The Other News From England.

24 Sept. 2001.

It is intended to renew The Other News weekly, but there are occasions when this is not possible. We apologise in advance for when this occurs.

Index of earlier issues - click here.

(Those who like digging about will find that there are hundreds of articles on many subjects to be found on this site.)

Old issues.

There are some much earlier Other News on this site. Click below.

early Othernews - 1992, 93, 94.

Bonnington Cafe and Bonnington Square.

This Saturday 29 Sept., Phil singing Bert Jansch style songs, and probably a visit from Hugh Harris to play a few things on saxophone (but this part of the show has yet to be negotiated).

Bonnington Cafe is a communally owned cafe in Vauxhall, Central London. The atmosphere is somewhat Bohemian, international, friendly, educated, and much wine (bought from the corner shop across the road) gets drunk. Good quality vegetarian. Cheap. The only lighting is usually candles stuck in wine bottles, and the furniture is a collection of odds and sods that people have thrown out. The overall result is relaxed and pleasing. People tend to spend the whole evening over their meal, and engage in discussion with those on other tables, the caterer, the band, passers through......

Bonnington Cafe, Vauxhall Grove, London SW8 UK. Near Vauxhall underground and mainline station, buses 185, 36, 2, 88, 322 and others. Booking is difficult.

USA.

IT TOOK A FEW DAYS to discover that the attack on the World Trade Centre was preceded by huge and unusual sales of certain shares in stock exchanges around the world, and it may take a few hours from that discovery to realise that they will be followed up with large purchases of certain shares when the prices for those shares reach what is believed to be the bottom. This has, of course, suggested the possibility that the attack could have been organised by a large international criminal network who utilised religious maniacs with the intention of making huge profits rather than a politically motivated attack, even though it does now seem to be bringing the world to the threshold of World War Three. But then - if you are a criminal the possibility of causing a world war is not of any particular interest as long as you get what you want. The same sort of people would be quite happy to steal and sell uranium indiscriminately to the highest bidder.

Once again, I feel compelled to refer to the Middle Ages in Europe, a time when yobs ruled and in fact the easiest way to succeed in the world was quite possibly to go about threatening everybody until they caved in and allowed you to become king - as happened everywhere - and then to install members of your family and friends as dukes, 'religious' people and politicians, which is roughly what has happened in many countries in the world during the end of the 20th century and the beginnings of this one, the 21st. (indeed, the descendants of those yobs continue to prevail in many parts of the world). Thus, some countries are just beginning to move out of the middle ages whilst others have moved slightly (only slightly) further. This can never make for a comfortable world.

The question, then, viewed in those terms, is whether the criminals can be referred to as yobs, clerics, politicians or criminals. Regular readers will know that all religions tend to be perceived by this writer as just another means of political manipulation, so I will not enlarge on why I include clerics.

Given our limited human viewpoint there is unlikely to be any other motivation for such actions than the love of power, however pointless it may be to have it, and perhaps we, all of us, now need to examine what motivated us as individuals to reach for whatever amount of power we have as individuals and whether we actually want it (for we all have some power to a greater or lesser extent) and to what lengths we would go to get it.

That might give us a clearer picture of what caused this attack and what actions might be taken to avoid another.

Economics.

THE ATTACK on the World Trade Centre has had quite a strong effect on the economies of the world, but if we are not going to return to the middle ages, and as people have a need to go on living it cannot be a long-term one unless it turns out to be one of a positive nature.

The value of money and it's symbolic equivalent transmitted by computers still seems very real to most people, even though in many cases they are fully aware that it is only symbolic and are also aware that it is theoretically possible to run an economy without money, as is no doubt done within certain tribes to this day.

If the money economy continues to be of such great importance that it causes wars we might do well to look at things in a different way.

Joe Punter's Shakespeare.

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, by william shakespeare.

Characters:

Theseus (duke of Athens), Egeus (father to Hermia), Lysander and Demetrius (in love with Hermia), Philostrate (Master of the Revels to Theseus), Quince (a carpenter), Snug (a joiner), Bottom (a weaver), Flute (a bellows-maker), Snout (a tinker), Starveling (a tailor). Hyppolita (Queen of the Amazons, betrothed to Theseus), Hermia (daughter to Egeus, in love with Lysander), Helena (in love with demetrius), Oberon (king of the fairies), Titania (queen of the fairies), Puck (or Robin Goodfellow), Peas-blossom, Cobweb, Moth and Mustard-seed (fairies), Pyramus, Thysbe, Wall, Moonshine, Lion (characters in the interlude performed by the clowns), opther fairies attending their king and queen, and attendants on Thesius and Hyppolyta.

Scene: Athens - a wood near it.

ACT 1.

Scene 1.

