Yesterday the licensing man from Dundee Council went down the taxi ranks ordering saltires and yes stickers removed from the taxis. (would he have ordered No stickers removed as well? We can never be sure as there weren’t any.)
Having missed the train to my Cupar meeting last night, I got in a taxi (it’s not far) and the taxi driver was giving his side of the story. He said he told the council man that “There is an argument that he was within his rights to tell me to remove the sticker, but when he told me to take off my lapel badge, I told him that he was infringing my absolute right to freedom of speech under article ten of the European Convention.”
This campaign has been the most uplifting experience imaginable. It will not be possible to put the people back in the box of media-induced apathy after this.
One of the most unexpectedly invigorating aspects of the campaign is that in packed town hall meetings, I have been sharing the platform with people who are not good public speakers. If that sounds paradoxical, it is because often they have never done any public speaking before. Yesterday in Cupar there was an excellent lady who works in the NHS who had a deep knowledge of its workings and of the threats from privatization of its services, including the mechanisms by which these privatisations were being advanced. She believed that after a No vote it would not be possible for the Scottish NHS to continue to be insulated from some of these trends, and she explained why she felt that.
There was no polish to her quiet delivery, but her heartfelt sincerity and the depth of her knowledge held the audience in intent silence. She had never spoken in public before. It was truly inspiring.
The substance of the campaign is people in local communities actually talking to each other about what is important to their communities and they way their society is organized. I have never seen anything to compare this to. No wonder the politicians have no idea how to counter it. The happy lack of hierarchical power structures in the campaign on the ground seems to relate to the fact that so many women are coming forward as speakers – for the third time, I was the only male on the panel yesterday.
Better Together have women too of course. Just in case anyone has been living under a rock and hasn’t seen it, here is the Saatchi and Saatchi produced Better Together broadcast that set the campaign on fire. The many spoofs are great, but I think nothing quite equals the sheer comic genius of the original.
I have added this picture as pro-government commenters have started to come on the site with their ridiculous propaganda claims that NATO killed very few people in its 398 bombing raids on Sirte. What you see is just one street of scores in similar condition. You can believe your eyes or the propaganda.
Clearly your “well thought out” and “reasoned” rebuttal ought to be reliant on more than a feeling in your water. “Utter Rubbish” is based on what hypothesis?
Further, you stringing an array of the USUK bombings for which the USUK reported figures of the deaths resulting from their bombings, is used. To count the dead or missing, who will be the comptroller? A US state department observer?
Mathematics does not do prevarication, facts arrived at are only refuted by other equally pertinent facts.
To parrot the “gubimnet” line on this blog about the mass murder enterprises in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, Gaza, West Bank, …. there is a need for more than the tally of the dead; the US state department observer has to sign off the tally, evidently.
Iraq’s population before the war was at 22 million, Iraq’s population today is 17 million. In the light of the probable population growth during the last seven years, the depletion of the Iraqi population (ie the dead) ought to have been of a higher magnitude, which can result in estimation of a combined six million Iraqi dead as result of the war on Iraq. however as you would know the official figures are estimated at 120,000 that is only a fraction of the six million or 2 percent of the dead that evidently the man form state department agrees with.
Self determination up your Urethra
(or whatever your usual handle is – couldn’t be bothered to find it, sorry):
“Your only hope is stuffing ballot boxes, to which you will doubtless resort.”
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From the Yessers Handly Little Book of Alibis* : Alibi N° 12.
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* To be opened only in the event of a No vote.
I think a de-centralized, village-like approach to government would work, and it certainly fits the culture of Scotland.
Having a power-central, makes the government too powerful and corrupt. It also makes it difficult for the back-stage players to get a foothold with bribes and patrimony.
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Ben
I agree there are thing local councils can do if they have the powers to do so.
Republicofscotland
“Voltaire, once said, of Scotland.
“We look to Scotland for all our ideas of civilisation.””
