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INKYTEXT 294
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LANCASTER PROFESSOR'S MP DAUGHTER FIGHTS IN US COURTS ON HIS BEHALF
Issue No 294 Tuesday 11 May 1999
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Editorial correspondence should be sent to InkyText@lancaster.ac.uk
Subscription requests to Inkytext-distribution-request@lists.lancaster.ac.uk
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AGENDA
Minutes, Amendments, Matters arising
1. Editorial: Gameboys and the facts of death.
2. News: Prof Preston King, Health Centre, Ruskin, Conference Centre,
Housing Web.
3. 'The Establishment of the State of Israel' by Dr Rober Segal
4. Small Ads: House for sale, Accommodation wanted, Car, Tango teaching,
Piano wanted, Alloy wheels, Round Campus Relay, Child seats for adult bike,
Drummer wanted, Book sale.
PART II WILL CONTAIN
5. Women Artists: Current exhibitions reviewed
6. Readers' Letters: Elections, Kosovo, New Health Centre, etc.
MINUTES, AMENDMENTS, MATTERS ARISING
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The "no change" in the number of Conservatives on Lancaster City
Council [9] reported as a result of the recent election disguises the
fact that one third of the new Conservative Group are City Councillors
for the first time. One of the new faces is long-standing Inkytext
subscriber Roger Mace, Senior Lecturer in Accounting and Finance at
Lancaster from 1976 to 1997, who has become the councillor for Kellet
Ward.
A 'COMMITTEES' PAGE now exists on the university website, accessible
from the Administration sub-menu. It is intended as a location for the
minutes of committees that either do not have their own website or lack
the resources to maintain it. The secretaries of such bodies are urged
to contact Steve Miller (Planning) with a view to having minutes made
more widely available.
1. EDITORIAL: GAMEBOYS AND THE FACTS OF DEATH.
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Another wonderful week for Pataphysics, the science of exceptions.
Accidentally killing one's friends and allies is, sadly, just one of
those things that inevitably always happen in wars, as Mr Cook reminded
us yet again only this morning. Ask any front-line Normandy veterans
for their views on the RAF.
Bombing a neighbouring country by mistake is less common but still a
perfectly understandable error. Mildly comic even: a bit like stepping
through your neighbour's bedroom ceiling when you're working in the
loft really.
To accidentally bomb China because one couldn't afford a new town-plan
is, however, an utterly exceptional occurrence that belongs to an
entirely different class of genuinely surreal phenomena. Even Alfred
Jarry and Alphonse Allais would have gawped with admiration.
The juvenile bellicosity of hormonally-challenged adolescent males is
doubly dangerous when twinned with teenage jingoism. The dangers of
both increase exponentially when they endure into middle-age. When
found, as now, endemic among the military and the body politic,
apocalypse looms.
The Gameboy mind, even before the electronic era, reduced all conflict
to the binary: a game of draughts with clearly defined goodies (us) and
baddies (them), cowboys and indians, cops and robbers, Montagus and
Capulets. (I know, dear reader, for I too once had that mind....)
Such binary simplification usually goes a stage further and
distinguishes 'our lads' (always plural, anonymous and oh-so-masculine)
from an enemy personified in the unique person of an evil war-lord,
invariably termed 'a dictator', claimed to be feared by his own people,
and invariably known by his surname: Hitler, the Mekon, Pol Pot,
Galtieri, Saddam, Milosevic in recent times, Boney and co. before them.
Such sub-GCSE views of diplomatic history are unsurprising when found
among non-specialist students and readers of The Sun. To find them in
government is scary. The grown-up world of Realpolitik is not a game of
draughts: it is much more akin to 169 squared interlocking games of
multi-dimensional chess played simultaneously.
What Gameboys _do_ have in common with Realpolitik is an absence of
emotional involvement. Sentiment has no place in diplomacy. Wars fought
for sentimental reasons seem even bloodier than those waged for lucre.
Remember Paris and Helen.