Athens. The Palace of theseus.

Enter Theseus, Hyppolyta, Philostrate and attendants.

THESEUS:

Now, fair Hyppolyta, our wedding draws on fast. Four more days bring in the new moon. But how slow this old moon is in waning - like some old dowager eating up a young man's resources.

HYPPOLITA:

Four days will quickly pass and four nights will quickly dream away the time, and then the night of our solemnities...

THESEUS:

Go, Philostrate, and set up the Athenian youth in merriments. Awaken the pert and nimble spirit of mirth. Save melancholy for funerals - that pale companion is not for our pomp.

(exit Philostrate)

Hippolyta, I wooed thee with my sword and won your love doing thee injuries, but I will wed thee in another key, with pomp, triumph and revelling.

Enter Egeus with daughter Hermia, Lysander and Demetrius.

EGEUS:

Greetings our renowned duke.

THESEUS:

Thank you good Egeus. What news with thee?

EGEUS:

I come full of anger, with a complaint against my child, my daughter Hermia. Stand forth Demetrius. My noble lord, this man here has my consent to marry her. Stand forth Lysander. And this, my gracious duke, has bewitched her! thou, Lysander, has given her presents and exchanged love-tokens with my child. thou hast at her window sung in the moonlight with a false voice and proclaiming a false love and stolen her heart with locks of hair, rings, gauds, conceits, knicknacks, trifles, nosegays, sweetmeats - messengers of strong passions in unhardened youth. With cunning you have filched my daughter's heart, turned her obedience to me (which is due) to stubborn harshness -

And, my gracious duke, she will not consent to marry Demetrius. I beg the ancient priviliege of Athens: As she is mine I may dispose of her as I please, which shall be either to this gentleman or to her death in accordance with our law provided for such a case.

THESEUS:

What do you say, Hermia? Be aware that to you your father should be as God. He that composed your beauties, he of whom you are part. Demetrius is a worthy gentleman.

HERMIA:

So is Lysander.

THESEUS:

He is, of course, but in this circumstance, given your father's wishes, the other is the worthier.

HERMIA:

I wish my father could see with my eyes.

THESEUS:

Rather, your eyes should look with his judgment.

HERMIA:

I do beg your pardon, but I do not know by what right or power I am charged here nor how it may concern my modesty to come here to plead my thoughts, but I beseech thy grace to tell me the worst that can happen to me in this matter if I refuse to wed Demetrius.

THESEUS:

Either to die or to be excluded forever from the company of men. Therefore, fair Hermia, question your desires. Know what youth does to a person, examine your blood well, consider whether if you refuse your father's choice you can endure the life of a nun, to be barren all your life and chanting faint hymns to the cold and fruitless moon. Those who choose this option are thrice blessed, of course, but lonely. More earthly is the happiness of one who does not choose it.

HERMIA:

I will live, grow old barren and die, my lord, rather than give my virgin patient to his lordship, whose attentions I do not want. My sould does not consent to give him sovereignty over me.

THESEUS:

Take time to think, and by the next new moon - the wedding-day of my love and me, for everlasting love and friendship - upon that day either prepare to die for disobedience to your father's will or else to wed Demetrius as he would wish - or to Diana's altar to commence a single life.

DEMETRIUS:

Relent, sweet Hermia, and Lysander yield thy crazed title to my certain right.

LYSANDER:

You have her father's love, Demetrius. Let me have Hermia's. You go and marry him.

EGEUS:

Scornful Lysander! True he has my love, and what is mine I can give him. She is mine, and all my rights in her I do give to Demetrius.

LYSANDER:

I have, my lord, as good pedigree as he, am as well endowed with possessions, my love is greater than his, my prospects as good, and what is more important than all these things is that I am beloved of beauteous Hermia. Why, then, should I not demand my right? Demetrius, I'll vouch to his face, made love to Nedar's daughter Helena and won her soul, and she, sweet lady, dotes upon this spotted and inconsistent man.

THESEUS:

I must confess I have it so, and had intended to speak with Demetrius about it, but being so over-busy with affairs of my own, it slipped my mind. But Demetrius, come, and come Egeus. You shall go with me. I have some private schooling for you both. You, fair Hermia, prepare yourself to comply with your father's will, or else the law of Athens yields you up (we may not alter it) to either death or or to a vow of a single life. Come, my Hippolyta, what cheer my love? Demetrius and Egeus go along. I must employ you in some business to do with our nuptials, and also confer with you on something which concerns yourselves.

EGEUS:

With duty and desire we follow you.

(exit Theseus, Hippolyta, Egeus, Demetrius and attendants)

LYSANDER:

How now my love? Why is your cheek so pale? Why are the roses there fading so fast?