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I don’t doubt your word for a moment, but Voltaire – like all writers of his age – was not above a judicious bit of flattery aka creeping from time to time. After all, he had some rather good things to say about Frederick the Great as well.
PS- if you don’t believe me, please seek counsel of the Celtic Poetaster, sadly now longer with us (? :- ), Sofia Kibo-No
Ben
“Thanks RoS,; I understand the dream of independence. I just don’t understand how the New Boss will be different from the Old.
There’s a lot of ways of making an omelette, but they are still made from eggs. I want to know what breed of chicken will come out when it hatches.
There is no predictor, except human nature.”
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Happy to say “good post” and that I agree with you.
So there is no need for upper and lower houses or hindrance from local authorities in your eyes – so a single all powerful authority is what you would look forward to in an independent Scotland. Whatever happened to the checks and balances of good governance.
While I doubt Salmond and Co would be quite so blatant in their objectives, we must thank you for a glimpse of the Nats true colours.
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ResDis
Of course local authorites will have more powers in an independent Scotland, Shetland and Orkney have already been promised them if independence is gained, but you must take one step at a time first we’ll need to get the negotiations over with and see how we stand.
Mary
“Whereas you bowed or knelt before the ‘Queen’ for your CMG.”
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Bit puzzled about why you put inverted commas round The Queen.
She IS The Queen, surely? At least, I know of no other in the UK, nor, as far as I’m aware, is there a Pretender somewhere.
Those corrupt, inbred busy bodies would be lining busy bodies would be lining their own pockets at much cheaper rates than the central power structure, the only way forward is the citizen based structures. The internet is for more than just buying and selling and or getting stalked by trolls.
the vote app can be easily deployed to vote motions up or down and debate about about the motions can be a pretty lively among the citizens who can set up their own panel of experts a lot more quicker.
Republicofscotland
“Voltaire, once said, of Scotland.
“We look to Scotland for all our ideas of civilisation.””
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I don’t doubt your word for a moment, but Voltaire – like all writers of his age – was not above a judicious bit of flattery aka creeping from time to time. After all, he had some rather good things to say about Frederick the Great as well.
PS- if you don’t believe me, please seek counsel of the Celtic Poetaster, sadly now longer with us (? :- ), Sofia Kibo-No
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Habb
“Of all the small nations on this earth, perhaps only the ancient Greeks, surpass the Scots in contributions to mankind.”
Winston Churchill.
Don’t worry I’ll add the slight for you save posting another pathetic comment.
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“I do not understand this squeamishness about the use of gas. We have definitely adopted the position at the Peace Conference of arguing in favour of the retention of gas as a permanent method of warfare. It is sheer affectation to lacerate a man with the poisonous fragment of a bursting shell and to boggle at making his eyes water by means of lachrymatory gas. I am strongly in favour of using poisoned gas against uncivilised tribes. The moral effect should be so good that the loss of life should be reduced to a minimum. It is not necessary to use only the most deadly gasses: gasses can be used which cause great inconvenience and would spread a lively terror and yet would leave no serious permanent effects on most of those affected.”
Winston Churchill,on his use of chemical warfare, Mesopotamia circa 1920.
Here’s a new concept for you Habb, instead of deriding everyone else’s comments why don’t post a constructive one of your own.
“…for the third time, I was the only male on the panel yesterday.”
How fashionable. Who needs democracy, when you can rely on women’s ‘vote’.
I agree there are thing local councils can do if they have the powers to do so.
Those corrupt, inbred busy bodies would be lining busy bodies would be lining their own pockets at much cheaper rates than the central power structure, the only way forward is the citizen based structures. The internet is for more than just buying and selling and or getting stalked by trolls.
the vote app can be easily deployed to vote motions up or down and debate about about the motions can be a pretty lively among the citizens who can set up their own panel of experts a lot more quicker.