If this is what an 'ethical foreign policy' is perhaps we should go
back to Britain's traditional role of arms supplier to both sides.
Arming the KLA might have caused some wincing in the Northern Ireland
office, but could scarcely have caused more misery and loss of life
than the present charade.
Personally I'd have bombed both sides with large denomination dollar
bills from the outset, slowly increasing their value as the fighting
diminished, and reducing it if fighting increased. Such a policy, based
on sound and academically respectable educational theory, would prolly
have been effective more quickly, cost much less in the long run....
and been not one jot less pataphysical than what we have.
2. NEWS
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CONGRATULATIONS TO OONA KING MP (BETHNAL GREEN AND BOW), who this week
accepted an honorary doctorate from Fiske University, Nashville, on
behalf of her father, Professor Preston King (Politics), chair of the
Permanent Study Group for the European Constitution. (See the picture
on p2 of today's Times.
Since 1961, Professor King, successor to Lancaster's first professor
of Politics, former VC Phillip Reynolds, has been an expatriate,
convicted as a draft dodger. His daughter, only the second black woman
to be elected to the Commons, is trying to get her father'’s conviction
by an all-white jury reversed, reports BET Weekend Magazine
(http://betonjazz.com/).
In 1960, Preston King was a 24-year-old student at the London School
of Economics when he lost his academic deferral from the draft during
the Vietnam War. Despite hi’s previous deferrals, th Albany (Georgia)
draft board said it did not receive his application and had him
arrested when he came home for Christmas. The jury convicted Dr. King
of draft evasion, sentencing him to 18 months in prison. The family
posted bond and sent him abroad. Professor King is still wanted on a
federal bail-jumping warrant.
"I didn't’ dodge anyone", Professor King is reported to have said. "I
stood straight up and said no to their faces." On her visit, Oona King
discussed her father'’s case with U.S. congressmen from Georgia. His
case is under appeal in the courts. "It was a great family that
suffered simply because they achieved," said former United Nations
Ambassador Andrew Young, a family friend. "And they never gave an
inch."
HEALTH CENTRE: Confidential negotiations with partners in the practice
which runs the Health Centre were initiated by Stephen Lamley and later
taken over by Director of Resources, Ewan McGregor, with advice from
Sylvia Brennan, head of Student Welfare.
Some proposals, including the setting up of a university-run nursing
unit in University House, removal of residential accommodation and a
purpose-built new surgery, are reported to have been discussed with the
Students' Union and the Graduate Students' Association. They are also
on the agenda for next week's meeting of the Student Support Committee.
A further meeting with the medical practitioners takes place tomorrow.
The Minutes of the 18 March meeting of the Estates Committee report:
(EC/99.13 Possible Relocation of Health Centre Document: AR/99/364/6)
"The Director of Estates explained that the University had recently
been asked by the Health Service Practice to identify a site on the
campus for a new Health Centre. Two possible locations had been
identified - one to the south of the Pre-School Centre and one on the
current site of the Biology Field Station, although it was noted that
the second site would not be available for building until 2001.
The Committee was informed that, as the building would be totally
PFI-funded, the University would not be in a position to specify which
services should be provided within any new Health Centre. [NOTE: As
formulated, that proposition is surely strictly inaccurate. (Ed.)] It
would, however, be possible to lobby Morecambe Bay Health Authority on
this point and it was agreed that the Student Support and Welfare
Committee should be asked to put forward suggestions about this.
[...] The Director of Estates was asked to take the matter forward for
discussion with the Planning Authority and, if appropriate, submission
for outline planning approval. The Committee asked that the Committee
for Student Support and Welfare also be kept informed as appropriate."
RUSKIN LIBRARY: the same Estates minutes report that "the [Ruskin
Library] architect, together with consultants and contractors, had been
on site on Wednesday 17 March 1999 and it was hoped that a report on
the formal position in relation to building defects would be available
a few days later."
The Ruskin Library Board was briefed on the situation at a meeting on
Monday 15 March 1999.
