It seems that the idea of a Scottish Olympic Team is causing quite an uproar amongst Scottish "establishment" figures. It seems obvious that the First Minister will not commit his Scottish Executive to backing the idea for fear that this would lead to an upsurge in Scottish pride.
That is really the heart of the issue. If the political will was there does anyone really believe we would still be hearing proposals for a "British Football Team" from politicians who simply don't have a clue about the strength of feeling in Scotland and Wales. There is very little chance of such an idea receiving any kind of support from Scots or Welsh foortball fans and there is every possibility that a "Team GB" football team would be booed off the park if the football matches were indeed to be held at Hampden.
Scotland would be far better represented by an exclusively Scottish Olympic team. The fact that we are not independent is neither here nor there. If Hong Kong can have a team then there is no reason why Scotland can't have one also.
I would like to urge everyone reading this to support a proposal for a Scottish Olympic team and to make their feelings known on the issue of a GB football team. Congratulations must go to the Scottish Football Association for having the guts to take a stand against a combined GB football team.
Friday, July 29, 2005
Saturday, July 23, 2005
An open letter to the "mainstream" Scottish media
Murray Ritchie, the former Political Editor of the Herald newspaper has, since his retirement from front line journalism, spoken several times of the imbalance in the coverage of Scottish Politics. This lack of balanced reporting is almost unheard of in other parts of Europe or the wider World. In other, normal, independent countries the second largest political party almost invariably has one of the major newspapers on it's side. In Scotland not one newspaper provides fair coverage, nevermind shows bias towards the SNP, Scotland's second largest political party.
The reason for this is a simple one. Money. It has not been uncommon for the Labour Party to threaten to withdraw advertising revenue from newspapers who don't toe the "party line". The fact that money can be used to influence the ability of so-called independent publications to take a balanced and impartial line is extremely worrying. It says that we in Scotland we do not truly have freedom of the press.
Murray Ritchie referred to the advertising issue in the following terms:
"When I was Scottish political editor of The Herald and covering the 1999 Holyrood elections my paper was denied hundreds of thousands of pounds of advertising from Labour-supporting businesses because, in the words of a senior Labour figure who picked favoured media outlets, we were 'not sufficiently supportive'. This sort of political sectarianism is nothing new. For generations Scottish journalism has been littered with examples of independence-friendly writers finding life unusually complicated."
You can read the article in full on the Saltire Society website.
Another reason is careerism or party loyalty. It is well known that a number of prominent journalists and broadcasters in the political arena in Scotland are somewhat less than neutral in terms of their political preferences. The ability of some of the journalists to perform impartially is not called into question as often as it should be. A major reason for this is that at the end of the day the journalists write the news and to complain about them would only worsen the situation for the complainants.
Individual journalists can find themselves being pressurised by Labour spin doctors to carry the line they wish to see. It is said that they are threatened with being denied stories in the future if they fail to co-operate. I would say the following to these journalists: You have made the spin doctors what they are. They have no power but that which you grant them. If you tell them where they can shove their stories you may have to work that bit harder to discover your own scoops but that is no bad thing. Scotland no longer has a single decent investigative journalist. There is so much sleaze to uncover and yet nobody in the Scottish Press Corps has the ability or the drive to go out and find it. They just rely on being spoon fed by the Labour Party. It is lazy journalism at best and a deriliction of duty at worst.
The reason for this is a simple one. Money. It has not been uncommon for the Labour Party to threaten to withdraw advertising revenue from newspapers who don't toe the "party line". The fact that money can be used to influence the ability of so-called independent publications to take a balanced and impartial line is extremely worrying. It says that we in Scotland we do not truly have freedom of the press.
Murray Ritchie referred to the advertising issue in the following terms:
"When I was Scottish political editor of The Herald and covering the 1999 Holyrood elections my paper was denied hundreds of thousands of pounds of advertising from Labour-supporting businesses because, in the words of a senior Labour figure who picked favoured media outlets, we were 'not sufficiently supportive'. This sort of political sectarianism is nothing new. For generations Scottish journalism has been littered with examples of independence-friendly writers finding life unusually complicated."
You can read the article in full on the Saltire Society website.
Another reason is careerism or party loyalty. It is well known that a number of prominent journalists and broadcasters in the political arena in Scotland are somewhat less than neutral in terms of their political preferences. The ability of some of the journalists to perform impartially is not called into question as often as it should be. A major reason for this is that at the end of the day the journalists write the news and to complain about them would only worsen the situation for the complainants.
Individual journalists can find themselves being pressurised by Labour spin doctors to carry the line they wish to see. It is said that they are threatened with being denied stories in the future if they fail to co-operate. I would say the following to these journalists: You have made the spin doctors what they are. They have no power but that which you grant them. If you tell them where they can shove their stories you may have to work that bit harder to discover your own scoops but that is no bad thing. Scotland no longer has a single decent investigative journalist. There is so much sleaze to uncover and yet nobody in the Scottish Press Corps has the ability or the drive to go out and find it. They just rely on being spoon fed by the Labour Party. It is lazy journalism at best and a deriliction of duty at worst.
