'Give us the tooth!'
Come the revolution, Denis Healey once opined, we shall abolish teeth.
The former Chancellor was suffering persistent pain from his own choppers at the time.
While (solely) an MP, Alex Salmond was contacted by a constituent, whom he knew well, on the subject of dentistry.
Teeth, Mr Salmond replied, are devolved.
They are indeed - and Annabel Goldie was concerned at their condition. Teeth, she said, are rotting all around us as we speak.
I think she was referring to the nation as a whole rather than MSP molars in particular. Either way, it was a horrid prospect.
In the Holyrood gallery, observers clenched their jaws defensively.
Her concern was with the cost of allowing folk to remain permanently on dental registers even if they never turn up for appointments.
School lessons
She felt this was offering the appearance of widespread dental treatment when the reality might be different.
Mr Salmond polished his incisors and snapped that it was important to retain people on registers, not drive them away.
Earlier, Mr Salmond and Labour's Iain Gray had bared their bicuspids at each other over the subject of the Curriculum for Excellence due to be welcomed by/inflicted upon Scotland's schools.
A former teacher, Mr Gray appeared, for a moment, to be back in the classroom. He repeatedly warned young Salmond to sit up straight and pay attention. (Actually, he said "listen carefully" but generations of school pupils knew what he meant.)
Mr Gray asked Mr Salmond to explain precisely when the new curriculum would be introduced in secondary schools, how many subjects would be offered, what exams would be taken and when.
And to show his working.
After some discussion, the answers were August, the same, the same, and four years.
Modern languages
Labour suggested later that this was wrong: that the subjects and exams would differ substantially and that there were suggestions that pupils might move into the new exam structure in S3.
Not so, says the Scottish government. The method of delivering education is changing with the new curriculum - but the fundamental subjects, such as modern languages, remain unchanged.
Or, as one minister put it to me: "You don't change the laws of physics just because you have introduced a new curriculum."
Scotty from Star Trek will be relieved.
I'm 
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~01~RS~)
Comments
Sign in or register to comment.
This comment has been referred for further consideration. Explain
From your last post Brian... Regarding Anne Moffat MP; "Wonder whether Alex Salmond might find a moment tomorrow to mention all this when he is questioned in Holyrood by Iain Gray, the MSP for East Lothian?"
...Why did you wonder that?
Complain about this comment
After decades of gorging on goodies, no proper cleaning, no removal of parasites and a lack of care from the professionals who are supposed to investigate such things, both teeth and the Labour party rot from the inside.
Complain about this comment
It's politics Brian, but not as we know it.
I see Spock failed to get the Renfrewshire South nomination.
Complain about this comment
I was heartened to see little or no hysteria when Paul Martin asked the First Minister about the dreadful events of last Sunday at the Red Road flats, although I shudder at what might be posited down the thread here by the stick machine gun turrets at Dover brigade.
Too much has been concluded as fact based on unattributed (and therefore, I'd suggest, unreliable) whispers. Until sourced and concrete information is gathered we should be cognisant that three people died and start with that.
If a fatal accident enquiry is the way forward then let us have due process take place and soberly draw conclusions when the dust has settled and feelings especially amongst the asylum seeking community aren't so raw.
Complain about this comment
Meanwhile, back at East Lothian, whoever thought you would have seen the words 'Dourian' and 'Preferred' in the same sentence, but it seems that may want him for the London job. Perhaps supporters of all other parties will vote for him, and make Holyrood a better place. Or would he do the two jobs thing he's been so vociferous about? Marquee available for discussions, meetings and other activities.
Complain about this comment
Aye, this thread wes overdue - it's definitely time for minumum sweetie pricing!
Complain about this comment
Did one get the feeling that Mr. Iain Gray was terrified of the mention the words "Scottish politics" in the FMQ and that someone might mention the current shambles of the British Labour Party in Scotland. That said I look forward to the BBC headline "Salmond accused yadda yadda yadda..."
Complain about this comment
Over an hour and no comments have got past the mods yet - it must be that BBC conspiracy to keep us ignorant and toothless!
Complain about this comment
I pay for private dental treatment for a number of reasons: my molars are suffering due to my love for our other national drink, or at least the full sugar version for years; the cosmetic finish tends to be more polished (no pun intended) and you tend to get seen quicker when paying more for the priviledge.
The dentists who owns the practice I use spends time at the dental hospital every so often. And from what I gather many private dentists do so as well. The problem of shortages of NHS dentists is a direct result of playing market forces and driving down costs within the NHS. "Drill and fill" is not very profitable.
-------------------------------------
And can one our own teachers please clarify exactly what is changing with this curriculum, and without resorting to politics.
Complain about this comment
I think we can all agree that rotting teeth are the least of peoples concerns unless you have to restrict your Blether to the periphery of devolved subjects on a minor part of the political spectrum on a wee unimportant region of the UK? Still, the question was raised, and I am sure it is a priority for some people other than the Tories.
Plenty of BIG subjects to choose from though and UK infrastructure is an interesting one. Lets see how this works:
Motorways: Historically, a need to upgrade the UKs A roads arrived, the UK government eventiually recognises this and starts building. Paid for by everyone to build them...in the South. Result, everyone paid but nobody in Scotland got a full section of Motorway anywhere.
Rail links: Lets build a tunnel to link to Europe paid for by everyone in the UK with a promise to give direct connections from/to the UKs major cities. We are still waiting.
Hi speed rail: Initially announce that we are in dire need of UK wide hi speed rail. Especially noted by the experts is that the real benefits only come by linking up the North and South UK in order to compete with Air travel and take more cars off the roads.
To ensure that this is done it was suggested to start building at both ends to ensue the intersts of all parties are met. A kind of east meets west, or as the Chunnel was built etc etc....aka 'The Norm'.
What do we get: A proposed Line from London to Birmingham which has the lowest added value, lowest reduced journey times and for huge cost. Plus vague promises and no legal obligation to do more and even then I can only see an 'option' to extend to Northern England.
Similar to the Leaders debate? Maybe it should be called the Leaders train?
The response to this, ( a clear election gimmick proposal from Labour) from everyone else has to be NO, NO and NO until they propose to build at both ends of the UK.
Incidentally. Since the proposal is to have London terminus at Euston nobody will have a direct connection to Europe as originally promised.
Complain about this comment
Ok, I've read Brian's version of today's events, now I'll watch it on i player and see what really happened.
Complain about this comment
Wonder from whom the lawyers and PR guys are going to get the Checkov
Does anyone know if there are any Scottish politicians who may be half way up Uhuru at present
Go on Brian, ask the difficult questions, Engage and make it so
Ah cannae tak ony mair Brian, the shiel's are bendin'
Complain about this comment
Laugh ? I nearly drove off the road listening to the latest pronouncement on Newsdrive about an hour ago on High-Speed rail by Viceroy Murphy, who has surfaced today. The article was, by the way, by the Fragrant Ms Renton, who for some reason seems no longer to be identified as "Our Political Correspondent"
" The Labour Government is committed to High-Speed rail in Scotland. The completion of the (Birmingham to London) line demonstrates that (my capitals)WE HAVE THE MOST ADVANCED RAIL NETWORK IN EUROPE ".
Riiight, yup, er, Jim, the first ground won't be broken for SEVEN YEARS. By which time, to be fair, NuLab may actually be back in power.
Does this man inhabit the same timeline as us or has he borrowed the Tardis and is hopping back and forth between Parallel Universes ?
Further, his parting dig at the SNP before climbing back inside the little blue box was ...
"The decision on creating those lines in Scotland is devolved but I know many Scots would welcome a Scottish government decision to match the UK's ambition for our rail network."
OK, Hands Up anyone here who can point to the massive program of commitment to re-opening and re-developing rail in England carried out by the UK Labour Government ?
Hands up anyone else who can point to lines and stations reopened and the hard cash commitment of the Scottish SNP Government to the Waverley Line ?
Every time he opens his mouth, the Murph knocks another nail in his coffin.
Complain about this comment
3. InfrequentAllele2
"After decades of gorging on goodies, no proper cleaning, no removal of parasites and a lack of care from the professionals who are supposed to investigate such things, both teeth and the Labour party rot from the inside. "
You might want to give a pointer or two to our good Mr. Taylor. His abilities with the pen have grown distinctly dull and pointless of late.
Complain about this comment
If I may bring up the subject of politics... (off-topic, I know).
How DO you suppose BBC would deal with a hung parliament and small parties -- possible even, heaven forfend, the SNP and PC, having clout when it comes to essential votes?
I do imagine some panic in certain quarters even as large as were the Tories to get a clear majority.
Complain about this comment
dinna worry heelander, you can get the gist of it now from Rab
Beam me up
Complain about this comment
#11
I don't agree.
In fact I think the idea of a faster way of getting to London from anywhere is appalling. It's effectively another way of reinforcing and accelerating the centralisation of power and wealth in the SE of England. Strategically it's an outmoded but classically empire based approach.
Wealth and economic activity needs to be grown outside London and the SE. So perhaps what should happen is that the first high speed links should be between Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle and Liverpool with another link to Glasgow or Edinburgh.
Complain about this comment
11. EphemeralDeception:
Having healthy teeth and gums is more important than you think. Many bacteria that are present in the mouth can get into the bloodstream if your gums and teeth are rotten, and some of these bacteria can be fatal. Ask your dentist.
----------------------
And on the high speed link, anyone considered that the powers to be in London have looked at the possibilty of an independent Scotland, and see no reason for a huge investment.
----------------------
7. Robin:
Don't laugh, a recent proposal was to bring in a law that shops must not display sweets at the checkout!
Let's see how popular that would be.
Complain about this comment
So Iain Gray's teeth are devolved? that explains why he's always flapping his gums in Holyrood.
What a week though. Devine pleads not guilty and BBC Scotland ask , who he?, Moffat falls off her tuffet, Whyte & McKay mistake Scotland for the UK, the Beeb try and slap the uppity regions but start to sweat, Tavish gets moved on for being an annoying viking in Union square shopping centre, and someone from the West of Scotland is either unwinding in Oz or watching Deal or No Deal in a friends living room.
Sic a Purcell o' rogues in a nation.
Complain about this comment
why did the Nations most watched news programme focus on pure dead fast trains when everyone knows that they are at least 10 years away if ever for scotland? thus proving that they are far from being pure dead fast?
on the positive side, whey hay- the return of the governor general at least we know why we haven't seen him for a week . he was on one of them pure dead slow trains!
Sid
Complain about this comment
Can I get away with a quote from Rab Macneill's FMQ sketch?
David McLetchie (Con) – strike-breaker, uber-unionist and free-marketeer, but otherwise an okay guy – wanted an assurance from Eck that SNP MSPs would turn up for duty when civil servants were on strike. In reply, Eck attached electrodes to David’s genitals and made him sing the Red Flag, followed by Flower of Scotland. Well, in an ideal world, maybe.
Hopefully "genitals" isn't a verboten word. Well, of course, Flower of Scotland is even more likely to be. =)
Complain about this comment
It's sad that countries like Japan, Germany, France, who were severely disabled by the war can be more advanced than the UK in respect of High Speed Rail and in many other things too. You have to ask yourself - just how backward is the UK.
Scotland will be the loser in this high speed rail implementation. Drawing lines on a map is easy, but there will be plenty of scope in the coming umpteen years for governments not to go ahead with the Scottish link. Adonis is making empty promises which he will have no powers to see implemented and is merely following Brown's election strategy to his ministers that they should come up with initiatives prior to the election to impress us that we should vote for them. I foresee broken promises?
Complain about this comment
#14 Chiefy1724
"(...) WE HAVE THE MOST ADVANCED RAIL NETWORK IN EUROPE ".
Are you sure the murphy actually said that? How parochial! He must think you all don't get out very much.
If you want to see a really advanced high-speed rail network, you go to France, of course. But, if you're travelling from Scotland, don't go by train. It takes too long.
Complain about this comment
20. GrassyKnollington
Sic a Purcell o' rogues in a nation.
You beat me to it.
I wanted to use that line ...
... as the council leader said to the friend who was the subject of police interest.
Complain about this comment
18. Wee-Scamp:
I honestly believe that the fast rail link is not being rolled out towards Scotland simply because Westminster believes that by 2017 Scotland will be independent. So what is the incentive to deliver a high speed rail network to a country that will not be a major consumer of English goods - we have a small population - when mainland Europe is on the doorstep?
Scotland's big disadvantage is our location. To get to the channel tunnel requires a day's driving. Likewise, there are no short ferry journeys from Scotland to European mainland. And flying is not suitable for everyone.
An English government will not be "best pals" when it comes to the economy.
Complain about this comment
25. InfrequentAllele2, lol, I have visions of someone in a bush hat, shades and cut-offs answering the door in Glasgow and saying "consternoon afterble, can you make it quick I've got a scotch pie on the barbie"
Complain about this comment
26. enneffess
"Likewise, there are no short ferry journeys from Scotland to European mainland. And flying is not suitable for everyone."
Isn't that something that could, and very possibly should, be addressed? I should think a ferry journey to the mainland from Scotland would be an excellent idea.
Complain about this comment
20. GrassyKnollington
"So Iain Gray's teeth are devolved? that explains why he's always flapping his gums in Holyrood.
What a week though. Devine pleads not guilty and BBC Scotland ask , who he?, Moffat falls off her tuffet, Whyte & McKay mistake Scotland for the UK, the Beeb try and slap the uppity regions but start to sweat, Tavish gets moved on for being an annoying viking in Union square shopping centre, and someone from the West of Scotland is either unwinding in Oz or watching Deal or No Deal in a friends living room.
Sic a Purcell o' rogues in a nation."
A good run-down of the week's events. =)
Complain about this comment
Re 19
"Don't laugh, a recent proposal was to bring in a law that shops must not display sweets at the checkout!"
Well, I could see that being extremely popular with (at the risk of sounding sexist) harassed mothers...
And, of course, I was being completely serious about minimum sweetie pricing - it wouldn't affect responsible munchers of the odd bar of Lindt chocolate like myself too much, but it should hit fat gumsy weans where it hurts. We need more radical solutions.
For instance, I keep asking anyone I know who's involved with politics why allowing vandals free rein with illegally parked cars wouldn't solve the parking problem AND maybe even make some neds feel like socially responsible citizens. They usually laugh but rarely give me a better reason not to try it than "Aye, but ye cannae dae that...".
Complain about this comment
The tooth fairy is fiction Brian this is the real world Devine lawyer questions court's right to hear case. Is this not a damming indictment on Labour MPs who believe they are above the law.
As I have abandoned the BBC news pages as they are only fit for the wee room and source the proper news from elsewhere.
Complain about this comment
#10.
And can one our own teachers please clarify exactly what is changing with this curriculum, and without resorting to politics.
Mmm! Well!!! As a secondary teacher probably not.
Primary seem to be quite far along the road, but in Secondary we are still ploughing our way through exams, NAB's, folios, moderation, verification, revision, etc to get anything done yet, but come the study leave, maybe ...
In essence, from what I understand, but not totally sure yet, it seems like it will go along the lines of ...
S1 - stays the same in terms of subjects available.
S2 - stays the same in terms of subjects taught but there might be a form of choice introduced so some subjects will be dropped, but not quite as large a choice as currently at the end of S2.
S3 - stays the same in terms of subjects taught but there would be another choice process to cover these subjects in a bit more detail.
S4 - S6 - stays the same in terms of subjects taught and the exams at Int1 / Int 2 / Higher / AH are all still available.
However, this is the simplified version. Each school will be able to build the local curriculum in the school to fit their own needs. In our situation this means 'tampering' with the number of periods available for each subject. Also the method of teaching is chainging to co-operative learning. So it is likely that instead of me doing a unit for instance on CAD for my own subject it is more likely that I would team up with any number of other subjects to show how the learning can transfer across curricular areas. - ie I can use the CAD system to design weather symbols and use them as a library of parts to complete a weather map. In the future the science teacher will also be involved to explain what weather is, the maths teacher will maybe build graphs of yearly sunshine or rain patterns, the French dept will introduce a weather related topic - meaning that maybe my weather map could end up in French. The makeup of the class will also change with 'base groups' being used instead of more individual learning. My own opinion is that the class will look more Primary in make up rather than Secondary.
In Secondary the timetabling is the problem. In Primary the same teacher teaches each subject and has more control over the class subject matter. In secondary each subject may need to do the unit at a particular time - access to computers, access to classes, time available for each subject, etc. Also Primary teachers 'base groups' will be the same in each subject, but in Secondary there is no guarantee that my 'base group' will be the same as the class in another department - actually there is no guarentee that the pupils in my class will be the same pupils as in the other class - practical sets against guidance sets against set or streamed classes, etc. It may even be for some subjects more than one teacher is used for that one class because of timetable restrictions - ie I do craft with the class while a different teacher does graphics. So there may be 'teething problems' as they say in Hollyrood.
There are a lot more operational points that will come into it but that is kind of the scenario that we are being told about in school at present.
After August S1 will start in the new courses (which are not written yet but because they are likely to be very similar to present will probably not need much work to change). In a further year this will apply to S1 and S2, and a further year it will be S1, S2 and S3.
Not sure about exams at present but it may end up being similar to the SCOTVEC courses of yester year where the work was assessed in school and moderated to maintain acceptable standards (rather than formal exams) for S1-3. If this is the case the standards are still set nationally and I don't have a problem here. In S4 all current exams will run as presently - except! there may be presure from colleges/universities for still doing Higher in a single sitting over one year and this might mean bringing them forward to S4 - IMO the pupils will not be mature enough at this stage and this would be a worrying area, but these things still need to be confirmed in the future.
My main concern is will I still have a job at the end of the process. The timetable we have been given as an example is likely to mean a huge reduction in staffing and places for pupils for my subject because of a lack of timetable slots available. Current estimates are for a 75% reduction in timetable time being available. In our example timetable S1 time will reduce by 50% (to 50 minutes per week), S2 will remain the same (50 minutes per week), S3 will stay at 3x50 minutes but pupils will be restricted to take only 1 of our 5 current subjects so a reduction of 80%.
Obviously with these reductions the knockon for S4/5/6 will also be the same.
Do we seem ready yet? No. Is this a worry? Yes (but not a major worry yet). Is it different to any of the other previous changes? No.
The 5-14 curriculum for the 90's took 14 years to get the Technology one published in its final form - only one year after the anouncement that it was to be replaced. The Higher Still new exams a few years ago had courses started for 8 months before we were told what was meant to be in the course - what a frantic 3 weeks that was before the final exams and folio deadlines - the only year I have known when SQA had to extend deadlines.
So, not an uncommon situation, actually, probably ahead of the game so far, but still looks like a bit of upheaval understanding what is expected, working out assessment criteria, and maybe finding mew jobs.
Does this help?
On a slightly different point
The new train set for the south - this morning on the RadScot news they said that there would be no spur link to Heathrow Airport.
Is this a case of GARL turning into LARL. Surely the headline tomorrow will be alone the lines of how Labour have abandoned London?
Maybe our SoS is working on the assumption that this should be the south part of the Scottish link and that Edinburgh should pay for it. Alternatively, we could build a tram line to link Edinburgh to Heathrow.
Complain about this comment
Enneffess, Wee Scamp.
Don't kid yourselves. Tell me when the UK last made a major infrastructure investment North of the Border? ...Cue Tumbleweeds.
I would also like to think that they are reticent because of Scotlands impending fiscal autonomy (or more) but the fact is they wouldn't be investing here anyway. Contemporary history proves it. Just look at the (lack of)roads, which is why I made that example.
I agree about requirement of decentralisation but the fact remains we need good modern transport links to Europe and that will only be via London to France for overland travel.
Finally, given the state of the Economy, they might as well have announced full plans to commit Scotland because the UK just cannot afford this unless it reduces major spending elsewhere such as Trident and that is just not going to happen.
Complain about this comment
Regarding tattie chappers, I can remember a time when all reasonable sized secondary schools had in house dentists and every pupil had compulsory dental checks at regular intervals.
I can even remember in our primary school all pupils being given free tattie chapper paste (called Flag) and again, regular dental checks.
Regarding sweets. Labours north british health spokesperson is a frightening example of the damage that excessive consumption of crud can cause.
Complain about this comment
I think that it was yesterday that the most sensible post about the Edinburgh to London (lets get it the right way round) high speed link. They said they would believe that Scotland would get the link when work started from this end.
How true, anything that you hear without any work starting up here is just so much Labour spin. How do you know Murphy is being "economical with the actuality" Answers on a postcard please.
Complain about this comment
highlandarab,
There was a meeting about the biology higher last week which I didn't attend but the head of dept said it seemed to be the position that a new reformed higher is on the way. This is OK because there have been significant advances in biology since it was last looked at. However this new version is not tied to CfE so there may be a further revision a few years down the line. I'll be going to a meeting about this in a couple of weeks.
I really don't see how SMT expect us to co-ordinate with different depts. In a large school you don't know who most of them are and in Glasgow the rebuilt schools do not have big staff rooms, everybody is in discrete bases.
Complain about this comment
#33. EphemeralDeception
"we need good modern transport links to Europe and that will only be via London to France for overland travel."
I would settle for good 20th century links in Scotland, then I can start thinking of getting up to the current century.
The train time from Inverness to Glasgow will be longer than the trip from Glasgow to London when this scheme is built to Birmingham.
It will still take me 8 hours to get from here to London even with the new link due in about 10 year time. Where is the incentive to travel by this train - a cheap plane means I can sit in an airport lounge for 2 hours, board, fly for 2 hours, and still have 4 hours extra in London (probably for half the price) - that 4 hours is a couple of pints at my rate of consumption and a nice wee meal - no cramp in my legs from restricted movement over an 8 hour trip which will probably still change at Perth (the coldest station this side of Mars) and a further change at Glasgow.
If I drive from here to Aberdeen along a major trunk route I have to go through Nairn, outskirts of Forres, Elgin, Mosstodloch, Fochabers, and Keith. In these places the road passes Primary schools where the speed restrictions are 20mph at times, at other times varying from 30 and 40 mph. The town centres are bottle necks which can make the journey time up to 2.5 or 3 hours for the 110 mile trip. It includes 12 miles of dual carriageway all at the Aberdeen end and a few 'overtaking lanes'.
While it would be nice to travel in speed and comfort to Europe just let me get about here adequately first. By the time I get round the hold up's in Aberdeen a return trip from Inverness to Aberdeen could almost take me as long as a trip to London on a highspeed train trundling along at normal Scottish speeds.
Complain about this comment
#23 hamish42
"It's sad that countries like Japan, Germany, France, who were severely disabled by the war can be more advanced than the UK in respect of High Speed Rail and in many other things too."
Actually, the degree of 'disability' suffered by France in WW2 is not really comparable with what happened to Germany and Japan. The 1940 armistice and Marshal Pétain saw to that. In fact, travellers in the immediate post-war period record that, if you took a train journey through France and then crossed the Channel to travel further by train, you might well have concluded that Blighty looked more like a defeated power.
Whereas France allowed itself to be a battlefield in WW1, Pétain, who had been one of the most successful (and ruthless) generals of that war, sought to protect it from that in WW2, so far as humanly possible. The Sword and the Buckler is the name of the strategy in question. De Gaulle was the Sword while Pétain was busy being the Buckler or shield. If the Axis had been victorious, the Etat français would have been on the winning side. When the Allies prevailed, Pétain perfectly philosophically accepted that he would be tried for treason, and De Gaulle equally philosophically commuted his death sentence to life imprisonment, in not uncomfortable quarters, safely protected from his many enemies.
Even though its infrastructure was spared to a greater extent than might be imagined, it goes without saying that France still suffered dreadfully in some ways, of course, as the agonizingly excellent film La Rafle (The Raid), which has just been released, testifies.
Complain about this comment
High speed trains? To reduce our CO2 emmisions! Why are the government saying that high speed on our roadways increases emmisions.
Our rail network was built with private money stolen from its previous various empirical countries both by slavery and thier natural resources, are there any private investors waiting to invest now, no.
Trams anyone. White elephants and stupidity comes to mind.
Complain about this comment
#36. Wee Folding Bike
"I really don't see how SMT expect us to co-ordinate with different depts. In a large school you don't know who most of them are and in Glasgow the rebuilt schools do not have big staff rooms, everybody is in discrete bases."
No, neither do I. I have experience of similar courses in a small school country school of about 150 pupils and there were problems there - that was with 2 S1 classes. We have 8 at present and we run a rotation of units which is not the same for each class - 1.1 might get graphics then craft then design then technology whereas 1.2 might get technology first followed by craft then design then graphics. Can't see how the timetable mannie is going to cope.
Some of the small schools I worked in will also have issues with this because the staff were not full time and covered more than one school - in my case 5 different schools in the week but I know one teacher who covered 14 different small schools. It is not possible in this situation to do these courses, but I think that these schools are so different from the usual that they already have adapted to strange situations and will adapt in their own unique ways.
The problem with meeting other staff in the staff room is also an issue but in our case it is just that we don't get on with any of the others
:-)
have you had your intro to 'co-operative learning' yet?
Eeekkk!!!
Complain about this comment
#33
Hmmm..... Yes you're probably right. I don't see how it would ever be affordable and there's the question of whether we could produce the steel now or indeed the rolling stock. So most of that will probably end up importing the lot and given we have no money you never know but it may well end up being owned by the French or the Japanese or........
Complain about this comment
34. At 9:46pm on 11 Mar 2010, Harry Stottle wrote:
"Regarding sweets. Labours north british health spokesperson is a frightening example of the damage that excessive consumption of crud can cause."
Our First Minister isn't exactly an outstanding example of an athletic build either!!
Complain about this comment
If Fud was one of the teachers who tried to destroy my education by going on strike for a year then it explains a lot. And he can rot in hell for all eternity for his crime.
Complain about this comment
highlandarab:
Thanks for the info. Nice to hear from someone at the sharp end.
I'm always cautious about political tinkering with education. Not a single administration seems to get things right. Definitely not the SNPs strong suit.
-------------------------------
38. frankly__francophone:
France in WW2 was not strightforward. There was massive political unrest and the French general staff were a disaster. Petain was brought in because of his record in WW1. The sad truth is that France was trying to use WW1 tactics against a mobile assault from Germany which was highly effective.
A lot of France's railway infrastructure, especially in the north of the country was destoyed by allied bombing. So it was a lot easier to start from scratch.
Japan and Germany suffered even worse damage. But again it is easier to build from scratch.
Our problem is that railways have been privatised, but consume more money than when they were nationalised.
Complain about this comment
42. enneffess
"Our First Minister isn't exactly an outstanding example of an athletic build either!!"
Big bones well thats what my other half told me!
