The Fringe Meeting at which I am speaking will be livestreamed on Saturday from 12.30 on IndependenceLive.
Meanwhile, Emily has started her own blog.
I had a busy day today moving a lot of stuff to move into my new home in Edinburgh tomorrow. But I must briefly comment on a fascinating opinion poll by IPSOS/Mori tonight, which puts the Tories on 32 and Labour on 29 UK wide – and astonishingly the Lib Dems UK score of 9% only just ahead of the SNP’s UK wide score of 8%, even though the latter is concentrated entirely in Scotland. One reason that SNP figure is so high is that IPSOS MORI weight by certainty to vote, and are predicting a much higher turnout in Scotland than England at the next election.
The scenario leading straight to independence – a Tory/UKIP coalition at Westminster and a crushing SNP victory in Scotland – is looking increasingly probable. One thing I do not rule out at all is a unionist Con/Lab coalition in Westminster after the next general election. There are almost no real policy differences between them, and if coalition becomes the swiftest way to satisfy personal ambition for power and money on both sides (the only thing that drives both parties), I so not think it is in the least improbable. We have seen Lab/Con coalitions against the SNP in Dundee and Stirling Councils, and they were extremely happy together during the referendum campaign. I do not yet see a Lab/Con coalition as the most probable outcome of the next Westminster election. But it is entirely possible.
http://new.livestream.com/IndependenceLive/events/3589902/videos/68194661
Speech at 13 mins 30 secs in
http://new.livestream.com/IndependenceLive/events/3589902/videos/68196705
http://new.livestream.com/IndependenceLive/events/3589902/videos/68197880
Interview at 9 mins 30 secs in.
Habbabkuk
Thanks for your comments. Here is a response
1/. As someone else has pointed out, the Blackadder DVDs were also (uniquely)about the bottom line: moreover it is a gross exaggeration to call it a “brilliant satire”;
Yes, but the person who introduced the extension ‘DVDs’ to this debate was, in my view, indulging in a dishonest sleight of hand, because quite obviously a DVD seller is just selling goods for the bottom line, just as a bookseller is. But I was talking about the original TV series, and while people worked on it for money, of course, I think it would be fair to say it was decidedly not written just for money. The important thing is the honesty of intent. The Sainsburys ad, by contrast, is pretending to be done in support of the Royal British Legion but that is just a moral fig leaf designed to try and justify expropriating the First World War in this manner. Whether or not it is brilliant satire…well, a lot of people seem to think so. I’m not going to go in to bat on that one.
2/. the 1914 Christmas truce may well have been – and remain – moving, but surely it does not rank as “one of the most sacred events in human history”
OK, but I do genuinely believe it was a sacred event – far more than simply a moving one – and it dismays me to see a supermarket stick it’s logo on the end of it. It’s like sponsoring a christening, or branding a hearse. Some things you just don’t do. Or I’d like to think you didn’t.
3/. the “if you could ask the dead soldiers in Heaven” is not only grossly sentimental but also a tad presumptuous.
Yes, I agree, but then nowhere near as presumptuous as using them to sell mince pies.
I can only wonder which nation state sits then at present below the US, on the lowest rung of humanity. The only candidate in with a chance must surely be Britain? It doesn’t actually come as a surprise that US-made weapons are in the hands of US backed mercenary-jihadists, business is business. Capitalist globalist free-marketeering though inherently destructive and absurd, unsustainable and iniquitous, is the horse they rode into town on, they might be stupid and evil but at least they are consistently stupid and evil.
I Dad hasn’t bored you to death yet, take a break for Mark Steel, at his best…
“This week, by law, I have to deride Russell Brand as a self-obsessed, annoying idiot. No article or comment on Twitter can legally be written now unless it does this…
…Nick Cohen in The Observer calls the style “long-winded, confused and smug”, concluding that Brand and his book “discredits the left”.
So it’s a shame Brand didn’t learn from Cohen, whose own book was in no way confused, insisting the left should have supported the war in Iraq, deriding anyone who didn’t as an “apologist for fascism”. It would bring much more credit to the left if it followed people like George W Bush instead of idiots who opposed the war, such as Nelson Mandela…”
More at, http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/if-you-think-russell-brands-new-book-is-confused-you-should-read-what-his-critics-have-to-say-about-it-9829224.html
The xmas truce(s) were one part of rarely discussed dissent and mutiny on all sides. Especially French and German but also British. Presumably everyone here knows the German generals only surrendered fearing revolution from their mutineering soldiers.