[NOTE: What situation? (Ed.)]
DATA CABLING OF CAMPUS ROOMS: the Residence Data Wiring Working Group
expect that almost one-third of the rooms on campus will be data wired
by the end of the Long Vacation, 1999.
LIBRARY FIREFIGHTING: the Fire Brigade has given the University up to
nine months' extension of time to complete the Library fire precaution
work.
THE STUDENTS' UNION HOUSING OFFICE has now created a live database on
the web of its current housing lists making it possible for anyone on
campus or anywhere else, to find Students' Union leased properties or
other approved accommodation in Lancaster.
http://www.lancs.ac.uk/lusu/
Feel free to browse. It is currently in an early version so comments
or suggestions are welcomed. Developments for the future will hope to
include photographs of properties and a web based enquiry form.
CONFERENCE CENTRE: The Space Allocation Committee was concerned by the
unavailability of Conference Centre space for teaching purposes. It was
agreed that the Conference Centre required a reasonable trial period to
determine whether it is able to generate a sufficient income to justify
excluding the space from teaching use. The trial period will continue
until November 1999. The Finance Office and Mr B Christian were asked
to provide the committee with a report on projected utilisation and
income via Mr S Miller. As CETAD are in an analogous position a similar
report has also been requested from them.
The Finance Office was asked to urge The Conference Centre to ensure
their financial and space utilisation information be recorded in a
format that is easily accessible by the Finance Office and the Space
Allocation Committee.
3. "THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL" BY DR ROBERT SEGAL
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I appreciate the opportunity to correct at least some of Dr Nonneman's
amazing rendition of events in the Middle East. I realize that the
debate has indeed become ever more specialized and vow to say no more
after this, no matter what responses ensue. Put summarily:
(1) As Dr Nonneman notes, the UN voted to establish two independent
states, one Jewish and one Arab. The Arabs rejected the proposal,
insisting on a single Arab state. What Nonneman oddly characterizes as
railroading was a vote of 33-13, with 10 abstentions, for partition
into two states by the UN General Assembly on November 29, 1947. Had
the Arabs accepted this vote, there would have been a separate
Palestinian state in 1948. It is the Arabs, not the Jews, who have been
responsible for the delay in Palestinian independence ever since.
Rather than accepting the vote, the Arabs invaded Israel in the
expectation of, as the rhetoric claimed, exterminating all Jews.
(2) In the decades prior to the establishment of the state, it was
Arabs who terrorized Jews living peacefully in Palestine and who
pressured Britain to limit Jewish immigration to Palestine and to limit
the purchase by Jews of land in Palestine.
(3) Much of the increase in Arab population in Palestine prior to 1947
came from the immigration of Arabs from other Arab lands. For Jewish
settlers offered Arabs higher wages and better standards of living than
they had back at home.
(4) According to British government statistics (see Survey of
Palestine 1946, British Mandate Government, p. 257), immediately prior
to the establishment of Israel, 8.6% of the land that became Israel was
owned by Jews, only 3.3% by Arabs who remained there, and 16.5% by
Arabs who left the country. More than 70% of the land was owned by
Britain. Under international law, ownership of this 70% properly passed
to Israel when, by UN vote, it became an independent state.
(5) At the time of the partition, Arabs did constitute a majority of
the population in western Palestine as a whole, but Jews constituted a
majority in the area allotted to them by the UN.
(6) The partition itself was a division of a mere 20% of what was the
historic land of Palestine, as defined by the League of Nations in
giving Britain the Mandate following World War I. The 80% was
arbitrarily severed and allocated to what later became Transjordan.
Together, Arabs controlled 82.5% of the territory of the Mandate.
(7) Arab troops did not even wait for the implementation of the UN
resolution and almost immediately after the passing of the resolution
began mining roads, ambushing convoys, blowing up apartments in
Jerusalem, killing students at the Hebrew University, killing doctors
and nurses at the Hadassah Hospital on Mt. Scopus. In January 1948 the
first detachments of what was called "the Arab Liberation Army"
attacked Jewish settlements.