Complain about this comment
Nice to see the high speed rail link putting Scottish Oil revenues to good use - not.
I don't believe it!
We have Newsnight Scotland discussing the fantasy high speed rail connection to Scotland and we have only a tame Labour MP and somebody from Friends of the Earth.
Complain about this comment
highlandarab,
It is quite possible that I have been to a co-op learning talk but it sounds like the kind of thing I could have missed while having been in the room.
I'll probably ignore it since it will change again in a few years.
Complain about this comment
#26. enneffess wrote:
A good look at a map of Europe shows that Scotland's best links will be with Scandanavian countries. O.k., so we cannot have tunnels or bridges there but we can have sea links. In any case the Chunnel does not belong to England - it belongs to both France & the UK, we Scots have already paid our dues for that. Not to mention we will own part of the proposed fast rail links to be built with UK funds.
Complain about this comment
42. enneffess
"Our First Minister isn't exactly an outstanding example of an athletic build either!!"
Agreed. Too much of a scrawny wee shilpit cratur to be any use at Sumo wrestling.
Complain about this comment
#28. JRMacClure wrote:Isn't that something that could, and very possibly should, be addressed? I should think a ferry journey to the mainland from Scotland would be an excellent idea.
We already have them - http://www.directferries.co.uk/rosyth_zeebrugge_ferry.htm [Unsuitable/Broken URL removed by Moderator]
Complain about this comment
Nothing on Purcell, nothing on the Orwellian re-imagining of history by Broon in front of the Iraq inquiry.
Will journalism return to the BBC once Labour have safely won the election in Scotland, or is this a life sentence we are collectively facing - for daring to defy the machine in '07?
Complain about this comment
#38. frankly__francophone:
There were other factors that saw Germany and Japan surge ahead post WWII. The Allies were pumping money in to these countries but they also maintained military bases and troops there. They paid these troops and the troops spent in these countries. The forces bought food and supplies and used some local labour. This all boosted their economies. Remember it was not the Germans who got Volkswagen going again it was a UK Soldier.
Complain about this comment
#47 Wee Folding Bike
"co-op learning" ... "I'll probably ignore it since it will change again in a few years."
Well, according to our insets, it is here to stay for a while and we are being 'urged' to get 'get ownership' of the technique.
Along with 'numeracy across the curriculum', 'language across the curriculum', 'social tasks in co-op learning', cross curricular teaching, etc. I just wonder how much time we have left for teaching our specialist subject.
Possible new timetable will give 50 minutes to S1 for technology.
This will pan out to a possible structure of - 5 minutes to transfer from previous class/get things out - 5 minutes to tidy up at end of period - say 2 minutes to divide into base groups - 5 minutes devoted to numeracy - 5 minutes devoted to language - 5 minutes to arrange for homework/collect last weeks homework etc - leaves 23 minutes for core subject teaching each period.
With 10 weeks in S1 for each of my 4 distinct subjects this means that I have 230 minutes per year (less than 4 hours!) to teach all of the craft course, the same for all of the graphics course, the same for all of the deign course and the same for all of the technology course.
As well as not having much time to teach the subject, it is particularly difficult to assess, write pupil reports and conduct parents interviews with so little evidence to base comment on.
______________________________
#44 enneffess
"I'm always cautious about political tinkering with education. Not a single administration seems to get things right. Definitely not the SNPs strong suit."
I wouldn't yet say the SNP are having problems although maybe in the long term things could change. Most of the problems in the past are previous administration problems from London as well as Edinburgh and the SNP have a lot of catching up to do to be as bad as some of the previous decisions.
We have in the past couple of years had some building work done in school which had not been done at any time in the past.
The amount of information reaching us about the new courses and the pace of this information is not great but it is no worse than before. Actually, it is good to get some of this detail before the change happens, which was not always the case in the past.
Higher Still was a good example of courses being started long before we even knew what the content should be. The situation at that time was similar to today where many people were indicating that we should delay for a year to get prepared, but this request was turned down and we had to hope we were going in the correct direction. The specification for the Higher Graphics folio was published just before Easter despite the work by the pupils starting the previous August. When it was published we had 3 weeks to fill in the gaps, throw out the work not needed, and figure out how to asses the work. Not ideal I would suggest.
In 5-14 the information was there but it was so complicated as to be meaningless. For a pass at Level E in S1 or S2 a test would need to have been sat that tested Craft and Design, Graphics, Technological Studies, Mechatronics, Home Economics, History, Geography, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology all in one test because it was classed as all one single 'technology' subject. Pass marks were set at between 70 - 80% in 5-14 tests.
I have never yet seen one of these tests now 21 years (approx) since the launch of the scheme. I suspect these tests still don't exist. The final (workable?) Technology descriptor was published in summer 2001, just about 12 months after we had been told it was going to be scrapped.
The current new ideas are not nearly as ridiculous as this (yet! - but there may be the potential to be 'awkward' in the future - time will tell)
Complain about this comment
#44. enneffess wrote:I'm always cautious about political tinkering with education.
I remember, a few years ago, seeing headlines about a wonderful new method of teaching reading skills, (In the Wee County). I read the item, only to find this brand new system was exactly that which taught me to read way back in the very early 1940s. So, two main points - why had they dropped a successful method in the first place? Then, why did they think it was a brand new system when millions of people were alive who were taught by it? Supplimentary question - Why do they not listed to the people who, while not trained teachers, obviously know a thing or two about learning in schools in past years? It the standards of basic education have indeed declined then there are many around who studied under more successful systems.
Complain about this comment
#38 My point was that although these countries suffered greatly they were able to improve their infrastructure and have zoomed ahead of Great Britain (did I say great?).
It seems that nothing can move on the railways until the London Crosslink project is completed. Should we be surprised at that?
Complain about this comment
GOOD DAY fellow chumps!
30.
I keep asking anyone I know who's involved with politics why allowing vandals free rein with illegally parked cars wouldn't solve the parking problem AND maybe even make some neds feel like socially responsible citizens.
From an insurance company's point of view this is the case, you cannot claim for damages that happened when an offence is being committed. This doesn't seem to deter people.
39.
High speed trains? To reduce our CO2 emmisions! Why are the government saying that high speed on our roadways increases emmisions.
High speed on the road increases the fuel consumption of the engine, and more fluid roads encourage more people to drive. While high speed rail encourages more people to use the train, which emits the same volume of emissions whether its got 50 or 500 people travelling on it.
Complain about this comment
BBC article about the trains:
It is understood that discussions between the Scottish government and the Department of Transport over how an extension north of the border would be funded are already under way.
They mentioned on newsnight that the Scottish Government would be responsible for funding of track built in Scotland, if that is true this would be a disaster.
Scotland would receive the increase to its block grant based on population not area. So for 100 miles of track from Glasgow to Carlisle we'd need the English to built 1000 miles of track.
It will be an absolute travesty if building the railway is "Barnetised" while the Olympics is considered British expenditure.
Complain about this comment
Re 56
"From an insurance company's point of view this is the case, you cannot claim for damages that happened when an offence is being committed. This doesn't seem to deter people."
Interesting, I'll have to remember that the next time the subject comes up. Maybe I just need to talk to more potentially useful people - vandals rather than political "activists"...
Complain about this comment
Apologies
I left my laptop in the front room when I went to make dinner, and my flatmate has put "Good day fellow chumps" at the top of my 56 which I did not check before posting.
I'm sure that none of you are chumps.
Complain about this comment
59. FatherMacKenzie
"I left my laptop in the front room when I went to make dinner, and my flatmate has put "Good day fellow chumps" at the top of my 56 which I did not check before posting."
Haha. I did think that wasn't your typical posting.
Complain about this comment
60. JRMacClure
PS That should have been "did NOT think"...
Complain about this comment
Brian, regarding the new curriculum, you say:
“Scotty from Star Trek will be relieved”.
What a small world Brian, because sitting in the public gallery Dr McCoy clearly stated, ‘you might note that these are called debates, Jim, but not as we know them’.
Jim was heard to say in response, ‘beam us up Scotty until the ‘Marquee de Gray’ gets his act together’.
Complain about this comment
Wailing And Gnashing Of Teeth.
Thanks to the Glasgow Council Scotland are now favourites to collect Commonwealth gold in two events, a spokesperson confirmed that both the 'Hide & Seek' and 'Pass the Purcell' gold medals are now within our reach.
Complain about this comment
Hmm, the only lines that the BBC want to discuss fantasy ones.
This evening we will be launching Newsnet Scotland's new online news site.
Yes, the biggest political scandal to hit Scotland in recent memory is covered.
Complain about this comment
#64. Online Ed wrote:
Hmm, the only lines that the BBC want to discuss fantasy ones.
Nah! The BBC discussed lines are all along party lines - 3 party lines.
Complain about this comment
#64, Online Ed
Looking good, Ed! I've signed up.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got some reading to do. :)
Complain about this comment
On the railway business Labour have gone a bit quiet on that little spur from Gilmour Street otherwise known as GARL.
I wonder why?
Complain about this comment
66. At 07:59am on 12 Mar 2010, albamac wrote:
#64, Online Ed
Looking good, Ed! I've signed up.
Naughty, naughty !! - finishing touches are still being put on.
Complain about this comment
oh dear oh dear the BBC in Scoland hit rock bottom
flower of scotland is anti-english so we must replace it -discuss
pathetic.
call kaye -no chance.
Complain about this comment
It's both truly sad and amazing that the BBC seems to understand the polity of the UK so imperfectly.
This website's new Salmond to meet BBC over debates continues the same erroneous myth as previous BBC "coverage" that there are any such persons as "leaders of the three main UK parties". There are no such people because there are no such parties.
OfCom and BBC rules on major parties are actually pretty much in line and well précised in the House of Commons Library Standard Note PC/03354 of 12 February 2009, which defines major parties as follows:
"Major parties in Great Britain are defined as: Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrats and, in Scotland and Wales respectively, the SNP and Plaid Cymru. Major parties in Northern Ireland are defined as Democratic Unionist, SDLP, Sinn Fein and Ulster Unionist."
It's bad enough that the BBC confuse the words England and Great Britain as often as they do, but to confuse the island of Great Britain with the UK by our kingdom-wide broadcaster beggars belief.
If the comments in the article by the BBC's chief political adviser Ric Bailey are anything to go by, intransigance seems to be the attitude that can be expected. It will be interesting to hear the views of the major parties in Northern Ireland, where precisely none of the "three main UK parties" the BBC refer to are major parties.
Complain about this comment
Call Kaye - call her what? wishy-washy, fluffy
I can see the listening figures falling again, and nothing to do with the political stance this time. Come on Brian, fancy a move into radio and we can all have a real blether?
Complain about this comment
PS to my #70
If House of Commons Library Standard Note PC/03354 wasn't clear enough on which parties are major where, the section on Allocation of broadcasts goes on to state unequivocally that: "The four nations of the UK will be considered separately."
One wonders what part of that sentence Mr Bailey doesn't comprehend.
Complain about this comment
# 69
Can Kaye Adams give her opinion on if she thinks God save the Queen is anti Scottish?
Verse 6 -
Lord grant that Marshal Wade
May by thy mighty aid
Victory bring
May he sedition hush
And like a torrent rush
Rebellious Scots to crush
God save the King
C McK
Complain about this comment
sid_ts63 #69
I gave up on the programme yesterday when she got to the bit about who buys CallMeDave's clothes. Gripping stuff!!
Complain about this comment
#73 Calum McKay
"Can Kaye Adams give her opinion on if she thinks God save the Queen is anti Scottish?
Verse 6 ..."
Good question. Will BT post a thread on it? I suspect we all know which verse the BBC's chief political adviser sings when given a free choice.
Complain about this comment
#74
The commissariat considers it important that the proletariat doesn't get the opportunity to discuss important topics such as the economy.
Complain about this comment
Re leaders debates, today's Good Morning Scotland: You can now listen to a respectful Gary Robertson interviewing a careful BBC Chief Political Adviser Rick Bailey. It's here http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0074hf7
It starts 2.09 into the broadcast
Complain about this comment
So, the BBC have capitulated and decided to speak to the SNP. So Brian's defence of the situation on his Big Bluster programme was just that - bluster.
The political man at the BBC said that the debates were incredibly difficult to put together, but can I suggest that they weren't really trying, as it is being done in other countries. The BBC in line with their political inclinations were and still are doing their damnedest to exclude Salmond in order to gag him. This new 'concilliatory' arrangement to talk to the SNP should have taken place months ago, now, as usual, when the arrangements are almost set in concrete and the BBC are being openly criticised on the matter, they have decided that they must now address the criticism.
Complain about this comment
69. At 09:24am on 12 Mar 2010, sid_ts63 wrote:
oh dear oh dear the BBC in Scoland hit rock bottom
flower of scotland is anti-english so we must replace it -discuss
pathetic.
call kaye -no chance.
------------------------
I think this is a spin off from the Scottish Rugby coach (?) talking about changing it, or was it to do with the Commonwealth Games anthem? Flower of Scotland stirs the blood and gets the hair rising on the back of your neck, we don't want Scots Wae Hae or whatever.
Billy Connolly ripped apart God Save the Queen on An Audience With, where all the small nations have loud, thumping anthems that get you going, and how God Save the Queen puts you to sleep.
Complain about this comment
http://tinyurl.com/something-rotten-in-Dumbarton
Complain about this comment
Any upset about mixing Great Britain and England can be avoided when you realise they are one and the same and conclude we don't belong and historically haven't been part of it.
On another note I have been considering the meaning of life and a question popped into my head maybe people could help me with?
What is the point of Tavish Scott?
Complain about this comment
I see the First Eck is finally to be granted an audience with the mighty Beeb to discuss the Presidency of the UK ( political debates shurely Ed?)
I wonder if it will be a Brussels style meeting where important metropolitan types reaffirm what a jolly good idea they've had while Salmond is forced to sit outside in the corridor under a photocopied sign reading "Celtic Fringe/Regional add ons."
I really can't see the Beeb backing down on this. It would be like Tavish backing an independence referendum, an embarrassing volte face which only serves to confirm their previous stance as arrogant, daft and above all wrong.
Complain about this comment
Brian your hiding the truth at FM questions your summary of it on the radio last night made the oppisition look like they come out well "no way especially Aunt Goldie about dentists" as i`ve said before its in a far better state now than when it was LIB/lab was in power, as for Gray hes not worth a mention same boring manner from him just want to switch it off when he starts.
Complain about this comment
I note that some posters would appear to relate politicians physical appearance to their ability to perform the functions they were elected to perform.
I think this is a dangerous road to go down. Do we really need to consider appearance before we vote? If we do not watch we could end up only voting for people like the governor of California, Arnie, god help us.
Complain about this comment
Does anyone agree that had Scotland played England at Murrayfield last November, then Alex might have had his meeting with the Beeb and had a decision in his favour?
Complain about this comment
PPS to my #70, PPS to my #72 &
#77 raisethegame
"You can now listen to a respectful Gary Robertson interviewing a careful BBC Chief Political Adviser Rick Bailey."
Yes. Just listened to the relevant bit on the iPlayer. As you say, it starts about GMS 2h09m in and lasts about 9m, starting with snippets from Cairns and Hosie.
To be fair to Robertson, he did ask sensible questions about devolved issues and the planned English-only audience/locations. Mr Bailey confirmed some of my worst fears by claiming that the LDs "field candidates across the UK". Did I miss Northern Ireland's secession?
Re devolved issues and audience questions, he gave stock answers which seemed to imply that Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish viewers will somehow know that when the party leaders spout off on English-only issues it will not apply to them. A touching faith in the superior political awareness of UK voters outwith England which I fear is unjustified. He made no mention and was not asked by Robertson, how voters outwith England will be informed that any particular question or answer related to English-only matters and thus had no relevance to them.
I hope for Mr Bailey's sake that he is better prepared for the meetings proper.
Complain about this comment
debate in Scottish parliment yesterday re St Margaret of Scotland hospice. no mention of this disgraceful situation anywhere from the "national media". greater glasgow and clyde health board's dirty little secret which will effect everyone in Scotland eventualy if they get away with it! anyone intrested ,go to the Scottish review.
Sid
Complain about this comment
Complain about this comment
It is worrying when you consider the voter is thick as mince!
Complain about this comment
81. At 10:56am on 12 Mar 2010, Vakov2000 wrote:
"What is the point of Tavish Scott?"
More importantly, what is the point of the Il-Liberal Un-Democratic party that he is the "leader" of. They are a complete waste of space.
The only thing Tavish has ever done was to impose a madcap, unplanned, unnaffordable road bypass on Aberdeen.
Complain about this comment
I See that the HERALD is STILL not allowing any comment on PURCELLGATE in its letter page....WHY I wonder.
Isnt a free and unbiased press a wonderful thing.
Complain about this comment
#78 hamish42
"can I suggest that they weren't really trying, as it is being done in other countries"
Good post, and quite so!
#82 GrassyKnollington
"I really can't see the Beeb backing down on this. It would be like Tavish backing an independence referendum, an embarrassing volte face which only serves to confirm their previous stance as arrogant, daft and above all wrong."
That is indeed the problem which they now have to face, but if the SNP & PC can reach agreement with Sky and ITV it might make them very nervous of a legal challenge to just the BBC debates, which would hardly upset the other broadcasters. If ITV stand firm, you may be right, with hard choices to be made over legal challenges.
One possibility would be to make the legal challenge only on the content of what is discussed - seeking to make unlawful broadcast of discussions on English-only issues in Scotland. That should at least make the broadcasters think again while still being bound under major party rules to give SNP equivalent air-time.
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
#69
The day they cancel "Trafalgar day" for being anti French or Battle of Britain commemorations for being anti-German is the day I will stop laughing at these North British pratts.
I see the xenophobic English World Cup stuff is getting into full swing.
As the population of Australia is about 20% of Scots descent and I spent 15 great years in Nigeria sharing with my hosts a common dislike of British imperialism I will be supporting both those countries
Complain about this comment
Re the televised debate.
I hope that the SNP don't get a slot as this so called debate will be a total and utter farce with Emperor Brown, Cameron and the someperson from the fiddley's promising the world whilst knowing that whoever gets in will have to slash services and push up taxes.
It will turn out to be a competion to see who can tell the biggest whoppers and keep a straight face at the same time.
Complain about this comment
#82 GrassyKnollington & #92 Brownedov
It was noticeable in the interview that the BBC did not concede there was merit in a single point of any of the questions.
To me this indicates their attitude is outright rejection of any other position than their own and the forceable implementation of their plan.
In which case I'd say that court action is what the BBC are daring the SNP to try.
Complain about this comment
Although Gary Robertson was reasonable enough this morning, they still trailed the interview with David Cairns giving his all in rubbishing Mr Salmond, the same piece they had used on Wednesday's afternoon news with the three main parties puttin the boot in.
Complain about this comment
#59 FatherMacKenzie: Wonderful, wonderful post. I still can't stop laughing. Who is this flatmate? I think we should be told, because he/she has a finger on the pulse of this blog. I'm tempted to begin all future posts with "Hi, chumps."
Maybe the mystery poster was just confused by Salmond's call for "people's chumpions."
Complain about this comment
92. Brownedov, my own view is that for the BBC, their metropolitan world view where England is Britain is the biggest obstacle here. It's almost like a religion in that their belief blinds them to the possibility that they could be wrong.
I don't think it's wilful intransigence that has made them ignore the realities of devolution as it applies to these debates so much as blind belief in their own ageless version of Britain as greater England.
Even Brian a Dundee man and expert on Scottish politics has fallen under the spell. The uppity Celtic fringes should know that the paternalistic Beeb never set out to deliberately offend them and the "rightness" of their core belief is such that even when our objections are pointed out to them they still can't see it.
Complain about this comment
Discouragingly, ITV make precisely the same "mistake" as the BBC not only in thinking that there is any such thing as a "Prime Ministerial" election but also in asserting that the "debates" are intended to be between "the leaders of the three main political parties in the UK".
Once again, I am forced to wonder whether I missed Northern Ireland's secession.
Complain about this comment
#92 Brownedov: Have you lost your marbles? How on earth could it ever be illegal for the BBC to broadcast on "English only" issues in Scotland? This is the stuff of desperation. As in "viewers who don't want to know the score should leave the room now." If it ever came to pass, comedians would have a field day - I can just see Rory Bremner now. But The Two Ronnies would haver done it better.
Complain about this comment
Were the SNP to put up a candidate in one constituency in England, say in Carlisle, would this mean they were putting up candidates across the UK and there could be no argument about their right to participate in debates.
I suppose the argument then would be that the SNP were not in Wales but they could swap an unwinnable seat with Plaid. It would certainly make the political landscape more interesting.
Complain about this comment
Big debate? - waste of time.
"Oh a cracker" says the host to the second question.
I just groaned and turned off at 13:27.
If I miss anything then someone will surely post it here.
Complain about this comment
# 73 "Can Kaye Adams give her opinion on if she thinks God save the Queen is anti Scottish?
Verse 6 -
Lord grant that Marshal Wade
May by thy mighty aid
Victory bring
May he sedition hush
And like a torrent rush
Rebellious Scots to crush
God save the King
C McK"
==========================
Not this tired old canard again. The answer is, no, it is not anti-Scot, it is anti-rebel. The rebels just happened to be Scots, and a very small proportion of the Scottish population at that.
Complain about this comment
Its a pity the SNP are not putting up candidates in England, even if it was just to persuade the English that it could be in their own best interests to lobby for independence for Scotland and England. It may also take a few votes away from the main parties and swing things one way or the other in the marginals. It seems that lots of English constituencies have no problem in voting in candidates who were born in Scotland.
It's a radical idea but...who nose?
Complain about this comment
Re 98
Maybe...
...or maybe he'd only ever seen your posts and assumed everyone else was similarly "challenged"?
' I'm tempted to begin all future posts with "Hi, chumps." '
Great idea - make your opinion of all visitors to the blog clear up front, save them the trouble of reading the rest of your posts ;-)
Complain about this comment
84. At 11:06am on 12 Mar 2010, dubbieside wrote:
"I note that some posters would appear to relate politicians physical appearance to their ability to perform the functions they were elected to perform.
I think this is a dangerous road to go down. Do we really need to consider appearance before we vote? If we do not watch we could end up only voting for people like the governor of California, Arnie, god help us."
------------------------------------
The comments were made in jest. But, since you've raised the issue, in all seriousness people get annoyed by the "nanny knows best" approach when nanny has a "do as I say, not as I do" approach.
Can we expect with minimum pricing that Westminster and Holyrood will no longer have subsidised restaurants and bars, to ensure that our politicians are also being forced into a healthy attitude? And they can only claim food expenses from "approved" takeaways?
It's the idea - seriously raised recently - that sweets should be removed from shop checkouts that shows how ridiculous things can get.
Complain about this comment
clachangowk re 102
The problem with putting even one candidate in England is that the money that the SNP receives from the government, as do all parties, to fight the election is calculated on the percentage of votes cast.
At present the SNP percentage is calculated on votes cast in Scotland. If the SNP stood in England their percentage would be their votes as a percentage of the total UK votes, meaning the money received would decrease significantly.
As the SNP is already significantly disadvantaged, as the presidential debates would show, we do not need to make matters worse by even a token stand in an English seat.
Complain about this comment
Heh; I don't think teeth are the only thing rotting around here.
Regarding the intentions of the BBC to allow priministerial debates; excluding Scotland's largest political party. In my opinion this is the opposite of impartial.
I would like to point out here; that if the SNP were to win a majority in Scotland in a UK general election then this would be a mandate for Scottish Independence.
This result would affect all of the UK more than any other result.
Frankly this makes the SNP the most significant party in this general election!!!
Complain about this comment
PickledPete:
#104.
It would be fair to say it's not anti-Scottish, but considering what happened after the 'rebellion' was defeated, I call that anti-Scottish. You can't seperate the two and 'God Save the Queen' will always be associated with that passage and that passage will remind us of a very dark and difficult time in our history.
Complain about this comment
#104 PickledPete: Dead right. God save the King was just a "patriotic" song first sung during the Jacobite rebellion. When it was officially adopted as the British National Anthem the offending verse was omitted. Only two verses are ever sung, the second rarely.
It is worth noting that at the time most Scots earnestly wished for the rebels to be crushed. There was nothing romantic about them. A drunken horde intent on rape and pillage throughout central and southern Scotland as they travelled both ways.
When this issue is raised by Nationalists the ideas have definitely run out.
Complain about this comment
102. It's quite simple.
The debates are between the leaders of parties campaigning for the Prime Ministership.
That's it. Simple enough?
Now, Eck is not even campaigning to be an MP in this GE! So not only can't the SNP ever win the UK GE, even with 20 seats, but The Glorious and Mighty One obviously could never be the PM even if they did!
So why should he consider himself relevant for these debates (apart from that one, solitary poll he constantly refers to)?
Their own argument: "The SNP does not want to prevent these debates from happening, we want to participate in them, but if these debates go ahead as currently proposed, the views of Scotland’s voters and the interests of the people of Scotland will be ignored and excluded."
Apart from being ignorant of the little factette that the PM is Scottish, this just goes to show an astonishing failure to grasp the concept of the debates, and the GE itself.
I'm thoroughly enjoying seeing His Awesome Benevolence thrash about with this little bone. Very entertaining.
Complain about this comment
98. & 101.
So no comment on the close personal contacts between elected Labour politicians and figures in the Scottish media then Brig? You being a former newspaperperson I'd have thought you'd have a great deal to say on the subject. But no, you'd rather post jibes at "nationalists" - and your jokettes are not even funny, witty or accurate.
Tells us all we need to know about why the Scottish media is so poor at its job.
Complain about this comment
#104
If it meant Scottish rebels surely it would say Scottish rebels rather than rebellious Scots. The two mean different things to me.
Complain about this comment
#104
and why is it only rebellious Scots he wants to crush? does he quite like rebels of other nationalities?? If it is purely anti rebel I see no need to add the word "Scots".
Complain about this comment
104. PickledPete
"Not this tired old canard again. The answer is, no, it is not anti-Scot, it is anti-rebel. The rebels just happened to be Scots, and a very small proportion of the Scottish population at that. "
My, my. That got you up in arms didn't it? Interesting that you managed a poll to know it was a small minority. Very debatable but I'll let that go. (*ahem* difficult but I'll force myself)
Funny you weren't all excited about defending Flower of Scotland.
Is it somehow ANTI-ENGLISH to actually recall that the Scots at Bannockburn did indeed send them 'home to think again'? Is pride in Scotland's history somehow anti-English in your view? Is it anti-British that our AMERICAN national anthem is about fighting you lot?
Or is it only the Scots that aren't allowed pride in their own history?