Blackadder was OK but the Monocled Mutineer would never be made nowadays. Hell, the BBC are not even showing it throughout all their war bullshit celebrations over the next few years.
This may be a way Craig to get your feet under the table or so to speak.
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The SNP is to reward the wider YES Scotland movement,for its efforts in the referendum campaign, by allowing fast tracking of activists to be party candidates at next years General Election.
The ground breaking plan paves the way for SNP constituencies to approve non party members,to stand as MP’s under a different banner, in May’s poll.
I guess the only drawback Craig and it would probably be a big one for you is, its for Westminster and not Holyrood, would you really want to go into the heart of the lions den again.
http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/scottish-politics/snp-bid-to-fast-track-new-blood-for-election-battle.25871696
Phil: A mate from way back in the day was an extra, who got shot in the Monocled Mutineer. That’s my claim to fame.
KoWN: Great stuff, nicely written.
I see the other misfit son of HRH droopy chops Queen Lizzie, no not Edward, but Charles, has turned 66 today, many happy returns, dobby, as a sponger in waiting Oops I mean’t Prince in waiting, he reminds me of another Royal misfit Edward VIII.
Both misfits went on to marry androgynous looking women.
“The xmas truce(s) were one part of rarely discussed dissent and mutiny on all sides.”
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No, that is not correct; it is an example of a poster reading into an event that which he wishes to read into it and that which he wishes the event had represented.
It could only have been a mutiny if the soldiers concerned (on both sides) had refused the orders of their higheer command, after a couple of hours, to put a sock in it. They did not.
As for “dissent”, the war had not yet, by Christmas 2014, assumed the character it later assumed. For the fraternisation to have been an example of dissent is to assume that the soldiers in question had a premonition of how the war would turn out to be. They did not.
“Robert Crawford” and “Republicofscotland” is a fool.”
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Is that singular or plural?
One cannot always be sure of the sterile hens intentions.
Glenn-uk
“KoWN: Great stuff, nicely written.”
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I agree, and he made good use of hyperbole and sentimentality.
KoWN’s response to my comments in fact does no more than to re-iterate, essentially, his castigation of Sainsbury’s use of the event (with which position I have no particular quarrel).
““Robert Crawford” and “Republicofscotland” is a fool.”
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Is that singular or plural?”
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Obviously singular, since we are talking about two manifestations of a single person.
RoS/Robert Crawford
“other misfit son of HRH droopy chops Queen Lizzie,”
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Well, as I said before, I’m pretty sure you’re no oil painting either, even now, and I should love to see your face when you’re over 80! 🙂
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Not that you’ll live that long, probably – your burning sense of injustice and your vast moral indignation, so ably expressed in these columns, will have finished you off well before then.
Alex Salmond is due to make his farewell speech at the SNP conference shortly. Freeview 131.
David Cameron has compared Russia to Nazi Germany because of its actions in Ukraine on the eve of a tense meeting with Vladimir Putin.
Mr Cameron will on Saturday night challenge Mr Putin about Russia’s continued acts of aggression in Ukraine as it supplies heavy weapons and tanks to the separatists.
In a reference to World War II, Mr Cameron said that the world must “learn the lessons of history” and intervene to stop “a larger state bullying a smaller state”.
He said: “Russian action in Ukraine is unacceptable. We have to be clear about what we are dealing with. It is a large state bullying a smaller state in Europe.
“We have seen the consequences of that in the past and we should learn the lessons of history and make sure we don’t let it happen again.”
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David Cameron comparing Russia to the Nazi’s is laughable to say the least, what about Israel and its bullying of Palestine, Oh! but wait, Mr Cameron was only referring to Europe.
So it must be okay to bully outside Europe then is that the case. So the evicting of the poor souls from the Chagos Islands was okay because it wasn’t in Europe.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/david-cameron/11230326/David-Cameron-compares-Russia-to-Nazi-Germany-on-eve-of-Putin-meeting.html
“Alex Salmond is due to make his farewell speech at the SNP conference shortly. Freeview 131.”
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Yes Mary thanks for the info, Alex said he may become an MP at Westminster and terrorise the backbenchers. You’ll never see a SNP Lord.
I’m pleased Stuart Hosie has become SNP Deputy Leader, I knew he had the potential when he tore Lord Robertson to shreds, at a one on one debate, prior to the referendum.
