £512 million project, which was to commence on Leith Walk at the end of January, will now begin at the heart of the city centre in April.
According to an Edinburgh Trams’ spokesperson, Princes Street is going to be closed off to all traffic, again, starting "from late February until early December 2009 with a planned break in work during the Festival period".
Edinburgh Trams have acknowledged that some festival activities may under go some "alteration" during the construction work, while Transport Chiefs have already begun consultations into the continuation of the Tram works throughout August if the project runs behind schedule.
Edinburgh City Council remains optimistic that the trams will be in full operation by July 2011.
In the meantime, high street and independent businesses are continuing to suffer with prospective consumers being put off hitting the shop not only because of the credit crunch, but also because of the traffic problems and the unsightly setting created by the tram construction.
Richard Dowsett, owner of Leith Cycle Co on Leith Walk, has been badly affected by the tram works that have been going on right outside his independent business for the past 14 months. He stated, "I’m absolutely fuming. We’ve had to put up with over a year of carnage and it is still dragging on.
"It has affected all of the businesses really badly, with the current economic climate and the lowest consumer confidence for 30 years; the trams just remove any feel good factor."
According to Dowsett, the Leith Traders’ Association does "not care enough" and the financial support for businesses that are affected by the tram construction is negligible to the overall loss.
The closure of Princes Street was a disaster when first attempted in October 2008, with traffic divergences onto George Street that caused bus route and traffic chaos.
University of Edinburgh student, Rhona Kennedy, does not look forward to the second attempt at the closing of Princes Street. She remarked that "The tram work so far has been nothing but disruptive. It remains to be seen whether the trams are worth it, but from a personal point of view, the planned route isn't at all necessary as it's covered already by the buses."
Tram bosses admitted that the £512 million project, which was to commence on Leith Walk at the end of January, will now begin at the heart of the city centre in April.
According to an Edinburgh Trams’ spokesperson, Princes Street is going to be closed off to all traffic, again, starting "from late February until early December 2009 with a planned break in work during the Festival period".
Edinburgh Trams have acknowledged that some festival activities may under go some "alteration" during the construction work, while Transport Chiefs have already begun consultations into the continuation of the Tram works throughout August if the project runs behind schedule.
Edinburgh City Council remains optimistic that the trams will be in full operation by July 2011.
In the meantime, high street and independent businesses are continuing to suffer with prospective consumers being put off hitting the shop not only because of the credit crunch, but also because of the traffic problems and the unsightly setting created by the tram construction.
Richard Dowsett, owner of Leith Cycle Co on Leith Walk, has been badly affected by the tram works that have been going on right outside his independent business for the past 14 months. He stated, "I’m absolutely fuming. We’ve had to put up with over a year of carnage and it is still dragging on.
"It has affected all of the businesses really badly, with the current economic climate and the lowest consumer confidence for 30 years; the trams just remove any feel good factor."
According to Dowsett, the Leith Traders’ Association does "not care enough" and the financial support for businesses that are affected by the tram construction is negligible to the overall loss.
The closure of Princes Street was a disaster when first attempted in October 2008, with traffic divergences onto George Street that caused bus route and traffic chaos.
University of Edinburgh student, Rhona Kennedy, does not look forward to the second attempt at the closing of Princes Street. She remarked that "The tram work so far has been nothing but disruptive. It remains to be seen whether the trams are worth it, but from a personal point of view, the planned route isn't at all necessary as it's covered already by the buses."
Published in Student 13/1/09.
UNIVERSITY of Edinburgh student, Stephan Bisky, was found dead in his flat in Edinburgh on Christmas Eve.
Stephan Bisky, 23, a PhD student in neuro-informatics was the son of the left-wing German politician, Lothar Bisky, who is the co-chairman of Die Linke party.
His father became worried when Stephan did not arrive at Leipzig airport to celebrate Christmas and instantly reported him as missing. Lothar Bisky said, "Stephan wanted to celebrate with us at Christmas. I waited at the Leipzig airport for him, but he did not arrive."
The police were called to the flat at approximately 1.05pm on Christmas Eve. They reported that a 23-year-old man's body was discovered at the flat, but that the circumstances surrounding the death were not suspicious.
Lothar Bisky flew into Edinburgh to identify the body. The cause of death is still uncertain. Lothar Bisky announced, "The laboratory tests are still ongoing, but I have discovered that he was being treated in hospital for a hepatitis illness."
Hepatitis is an inflammatory disease of the liver, which is largely caused by viral infections or toxins in the blood.
Hepatitis inhibits the liver from performing vital duties such as removing harmful substances, regulating blood composition and aiding digestion.