Please expand on your theory on this.
Complain about this comment
On Gary Robertson, does anyone else find him a bit lightweight for his GMS role? I've nothing against him as a broadcaster but I don't think he is as well suited for the role as some of his predecessors and he he often seems to miss the "killer" question.
I'd much rather see him replace Kaye Adams. After hearing the start of her show the other week discussing why do we need to be taught maths, I've made sure I switch the radio off at 8.45 am. She mentioned that she hasn't needed maths in her life so why do we bother? Yup. Perhaps we can all become radio and TV broadcasters. That will a lot to reduce our balance of payments deficit.
Complain about this comment
78. hamish42
"The political man at the BBC said that the debates were incredibly difficult to put together, but can I suggest that they weren't really trying, as it is being done in other countries. "
Quite specifically, it WAS done very successfully in Canada in their PM debates. It is so difficult that the Canadians can do it but the British can't manage.
So the Canadians are either more COMPETENT or more DEMOCRATIC. Take your pick.
Complain about this comment
Re 105
"Its a pity the SNP are not putting up candidates in England"
Christine Graham for Berwick-Upon-Tweed?
Complain about this comment
Brigadier: Unless you are in the SSP or a sci-fi fan you probably won't know her.
102.
I think the argument being used is that they aren't putting up enough candidates to field a majority, between the SNP, Plaid, English Democrats & SDLP they contest 237 out of 650 seats, those who argue the SNP/Plaid shouldn't participate seem to be arguing they would need to be contesting at least 326 seats so there was there was a possibility of an absolute majority.
It is a strange state of affairs where broadcasting is reserved but the laws on broadcasting are seperate for each country.
Complain about this comment
104. Also, it's no longer part of the official anthem. Hasn't been for centuries.
The only time this ever gets mentioned is when nationalists copy/paste it from Wikipedia as 'evidence of anti-Scottishness within the UK'.
Yawn.
(And I still haven't found out why the independence campaign has so dismally failed. Why have the overwhelming majority turned their back on the SNP's raison d'etre?! Totally stumped, I tells ye.)
Complain about this comment
109. Ah, so anyone who voted for the SNP must also be voting for independence? No need for that referendum then! How convenient.
Someone should call His Mighty Awesomeness and inform him (with head suitably bowed, natch) that the rest of his manifesto is redundant.
Does that mean that if the Unionist parties have a majority of the seats, that's a mandate for maintaining the union?
Do you have any grasp of the cyclical nature of politics? Do you really believe that millions of people totally transform their political beliefs once or twice a decade? I'm guessing you suddenly will when the SNP lose power in Holyrood.
And you might even be old enough to vote by the next Scottish election!
Complain about this comment
#108 Dubbieside
Appreciate the clarification. Thanks
Complain about this comment
109.
I would like to point out here; that if the SNP were to win a majority in Scotland in a UK general election then this would be a mandate for Scottish Independence.
Realistically I don't think that is the case, while the bulk of the SNP's support is those who want independence, I think that there will be a large swathe of voters who will vote for the SNP on the policies they will stand for during the election.
Complain about this comment
"# 102. At 1:11pm on 12 Mar 2010, clachangowk wrote:
Were the SNP to put up a candidate in one constituency in England, say in Carlisle, would this mean they were putting up candidates across the UK and there could be no argument about their right to participate in debates.
I suppose the argument then would be that the SNP were not in Wales but they could swap an unwinnable seat with Plaid. It would certainly make the political landscape more interesting."
Interesting concept. The current crie de cour on some of the more 'English' sites I haunt is that they would happily vote for the SNP to get rid of the burden of (insert adjective) Sweatie oppression. Ironically these chaps will probably end up voting BritishNP or United KingdomIP.
Complain about this comment
111. brigadierjohn
"A drunken horde intent on rape and pillage throughout central and southern Scotland as they travelled both ways."
And when anti-Scottish hatred like that (Scots armies are drunken hordes but the sweet lovable British army didn't do the same) is raised by unionists, you know true desperation has set in.
You just PLAIN do NOT want to go there. Or I WILL tell you what that very nice British army did ALL across Scotland. And I very much suspect you prefer clinging to your ignorance.
Complain about this comment
112. Reluctant-Expat
"The debates are between the leaders of parties campaigning for the Prime Ministership.
That's it. Simple enough?"
Oh, really? So how does one go about voting for Prime Minister? Is that on the ballot now?
Is it?
Complain about this comment
112. Reluctant-Expat
"I'm thoroughly enjoying seeing His Awesome Benevolence thrash about with this little bone. Very entertaining."
I agree that is is amusing to see SOMEONE thrash about and say that the Canadians could manage democratic debates that included all parties electing MPs but the British just aren't competent enough to do so.
Alternatively they jump up and down and insist, "We are voting for our President! We are! We are! (shhh don't mention that we're not)"
What an amusing spectacle you are making of yourselves.
Complain about this comment
God Save the Queen is a rubbish dirge with rubbish lyrics. "Send her victorious" doesn't make any sense, and rhyming "glorious" with "reign over us" is the sort of thing that would make even William McGonegal blush. The fact that I'm an atheist and a Scottish republican is just icing on the cake, the song offends my artistic sensibilities. As Billy Connelly pointed out, you can't even dance to it. Citizens of Lichtenstein have a similar problem, they use the same tune as their national anthem but they call it Oben am Jungen Rhein "Above the young Rhine".
When the lyrics to God Save the Queen/King were written, those Scots who supported the Union called themselves North Britons. It was in the first few decades of the Union, when the Scottish elite was still trying to persuade the rest of us that England and Scotland had totally merged into one new nation and we weren't Scottish any more. To call yourself Scottish at that time was taken as evidence of separatist or Jacobite sympathies. To identify as Scots was to be rebellious, almost by definition.
I don't like Flower of Scotland either. It's one of those "och it wis all so much better hunners o years ago" maudlin nostalgia trips so beloved of Scots after a bevvy or three.
Complain about this comment
119. At 2:50pm on 12 Mar 2010, Robin wrote:
Re 105
"Its a pity the SNP are not putting up candidates in England"
Christine Graham for Berwick-Upon-Tweed?
----------------------------------------------
They can have her!!
Complain about this comment
116. Is it anti-British that our AMERICAN national anthem is about fighting you lot?
To be fair the US anthem isn't actually about fighting, it is asking if the flag has survived the attack (unless there are seldom sung verses about giving the Canadians what for).
It also benefits from being set in a war that America did not win, so it doesn't come off as crowing about a proud military past in the same way.
But certainly, Flower of Scotland has nothing on La Marseillaise which has the French watering their crops with German blood.
Complain about this comment
117.
She mentioned that she hasn't needed maths in her life so why do we bother?
I heard her the other day saying she has a degree in Economics. Either Economics has changed a lot between our respective times at uni, or she's lied on one of those occasions.
Complain about this comment
Its interesting to watch the whingeing about "Flower of Scotland" from the McChatterati. I'll cheerfully confess I went off it for a while when my local once got it stuck in a loop, but I'm not so sure about it being a dirge; sure it laments some of the past but it lifts right up at the end with the declaration that we can be the nation again... perhaps that's what the McChatterati are afraid of.
The funny thing about complaining its anti-English is that the preferred alternative "Scots wha Hae" is also about Wallace, Bruce, Bannockburn et al.
Mind you I think the real problem is that its been pretty spontaneously self-selected by a substantial part of the population without so much as a by your leave, let alone a proper competition organised by said McChatterati...
Complain about this comment
122. At 3:07pm on 12 Mar 2010, Reluctant-Expat wrote:
"Ah, so anyone who voted for the SNP must also be voting for independence? No need for that referendum then! How convenient."
Aye, that seems to be the way it works. At least, I'm pretty sure none of us specifically voted for war with Iraq or a knackered economy.
"Does that mean that if the Unionist parties have a majority of the seats, that's a mandate for maintaining the union?"
Well, that seems to the way it's always been up until now, so you must be right again - well spotted!
I guess the nationalists only have to win once, while the unionists have to win every single time - I can see why that annoys you so much.
Complain about this comment
121. Reluctant-Expat
"Also, it's no longer part of the official anthem. Hasn't been for centuries.
"
WRONG as usual. It is and always has been part of the anthem. It has never been dropped.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1571286/National-anthem-could-be-anti-Scots.html
It is and according the the UK government, it always will be.
Complain about this comment
#116 JRMacClure:
"My, my. That got you up in arms didn't it? Interesting that you managed a poll to know it was a small minority. Very debatable but I'll let that go. (*ahem* difficult but I'll force myself)
Funny you weren't all excited about defending Flower of Scotland."
========================
Hardly up in arms, just putting complaints about the words of the National Anthem in historical context. I wouldn't try and defend Flower of Scotland because:
a) I'm English, and
b) I think it is a terrible dirge. It was written I believe in the 1960's, so it is possible the writer was on drugs, I don't know, but I think it is one of the most depressing tunes I've ever heard. I think it was a strange choice for Scots to pick as their sporting anthem when they have so many much better, stirring songs to choose from. I would have thought Scotland the Brave myself, but it's none of my business.
========
"Is it somehow ANTI-ENGLISH to actually recall that the Scots at Bannockburn did indeed send them 'home to think again'? Is pride in Scotland's history somehow anti-English in your view?"
=========
No, not at all. I never said it was anti-English, and have never really thought it is. Although having been sent home to think again, and considering what Edward then did, I would have thought it was something of a Pyrrhic victory. It was all a long, long time ago anyway, before even Geronimo was a lad.
=========
"Is it anti-British that our AMERICAN national anthem is about fighting you lot?
Or is it only the Scots that aren't allowed pride in their own history?
Please expand on your theory on this".
=========
Can't comment on your National Anthem as I've never bothered to learn all the words. I do notice that your films tend to distort history to always show Americans as the world's saviours though. Is it a bit like that?
I am all for Scots having pride in their history, both as an independent nation and subsequently as part of the union; they have a great deal to take pride in. Quite why an American gets so unnecessarily hot under the collar over perceived, but not written or intended, slights to a Scottish song is a mystery, particularly as there is so much in your own backyard to fret about, but I do admire the energy that your constant posts on this blog demonstrate. Keep up the good work!
Complain about this comment
This comment has been referred for further consideration. Explain
129. InfrequentAllele2
How do you feel about Scots Wha Hae? (If I had a vote in such things, it would get mine to tell you the truth but I'm a Burns fan so what can you do?)
Complain about this comment
109.
"I would like to point out here; that if the SNP were to win a majority in Scotland in a UK general election then this would be a mandate for Scottish Independence."
124. At 3:13pm on 12 Mar 2010, FatherMacKenzie wrote:
"Realistically I don't think that is the case, while the bulk of the SNP's support is those who want independence, I think that there will be a large swathe of voters who will vote for the SNP on the policies they will stand for during the election."
Well, it was certainly the case when I was in the SNP. In fact, it was the whole point of the exercise.
A party wins a majority but decides not to implement its policies in case some of their voters might not agree with them - even the policy that is the sole reason for that party's existence. Eh?
Complain about this comment
#126 JRM: Stop shouting at me, please. Shouting on the blog is real ignorance. Recognising the truth of our history, as opposed to the schoolbook version, is not "anti-Scottish hatred." I know full well what the British Army did, and not just in Scotland. Every country had its war criminals (Mai Lai, Abu Ghraib etc?) at various times. But if people making a specific point about a topic have to refer to the full panoply of past events the blog will go nowhere. If you can't make a proper response to the point raised you should not reply. Clouding the issue with irrelevant diversionary material is, I'm sorry to say, very much a Nationalist trait.
You cannot keep up the pretence that this is not a Prime Ministerial election. That is the reality, however we arrive at it. How many MPs really make a difference? How many could explain their own party's policies. True, we must elect them - but most people, I believe, are voting on what the Big Three put forward. Personally, I try to select the most decent and capable candidate regardless of party. So I have voted SNP in the past. But most people are voting for a government, I think.
I believe Salmond would be well out of the debates, which are likely to be a damp squib watched only by anoraks and activists with stop watches. I think most people in Scotland recognise this and can see that pursuit of his obsession might well play against him, and Scotland.
Why do you hurl gratuitous abuse at every poster who disagrees with you? When will you make a positive contribution? You have a perfect right to intrude, but why? Pot and kettle will not be an acceptable response.
Complain about this comment
#124. FatherMacKenzie wrote:
'109. I would like to point out here; that if the SNP were to win a majority in Scotland in a UK general election then this would be a mandate for Scottish Independence.'
Realistically I don't think that is the case, while the bulk of the SNP's support is those who want independence, I think that there will be a large swathe of voters who will vote for the SNP on the policies they will stand for during the election."
_____________________________________________________________
By that same logic, then the majority of people who voted Labour were against the illegal wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, so that means that Labour had no mandate to take us into those wars!
Complain about this comment
"...The agreement to include Nick Clegg in the debates is a huge boost for the Liberal Democrats. Unless he messes up completely, he is guaranteed to gain simply from taking part. Just his presence on the stage sends a message to voters that they have a choice of three, not two. That's why the SNP is so upset at being excluded......"
Above is from an article "Leaders See The Big Picture" by Political Editor Ian Swanson in tonight's Edinburgh Evening News.
http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/politics/With-Alex-Salmond-livid-over.6147116.jp
Complain about this comment
131. FatherMacKenzie
"To be fair the US anthem isn't actually about fighting, it is asking if the flag has survived the attack (unless there are seldom sung verses about giving the Canadians what for). "
It had nothing to do with "giving the Canadians what for" or fighting the Canadians at all.
We were fighting the BRITISH.
The Star Spangled Banner was written during the BRITISH attack on the city of Baltimore during what Americans refer to as the War of 1812. (I think you consider that it had something to do with Napoleon) Since we survived that attack as a nation, we generally do consider that a victory. Sorry to disillusion. :-)
A little known verse again about the BRITISH:
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
Like that description? :)
As you say, it is probably less hostile than the La Marseillaise,
National anthems are by their very nationalist and praise one's own country's triumphs, often over another country. The fact is that (in spite of a somewhat *ahem* hostile verse) our anthem is much more concerned with American victory and survival than that we didn't much like the British.
I actually think that in spite of its real weaknesses that is what people who sing it see in God Save the Queen. And whatever song Scots choose to consider an anthem (I think the statement that only drunken Scots would sing Flower of Scotland is quite mistaken--I've seen it sung with gusto by some who were quite sober) Flowers of Scotland, Scots Wha Hae or another song, the point is pride and identification with Scotland.
As hard as it seems to be at times for the English to take in, Everything in the world isn't about them. This really is just about Scotland.
Incidentally, the flag which Francis Scott Keyes wrote about that flew above Fort Covington, Baltimore's last line of defense against the British, is still on display at our National Museum of American History.
Complain about this comment
Holyrood
Complain about this comment
ian stewart's pages
Complain about this comment
Hootsman
Complain about this comment
133.
The funny thing about complaining its anti-English is that the preferred alternative "Scots wha Hae" is also about Wallace, Bruce, Bannockburn et al.
I think the difference is in the tone not the subject matter, both songs are coming at the same event in a different way.
Flower of Scotland is framed after Bannockburn, but it sounds like we lost, the singer doesn't know when we'll see such as those that fought and died.
Scots Wha Hae on the other hand is framed prior to the battle, it's not about a great victory, it is an assertion that those who are prepared to defend Scotland are Scots.
To my mind the problems with it being a Scottish national anthem are the reference to defending Scotland's "King and law" - which wouldn't sit well if we are to be a republic - and the length of the song, I'm unsure which verses you would omit to get it down to sporting event length.
Complain about this comment
139.
A party wins a majority but decides not to implement its policies in case some of their voters might not agree with them
The SNP policy is on a referendum, not on a unilateral declaration of independence should they take 30 seats.
I think a lot of people who voted for the SNP in 2007, myself included thought that they had the right idea on things like free prescription charges, LIT, and scrapping the graduate endowment, but would have been dissuaded had a majority been considered a unilateral declaration of independence.
The referendum provided a buffer, where we could try out their policies without having to get a new passport, and it allowed the SNP a chance to convince us.
Complain about this comment
Come the Revolution!
In the meantime, Russia’s main television channel is flying into Manchester to interview Nick Hogan as part of a special investigation* into the totalitarian regime that they see emerging in Europe – Oh! The irony! Post Perestroika Russia sees Britain as an oppressive regime! Was it only yesterday that we were lecturing them on Freedom?
Complain about this comment
141.
By that same logic, then the majority of people who voted Labour were against the illegal wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, so that means that Labour had no mandate to take us into those wars!
Neither the invasion of Iraq nor Afghanistan were manifesto commitments.
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
" 140. At 4:58pm on 12 Mar 2010, brigadierjohn wrote:
Clouding the issue with irrelevant diversionary material is, I'm sorry to say, very much a Nationalist trait."
Brig,
I have to agree - I wa so annoyed about it yesterday, I posted an item in reponse - see post 100 under the cost of drink.
Complain about this comment
The reluctance of most of the media to pursue the Steven Purcell aka Reginald Perrin story is in sharp contrast to the recent ‘Lunchgate’ and ‘Lettergate’ piranha – like frenzy the same media engendered.
Hamish MacDonell commented, I think, on ‘Lettergate’, ‘This story will run and run’.
Conversely, the Purcell story merely limped then stopped.
Complain about this comment
143.
The war of 1812 was fought on land by the US army and the people who were already in Canada, the vast majority of whom were born in Canada or the 13 colonies prior to independence. If memory serves General Ross, an Irishman was the only commander of land forces who was not born in North America (he was Irish, and incidentally the only reason I knew about the war of 1812 as he is the person that General Ross in the Incredible Hulk comics is named after.)
As you say, the main British army was concerned with Napoleon and so didn't land until the battle of New Orleans by which time the peace accords were already being signed.
You are right in that Baltimore was being attacked from the Chesapeake, the Navy and Marines were more than likely mostly people from Great Britain.
As the US declared war, but it ended in a white peace, I don't think survival as a nation can really be considered a victory.
Complain about this comment
JR, well done for persevering on here in the face of all the unionist condescension thrown at you.
It's quite interesting how much you seem to annoy certain people, as if swatting their own tiresome and irritating nats wasn't exhausting enough they now have to contend with this ghastly upstart from the United States.
Kudos to you for sticking with us and sticking it to them.
Complain about this comment
#143 JRMacClure:
"It had nothing to do with "giving the Canadians what for" or fighting the Canadians at all.
We were fighting the BRITISH".
================
You were fighting both actually, as the war started when your country chose to invade Canada. Much to your forefathers surprise, however, the Canadians, (and those loyalist Americans who had chosen to flee there after the war of independence - which contrary to Hollywood's best efforts to depict it as a fight against tyranny was really a civil war between British subjects)resisted the invasion and faught for the Crown.
The war ended in stalemate, but the White House needed a new paint job afterwards.
Complain about this comment
#101 brigadierjohn
"Have you lost your marbles?"
Perhaps so, but I suspect not. Have you done your homework?
"How on earth could it ever be illegal for the BBC to broadcast on "English only" issues in Scotland?"
The principle has yet to be tested in the courts, but there is no evidence to suggest that broadcasting in Scotland of a debate between three of the four main parties in Scotland concerning their plans for the governance of England would be legal without clear captioning and/or announcement that such matters applied only to England and not to the other nations of the UK?
Perhaps yours is the same "gut" reaction that England is biggest and so deserves to have its own way as seems to drive Mr Bailey, but neither you nor he seem to have digested any of the following:
► The Electoral Commission's views on Party election broadcasts
► Ofcom's rules on Party Political and Referendum Broadcasts
► This website's Election 2010 Guidelines
► House of Commons Library Standard Note PC/03354 on Party Election Broadcasts
Google Standard Note: SN/PC/03354
► House of Commons Library Standard Note PC/05241 on Televising leaders’ debates
Google Standard Note: SN/PC/05241
Most of the above have been discussed at length, but the last is not widely known and documents both the Canadian practice and previous Scottish practice, with some nuggets of truth such as:
► “The televised debate is seen as a natural part of the Presidential system and is gladiatorial in nature between two opponents. The Parliamentary system in Britain is multi-party and thus third, fourth and fifth parties want to get involved. This complicates the issues, confuses the planning and can result in a more watered down less compelling three handed debate which is less likely to engage the public”.
Hardly the SNP's problem!
► “In Scotland, where there are four main political parties ... Similar formats were used in the most recent election in 2007, and as such offers an excellent point of reference for a UK debate, particularly since at the most recent leader’s debates, the Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat and SNP leaders all took part”
A bad precedent for excluding three quarters of the "home" nations from the debates!
► From Azeem Ibrahim:
“If we want politicians who take smart decisions based on sound principles and an honest reading of the evidence, then we shouldn’t choose them based on their ability to smile...
“TV debates would be good for the TV channels which want them, but they would be bad for British democracy”.
► From Steve Richards of the Indy:
“Do not believe for one moment that the televised debates would do anything to enhance Britain’s fragile democracy”
Complain about this comment
#69. sid_ts63 wrote:
I'll say a prayer for her. One written as BPC was bearing down upon London and this prayer was published in, "The Gentleman's Magazine", and was performed in the Dury Lane Theatre. It goes like this -
God save our gracious Queen
Long live our noble Queen
God save the Queen.
Send her victorious
Happy and glorious
Long to reign over us
God save the Queen.
O Lord our God arise
Scatter her enemies
And make them fall
Confound their politics
Frustrate their knavish tricks
On Thee our hopes we fix
God save us all
Thy choicest gifts in store
On her be pleased to pour
Long may she reign
May she defend our laws
And ever give us cause
To sing with heart and voice
God save the Queen
Not in this land alone
But be God's mercies known
From shore to shore
Lord make the nations see
That men should brothers be
And form one family
The wide world over
From every latent foe
From the assassins blow
God save the Queen
O'er her thine arm extend
For Britain's sake defend
Our mother, prince, and friend
God save the Queen
Lord grant that Marshal Wade
May by thy mighty aid
Victory bring
May he sedition hush
And like a torrent rush
Rebellious Scots to crush
God save the King.
The above version that became the national Anthem was in, "The Gentleman's Magazine", of 1745 October issue page 552.
Complain about this comment
#112 Reluctant-Expat
"The debates are between the leaders of parties campaigning for the Prime Ministership."
For whom the electoral college is the 650 representatives of the four home nations. And your point was?
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Re 151. Reluctant-Expat, JR, seems you won the argument ;-0
(PS 151. Reluctant-Expat Just ask her out?!!)
Complain about this comment
#151, 152
Anagram of your first one and last three, and I don't mean part, rapt or trap.
brigadierjohn
Gracious in defeat! 8-) I will try and give you an answer when I have fed and drunk.
Complain about this comment
There are some further points about these party leader debates that should be remembered.
One of those is that the 3 leaders of the London parties pretend (assisted by the BBC) that they are the only candidates for PM, however it is also possible that any or all of them may fail to win their local seats. That in itself doesn't exclude them from being PM - you don't need to be an MP - so one of the arguments against Salmond then falls.
The other argument that Salmond is not fielding candidates outside Scotland misses the point. The real issue is that London based parties are fielding candidates in Scotland, against the SNP and therefore these debates as currently proposed will give them an unfair and illegal advantage.
Complain about this comment
#104. PickledPete wrote:
Yes that same tired old canard again. For the very good reason the English prayer to save their monarch specifically refers to Scots. In fact there were other than Scots marching on London yet the version of the prayer, printed in, "The Gentleman's Magazine", 1745, October,Page 552 and performed in two London Theatres, One being the Dury Lane, only mentions Scots. Neither did it mention there were many more Scots in the Goverenment ranks. If all that were not enough the Stewarts did, in fact, have the better legal claim on both the Scottish & English crowns.
Complain about this comment
Guido has some interesting stuff to get our teeth into!!
Complain about this comment
Re 148
"I think a lot of people who voted for the SNP in 2007 ... would have been dissuaded had a majority been considered a unilateral declaration of independence.
The referendum provided a buffer, where we could try out their policies without having to get a new passport, and it allowed the SNP a chance to convince us."
A stance that makes an SNP vote a completely wasted vote at a General Election rather than an opportunity for independence.
What kind of party has so little faith in itself that it's feart to campaign on it's own core policy in case it puts anybody off?
And when you consider that the Scottish Parliament is set up in such a way as to make it almost impossible to win the majority required to hold a referendum at all, what exactly is the point of the SNP these days?
Complain about this comment
God Save The Queen isn't our national anthem. How can Flower of Scotland be anti-english when our entire history is about trying to break free from an overbearing and abusive partner. Is there anything wrong in using a historical accuracy that defines us in an anthem?
Complain about this comment
#111. brigadierjohn wrote:#104 PickledPete: Dead right. God save the King was just a "patriotic" song first sung during the Jacobite rebellion.
WRONG!
In the first place the actual song goes a long way further back than 1745, and is undoubtedly an English patriotic song adapted to suit the occasion. It does only mention rebellous Scots yet the army picked up people throughout the march including the English North. There were seven verses, not six, and the Stewarts actually had the better legal claim to the crown. What is more the song only became the UK anthem AFTER its adaptation in 1745.
Complain about this comment
#151: Reluctant-Expat wrote:
More of the same but now with added vitriol, essence of bile and just a touch of xenophobia and sexism to show how he views the rest of the world and it's more intelligent inhabitants.
Do you hate for hate's sake or were you exposed to abuse at an earlier age?
Please try and remain within at least viewing distance of discussion/debate?
Sad....
Complain about this comment
157. PickledPete
Do you work here?
Complain about this comment
Reluctant-Expat JRMacClure is more Scottish than you!
Complain about this comment
There were not more Scots in the government ranks during the 45 rebellion this is a common piece of government propaganda it's absolute nonsense.
Complain about this comment
The bankers lied. And Darling, a mere puppet on their string, knows it
Still no inquiry. Still no answers. A trillion pounds has been devoted over the past 18 months to protect Britain's financial system from alleged Armageddon, with not a murmur of value for money. This stupefying sum is more than has ever been spent on any project by any government in British history.
Complain about this comment
#112. At 2:24pm on 12 Mar 2010, Reluctant-Expat wrote: "102. It's quite simple. The debates are between the leaders of parties campaigning for the Prime Ministership.".
There is no such campaign. The public do not vote for a Prime Minister. The public don't even vote for a Party. The public ONLY vote for a candidate to represent their constituency. That's the law.
Furthermore, there are NO MPs, Ministers or PMs during an election - ONLY unelected candidates. What if none of the party leaders were returned in the constituency they were standing as an MP candidate?
The ONLY thing the people taking part in the proposed debate would be was elected leaders of their own unelected party who were elected as the party leader BY THEIR PARTY.