(8) Even in the wake of this invasion, the UN resolution, while
impossible to implement, remained in effect, and Israel was born on May
14, 1948. On May 15 Azzam Pasha, Secretary General of the Arab League,
declared in Cairo: "This will be a war of extermination and a momentous
massacre which will be spoken of like the Mongolian massacres and the
Crusades." He was proved wrong not because the invading Arabs had pangs
of conscience but because the heavily outnumbered Jews defeated them.
(9) The heart of Dr Nonneman's parallel to the 1999 crisis in Kosovo
is the supposed dispossession of Arabs by Jews in 1948. In fact, Arab
leaders caused the flight by radio broadcasts fabricating stories of
Israeli atrocities and promising departing Arabs that, following a
quick victory, they would not only be able to reclaim their own
property but would gain that of the Jews as well.
One case always cited by those hostile to Israel is that of the flight
of Arabs from Haifa. To quote an impartial British eyewitness from the
ECONOMIST on October 2, 148: "During subsequent days the Jewish
authorities, who were now in complete control of Haifa, ... urged all
Arabs to remain in Haifa and guaranteed them protection and
security.... Various factors influenced their decision to seek safety
in flight.
There is but little doubt that the most potent of the factors were the
announcements made over the air by the Arab Higher Executive, urging
all Arabs in Haifa to quit. The reason given was that upon the final
withdrawal of the British, the combined armies of the Arab states would
invade Palestine and 'drive the Jews into the sea,' and it was clearly
intimated that those Arabs who remained in Haifa and accepted Jewish
protection would be regarded as renegades." Official Jewish
declarations, not least Israel's Proclamation of Independence of May
14, 1948, beseeched Arabs to remain in Israel, to become citizens, and
to "play their part in the development of the state."
If I dared take more space, I would correct the rest of Dr Nonneman's
falsehoods, such as that about the number of Palestinian Arabs who, for
whatever reason, left Israel. I do want to say only that his noting of
opposition to Zionism by some Jews themselves is both offensive and
outdated.
Jews who in 1948 opposed the establishment of Israel did so either
because they espoused assimilation (the legacy of the Enlightenment) or
because they awaited the coming of the Messiah. They did not oppose
Zionism for any of the reasons that Arabs did. Since, especially, the
Six Day War of 1967, nearly all Jews have become Zionists. It is a
tribute to the toleration practiced by Israel that it protects even
those Ultra-Orthodox Jews who still oppose the state because it was
established by humans and not by God. To say that one can be Jewish
without being Zionist is true, but very few present-day Jews, in Israel
or anywhere else, are other than proud Zionists.
5. SMALL ADS
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HOUSE TO LET- A very pleasant three bedroom house in Bolton-Le-Sands
is available to let. Gas central heating, pleasant garden, Garage,
unfurnished, recently decorated. 395 pounds per calendar month. It is
available for short term or long term tenancy. For more information,
please contact: etlfzai@taz.ericsson.se or 01487 840960 (after 4.00
PM).
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PIANO WANTED for amateur but enthusiastic adult. Nothing too grand -
either in size or price! Contact s.eccles@lancaster.ac.uk (ext. 93908)
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FOR SALE: Set of four 15" 5 spoke Alloy Wheels from Subaru Impreza
Turbo with nearly new tyres. Tyres are 205/55 R15 and have only been
used for about 2 weeks since new. Rims have five stud holes and will
ONLY fit other Subarus. Price 500 ono Email: D.Owen@lancs.ac.uk
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TANGO: Does anyone out there want to practice Argentinian tango? I'd
like to start an informal practical on a weekly or fortnightly basis,
and perhaps arrange workshops with "real" teachers once a month or so.
