All those many of us who were deeply involved in the referendum campaign of 2014 will never forget the experience. It appeared a moment of new hope and new joy. Bliss it was on that dawn to be alive, but to be knocking on a bit was even better, because you had been waiting decades for something like this to happen, and realised just how rare it was to feel on the cusp of an egalitarian revolution.
I was dashing all over Scotland from one speech or campaigning venue to another, and helping out with stall, canvassing or leafleting wherever, I was before moving on to the next venue and the next hotel in the next town. I spent an awful lot of money on travel and accommodation, and made several donations to local campaigns, or just gave cash to get something that was needed for a stall or get more flyers printed up. Over 90 per cent of the time I did not ask or receive any expenses for turning up to speak.
I was however in odd moments pursuing my researches into Alexander Burnes and visited Forfar and Montrose to look at manuscripts. I am therefore trying at the moment to sort out my expenditure in the period for my income tax return, and identify what I spent on the campaign and the much smaller amount which is legitimately an expense against income from the book.
And it is very, very difficult. When you are dashing around campaigning like mad, living from hotel to hotel and firmly focused on the campaign, record keeping is not on the top of your mind. Receipts are stuffed into trousers, shirts, jackets, suitcases, laptop bags. A lot of hotels now don’t give you a physical receipt but promise to email one on. I am only able to piece together a very partial account of what I spent during the white hot period of campaigning.
It is of course my own money. This site does not accept donations and it was all simply my own cash. I am therefore under no obligation to account for it. The smaller sum that might be attributable to Burnes research, I shall not be claiming as a tax expense where I can’t find the receipt.
But I have enormous sympathy for the trouble in which Nathalie McGarry finds herself. Accounting is not the top of your list when you are attempting to alter the destination of your entire nation, and Women For Indy was everywhere, doing stuff all over Scotland. From my own experience I can sympathise with why it can, in all innocence, be very difficult to account for everything undertaken in that hectic, breathtaking time. People should remember that before rushing to judgement.
Mary
Earlier I suggested we could all give a few quid towards Palestine and do more for Palestinians than you have achieved in ten years of posting.
I would like to offer £5 now and every day under the condition that you no longer post. I will give £150 a month to MAP for your continued silence.
Perhaps we could have a poll and see whether readers would rather have concrete aid going to the Palestinians, or Mary ranting on about nothing all day to no effect.
RoS
You said you were English and living in England. I’ve pointed out to you numerous times the absurdity of your position given that you are the blog’s most rabid Scotch nationalist.
Perhaps it was the possibility of Craig’s attention on a new thread that changed your mind?
If Anon is Craig’s alter-ego we have to call the men in white coats and inform them of the schizophrenic danger.
It’s like William Wallace was the son of Edward Longshanks.
RobG,
In my experience Thierry Meyssan (Voltaire Network) who is a Frenchman who lives in Syria is an excellent resource…whilst he sometimes seems to get things wrong…he sometimes predicts events in great detail – before they happen…it’s as if he has excellent contacts on all sides deep inside all involved governments
He predicted that Russia would move into Syria around 4 weeks before it happened..and lots of other things.
He believes there are deep splits within the US Controlling Elite and has presented lots of evidence over the years to virtually confirm it…
A problem with how The Mainstream Media reports things (regardless of their obvious US Neocon bias) is that they Either Use Country Names VS Country Names or Leader’s Names Vs Leader’s Names.
The Real World isn’t like that.
Who is in Control of The USA…President Obama and The Whitehouse??? The State Department??? The Pentagon???? The Military?????Congress?????
Do You Think All These People are in Agreement????
Or do you think some Neocon like McCain or Nuland Told Turkey To Do It with No Presidential Authorisation whatsoever a bit like Benghazi and The Ambassador Christopher Stevens who had gone Rogue???
Ask Hillary Clinton
“Hillary Clinton on Gaddafi: We came, we saw, he died”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fgcd1ghag5Y
Tony
“You said you were English and living in England. I’ve pointed out to you numerous times the absurdity of your position given that you are the blog’s most rabid Scotch nationalist.
Perhaps it was the possibility of Craig’s attention on a new thread that changed your mind?”
_____________
Right on cue the establishments thickest appears, so Anon1, since I’ve revealed I’m Scottish and living in Scotland, do I need to ask you again where do you come from.