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Once again our thoughts are in London
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4703777.stm
There are reports that there have been more detonations on the Underground in London, involving the Warren Street, Oval and Shepherd's Bush Tube stations.
Thankfully this time it appears as though it was only detonators and not actual explosives used so there are thought to be few, if any, casualties. There has been speculation that this was a practice run for a nail bomb attack and we can only hope those who may be considering something like this are caught as soon as possible and prevented from carrying through their
evil plan.
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
"Madame Ecosse" - Winnie Ewing to retire as SNP President
Winnie Ewing, who is without doubt one of the most recognisable faces of Scottish nationalism is to step down as SNP President. She will not be seeking re-election at this year's Annual Conference in Aviemore.
Regardless of the personal political views of the electorate, it seems that Winnie is almost universally thought of with fondness and warmth. She is one of the rare people who have made their own little slice of history. (By famously winning Hamilton South Westminster constituency in 1967.) Her quote "Stop the world. Scotland wants to get on." has passed into legend and is a rallying call and an inspiration for many current SNP activists.
She has served Scotland accross three Parliaments, Westminster, Europe and the Scottish Parliament. Her opening words at the inauguration of the Scottish Parliament in 1999 will live long in the memory. "The Scottish Parliament, adjourned in 1707, is hereby reconvened."
Make no mistake, with her retirement from Scottish politics, we have lost a political giant of the modern era.
Regardless of the personal political views of the electorate, it seems that Winnie is almost universally thought of with fondness and warmth. She is one of the rare people who have made their own little slice of history. (By famously winning Hamilton South Westminster constituency in 1967.) Her quote "Stop the world. Scotland wants to get on." has passed into legend and is a rallying call and an inspiration for many current SNP activists.
She has served Scotland accross three Parliaments, Westminster, Europe and the Scottish Parliament. Her opening words at the inauguration of the Scottish Parliament in 1999 will live long in the memory. "The Scottish Parliament, adjourned in 1707, is hereby reconvened."
Make no mistake, with her retirement from Scottish politics, we have lost a political giant of the modern era.
Monday, July 18, 2005
War in Iraq "increased" probability of UK terror attacks
According to the Royal Institute of International Affairs (RIAA), which is also known as "Chatham House", and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) the war in Iraq left the UK as more of a target for terrorism. This should come as no surprise to anyone. In choosing to pursue an illegal war, Tony Blair cast in his lot and that of the UK with George W Bush and the USA who are widely despised throughout the Middle East.
There are historically many reasons for this, a prime example of which is the US position as regards Israel. There are also more recent reasons that the US are despised in that part of the world. There was the humiliation and alleged torture of prisoners at Abu Ghraib and Guantanemo Bay and more recently it has emerged that the US used a napalm like substance repeatedly in Iraq this time around.
Napalm is not something which can be used in a carefully targetted and controlled manner. Napalm sucks all the oxygen from the target area to feed the flames so even if people escape the flames, they will still suffocate. This is an indiscriminate weapon and will kill men, women and children. It is feared by some that it was used in urban areas such as the city of Fallujah.
Is it really any wonder that there is such bitterness towards the US and their allies?
Links:
Minister slammed on napalm error
Ministers reject Iraq terror link
Resistance in Iraq "legitimate"
There are historically many reasons for this, a prime example of which is the US position as regards Israel. There are also more recent reasons that the US are despised in that part of the world. There was the humiliation and alleged torture of prisoners at Abu Ghraib and Guantanemo Bay and more recently it has emerged that the US used a napalm like substance repeatedly in Iraq this time around.
Napalm is not something which can be used in a carefully targetted and controlled manner. Napalm sucks all the oxygen from the target area to feed the flames so even if people escape the flames, they will still suffocate. This is an indiscriminate weapon and will kill men, women and children. It is feared by some that it was used in urban areas such as the city of Fallujah.
Is it really any wonder that there is such bitterness towards the US and their allies?
Links:
Minister slammed on napalm error
Ministers reject Iraq terror link
Resistance in Iraq "legitimate"
London 2012 - How will it affect Scotland?
While it does not seem to be de rigeur at the moment to say anything that will detract in the slightest from London's success in landing the 2012 Olympic games, it is necessary to point out the negative effect it looks likely to have on Scottish grassroots sport.
The mainstream Scottish press do not seem to like it when people publicly suggest that this is the case and seem intent on portraying those who say something as naysayers and doom mongers but the fact of the matter is that there has not been any kind of effort to reassure the people of Scotland about the lottery funding that looks likely to be lost to London.
We are told that there will be benefits as Scotland may be allowed to stage a football match, and also some other as yet unspecified events. This seems to satisfy First Minister McConnel when he should be raising his sights higher than fighting for mere scraps from London's Olympic table.
