Good grief!! This is absolutely beyond parody!! There is yet another terrible puff piece in the Guardian – the fifteenth in the last month now I think – about how Gordon Brown will save the union and what a great and respected sage Brown is. This one claims that Brown is the only man to have perceived that the independence referendum must be about the future of Scotland.
No, really, it does, read it through.
I think Rusbridger must be on heroin. Of course I realised something is seriously wrong for anybody to wear that bad a wig in public, but I really had not quite understood just how bad things actually are at the Guardian. I do now.
Freedland is at his most execrable in this piece in the absolute lie that Brown is speaking to packed out halls up and down Scotland. Completely untrue. Actually they might be less empty were it not for the fact that these meetings are strictly no entry except by invite. Not to mention that – and the fact no questions are allowed – shows as if we did not know that Freedland has no claims at all to journalistic integrity, and is just writing pure propaganda.
So, according to the Guardian, Gordon Brown thinks David Cameron’s case against Scottish independence — that it would be bad for Britain — is futile for the obvious reason that it is not the British but the Scots who are going to decide the issue. Seems a point worth making.
Brown’s other major contention, as discussed in the article you refer to — about the pound and the desirability of a voice at the table in the management of the currency — makes obvious sense too.
You say the Guardian report lies in stating that Brown is speaking to packed halls, but Reuters report that Brown recently filled the Old Fruit Market in Glasgow, which suggests he’s receiving more attention in Scotland than you would like.
Craig,
May I suggest that one of the core issues is the whole matter of nuclear weapons in Scotland.
The US/English alliance has a vested set of interests in keeping this status quo as it is.
My view? Stop building nuclear weapons and start deescalating around the globe. Simply put – if you can blow the world up five times over already – what is the great advantage in maintaining expenditures which assure that a nation can blow the world up tenfold and not just fivefold?
What about the NPT?
So Iran signed – didn’t they? And the UK?
So which nation is building more nuclear weapons in Scotland?
Gordon Brown – if you believe in peace instead of more war ( which we already know the answer to) – then to thine own self be true and continue along your already established trajectory.
ALUTA CONTINUA!
So true. At least about that wig. No wonder he’s not keen on country life, if he ever went to a hunt the dogs would tear him to pieces to get at that thing.
No surprises really.
“‘recently filled the Old Fruit Market”…lolz
I found some STV footage of the Old Fruit Market venue, it certainly looks full to me and the attendance figures and hall capacity seem to match.
If when Scotland gets its independence it ever needs a loan there might be another source other than the IMF.
http://www.hangthebankers.com/china-plans-to-create-its-own-world-bank/
Fred,
So what? Handpicked journalists and Labour activists “encouraged” to attend. No-one allowed to question. Definitely no-one known to support Independence allowed in the hall.
Sounds a bit dodgy to me.
There are pictures available of Brown in sparsely occupied rooms where the above restrictions were not applied. WHY is he conducting this one man band when he could be supporting the main Unionist group ( Chairman, A Darling) . It’s Brown’ s ego again, supported by idiots like Rusbridger.
I googled ‘stv Gordon brown old fruit market’ and got this report plus video of 7mins+ of Brown in close up.
http://news.stv.tv/scotland-decides/news/277779-gordon-brown-helps-launch-labours-campaign-to-keep-scotland-in-uk/
Could have done without that first thing in the morning.
No video of the adoring crowds at the Old Fruit Market appeared. Perhaps someone else could find it!
“So what?”
So Craig claimed the halls where Gordon Brown spoke weren’t full and Jives seemed to be ridiculing the suggestion that the Old Fruit Market was full.
Yet when I check I find that the Old Fruit Market was, in fact, full.
I Googled the Old Fruit Market and Gordon Brown and found that it was full.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=%22old+fruit+market%22+%22gordon+brown%22&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=abo&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&channel=fflb&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=cmuuU-LrOOHe7Abz74D4Bg&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ&biw=1199&bih=645#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=Y4BtFvh2-2cMhM%253A%3Bh7r9nzketxr1IM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252F3.vsr.vz.tl%252Fassets%252Fimages%252Fcached%252FWH8hjuC-360.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.veooz.com%252Fnews%252FKH3Ykwn.html%3B360%3B270
At least the Bordesley Centre was full on Thursday (about 700 I understand) with those of us fighting back against Gove’s divisive and prejudiced introduction of Islamophobia into Birmingham schools.
http://www.channel4.com/news/trojan-horse-schools-birmingham-muslim-oldknow-academy
I thought Jives was sniggering at the carry onesque double entendre. Made me laugh.
Brown filled the old fruitmarket? Even when fully stuffed the old fruitmarket has a limited capacity. !000 or so. An embarrassing size for someone off the tele.
Anyway happy ww1 start day.
