Confirmed speaking dates at the moment are
26 August St Andrews
28 August Insch
29 August Dundee
30 August Cupar, Fife
I will post details of times and venues shortly – these are all evening events. I am still open to invitations on dates around these, and indeed any daytime events. Don’t mind dashing all over the place. A number are in the pipeline already. Contact me using the button at top of page.
Have been rather unwell the last couple of days, so please forgive lack of regular posts. BBC Hardtalk interview with Anders Fogh Rasmussen of NATO made me feel much worse. Totally incapable of acknowledging the disasters NATO and NATO members have inflicted on the world since the collapse of the Soviet Union – and the BBC totally incapable of serious questioning on the point.
Mary
“This coalition have done little to curb the power of the BIG FOOD lobby.”
____________________
Not sure the UK (or any other country) can do much by itself, Mary.
The EU and various international agreements, you see (WTO, Trans-Atlantic Partnership, etc).
Can’t blame this on the Coalition, Mary, sorry.
Craig and others
Just in case you missed it, I’m reposting a couple of questions (not fundamental questions of course but nevertheless ones which might interest you as a former civil servant)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And another two questions on the “nuts and bolts”.
The first is on the civil service.
An independent Scotland will be responsible for all functions of government and not only for those which have already been devolved and for which civil service structures already exist in Edinburgh; accordingly, administrative structures will need to be created for govt functions such as foreign and overseas development policy, many of the functions currently exercised by the Treasury for the UK as a whole, Revenue and Customs and so on.
On the assumption that most of the civil servants (whether “Scottish” or not) currently administering the govt departments in question in Whitehall would not, for a variety of reasons, wish to transfer to the new Scottish administrative structures and move from London to Scotland, would this mean that an independent Scotland bee hiring lots of new civil servants? Has any quantification of likely needs and costs been done by the SNP or anyone else?
The second question concerns civil servants and language, and is based on the assumption that Scottish Gaelic will be the second official language of Scotland (cf. the the republic of Ireland).
Will the civil servants servicing the new purely “national” functions of an independent Scotland – eg, the Scottish Foreign Office, the Scottish “Treasury” – be required to be able to operate in Scottish Gaelic as well as in English (again,cf.the Republic of Ireland and also Canada)? Will civil servants exercising functions which have both a national and local dimension – eg, social services,, education) be likewise be required to be able to operate in both Scottish Gaelic and English?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“My favourite scaremonger story so far though, I find it more laughable than scary was, Phil Hammond who I think was Defence Secretary until recently, said an independent Scotland would be open to attack from outer space.”
Actually he didn’t say that, what he said was:
That seems a reasonable statement. Since the USA embarked on the starwars program other countries have followed suit. High powered lasers are being put into space as are high powered transmitters capable of disrupting communications over a wide area. Not only are the major powers like Russia and China involved but smaller countries like Israel also have advanced space programs.
The SNP would not really be as stupid as the other YES campaigners obviously are and ignore this threat would they? They are not really going to allow Israel to monitor our every move from orbit are they? They won’t allow Russia to put military hardware above our heads?
Please tell me it’s just a few dickheads at wingsoverscotland not taking this seriously.
Whats in a name and why is our resident establishemnt paedo lovey disturbed by it?
Well, we can’t all be Harry Webbs, boy?
The civil service in Scotland will be determined by the voters of Scotland and their hopefully mandate led representatives.
No blinkered rightwing schoolmaster who thinks nothing ofr covering up establishment crimes will have a say in this.
capiche? Kannst du das verstehen, alter Mann? Du hast da ueberhaupt nichts zu sagen! (Can you understand this, old man, you will have absolutely no say in this)
moderator, hallo moderator can you hear me, now they are all at it and its soo untidy, boooohoooo…..
Nebelmind
My “Teppichfresser” really got to you, didn’t it. Why ?
And why are you homophobic (your “Harry Webb” refers)?