In other words you are totally ignorant of the legal standing of the people the proposed debates will call to take part. Here is a wee thought for you. What if the Labour Party candidates who actually got elected by the voters only included ANTI-BROWN Labour Party candidates? These would now be the people to choose who would be PM. Would they them go along with his supreme bullyship as their leader? What planet are you from? What if we Fifers were to return someone other than hes supreme bullyship, "Broon"?
Complain about this comment
175. Auld Bob
"Ministers or PMs during an election"
The Government remains in place during an election. Further proof, were it required, that there is no need for the PM or any Minister to be a Member of either House of Parliament.
Remember Lizzie could ask YOU to form a Government! :-)
Complain about this comment
#117. nedafo2 wrote:
Interesting point there1 I wonder who she gets to count her salery, do her shopping, fill in her tax forms, pay for her clothes, look after her savings, check her bank statements. ad infinitem.
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Some more food for thought here:
http://aangirfan.blogspot.com/
Complain about this comment
138. JRMaclure
Candidates for national anthems tend to be songs about wars. I'm not really keen on songs about stabbing and smiting people. So that pretty much rules out Scots Wha Hae as well. I do like the idea of something by Burns though.
But I want a national anthem that we can boogie to, so alternatively how about a reworking of the Annie Lennox and Aretha Franklin classic Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves? And if we could get the sainted Annie and the divine Ms Franklin to sing it at the independence day ceremony that would just be poptastic. Some people might think Aretha should not be there because she's American, but who cares what bigots think?
All together now ----
Now, there was a time
when they used to say
there had to be a Yooooo Kayyyy
cos Scotland was poor and gray
But oh in these times of change
you know that it's no longer true
So we're comin' out of the Union
cos there's something that we're gonna say to you
We say, Scotland is doin' it for itself
We're standin' on our own two feet
and ringin' on our own bell
We say, Scotland is doin' it for itself
Now, this is a song to celebrate
the conscious liberation of the Scottish state.
Mothers, fathers,
and their children too, woh yeah,
Scots men and women,
we're singing with you, ooh, ooh.
etc. etc.
Complain about this comment
Ok I agree; an SNP majority in Scotland in a UK general election would be a mandate to conduct a referendum on whether Scotland should again become a sovereign, independent state.
95 Harry Stottle
”this so called debate will be a total and utter farce with Emperor Brown”
I think if you look behind the scenes you might find that it is the ‘apprentice’ Brown who acts on behalf of the Emperor, and I would imagine that the Emperor is getting a bit nervous just now.
Maybe he is also a bit worried in case someone forces the impartial imperial mass media machine to provide our Scottish political wing with an equal voice.
However am sure he need not worry, the Emperor has his grip on many minds and his fingers in many holes and is bound, to get his way and deny the rebellious Scots a voice. He will have his puppet crying on a string.
The weak minded are easily led!
All hail the Emperor!
Something, Something, Something, Dark Side.
Something, Something, Something, Complete.
Complain about this comment
#126. JRMacClure wrote:
There is nothing like stone cold facts for nailing blatant lies. Here are a few - The records of the time show that in 1745, after General Johnny Cope made his historic, (Very fast), retreat back to London, The Bonnie Prince had the wounded and dying, OF BOTH SIDES, treated at Edinburgh Infirmary. Their records still exist. What, though, of Butcher Cumberland after Culloden? His orders were to kill every living human for many miles around, including women and children. It does not record whether the troops were drunk or sober. There was no distinction made between Scots and Scots rebels. Facts are chiels whit wullna ding. In English eyes at the time there was no distinction made between Rebels and Scots.
Complain about this comment
Some of you who have already registered to receive the Newsnet Scotland newsletter will have received notification of the new Newsnet Scotland website.
The BBC mods are unfortunately censoring the URL - I can only advise going to the old Newsnet Scotland blog where a message provides a link.
I suppose I should take it as a compliment that the BBC are so reluctant to publish the link.
Complain about this comment
Think Newsnet Scotland - think dot com.
Complain about this comment
#158 Brownedov: Your reading list is impressive. But, for me, life's too short for such extreme diligence. However, my thoughts were not so much on the legality or the morality of any decision. Certainly I have no thoughts that England deserves the lion' share, or whatever. Nor have I any personal wish to exclude Salmond. I don't care about the debate that much. None of them will be brave enough to specify the cuts that will have to be made, post-election, in services and jobs, and the increase in taxes. So it's pretty pointless, really.
My main thought was that it could be technically well nigh impossible to stop transmission of any debate to Scotland. If the whole idea had to be dropped, however, I don't think it would reflect well on Scotland internally, UK-wide and internationally.
Is this the message about how a "free" Scotland might be - legal blocks, bans, censorship when three men want to chat about politics? Or is it simply that picking another fight with Westminster neatly pushes the referedum issue to one side till the heat dies down?
For any sake, it's about whether three shysters should be joined by a fourth, fifth or sixth. Salmond might have more success criticising the Big Three without the peril of being questioned. It was always said that the SNP liked shouting from the sidelines, but would be found out if they were given reponsibility. Well, will you list the policy failures and backtracking?
Complain about this comment
I've just remembered what I posted in my #137 which the mods referred.
It was a link to Robert Peston's BBC blog.
Fabulous! The Beeb is now referring itself. (You could make it up, but you don't need to)
Complain about this comment
#121. Reluctant-Expat wrote: "104. Also, it's no longer part of the official anthem. Hasn't been for centuries".
Far be it for me to burst your pretty little bubbles but it has to be said - There is no such thing as an official UK anthem. The thing does not, and never has, existed. Furthermore, there have been many extra verses added for special occasions throughout the years. Some by very well known composers and/or authors. The actual first ever printed version is still shown in the archived copies of, "The Gentleman's Magazine", for October 1745, on page 552. The archive is on-line.
Complain about this comment
Well the blog is certainly lively. Hard to tell who is having a battle with who. Might need some anthems for here!
Anthems
Flower of Scotland has as stirring beat. Most Scots know it. It fires the blood even if our sporting teams occasionally backfire. Far better than "Swing Low Sweet Chariot".
I don't give a monkeys about the verses of the National Anthem either. People who get worked up about that would be better directing their energies to more important matters, rather than implying that it is used today as some sort of slur on Scotland.
----------------------
Someone suggested that a majority vote for the SNP this election is am mandate for independence. Only if the SNP clearly state this as their primary objective this election and nothing else. But I'm willing to put a wager on that the message from the SNP will be highlighting their achievements in the Scottish Parliament.
----------------------
176. oldnat:
Thank you for confirming what I said a few blogs ago. Maybe now people will believe me.
----------------------
168. Vakov2000:
"Overbearing and abusive."
Please give me ten examples from the past twelve months that support your case. Give evidence that shows we are suppressed. Explain in your own words how people in living in Scotland have their lives restricted in comparison to the rest of the UK.
Arguments using that sort of language are complete nonsense and cause more damage to the nationalist cause than anything else.
There ARE issues where Scotland is being treated unfairly, but there are better ways to express this.
--------------------------------------
On the leader's debate:
I have to agree that all parties must be represented. But do people here accept that if the SNP and PC take part, then others should be allowed? You could have a debate with Labour, Conservative, Lib Dems, SNP, PC, BNP, DUP, SF, UKIP, Green. The bogeyman for everyone is the BNP. The Question Time programme backfired on the other parties, and guaranteed Griffin will try and take part if the SNP and PC get to do so.
Going to get messy.
Complain about this comment
I see Westminster has awarded a grant to Spanish Power to enable them to do trials with a Norwegian carbon dioxide capture technology. I'm so proud.....
Complain about this comment
184. Online Ed
Tried to register but no validation email forthcoming!
Complain about this comment
#139. Robin:
Oh! Come now! This is more Red Herrings - Here is a, (very), brief history of the birth of the Labour Party. The first ever British labour movement was, "The Highland Land League", A.K.A. - "The crofters' party",, which at the general elections of 1885 and 1886 elected five MPs to champion the cause of land reform at Westminster. Leader of the crofters, Dr Gavin Clark, was a vice president of the Scottish Home Rule Association. Another of that organisation's office-bearers was Ayrshire miners' leader James Keir Hardie.
So the very first Labour Party promise to be broken was, "HOME RULE FOR SCOTLAND".
Complain about this comment
cynical,
Check your junk mail. Google filed my confirmation mail there.
Complain about this comment
This has just been posted on The Evening Times website:
"BBC to look at SNP debate proposals"
http://breakingnews.heraldscotland.com/breaking-news/?mode=article&site=et&id=A68561451268404393A0
A deal in the offing?
Complain about this comment
One of the many things I like about Scottish politics is Rab
http://rab.caledonianmercury.com/2010/03/12/sketch-swedes-to-the-sweet/00170
In the context of this thread, his translation of the Swedish national anthem is strangely aposite.
Complain about this comment
Scotland via First Minister Salmond must be present at the 'leaders debates', otherwise it is government without representation (how the UK government policy will affect Scotland will not discussed.)
Complain about this comment
Wow!
It's a pretty effective reduction in signal to noise on the blog just now; it's like watching the SLab benches at holyrood doing the only thing left to them. Noise it up.
btw - Is it just me or is there a 5th column on here?
Complain about this comment
#173. At 8:56pm on 12 Mar 2010, Vakov2000 wrote:"There were not more Scots in the government ranks during the 45 rebellion this is a common piece of government propaganda it's absolute nonsense".
And your source for this claim is --- --- ---?
Complain about this comment
#185 brigadierjohn
"My main thought was that it could be technically well nigh impossible to stop transmission of any debate to Scotland."
There's a precedent. In 1995, a BBC Panorama interview with PM John Major was prevented from being broadcast in Scotland because it breached the rules of impartiality during a Scottish local election. The OfCom and House of Commons rules recognise that each of the four "home" nations has a different set of "major parties" and that each nation of the UK has to be treated differently to ensure that political and election broadcasts are impartial. There is no such thing as the UK for election broadcasting purposes, something the BBC, ITV and Sky forgot when they stitched up their sordid deals with the three Tweedles.
"If the whole idea had to be dropped, however, I don't think it would reflect well on Scotland internally, UK-wide and internationally."
I disagree re "internationally" - almost everywhere in Europe outside the UK is more democratic nowadays and more concerned with democracy - but you're right re the Scotland and the UK who seem to prefer gallant losers. I'm certain that it's because of the probability of such reaction that both the SNP and PC have done their utmost to be reasonable and constructive.
"Is this the message about how a "free" Scotland might be - legal blocks, bans, censorship when three men want to chat about politics?"
If you're suggesting that a Scotland which ruled itself would be democratic and ensure that election broadcasting was politically impartial, I hope it would be. It could hardly be less democratic than the UK. If the three Tweedles want a cosy chat about politics, nobody is suggesting that they should not. All that is being asked is for the chat to be fairly presented when it covers areas of responsibility outwith the UK government's direct control and that the major party rules be respected giving the SNP in Scotland and PC in Wales equal prime time coverage.
"Salmond might have more success criticising the Big Three without the peril of being questioned."
We'll have to wait and see, but that seems to be the basis of the deal with Sky.
Complain about this comment
BNP claming to be "The New Labour Party".
http://bit.ly/bxlibU
Complain about this comment
Re 191
Ehhhh, I know and I agree with you entirely - I can't see why it's relevant to what I posted though.
ie. that I think an SNP majority at a Westminster election would be a perfectly adequate mandate for independence - although I'm told the SNP don't think it is...
Complain about this comment
190. At 10:02pm on 12 Mar 2010, cynicalHighlander wrote:
184. Online Ed
Tried to register but no validation email forthcoming!
The system we use appears not to create accounts for gmail, yahoo etc. This may be the reason for no validation.
Have just checked our system using a typical private account and all is well, validation sent out within seconds.
Complain about this comment
#176. At 9:15pm on 12 Mar 2010, oldnat wrote:"The Government remains in place during an election. Further proof, were it required, that there is no need for the PM or any Minister to be a Member of either House of Parliament. Remember Lizzie could ask YOU to form a Government! :-)
Not true: There are two ways for a general election to be called. Prorogation and recess. Prorogation :- marks the end of a parliamentary session. It is the formal name given to the period between the end of a session of Parliament and the State Opening of Parliament that begins the next session. The parliamentary session may also be prorogued when Parliament is dissolved and a general election called.
Only if Parliament is in recession is business halted and the government remains in place.
Complain about this comment
BTW, don't know if it's been mentioned but the "National Anthem" was penned by 2 Scots.
Complain about this comment
192. At 10:16pm on 12 Mar 2010, Wee Folding Bike wrote:
cynical,
Check your junk mail. Google filed my confirmation mail there.
Well, what do you know - I should have checked the spam folder and this comment !!
Complain about this comment
192. Wee Folding Bike
Cheers it was sitting there as innocent as a new born.
Complain about this comment
150. FatherMacKenzie wrote:
"141. By that same logic, then the majority of people who voted Labour were against the illegal wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, so that means that Labour had no mandate to take us into those wars!
Neither the invasion of Iraq nor Afghanistan were manifesto commitments."
Pure semantics... At the end of the day, you get what you vote for!
Complain about this comment
201. Online Ed
Puncture repaired and spokes tightened.
Complain about this comment
111. At 2:16pm on 12 Mar 2010, brigadierjohn wrote:
Typical hearsay history, they do say that it's the victorious that write history, try reading "The '45" by Christopher Duffy, here is a quote from the book.
"Dr Christopher Duffy was a Senior Lecturer at Sandhurst. He is the author of numerous books and studies including THE ARMY OF FREDERICK THE GREAT and SIEGE WARFARE."
"The '45 Rising has been romanticised over the centuries in many books and films, and still arouses strong emotions in Scotland, but this is the first comprehensive history ever. It is based on original research in all available archives, including Swedish, French and German records. These make nonsense of the many popular histories based on self-serving accounts written by a few of the key participants. Christopher Duffy, the world's greatest authority on 18th century warfare, writes a vivid narrative that overturns many accepted 'facts' about The '45. This is a major work that addresses a crucial episode in British history: the last time that a British monarch stood a serious chance of being unseated by a dynastic rival at the head of an army."
I have read this book and can't do anything but highly recommend anyone to read it, completely blows away fact from fiction. Fiction being that Prince Charles's army were raping and pillaging on there way down and back up, Prince Charles forbade any kind of behaviour as he saw everyone as his subjects and didn't want any harm coming to them, it was simple propaganda put about by the press at the time (no shock then as it isn't a shock now, how the press can misrepresent things to suit them) to make sure the "Rebel Army" were feared and weren't to be welcomed where ever they went.
Complain about this comment
#188 enneffess
"I have to agree that all parties must be represented. But do people here accept that if the SNP and PC take part, then others should be allowed?"
I do, and suggest it should be seeded, like a cup competition, with the 9 major parties automatically through to the first round proper and the other parties who stood in the euro elections - UKIP, Greens, SSP, Respect, English Democrats, BNP, Alliance Party, Socialist Labour Party, etc. to take part in a qualifying round or rounds to reduce them down to 7, so that the first round proper consists of 16 parties.
Telephone voting by nation from unique 'phone numbers, with each nation's votes weighted equally. Viewer numbers for Farage vs Galloway vs Griffin debating for a place in the first round would be high and advertisers would pay good money too. Rather than a 16-way slanging match, there could be 4 4-way contests in the first round, with the winner of each having a place in the final.
Complain about this comment
202. Auld Bob
"Only if Parliament is in recession"
Well we all know that Labour put us into recession! However, it is irrelevant whether Parliament is in recess or prorogued. You are confusing Parliament with Government (easy when you look at the constitutional nonsense that is the English constitution).
If you want a practical demonstration of the reality that the PM only changes when Lizzie asks someone different to slobber over her fingers, think back to the GE of 28 Feb 1974. Heath remained PM throughout the election and after it he tried to negotiate a deal with Thorpe to remain in place. He failed, but didn't resign until 4 March 1974.
Complain about this comment
206. Alba4eva
"At the end of the day, you get what you vote for!"
And, at the end of the day, in the UK you get a monarch selected by the electoral college that is the HoC. Which is why it is important that the option of a political system which holds the executive accountable is so important - and why the "Prime Ministerial Debates" are such anathema to any concept of Parliamentary democracy.
Complain about this comment
203. "BTW, don't know if it's been mentioned but the "National Anthem" was penned by 2 Scots."
Wonder if it was the 'who do you think you are' ancestors of Brown and Darling selling Scotland down the river, even then.
Complain about this comment
196. At 10:40pm on 12 Mar 2010, mrbfaethedee wrote:
"btw - Is it just me or is there a 5th column on here?"
5th, 6th, 7th and 8th by the looks of things!
------------------------------------------------
209. Brownedov:
The last thing we want is telephone voting. Can you imagine the accusations of "fix" coming from no less than this blog?
------------------------------------------------
Who needs a leaders debate? It's far more interesting here today!
Complain about this comment
Re 188
"Someone suggested that a majority vote for the SNP this election is a mandate for independence."
It should, I would suggest, be unthinkable that it's not a mandate...
"Only if the SNP clearly state this as their primary objective this election and nothing else"
...because it should be unthinkable that the SNP's primary objective could ever be anything other than independence, at any election.
I saw an argument on here recently about whether or not the SNP were campaigning for independence - at one time an argument like that would have been unthinkable too...
Complain about this comment
209. Brownedov
And written with a straight face! A fabulous way of taking the proverbial out of the system, however.
Complain about this comment
210. oldnat
"Well we all know that Labour put us into recession!"
Its going to lead us all into a depressioned state! Happy pills will be issued in due course no prescription required.
Complain about this comment
Re 196
"Is it just me or is there a 5th column on here?"
I don't know if you're thinking of me, but from something you said to me in the past it's possible. If so, my surname's Young and I was a member of Loudoun Branch SNP for decades - feel free to dig. ;-)
Complain about this comment
#108
Very strange post.
The SNP do not receive any money to fight elections.
You may be confusing this with the Election Expenses Allowance which is the amount of money you are ALLOWED to spend in an election.
The SNP fights elections with the money its members raise or donate to the party. They have no other source of funding.
You are correct that the SNP is at a huge disadvantage.It has no big business cash and no trade union bankroll.
In my constituency the Tories will spend up to £65,000 and the Libdems will spend probably over £40,000. We will spend about £10,000, every penny of it raised by ourselves at funcions and raffles etc etc.
But we will still win this seat.
There has been some pretty offensive stuff written by our resident pratts on this blog about the Jacobite army. They were not a drunken rabble. They were a highly disciplined guerrila army and probably the most fearsome troops in Europe despite being lightly armed by the standards of the opponents they faced. They routinely covered 50 to 60 miles per day and could do 100 if needed. It was no accident that Scottish Higland units fought as the prize troops of many European monarchs and kilted regiments fought on both sides in the American civil war. I know I shouldn't get annoyed by the cringing comments of our unionist pratts. They can't help it. The only way they can justify their grovelling positions is by believing in the inadequacy and inferiority of their own people.
Complain about this comment
#136
Funny to watch Pickled Pete thashing about exposing his lack of historical knowledge. Edward 1st didn't do anything after Bannockburn. He was deid. PP perhaps confuses this with his behaviour at the sack of Berwick many years previously. Edward 2 wasn't up to it being into macrame and flower arranging etc and the victory at Bannockburn secured Scotland's independence, though it took a good few years for the English to accept that.
Complain about this comment
#140 Regardless of the Brigadier's struggling bluster this is not an Prime Ministerial election.
The party that wins the election choses a leader after the election, who is them presnted to the Queen as a suitable PM.
Should there be a hung Parliament the minority parties effectively will choose the PM.
Complain about this comment
The Scottish athletes for the Commonwealth Games chose "Flower of Scotland" as their anthem by a huge majority. Nine to one was the ratio.
So that's the end of that arguement.
My own preference is for the marvelous "Scots Wha Hae" but it has almost been proscribed for about 100 years. Other worthy claimants would be "A Man's a Man" and Hamish Henderson's anti war anthem "The Freedom Come a'Ye" written to the marvelous pipe tune "The Bloody Fields of Flanders".
(which was composed by a Dunoon man)
The actual fact is that our pratts don't want us to have national anthem at all.
Complain about this comment
The CallyMerc is getting better - especially if you move off the Politics section. For example this -
http://outdoors.caledonianmercury.com/2010/03/12/shedding-light-on-what-the-romans-did-for-us/00406
"The whole event is designed to mark the 1600th anniversary of the departure of Roman authority from these shores...... it appears that the Roman forces in Britain appealed to Honorius for help with dealing with the barbarians. Honorius wrote to them saying, essentially, sort it out yourselves. And so a form of independence began, and history moved on."
Barbarian and proud!
Complain about this comment
How about the theme tune of Laurel and Hardy to honour Emperor Broon and Darling.
Complain about this comment
To be fair to the BBC it is an organisation whose majority of viewers are English, the majority of it's funds come from the English and the majority of its physical resources are situated in England. Therefore it should come as no surprise to anyone that there must be an English biasedness towards England and English matters, be that in political or social programmes.
Some may point out that it is called the British Broadcasting Corporation in which case it will reflect the needs of a political union formed centuries ago, but with an English input/output reflecting the majorities determined in the former paragraph.
With those points kept in mind I have no problem with the political editorial processes currently undergoing at the BBC regarding the news output from the BBC except when the BBC decides to take sides in politics. It has become abundantly clear to anyone who cares to see that the BBC is politically motivated to side only with political parties that wish to keep the Union going to the extent that Nationalist parties are not given a fair hearing and, in some cases, are treated with disrespect. This does not only apply to Scotland but also to Wales, Northern Ireland and, one may feel surprised at this, but to English political parties also. That being the case I may have to ammend my first paragraph by substituting 'English' for 'Unionists'.
Whether we like this or not, the majority of people in the UK are unionist, at heart, and the BBC does a fantastic job of reflecting this political stance. We know, that in an ideal world, this should not be the case but this is not an ideal world. Therefore expect more of this anti Nationalist propaganda from the state broadcaster because it feels that it has the right to reflect those views of the majority of the people inhabiting these Isles. Don't expect an upcoming fair political fight as the Unionist's gloves are now off. The Union has a lot to fear from Nationalism, from whatever constituent country, and will do its utmost to try and preserve that same Union with the full backing of the 'establishment' and whichever government is in office in Westminster at the time.
We only have the voters of Scotland to listen to and I, for one, will accept their view after the next GE. This is what democracy is about and I hope that all the posters on this site will accept whatever the result will be at the GE.
Complain about this comment
136. PickledPete
"considering what Edward then did, I would have thought it was something of a Pyrrhic victory. It was all a long, long time ago anyway, before even Geronimo was a lad.
"
How was it a pyrrhic victory. The only thing Edward then did was get himself deposed.
Complain about this comment
219. sneckedagain
"Funny to watch Pickled Pete thashing about exposing his lack of historical knowledge. Edward 1st didn't do anything after Bannockburn. He was deid. PP perhaps confuses this with his behaviour at the sack of Berwick many years previously. Edward 2 wasn't up to it being into macrame and flower arranging etc and the victory at Bannockburn secured Scotland's independence, though it took a good few years for the English to accept that."
You are largely correct. Indeed, Edward I died in 1307 some seven years before the Battle of Bannockburn. Not until the the Treaty of Edinburgh some 13 years later did the English finally admit to Scottish independence (and promptly broke their word to try to annex it again within the decade).
Actually, homosexual or not, Edward II was an athletic man rather too fond of rowing and fishing and consorting with commoners for his nobles' liking--not at all the flower arranging type. And to give him his due he had to be pretty much dragged from the field of Bannockburn but he was never very eager to return to try again for good reason. The English losses in that battle were horrific.
Before one makes remarks about any country's history (whether a non-existant war between Canada and the US or the history of Scotland) it's as well to know what one is talking abou.
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
155. FatherMacKenzie
"The war of 1812 was fought on land by the US army and the people who were already in Canada,"
You are mistaken. I don't know who has been feeding you this tosh but you are misinformed.
You are right that Sir George Prevost, Governor General of Canada, was colonial born. That hardly kept him from being British. (You might note the knighthood) He planned for a dual invasion of the United States and led the BRITISH troops that invaded the US.
The troops used in that war were NOT only colonial born including such regiments as the 85th Regiment of Foot which had been formed from what had been the King's Shropshire Light Infantry. They were brought to the US to fight in the war against after seeing action in the Peninsular campaign. The 44th Regiment of Foot which had seen action against the Jacobites also saw action against the US.
Baltimore was being bombarded by the HMS Tonnant, very much a British ship commanded by Admiral of the Fleet Sir George Cockburn.
This was no "war with Canada".
The war was with Great Britain and the survival of the US was very much in question. The fact that the country survived the war was indeed a triumph. Or do you think they burned the US capitol for the fun of it.
However, it was always of relatively little interest to the British who were a great deal more concerned with the war closer to home. Interestingly enough, the end of that war actually ushered in the first period of relative good feelings between the two nations.
Complain about this comment
160. Brownedov
"For whom the electoral college is the 650 representatives of the four home nations. And your point was?"
Ah but the four home nations are NOT allowed to hear arguments from all of the leaders of the parties of all of the candidates because that would be far too democratic.
I assume THAT is your point. Very nicely made.
Complain about this comment
157. PickledPete
"You were fighting both actually, as the war started when your country chose to invade Canada. "
WHO is it who teaches this tosh over there? How about you pick up a decent history book and actually learn a little before you go about blathering.
The War of 1812 started when the US declared war on Great Britain. the most proximate cause was the attack of the British warship HMS Leopard attacked and boarded the American frigate Chesapeake off Norfolk, Virginia. There was an invasion of Canada after the start of the war since, being outgunned about 10 to 1 at see, a land war was considered a more practical course of action by many.
While the US invasion of Canada wasn't very competently handled, neither was the BRITISH invasion of New York which was carried out by British professional soldiers who one would think would do better with all of their war experience in Europe.
Not the rousing triumph you're looking for. Sorry, Charlie.
Complain about this comment
172. Vakov2000
"Reluctant-Expat JRMacClure is more Scottish than you!"
Thank you. I take that as a great compliment. While I can't claim to be a Scot being American born of a family that has been in the US for many generations (and with about as mongrel a bloodline of nationalities as one can imagine), at least I try to know a few facts.
And I have great respect for the Scots.
Complain about this comment
136. PickledPete
"Quite why an American gets so unnecessarily hot under the collar over perceived, but not written or intended, slights to a Scottish song is a mystery, particularly as there is so much in your own backyard to fret about..."
Why should I fret about us? We're the most powerful country in the world. Scotland is the country being denied self-determination.