Stephan suffered from seizures, which may have been a symptom of Hepatitis, most notably when he was socialising with friends at the RockNess festival during June 2008.
Stephan's body will be transferred to Germany to be buried following an intimate ceremony.
Stephan Bisky, 23, a PhD student in neuro-informatics was the son of the left-wing German politician, Lothar Bisky, who is the co-chairman of Die Linke party.
His father became worried when Stephan did not arrive at Leipzig airport to celebrate Christmas and instantly reported him as missing. Lothar Bisky said, "Stephan wanted to celebrate with us at Christmas. I waited at the Leipzig airport for him, but he did not arrive."
The police were called to the flat at approximately 1.05pm on Christmas Eve. They reported that a 23-year-old man's body was discovered at the flat, but that the circumstances surrounding the death were not suspicious.
Lothar Bisky flew into Edinburgh to identify the body. The cause of death is still uncertain. Lothar Bisky announced, "The laboratory tests are still ongoing, but I have discovered that he was being treated in hospital for a hepatitis illness."
Hepatitis is an inflammatory disease of the liver, which is largely caused by viral infections or toxins in the blood.
Hepatitis inhibits the liver from performing vital duties such as removing harmful substances, regulating blood composition and aiding digestion.
Stephan suffered from seizures, which may have been a symptom of Hepatitis, most notably when he was socialising with friends at the RockNess festival during June 2008.
Stephan's body will be transferred to Germany to be buried following an intimate ceremony.
Major University Inquiry Launched, published in Student 12/11/08
FOLLOWING THE reduction in government funded student grants and the looming tuition fee debate, the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) committee has planned to complete a full investigation of higher education.
The DIUS committee intends to do a thorough investigation into student debt, student support, university admissions and university research. The committee has taken this direct approach in an attempt to gain an accurate picture of universities in the U.K. With the information they gather, the committee intents to set targets for government and university liaison to make the U.K. education system renowned as being world class by 2020.
The DIUS committee believes that this full investigation and direct action is necessary to put pressure on the government. It was reported in Student that the government under-estimated their yearly budget by £100million, and subsequently have made the decision to cut the amount of government funded grants that were previously made available to students. The DIUS committee ultimately wants to see government participation encouraging students from non-traditional backgrounds to further their education.
This inquiry into higher education comes at a time of economic crisis. Experts are arguing that the government should invest taxpayer’s money into the education system. It was reported that higher education alone contributes £50 billion a year to the economy and creates 600,000 jobs, showing that investment in higher education does fuel the economy. It is thought that the only way for the U.K. to come out of a potential recession relatively well of, is if Gordon Brown "spends his way out of the recession" by putting more government money into education. This would ensure that unemployment rates remain at a stable rate and that the U.K. workforce continues to be skilled and educated.
John Denham, the Secretary of State for the DIUS, said: "The world is evolving very quickly and we must be able to unlock British talent and support economic growth through innovation as never before. We need to decide what a world-class HE system of the future should look like, what it should seek to achieve, and establish the current barriers to its development."
The department, who have headed this investigation as the 'Blueprint for success - investing in our future', wants to see 70% of the 2020 workforce beyond compulsory education age. The DIUS is going to focus on important issues such as the development of fair access to the higher education sector as well as finding an adequate source of funding for universities that does not necessarily mean increasing the cap on tuition fees. The DIUS are hoping to set out a report for the government to discuss before the re-evaluation of the tuition fee cap in 2009.
Guy Bromley, EUSA's Vice President of Academic Affairs, stated that "It's good to see that this parliamentary committee will be considering the important issue of fairness of access to university. It's particularly pleasing to see that the committee will look at variability in teaching and its tension with research in the sector, as well as the more basic issue of whether adequate funds are made available for the training for teaching staff."
The DIUS committee intends to do a thorough investigation into student debt, student support, university admissions and university research. The committee has taken this direct approach in an attempt to gain an accurate picture of universities in the U.K. With the information they gather, the committee intents to set targets for government and university liaison to make the U.K. education system renowned as being world class by 2020.
The DIUS committee believes that this full investigation and direct action is necessary to put pressure on the government. It was reported in Student that the government under-estimated their yearly budget by £100million, and subsequently have made the decision to cut the amount of government funded grants that were previously made available to students. The DIUS committee ultimately wants to see government participation encouraging students from non-traditional backgrounds to further their education.
This inquiry into higher education comes at a time of economic crisis. Experts are arguing that the government should invest taxpayer’s money into the education system. It was reported that higher education alone contributes £50 billion a year to the economy and creates 600,000 jobs, showing that investment in higher education does fuel the economy. It is thought that the only way for the U.K. to come out of a potential recession relatively well of, is if Gordon Brown "spends his way out of the recession" by putting more government money into education. This would ensure that unemployment rates remain at a stable rate and that the U.K. workforce continues to be skilled and educated.