Farewell Sir Edward Heath...
Former PM Sir Edward Heath dies - From BBC News
Sir Edward Heath, the Tory former Prime Minister has died at the age of 89. Political opponents and friends alike have lined up to pay tribute to him. Below are a selection of quotes which sum it all up.
"No Conservative leader since has shown anything like the same understanding or sympathy to Scottish concerns." - Alex Salmond MP, SNP Leader
"He represented the sensible wing of the Tory Party" - Dennis Healy, former Labour chancellor
"He will be remembered by all who knew him as a political leader of great stature and significance." - Tony Blair, Prime Minister
"...a political giant." - Margaret Thatcher, Former Tory Prime Minister and Edward Heath's immediate successor as Tory Leader.
Sir Edward Heath, the Tory former Prime Minister has died at the age of 89. Political opponents and friends alike have lined up to pay tribute to him. Below are a selection of quotes which sum it all up.
"No Conservative leader since has shown anything like the same understanding or sympathy to Scottish concerns." - Alex Salmond MP, SNP Leader
"He represented the sensible wing of the Tory Party" - Dennis Healy, former Labour chancellor
"He will be remembered by all who knew him as a political leader of great stature and significance." - Tony Blair, Prime Minister
"...a political giant." - Margaret Thatcher, Former Tory Prime Minister and Edward Heath's immediate successor as Tory Leader.
Sunday, July 17, 2005
SSP Take Court Action Over Ban
There have been reports in several Scottish newspapers and on the BBC News website that the Scottish Socialist Party are to take legal action over the suspension of four of their MSPs after a protest in the chamber of the Scottish Parliament.
http://www.theherald.co.uk/politics/43130.html
http://news.scotsman.com/politics.cfm?id=1398002005
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4682967.stm
It is reported that they have engaged the services of two QCs to fight the case for them. This must be costing them an arm and a leg and it is almost certain that other parties will look forward to seeing the details the next time they submit their accounts to the electoral commission. Some people are cruelly speculating whether the SSP will be telling the QCs all about their plans to tax the rich. However, it seems the SSP have no qualms about making these particular rich people richer if it means they can sue the Scottish Parliament and continue claiming they have been hard done to all the while.
All Scottish political junkies are awaiting the results of this court case with baited breath.
http://www.theherald.co.uk/politics/43130.html
http://news.scotsman.com/politics.cfm?id=1398002005
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4682967.stm
It is reported that they have engaged the services of two QCs to fight the case for them. This must be costing them an arm and a leg and it is almost certain that other parties will look forward to seeing the details the next time they submit their accounts to the electoral commission. Some people are cruelly speculating whether the SSP will be telling the QCs all about their plans to tax the rich. However, it seems the SSP have no qualms about making these particular rich people richer if it means they can sue the Scottish Parliament and continue claiming they have been hard done to all the while.
All Scottish political junkies are awaiting the results of this court case with baited breath.
Scottish Socialist Party Nonsense
For a political party which claims to stand for the workers, the Scottish Socialist Party showed no hint of this when they staged their oft criticised demonstration in the chamber of the Scottish Parliament. I do not envy the security guards who had to approach Caroline Leckie, Rosie Kane (and the other one who isn't as good as getting in the news) and ask them to leave the chamber.
As anyone who has visited the Scottish Parliament will know, the security staff try to keep things as low key as possible and are happy to have a laugh and a banter where appropriate. In short, they do their jobs well and should not be placed in the kind of position where they are forced to attempt to remove elected representatives from the chamber.
The actions of the SSP members were roundly criticised by members of other political parties as the suspension they incurred for their actions meant that the Scottish Executive won a debate on whether or not to give the families of people given infected blood the compensation they have been fighitng for over several years. They will not now get this money despite the SSP pledging their support for this cause repeatedly in motions and in the popular press.
The SSP have tried to blame everyone but themselves for this, including the all-party standards committee who took the decision to suspend them. The fact of the matter is that the vote was lost by four votes, exactly the number of SSP MSPs who were suspended for an immature and disruptive demonstration. It seems that gesture politics matter more than "the people" to this Party.
As anyone who has visited the Scottish Parliament will know, the security staff try to keep things as low key as possible and are happy to have a laugh and a banter where appropriate. In short, they do their jobs well and should not be placed in the kind of position where they are forced to attempt to remove elected representatives from the chamber.
The actions of the SSP members were roundly criticised by members of other political parties as the suspension they incurred for their actions meant that the Scottish Executive won a debate on whether or not to give the families of people given infected blood the compensation they have been fighitng for over several years. They will not now get this money despite the SSP pledging their support for this cause repeatedly in motions and in the popular press.
The SSP have tried to blame everyone but themselves for this, including the all-party standards committee who took the decision to suspend them. The fact of the matter is that the vote was lost by four votes, exactly the number of SSP MSPs who were suspended for an immature and disruptive demonstration. It seems that gesture politics matter more than "the people" to this Party.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