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Passerby
That’s an interesting idea to give power to the common man, it would be easier to apply in a smaller nation such as Iceland.
Saudi Arabia Remains on U.N. Human Rights Council despite 19 Beheadings, including One for “Sorcery
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Ask any human rights organization where they stand on chopping off people’s heads and they’ll probably say such actions constitute a violation of human rights.
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And yet, one nation that does a lot of beheadings is on the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Lately, in fact, Saudi Arabia can’t seem to get enough beheadings. Its government has executed at least 19 people using this method since August 4, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW).
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Of the 19, eight were found guilty of non-violent offences seven for drug smuggling and one for committing sorcery.
The Saudi government executed more than 2,000 people between 1985 and 2013, about half of them foreign nationals. By comparison, the state of Texas executed 504 prisoners, none via beheading, over the same period.
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So who is really running the UN? I think its the axis of evil USA, UK, and the illegal military state of Israel.
The US has vetoed 42 Security Council resolutions, usually related to Israeli violations of human rights and international law, often violations of the 1949 Geneva Conventions on the treatment of people living under occupation. In addition to these veto’s, the US has also threatened casting veto’s of a number of resolutions if they were raised, thus stopping the projected resolution dead in its tracks. These vetoes allow Israel to act with impunity in its violations of international humanitarian laws. Therefore Israel sees no reason to change its behavior.
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Damning evidence that the US is in league with Israel,and that Zionist Jews control the US government.
“Here’s a new concept for you Habb, instead of deriding everyone else’s comments why don’t post a constructive one of your own.”
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Thanks for the tip, Republicofscotland.
Do tell me though : of the many lines in your comment, how many are cut-and-paste and how many are your own?
The size of the nation is immaterial, the structures can be set in place and safeguarded for citizens to engage in the management of their own lives and their own land.
The Achilles heel of any construct lies in its centralisation, the success of the oligarchs in procuring the help of plutocrats to run the joint to their advantage, and transform the country into a rigged casino with loaded dice, is an ever so palpable reality, that is the result of the centralisation of power structures.
The many cannot be corrupted by the few, and thus a wholly decentralised power structure is less likely to be as readily corruptible as the current arrangements are.
Further, given the responsibility of the lives of citizens lying on the shoulders of the citizens, will result in less laws and treaties, as the concurrent rise in threshold of morality and bounds of acceptability will render the silly laws moot. This will further enhance the experience of the interacting citizens with their own system of governance, that will prompt their further involvement a self breeding reactor if you will.
Also the economic prosperity brought on by an informed and vibrant society will reduce the rates of crime and the need for prolific enforcement and intelligence apparatus will result in a much reduced structures, and the overheads thereof.
Fact is the ordinary man/woman is far more decent and honourable than any of the current batch of carpetbaggers and opportunists sold and masqueraded as our dear leaders.
This however is a nightmare scenario for the oligarchs and they will spend all their efforts in thwarting any such evolution.
RoS
“So who is really running the UN? I think its the axis of evil USA, UK, and the illegal military state of Israel.”
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
“Damning evidence that the US is in league with Israel,and that Zionist Jews control the US government.”
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz for Zionist I guess Habbz
Republicofscotland
That reference of mine to the late lamented Celtic Poetaster Sofia Kibo Noh really seems to have got you going, didn’t it.
And withing the quarter of an hour as well!
Nice.
Ah, DoNNyDarkSide – the Viennese ball-meister – has woken up and regaled us with a constructive comment à la Republicofscotland.
Welcome Back, Side!
“Of course local authorites will have more powers in an independent Scotland, Shetland and Orkney have already been promised them if independence is gained, but you must take one step at a time first we’ll need to get the negotiations over with and see how we stand.”
Is this something else in addition to NATO, Monarchy and Immigration policy where the idea is to give the SNP a blank cheque for them to fill in after the referendum should they win?
Ha! A disingenuous reply.
“Whereas you bowed or knelt before the ‘Queen’ for your CMG.”
