Latest book review, published in Morning Star yesterday.
Lebanon's slacker underbelly / Books / Culture / Home - Morning Star
Lebanon's slacker underbelly
(Sunday 25 February 2007)
The Illusion of Return by Samir El-Youssef
(Halban £12.99)
IF the past is another country, for the displaced Palestinian diaspora, it is often a journey through many lands, sustained by hope of returning to the life before the disaster of 1948.
Samir El-Youssef, who was born in a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon, now lives in London. His divide-crossing credentials include co-authoring with an Israeli writer. This book is published by an imprint specialising in "books of Jewish interest."
El-Youssef's meditation on the philosophical possibility of "return as a grand concept" is a slim novel competently structured through flashbacks, though with scant imagery.
The style is discursive, but anyone looking for a manifesto will not find it. The end is a negative but inconclusive shrug. Return is not possible... probably.
In some ways, the novel reads like a slacker generation screenplay. The young narrator Samir inhabits the drug scene in Beirut cafes of the early '80s, offering intriguing shades of a Lebanese Trainspotting.
Less compelling are the cardboard cutout political caricatures. Maher the "Marxist" inadvertently encouraging Salim the "worker" to blow up his boss's sweet factory in Beirut merely triggers the plot rather than suspension of disbelief.
MALCOLM BURNS
Tuesday, 27 February 2007
Sunday, 25 February 2007
Lebanon's slacker underbelly: The Illusion of Return by Samir El-Youssef
Published in the Morning Star
(Sunday 25 February 2007)
(Sunday 25 February 2007)
Lebanon's slacker underbelly
The Illusion of Return by Samir El-Youssef
(Halban £12.99)
IF the past is another country, for the displaced Palestinian diaspora, it is often a journey through many lands, sustained by hope of returning to the life before the disaster of 1948.
Samir El-Youssef, who was born in a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon, now lives in London. His divide-crossing credentials include co-authoring with an Israeli writer. This book is published by an imprint specialising in "books of Jewish interest."
El-Youssef's meditation on the philosophical possibility of "return as a grand concept" is a slim novel competently structured through flashbacks, though with scant imagery.
The style is discursive, but anyone looking for a manifesto will not find it. The end is a negative but inconclusive shrug. Return is not possible — probably.
In some ways, the novel reads like a slacker generation screenplay. The young narrator Samir inhabits the drug scene in Beirut cafes of the early '80s, offering intriguing shades of a Lebanese Trainspotting.
Less compelling are the cardboard cutout political caricatures. Maher the "Marxist" inadvertently encouraging Salim the "worker" to blow up his boss's sweet factory in Beirut merely triggers the plot rather than suspension of disbelief.
MALCOLM BURNS
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Friday, 9 February 2007
Down the pan?
Erk alors!
Britain plagued by worst trade deficit since 1697 | Special Reports | Guardian Unlimited Politics: "Britain plagued by worst trade deficit since 1697
· Government statistician admits UK is £56bn in red
· Figures have deteriorated every year since 1997
Angela Balakrishnan and Larry Elliott
Saturday February 10, 2007
The Guardian
Crowning the worst year for the trade deficit since figures for imports and exports were first collected in Stuart times, the government admitted yesterday that Britain was just under £56bn in the red in 2006.
Data from the Office for National Statistics showed that under Tony Blair, Britain's trading performance has been worse than under any of his Labour predecessors. Worse than under Clement Attlee and Harold Wilson, both of whom had to devalue the pound when the trade figures turned nasty, and worse than under James Callaghan, who was forced to seek help from the International Monetary Fund amid the sterling crisis of 1976."
Britain plagued by worst trade deficit since 1697 | Special Reports | Guardian Unlimited Politics: "Britain plagued by worst trade deficit since 1697
· Government statistician admits UK is £56bn in red
· Figures have deteriorated every year since 1997
Angela Balakrishnan and Larry Elliott
Saturday February 10, 2007
The Guardian
Crowning the worst year for the trade deficit since figures for imports and exports were first collected in Stuart times, the government admitted yesterday that Britain was just under £56bn in the red in 2006.
Data from the Office for National Statistics showed that under Tony Blair, Britain's trading performance has been worse than under any of his Labour predecessors. Worse than under Clement Attlee and Harold Wilson, both of whom had to devalue the pound when the trade figures turned nasty, and worse than under James Callaghan, who was forced to seek help from the International Monetary Fund amid the sterling crisis of 1976."
Wondering still...
what all the fighting was about if with a couple of simple steps...