@Uzbek in the UK – There has never been a “Vahobi movement” unless your knowledge of Muslim history is based on anti-Arab racist Israel-Firster Daniel Pipes.
The WAHABI cult was hijacked by the Jewish ancestors of the current Saudi “royals” to implement West’s colonial agenda in the Muslim heartland.
http://www.shoah.org.uk/2012/08/19/saudi-royal-family-is-jewish-king-and-prince-are-all-jew/
Bishop Tutu: Liberation of Palestine will liberate Israel, too
“We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of Palestinians,” said Nelson Mandela, late President of South Africa.
The ways in which the Israeli government ensures support around the world is to create an atmosphere of fear. Jews over centuries were persecuted in many European countries. It has become a part of Jewish memory,” said professor steven Friedman (University of Johannesburg).
http://rehmat1.com/2014/08/15/bishop-tutu-liberation-of-palestine-will-liberate-israel-too/
Nevermind
“The civil service in Scotland will be determined by the voters of Scotland and their hopefully mandate led representatives.”
_________________
Oh, is that yet another question for once the vote’s safely out of the way?
Perhaps Craig can do better than that, Nebelmind?
*****************
Habbabkuk says : do not buy a used car from Mr Salmond (especially if it’s invisible)
Habbabkuk
“Are other commenters also allowed to use two names?”
Hilariously infantile. Yes, it’s ingratiating tale telling but more, it displays a need to have the most trivial irrelevancies* covered by edict. Such mentality invites contempt from nanny state. No coincidence it comes from a staunch defender of the establishment.
[*There is no deception involved. Everyone knows Baal and Komodo are the same. The pic is just one clue! Habbabkuk is looking for things to complain about. I bet he was/is an enthusiastic but minor bureaucrat in his work.]
Nebelmind
My “Teppichfresser” really got to you, didn’t it. Why ?
And why are you homophobic (your “Harry Webb” refers)
—————————————————————
Tsssss,hmmmmmm, in Ulm, um Ulm und Um Ulm herum.
Fischers Fritze fischte frische Fische, frische Fische fischte Fischers Fritze.
don’t feed the establihment crime supporter with more than he deserves
Phil
“[*There is no deception involved. Everyone knows Baal and Komodo are the same.”
__________________
Yes indeed.
So presumably no one will mind if I use two names as well, provided no deception is involved?
No indignant cries of “sock-puppet” then? 🙂
For the last time. Get your sufferers name right, you unionist loving Radio 4 presenter, don’t be so naughty and make out that you had no education.
And be beware, the establishemnt crime supporter will eat your carpet.
THEY ARE yASIDDIS, NOT YISADDIS, you ignorant twat.
In this commentary on ‘notes on Nationalism’ by G Orwell, it is said…
Through the essay Orwell characterizes people who follow this nationalistic idea as “obsessive”. He writes, “as neatly as possible, no nationalist ever thinks, talks or writes about anything except the superiority of his own unit.” This is because they are obsessed with their own country they can’t think about the bad and evil of their country only the good and just that it has. He said that “he will generally claim superiority for it, not only in military power and political virtue, but art, literature, sport, structure of the language, the physical beauty of the inhabitants and perhaps the climate, scenery cooking.” This only proves Orwell’s point that people that have the idea of nationalism in their heads that they are obsessive. Another characterization Orwell explains is the “instability” of people with this idea of nationalism. link to George Orwell:Notes on Nationalism.http://orwell.ru/library/essays/nationalism/english/e_nat “The nationalist not only does not disapprove of atrocities committed by his own side, but he has a remarkable capacity for not even hearing about them”.
It has also occurred to me that it isn’t only man made threats we need to guard against, given our location extreme space weather could be devastating, or will be I should say, it’s only a matter of time.
I can’t believe the Nationalists are not taking this seriously. Sheer madness.