HERMIA:

Probably for want of rain, which I could easily rain upon them from my eyes.

LYSANDER:

Ay me! I have never read that the course of true love runs smoothly, but either it was different in blood..........

HERMIA:

O cross! Too high to to be enthralled to low! (don't know - ed)

LYSANDER:

Or else misguided about age.

HERMIA:

O spite! Too old to be engaged to young!

LYSANDER:

Or else it was the choice of friends.

HERMIA:

O hell! to choose love by another's eyes!

LYSANDER:

Or if there were way to reverse choice, and the powers of darknes could be devoured by the powers of light.

HERMIA:

If, then, true lovers have always been crossed it stands as an edict in destiny: let us be patient, because it is a customary happening, as due to love as thoughts, dreams, sighs, wishes, tears......

LYSANDER:

A good persuasion. Therefore hear me Hermia. I have a widow aunt, a dowager of great revenue, and she has no child. Her house is a good seven leagues from Athens, and she respects me as her only son. There, gentle Hermia, I will marry thee, and to that place the sharp Athenian law cannot pursue us. If thou lovest me, then, steal out of thy father's house tomorrow night, and in the wood, a league outside the town, where I did once meet thee with Helena, to do observance to a morn of May, there I will wait for thee.

HERMIA:

My good Lysander! I swear to thee, by Cupid's strongest bow, by his best arrow with the golden head, by the simplicity of Venus' doves, by that which knitteth souls and prospers loves, and by that fire which burned the queen of Carthage when the false Troyans were seen under sail, by all the vows that men ever broke, in number more than women ever spoke, in that same place thou hast appointed for me, tomorrow truly will I meet with thee.

LYSANDER:

Keep promise, love. Look, here comes Helena.

(enter Helena)

HERMIA:

God speed, fair Helena! What's the matter?

HELENA:

You call me fair? Unsay that, please. Demetrius loves your fair: O happy fair! Your eyes are lode-stars, and your tongue's sweet air more tuneful than a lark to a shepherd's ear, when wheat is green, when hawthorn buds appear. Sickness is catching. Would that I could catch yours! that my hair should catch yours, my eye your eye, my tongue should catch your tongue's sweet melody. Were the world mine, Demetrius having been bated the rest I would give to you to be translated. O teach me how to look, and with what art you sway the motion of Demetrius' heart!

HERMIA:

I frown upon him, yet he loves me still.

HELENA:

O that your frowns would teach my smiles such skill!

HERMIA:

I give him curses, yet he gives me love.

HELENA:

O that my prayers could move such affection!

HERMIA:

The more I hate, the more he follows me.

HELENA:

The more I love, the more he hateth me.

HERMIA:

His folly, Helena, is no fault of mine.

HELENA:

None but your beauty. Would that fault were mine.

HERMIA:

Take comfort. He will see no more of me. Lysander and myself will fly this place. Before I met Lysander, Athens seemed a paradise to me. What graces does my love have that he can turn a heaven into a hell.

LYSANDER:

Helena, to you our minds will unfold. Tomorrow night, by the light of the moon, decking the the bladed grass with pearl, a time that lovers flights doth still conceal, we will flee through Athens' gates.

HERMIA:

Up in the woods where you and I often upon primrose-beds lay talking, there my Lysander and I shall meet, and from thence turn our eyes away from Athens to seek new friends and strange companies. Farewell sweet playfellow. Pray for us. And may good luck grant thee thy Demetrius! - Keep word, Lysander. We must starve our sight from lovers' food til deep tomorrow midnight.

LYSANDER:

I will, my Hermia.

(exit Hermia)

Helena adieu. As you on him, may Demetrius dote on you.

(exit)

HELENA:

How happy some over others can be! Throughout Athens I am thought as fair as she, but what of that? Demetrius doesn't think so.He will ignore all that others do know, and as he errs, doting on Hermia's eyes, so I, admiring his qualities. Even the most base and vile things love can transpose to form and dignity. Love looks not with the eyes but with the mind, and thus winged Cupid is painted blind. Nor hath love's mind any taste or judgment. Love is said to be a child, because in choice he is so oft beguiled. As waggish boys in game themselves forswear, so the boy Love is perjured everywhere; For before Demetrius lookt in Hermia's eyes he made oaths that he was only mine. And when this hail some heat from Hermia felt, so he dissolved, and showers of oaths (to me ) did melt. I will go tell him of Hermia's flight, then to the wood he'll go tomorrow night, pursue her, and if I have thanks for this intelligence it will be a dear expense, but herein I mean to enrich my pain, to have his sight there and back again.

More next week.

...........................................................................................................................

The stuff that doesn`t often get changed now follows:

Alternet News.