Stewart Hosie represents the ‘Smart Play Network’ based in Edinburgh, a charity that has a vision to install the important of play in the development and well being of children.
http://www.smartplaynetwork.org/
Stewart codifies many of life’s challenges from the Qur’an, he is an exponent of Islamic Relief that according to their Global Strategy 2011-2015 document, the organisation’s four aims are:
Protecting Life and Dignity: Enabling communities to reduce the risks and effects of disasters by preparation for their occurrences, hazard mitigation and timely response through providing effective relief, protection and recovery.
Empowering Communities: Enabling the sustainable development of the communities we work with through integrated development underpinned with sustainable livelihoods, social justice and environmental custodianship.
Campaigning for Change: Supporting the marginalised and vulnerable to voice their needs and address root causes of poverty and suffering.
Strengthening the Islamic Relief Family: Building a governance system and infrastructure for the growing Islamic Relief global partnership that will maximise the size, efficiency and effectiveness of our operations to alleviate poverty and suffering.
http://www.islamic-relief.org.uk/
Bravo! Stewart.
“Whoever saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind”
Qur’an 5:32
“Obviously singular, since we are talking about two manifestations of a single person.”
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Are we really Hmm! interesting, I wonder what Freud would have thought of your analysis.
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“Not that you’ll live that long, probably – your burning sense of injustice and your vast moral indignation, so ably expressed in these columns, will have finished you off well before then.”
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Is that so, Hmm! oh how wonderful it must be to have such insight, almost divine one would say. The problems begin though when you start actually believing your own hype.
“Whoever saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind”
Qur’an 5:32
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Unless of course, you are Sunni, and the life in question is a Shia one. I’ve no doubt its a noble cause, and just like the Bible, the Qur’an has many just sayings, humanity however is another matter entirely.
Republicofscotland
So tell us – are you an oil-painting?
According to your own best judgement, are you likely to have drooping chops when you’re 80?
(“Robert Crawford” may answer on “your” behalf if “you” are otherwise engaged 🙂 )
The powerful French Jewish Lobby CRIF, an umbrella organization of over 100 pro-Israel French Jewish groups has urged the lawmakers to refrain voting in favor of giving recognition to an independent state of Palestine. A pro-Palestine motion by the ruling Socialist party members submitted this week, is expected to be voted in French lower house on November 28, 2014. Last week, the French Green party a similar proposal in the French Senate.
The CRIF statement has claimed that acceptance of an independent Palestine state will fuel more hatred toward French Jewish community.
“In France, after the anti-Semitic riots this summer, this declaration will certainly not be interpreted as a peace initiative and risks exacerbating the anti-Semitic tensions which we saw last summer,” claimed the statement.
I’m sure CIRF claim didn’t refer to the arrest of six French Jew terrorists for attacking non-Jews in Lyon on December 21 and in nearby Villeurbanne on December 22, 2013.
Earlier, France’s foreign minister Laurent Fabius said Paris should only recognize a Palestinian state if doing so would help achieve peace and that “until now the prevailing idea was that recognition should be linked to negotiations. But if negotiations were to prove impossible or have no conclusion, then France will naturally have to assume its responsibilities.”
http://rehmat1.com/2014/11/14/jewish-lobby-seeks-to-block-frances-recognition-of-palestine-state/
Republicofscotland
He said: “Russian action in Ukraine is unacceptable. We have to be clear about what we are dealing with. It is a large state bullying a smaller state in Europe.
“We have seen the consequences of that in the past and we should learn the lessons of history and make sure we don’t let it happen again.”
I’m finding this hard to take….What Evil Cameron and Evil Obama have done… and our utter helplessness as we look on… As the Chief said – ” My heart is Sick and Sad ….”
Note – There is a video here that i have not watched…maybe tomorrow…
Media Blackout as U.S. Sponsors Genocide in Southeastern Ukraine
” Here’s a typical example of what’s being blacked-out:
This is a photo of a Ukrainian soldier guiding a truck-full of prisoners toward a ditch, to which the prisoners are then dragged one-by-one, and thrown in, and shot — then covered over with dirt after all the corpses (and perhaps some living bleeding survivors) are piled in it.
