Caledonian Mercury - Latest Comments

Re: Why we should all wake up to the reality about money and politics

Christian Wright — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:07:35 -0000

So the details of an apparent conspiracy to libel the Weir's is beginning to come out.

This from news net Scotland

". . the Labour party were initially reluctant to pursue the tea-party story believing it to be too petty. However, according to a respected source, Johann Lamont’s group were persuaded by the Daily Telegraph newspaper to issue a complaint.

According to journalists at the Holyrood Press Tower, the Telegraph was desperate to keep the story going and a complaint from Labour would allow this.

The ‘tea bag’ complaint, which is thought to be an attempt at diverting attention from the scandal over the Tory party’s ‘cash for access’ revelations, has been covered widely by many Scottish main stream news outlets including the BBC and STV.

The Telegraph’s desire to divert attention from the Tory ‘cash for access’ scandal may be explained by the revelation that one of those who attended a ‘thank you’ dinner for major donors hosted by Prime Minister David Cameron in July 2010 was the Chief Executive of the Telegraph group Murdoch Maclennan."

Re: Why we should all wake up to the reality about money and politics

Maidmarrion — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 14:48:46 -0000

"The SNP may have taken money from Mr Souter and then conveniently changed their policy on bus regulation – but, if that was the price they paid to win the 2007 election, many in the party may well see it as a price worth paying."

Sailing close to the legal wind here.

Re: Scottish islands: Prisons, mermaids and mysterious deaths

Brenda Peterson — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 14:05:57 -0000

I so enjoyed this article and posted it on my new novella, just published, The Secret Journal of Kate Morag, a Silkie and Scottish novella. Here's a link:

http://www.amazon.com/Secre...

Re: Why we should all wake up to the reality about money and politics

JPJ2 — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 12:05:42 -0000

I think Stewart that you made an error when you appointed Hamish as your principal political commentator, particularly given your own expressed pro-independence views.

I have no objection to free speech, but Hanish has brought his anti-SNP bias with him from the Scotsman and this often shows up clearly. The one thing Scotland is not short of is pro-union journalists.

Re: Why we should all wake up to the reality about money and politics

muiravonside — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 18:13:08 -0000

Since Mr and Mrs Weir are private British citizens they are perfectly entitled to make a donation to a political party. Their donation was widely publicised at the time so again why bring it up in this context?

They have no commercial axe to grind. They are eligible to vote in the UK - not based in Lichtenstein and attempting to make a donation via a shell company in the UK.

So why mention them in the context of this article?

I have to say though theymay have been a bit upset when they discovered they could have got dinner at No 10 for a quarter of the money they gave to the SNP for a cup of tea and caramel wafer.

Re: Why we should all wake up to the reality about money and politics

Brendan McCabe — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:01:44 -0000

There is whiff of smear about this article.Not only about Alex Salmond but the Weirs as well.Perhaps the author would like to clarify just exactly what the Weirs gained from their donation.He is sailing pretty close to the wind here and it would help if he just cleared up exactly what he thinks they were being offered.Even if it was a snowball rather than a tea cake.

Re: RBS reports massive half-year loss following Greek debt exposure

PPI Claims — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:09:36 -0000

Thanks to sharing a nice post. International currency and the domestic banking system will continue to provide global inflation bias. I always think that the global and domestic financial system is essentially inflation and dysfunction and the lack of an automatic mechanism to correct the imbalance.

Re: Why we should all wake up to the reality about money and politics

Edulis — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:02:28 -0000

I do find something a wee bit sneaky about Hamish. He is always insinuating that the SNP and/or Alex Salmond are being less than straight. Think of it. The guy is near to fulfilling his dream. He is not going to act in any way which will compromise his position. Being quick witted doesn't mean he is untruthful. Sure he will put a gloss onthe facts he presents, but when he makes a rare mistake as with the blankets issue, he remedies it immediately. Stop playing games Hamish

Re: Why we should all wake up to the reality about money and politics

Christian Wright — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 13:40:04 -0000

Or could it be that you are being deliberately obtuse? I think the article's author already "stirred" things, don't you? This is a very serious issue.

What part of " . . falsely sought to impugn the reputation of the Weirs by implying that their donation to the SNP was a matter of quid pro quo for some government favor or benefit?", are you having difficulty understanding?

It will be for the victims to decide what if anything they will do. I find this kind of yellow journalism, disgusting.

Re: Why we should all wake up to the reality about money and politics

Stewart Kirkpatrick — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 12:57:29 -0000

Sorry but I see nothing actionable here. Perhaps you are just stirring it?