Or is that a difficult question?
I see your sidekick Habb has disappeared when asked a legitimate question.
Tony_0pmoc 25 Nov, 2015 – 9:25 pm : Who is in Control of The USA…President Obama and The Whitehouse??? The State Department??? The Pentagon???? The Military?????Congress?????
…. AIPAC???
Doesn’t it seem rather peculiar that none of the establishment/Israeli sympathisers, are willing to divulge where they come from.
Yet they harp on at other commentors asking where they come from, and when you tell them where you come from, the silly buggers still don’t believe you.
If these guys are the pinnicle if the intelligence service (extremely doubtful) then boy are we in big trouble.
RoS; Schizo gotta be schizo. Now if only Craig could comprehend.
“RoS; Schizo gotta be schizo. Now if only Craig could comprehend.”
.___________
Ben I understand Craigs position, he knows a fair bit about the establishment and its dirty little secrets. The establishment has to protect its interests so they keep an eye on him (blog as well) just incase he has a meltdown and reveals comprising information.
That’s probably why Craig tolerates the establishment mouthpieces on this blog, in my opinion. Better the devil you know as they say.
I must say I take my hat off too Craig many would’ve shut up and kept a low profile, Craig however appears to be made of stronger stuff, most will see that as a admirable quality, the establishment lickspittles and apologists, however take another view.
@Tony_0pmoc
25 Nov, 2015 – 9:25 pm
With fracking (contentious as it is) the USA is now self sufficient with regard to fossile fuel energy. Most other countries, and particularly the UK, could easily get their energy requirements entirely from renewables.
The reason we have these endless, idiotic wars is not because governments want oil and gas from the Middle East, it’s because corporations do, because corporations make bucketloads of money out of it.
In 2008 the corporations trashed the world economy; and they not only were allowed to get away with it (which continues to this day), these corporations were also bailed-out with eye-watering amounts of tax payer’s money.
The politicians are now owned by these vermin. There’s been a corporate coup d’etat. It’s not the people or politicians dictating what happens in the Middle East, it’s these scumbag corporations, who don’t give a toss about how many innocents get butchered in the name of profit.
These scum have to be brought to account and put on trial for their crimes; and we, the people, have to take back our democracies.
It ain’t going to be pleasant, but the alternative is World War Three.
Anon1, give it a rest.
Your avatar reminds me of Vivian from the Young Ones.
Not sure what a psychiatrist would make of that…
Your pic of a ‘Dyke’ seems to transcend any rationale for such, anon. Can you please explain the anachronistic tendency to display yourself as extra-sexual in intent.
How much arsenic should be contained in kosher chicken and raccoon meat?
Fwl,
“What is known about Zerohedge?”
I asked that question too about a year ago – maybe more recent…and who is Tyler Durden?
Well someone answered me honestly and Tyler Durden – which is the name of someone in some fight film – I forget the details – is not a real person – like one man -its not his real name..
What he said – was that it was a small collective group of Wall Street Traders (who are anonymous) but who do not agree with the manipulation on Wall Street of inside information….So whilst they weren’t leaking specifically inside information on trading (in order to make money) they were leaking inside political information…
However, I do need to point out that sometimes they get things completely wrong – and pick up on some obscure news article from the other side of the world – and post it as if it is current – when even I know it is several years old – but we all make mistakes…
Some of the stuff zerohedge did and probably still do come out with is political dynamite…
But I rarely even look there..I just don’t like the format of their website…but they do write some good stuff – and a lot of it is true.
Tony
” was that it was a small collective group of Wall Street Traders (who are anonymous) but who do not agree with the manipulation on Wall Street of inside information….So whilst they weren’t leaking specifically inside information on trading (in order to make money) they were leaking inside political information…”
Tony; I understand the practice of the past, but if you could provide some links to support this idea, it would be helpful.
If the figures being quoted are correct. The account is actually in credit. They is nothing missing but it is in surplus. WFI seem to have difficulties with accounting. Someone in the organisation with an axe to grind appears to be leaking nonsense to the Press. To cause rivals? damage? .