A gift for power | Iraq | Guardian Unlimited:
"only al-Qaida will remain, and we can defeat al-Qaida very easily"
according to placed Iraqi president Talabani.
A gift for power | Iraq | Guardian Unlimited:
"only al-Qaida will remain, and we can defeat al-Qaida very easily"
according to placed Iraqi president Talabani.
Wednesday, 7 February 2007
Writing wrongs on Iran
Comment is free: Caught in a recurring conflict:
"To their colour-blind eyes, blood is not that red; and to their tone-deaf ears, screams are not that harsh. I feel terrified, lost, misplaced in the hands of Martians, to whose expired skins, fire is not that fiery."
"To their colour-blind eyes, blood is not that red; and to their tone-deaf ears, screams are not that harsh. I feel terrified, lost, misplaced in the hands of Martians, to whose expired skins, fire is not that fiery."
Tuesday, 6 February 2007
"I wish they would attack us with a nuclear bomb and kill us all"
Received this in an email from friends, quoting report in the New York Times
:-|
> "I saw with my own eyes young children flying from the
> windows of the apartments on top of the shops when the
> explosion arrived," said Haydar Abdul Jabbar, 28, a
> car mechanic who was standing near a barber shop when
> the bomb exploded. "One woman threw herself out of the
> window when the fire came close to her."
>
> Mr. Abdul Jabbar said he rushed to collapsed buildings
> trying to help the wounded, but found mainly hands,
> skulls and other body parts.
>
> "The government is supposed to protect us, but they
> are not doing their job," he said. "I watch the TV and
> see the announcements on the imminent implementation
> of the security plan. Where is it, for God's sake?"
>
> "I wish they would attack us with a nuclear bomb and
> kill us all," he added, "so we will rest and anybody
> who wants the oil - which is the core of the problem -
> can come and get it. We can not live this way anymore.
> We are dying slowly every day."
NY Times article here:
Iraqis Fault Pace of U.S. Plan in Attack
from 4 Feb
My correspondent asks:
> Something is afoot when even the New York Times lets
> the truth be reported - how can our respective
> citizens live with the carnage our govts and media
> propagandists have unleashed?
:-|
> "I saw with my own eyes young children flying from the
> windows of the apartments on top of the shops when the
> explosion arrived," said Haydar Abdul Jabbar, 28, a
> car mechanic who was standing near a barber shop when
> the bomb exploded. "One woman threw herself out of the
> window when the fire came close to her."
>
> Mr. Abdul Jabbar said he rushed to collapsed buildings
> trying to help the wounded, but found mainly hands,
> skulls and other body parts.
>
> "The government is supposed to protect us, but they
> are not doing their job," he said. "I watch the TV and
> see the announcements on the imminent implementation
> of the security plan. Where is it, for God's sake?"
>
> "I wish they would attack us with a nuclear bomb and
> kill us all," he added, "so we will rest and anybody
> who wants the oil - which is the core of the problem -
> can come and get it. We can not live this way anymore.
> We are dying slowly every day."
NY Times article here:
Iraqis Fault Pace of U.S. Plan in Attack
from 4 Feb
My correspondent asks:
> Something is afoot when even the New York Times lets
> the truth be reported - how can our respective
> citizens live with the carnage our govts and media
> propagandists have unleashed?
"We're in jail, dude."
Leaked tape shows fatal US attack on British convoy | Iraq | Guardian Unlimited: "'I'm going to be sick,' POPOV35 said, while his colleague swore again and made a crying sound.
'Did you hear?' asked POPOV 35, and got the reply: 'Yeah, this sucks'. POPOV 35 then said: 'We're in jail, dude.'"
'Did you hear?' asked POPOV 35, and got the reply: 'Yeah, this sucks'. POPOV 35 then said: 'We're in jail, dude.'"
Monday, 5 February 2007
Times picks up charges story
Three likely to face charges in Labour loans investigation
Rajeev Syal, Greg Hurst and Angus McLeod
From The Times
February 05, 2007
Three people are likely to face criminal charges arising from the 11-month police investigation into claims that Downing Street improperly offered honours in return for donations.
Crown Prosecution Service lawyers have received files from the police indicating that charges should be brought against three people, although the inquiry is continuing.
“I would be very surprised if they are not charged,” a prosecution source told The Times. The same source said that Tony Blair was likely to be interviewed by the police for a third time because he had yet to answer certain questions.