(Of course, any survivors then quickly choke to death, from the dirt):
http://www.globalresearch.ca/media-blackout-as-u-s-sponsors-genocide-in-southeastern-ukraine/5413949
Craig- will you be reporting further on the SNP conference on the SNP Conference thread or on another one? There is some coverage in the MSM, but not with much detail. I’ll repeat this on the current thread, but it seems a pity that when a new one is opened, the previous one gets ignored by most readers/bloggers.
I feel great shame that we have been living with such rotten figures in power. What a country.
‘Possible homicide’ in abuse inquiry
Police are investigating “possible homicide” linked to what a key witness describes as a paedophile ring involving powerful people in the 1970s and 1980s.
‘Powerful people controlled my life’
Child abuse investigations
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-30052726
‘The group is alleged to have included senior figures in public life, the military, politics and law enforcement. In a statement Scotland Yard said inquiries were at an early stage.’
“I’m finding this hard to take….What Evil Cameron and Evil Obama have done… and our utter helplessness as we look on… As the Chief said – ” My heart is Sick and Sad ….”
Note – There is a video here that i have not watched…maybe tomorrow…
Media Blackout as U.S. Sponsors Genocide in Southeastern Ukraine
” Here’s a typical example of what’s being blacked-out:
This is a photo of a Ukrainian soldier guiding a truck-full of prisoners toward a ditch, to which the prisoners are then dragged one-by-one, and thrown in, and shot — then covered over with dirt after all the corpses (and perhaps some living bleeding survivors) are piled in it.”
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Yes Brian it is difficult to fully comprehend the atrocities that are taking place in Ukraine just now. We in the west are led to believe that its all Putin’s doing, and that Washington, Westminster and the UN are innocent of any wrong doing.
We can only watch from the sidelines as it unfolds, upon the the poor folk of the Ukraine, I can only hope, some form of common sense prevails, but I fear not, Hopefully a mild winter will descend on Ukraine, and ease some suffering.
Serial killer Angus Sinclair has finally been put behind bars. (He is Scotish, in keeping with the relentless focus of this once interesting blog.)
When oh when will the British Establishment accept responsibility for these crimes, and do the right thing? And why have none of the usual suspects here blamed The Establishment yet?
Craig, I’m interested in the fact that you felt “very, very proud to be British” up to the point of the second Iraq war. Presumably you supported the illegal NATO bombing of Yugoslavia? Were you happy to be “a British-paid propagandist, compliant to Tony Blair” up until the day things got a bit rough? I use that phrase since you label an RT News contributor “a Russian-paid propagandist..compliant to Putin”. You seem to have a bee in your bunnet regarding RT News, so perhaps you could tell us where you get your news from? Still can’t quite kick the BBC or The Guardian? The interesting thing about RT is that most of its contributors are not Russian (the BBC and other British news organisations, on the other hand, seem to employ Brits only), and it is about the only mass media channel that gives a voice to alternative political views. None of its employees has ever been fired for giving views that are not Kremlin-friendly, and there are plenty of them (ref. hosts like Abby Martin, Anissa Naoui and Larry King). You were “an apologist” for Tony Blair once, Craig – and he (not Putin) is the biggest criminal in Europe. You also point to the disparity between Putin’s wealth and that of the average Russian; am I right in thinking that you openly criticized the obscene wealth of the unelected Queen Elizabeth when you represented her interests in Uzbekistan? Any one of her clothing outfits cost more than the average Brit earns in a year.
Over fifties will now be able to sign up as part-time soldiers after the Government raised the maximum allowable age to join, it was disclosed.
The moves comes as Army reservist recruitment figures were attacked as “shocking” and “embarrassing” after the ranks of part-time soldiers grew by just 20 in the past year, despite a Government drive to sign up thousands.
Julian Brazier, Minister for Reserves rejected claims that lifting the upper age limit from 43 to 52 for former regular soldiers wanting to join the reserves was a sign of desperation to meet recruitment targets. The army has also raised from 45 to 50 the age limit for civilians with specialist skills, such as a language or a medical background, who want to become an officer in the reserves.
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There’s hope yet, for a few old codgers in here, isn’t that right Habb.
What ever you do don’t tell him your name Pike!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0V3SqxUomwk
Thanks for levelling the carpet Skotinorge, good to hear your views, I happen to agree with some, tell us do you like the union?
@Nevermind – The UK is nothing more than a criminal organisation, and it’s been that way since its inception. To be British is to feel a deep shame every day of life. So…no:).