In Occupied Palestine
Zionism in practice
Israel’s Daily Toll on Palestinian Life, Limb, Liberty and Property
20 November 2015
Israeli Army position opens fire on Gaza farmland
Israeli ceasefire violations wound 29 people
5-year-old cancer patient tear-gassed and hospitalised
Israeli soldiers seize ambulance carrying 5-year-old cancer patient and assault driver
Israeli soldiers seize another ambulance, beating and hospitalising the driver
Night peace disruption and/or home invasions in refugee camp and 16 towns and villages
12 attacks (3 Israeli ceasefire violations)
27 raids including home invasions
2 beaten (both ambulance drivers) – 173 injured
2 acts of agricultural/economic sabotage
26 taken prisoner – 9 detained – 130 restrictions of movement#
Detail below headlines
http://palestine.org.nz/phrc/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2978&Itemid=44
MSF want an official independent inquiry
Kunduz bombing: US attacked MSF clinic ‘in error’
An employee of Doctors Without Borders stands inside the charred remains of their hospital after it was hit by a US airstrike in Kunduz photo
A US fighter plane fired 211 shells at the MSF compound over a 25-minute period
A US aircraft attacked a Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) clinic in the Afghan city of Kunduz because of “human error”, a US military inquiry said.
The investigation found that the crew of the AC-130 gunship mistook the clinic for a nearby government building that had been seized by Taliban.
At least 30 civilians were killed in the 3 October attack, amid a campaign to retake Kunduz from Taliban forces.
MSF said the report demonstrates “gross negligence” by the US military.
The group said the incident constituted “violations of the rules of war” and reiterated calls for an “independent and impartial investigation into the attack”.
Shortly after the incident, the medical charity disputed initial US justifications for the attack, which said US forces had struck the hospital because they had come under fire in the area.
/..
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-34925237
Guess who won the RIBA prize for House of the Year 2015? Flint House.
https://www.architecture.com/StirlingPrize/Awards2015/House%20of%20the%20Year/FlintHouse.aspx
Lord Jacob Rothschild, 4th Baron, father of Nat (friend of Osborbe, Mandelson and Deripaska on that yacht) had it built on his Waddesdon Estate in Bucks.
To me it resembles a linear fortress and would sit well in a settlement on the West Bank.
Kevin McCloud of Grand Designs gave the news to Lord Rothschild who seemed very pleased. McCloud was obsequious.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob_Rothschild,_4th_Baron_Rothschild
‘In November 2010, an undisclosed entity affiliated with Rothschild purchased a 5.0% equity interest in Genie Energy, a subsidiary of IDT Corporation, for $10.0 million.[14] In 2013, Genie Energy was granted exclusive oil and gas exploration rights to a 153-square mile radius in the southern part of the Golan Heights.’
‘His country estate has been a regular venue for visiting heads of state including Presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton. Margaret Thatcher received French President François Mitterrand there at a summit in 1990. He hosted the European Economic Round Table conference in 2002, attended by such figures as James Wolfensohn, former president of the World Bank, Nicky Oppenheimer, Warren Buffett and Arnold Schwarzenegger.’
‘Jacob Rothschild has also followed the Rothschild family’s charitable interests in Israel and is the chairman of Yad Hanadiv, the family foundation which gave the Knesset and the Supreme Court buildings to Israel. He is also President of The Rothschild Foundation (Hanadiv) Europe,[31] and Patron and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of The Rothschild Foundation.[32] In addition, he is Honorary President of the Institute for Jewish Policy Research.’
And the Palestinians live in their shelters in the rubble from six Israeli wars.
Oddity to the 10th power.
My last official comment
========================
Ben-Outraged By The Cannabigots
25 Nov, 2015 – 9:22 pm
If Anon is Craig’s alter-ego we have to call the men in white coats and inform them of the schizophrenic danger.
It’s like William Wallace was the son of Edward Longshanks.
=========================================
has cloned into multiples the origin of which is a mystery. what gives?
Evidence of chicanery increases with each day. Detecting a writing style strangely familiar, though carefully crafted out of guile, I hope the truth of it does not rise to Saville level; clownish and evil in outcome.
I have no idea why, but my tolerance for people posting utter drivel has suddenly ended. Please desist.
There is another question to be answered, was the discrepancy known about before the election?