I don't get hot under the collar about the song. I do about people being biased and unfair.
Yes, a lot of people prefer that no one outside the UK notice what is going on there. Sorry, but those days are over. People in the UK feel free enough to criticize us. What goes around comes around.
Complain about this comment
Looking good Online!
Excellent all round, but I really love Dark Matter!
Good to start the day with a grin!
Complain about this comment
140. brigadierjohn
"Stop shouting at me, please. Shouting on the blog is real ignorance. Recognising the truth of our history, as opposed to the schoolbook version, is not "anti-Scottish hatred."
Seneitive type aren't you. You'll just have to live with my occasional caps for emphasis. Life is tough.
On the contrary, what you are spouting IS the schoolbook version vetted by the conquerors. It doesn't take much research in original documents to discover that the truth is something quite different.
Scots have been told for centuries that the barbarian highlanders were nothing but rapists and murders who deserved the horrors that were visited upon them.
I know full well what the British Army did, and not just in Scotland. Every country had its war criminals (Mai Lai, Abu Ghraib etc?) at various times. But if people making a specific point about a topic have to refer to the full panoply of past events the blog will go nowhere. If you can't make a proper response to the point raised you should not reply. Clouding the issue with irrelevant diversionary material is, I'm sorry to say, very much a Nationalist trait.
And ad homenum attacks such as this are very much a unionist trait which you excellently exemplify. Amazing how disputing the British vetted version of history is "clouding the issue". No, it is exactly the issue. Huge numbers have lies have been told about the Jacobite wars by the winners--hardly uncommon amongst those who win wars actually. Why are you so defensive about it. You'd think this was the only time the British had lied about the acts of their enemies. Or other countries for that matter.
You cannot keep up the pretence that this is not a Prime Ministerial election. That is the reality, however we arrive at it. How many MPs really make a difference? How many could explain their own party's policies. True, we must elect them - but most people, I believe, are voting on what the Big Three put forward. Personally, I try to select the most decent and capable candidate regardless of party. So I have voted SNP in the past. But most people are voting for a government, I think.
I believe Salmond would be well out of the debates, which are likely to be a damp squib watched only by anoraks and activists with stop watches. I think most people in Scotland recognise this and can see that pursuit of his obsession might well play against him, and Scotland.
Why do you hurl gratuitous abuse at every poster who disagrees with you? When will you make a positive contribution? You have a perfect right to intrude, but why? Pot and kettle will not be an acceptable response."
How nice of you to admit that I have a right to "intrude". Until the moderators say otherwise there you might as well however much it annoys you. There's not a thing you can do about it.
I'll skip the further ad hominum attacks as not worth bothering with and get to your change of subject as though discussing the canards against the Scottish people have anything to do with the SUPPOSED Prime Ministerial "race".
You have yet to tell me exactly where on a ballot you are going to mark an 'X' next to the Prime Minster you are going to vote on.
Please do and then we'll discuss this further. Or is it just possible that no such thing exists because not a single person in the entire UK votes for "Prime Minister" and such a thing is impossible in a parliamentary system.
And how nice of you to speak for "the people of Scotland" and tell them what they think. I'm sure they appreciate you informing them that of that. Funny that the only polls on Scottish opinion on the topic flatly contradicts you. It is such an obvious disadvantage to the excluded parties to have the electorate told that those parties don't matter and for the party positions on various issues to be hidden from the voters that this doesn't even deserve discussion.
Unfortunately for you, Scots are a pretty fair minded people. They are quite able to see this unfairness and plainly they do.
Complain about this comment
228. JRMacClure
The war was with Great Britain and the survival of the US was very much in question. The fact that the country survived the war was indeed a triumph. Or do you think they burned the US capitol for the fun of it.
The US had burned down the govenment buildings in Toronto previously, the attack of non-military targets was not yet considered to be a legitimate strategy in a war, and the burning of Washington was purely retalitory. There were no American casualties, (30 soldiers died when trying to dispose of 150 barrels of gunpowder the US left behind at Fort McNair) and no occupying force stayed in the city, Madison was back for the weekend.
Perhaps I am missing something, but I don't see how the survival of the country could be seen as being in jeapordy. Was France's survival in jeapordy when Napoleon was defeated? I can't think of an example where a country declared war on another but lost its own soverignty upon defeat.
The closest I can think of would be Austro-Hungary being dismantled after the treaty of Versailles, but its territories remained soverign states.
Complain about this comment
#215 oldnat
"taking the proverbial out of the system"
Taking the proverbial? Moi? I have no idea what you're rabbiting on about.
Negotations with Channel 5 are now at an advanced stage for the 2010 MARS™ Premiership debates to be hosted by Mr B Forsyth and to be followed by the 2010 Nationwide™ General Election hosted by Jon Stewart, specially imported as UN representative.
Complain about this comment
The lastest ABCs came out yesterday for whoever keeps note (Newsnet Scotland?). Sunday Herald was the only Scottish paper to increase circulation in February.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/mar/12/february-abcs-sunday-herald
Complain about this comment
236. Brownedov
"2010 Nationwide™ General Election hosted by Jon Stewart, specially imported as UN representative."
Now THAT I'd like to see! :-)
Complain about this comment
#238 oldnat
"Now THAT I'd like to see!"
Too bad it won't happen - must be getting delusional in my dotage.
Complain about this comment
Gerry Hassan
Complain about this comment
Debate Overload
Complain about this comment
#210. oldnat wrote:
I think you may be confusing things. The PM, being requested to form a government by her Maj, only officially puts a prospective PM in place. There is no government until the requested person, (who need not be an MP, never mind the leader of the party with most seats), has accepted and formed a cabinet. There has to be a prospective PM while Parliament is proroged, for the very good reason that someone has to be in place to recall parliament in case of dire national emergency. Other than that person the parliament has ended, and as there are no longer any Members, only prospective candidates, no elected government. The civil service is not either in recession nor prorogued.
Complain about this comment
At one time, we had School nurses
They rid our country of bad teeth with advice on diet and if they said take your child to a dentist Mum did.
They examined eyes so children did not leave eye problems.
They rid our country of head lice
They rid our country of bed bugs
They made it harder for parent’s teachers and many others to physically or sexually abuse our children because they examined them regularly.
We now have a big problem with eyesight, bad teeth, and bed bugs even in hotels, head lice are rampant. Our children are physically and sexually abused.
Need I say more?
Complain about this comment
PS to my #198
Re the John Major precedent, the Indy's `Panorama´ with Major was a mistake, says BBC Scotland chief of Sunday, 9 April 1995 reported that the BBC suffered "three humiliating defeats at the hands of the Scottish Law Lords".
It goes on to report that: In an interview with the Independent on Sunday, Mr McCormick said some BBC managers in London were "insensitive types whose minds do not extend beyond the M25". He confirmed that Tony Hall, the BBC's managing director of news and current affairs, and John Birt, the corporation's director general, failed to consult BBC Scotland over the scheduling decision, even though they knew they could face accusations of bias in the run-up to the elections.
Plus ça change!
Complain about this comment
56. FatherMacKenzie
"High speed on the road increases the fuel consumption of the engine, and more fluid roads encourage more people to drive. While high speed rail encourages more people to use the train, which emits the same volume of emissions whether its got 50 or 500 people travelling on it."
Missed this post earlier.
14.45 mins in
Complain about this comment
217. Robin
Don't fret boy wonder ;)
I wasn't thinking of you.
Complain about this comment
PS to my #244
The Indy's interviewee, John McCormick was Controller of BBC Scotland from January 1992 to April 2004. Since January 2008 he has been an Electoral Commissioner with responsibility for Scotland. Let's hope his views haven't changed come the general election!
I can't spot any details of the April 1995 case against the BBC in the Court of Session, which doesn't put such old judgements online. I would guess that the plaintiff may have been the Labour Party, but does anyone happen to know for sure or recall any more details of the case?
Complain about this comment
59. FatherMacKenzie
209. Brownedov
The two funniest posts on the blog! (Sorry, Brownedov!)
Can we have Simon Cowell judging? (Rolling his eyes, "That debate was...just....")
Complain about this comment
243. LYDIA-REID
The plus with the 'nit nurse' was that at least parents knew they could be caught out, their child could be the one with lice. The checks themselves weren't all that effective being in dry hair and so infrequent. But now, it's all down to the parents, and while most are diligent, but it doesn't matter if just one or two aren't, and that's always the case. So it's a joke.
It seems the policy stems from a Labour document from 2002, which was in direct contrast to a Scandinavian country's report of the same year, which directed schools to send a child home if they still have lice after the parent had been informed etc. I assume it was easier and cheaper for Labour to wash their hands of responsibility and pass the buck to parents. Unfortunately the Scottish Government's lice leaflet now seems to have merely rehashed this Labour stance. Time for a rethink, Nicola - a vote winner for all those mothers out there...
Complain about this comment
242. Auld Bob
"no elected government."
Excuse me while I scream! The Government of the UK is not "elected". Lizzie selects a PM to form a Government, and that person remains in place until she selects someone else who she thinks can command a majority in the HoC.
Heath wasn't the "prospective PM" for the period from the dissolution of Parliament to 4 March 1974. There is no such thing constitutionally as a "prospective PM".
Complain about this comment
243. LYDIA-REID:
The school nurse at my secondary was an alcoholic. She was absolutely totally and utterly useless. Two incidents comes to mind were the teachers had to take control while the nurse spent her time figuring out what planet she was on.
We did not have disclosure checks then, otherwise she would have been kicked into touch. She held that post for at least 10 years.
But I cannot recall the SNP proposing to reinstate school nurses, do you?
Children still got abused in previous years, as we can see by the stream of convictions for abuse from 10,20 and even 30 years ago. I'd even go to far and say it is earier to identify abuse nowadays than it was, since people in general are more aware.
With reagrds to "mum would take the kid to dentist if told by the school". Nonsense. We had our teeth checked in primary, but that didn't stop one boy in my class getting seven teeth removed due to decay a couple of years later.
Responsibility lies with the parents. The government is responsible for providing the necessary health facilities and social support.
Complain about this comment
249. eye_write:
You could send out a rainforest of leaflets, but it is still up to parents to take responsibility.
As to head lice, when my eldest was in primary school there was an outbreak. The school and the council provided full advice on what to do. We were there with the nit combs picking the wee gits out of our hair, but there were certainly a couple of parents who did not bother, and surprise, surprise, the nits were soon back.
I think your comment about Labour washing their hands is unfair. Why should they be blamed for someone else's shortcomings?
Complain about this comment
Thanks for the heads-up, but I think you have it wrong for the Sunday Herald. allmediascotland don't think there were any truly Scottish winners and have the key numbers on their Sales Gap Widens Between Sun and Record which tells us that "The sales gap between the country's two biggest-selling newspapers, has widened by just over 6000 copies."
The change table from winners to losers looks like this:
Feb, Jan, %Change, Title
23293, 21788, +6.91,Scottish Sunday Mirror
281552, 269709, +4.39, Scottish NotW
82865, 79697, +3.98, Daily Star of Scotland
6129, 5926, +3.43, Independent on Sunday
26018, 25459, +2.20, Scottish Daily Mirror
13979, 13765, +1.55, People
19340, 19087, +1.33, The Observer
4184, 4133, +1.23, Financial Times
354468, 351869, +0.74, Scottish Sun
67289, 67199, +0.13, Scottish Daily Express
234165, 234522, -0.15, Sunday Post
55519, 55778, -0.46, The Herald
115000, 115592, -0.51, Scottish Daily Mail
7368, 7409, -0.55, The Independent
36768, 37061, -0.79, Scottish Sunday Express
306350, 309846, -1.13, Daily Record
18164, 18386, -1.21, Sunday Telegraph
373358, 378321, -1.31, Sunday Mail
14216, 14422, -1.43, The Guardian
41796, 42500, -1.66, Sunday Herald
23594, 24051, -1.90, The Times
44553, 45687, -2.48, The Scotsman
63915, 65567, -2.52, Sunday Times Scotland
20800, 21397, -2.79, Daily Telegraph
27429, 28437, -3.54, Daily Star of Scotland - Sunday
55327, 57551, -3.86, Scotland on Sunday
97836, 102690, -4.73, Scottish Mail on Sunday
The Scotsman losing nearly 2.5% of its circulation in a single month and Scotland on Sunday losing nearly 4% seems to show how the wind of change is blowing.
Complain about this comment
The discussion around the 'Prime Minister' debates on TV is missing the point on the answers from the candidates not affecting the devolved matters. The reality is how it is reported in the media. While as the BBC says those listening will be able to seperate out those answers which are 'English' related matters only will the readers of the newspapers in the following days be in a position to distinguish the difference between devolved and reserved matters, very doubtful if papers such as the Daily Record take time in both it news features and editorial comments to do so if it impacts badly on the message Gordon Brown puts across to the country! People will in Scotland be encouraged to vote Labour/Tory/Lib Dem depending on what papers and TV programmes they watch following the debates not on whether it impacts on Scotland or not but on the message the parties are able to put across on the night, that is why the SNP are so keen to ensure they are represented.
Complain about this comment
#237 reaktor303
"The lastest ABCs came out yesterday for whoever keeps note"
Ooops! My #253 was in reply to your post, but I forgot the header.
Complain about this comment
Afternoon everyone,
I apologise for changing the topic but did yous see the anti Trident march? Judging by the preponderance of Nat banners, maybe some of you were even on it. Great turnout and Salmond spoke well, even though I'm not his greatest fan ;)
Complain about this comment
#250 oldnat:
Did you have a nice screem? Here is a cut and paste from the Parliament website. "Once the Monarch has agreed to a dissolution and the Prime Minister has announced an election there are constraints on the way Government should conduct business. The Government retains its responsibility to govern and Ministers remain in charge of their Departments, although when Parliament is dissolved they are no longer Members of Parliament. Essential business is carried on. However, it is customary for Ministers to observe discretion in initiating any action of a continuing or long-term character once the election has been announced. Decisions on which a new Government might be expected to want the opportunity to take a different view from the incumbent Government should be postponed until after the Election, provided that such postponement would not be detrimental to the national interest or wasteful of public money.
". So, in effect, no business is done except it is essential national interest.
Complain about this comment
180. InfrequentAllele2
"All together now ----
Now, there was a time
when they used to say
there had to be a Yooooo Kayyyy
cos Scotland was poor and gray
But oh in these times of change
you know that it's no longer true
So we're comin' out of the Union
cos there's something that we're gonna say to you
We say, Scotland is doin' it for itself
We're standin' on our own two feet
and ringin' on our own bell
We say, Scotland is doin' it for itself
Now, this is a song to celebrate
the conscious liberation of the Scottish state.
Mothers, fathers,
and their children too, woh yeah,
Scots men and women,
we're singing with you, ooh, ooh.
etc. etc."
Haha! I do like it. Unfortunately we all seem to end up with an anthem about bashing someone about the head.
Complain about this comment
257. Auld Bob
Indeed. We are in agreement.
Complain about this comment
235. FatherMacKenzie
"I can't think of an example where a country declared war on another but lost its own soverignty upon defeat.
"
Who declared war is irrelevant in whether the defeated country (fortunately the US wasn't in spite of your contention that it was) loses its sovereignty or not. There is no unwritten law that the country that declared war can't lose its sovereignty if it loses ESPECIALLY 200 years ago fighting an aggressive which had at best only reluctantly recognized our independence.
The British now say the burning of Washington was in retaliation. Had Madison been captured it would have been a drastically different story. Again I mention that they were fighting a former POSSESSION. They had already ignored provisions in the peace treaty that ended our War of Independence. This was part of the provocation that led to the War of 1812 which the US really felt it was pushed into by repeated aggression.
People tend to look at this war from the present US position of strength. 200 years ago things were a different. At the time, we were more in the position of a mouse being prodded into taking on the mouser. It is a serious mistake to take present politics into looking at history.
Complain about this comment
251. enneffess
"But I cannot recall the SNP proposing to reinstate school nurses, do you?
"
I'm confused by that comment. Are you saying there are NO school nurses? If so, how have the number increased 15%? (Serious question. I'm not in a position to understand this issue)
Complain about this comment
I'm frequently impressed with Will Patterson's comments and these are no exception. A very intelligent discussion of party decisions on slogans and how they mean.
Complain about this comment
Reassuring to know you can always count on the tories to make sure the people bleeding society dry get to keep going unchecked -
Pressure on Tories to name mystery MP who sabotaged anti-poverty bill.
The truth of conservatives is never too far from the surface.
Complain about this comment
261. JRMacClure:
I think they are now a shared resource. But I think this was always the case at primary level. oldnat and others can probably clarify.
I think the problem with nit nurses etc is that parental consent is needed in advance. Every time my kids go on a school trip the multiple forms arrive, whereas I would be happy to sign one once per year.
On your #262 slogans, I can think of another version of Labour's new slogan which would definitely NOT get past the moderators!
Complain about this comment
Had a read of Will Paterson's piece and it is very good.
So people, competition time. Let's see what you can come up with for the political parties this election. Add in the minor parties like UKIP. Be serious or not so serious. Then we can try and sell the ideas on......
Complain about this comment
244 and 247
Brownedov, Thank you for reminding me of the precedent I was struggling to recall on the BBCs duty of impartiality.
Google shows a number of sources that reveal Labour and the Lib Dems were the ones who went to court (not once, but three times - and won!) to stop the Major interview ahead of the Scottish local elections in 1995.
Esteemed Spokesman for Labour on Scottish affairs, George Robertson, argued in court that having Major talk on global issues would influence voters to go Tory in local elections.
Now we're told that having the "big three" talk on domestic, foreign and economic matters WON'T influence voters in a national election.
Come on Labour/Lib/Tory, were you wrong then, or are you wrong now?
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/scots-try-to-ban-major-interview-1613992.html
http://merlin.obs.coe.int/iris/1995/7/article31.en.html
Complain about this comment
252. enneffess
Hi Neil. OK, maybe I should have linked to my findings - rushed post.
I was searching one day for information on how other countries deal with head lice, thinking how Scotland doesn't seem to be dealing very well with the problem (my primary had one case the whole seven years I was there, I remember the lass...).
I came across this document:
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF IOLA-SCANDINAVIA. 453.31-Rule. HEAD LICE/NIT PROCEDURES.
('dot-peedee-ef' after: www.iola.k12.wi.us/newsfile2379_1)
After a parent has treated head lice in a child, it ends...
"The student shall be checked by the school office manager or his/her designee upon return to school. Presence of live lice or several nits in the hair will constitute cause for exclusion and the student shall be sent home for treatment."
"Truancy laws shall apply to students missing excessive amounts of school due to head lice infestation."
In the same year (2002) The Scottish government, then Labour run, seemed to be consulting on:
The 1998 Stafford Report in "Guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of head lice"
(http://www.scotland.gov.uk/consultations/health/mhlc-02.asp#b2)
It, "gave rise to changes in the way head lice infections are managed and where the responsibility for detection lies. This guidance seeks to disseminate learning from the Stafford Report and take forward implementation of some of its recommendations."
This is what seems to have been produced:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2003/03/16774/20147
(click on link to doc)
Foreworded by "Malcolm Chisholm, MSP, Minister for Health" and "Cathy Jamieson, MSP, Minister for Education and Community Care and Young People" - Labour.
It states that the responsibility for detecting head lice lies with parents, and parents are to be supported in treating their children if they find head lice. But efforts to avoid stigmatising families mean head lice infections in school are hidden, as alert letters are not to be sent - which rather tends to reinforce the stigma? Advice on treatment for parents is not received unless specifically sought. So it is easier, and one could say encouraged, for parents to ignore or cover up any infection in their children. Some parents will turn a blind eye. No one knows, everyone is off the hook - but for the lice, they reign supreme. The efforts of caring parents are futile.
It is of course my interpretation that the 2002 Labour Scottish Government, and the Stafford report, were passing the buck (responsibility) to parents, and this to me seems both neglectful and penny pinching. Because when you contrast the two approaches, Scandi and Stafford, it is apparent that the Scandis tasked themselves much more, and were set on, dealing with the problem - as it includes definite measures to tackle it, whereas the Stafford report encourages a softly, softly hands off strategy, relying on the parents.
When you look at the current NHS Scotland head lice leaflet for parents (google "NHS Scotland head lice" for the pdf), it looks like it has taken content from these prior documents and inserted it into a leaflet. It is dated 2003. What I assume has happened is that the leaflets used under the previous Labour government, based on the report, are still being used under the SNP. Guidance through newsletters from our school repeats much the same.
It is obvious, to me, that Labour's approach was lax, more do nothing than do something, and so I do blame them for that. It is obvious, to me, that the approach would save cash, so I think they also saw that. I think that because their strategy was based on a report, it stood legitimised - legitimised not spending.
I think the SNP were also lax in regurgitating the same guidance, instead of thinking and looking. I can't find anything more up to date about head lice on the Scottish Government website than those docs. They did not initiate or introduce such guidance, it appears they have just continued Labour's lead. It looks like an oversight. But still, they're in government so I expect them to do the job - 'it's broke, fix it'.
It's an area where a government could impress parents and win support, every parent I know is fed up of this. A responsible approach would go down extremely well - relief all round, praise and votes could be won.
Complain about this comment
#253 Brownedov: Interesting indeed. More than half the titles are either up, or down by less than one per cent. That is actually quite good in a recession. But little can be drawn from one month's figures. The comparison is with the same period last year, and this year's extreme weather would have had a serious effect overall, and catastrophic in some areas. Also, the yearly sales graph of most titles show marked monthly variations. One of my titles was always inexplicably highest in February. Only the six-monthly and annual ABC figures tell a true story, and the explanations of circulation managers - and editors - can be inventive.
So the "dead tree press" is not quite dead yet. On that subject, the expression "dead tree press" is an anachronism. Very little newsprint now comes from the forests of Canada and Scandinavia. The last figure I have suggests that 88.2 per cent of all newsprint in the UK comes from recycling plants. That was in 2008, so it's probably in the mid-90s by now. So unless you're determined to use disparaging inaccuracies (surely not a man of your integrity) you should call it the "super-green planet-saving press." :-) Or would that not fit your outdated script?
Complain about this comment
I thought the blog would be flooded with comments on the new website by Online Ed. Too early to judge, of course, but my initial impression was: "How quaint." A bit of a cross between Woman's Weekly and Life and Work. Basically recycled news stories, some more than a week old, a couple of harmless minority interest features, and all apparently heavily lawyered. Perhaps actually being responsible for what he says has frightened our man, who promised meaty exclusives and delivered mince. Perhaps anonymous blogs are the best place for propaganda sheets aimed at gullible pike-bearers?
I have to sign-off early. G'night.
Complain about this comment
268. At 7:46pm on 13 Mar 2010, brigadierjohn
The last European elections were the defining moment for the 'press' in Scotland.
Cast your minds back to the lies and smears spouted day after day against the SNP by the press barons under orders from the London establishment and yet the SNP romped home with historic gains.
Since then I havn't met one person, not one, who believes what the press spouts anymore.
Johnstone Press says that their decline in sales is due to the recession.
Not so Mr. Johnston. The decline in sales is due your editions not delivering news but anti Scottish propoganda and treating the Scottish people as idiots.
Complain about this comment
#270 Harry Stottle: Just caught this. I'm sure the circulation managers will take your well-researched information on board. I think it's someone else treating the Scottish people as idiots. Guess who.
Complain about this comment
268. brigadierjohn
"The last figure I have suggests that 88.2 per cent of all newsprint in the UK comes from recycling plants."
I would question that as most newsprint is white and recyled paper has to be bleached white with dioxins further I would suggest that most of it would be turned into cardboard which requires less chemical treatment.
After writting that I googled Paper recycling then Newsprint and the Environment which backs up your claim.
you should call it the "super-green planet-saving press." :-)
One has to produce something that is useful ie. truthful to humanity to claim that distinction not 'the dead tree press' which we can survive quite happily without.
Complain about this comment
#266 Mac-p
"Esteemed Spokesman for Labour on Scottish affairs, George Robertson, argued in court that having Major talk on global issues would influence voters to go Tory in local elections."
Many thanks for your research. The reference from the University of Glasgow's School of Law may turn out particularly useful in court.
I should have done some site searching of the Indy, who seem to have the best on-line archive of the period. Their Scots judge bans Major interview of 4 April 1995 is particularly good, with:
"In the Court of Session in Edinburgh, Lord Abernethy rejected arguments by BBC managers that the decision to screen the interview three days before the Scottish local elections did not breach their duty to provide balanced coverage in the run-up to the poll. His decision was upheld by the Scottish Court of Appeal just minutes before the programme was due to go on air." and
"The court heard Andrew Hardie QC, for the Scottish Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats, dismiss as "naive" arguments by BBC managers that the interview would not influence the elections because it covered "national and international, not local matters"."
With OfCom having formalised the rules and the distinctive nature of each of the home nations, it's hard to see how a legal challenge could fail.
I wonder what Duff Gordon and Cleggy think of their predecessors' actions here?
Complain about this comment
260.
fortunately the US wasn't [defeated] in spite of your contention that it was
I am not contesting that the US was defeated in the war, I apologise for giving that impression, upon rereading my post I can see that I wasn't clear in my intention.
I do not believe that either side "won" the war of 1812, as it ended in a white peace.
What I was trying to say is that I can't think of an example where one country was defeated and annexed after having declared war on another, that would have led the US to believe that would be their fate if they were defeated.
You contest that the US's continued survival is proof of its victory. Which would mean that only the country's annexation could be considered a defeat. I do not believe this to be the case, as it would mean any conflict where thousands of men died but the end result was status quo ante bellum, would have two winners rather than two losers.
The British now say the burning of Washington was in retaliation. Had Madison been captured it would have been a drastically different story.
Prevost is said to have written to the Admirals in the Caribbean requesting support for a retalitory attack, but I wouldn't know where to go to try and find evidence of this.
Complain about this comment
#268 brigadierjohn
"Only the six-monthly and annual ABC figures tell a true story"
You have a point, and are welcome to produce your own analysis from the numbers provided by allmediascotland.com and/or jicreg.co.uk. I grant that one title may have risen since Feb '09 although the Grauniad seem to use adjusted ABC figures without explaining why. However you look at them, the numbers are not enouraging for Scottish media management. There's still some good journalism out there, as Hamish Macdonell is occasionally showing in the CalMerc now he has been told that pro-Labour bias is not compulsory.
"The last figure I have suggests that 88.2 per cent of all newsprint in the UK comes from recycling plants."
The trees are still dead, though. But seriously, what is the recovery rate?
#269 brigadierjohn
How condescending. At least Ed is working hard in trying to fill a much-needed gap rather than rubbishing what exists. Constructive criticism would be more useful.