Alternet News might appeal to some readers as a regular list of goings-on in the human rights/green areas of life. You can receive it by email. I have put one copy on this site so that you get an idea of what it is about and how to subscribe.

For sample Alternet email click here.

Biotechnology

Click here for an email that arrived in January 2000 concerning a proposed reasoned approach to this tricky subject

Goforth's social justice e-zine.

This interesting email magazine comes at fairly regular intervals and is of interest to almost anybody who is interested in human rights and green issues. In November 2000 it was going out to about 10,000 addresses. Try it. It won't cost you anything, and you can reproduce the contents without paying. You can subscribe by writing to them at: sjzine@netscape.net, or visit: Goforth's site

This website is about accounting investigations and fiddles. If you like to look at financial scandals (both hidden and public) this might be worth a look. I have not been there myself, but the books produced by these people, although difficult to follow, cover a lot of mysterious ground.

This website is about the destruction of countryside and agriculture. Worth a visit if you want to find out about how it is thought the British countryside will fair under the ongoing creep of the multinationals.

This website is one to do with monetary reform.The British Association for Monetary Reform. If you are interested in economics it is worth a look. http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~bamr1

This is a website about alternative currencies.Might be worth a look to those who have realised that you don't necessarily have to have money as such to be prosperous.

This is a website for something called The Green Guide. I know nothing about it, but am hoping it is something worthy. Please let me know if it is questionable.

This is a site concerned with one of the most unpopular planning decisions ever made in Greater London, the Crystal Palace Complex. It is so stunningly awful that only a handful of people who do not live near it appear to approve, whilst the rest are not entirely uninclined to mention such things as payola, freemasons....you name it! The site belongs to the London Borough of Bromley, but the aggro generated by it and the destruction of amenity caused by it will be almost entirely suffered by residents of adjoining boroughs and not the people of Bromley themselves.

This is a recycling site based in London, and offering materials to anybody. The organisation is a charity seeking to link suppliers of surplus materials with users. Especially good for the more ingenious designers amongst us.

The email of the people who run the above site is cs@london-recycling.demon.co.uk. They are called Creative Supplies. Look them up for more info.

Here's an interesting education site - particularly for those who have young children and are not quite sure what to do to avoid the worst of what`s on offer in the mainstream of education.They are called www.edrev.org.

early Othernews - 1992, 93, 94.

Early Other News essays.

There were a few essays that went out with the early Other News as a freestanding item. You can read these by clicking below.

Essays.

The Soup Designer`s Handbook.

The Soup Designer`s Handbook.

London Journey - a trip from Docklands through Beckenham and back to Docklands.

Friday Woodworkers.

(Friday Woodworkers are suffering a temporary break due to some of the episodes not having been fully edited at the time of writing. It may take some timne to fix this problem.

Episode 17.

(These articles were written in 1988, and were my first attempt at writing. Some people when shown these fell about laughing, some smiled faintly - and some yawned. I thought I was going to write a technical book, but it soon became apparent that I was much more interested in the people than the technology - and that is the main reason there are no drawings - although it might be rather good to do a couple of caricatures sometime.)

Index of Friday Woodorker articles (and a means of access).

Index of earlier issues.

Gabriele Gad on alternative therapy.

A READER COMPLAINED that it was not possible to go back more than 6 articles in Gabriele`s area. Regrettably this is because there is no index, and I have not the time to organise one yet. However, for those determined enough to find the early ones, they should be accessible by going to an early Other News and clicking through from it. This will not be fast, but I think will do the job. They started about November 1997 I think.

editor@othernews.co.uk

Cartoons and graphics.

drawings click here.

sheet music click here.

Consumers.

LEXMARK 3200 PRINTER.

In an earlier issue I told you about my feelings regarding Tempo retailers and the Lexmark 3200 printer I bought from them.

The Lexmark 3200 printer I got from Tempo must surely be the most uneconomical printer I could possibly have bought. The black cartridge only does about 250 pages of ordinary type - for £28! That makes each sheet cost 11.2 pence plus the cost of the paper and probably another 11.2 pence more if any colour is used! - ABOUT 22.4 PENCE A SHEET! Nearly a pound for every four sheets!

I wouldn`t recommend you to buy it - but also look at my earlier article for an idea of Tempo`s service.

Wanted

A person to help make up a subject index for the growing numbers of articles on The Other News From England. Email editor@othernews.co.uk (this may now have been provided, but please email if you might like to join in in some way - ed.)

All material on this site is copyright. Contact me if you want to use it. I am quite flexible. Educational non-profit use is free - but ask for permission and print an acknowledgement. If you can`t think what to print, put:

From The Other News From England. http://www.othernews.co.uk

Even better if you print the date of the article.

editor@othernews.co.uk

That`s all this week folks