I want to share with you this short video of seven year old Ben reading his thoughts to a packed house and standing ovation on Thursday, and all the racist shits in this government of ours should learn something. Children do not share their prejudice. Out of the mouths of babes . . .
https://coolnessofhind.wordpress.com/category/islam/
I am in hiding today lest I hear any military bands or the sound of armies marching.
Today is Armed Forces Day created by the ghastly warmongering Gordon Brown. He sat alongside BLiar writing the cheques and voting for war and then had three years at it solo. NuLabour was the worst thing to befall the UK.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armed_Forces_Day_(United_Kingdom)
It is also a business. http://www.armedforcesday.org.uk/
I see the main event today is in Stirling. I wonder who engineered that?
“I think Rusbridger must be on heroin.”
This is unfair. It is perfectly possible to sustain a life of heroin addiction without becoming a corporate serving, royal cock sucking, war crime propagandising, elitist, statist, hypocrite fraud and keep your hair.
I have always thought that there is something of the tragi-comic about Gordo.
http://gordonandsarahbrown.com/2014/06/gordon-brown-makes-positive-case-for-the-union/
But having f’ed up our economy, he is doing pretty well on the personal side I read. There is some story that all his earnings from speeches (who would pay to hear him!?) go to The Office of Gordon and Sarah Brown Ltd. Sarah Brown is one director and a David Boutcher the other.
http://companycheck.co.uk/director/908228587
The note about Sarah Brown says:
Sarah Brown holds 4 appointments at 4 active companies, has resigned from 2 companies and held 1 appointments at 1 dissolved companies. Sarah began their first appointment at the age of 28 and their longest current appointment spans 12 years and 1 months at THEIRWORLD PROJECTS LIMITED.
The combined cash at bank value for all businesses where Sarah holds a current appointment equals £206,448,368, with a combined assets value of £361,891,863 and liabilities of £1,273,121,464. Roles associated with Sarah Brown within the recorded businesses include: Director’
Interesting that she has a directorship of Harrods Group Holdings Ltd. Who owns Harrods these days?
I also came across this and felt sick.
‘Indeed, that Brooks’s friendship with Sarah Brown, ex-PM Gordon Brown’s wife, was so close that she attended a “pyjama party” hosted by the PM’s wife, with Elisabeth Murdoch and Rupert’s then wife Wendi Deng, at Chequers, is (just about) fine in isolation. But seen as part of a bigger picture, in which a closed circle of elected and unelected power brokers make deals over sausage rolls warmed in the Agas in Chipping Norton, or the expense-account specialist restaurants in the City of London, is something that should be of concern to those of us who cherish democratic decision-making and oppose the increasing concentration of wealth in fewer and fewer hands.’
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/natalie-bennett-coulson-affair-shines-light-british-politics-110352989.html
Mary
Are those figures correct? Over 200 million pounds? Jesus.
The pyjama party story reveals Brown’s image to be nothing but PR. Just another establishment scumbag politician targeting the lefty demographic.
I can see The Proclaimers filling it but Gordo? No.
http://www.glasgowconcerthalls.com/old-fruitmarket/
He’s having another go there tonight under his stage name Stu Brown.
‘Glasgow International Jazz Festival presents: Stu Brown’s Twisted Toons Septet
Sat 28 June 2014, 8.00pm, Recital Room’
http://www.glasgowconcerthalls.com/events/
http://www.medialens.org/index.php/alerts/alert-archive/2014/768-gosh-are-they-still-at-it.html
First Johan Hari and now Freedland.
That sum would be the total across the five companies and you can guess the Harrods part of it.
I found this David J Boutcher. A person with the same name is the company secretary of The Office of Gordon and Sarah Brown Ltd.
http://www.reedsmith.com/david_boutcher/
I forgot to say that Brown is a confirmed Zionist and I damn him for that alone. His daddy the Church of Scotland minister used to visit Israhell twice a year.
Gordon Brown Speech Zionist Federation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Av6np–BYNQ
Emetic warning.
Fred,
Oooooh Matron!
Absolutely brilliant. Four brave women.
Finnieston Crane Occupied on Armed Forces Day – The Editors Today, 8:29 am
Four women reported to have climbed crane as part of protest – The Editors Today, 8:58 am
Utterly fantastic!!! – John Hilley Today, 9:13 am
Re: Utterly fantastic!!! – The Editors Today, 9:18 am
Re: Utterly fantastic!!! – The Editors Today, 9:31 am
http://members5.boardhost.com/medialens/thread/1403940544.html
Brown is England’s political reject. The Guardian expects the people of Scotland to believe the words of England’s reject. The Guardian can get lost.
Anyone in London today looking for something to do before heading over to pride? How about a historical tour to counter the establishment ww1 narrative? The tour guide really knows his stuff. Educational and fun, ending with a picnic and a surprise. Hopefully see you there (although I can’t stay the duration).