Complain about this comment
In another example of Labour's industrial treachery and strategic stupidity it has awarded a contract worth over £1bn to build the British army’s next generation of “Scout” armoured vehicles to the US company General Dynamics.
This is major blow for BAE and puts at risk the company’s armaments division. There is already talk of them shutting it down.
Complain about this comment
A message to all wrongdoers in society who are being investigated by the police pay back what you think could be used against you, cheaper than lawers fees, smile and walk away. Might help if you contribute to a political party. Lord Paul repays £38,000 expenses
Complain about this comment
268.
The last figure I have suggests that 88.2 per cent of all newsprint in the UK comes from recycling plants
These plants you are recycling, would they be dead trees by any chance?
Complain about this comment
PS to my #273
Perhaps the most telling passage from the Indy article I link to is:
"Granting an interim interdict banning transmission until after Thursday's poll, Lord Abernethy said the 40-minute interview was "not just any old programme" but "an extended interview" with the leader of one of the four main parties in Scotland."
Complain about this comment
Don't Panic!: Sir, an unexpected fourth term is on the horizon, sir!
Complain about this comment
It seems that Eric Joyce, Labour MP for Falkirk, has a little proble. well actually he has a lot of big ones, but this is what he has identified all by his little self.
"I don’t understand, I really don’t, why people would use their vote in a way which ensures they don’t know whether they’re helping a Labour or Conservative leader into power."
I think we could probably help him with lots of reasons. For example -
Lab/Con both supported fighting illegal wars and want the UK to have weapons of mass destruction because they still think of the UK as a pretendy wee imperial power.
Complain about this comment
Plato Says might reduce tailgaiting!
Complain about this comment
261. JRMacClure
There are indeed school nurses, and school doctors, who cover several schools in an area. Ours are in Aberdeenshire Community Health Partnership. All pupils are seen by the school nurse in P1. She checks for attainment in a child's development e.g. can child use a knife and fork, and tie shoe laces, gross and fine motor skills are assessed, and weight and height measurements plotted on a graph etc. All pupils are seen again in P4.
The school doctor can be invited to become involved if there are any health concerns from the school (parents are contacted first), regarding the child's progress, and problems with school, as far as I understand it. There are also educational psychologists available for more behavioural matters. Commonly more than one of these professionals is involved.
Parents must agree to any professionals' input being sought, and checks being carried out. Before a year group is due to be visited by the school nurse for example, letters requesting parents to confirm whether the date is suitable, and whether they require to be present or if they are happy for their child to be seen without them, state that should parents be unwilling for their child to be seen, they should put this in writing in a note to the school. They must 'opt out'.
Children used to be seen also by the school optician, but this was replaced fairly recently with free eye tests for children in high street opticians, just like there has been free dentistry for them, at their dentists. So, in effect you pop along to your optician to do what used to get done in P1. This is better, I think, because sight problems can be detected much earlier, by parents who do go, than age 4 or 5 in primary one. Several years of necessary glasses wearing can have been missed by then. (I know of one study where disruptive behaviour in school children years ago was linked to the prevalence of their then undiagnosed long sightedness.)
There has been a slight problem of awareness, as people have come to realise that you take your child to the opticians regularly like you do the dentist, for check ups, not just if they already wear glasses. I still think those who do take their children do so because they suspect a vision problem. Perhaps a reminder campaign to take children for regular optician check ups as standard would be of some use, until this becomes assumed.
But none of the above 'health' problems are contagious. This is where strategy cannot be transposed for head lice. If a child misses out on any of their milestone check ups, they might have an undetected untreated impairment, for example, but, while it will affect them, and that of course should be avoided, it will not affect his/her classmates as a result. With head lice this is the case.
With contagious threats to health, every effort is made to administer, and check for this required 'administering', of disease preventing vaccines. This effort is fronted by health visitors, who work from doctors surgeries to cover the same area. They will phone you up and check if your child hasn't presented at the clinic for vaccination. Parents can refuse of course, but others are busy etc. and diligent and thorough work is put in by the health visitors so that no child is 'missed out'. I'm sure there are targets for the numbers to be vaccinated.
With head lice, the school nurse hands you the leaflet at the P1 health check, and briefly takes you through it (reads out a few lines). You must check for head lice regularly and, only if you find live lice, treat them like this or like this. As with anything, any problems let her know, she hands her number. They won't know whether I check my kids' hair or not. Lets say I don't tell the school if I do find lice because they do nothing with, nor acknowledge, the information. If there is lice in the school, no one would know if it were my kids or not. Lets say I do speak up, and get advice on the right treatment, and carry out the treatment, twice over 14 days as recommended. Another kid with lice's parent does not. I find another adult lice a few days later. I go through the (laborious) treatment again. Same again, more lice. It would feel like school, the community, nobody, really cares whether there's lice in school or not. There is more of an incentive for parents not to bother, to leave it, they won't see the point in treating. Officially, there's not a problem.
Unlike with vaccinations, if 2% of children don't aren't vaccinated, it doesn't mean the risk of contracting the disease is the same as if none were. With head lice, if one child in a school is untreated for head lice, all the children are vulnerable, never mind whether they were treated yesterday or not. Head lice spread very easily.
In contrast to the other children's health provision mentioned, current head lice policy isn't proactive, or effective. I think it's just looking like professionals are doing something when in fact it's sweeping it under the carpet. This has got to be managed better. Other countries have looked at it, surely it is worth assessing what they've done.
Complain about this comment
A lot has been written about the disparity between nationalist and unionist posters on this blog and the issue of the TV debates has led me sadly to conclude that it is an intellect thing.
Various theories have been expounded about this affront to the established Scottish order, from the Eckster personally commanding a crack team of nationalist commenters to the poor unionists being literally frightened away.
The TV debate discussions reveal the unfortunate truth. As surely no unionist would willfully pretend not to understand the SNP's objections and as these objections have been carefully explained several times I can only conclude that the problem is stupidity.
They're outgunned by a simple failure to understand.
Complain about this comment
284. GrassyKnollington
"They're outgunned by a simple failure to understand."
Or just blatantly undemocratic, and willing to exploit any mechanism to keep their corrupt parties in (or near) power. People can be both intelligent and immoral.
Complain about this comment
It seems that Labour may be under pressure over its proposal to jail all knife carriers which, official figures divulged by the Liberals show, could cost up to £80m per year. Labour's repost was to blame the Liberals for being hypocritical as they had previously agreed with the proposal, but apparently their was no denial of the cost figure. I wonder if Labour will now take Baker apart for proposing it. He surely deserves to be.
Complain about this comment
Visit Scotland’s newest online news site:
Newsnet Scotland
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Re the televised debate.
How would the BBC manage in New Zealand?
When we had out first leaders’ debate it comprised of to quote: “An audience of invited guests, including 50 Labour and National supporters and 20 from the other parties, watched as Helen Clark, (Labour), Bill English, (NZ National Party), Jeanette Fitzsimons, (Greens), Winston Peters, (NZ First), Richard Prebble, (ACT), Jim Anderton, (Progressive Party), Laila Harre, (Alliance). and Peter Dunne, (United Future), responded to questions put by Holmes' viewers from around New Zealand.”
Are leader’s debates important to small parties”
After the 2002 debate United Future New Zealand, a very small party, primarily due to the performance of leader Peter Dunne, [in the televised debate] surged unexpectedly in support, winning 6.69% of the nationwide party vote. It shot from having one seat to having eight seats.
Most of United Future's 2002 MPs were elected in an astonishing last-week election turn-around, popularly attributed to that one televised debate, that saw votes lost by both the Labour and the Green parties, who were engaged in a public squabble over genetic engineering.
Debates giving all party leaders a chance to espouse their views to a population obviously jaded and now suspicious of main party MPs is necessary in a true democracy.
Put another way both Labour and Conservatives have had years (and years) to get their worn-out message across. They represent the worst of adversarial First Past the Post politics. Please let everyone in the UK hear what the inspirations of other parties are and let them defend their views against Brown and Cameron, or as Harry says, .#95 against their ‘biggest whoppers’.
Complain about this comment
274. FatherMacKenzie
"I do not believe that either side "won" the war of 1812, as it ended in a white peace."
Exactly. :)
Complain about this comment
274. FatherMacKenzie
"You contest that the US's continued survival is proof of its victory"
No, its continued survival is proof that it did not lose not that it won. As you say, neither side won. If I indicated that I thought the US "won" I was not expressing myself well. Neither side won and neither side was terrifically impressive in the fighting. It was, however, to some degree a triumph for the US to win and that the US considered it a threat to our survival is shown by the fact that in the US it was often referred to as the second war of independence.
As for the attack on Washington, you are discounting the obvious likelihood of capturing the US president in taking that city. Are you seriously proposing that they would have let him go? I am not in the least convinced that you attack the capitol of a nation without intending to at least try to capture its head of state and I definitely believe that his capture would have been total disaster for the US and that the country would not have survived.
You keep insisting there was no chance of that. If there had been no chance of it, President Madison wouldn't have had to make that very humiliating flight from Washington.
However, no doubt our interest in this is not shared by others. LOL
Complain about this comment
New revelations about ‘pass the Purcell’ in the Scotsman. It is looking pretty murky for NuLabour.
Words like dosh and gate spring to mind.
Complain about this comment
Good article in the Times if anyone is interested.
Mentioning the unmentionable and asking for explanations /timelines etc.
Will BBBC Scotland now mention the debacle as it develops further?
Or will it leave it to the English papers /Newsnet Scotland /Guido to ferret out information for the Scottish public whom they attempt to mislead on a regular basis?
P.S Oldnat , you getting to like being referred or what??
Complain about this comment
I used to look at the headlines put out by one Mrs Cochrane in the Times, indeed I saved some of them because week after week we had " bash the SNP and particularly Alex Salmond" , I stopped bothering to read her " work" because of the predictability.
However , it looks as though there has been a wee change - in the headline department, still have'nt bothered with the column , could'nt care less what she thinks about anything!
Complain about this comment
Labour donor Willie Haughey linked to cocaine city councillor.
Complain about this comment
#274. At 9:11pm on 13 Mar 2010, FatherMacKenzie wrote:
"What I was trying to say is that I can't think of an example where one country was defeated and annexed after having declared war on another..."
I have a recollection that the Duchy of Grand Fenwick declared war on the US with that intention, (or at least the hope of a Marshall Plan) but failed miserably by winning.
Complain about this comment
RantinRab
Complain about this comment
292.
If there had been no chance of it, President Madison wouldn't have had to make that very humiliating flight from Washington.
I don't think there was any chance of it, because Madison would have made that flight from Washington. These weren't special forces coming into the city under cover of darkness. It was about 4000 guys in bright red marching down the road from Bladensburg - where Madison had been watching the battle. I don't think he would have been spectating if he didn't think he could outrun the British.
However, no doubt our interest in this is not shared by others. LOL
Agreed! This has gone quite off-topic considering my original off-topic point was "I think the US anthem is quite good"
Complain about this comment
296. Roll_On_2010
"Labour donor Willie Haughey linked to cocaine city councillor. "
More Labour donor Willie Haughey in ‘cash for favours’ row
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Interesting snippet in the Herald's Labour leader Gray dragged into Moffat controversy, which tells us that the fragrant Ms Moffat has "claimed Gray wanted to be the area’s next MP in case boundary changes cost him his Holyrood seat in 2011" and "attacked her party’s decision not to allow local members to have a postal vote in the contest".
No wonder Gray Iain was so tight-lipped when asked whether he supported Ms Moffat the other day and no wonder the local party realises that postal ballots are a two-edged weapon.
Complain about this comment
180.
We say, Scotland is doin' it for itself
We're standin' on our own two feet
and ringin' on our own bell
We say, Scotland is doin' it for itself
I'm sure Labour would claim anti-Glasgow bias as it has the bell that never rang.
Complain about this comment
I wonder who the now Scottish Labour MP was who was demanding that all those convicted of knife crimes should be jailed? Was it the guy who said he was living at his mother's in Glasgow, during his election campaign, but was registered to vote in Hammersmith & Fulham and who had a job as a lecturer in London? If it is the same person then he might be interested in this article on the BBC website: Knife crime plans in Scotland 'may cost £80m'
Strangely, there is no mention of this MP in this article. I wonder how he feels about spending another £80 million at a time when services are about to be slashed all around the UK. It would have been interesting if the BBC had contacted that same MP to find out if he still feels the same way.
Complain about this comment
266. Mac-p:
I have to wonder what has happened to political parties just publishing a manefesto. Then campaigning on the issues they raised while questioning the opposition's manefesto issues. Now we must consider the more important things. the media directs us must be considered. Althogh we can only vote for one candidate standing in whatever constituency where we are registered to vote, the most important issue is to vote for the candidate who belongs to the party with the LEADER we want our candidate to elect as Prime Minister. Then, of course, we have also only to vote for that candidate if the leader they represent has a partner/spouse we approve of. We get to make these better choices because the media features the party leaders and the party leaders partners/spouses while not telling us anything about the actual policies of the three main English parties. Then, of cource, if the candidate is an independent, belongs to a non-English Party, is celibate, or not a member of the three main Unionist parties, we should just ignore them. Confused - you should be.
Complain about this comment
# 300 cynicalHighlander
This is the real political story in Scotland at the moment. I wonder why Brian hasn't even mentioned it?
Complain about this comment
I'm looking forward to The Politics Show today, when wee Campbell holds up today's Scotland On Sunday and invites comments from SNP politicians on Labour's troubles in Glasgow.
He will hold the paper up, won't he ? I mean he's on the totally fair BBC, right ?
Complain about this comment
294. Diabloandco
"P.S Oldnat , you getting to like being referred or what??"
All I need to do is refer to the Beeb's own articles for that to happen! My experience is that the night shift are "sensitive wee souls".
As far as I remember, I wasn't referencing the new LD candidate for Gravesend!
Complain about this comment
This is the article for Campbell to reference
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article7061207.ece
Complain about this comment
Somethings rotten in the state of Scotland - LABOUR!
Complain about this comment
# 309 Wee-Scamp
"A spokesman for Strathclyde police said the chief constable was aware of allegations, but that no complaint had been made and an official investigation had not been launched."
You have to ask yourself why an official investigation has not been launched. Maybe it's time to take on a Scottish police force similar to the FBI in the USA to override what may be seen as political favours by local police forces. It grieves me to say this as want to respect the independence of the police but if they are not getting the job done then something must be done.
Complain about this comment
#307 govanite
"He will hold the paper up, won't he ? I mean he's on the totally fair BBC, right ?"
His glencambliness will be spoilt for choice this afternoon. The fact that they dusted the cobwebs off the main Scotland politics page early this morning for the first time since Friday with Knife crime plans 'may cost £80m' suggests that dour Iain might be in for some gentle interrogation on his flagship policy, perhaps with some gentle joshing re his "support" for the fragrant Ms Moffat.
OTOH, perhaps it will be a BBC luvvies special justifying Mr Bailey's non negotiations over the "debates" issue.
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
#308 - And I didn't follow the link that was not there. Got to be a wind up or there is a new definition of liberal I am unfamiliar with!
Complain about this comment
'CyberNats' make the headlines. Again. AWOL there was a ref in the comments re the author of the site and another blogger!
Complain about this comment
Anyone bored with the F1 might wish to try the revised Political Spectrum Quiz
FWIW, I scored Left: 6.76, Libertarian: 3.9
Complain about this comment
311. gedguy2:
The police have not done anything wrong. It is not illegal to invite people to a function. I used to work in sales, and we had corporate nights out. The aim of course was to ensure continuing business from our clients. You didn't ask straight out for more business, but everyone knows exactly what is involved.
No official complaint has been made. So why does James Dornan not do so?
You can turn the allegations round: the SNP were given a substantial donation. Funnily enough, they dropped their plans to regulate public transport. Sheer coincidence of course.
The whole sorry business up here probably justifies having political parties given set funding. Basically, to join a party you pay a fixed fee which applies to all parties. The taxpayer gives a certain amount for campaigning and each party is allocated two party political broadcasts per election. That means the parties have to get people out on the ground to win votes.
No donations - no influence. Some companies have a policy with regards to gifts and hospitality, in that they do not allow them. That should apply to all public sector workers, certainly from management level upwards, since they can have influence on contracts.
Complain about this comment
304. gedguy2:
You also have to consider two things - the price of a life, and the cost of a murder investigation. I personally know two people who nearly died from stab wounds - both totally innocent of any provocation. One lost a lung.
If we are not going to jail people for carrying a knife automatically, what is the number of offences required?
Some people simply will not change, and therefore the public needs protection.
Complain about this comment
315 cynicalHighlander, how strange. I put a comment in, went off to make coffee came back reloaded the page and wondered if I'd dreamt the whole thing as there was no trace left. If it was an offensive or legally dodgy comment I wonder why Jeff didn't just delete it.
Complain about this comment
Sunday newspapers are having a field day today. Whatever caused them to break ranks? No matter, it makes for a refreshing change.
Gray and Moffat: Internecine warfare breaks out in East Lothian.
Purcell and Haughey: A host of allegations.
Murphy and Dover House: Smurf spends £1.4M doing a little redecorating.
http://tinyurl.com/yghcyjh
Complain about this comment
I note that more people in Scotland are killed in road accidents every year in Scotland than are killed by knife attacks. I am sure this makes a strong case for the banning of motor vehicles.
Complain about this comment
319. GrassyKnollington
It has the smell of cheese about it! Ive a cached copy but am unable to retrieve the comments.
Complain about this comment
An army marches on its stomach - unless that army is British.
Complain about this comment
320. At 12:29pm on 14 Mar 2010, tullibardine
It will be counteracted tomorrow by a 'Salmond buys a packet of crisps' scandal.
Complain about this comment
#318
This knife crime nonsense and signs of some public support for some sort of idiotic automatic jail for those carrying knives is more evidence of the "half wit" factor in Scottish politics.
The police have already said that such a policy is completely unworkable but we still have Bugs Bunny in the Scottish Parliament rabitting on about it.
By such attachment to populist idiocy the Labour Party is alienating itself from the declining number of intelligent people who used to support it and aiming its strategy at the section of the population which is much less likely to actually vote.
As they say in Glasgow as they encourage any buffoon to accelertaing acts of idiocy "On ye go!"
Complain about this comment
" One said he was regarded as "an over-confident and gilded popinjay" who threatened the council's status quo. Others say he was deeply affected by recent problems at work and that he had still not fully come to terms with his sexuality. In the meantime, the city he once led is waiting for his return – and an explanation."
Guess who?
From the Independent, so moderators not my own work but way out there in the public domain, but not I notice , in the BBBC Scotland domain!
Complain about this comment
326. Diabloandco
Another part of the Independent report made me laff.
Those within the claustrophobic world of Glasgow's intertwined political, business and media elites were baffled, the report said.
No they weren't. Those within the claustrophobic world of Glasgow's intertwined political, business and media elites know exactly what has happened. They just don't want the rest of us to find out.
Complain about this comment
I anticipate an excoriating expose from Brian on corruption in Glasgow.
Rangers get 2 penalties at Ibrox?
Complain about this comment
Anyone see the deliberate mistake on the "Question time:
Would you like to quiz the SNP Commons leader" BBC thread?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/8566838.stm
"The SNP spring conference, which will feature a keynote speech by party leader and Scottish first minister Alex Salmond leader David Cameron..."
Silly typo really
Complain about this comment
Why has the BBC been so reluctant to highlight the Glasgow council issues and links with the new Labour elite?
Complain about this comment
STEVEN PURCELL; THE MAFIA
Complain about this comment
321. At 12:32pm on 14 Mar 2010, sneckedagain wrote:
I note that more people in Scotland are killed in road accidents every year in Scotland than are killed by knife attacks. I am sure this makes a strong case for the banning of motor vehicles.
--------------------
More people are killed from heart attacks each year than from road accidents.
The difference is that deaths from knife crime are a deliberate act. Most raod accidents are not, although I would class drink driving as a deliberate act.
I appreciate the arguments for not jailing everyone who carries a knife. But you have to draw the line somewhere. What if joe bloggs is arrested for carrying a knife and is fined £100 to be paid back at £5 per fortnight. He then convicted for the same offence again, then again, then again. Each time given a small fine or community service - some of which is a joke - but he persists. How do you deal with him?
Are you also suggesting that someone who uses a knife is not jailed either? I've seen first hand the damage a knife can do, and the effect it has had on both victims.
You need a deterrent since it is obvious attitudes are not going to change with the individuals who carry weapons.
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Remember when you were a kid and had done something wrong? Your Mother asks if it was you - and you deny it - but you just know your face is showing guilt.
Totally unrelated - I've just been watching our Prime Minister, live on the Politics show, discussing perceived failings in the NHS (England).
Complain about this comment
The politics show seems to have decided Scotland doesn't exist at all, I'm in Ross-Shire and I'm watching the London edition.
Complain about this comment
Are you folks on Terrestrial getting the Politics Show Scotland? On Sky, the BBC1 Scotland channel (971) is showing the London version with a spat about BoJo and the tube.
Complain about this comment
My comment was moderated ...
I'm sure the last thing BBC Scotland want is for this story to murph into a tale of links between the Labour party and the Scottish media. But that is what it is rapidly becoming.
The heavy handed moderation of information which is already in the public domain doesn't inspire confidence that we have nothing to worry about.
Complain about this comment
Oh wait here it is, headlining with "Scottish education minister and Swedish model".
A gentle enquiry with Anne Moffat, no mention yet of the increasingly rancid Purcell affair, wonder if they'll show the Scotland on Sunday front page?
Complain about this comment
I see that we all shared the BoJo experience - how inconvenient that time to debate Scottish politics was so curtailed.
At the beginning having seen Duff Gordon debating with ordinary people, I can see why Labour set such detailed conditions to prevent just that happening in the "leader" debates and also why the SNP and PC will do their utmost to allow them to go ahead.
Complain about this comment
The Sunday Times carries a shameful story about cronyism in the North British Labour Party a leading Glasgow businessman and his connections to PURCELLGATE and our Gov Gen Smurfy..........Why is it that its either an English paper or an east coast paper thats doing all the digging. Whats happening at the HERALD and BBC "Scotland" . I think we should know ?????????
Complain about this comment
It's sad to say but the people of Glasgow are directly responsible for the state of the city and the actions of their politicians.
The labour party knew that it didn't matter what they did the sheeple would vote for them anyway.
If they knew the people of Glasgow were capable of thinking rationally and would vote on performance rather than some archaic ideology then things would have been different.
Wake up Glasgow.
Wake up central belt.
Complain about this comment
# 318 enneffess
I we were to jail everyone who carried a knife where would you find the extra £80 million from?
Complain about this comment
# 317 enneffess
Are you saying that there has been no illegal activity surrounding the case of Steven Purcell and some of the people he has come into contact with?
Complain about this comment
337. At 3:20pm on 14 Mar 2010, InfrequentAllele2 wrote:
My comment was moderated ...
I'm sure the last thing BBC Scotland want is for this story to murph into a tale of links between the Labour party and the Scottish media. But that is what it is rapidly becoming.
My post was along the same lines and still has not been cleared, this is censorship not moderation, glad to se my licence fee being put to good use
Complain about this comment
306. gedguy2
"This is the real political story in Scotland at the moment. I wonder why Brian hasn't even mentioned it?"
Now, now. He mentioned it once. Briefly. Said the poor man was ill, I believe.
Complain about this comment
The News of the World (ok not exactly renowned for quality journalism but read by the majority and the average person on the street). Doesn't even mention more Purcell scandal but features in more than one piece about SNP smearing! It takes up pretty much their entire output of Scottish politics with an editorial. With a quote from Iain Gray saying "There is something rotten at the heart of the SNP".
Should I laugh or cry?
Complain about this comment
299. FatherMacKenzie
"Agreed! This has gone quite off-topic considering my original off-topic point was "I think the US anthem is quite good""
And my real point was posting some verses which I think you were not aware of. They are almost never sung but it is actually a fairly warlike song, like so many anthems. Many Americans would like to see America the Beautiful as our anthem but I don't expect to ever see it happen.
I'm not saying ours is any WORSE than most, but it carries out a similar theme.
Complain about this comment
328. At 2:02pm on 14 Mar 2010, oldnat wrote:I anticipate an excoriating expose from Brian on corruption in Glasgow.
Rangers get 2 penalties at Ibrox?
Aye! Yer richt!
Those Scottish refs are corrupt --- --- ---
They should have not allowed those United goals --- --- ---
It's no fair. It's aa they Nationalists fault --- --- ---
Anti-Glasgow bias so it is.
Complain about this comment
288. oldnat
We all know that you sneak on in the middle of the night and post "bad words". ;-)
Complain about this comment
#328 oldnat wrote:
"Rangers get 2 penalties at Ibrox?"
Aye - the first a hand ball incident against the keeper and the second because one of the west coast players didn't have his wheatabix this morning and fell over with exhaustion (maybe his employers can't afford business breakfasts these days).
None of the pens were given for a loud appeal from the crowd anyway which was noticeable by its absence (remember the goad old days of 'spot the ball'? is this a new version of 'spot the crowd' which has been copyrighted by the glasgow giants(?) to raise extra funds to pay off the banks.
Travesty again!
Complain about this comment
#340. At 3:41pm on 14 Mar 2010, euan0709 wrote:
I think we should know ?????????
I think we DO know!
Well --- most of us do.
Complain about this comment
318. enneffess
"If we are not going to jail people for carrying a knife automatically, what is the number of offences required?"
A blanket "jail everyone who carries a knife" isn't necessarily a good idea. I am willing to bet you that some people who do so are convinced they're only doing it in self-defense. I agree this is wrong-headed but should it really be jailable on a first offense?
But you could surely mandate a jail sentence on a second offense. You could mandate jail any time someone commits a crime (no matter how minor) with a knife. Committing a crime WITH a knife could in fact be made an additional offense.
To bring up a SERIOUS problem we have here in the US (gun crime--which is worse than anything you deal with there over knife crime), carrying a gun is a crime in most localities but not necessarily an extremely serious one. (It is locally mandated so how serious varies from state to state--you do realize our states have more powers than Scotland has ever been CONSIDERED being given?) However, committing a crime while using a gun is a separate crime and invariably one that involves a jail sentence.
None of these measures have made a dent in our horrendous gun crime problems but that is because of a cultural problem. There may be a cultural problem involved in the UK knife crime problem as well. That I don't know. But blanket "jail them all" approaches rarely seem to work. We tried it over here with drugs and a "jail them all" approach and it only made things worse.