Bit puzled about why you put inverted commas round The Queen.
She IS The Queen, surely? At least, I know of no other in the UK, nor, as far as I’m aware, is there a Pretender somewhere.’
Didn’t deny getting the CMG did be?
Crawford’s defence of the Israeli apartheid policies.
https://twitter.com/CharlesCrawford/status/506074005682814977
Is this something else in addition to NATO, Monarchy and Immigration policy where the idea is to give the SNP a blank cheque for them to fill in after the referendum should they win?
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ResDis
Blank cheque from whom? As for NATO I like many others do not wish to join it, but independence is the main thing just now we’ll deal with NATO later.
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Again many Scots don’t want a monarch they want a republic, its been touted that after sponging old Lizzie snuffs it a vote will be taken as to whether we want another unaccountable, unelected unanswerable poncing inbred blue blood as a head of state.
AS for immigration you just have to look at the complete and utter shambolic mess, Westminster has made in that department, I’m pretty sure Holyrood couldn’t make such a pigs ear of it, as Westminster has.
THE LAVON AFFAIR
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In 1954, Israeli agents working in Egypt planted bombs in several buildings, including a United States diplomatic facility, and left evidence behind implicating Egyptian Muslims as the culprits. The ruse would have worked, had not one of the bombs detonated prematurely, allowing the Egyptians to capture and identify one of the bombers, which in turn led to the round up of an Israeli spy ring.
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Some of the spies were from Israel, while others were recruited from the local Jewish population. Israel responded to the scandal with claims in the media that there was no spy ring, that it was all a hoax perpetrated by “anti-Semites”.
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Evil personified.
“AS for immigration you just have to look at the complete and utter shambolic mess, Westminster has made in that department, I’m pretty sure Holyrood couldn’t make such a pigs ear of it, as Westminster has.”
As I pointed out earlier today the Scottish Govt is proposing to share the same policy should they win the referendum – just as it is proposing to stay in NATO and keep the Monarchy. Much as I want to see a British republic I am at least honest about my intentions. Doesn’t it worry you that there would be something of democratic deficit in the governing party were they to win the refendum?
I could also ask where has been the debate about why the current bicameral parliament in the UK (flawed though it is) should be replaced by a unicameral parliament in Scotland – even though most western democracies have bicameral systems.
The manner in which the referendum has been conducted should raise some very grave concerns about the democratic governance should independence occur. This would of course be a matter for the Scots – but the concerns are real and do exist.
Iceland. Dramatic footage.
Iceland Volcano Alert Amid Fresh Eruption
Authorities raise the aviation warning code to red and close the airspace in an area near the subglacial Bardarbunga volcano.
http://news.sky.com/story/1327665/iceland-volcano-alert-amid-fresh-eruption
The manner in which the referendum has been conducted should raise some very grave concerns about the democratic governance should independence occur. This would of course be a matter for the Scots – but the concerns are real and do exist.
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DisRes
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What do you mean by your above comment?
Share what policy? immigration if that’s what you mean will be different in Scotland as it is in the rUK
Scotland doesn’t need an upper house, why would it.
Iceland. Dramatic footage.
Iceland Volcano Alert Amid Fresh Eruption
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Thanks for that link Mary, scary stuff indeed.
Does anyone remember that youtube of the huge fireball at Homs?
Did it look like a tactical nuke to you?
It looked like this…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RKXuQ8lOe8
But this was pretty big (15 kiloton)
They are as small as one.
One-kiloton. Identical fireball rapidly changing to black mushroom to 1100 feet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSi2IRXrhSo
Here’s the Homs video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYqd9VjogPM
And just who in the ME has tac/nukes?
The “No Thanks” video proves two things.
1. Westminsiter is relying on fear and not sincere argument to advance the “No” case, and
2. It doesn’t matter if you’re nice looking, having a Scottish accent makes you are NOT sexy!