The three whose position is most serious are those who have already been arrested during the inquiry. Lord Levy, the chief Labour fundraiser and Mr Blair’s Middle East envoy, was arrested twice: in July last year in connection with the misuse of honours and last week, over allegations of perverting the course of justice. Ruth Turner, the No 10 director of government relations, was arrested last month when police called at her home at 6.30am and questioned her for four hours, on suspicion of perverting the course of justice as well as the alleged misuse of honours.
Sir Christopher Evans, the founder of Merlin Biosciences, who secretly lent Labour £1 million before the 2005 general election, was arrested last September. He is the only Labour donor to have been held during the investigation.
Full story here...
Rajeev Syal, Greg Hurst and Angus McLeod
From The Times
February 05, 2007
Three people are likely to face criminal charges arising from the 11-month police investigation into claims that Downing Street improperly offered honours in return for donations.
Crown Prosecution Service lawyers have received files from the police indicating that charges should be brought against three people, although the inquiry is continuing.
“I would be very surprised if they are not charged,” a prosecution source told The Times. The same source said that Tony Blair was likely to be interviewed by the police for a third time because he had yet to answer certain questions.
The three whose position is most serious are those who have already been arrested during the inquiry. Lord Levy, the chief Labour fundraiser and Mr Blair’s Middle East envoy, was arrested twice: in July last year in connection with the misuse of honours and last week, over allegations of perverting the course of justice. Ruth Turner, the No 10 director of government relations, was arrested last month when police called at her home at 6.30am and questioned her for four hours, on suspicion of perverting the course of justice as well as the alleged misuse of honours.
Sir Christopher Evans, the founder of Merlin Biosciences, who secretly lent Labour £1 million before the 2005 general election, was arrested last September. He is the only Labour donor to have been held during the investigation.
Full story here...
Sunday, 4 February 2007
A charged situation
Scotsman.com News - Politics - Three Blair allies set to face charges over cash for honours: "After nine months of investigation, during which they have interviewed at least 90 witnesses, the police believe they may have gathered enough evidence to support charging:
• Levy under the 1925 Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act, which outlaws the offer of honours in return for material gain;
• Levy for 'conspiracy to pervert the course of justice';
• Turner for perverting the course of justice, in relation to her behaviour during the police inquiry;
• Biotech tycoon Sir Christopher Evans, who lent Labour £1m in the run-up to the last election, with 'soliciting' an honour, under the terms of the 1925 legislation."
I can't see this story on the Guardian, BBC or Times sites at present - Sunday afternoon... and I have wondered/still wonder whether charges will actually be brought. We'll see...
• Levy under the 1925 Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act, which outlaws the offer of honours in return for material gain;
• Levy for 'conspiracy to pervert the course of justice';
• Turner for perverting the course of justice, in relation to her behaviour during the police inquiry;
• Biotech tycoon Sir Christopher Evans, who lent Labour £1m in the run-up to the last election, with 'soliciting' an honour, under the terms of the 1925 legislation."
I can't see this story on the Guardian, BBC or Times sites at present - Sunday afternoon... and I have wondered/still wonder whether charges will actually be brought. We'll see...
Saturday, 3 February 2007
Marina says...
Guardian Unlimited | Comment is free | The truth, the whole truth and nothing like the truth: "One can only conclude that we have tumbled far down the rabbit hole. How any Brown administration will claw its way out remains to be seen, but it is an absolute necessity that we return to a discourse in which cases are clearly and consistently made, and original arguments stuck to, even if an expeditious loophole suddenly suggests itself. Any other way, even greater madness lies."
Ever so artful
Here's the Morning Star review I did of The Good, The Bad and The Queen:
The artful dodgers / Music / Culture / Home - Morning Star: "LIVE: The Good, The Bad and The Queen
Motherwell Concert Hall"
The artful dodgers / Music / Culture / Home - Morning Star: "LIVE: The Good, The Bad and The Queen
Motherwell Concert Hall"
Exit strategy
Relocation, relocation: Tony and Cherie buy fifth property | Special Reports | Guardian Unlimited Politics: "The latest acquisition is a Georgian mews house which once served as a stable block for the Connaught Square property. It is likely to be used as a base for Mr Blair's security staff and possibly a flat for Leo Blair's live-in nanny. Building work to connect the two properties is expected to cost about £100,000.
The mews will also improve security for the Blairs, as police have warned that the house in Connaught Square, which has only one entrance on to the street, is particularly risky. The mews offers an alternate entry and exit."
Probably that's a wise move.
The mews will also improve security for the Blairs, as police have warned that the house in Connaught Square, which has only one entrance on to the street, is particularly risky. The mews offers an alternate entry and exit."
Probably that's a wise move.