I fully understand you saying that it is a serious problem. I am not disagreeing with that at all, just suggesting that other approaches might be more productive and put the spending where it would do more good in jailing the actual offenders.
Complain about this comment
Bluntly put, we can't afford to send all of the people prosecuted for knife possession to jail for any meaningful length of time. Anyone who tells you we can is lying to you, or adopting a political posture that they no anticipation of bringing about. In short, the public is being manipulated by savvy strategists in the Scottish Tories and Labour parties to try and scoop up those voters whose spleens flow with dispositions towards vengeance. Its pandering, simple and contemptible. And the Liberal Democrats and the SNP should be brutal in pointing this out. There is nothing tough about cloud cuckoo land penal policy. Particularly when we can't afford it and it is pure posturing. Labour and Tory ought to be hammered for their bad faith on this.
I analysed the indicative figures on how much Labour and Tory policies for the mandatory imprisonment this morning. As far as I can see, the £83,000,000 cost of the Tory wheeze reported by the BBC is a low estimate of its probable costs, based on existing statistics and a spot anticipatory, impressionistic accounting. How they reconcile this by hooting at Labour during the budget debates earlier in this year I can't say. That is without factoring in the fact that prison doesn't work - nor fundamentally will deterrence operating at a legislative level.
Complain about this comment
#350 - "Travesty again!"
At least Whittaker felt guilty enough to gift United 2 goals (even going as far to score one of them himself).
Complain about this comment
343. At 4:17pm on 14 Mar 2010, gedguy2 wrote:
# 317 enneffess
"Are you saying that there has been no illegal activity surrounding the case of Steven Purcell and some of the people he has come into contact with?"
I never said anything of the sort, but if you think there has then contact the police. We had this with the Glenrothes by-election. There are SNP councillors in Glasgow who should be raising such matters with the police. Apart from the obvious legal side, look at the political damage it would do to their opponents.
--------------------------
352. JRMacClure:
Being realistic I know you cannot jail everyone for a first offence carrying a knife. And there will be those naive teenagers who really do carry one for self defence without realising the potential for harm they are doing.
How about this then:
Caught carrying a knife without good reason, a punishment perhaps of a caution, fine and/or community service. Perhaps if it is a young teenager who is obviously immature, then perhaps a stern warning.
If however they are caught again within a set period of time, then a minimum of a caution, and perhaps a stronger fine ot whatever.
But for a third offence, again within a set period of time, then jail should be a strong possibility, with the defence having to put a strong case forward as to why not.
But wounding with a knife in a deliberate manner should result in jail.
You cannot perpetually keep someone out of jail if they keep reoffending.
Complain about this comment
338. At 3:28pm on 14 Mar 2010, gentlemanheelander wrote:
"Oh wait here it is, headlining with "Scottish education minister and Swedish model"."
I googled this. Talk about disappointment.........
Complain about this comment
#350 & 354 evening , good to see the SFA finally leading the way on something. anyone wanting to achieve "standing up for Glasgow "? they produced a master class this afternoon!
Sid
Complain about this comment
355. enneffess
Sounds a sensible response to knife crime. Presumably parts of what you suggest already exist. What are the legislative changes that you advocate? (I simply don't know the detail on this).
Complain about this comment
From Guido's blog: "...the Scottish press seems timid..."
and some!
Complain about this comment
355. enneffess
"Being realistic I know you cannot jail everyone for a first offence carrying a knife. And there will be those naive teenagers who really do carry one for self defence without realising the potential for harm they are doing.
How about this then:
Caught carrying a knife without good reason, a punishment perhaps of a caution, fine and/or community service. Perhaps if it is a young teenager who is obviously immature, then perhaps a stern warning.
If however they are caught again within a set period of time, then a minimum of a caution, and perhaps a stronger fine ot whatever.
But for a third offence, again within a set period of time, then jail should be a strong possibility, with the defence having to put a strong case forward as to why not.
But wounding with a knife in a deliberate manner should result in jail.
You cannot perpetually keep someone out of jail if they keep reoffending."
I agree and something like that makes a lot of sense.
I keep wondering why the SNP isn't proposing something like that. I think they should be although, of course, the details could vary somewhat.
Anyone here have any insight into why they're not or whether they might consider coming up with something like this? I think it would help stop the accusations of being "soft on crime". It's all very well to say that more are being jailed for knife crime (which is a good thing) but maybe something more is called for.
Just a thought. :-)
Complain about this comment
360. JRMacClure
"Just a thought. :-)"
Imagine politicians trying to pass a new wheel design if the proposal is one with 5 spokes (being the most practical solution) the opposition will only back these proposals if there are 7 spokes (makes them feel important and helps their corporate spoke supplier), thats called UK political demecracy(stupidity).
Complain about this comment
307. At 10:19am on 14 Mar 2010, govanite wrote:
I'm looking forward to The Politics Show today, when wee Campbell holds up today's Scotland On Sunday and invites comments from SNP politicians on Labour's troubles in Glasgow.
He will hold the paper up, won't he ? I mean he's on the totally fair BBC, right ?
Funny enough they said they had technical difficulties today, just another way of not letting the public know the shite labours in at the moment very sleekit of them indeed."Also they`re making it a wee bit more inconvenient for poster to find this blog which is hiding in the UK page"or is it just me being paranoid lol
Complain about this comment
SNP candidate for Glasgow North East David Kerr quits
At least he is being honest where his real commitment lies rather than two faced as is SoS.
Complain about this comment
359.
I suppose you could call it timid. There are many other examples of similarly "timid" behaviour.
In 1968 Pravda was too timid to criticise the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia.
The Sun newspaper is too timid to investigate the business dealings of Rupert Murdoch.
L'Osservatore Romano (the newspaper published by the Vatican state) is too timid to support the Reformation.
A dog is too timid to bite the hand that feeds it.
Complain about this comment
#362 king Kev , evening , I find it easier/quicker to get the link to this page thru radio Scotland's web page and clicking on blogs with Brian's being the top of the list!
Sid
Complain about this comment
362. Kingkev
Bookmark All posts on "Blether with Brian" by Brian Taylor saves having to read pravada's propoganda.
Complain about this comment
Time to section a PM if you have some time watch and listen.
Complain about this comment
358. At 7:18pm on 14 Mar 2010, oldnat wrote:
355. enneffess
"Sounds a sensible response to knife crime. Presumably parts of what you suggest already exist. What are the legislative changes that you advocate? (I simply don't know the detail on this)."
---------------------------
I don't know the full details either, but one area I do know that can and must be changed is this:
Legal aid doesn't pay a lawyer very much. What happens, and you can check the details with any police officer or retail shop manager, is that clear cut cases are dragged out through the court system hence clogging it up.
Many people plead not guilty right up until the last moment. I'm talking here about minor offences such as shoplifting. The offender knows they are a guilty and knows he/she will be punished, but for some reason decide to plead not guilty for as long as possible. Some will do this simply to mess around, others are persuaded to do so.
Only one group of people benefit from drawn out legal cases - lawyers.
So, what I suggest is that for legal aid in the case of summary cases, there is a fixed fee per client. That might just speed up the system. It still retains the - important - right for anyone to plead not guilty.
I know a retail manager who has the job of attending court on occasion, and there are always a large number of police officers waiting to be called as witnesses in other cases, only for the defendant to plead guilty just as his/her case is seen.
As to my suggestion on knife crime, I simply do not have sufficient facts, but surely a standard can be set that will satisfy the public to a degree and keep the human rights activists happy.
Knife crime is a genuine worry, the degree depends where you live. Many of those who carry a knife do not actually intend to use it, and most certainly do not want to commit murder. But the sad fact is that when a fight starts, someone lashes out with a knife.
But certainly in one case that I know of, the individual was on bail for one knife attack when he attacked again, stabbing into the back of someone's neck with kitchen scissors, totally unprovoked. The first person has subsequently died and now he faces a murder charge.
Had he been refused bail the first time the second attack would not have happened. The cost of keeping inside would have been far less than the police investigation, the medical costs, the criminal compensation payout and so on.
The offender is one of these that community service and fines has done absolutely nothing. The probation service can't do anything with this individual. No doubt he will be released in a few years, be unable to cope, and once again commit a serious offence. These are the sort of people who cannot be controlled and therefore should be locked up.
Complain about this comment
364. At 8:30pm on 14 Mar 2010, InfrequentAllele2 wrote:
"The Sun newspaper is too timid to investigate the business dealings of Rupert Murdoch."
That's because he owns the paper.
How to get yourself sacked part 1: write an editorial slagging off your employer.
Complain about this comment
360. JRMacClure:
Iran has some novel ways of dealing with offenders. I'm talking about "normal" crimes rather than religious ones. They don't muck about with social services but tend to have a system where repeat offences are rather difficult to achieve.
Might be brutal, but even with such deterrents there are those who continue to commit crime, which shows - in my mind anyway - that some people are beyond redemption.
And no I'm not suggesting we follow their lead!
Yet..................
Complain about this comment
#367 cynicalHighlander
Got a few minutes into the program, the ‘Not Flash Just Gordon’ bit and had to rush for a sick bag.
Thanks CH…. I owe you one!
Complain about this comment
Gordon Brown’s four-letter rant at Baroness Ashton for ‘letting UK down’.
I always thought this one would end in tears, but I am surprised at just how quickly.
Pity they have not got our ‘mods’ on the No.10 switchboard, I feel sure they would have sorted Duff’s tantrums out by now.
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
'BBC Impartiality'? aye ... right
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
aangirfan check it out as a new shift of mods are on duty and don't like politicians linked to property deals shown in public.
Complain about this comment
Seemingly news has been abolished too, considering all that is being 'referred to the moderators'.
Complain about this comment
BBC Reporting Scotland: with all your pro-Labour news for the election season.
Complain about this comment
369. enneffess
That's precisely the point I was making. I wasn't even being especially subtle about it either.
A dog is usually owned by the person whose hand feeds the animal.
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
I wonder how much longer the E3BC Scotland will carry on the denial re GCC.
Complain about this comment
Why I Vote SNP
Complain about this comment
Joan McAlpine article on the last FMQ’s, the leader of the opposition party [can’t for the life of me remember his name] and the CfE.
Listening to them shout at each other, you’d never guess that Alex Salmond and Iain Gray were in agreement. During First Minister’s Questions, they were at each other’s throats, polemically speaking, on the Curriculum for Excellence (CfE).
The first minister declared the curriculum a tremendous innovation that had widespread support. The last Labour-Liberal Democrat administration had initiated it, but the SNP was involving teachers more closely in its development and giving them more time to train and prepare.
By the way, I hope you are all paying attention.
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Nick Clegg "offers real change."
Is this not the same message we've had from David Steel, Paddy Ashdown, Charles Kennedy, Menzies Campbell...................?
Complain about this comment
Tom Shields on Scotland in Euro(vision)
http://www.heraldscotland.com/comment/tom-shields/tom-shields-on-independence-in-eurovision-1.1013228
:-)
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
A surprisingly party neutral but pro Scotland leader from the Herald.
http://www.heraldscotland.com/comment/herald-view/don-t-sit-out-the-election-every-vote-will-count-1.1013085
Complain about this comment
don't mention anything that is wrong, no one has done I see you holding up 2 fingers big brother
Complain about this comment
RantinRab has more look mods no links honest.
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
From Earl Gray
“There is something rotten at the heart of the SNP and Alex Salmond cannot wash his hands of it any longer.”
That's right, Dour. We should all join the labour party for whiter than white politicians and vote for the party who's ethics are beyond reproach.
Complain about this comment
Iain Gray - He might not cut it as a politician but as a comedian he's a laugh a minute.
Complain about this comment
I am hearing rumors that it has come out who identified Mark MacLachan to the press. Any comments from anyone?
And if it is who I HEAR it was, I'd be interested in defense of him if such a thing is possible.
Complain about this comment
Has there been another 'breaking story' in Scottish politics as there is no link to 'Blether with Brian'?
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
This kind of heavy-handed moderating is an invariable tip-off to breaking news in Scotland. Now wouldn't you think that BBC News would encourage a discussion of such things, but apparently not.
Complain about this comment
Hat-tip to Moridura on his blogspot for spotting that Andrew Marr actually displayed the SoS front page during his paper review yesterday without mentioning the headline story. Odder that that bit doesn't appear in this website's 4m24s Andrew Marr Show paper review.
Complain about this comment
JR McLure, 4.20am please elucidate. I have my suspicions and may blog later on it.
Complain about this comment
One has to admire the tenacity of whoever maintains this website's Scotland politics page in producing headlines designed to mislead, presumably in the hope that readers will not click on the story. At the time of writing, the top story is Young Scots want alcohol ads ban with an sub-title telling us that: "A group of young Scots says a plan to charge a minimum price for alcohol will not solve the country's drink problems.".
This may come as a slight surprise to the few who actually click on the story only to find that the third para of it says: "Commission members supported plans for a minimum price for alcohol but said it would not solve problem drinking."
Of course it won't solve the problem by itself, but to present the story in this way is biased even by the dubious standards of BBC Scotland.
Complain about this comment
#360. JRMacClure wrote:Anyone here have any insight into why they're not or whether they might consider coming up with something like this?
I've not been active within the party for some years now but would venture the SNP inactivity on the matter may be along the lines of allowing them enough rope - by the look of things the policy could be working. I can see the mire of the Glasgow Labour Mafia getting deeper, and muddier, every day.
Complain about this comment
#400. gedguy2 wrote: Has there been another 'breaking story' in Scottish politics as there is no link to 'Blether with Brian'
Och! No!
It's only that Becks has injured himself. The World has to stop for a wee while. Normal Service will be Resumed as soon as possible.
Complain about this comment
OK, Opening a book on the subjects for today's Blog. Can anyone else suggest anything more ludicrous and lets see who is closest.
1-100 David Kerr Quits as SNP PPC over links to Opus Dei
1-33 Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy has "British" toast for Sunday Breakfast. Condemns Square Slice as "Divisive Parochial Nationalism"
1-5 Scottish Executive Plans for Knife Crime WILL cost "Billions"
1-4 SNP March Against Trident WILL lose 1,100,000 Scottish Jobs
1-3 Independent Youth Commission CONDEMNS SNP plans for Minimum Pricing
1-2 " Heart of SNP Rotten", states Scottish Labour Leader
Evens Clegg "Will support" Labour in Coalition: SNP Vote "Wasted"
Evens Clegg "Will not support" either Tories or Labour in Coalition: SNP Vote "Wasted"
Evens Clegg "Will support" Tories in Coalition: SNP Vote "Wasted"
333-1 Anne Moffat Not Deselected Again. Iain Grey Not About to "reluctantly" put his name forward for the seat.
500-1 Labour Donor Not linked in any way to former Glasgow City Councillor
5000-1 Nessie found in possession of Stone of Destiny – Confirms that "as a British National Symbol" she "would never" vote SNP.
9999-1 BBC Confirms commitment to impartiality under Representation of the People Act
Northern British Broadcasting Corporation Newsroom - your source for everything pro-NuLab in the run up to the UK General Election. The Commissar in the corner with the blue pen says so.
Complain about this comment
#127 & #128 JRMacClure,
You are clearly blissfully unaware that the ballot papers for the 2007 Holyrood elections made no reference to the SNP; instead the the Party was referred to as "Alex Salmond For First Minister". Now, why would that be??
Makes your posts look rather foolish, don't you think.
Complain about this comment
#408 Chiefy1724
"Can anyone else suggest anything more ludicrous and lets see who is closest."
9999-1 The beloved Lord George Foulkes suggests that he's abolished! Oh wait, that's reported by Maddox in the Sotsman so it must be true.
Complain about this comment
Generally the English media tend to ignore Scottish politics as being of no interest south of the border. However, if those newspapers and blogs, that are so inclined, really want to damage Labour, they are missing a trick (or two or three) as there is plenty to get their teeth into up here, which our own 'Scottish' media prefer to sanitize and ignore.
It seems that Guido is already on the case.
Complain about this comment
#409 bingowings87
The Holyrood 2007 general election gave equal airtime to the four main parties.The 2010 Westminster general election will see the BBC give considerable advantage to the unionist parties in Scotland.And done under the excuse of the need for presidential style debates.The SNP put Salmond's name on the ballot in 2007 but they didn't try to gain an unfair advantage in airtime.
Complain about this comment
#411 hamish42
"It seems that Guido is already on the case."
Yes, and has been for some time. It's to say the least odd that links to his blog are often disallowed by the mods here but are provided in the Westminster drop-down of the External Blogs section of BBC Democracy Live's Blogs and comment page, while SoS is directly linked to from this website's What the Scottish papers say. I can only assume that the BBC think that the great unwashed seldom go beyond the headlines.
Complain about this comment
409.
You are clearly blissfully unaware that the ballot papers for the 2007 Holyrood elections made no reference to the SNP; instead the the Party was referred to as "Alex Salmond For First Minister". Now, why would that be??
Makes your posts look rather foolish, don't you think.
This is not strictly speaking true, the constituency ballot simply stated "Candidate's name: Political party" as is usual for the Westminster FPTP system.
It was the list ballot which had "Political party: Slogan" although some parties didn't have a slogan
The list system does effectively result in you voting for a First Minister, as the candidates you end up electing simply aren't known, you are voting for that party to increase its representation, with a view to Government.
More dubious was "Scottish Christian Party: Proclaiming Christ's Lordship"
Christ wasn't even standing as an MSP let alone as a candidate for FM.
Complain about this comment
morning , just read Guido with an amazing amount of comments one was simply a link to a blog spot which shows what you can find out should you really be bothered . unfortunately the Scottish media can't be bothered or are too scared to print the truth, why would that be???
Sid
Complain about this comment
I seldom agree with the Torygraph, but cannot fault a word of their review of Duff Gordon's debate with “undecided voters” on the Politics Show yesterday. As their Andrew Gimson neatly puts it: "Mr Brown’s contributions read a like a broadcast by a member of the East German politburo who seldom leaves his headquarters and who still believes the regime’s propaganda that everything is getting better and better."
Complain about this comment
I would dearly love to be a fly on the wall when the BBC Scotland editorial team is meeting prior to a story. I wonder if the meetings are minuted and subject to FOI requests?
#411 hamish42
I suspect that the press will not want to reveal to much regarding the goings on at GCC. There is a fine balance to be made between having a go at Labour and not allowing the SNP to make inroads. The press who are critical of Labour will tread extremely carefully. It may be beneficial for the Tories to preserve the status quo in the West of Scotland, knowing that any move from the Labour vote is unlikely to move towards the Tories. Both these parties view the SNP in the same light.
Maybe Guido will prod them to reveal a bit of backbone.
The other thing to consider is that there may a element of timing involved in revealing a story. If the anti Labour press have their mitts on something it may be more productive to release the revelations closer to an GE for maximum impact.
Complain about this comment
"Timid" is how Guido labels the Scottish Press (that's a joke in itself).
I could think of many other adjectives that could be used instead.
I find it utterly reprehensible that there can be such a HUGE story out there and there is not a cheep from the Scottish MSM.
When the facts of this matter come into the open it will almost certainly be the end of Labour in Scotland. Even the "monkey with a red rosette" voters in Glasgow will have to question their support.
Bring it on.
Complain about this comment
PS
I noticed that on the BBC Scotland Politics page under TV and Radio Programmes it says:
"Newsnight Scotland covers the day's top stories"
How I laughed!
Complain about this comment
Average of the last 18 YouGov Scottish sub samples compared to 2005 (removes some of the "noise", though not any underlying weighting errors)
SNP +4.1% : Lab +3.4% : Con +1.6% : LD -9.1%
Complain about this comment
Nobody tripping over himself to comment on "Claytongate" - finally a smear too far? - I see. But the innuendo continues to fly in other directions. Dirty and underhand doesn't begin to cover it when the defenceless family of a young man, now dead, are publicly outraged by an utter nonentity in pursuit of... what?
The piece on Alan Clayton in today's Herald has let a very smelly cat out of the bag, because it appears to be just the most disgusting of a barrage of smears on nationalist blogs. Have the SNP finally abandoned policies? It looks like the sole reason for these blogs is to perpetuate smears against opponents.
It's a straight choice for Salmond now - either apologise or be seen to endorse the tactics.
Complain about this comment
421.brigadierjohn
Indeed the Herald has let a very smelly cat out of the bag...
"Iain Gray, Scottish Labour leader, said: “There is something rotten at the heart of the SNP and Alex Salmond cannot wash his hands of it any longer. If he stays silent and does nothing, he is condoning it."
The same could be said for the LOUD SILENCE from the Labour Party regarding the resignation of Purcell. And this is beginning to look like a very, very smelly cat.
Complain about this comment
#421. At 11:44am on 15 Mar 2010, brigadierjohn wrote:
"Nobody tripping over himself to comment on "Claytongate" - finally a smear too far? - I see. But the innuendo continues to fly in other directions. Dirty and underhand doesn't begin to cover it when the defenceless family of a young man, now dead, are publicly outraged by an utter nonentity in pursuit of... what?
The piece on Alan Clayton in today's Herald has let a very smelly cat out of the bag, because it appears to be just the most disgusting of a barrage of smears on nationalist blogs. Have the SNP finally abandoned policies? It looks like the sole reason for these blogs is to perpetuate smears against opponents.
It's a straight choice for Salmond now - either apologise or be seen to endorse the tactics."
I'm obviously not on enough SNP blogs as I appear to have missed this 'barrage of smears'. Well done for bringing it to a wider audience though.
Complain about this comment
#422 X_Sticks: Purcell is/was a public figure. I make no defence of him, but to say "innocent until proven guilty."
Complain about this comment
#421 brig. "finally a smear to far?" afternoon , not being a member of any party, I would suggest :
A. stop adding "gate" to every story you feel like. it's really quite pathetic
B. be very careful what you wish for . you wish Alex Salmond to apologise for something he didn't have anything to do with that was written on the Internet by someone who is a member of his party ? fully agree with you ! BUT
I look forward to Gordon Brown ,Jim Murphy, Iain Gray ,David Cameron,Annabell Goldie ,Nick Clegg & Tavish Scott etc etc etc all doing the same. not much chance of that is there!
C. I am obviously not reading the same piece in the herald on line.
D. what Mr Clayton wrote wasn't the right thing to say. But is that the biggest story around right know?
The unionist press would like everyone to think so but we all know the big story is the one you must never mention ever.
It's a wonder they haven't slapped one of these "you can't read this for 20 years " gags on it!
Sid
Complain about this comment
#421 brigadierjohn
I have just farted. I think you should apologise or be seen to endorse this disgusting habit.
Complain about this comment
Congratulations to the BBC censors for systematically removing all anti-Labour Party news.
Complain about this comment
Thank God for the ENGLISH PRESS - Sunday Times article was brilliant on GCC - LOADSA nasty questions to be answered but u would NEVER know it as Scotlands finest are terrified and dare not do anything for fear of upsetting Clown and Co - PATHETIC.
Complain about this comment
Listening to Radio North Britain I wasn't surprised that they wheeled out one of the army of whingers we have to tell us why a world beating clean coal power station shouldn't be built in Scotland.
Scotland once led the world in many fields like science, engineering, medicine and invention. That was at a time when we didn't have the aforementioned whingers and people just got on and did things.
CCT would be a huge benefit to the Scottish economy if we build on the lead and expertise we already have and ignore the naysayers.
As for leading the world in things I've got to give some credit to labour as we top the tables in things like child poverty, unemployment, deprivation, life expectancy, substance abuse, teenage pregnancy and our old people dying of hypothermia.
I hope the SG push this project through as soon as possible and ignore the whingers and media who want to keep Scotland as an economic backwater.
Complain about this comment
#425 sid_ts63: Thanks for a reasoned reply, and for accepting that Clayton was wrong. The "gate" thing was a failed attempt at irony, a response to Purcellgate if you like. Sorry. I think Salmond should say something, but I don't think it's an answer to say others should also apologise. That's a bit like the childish "please sir, he did it first" the timeless whine of the playground bully called to account.
Re the silence of the "unionist" press: the area is a legal minefield now populated with people with the wherewithall to take serious action. If there's something to come out, it will. But, believe me or not, it will have nothing to do with protecting anyone.
I do commend you for addressing the issue, however. The failure of others to do so speaks volumes. They are the ones condemning the press for failure to address other things. Unbelievable!
Complain about this comment
#426 handclapping: I didn't smell it. But what's disgusting about bodily functions? Read my #430 on people who refuse to address the issue.
Complain about this comment
I don't agree that Salmond should apologise for Alan Clayton's remarks. But Mr Clayton might be one of our regular bloggers (not oldnat!).
Perhaps we could have some clarification?
Or is it sheer coincidence.
Complain about this comment
I see John Mason has asked for a police inquiry into the Purcell affair. Do you think he realises that, if such an inquiry is undertaken, it will realy put the issue beyond public comment for al parties and individuals?
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
#431 brig
The Americans have a Congress and a Supreme Court to keep their President in check. The UK doesn't. Yet you seem happy to load more and more responsibilities onto party leaders. We have had the aweful example of "President" Blair, but you still do not seem, by your comment on Salmond, to appreciate that you and your media's attempts to personalise politics is leading to these dangerous "Prime Ministerial" debates and the further "Presidentialisation" of UK politics in a system that has no defences against the party whip and sofa government.
I had thought better of you.
Complain about this comment
432. enneffess
"(not oldnat!)"
Indeed! Certainly not. (I'm not as old as Clayton for one thing!)
Had I published a comment like he did, I would expect to be disciplined by the SNP for bringing the party into disrepute.
To suggest that the party leader is personally responsible for the idiocy of an individual member is, however, just the usual posturing politics. I don't remember the SNP demanding that Gordon Brown should apologise for the blog of that Labour Renfrewshire councillor. I don't remember demands for David Cameron to apologise for the quite shocking blog that attacks the LD MP in Camborne and Redruth.
As to the question of improprieties surrounding the Labour Party in Glasgow - these are common in any political structure where one party (any party) has control over political power for generations. Scandal seldom brings about change. Regular changes in party control does. If for no other reason, the LDs deserve commendation for having forced Labour to adopt STV for local government.
Only Glasgow voters can change the reality of what their city has become.
Complain about this comment
421. brigadierjohn
Yet again you demonstrate that unerring nose for a story which characterises the Scottish media professional.
On a previous thread you claimed that an entirely hypothetical future leadership challenge in the SNP was equally or more newsworthy than the very real leadership crisis in the Labour party. If memory serves your assertion came in the same week as yet another failed coup attempt within the top ranks of the Labour party.
Now you're claiming that the most important story to have come out of the Glasgow Coucil affair is that a nationalist blogger made cruel and unnecessary comments about the tragic death of a young Labour activist. This nationalist blogger does not speak officially for the SNP, does not determine the spending of millions of pounds of public money, and is not an elected official. Having said that, I condemn his inappropriate remarks.