John Denham, the Secretary of State for the DIUS, said: "The world is evolving very quickly and we must be able to unlock British talent and support economic growth through innovation as never before. We need to decide what a world-class HE system of the future should look like, what it should seek to achieve, and establish the current barriers to its development."
The department, who have headed this investigation as the 'Blueprint for success - investing in our future', wants to see 70% of the 2020 workforce beyond compulsory education age. The DIUS is going to focus on important issues such as the development of fair access to the higher education sector as well as finding an adequate source of funding for universities that does not necessarily mean increasing the cap on tuition fees. The DIUS are hoping to set out a report for the government to discuss before the re-evaluation of the tuition fee cap in 2009.
Guy Bromley, EUSA's Vice President of Academic Affairs, stated that "It's good to see that this parliamentary committee will be considering the important issue of fairness of access to university. It's particularly pleasing to see that the committee will look at variability in teaching and its tension with research in the sector, as well as the more basic issue of whether adequate funds are made available for the training for teaching staff."
Unpublished
THE ZUTONS are good at one thing. That one thing is repetition. This repetition is what makes their tunes pop-sensations and was what everyone in the audience had come to hear at Edinburgh's newest and grandest live music venue, The Picture House.
An energetic American indie band called The Redwalls supported the Zutons. Their style and songs were reminiscent of the swinging sixties with their Rolling Stone haircuts and Hendrix guitar riffs. Their talent was exuberant, although the overly energetic lead guitarist was distracting my appreciation with his stage antics.
The crowd was in rapture when the 'Z' backdrop illuminated and the Liverpudlian based band, The Zutons, laconically entered the stage. Who knew that The Zutons were so big as to be greeted by such approbation?
The band plummeted straight into their latest single "Always Right Behind You", but achieved no sing-along from the previously enthused crowd.
The lack of energy from the audience was probably a reflection of the lack of charisma found on stage. The sextet were positioned on separate podiums and appeared to be playing their instruments singularly, like routine. Saxophonist Abi Harding, however, created some vitality on stage. Dressed in a short 'Klein' blue dress with peep-toe heels she danced emphatically in her section of the stage. Giving The Zutons the sex appeal that is a part of every teenage boy's fantasy.
The set began to grow tedious after "Valeria" and "Don't Ever Think Too Much" were played in perfect imitation of their release. After a further half an hour the set finally closed on "Why Won't You Give Me Your Love?" which displayed elements of soul, providing an insight into why The Zutons have been boxed into the genre of alternative/soul by critics.
The encore demonstrated how talented The Zutons actually are when they drag themselves away from the safe pop that they have been playing for seven years. They played a samba-influenced drum instrumental, joined by two member of the support including the kid-on-speed, for a vivacious and risky closer.
An energetic American indie band called The Redwalls supported the Zutons. Their style and songs were reminiscent of the swinging sixties with their Rolling Stone haircuts and Hendrix guitar riffs. Their talent was exuberant, although the overly energetic lead guitarist was distracting my appreciation with his stage antics.
The crowd was in rapture when the 'Z' backdrop illuminated and the Liverpudlian based band, The Zutons, laconically entered the stage. Who knew that The Zutons were so big as to be greeted by such approbation?
The band plummeted straight into their latest single "Always Right Behind You", but achieved no sing-along from the previously enthused crowd.
The lack of energy from the audience was probably a reflection of the lack of charisma found on stage. The sextet were positioned on separate podiums and appeared to be playing their instruments singularly, like routine. Saxophonist Abi Harding, however, created some vitality on stage. Dressed in a short 'Klein' blue dress with peep-toe heels she danced emphatically in her section of the stage. Giving The Zutons the sex appeal that is a part of every teenage boy's fantasy.
The set began to grow tedious after "Valeria" and "Don't Ever Think Too Much" were played in perfect imitation of their release. After a further half an hour the set finally closed on "Why Won't You Give Me Your Love?" which displayed elements of soul, providing an insight into why The Zutons have been boxed into the genre of alternative/soul by critics.
The encore demonstrated how talented The Zutons actually are when they drag themselves away from the safe pop that they have been playing for seven years. They played a samba-influenced drum instrumental, joined by two member of the support including the kid-on-speed, for a vivacious and risky closer.
Smart Kids Liberally Inclined, published in Student 12/11/08
A STUDY conducted by the University of Edinburgh showed that those who vote for the Green Party and the Liberal Democrats are more intelligent than voters who vote Conservative, Labour or Scottish National Party (SNP).