Re: The curious appeal of Don Draper

Michael Forbes — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 12:06:02 -0000

The Mad Men
season 5 premiere didn’t disappoint, especially with Megan's sexy serenade. The
period detail was again magnificent from every satin frock to every madras
print to every cocktail in every glass. I’ve
been archiving original, early-60s party recipes on my blog and love the real
Mad Men-era flare of the swinging vintage hors d'oeuvres and cocktail recipes. Even
if you can’t duplicate the fashion, you can party in authentic Mad Men-stye.
Here’s my guide to throwing the perfect 60s vintage cocktail party: http://thevodkaparty.com/ho...

Re: Why we should all wake up to the reality about money and politics

Christian Wright — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 10:45:10 -0000

I wonder if the author has considered his defamation of the Weirs leaves him and his publisher vulnerable to a civil suit for libel, in that he deliberately and knowingly falsely sought to impugn the reputation of the Weirs by implying that their donation to the SNP was a matter of quid pro quo for some government favor or benefit?

Has he considered the anguish he has caused the Weir's by this defamatory article?

Re: Why we should all wake up to the reality about money and politics

DougDaniel — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 08:31:07 -0000

Sorry Hamish, but what is this rubbish? Are you seriously trying to suggest that the Weir's donated that money to the SNP because Salmond invited them for a tea and caramel wafer and promised them something, rather than because they're lifelong SNP supporters?

I'll let you into a secret Hamish. Salmond DID promise them something at that little meeting. He promised them something which they crave, and which they would pay any amount of money to secure.

He promised them: INDEPENDENCE.

I'm disappointed Stewart has actually published this article. This is a shameful attempt at a smear.

As an SNP member myself, I can tell you that the only shock I got when the Weir's donated £1 million was that they didn't donate more. £17 million and only £1 million towards independence? I'd have given at least £5 million.

As for the Soutar smear - evidence, please. There is much talk of the SNP "dropping" the bus regulation idea from the manifesto, but given that Soutar made the donation in March - not even a month before the manifesto was published - I find it highly unlikely it hadn't already been dropped before he made that donation. Besides, as a supporter of independence (and having consequently made more donations), what the story really boils down to is "Rich independence supporter donates fraction of fortune to SNP."

Re: Why we should all wake up to the reality about money and politics

Ally Decker — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 06:33:21 -0000

Don't disagree with the premise of the piece, but the line about the SNP's lottery winners is disingenuous and misses the point. Nobody objects to political parties being given money - it's an absolute necessity for them to survive. The problem is if that money is given in exchange for influence over policy by vested interests. What policy is it that you're implying the Weirs were seeking to have altered? Were they trying to get the SNP to support Scottish independence, by any chance?

Re: Useful Scots word: couthie

JimBraid — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 06:12:01 -0000

Very familiar with the traditional meaning of couthie but so far never heard it used in the critical style. Maybe it's not got as far as Aberdeenshire yet.

Re: Opinion: Not a bad Budget – but the economy remains lamentable

SeanAllan — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 09:24:59 -0000

To quote the social media parlance OMG, where do I start? I don't want to get personal Mr Knox, but your comment is way more lamentable than the state of the economy. Wait, is it me? have i missed something and this is one of those "in the style of Private Eye" type observations? i'm guessing its not.

You think the 50p rate should have been kept, not because its fair or justified but as a symbol that you can afford it because your living is "comfortable" £150K+ salaries are "comfortable now? Does that make £60K lamentable then? What aboyt £30K an effing disgrace even though it is comfortably above the national average? I wish we were discussing this over a pint right now (you'd be buying btw)

If you want to do the pint thing, make sure they put mine in a plastic tumbler. You would put a lower band in so EVERYONE pays something. I know more than a few tories, even a former tory MSP. None of them would even have dreamt of taxing someone earning £5K a year - or less as you suggest (everyone pays something, remember)

I'm paraphrasing now, but did you just say "screw you pensioner, we can't afford to subsidise you anymore, cough up!" I think you did.

You see nothing wrong with regionaly negotiated pay. I suppose national collective bargaining should be made illegal too? I want to continue, but I have to go take my blood pressure meds.

Do me a favour though Mr Knox, keep writing for the CalMerc, so that I know you don't have any ambitions of becoming Chancellor. I hope you noticed that I was too polite to leave you with that other common SM parlance GTF.