A TOUR OF WHITEHALL
Remembering the victims and opponents of World War 1
Saturday 28 June,
1.30pm
Rusbridger has an interesting agenda. Promoting the No vote and hence Gordo on one hand and dissing BLiar on the other.
Tony Blair accused of conflict of interests in Middle East
Critics unite to demand his sacking as Quartet’s envoy as evidence emerges of his private business interests expanding in region
Iraq’s latest bloody crisis and its links to the 2003 war brought Tony Blair back into the headlines this week, along with calls for him to step down as a Middle East peace envoy – but new evidence has emerged that his private business interests in the ever-volatile region are expanding.
Aides to the former prime minister confirmed that he was actively considering opening an office in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, which is in the frontline of the struggle against political Islam. But a spokesperson denied suggestions by a leading Arab economist that he was being considered for a job advising Oman on its long-term development, after his controversial £27m consultancy project for the Kuwaiti government in recent years.
Retired diplomats and political enemies united to demand Blair be sacked as the envoy of the Quartet – the UN, US, Russia and EU – after achieving little to promote Israeli-Palestinian peace in seven years.
Blair’s Middle Eastern activities cause some irritation in Whitehall, where officials say they are not always aware of what he is doing and exactly who he is representing in meetings abroad – even though he is routinely briefed by British embassies. “He moves in mysterious ways,” quipped one senior figure.
“The Blair organisation is like a sort of government with different departments doing different things,” an ex-employee said. “His office is run on Downing Street lines. It’s like he’s never not been PM.”
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jun/27/tony-blair-conflict-interests-middle-east
~~~
But think of all the thousands of times he used to promote BLiar and his wars!
A hypocrite with a wig. Not ‘lipstick on a pig’ or even ‘a haircut in search of a brain’ like Kerry! I think Kerry has his own.
Go bald like Hague Alan. It’s the trendy thing to do.
There is no news. It’s all untouchable, from Al Qaida fighting petro wars in Iraq, to Australia locking up immigrants.
Bilderberg Brown having an idea is just another version of One dog died in North Korea.
People are not stupid. They realise that Scotland’s day has come and they are doing everything in their power to prevent independence. It will hopefully backfire on them because the general canny wee Scottish public are not going to have the wool pulled over their eyes (Masonic expression) or be hoodwinked (Masonic expression) into doing anything but what their brave hearts tell them.
Phil, if I was in London and was free I would be on your bus. Sounds like a good tour.
As a Guardian reader I have found their coverage of the referendum utterly shocking. Both half-assed, misleading and at times just plain biased. There have been a few exceptions of course, but by-and-large the ongoing coverage often consists of retyping press releases by those aligned with the No campaign. Seldom is there any critical journalism (or even sceptical thinking) employed.
On the note about Brown’s ‘packed houses’ I don’t doubt that he could fill the Old Fruitmarket. If an ex-Prime Minister and leader of Labour in a tradtional Labour stronghold on the eve of massive political upheaval, and with a new book to flog, can’t fill a mid-sized Glasgow venue something would be very odd. What’s stranger though is that the Guardian continues banging on about ‘political apathy in Britain’ whilst Scotland is seeing massive grass roots movements and huge participation in political debate, often of course on the Yes side which te Guardian appear to deliberately overlook.
Meanwhile the Guardian’s Miliband piece this morning (yet again conflating independence with possible SNP first-term government policy – or rather allowing Miliband to do so) notes that Ed’s speech was given to ‘political journalists in Edinburgh’. Which puts him roughly on a par with Osborne and Alexander’s cut-and-run antics. Why the hell isn’t Miliband filling the Old Fruitmarket with admiring spectators, No campaigners and undecideds? The Guardian doesn’t ask this question, so we’ll just have to speculate.
Yet another personal attack against those who are arguing fro a no vote – perhaps we could hear some engagement with their arguments or even some positive arguments for Scottish independence. I don’t think it is just the Guardian that is writing pure propaganda – or perhaps someone can post me to the content in Craig’s post or the subsequent witterings of his camp followers.
Freedland’s article did at least put across one substantive argument(admittedly only one – but one more than we hear from Craig in his response) – perhaps that could be addressed for those of us genuinely interested in politics rather than indulging in the customary five minute hate sessions, which most normal human beings find intensely boring.
“The right way to argue it, says Brown, is to ask what’s best for Scotland: to use the currency of a country you’ve just left and whose rules you no longer have any say over or to retain your seat at the table, with some control over your own money. The former would be a “semi-colonial relationship”, says Brown, Scotland using a currency shaped by officials in faraway London. Framed like that, it’s suddenly Brown who’s putting Scottish interests first and, oddly, Salmond who’s left defending a supine relationship to London.”