Why do you feel Alex Salmond needs to apologise personally, and why do you feel that this person's remarks reflect something disquieting about the desire for Scottish independence? Do you believe that Jim Murphy and Gordon Brown should apologise personally for certain remarks made by certain Labour councillors who blog in an individual capacity? Should David Cameron apologise for the postings on the Tory Bear blog? Do the inappropriate comments of these bloggers point to something unsettling at the heart of the Labour and Conservative parties?
In my opinion the nationalist blogger's remarks were motivated by a degree of homophobia. Homophobia is widespread within Scottish society. It is not a sin which nationalists are more guilty of than any other section of the community. But if the Labour party wishes to imply that others are especially homophobic, they are treading on very thin and very dangerous ice. There is reason to suspect that homophobia may be involved in this story, but in this instance it's not the homophobia of nationalists.
You are quite right that there are interdicts flying around left right and centre, and these prevent open discussion of certain issues, but it has not escaped anyone's notice that some parts of the Scottish media have been remarkably more coy on this subject than certain others. And now we see that the main point you raise from this issue are the poorly informed comments of a person who is not directly involved in the affair, comments which lead you to criticise Alex Salmond, who is not directly involved in the story either. Does the word "obfuscation" mean anything to you?
Purcell is innocent until proven guilty. I agree 100%. I trust that you support the idea of an independent investigation and audit to discover if there was any wrongdoing or inappropriate use of public funds in Glasgow Council.
I don't know why I'm bothering to reply really. I expect this posting to be moderated out of existence. It would be nice to see myself proven wrong.
Complain about this comment
433. brigadierjohn
"Do you think he realises that, if such an inquiry is undertaken, it will realy put the issue beyond public comment for al parties and individuals? "
I'm sure he does. If there is sufficient evidence to lead to prosecutions then the timing is likely to be more appropriate to either the Holyrood elections in 2011, or the local elections in 2012. An Audit Scotland investigation may produce some earlier data however.
Complain about this comment
#430 Brig. afternoon, the point i was trying to make in my original post(#425) in point B. was the blatant bias in only ever demanding that the first minister or any SNP cabinet minister should apologize for the acts of others whilst ignoring anything that is said on the Internet by Brit-Nat's who can be just as obnoxious.both sides have very strongly held views and both sides have their fair share of people who don't know when to shut up or know when saying nothing can be far more effective!
Sid
Complain about this comment
Interesting poll in the Belfast Telegraph on changing attitudes to identity in Northern Ireland.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/belfast-telegraph-exclusive-poll-on-united-ireland-14721124.html
"Some 39% of those polled describe their nationality as “British”, with a further 18% stating they are “Northern Irish”. Again, there is a significant difference in responses from people of a certain age. Older people are more likely to consider themselves British, with those aged between 18 and 29 instead opting for Northern Irish status."
Complain about this comment
#435 handclapping: My and my media? I think we all have to grow up and accept that politics is personal now, however much you and I may regret it. Gordon Brown, on this very blog, seems to take the blame for all the ills of Labour. Maybe he should. If the party leaders, none more than Alex Salmond, wish the "presidential" glory, then they should take responsibility for the minions. I actually share your view on this. I mean I don't agree that Nicola Sturgeon should resign because some health board idiot can't manage his brief. But if people wish to play childish politics, that is the downside. We are now a long way from Clayton - was that the objective.
#436 oldnat: I'm happy to be corrected, but I think Mr Clayton is closer to the leadership than a councillor. And his sins are not diminished by pointing to the sins of others. (See my #430) You are right about Glasgow Labour. I hate them and their alleged corruption over many years.
But again, and I make no apology for repeating it, pointing to the sins of others cannot in any way balance Clayton's crassness. Your second sentence said it all. Why flannel on about past issues?
Complain about this comment
420. oldnat
"Average of the last 18 YouGov Scottish sub samples compared to 2005 (removes some of the "noise", though not any underlying weighting errors)
SNP +4.1% : Lab +3.4% : Con +1.6% : LD -9.1%"
Thanks for the information, Oldnat. Very interesting. I still think there are problems with the current Yougov polls but this certainly helps put things into perspective.
I must admit I have chuckled at the sudden resounding silence on the subject of subsamples from the media.
Complain about this comment
404. universality of cheese
"JR McLure, 4.20am please elucidate. I have my suspicions and may blog later on it."
I don't feel I can because it's no more than an unsubstantiated rumor as far as I have been able to find out and I won't smear someone on the basis of that. The person who told it to me stated it as fact but gave no substantiation at all.
If it was who I heard, it would be quite a shock to the nationalist online community. That's all I'll say.
And let me respond to this idiotic idea that Alex Salmond should apologize for anything that bloggers say online. He should the day HE has to vet everything they post.
He doesn't. In fact, many nationalist bloggers or posters aren't even SNP members.
As far as I know even party members have the right to express their OWN opinions online and do so.
It is the utmost in hypocrisy all of the "nasty cybernat" nonsense. Take a look at Guido Fawkes sometime or any number of other blogs where nationalists are trashed right and left (Tory Bear can get pretty nasty). I have YET to see anyone demand an apology from Gordon Brown or David Cameron.
People seriously need to GET A LIFE! If what some blogger says is the worst thing to happen this week then it has been a newsless week -- OR you are trying to hide the REAL NEWS.
Complain about this comment
#437 Infrequent Allele: No reason for moderation there. A very good post, and I agree with most of it. Not sure if you're trying to link me with Labour. That really does offend me. I have given my view on the ups and downs of presidential style on an earlier post. I do suport an inquiry. I never obfuscate - I tell it like I see it at the time, I have no cause to support or defend, and I condemn extremist or offensive posts from all sides.
Complain about this comment
436 oldnat, very well said.
The idea of "cybernats" is of course a unionist construct and it should be no surprise to anyone that having invented them, they should seek to do away with them!
There is a difference between people who hold a position in the party expressing a controversial view and people who are in favour of independence doing the same. Sadly everyone has fallen under the reviled cybernat banner and it is beyond stupid to expect Alex Salmond to be responsible for, or to police anything which I might say.**
Calls for Salmond to "clean up" or "do something about" the cybernats are politically driven and as others have observed I don't recall David Cameron being held responsible for the many right wing blogs where knocking Jockland and Gordon Brown has become a rather gory sport.
Guido Fawkes makes us sound like repressed Sunday schoolteachers and the Daily Mail and The Telegraph comments about Scots and Labour are often wildly offensive. Presumably coming as they do from commenters from establishment parties, they can be dismissed as a bit of vicious banter.
Labour MP Tom Harris described the SNP conference as a hatefest. If Angus Robertson had made a similar comment about the Labour conference Glen would probably have been sent south on the first plane to record Labour MP's reaction to this "outrage".
Shutting down the "cybernats" is a dream for a few posters on here and for 98% of the Scottish media. Demanding that Alex Salmond "take action" against people who rudely reject the attractions of cyberbrittery is as daft as wanting to close down the internet.
(** cut it out Knollington,I'm warning ye, AS.)
Complain about this comment
421. brigadierjohn
"It's a straight choice for Salmond now - either apologise or be seen to endorse the tactics. "
I agree for once, "Brigadier". The head of your party should apologize for you constant nasty smears toward members of other parties.
Complain about this comment
433. brigadierjohn
"I see John Mason has asked for a police inquiry into the Purcell affair. Do you think he realises that, if such an inquiry is undertaken, it will realy put the issue beyond public comment for al parties and individuals? "
You SERIOUSLY are trying to imply you are more knowledgeable than Mr. Mason? Oh, please. Get over yourself. Of course he does. But this being PROPERLY investigated is more important than public comment.
Complain about this comment
429. Harry Stottle
"CCT would be a huge benefit to the Scottish economy if we build on the lead and expertise we already have and ignore the naysayers."
I wouldn't get too optimistic on this as the energy required to bury CO2 range between 14% - 40+% and since our coal power stations are only 34/37% efficient now I can't see it ever being viable.
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
#414 Father MacKenzie,
The constituency and list votes in 2007 were combined on one ballot paper. There was no mention of the SNP on either vote or anywhere on the paper. The candidates were listed in Party alphabetical order and using "Alex Salmond for First Minister" ensured the SNP was at the top of the list for both votes.
Complain about this comment
Oh, dearie me. Why WON'T that Scottish oil and gas run out already?
Complain about this comment
#439 sid_ts63,
Never mind the first minister apologising....how about the Board of Directors at Greenhill Rd apologising for the wholesale destruction of our Football Club?
Complain about this comment
#421 brigadierjohn
"Dirty and underhand doesn't begin to cover it when the defenceless family of a young man, now dead, are publicly outraged by an utter nonentity in pursuit of... what?"
Out this afternoon or I'd have responded sooner. From what I have read personally, the "smear" consisted of a rather tasteless question. Unpleasant, yes. Underhand, no. Upsetting to the family concerned, perhaps, but not in the same league as the deliberate lies of No.10's McPoison. That's not to excuse it, but at least it puts it in context of what is apparently the norm in C21 politics. Back to C18 standards of conduct, it appears.
Of even more interest is the fact that the BBC has to date done its utmost to ignore both "Claytongate" as you put it and the questions re "Scottish" Labour which prompted it.
Any thoughts why?
Complain about this comment
Once more the BBC is holding up moderating (well over an hour), removing posts, and generally trembling in their boots. One is forced to wonder exactly what news story has them so frightened.
Complain about this comment
Pravada at E3BC Scotland believe that an article published in the Times newspaper is too defamatory to be published here. Stalin lives at pacific quay.
Complain about this comment
441. brigadierjohn
"pointing to the sins of others cannot in any way balance Clayton's crassness."
I wasn't suggesting that. I was referring to your crassness in suggesting that any party leader should apologise because there is an idiot in the party (unless, of course, they have appointed that idiot to public office!)
Complain about this comment
#448
If the waste heat from generation is being used usefully, like in domestic district heating or growing crops or for industrial use, viz combined heat and power, it could take the overall efficiency to 80%.
Complain about this comment
On bloggers, ALL parties have to give the message that their actions can cause serious harm to their party if they are not careful.
It is certainly not the case that Alex Salmond - or any leader - should apologise for the actions of others. I don't recall Ian Gray asking Alex Salmond to apologise for Nicola Sturgeon, so why should he apologise for the actions of a blogger?
What should be done is internal disciplinary action which is the private business for the party. My own view is that anyone who is stupid enough to make allegations as was done here deserves to be kicked out of the party. It was an amateurish attempt to add fuel to the fire over the issues in Glasgow. What they have now achieved is to divert the flak.
People who blog are fully entitled to their views. But those who have strong affiliations with political parties, must really think before they post. Most especially the SNP activists since, as I have already stated a few weeks ago, the media are lurking.
On a lighter note, glad to see David Kerr has decided not to stand. Should improve the SNP's chances. And please choose a candidate who thinks before opening mouth!
Complain about this comment
454. JRMacClure
"One is forced to wonder exactly what news story has them so frightened."
I suspect that it might go to the very top of the party then the p45s will be like confetti.
Complain about this comment
#450 bingowings87
"There was no mention of the SNP on either vote or anywhere on the paper."
Did it perhaps vary from place to place?
This website's Poverty linked to spoiled ballots has a link to University of Strathclyde study in full, which is a PDF that includes on p15 the Glasgow Region Ballot Design showing you are wrong, at least for Glasgow.
Complain about this comment
#450: "...using "Alex Salmond for First Minister" ensured the SNP was at the top of the list for both votes."
Brilliant! He won't get a way with it again, but he only needed to do it once, and look at the benefits it's brought to Scotland and the trouble it's caused for Labour. Salmond has always been one step ahead of the opposition.
Complain about this comment
#433, brigadierjohn
"if such an inquiry is undertaken, it will realy put the issue beyond public comment for al parties and individuals?"
Much of that public comment was calling for a full investigation!
Let's have them all in the dock - preferably Prince's Dock!
Complain about this comment
450. bingowings87
"There was no mention of the SNP on either vote or anywhere on the paper."
I know 3 years is a long time ago, and memories can get distorted. However, here is an image from the explanatory leaflet about the new ballot paper for 2007.
http://sustainablemeetings.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2007/03/29/ballotpaper.jpg
As you will see both lists are alphabetical. "Kirsty Sinclair" comes last in the constituency section because the candidates are listed alphabetically. Maeve Ferguson comes first in the constituency list because her name is first alphabetically, not because of her party name.
Both Regional and Constituency lists are alphabetical - but only within their own parameters.
in other words your post is simply wrong. Not marginally wrong, or confused, but absolutely, totally and unmistakeably wrong.
I hope this clears up your confusion.
Complain about this comment
#423. ambi wrote:I'm obviously not on enough SNP blogs as I appear to have missed this 'barrage of smears'. Well done for bringing it to a wider audience though.
Let's be even handed about this, shall we? The alternative is to make ourselves every bit as wrong as Alan Clayton AND Iain Gray. Clayton well overstepped the mark and that cannot be condoned. However, Iain Gray is every bit as guilty of using an innocent person's death for political ends. His pathetic attempts to turn the whole sorry mess against Alex Salmond reeks of as much hypocracy as Clayton's sad efforts.
Complain about this comment
Seems the Tories are upsetting the French. Quite a few articles floating about alleging that Cameron and Osborne have been making some rather nasty comments about the vertically challenged French politicians.
-----------------
On cct power stations, about time. We need energy, and we don't have sufficient renewables. But no doubt the Green party will start ranting. If we could tap into their hot air we'd have all the energy we need.
Complain about this comment
Twice the moderators have removed a post in which the main point is that I believe most people here believe in democracy.
Maybe the didn't approve in that same post of my disapproval of the Orange Order and a reference to past threats that organization has made. (Comments widely published and never denied by the OO)
I'm not sure why either of those comments would be inflammatory.
Complain about this comment
#450 bingowings87
It helps to do some basic research before you post - indeed I wonder if you actually voted in the 2007 Scottish elections, or just have a selective memory?. Just Google Images Scottish Elections 2007 and lots and lots of pics of the voting papers (yes plural) come up. Two papers, one Parliament and one local Government. Now whilst both the regional list and constituency were printed one on large piece of paper, they were printed on different colour paper, and had a large line down the middle.
And the constituency vote clearly stated the party that the candidate was standing for - ie the Scottish National Party. How that squares with your "There was no mention of the SNP on either vote or anywhere on the paper. The candidates were listed in Party alphabetical order and using "Alex Salmond for First Minister" ensured the SNP was at the top of the list for both votes" is beyond me.
But lets not take my word for it. Lets look at a picture. I find that helps in cases such as yours. In fact here is one from a Labour blog, which shows the split paper for the Parliament (indeed in this photo it looks like two side by side to me), and that in Lothian at least "Alec Salmond for first minister" do not come top of the list.
You will also see that it quite clearly shows that Shirley Ann Sommerville was the candidate for the Scottish National Party (Written out in BIG WORDS). Oh - and the SNP logo - the pretty familiar one thats been around in Scotland for 40-50 years - is on both sides of the paper - ie beside the bit where it says "Scottish National Party".
Thoughts? Apologies? Or are you just trying to imply that the SNP won by underhand tactics in 2007. Interesting insinuation, and one that I'm sure we will see time and time again.
But best not try it here - you will simply get caught again.
Complain about this comment
It is hard to have a blether with moderation taking over an hour. We'd be quicker writing letters...
Complain about this comment
424. Brig John on Steven Purcell.
''I make no defence of him, but to say "innocent until proven guilty.''
421. Brig John on Alex Salmond.
''It's a straight choice for Salmond now - either apologise or be seen to endorse the tactics.''
You are so biased you could fall over !
Complain about this comment
#448. cynicalHighlander:
Perhaps you may not know the story of the former, "Lurgi", plant at Westfield in Fife? This plant was closed and sold overseas. The process was a World Leader and we thus lost the lead. It was a gasification plant and used a revolutionary fluid bed process that could actually, cleanly, burn stuff normally considered unburnable. It produced smokeless fuel, gas fuel and more useful side prducts than I can remember, including waterproofers, detergents, sulfur and bitumen. Thatcher saw that lot off as well as school milk.
Complain about this comment
#446 JRM: What a comedy turn you are! The head of my party? That'll be my wife then. She apologises to you.
#447: I am, in fact, probably more knowledgable that Mr Mason in the area of Contempt of Court and Prejudicial Comment as they affect the media. So there. Yah, boo to you.
#453 Brownedov: Your callousness astonishes me. "Rather tasteless, unpleasant and perhaps upsetting to the family." This guy Clayton isn't you, is it? To have the gall to equate a gratuitous attack on a private, grieving family with the utterances of political shysters is far beyond the pale, I'm afraid.
Regarding the BBC, every time they call their lawyer, probably someone like Alastair Bonnington, (I may be out of date there) they incur a hefty fee. These stories require many phone calls. Accountants pressurise editors. Editors back off. Conspiracies and bias don't come into it. That's nationalist fantasy.
#456 oldnat: I think the time is long overdue for the SNP leadership to take in hand the damage done to them by "supportive" bloggers. Whether it's an apology or a simple expression of disapproval, they surely must recognise the stupidity. It doesn't matter what others do, some kind of official caution - a yellow card - would do the party's credibility the world of good.
I have to go off now.
Complain about this comment
365" sid_ts63 and 366"cynicalHighlander thanks guys
Complain about this comment
458. enneffess
"People who blog are fully entitled to their views. But those who have strong affiliations with political parties, must really think before they post. Most especially the SNP activists since, as I have already stated a few weeks ago, the media are lurking."
Here I agree. The SNP certainly has the right, even the responsibiilty, to discipline someone who makes such a crass statement.
While it would be NICE if all SNP members would be careful about what they say, it isn't going to happen. People are sometimes stupid and sometimes angry or upset. Expecting a higher standards from SNP members is an exercise in futility. I think most are trying to be careful, but there will be ones who aren't.
I am obviously not a member of the SNP and even I haven't called the editor of the NotW a bad name lately. I am being a model of civility. =)
It is unfortunate that the MSM has been given something to use as a smokescreen but there was bound to be something out there somewhere they could grab to use.
Complain about this comment
457. hamish42
"If the waste heat from generation is being used usefully, like in domestic district heating or growing crops or for industrial use, viz combined heat and power, it could take the overall efficiency to 80%."
As I understand it one has to extra heat the flue gasses to seperate the CO2 before compressing into liquid form, transporting then injecting into old oil wells all energy intensive. The Oil Drum
Complain about this comment
460. Brownedov
"Did it perhaps vary from place to place?"
No the alphabetical rules - by name for constituencies : by party description for the list were decreed by the Scottish Office (aka Skeletor).
They couldn't use registered party name because that would have meant that the Labour (and Tory) Party couldn't have put "Scottish" before their name.
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
466. JRMacClure
PS. Aha! Got it. They didn't like the part where I implied that I'm not so sure that the BBC does.
Complain about this comment
I presume the slowness of moderation is due to a great outpouring of woe that an ageing English footballer (good though he was) has been injured.
Complain about this comment
468. X_Sticks
"It is hard to have a blether with moderation taking over an hour. We'd be quicker writing letters..."
or this pigeon post
Complain about this comment
470. Auld Bob
"Perhaps you may not know the story of the former, "Lurgi", plant at Westfield in Fife?"
No I had never heard of it thanks, a passing comment before searching in those days oil would of been about 8 dollars a barrel (cheap/plenty energy) as energy cost rise then some things are not what they seem.
Complain about this comment
#471 brigadierjohn
"This guy Clayton isn't you, is it?"
No. A tasteless question does not equal a "gratuitous attack".
Wansanshoo's #469 is bang on the money.
Complain about this comment
#467 Gallach
Well said!
#475 oldnat
"No"
I rather thought that was the case but was trying, wrongly it seems, to be as reasonable as possible.
Complain about this comment
#441 brigadierjohn
I do not think that "Claytongate" is the issue here. What worries me is that you accept that "Presidentialism" is here to stay and that is ok by you. As a British subject, I most strenuously object to placing so much power in one person. You only have to look at the travails of Charles and Cromwell to see the results, be they King, Lord Protector or a Prime Minister unfettered by cabinet. The British are going down a very dangerous road in allowing this tendency in their politics.
As an independentist, I'm all for the British Parliament becoming less democratic. It will make the contrast with the independence offering starker and less to the advantage of the Union. As you labour so hard against the SNP, an independence party, you should be endeavouring at least as hard against this process in your British politics, otherwise all the good that you do here will be undone by Rupert Murdoch and the BBC. As Burke said, "All that it needs for evil to flourish, is for good men to do nothing".
I am flourishing, what are you doing?
Complain about this comment
Is there something rotten in the City of Glasgow?
‘For more than a year, Glasgow City Building has refused to release details of the City Refrigeration (owned by Willie Haughey) contracts following Freedom of Information (FoI) requests from The Herald.’
This next part must be some kind of a joke:
‘Glasgow City Building claims the method used to award them was so novel and unique it constitutes a trade secret and is therefore exempt from FoI.’
Does this mean, "If we award you donate?"
I loved this one-liner:
‘When FoI was created, ministers said an example of an exempt trade secret was the recipe for Irn-Bru.’
http://tinyurl.com/y8be2ey
Complain about this comment
473. JRMacClure:
I've read more into this story, and it appears there may have been another - albeit less controversial - comment made prior to this one.
This is a blogger with official links to the SNP. An ex-teacher at that, yet fails to use some basic commonsense. We saw what happened only a few months ago, and it was obvious that political blogs have lurkers on them.
We all know how easy it is: use an basic search engine and off you go. Some bloggers even provide helpful links to others. And some blogs allow you to make comments, giving yet another lead.
We are extremely close to a general election that is looking increasingly likely that the Tories might mess up. But one blogger has given the opposition a hook. No matter what happens with investigations into the Glasgow issues, this will come back to haunt them. It was a callous statement and to be frank the apology was rather short. Not only that, but it could also raise the nonsensical "anti-Glasgow" rant as well.
With the issues of Glasgow, the SNP does not need to do anything. Leave the comments to the professionals.
I seriously think the blogger in question is a regular on here. Too many coincidences I'm afraid.
I'll not go any further on this blog however. People can make their own minds up.
(and no oldnat, it's not you!)
Complain about this comment
470. Auld Bob
This one when energy was equated in monetary terms rather than EROI. In those days the World was awash with cheap energy and people would quite happily use 100% energy to give a much reduced EROI as it made money which makes the World go around. Times have changed our energy available now is reducing year on year and we have to maximise its use to its full value (not monetary) as waste is just that gone forever irretrievable.
Complain about this comment
478. At 9:21pm on 15 Mar 2010, oldnat wrote:
"I presume the slowness of moderation is due to a great outpouring of woe that an ageing English footballer (good though he was) has been injured."
Being the patriotic football supporter, I'm in an evil mood and wondering if it would be worth England winning the World Cup without Beckham playing......
Perhaps not.........
Complain about this comment
I find it unbelievably crass that Labour-supporting journalists are using the deranged comments of a lone nutter apropos the tragic death of this young McKinlay lad as a political football. I expect an apology from Ian Grey.
CC
Complain about this comment
470. Auld Bob
"the former, "Lurgi", plant at Westfield in Fife"
I used to pass it every day on the way to work. As a Goons fan the prospect of calling off work because of the "dreaded Lurgi" was always an option (never taken).
Complain about this comment
476. cynicalHighlander
This post linked to that underground newspaper called "The Herald" produced in Glasgow and the blog moderators who are paid by who knows who deem it such a subersive and odious publication that they feel it should be hidden from view and are busy scrabbling around the country collecting copies and locking up the holders to 42 days detention of being terrorists against their masters who are destined to rule come what may.
Billy J Kramer
Complain about this comment
The Youth Commission on Alcohol, a group of young Scots selected by the Scottish government has recommended a ban on advertising alcohol in public.
Ive been banging on about the advertising of alcohol for some time now. I think totally banning alcohol advertising (just like tobacco) would do more to curb the binge culture than most other measures, barring prohibition. It's good to see that young Scots would agree with that after a year's deliberation on the subject. It will take more than just minimum pricing to change Scotland's terrible relationship with alcohol.
Complain about this comment
483. handclapping
"As a British subject"
For shame sir! You are a "British Citizen" by law (and whatever you want to be by choice) - but "subject"?
Complain about this comment
484. At 10:06pm on 15 Mar 2010, tullibardine wrote:
"Is there something rotten in the City of Glasgow?"
What, haven't they got refrigeration?
Complain about this comment
Scottish Labour drops guarantees on health and schools
"and will fight the general election instead on key pledges on knife crime and apprenticeships"
Keep the punters uneducated, unhealthy, drunk, and reliant on the state for survival. The Scottish Labour way. (unless, of course, you have a pal in the cooncil...)
Complain about this comment
484. tullibardine
Can't stop laughing see my #490 if it passes.
Complain about this comment
#474 Cynicalhighlander
A basic fossil fuelled power station can only have maximum effiency of about 40%, but if it is a combined heat and power station the additional heat which would normally be rejected to the atmosphere will take the overall efficiency up to 80%. There are many power stations which do this. Some time ago the generating rules in the UK required that electricity should be generated at maximum efficiency (ie 40%) then the government changed the law to allow for the waste heat to be recovered and used, potentially taking the efficiency to 80%. The CC&S systems will obviously reduce the efficiency but the 60% of waste heat is available to be used in the CC&S process so there should still be an advantage if combined heat and power is used. I don't know enough about the proposed coal fired power station at Hunterston to know if it will be a combined heat and power station as well as having CC&S. To be useful the station needs to be close to conurbations of houses and factories.
Complain about this comment
#492 oldnat
I object, subject I am and, if these Presidential Prime Ministers persist, subject I will remain. *cue Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves from Nabbucco by Verdi*
But seriously, with war in Iraq and son of Trident foisted on us, what are we but British subjugated peoples?
Complain about this comment
493. X_Sticks
"What, haven't they got refrigeration? "
If we ran a post of the year competition here, I'd nominate you for that one!
Complain about this comment
#493 X_Sticks
The Sunday Times thinks they have too much refrigeration.
Complain about this comment
From todays Hootsmoan
'Labour joins fight against coal power plant'
Well of course they would. The new coal plant would create jobs and give Scotland a world lead in CCT, something that labour was bound to fight at all costs.
As ex labour MP Martin O'Neill once said 'The main purpose of the labour party is to lower the expectations of the Scottish people'
That's one part of their dogma they can't be accused of watering down.
Roll on the election.
Complain about this comment
View these comments in RSS