Re: Budget 2012: Good for computer games, whisky and North Sea oil

Fareham Wine Cellar — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 07:51:21 -0000

Actually there is an increase of duty in alcohol of 5.7% which is 2% above inflation. This is part of the duty accumulator implemented by the last Labour government. This equates to an increase of 36p per bottle of 40% spirits (before VAT on the duty!!!). Osbourne was a bit disingenuous in the way he didn't clearly mention this.

Re: Opinion: Trickle-down economics – what to do with Scotland’s water?

Thomas William Dunlop — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 09:04:05 -0000

Why not sell water to the south east and use the money to pay off the debt of Scottish water, which then include the infrastructure built to allow the massive transit of it to the south. Water bills may even go down or at least stay the same

Re: Useful Scots word: skail

Tony Mitchell — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 05:11:25 -0000

That photo really makes me want to greet!!

Re: There will be no bevvying: UCS work-in recalled in rarely seen films

HenBroon — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 05:04:24 -0000

I am so proud of Jimmy Reid and what he stood for. This is a fitting tribute to Jimmy and the many other proud men and women who stood up to the cold brutality of the capitalist political elite, who have no more regard for ordinary men and women than they do for the dog shit on their expensive shoes.

We must never let the heritage the Clydesiders fought for be taken from us. The Clyde yards that are left are there because of these brave people, we must strive to keep them there in their honour.

The Clyde and it's towns, were once the engine of Scotland, it can be again.

Re: Useful Scots word: Oxter

WGMcC — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 05:41:04 -0000

Does anyone know the origin of the short poem about catching a flea:

My oxter pet, my bosom friend,
To your short life I put an end,
For all the deeds that you have done
I execute you with my thumb.

WILLIE
w.mccarney@btconnect.com

Re: Time to tackle at least one myth spread by the SNP

IndependentScotland — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:02:44 -0000

Dear oh dear what shoddy lazy journalism, the kind we expect from unionists who just cannot be bothered to check that the pre conceived ideas formed over their latte blethers are in fact reality based and not stereotypically based.

Here is what you wrote with quotes:

“Scotland doesn’t need London politicians/David Cameron coming up to Scotland and telling us what to do. Those days are gone.” Complete guff.

Here is the extract from the actual speech, readily available on line, and found in 5 seconds:

“But I’ve got a message for Messrs Cameron, Clegg & Miliband.The days of politicians in London telling Scotland what to do and what to think are over."

A wee bit different.

Anyone who has followed the political scene from 2007 when the SNP spoiled the party, cannot be in any doubt about London politicians shouting the odds about what we can and will do, which is why the SNP came back even stronger in 2011. Just even taking the uttering of the hapless Moore alone tells us all we need to know. Now then what were you saying?

Re: Italy 13 Scotland 6: is it now time for Andy Robinson to go?

Ally Decker — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 08:34:20 -0000

Yep. Robinson's had a fair crack of the whip, and rightly so, but three years is long enough. His 6 Nations results are hard reading:

2010: 3pts
2011: 2pts
2012: 0pts

Throw in our worst World Cup outcome ever and that is not progress, however you paint it. "Played well but lost" eventually runs out of credit, and our last two matches couldn't even claim that consolation.

Re: Opinion: Should green thinking be getting a red light?

Brad — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 19:49:38 -0000

"A sharp return to ice age-like conditions helped precipitate the development of agriculture in the Levant, a hugely successful innovation that soon diffused to other settled regions."

False, there are conflicting theories for the development of agriculture in the Levant.
http://www.sciencemag.org/c...

"While the development of agriculture during the Neolithic revolution was to change the world for the better,"

False. It is now almost universally accepted that the transition to agriculture was fraught with blood feuds, warfare, increased famines, disease and a decline in human health.
http://www.ditext.com/diamo...
http://www.amazon.com/Healt...

and see: Chazan, Michael. World Prehistory and Archaeology: Pathways Through Time. 2008. Pearson Education, Inc.

"...the real awakening from millennia of Malthusian stagnation was the industrial revolution."

Malthusian stagnation? Oh please. The industrial revolution of 18th and 19th centuries were a 'real awakening'? You mean the flourishing of Dickensian poverty that resulted from the sharp increase in inequality? The textile factories that became Blake's 'satanic mills'? And the forcible enclosure of the commons which drove people into them? You mean the poor laws, slavery, class stratification and colonialism abroad all represented a grand 'awakening'? Clearly someone is massively misinformed about history.

"For example, in the late 19th century the growing use of steam power enabled energy and labour costs to decouple for the first time in human history. Energy became cheap while prosperity soared..."

Prosperity soared for whom?

"In the late 19th century, oil from the ground replaced oil from whales as the primary source of energy for domestic lighting. Coal eventually helped depleted woodland to re-grow, while the oil industry arguably saved the whale."