Friday, 2 February 2007
The Good, The Bad and The Queen, Motherwell Concert Hall, 30 Jan 2007
Published in the Morning Star
(Friday 02 February 2007)
(Friday 02 February 2007)
The artful dodgers
LIVE: The Good, The Bad and The Queen
Motherwell Concert Hall
MALCOLM BURNS checks out Damon Albarn's new supergroup.
It may seem odd that Damon Albarn's latest project, The Good, The Bad and The Queen, with its narrative identity centred so strongly on London, would be given its only Scottish outing of this short tour in Motherwell, a run-down former steel town which is culturally very far from the metropolis.
However, the Concert Hall makes a more than half-decent rock venue. And Albarn puts on more than a half-decent, if artfully downbeat, rock show.
On a stage incongruously laced with bunting in front of an atmospheric image of a Victorian London skyline, a good old days-style music hall master of ceremonies introduces some jugglers.
Then the support act, three members of south London Appalachian band Indigo Moss, run through a handful of stylised bluegrass songs about love and death.
Singer Trevor Moss has a haunting high-pitched wail which stays with you long after he's gone.
When Albarn finally arrives onstage, he looks like a cheery Artful Dodger, wearing a short top hat.
His supergroup in tow features former Clash icon Paul Simonon, star Afrobeat drummer Tony Allen (pictured right) and ex-Verve guitarist Simon Tong, as well as a four-piece string section.
First up is History Song, with its spare lyrics and slightly threatening refrain. It's low key, but then we get a taste of heavy bass from Simonon. Albarn sits at the piano to insert some jangling discords.
Doo-wop pastiche '80s Life brings out more melodramatic bass which matches the lyrics. "I don't want to live a war/That's got no end in our time."
The Kingdom of Doom sounds not unlike the Clash doing London Calling. Albarn and Simonon alternate on vocals, as the lights pick out the red flags in the bunting around them.
The rumbling bass grinds your blood and bones as Simonon struts the stage, pulling contortions like an elongated Norman Wisdom, before shouldering his bass in rocket launcher position.
Song by song, the mood moves from energetic to elegaic.
On reaching The Good, The Bad and The Queen, the final track of the album of the band of the same odd name, Albarn takes the music uptown again, reaching a barrelhouse pitch on piano.
Simonon sings of how the world has been seeming to end with a downbeat apocalyptic whimper.
At the end, this southern expeditionary force seems to have conquered the Caledonian horde.
They return for encores - Albarn plays melodica on a dubwise B-side called Back in the Day, then hands mic duties over to Syrian guest rapper Eslam Jaweed, who is wearing a black keffiyeh to perform in Arabic on another B-side track, Mr Whippy.
Visibly cheered by the enthusiastic applause, Albarn touches his heart like a footballer who's scored and promises: "We'll be coming back to Scotland for sure." Perhaps he didn't expect such a warm response for his downbeat metropolitan elegies.
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For peace and socialism - the only socialist daily paper in the English language
Thursday, 1 February 2007
Ooops... did it again!
Hello, hello, hello...
BBC NEWS | Politics | Blair interviewed again by police: "Tony Blair has been interviewed for a second time by police investigating cash-for-honours allegations.
Downing Street disclosed that the 45 minute questioning took place in Number 10 last Friday, but was kept secret at the request of the Metropolitan Police."
BBC NEWS | Politics | Blair interviewed again by police: "Tony Blair has been interviewed for a second time by police investigating cash-for-honours allegations.
Downing Street disclosed that the 45 minute questioning took place in Number 10 last Friday, but was kept secret at the request of the Metropolitan Police."
Ghettoes to the left of them...
A right wing commentator on right wing ideology... sometimes makes a good point.
Guardian Unlimited | Comment is free | The demagogic cliches of right and left can only make things worse: "If leaders of the right merely squawk 'multiculturalism', some readers of the Daily Mail will understand them to be saying 'these people should adapt to our ways or go back where they came from'. If leaders of the left merely squawk back 'Islamophobia' and 'Iraq', Muslims and city councils will not be compelled to ask the hard questions they need to ask about some of their own community representatives and policies."
Guardian Unlimited | Comment is free | The demagogic cliches of right and left can only make things worse: "If leaders of the right merely squawk 'multiculturalism', some readers of the Daily Mail will understand them to be saying 'these people should adapt to our ways or go back where they came from'. If leaders of the left merely squawk back 'Islamophobia' and 'Iraq', Muslims and city councils will not be compelled to ask the hard questions they need to ask about some of their own community representatives and policies."
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