Expressions of interest, please to Jessica Abrahams email:
j.abrahams@lancs.ac.uk tel: 388 207
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FLAT AVAILABLE ON CAMPUS ON JULY 1ST. Located in Lonsdale college,
fully furnished, quiet area and comfortable, for 273,20 pounds a month.
Large dining-room with kitchen corner, private bathroom, double-bed.
Please contact g.lambert@lancaster.ac.uk or phone xt: 93411.
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FOR SALE: Two child seats for adult bikes, suit up to 4 years old. ?10
each Child's car seat, 10 pounds. Phone 842803 or e-mail
paul@kirkridge.demon.co.uk
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FOR SALE: FIESTA 1.3 Ghia, L Reg.
Near perfect condition, 63,000 miles,
recently serviced, metallic green, allow wheels,
electric windows, factory fitted sunroof, usual Ghia
refinements, 12 months MOT. Careful lady owner.
3,695 ONO; Telephone: (01253) 332317 (day/work);
(01253) 789713 (evening/home).
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BOOK SALE: Due to my departure from Lancaster, I am selling many books
(environmental policy, theory, gender, ethics, etc...).... If you are
interested please come to my office (Bowland Tower East, B floor)
anytime on Wed 12th and Thursday 13 (until 3 pm)...
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DRUMMER WANTED for local rock band. Must be dedicated. Tel. Neil -
851704 or Duncan - 412563.
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22nd PHYSICS ROUND CAMPUS RELAY - 1999
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2nd June 1999 1.15pm
The SCHOOL of PHYSICS and CHEMISTRY presents the 22nd annual "Round
the Campus Relay" race to be run on Wednesday 2nd June at 1.15 p.m.
from the Indoor Recreation Centre. The rules are as usual:
1. Each team consists of four runners.
2. The members of each team must have some loose relationship with each
other. (e.g. Physics Students, History Staff, Engineering Ladies,
Bowland College...)
3) The course is one lap of the perimeter divided into four stages:
Stage 1) Indoor Rec............Physics car park via road. (2/3 mile)
Stage 2) Car park..............Medical Centre via woods. (1/2 mile)
Stage 3) Medical Centre........Tree behind cricket pitch. (1/3 mile)
Stage 4) Tree..................Indoor Rec (1.5 miles)
Ladies teams, mens teams and mixed teams are all encouraged. Batons are
provided and the course is flagged. Prizes will be presented for the
winning teams in each of the following categories:
First mens team
First ladies team
First mixed team (mixed = 2 men + 2 ladies)
Team with fastest corrected time (with total age greater than 132).
Remember this is essentially a "fun run" with emphasis on participation
but as always there is an element of competition!
Formula for age/gender correction used to calculate the `corrected time'
is available on request, it corrects times based on age, where ONLY
COMPETITORS OLDER THAN 33 WILL HAVE AN EFFECT. There is an extra
10% correction for all female runners.
Please send your entries using the form below as soon as possible
to the organisers. Email applications are preferred. :
Frank Foster or Alex Finch (Physics)
(email: F.Foster or A.Finch @lancaster.ac.uk)
(phone 3611 or 3618)
Entries on the day are possible but we do like to know ahead of time who
is competing and how many batons to provide.
RECORD TIMES: Ladies Reebok Racers (1991) 17.41
Open Management Elite (1992) 14.01
Mixed Green Shoots (1996) 15.41
Age related Physics (1996) 15.01
(Old course Marketing Maniacs (1982) 13.09)
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2nd June 1999
We wish to enter a team for the Physics Relay Race:
NAME OF TEAM..........................................................
ELIGIBLE FOR: MENS ( ) LADIES ( ) MIXED ( ) AGE CORRECTED ( )
(please put a cross(X) against all that apply !)
NAMES OF TEAM MEMBERS AGE GENDER(M/W)
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
( Please give age and gender of team members if team is to be eligible for
Age Corrected prize.)
CONTACT PERSON.............................................
PHONE...............
EMAIL..........................................................
PART II FOLLOWS WHEN EXAM MARKING PERMITS