There is another case ongoing concerning an MP who withheld information which might have influenced voters until after the election. If it was known before the election that there was going to be a police investigation of one of the candidates shouldn’t the voters have been made aware?
I wont forget that Night, The agonizing Dawning, we Lost.
2016 Looms, and with SNP doing so well, lets as You have said before – Get European Election Monitors – in next time.
i was Pleased to see the SNP stance on Syria Clarified, No to Bombing.
Tony_Opmoc And Node
Re ” Who is in Control of The USA…”
A very Interesting Read here in this Paper –
” Conclusion
The material presented in this paper is offered as partial evidence for the following claims:
Money is power. Religion, human rights, law, ethics, state sovereignty, and the will of the people are all subordinate to the power of the gun. The rich own and control most of the guns. The state, and the corporations the state protects, exist only by violence and the constant threat of violence.
The money-power system operates globally. For example, what happens to Syria will not likely be decided by Syrians, but more likely decided by the complex power struggle for profits and control of natural resources by a few capitalists.
Then it follows that the state of Israel has little or no power because they have little or no independent money. We show the money-power relationships between the USA and Israel in the following chart at the top of this essay. All the personal drama we witness in the mass media are empty theatrics…
” With respect to the claim that AIPAC tells the US government what to do, the evidence presented above indicates that AIPAC serves the interests of the state of Israel, and that furthermore, the state of Israel serves the colonial interests of the USA Empire. As the Israeli state kills Palestinians and steals their land, all of this violence is consistent with USA government interests, often mislabeled, US national interests. USA government interests are dictated by USA corporate interests; not representing the interests of the people. AIPAC is a cheerleader for Team USA as the USA explicitly intends to act as an agent of US-based transnational oil companies in their quest to control Middle East oil. The state of Israel functions as a heavily-armed colonial outpost of the US corporate empire. AIPAC is put there to function as a magnet deflecting attention away from the centers of real power which set US foreign policy: transnational corporations…
Full Piece @
https://dandelionsalad.wordpress.com/2015/11/24/demystifying-us-and-israeli-power-by-susan-cain-and-mark-mason/#more-175938
Thanks Tony.
The stenographers to power are busy today –
David Cameron to make case for Syria air strikes
David Cameron leaving No 10 Downing Street on 25 November
(Image of him looking serious for extra gravitas)
David Cameron is to present his case to the Commons later for the UK launching air strikes against the so-called Islamic State group in Syria.
The prime minister will urge MPs to back military action as he sets out a “comprehensive strategy” to tackle IS.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-34927939
1 hr ago
PM: We Must Bomb IS In Syria To Keep UK Safe
The Prime Minister sets out his case for Syria airstrikes – but insists he will only hold a vote if he is sure of a majority.
07:12, UK,
Thursday 26 November 2015
http://news.sky.com/story/1594551/pm-we-must-bomb-is-in-syria-to-keep-uk-safe
Sorry I typed out my internet address wrongly hence the change in avatar!
I repeat. Look at the details which are below the headlines in EACH case in EVERY report. Avoid own goals.
‘Economic sabotage: Gaza — the Israeli Navy continues to enforce an arbitrary fishing limit
Ceasefire violation – Israeli Army attack – agricultural sabotage: Khan Yunis – 08:30, an Israeli Army position behind the Green Line opened fire on al-Qarara farmland.’
http://palestine.org.nz/phrc/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2978&Itemid=44
Nope Im a Scotsman living in Scotland.
So Anon1 which country do you live in?
RoS, you hit a sore point there, anon1 is as cagey as Habby, their common point, s/he could be a non dom tax exile, but s/he’s making enough money to offer bribes here to stop Mary’s posts about daily violent occurrences in Palestine.
First he challenged Craig as to his noble resolve to keep the ads out of here, plus all the follow up ads should visitors here actually decide and use their advert to purchase something.
Then he offers a bribe to shut up Mary, a bit like Osborne’s conjuring trick yesterdays, pulling out 25 billions from ‘extra’ tax receipts, when we were told via the Institute for fiscal studies last month that he has less receipts to play with.
What sort of money is this? Some sort of tax haven slush funds, or are they Columbian/Mexican returns for the brilliant services rendered sofar, could this money come from illegal sources? criminal gains, not just from tax evasion.