Never forget
The Holocaust was, undoubtedly, a defining event in history. It was unique in its scientific precision, unprecedented in the scale on which it was conceived and horrific in that it served no interest; as Emil Fackenheim put it, it was "evil for evil's sake". Sunday witnessed the second annual British Holocaust Memorial Day. The Jewish have their own National Holocaust Day, Yom Hashoah, but that marks their private, personal grief. Whilst they were a central target of the Final Solution, they were not the only minority group to be involved. Moreover, the denial of anyone's humanity is abhorrent, to whoever it is applied. Victims deserve universal respect, and charges demand public condemnation. ...
Features: Germaine
Striding into the Union debating Chamber Ms Greer cut an impressive figure, tall, straight posture and with an undeniable air of self confidence, what else would you expect from the woman once dubbed "The High Priestess of Womens' Liberation"? For this feminist though the expectation was sadly left unfulfilled. After the interview I was supposed to be conducting with Germaine was cancelled at the last minute, due to the highly important business of the traditional Union pre-debate dinner I was consoled by the conviction that in the debating chamber at least I would not be disappointed....
Features: Keeping the faith
Are you bright, curious, maybe a leader? If so, congratulations - you are a prime target for a cult recruiter and we're not talking Arthur Anderson here! Young people have been joining far-out religious movements in droves during recent decades. Current rates in the US stand at tens of thousands of people a year. But then again, that's Americans for you. Having the devoted scientologist Tom Cruise as a role model must have serious repercussions....
Features: A National Treasure?
Ann Widdecombe is the sort of politician who polarises public opinion and divides the media. To some she embodies the best of British, a leading politician bravely speaking her mind in an age of spin; to others, Widdecombe is seen as little more than a national joke, better known for her party-dividing remarks about the two Michaels - Howard and Portillo - and the disturbing results of her makeover on Richard and Judy, than for any positive achievement. When she came to Oxford to address the Union last Friday lunchtime, therefore, it was the perfect chance to try to get to the bottom of which view best reflects the real Ms Widdecombe. After speaking to an almost full debating chamber, she spoke to the Oxford Student about her own career, and her views on the state of her party under a new leader whom she did not support in last summer's elections....
Features: Entirely subjective
From the moment you arrive in Oxford, you are more or less defined by your subject, especially when no one knows anything else about you. This seems to imply, though, that your degree course firmly and irrevocably decides who you are, what you are, and what will become of you. Personally this worries me. Does this mean I am irretrievably doomed to a life where I am incapable of finding my way anywhere and glare at people for misuse of apostrophes? We all know the familiar stereotypes: there's vomit on the floor, the lawyers have been having a party; people are running in fear, a physicist is talking about quantum mechanics. But are the stereotypes true, and if so, can we escape them? What I mean is - will I always be an English student?
Bro