The study compared the childhood IQ results of 6,000 people against their voting habits in the 2001 election. It showed that those who vote for either the Green party or the Liberal Democrats had a higher childhood IQ result, averaging at 108. This compared with a 103.7 average for those who voted for the Conservatives, 103 for those who voted Labour and 102.2 for those who voted for the SNP.
The least intelligent voters were found to be those who voted for the British Nationalist Party (BNP). They were rated as having an average IQ of 98.4, which was 1.3 points lower than those who did not even vote in the 2001 election.
The study showed that the more intelligent the person the more likely they were to vote for a liberal party. Consequently, the most intelligent voters do not influence the election results, as they tend to vote for the Green Party or the Liberal Democrats who fall behind Labour, Conservatives and the SNP in general elections.
The study also showed a strong correlation between high childhood IQ scores and an above-average interest in politics. It showed that the more intelligent a person the more likely they are to vote, as well as become involved in other forms of politics such as petitions and campaigns.
Harry Cole, the chairman of the Edinburgh University Conservative and Unionist Association, stated: "Well it seems the age old saying 'if you vote conservative at 18 you have no heart but if you don’t vote conservative at 40 you have no brain' has been disproved. Anyone with half a brain clearly votes Tory old or young!"
Comments on the Guardian website, however, showed a sceptical response to the results of the study. Dontmindme wrote, "Why do I suspect the construction of the study was performed largely by Green or LibDem voters," which was replied with the comment by semajmaharg: "Because the others are too stupid perhaps?"
The study compared the childhood IQ results of 6,000 people against their voting habits in the 2001 election. It showed that those who vote for either the Green party or the Liberal Democrats had a higher childhood IQ result, averaging at 108. This compared with a 103.7 average for those who voted for the Conservatives, 103 for those who voted Labour and 102.2 for those who voted for the SNP.
The least intelligent voters were found to be those who voted for the British Nationalist Party (BNP). They were rated as having an average IQ of 98.4, which was 1.3 points lower than those who did not even vote in the 2001 election.
The study showed that the more intelligent the person the more likely they were to vote for a liberal party. Consequently, the most intelligent voters do not influence the election results, as they tend to vote for the Green Party or the Liberal Democrats who fall behind Labour, Conservatives and the SNP in general elections.
The study also showed a strong correlation between high childhood IQ scores and an above-average interest in politics. It showed that the more intelligent a person the more likely they are to vote, as well as become involved in other forms of politics such as petitions and campaigns.
Harry Cole, the chairman of the Edinburgh University Conservative and Unionist Association, stated: "Well it seems the age old saying 'if you vote conservative at 18 you have no heart but if you don’t vote conservative at 40 you have no brain' has been disproved. Anyone with half a brain clearly votes Tory old or young!"
Comments on the Guardian website, however, showed a sceptical response to the results of the study. Dontmindme wrote, "Why do I suspect the construction of the study was performed largely by Green or LibDem voters," which was replied with the comment by semajmaharg: "Because the others are too stupid perhaps?"
Sunday 2 November 2008
Letter in Response to Harry Cole's Remarks-published in Student 27/9/2008.
Dear Harry,
We were rather disappointed with the deprecating comments that you made towards left-wing women that were printed in Student 23/9/08.
We do wonder how can one advocate that ‘Life is better under a Conservative’ with the superficial reasons that you gave to support the statement and through your encouragement of sexual exploitation and the objectification of women.
To encourage an advertisement that alludes to women being subordinated sexually by men with the tagline that ‘Life is better under a Conservative’, not ‘under the Conservatives’ is extremely shocking. It is not a poster that is promoting a better life for modern women, but as a means to con women into accepting a secondary place to men.
Life is not better ‘under a Conservative’ and we much prefer the ‘woman on top’. You should try it; you might even like it.
With kindest regards,
Women of the World.
We were rather disappointed with the deprecating comments that you made towards left-wing women that were printed in Student 23/9/08.
We do wonder how can one advocate that ‘Life is better under a Conservative’ with the superficial reasons that you gave to support the statement and through your encouragement of sexual exploitation and the objectification of women.
To encourage an advertisement that alludes to women being subordinated sexually by men with the tagline that ‘Life is better under a Conservative’, not ‘under the Conservatives’ is extremely shocking. It is not a poster that is promoting a better life for modern women, but as a means to con women into accepting a secondary place to men.
Life is not better ‘under a Conservative’ and we much prefer the ‘woman on top’. You should try it; you might even like it.
With kindest regards,
Women of the World.
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