Utterly false. Many whale species were being driven to extinction long after the petroleum industry got going. And the petroleum industry was basically launched due to government subsidies. It was the IWC's suggestion in 1986 for a worldwide moratorium that saved the whales.
http://www.radford.edu/~wko...
http://www.iwcoffice.org/co...
http://forbiddenfuel.wordpr...
http://www.wildlifeextra.co...

"Nurses nurse and teachers teach only because someone else is providing their joules, calories and other material needs."

Right, because prior to agriculture or the industrial revolution nobody nursed or cared for the weak and sick, nor taught anybody anything.

"The latest large-scale energy innovation, nuclear, is of course essentially carbon-free."

Nonsense. Life-cycle studies of nuclear power plants show no such thing:
http://www.sciencedirect.co...

"Overall, carbon emissions have of course been growing, a sign that global energy use has risen sharply since the industrial revolution. This is to be welcomed since energy use is both liberating and civilising."

That's odd, since major wars have been faught over energy (see: US terrorist invasion of Iraq). How exactly was this war liberating, or civilizing for that matter, and for whom?

"The alternative path offered by mainstream Greens is the “renewables revolution”. But what is being offered is not a revolution – it is a regression to a past of diffuse energy with arguably greater environmental impact"

And yet the author fails to argue or give a single example of what these greater environmental impacts are.

"Such is the influence of mainstream Green thinking however that it is now doing real harm. In Germany, Die Grünen manoeuvred Angela Merkel into a nuclear shutdown that will close the single largest source of carbon-free energy in Europe’s largest economy"

Again, the author fails to argue what "real harm" is being done by shutting down dangerous and unsustainable energy sources that are certainly not "carbon free".

"The prospect of Greens forcing the closure of yet more carbon-free nuclear plants is truly absurd."

No, what's absurd is how anyone could obtain an engineering degree and write the kind of drivel. After Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, Fukushima and countless worlwide nuclear leaks, spills, fallout and thousands of deaths, contamination, as well as the unresolved problem of storage, phasing out nuclear power plants by 2022 was a rational and sensible policy decision for Germany. We can only hope France comes to its senses as well.

"Similar damage also risks being done through blind opposition to shale gas. Through innovations in drilling technology, methane can now be extracted from deep shale bedrock. Shale gas production has grown sharply in the US, with this new energy innovation set to quickly diffuse to other regions including the UK. Arguments that renewable energy is required anyway since hydrocarbons are running out look increasingly suspect."

Similar damage? What damage? If you really want damage, look no further than shale gas drilling using fracking. Contaminated water and earthquakes are just some of the dangerous effects of this type of methane extraction.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/c...

"Wonderfully, methane can be burned in compact, ultra-efficient combined cycle gas turbines producing electrical energy with less than half the carbon emissions of coal."

Half the emissions of coal is not going to be sufficient to ward off global warming.

"For example, a longstanding grumble is that it leaves future generations with a stock of nuclear waste to deal with. Nuclear energy does indeed present an intergenerational transfer, but it is an overwhelmingly positive one."

The growth and intergenerational transfer of nuclear waste is "overwhelmingly positive" simply because the author says so? Talk about a lack of innovative thinking.

"We will need this energy to liberate the poor in the developing world, power rapidly growing global cities and efficiently recycle strategic materials in ways undreamt of at present."

More promises of utopia, this time with the excuse that nuclear waste will somehow liberate the poor.

"The entire point of economic development is productivity, doing more with less"

No. The entire point of economic development is to make the rich richer. See the entire history of Western political economy.

"And if the contention is agri-business corporate antics, why have Greens ripped up field trials of publicly funded research that could provide GM technology to the poor patent-free? "

If the author really believes that GM technology might be given to the poor patent free, I have some swampland in the arctic tundra to sell him.

"Let’s also remember that it was through the development of agriculture, and entirely artificial means of organising nature, that our ancestors innovated their way out of climate change in the Younger Dryas period and prospered, rather than merely prevailed."

Again, this is patently false. See my references above.

I have no idea of who Colin McInnes is or what kind of bunk he's written before this mess, but I just thought someone has to take out the ideological garbage every now and then.

Re: Useful Scots word: skail

Meg Moreland — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 05:05:38 -0000

When I first read this, I thought it was a word I hadn't come across, but when you talk about people skailing out of churches it brought back to me my mum telling me to get home from friends early before the pubs started 'skelling oot' (which in those days was 10 pm). I'd always associated the word with pubs.