Simon Jenkins: The case for Trident is absurd. Scotland may help us get rid of it
Posted by John Hilley on August 15, 2014, 3:44 pm MLMB
If the Scottish referendum does indeed force the absurdity of Britain’s nuclear deterrent out into the light of day, it is worth it for that alone. If it were to go further and kill Trident stone dead, it would be thank you, Salmond, thank you, Scotland.
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/aug/15/trident-absurd-scotland-alex-salmond
Of course, the option of ditching Trident altogether isn’t up for serious discussion by our indyref-framing media, only the ‘problems’ of relocation, costs and time frames.
As Jenkins suggests, a Yes vote could give massive impetus to seeing this obscenity removed completely.
John
@Fred.
Re your comment 4.40pm
Well Fred I’m pretty sure someone in the No camp said it.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/alistair-darling-beats-alex-salmond-3996581
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/aug/05/sketch-a-good-independent-debate
http://metro.co.uk/2014/08/05/salmond-and-darling-clash-in-live-scottish-independence-tv-debate-4822703/
Here are just a few of the dozens of links that carry the story,indeed it was such a farcical, comment by the no camp that even Alex Salmond asked Alistair Darling, why they said such a foolish thing. of course when it comes to Westminster, politicians are no strangers to foolish talk.
@Fred.
By the way Fred, speaking of FOOLISH talk, I’m still waiting on you, supplying the link, to your outrageous claim that Alex Salmond, travelled, to Shetland in disguise.
Or are you like the no camp in nature, when it comes to outer space, just a gaseous giant.
What Phil said @ 5.01. Thanks, Phil, for bringing it to my Habbabroken notice. What a klutz our ersatz-Israeli is. No further elaboration required except to suggest that it may have been a little more senior, though no more competent, than you think.
/kangaroos.
” Well Fred I’m pretty sure someone in the No camp said it. ”
Although you can’t remember who.
This is a transcript of the speech and you’ll see the words appear as Fred described.
https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/why-defence-matters-in-the-scottish-independence-debate
So the “outer space” claim is really nothing but nationalist propaganda.
http://www.sundaypost.com/news-views/scotland/independence-referendum/independence-on-trial/anger-over-salmond-s-secret-meeting-with-murdoch-1.328172
Oh dear.
@Republicofscotland
Don’t you understand the great threat we face from outer space? If you don’t I’m sure there are those here who can tell you. Whether the EMPs are natural or man made they would be devastating and we would have no defence. All we can do is plan now, have defence forces to restore lines of communication, get power to places like hospitals, distribute food. Every IC in Scotland could be sent to silicone heaven in one blast, every phone every supermarket till every petrol pump stop working, power lines would overload, the engine management systems of cars all pack in.
I find it incredible that you laugh at someone just for saying we face a threat from outer space. I would have deep reservations about entrusting the country to those so obviously incompetent.
BTW It’s because Cameron did not go to Shetland clandestinely that I could post links to prove you were talking bollocks. I would have thought it obvious that if Salmond did go to Shetland clandestinely there would be no such links.
Fred, where’s your tinfoil hat?
New L O N G article from John Pilger, one to cut out and keep:
http://johnpilger.com/articles/the-return-of-george-orwell-and-big-brothers-war-on-palestine-ukraine-and-truth
Hope your talk(s) go well Craig.
Situation in Ukraine shocking; based on your last blog posting on this particular subject -I’m paraphrasing: ‘It was Putin wot dun it’ has your position undergone any change?
Once Scotland gains independence, having WENI as our neighbour could be like living next-door to Israel.
If the EU is to survive, if its survival is worthwhile, it must gain its independence too, of whatever monkey it has on its back. ZOG?
If there ever was a plot to murder a UK Labour opposition leader (Gaitskell) – and it wasn’t just some defectors ‘fantasy’ to keep the paycheques coming in – and replace him with someone’s ‘man’, maybe it wasn’t Wilson and wasn’t the Soviets, but Callaghan and ?, which was foiled serendipitously, it took them till 1976 to get him there, with Wilson (twice) and the well-intentioned, but naive Heath, as the obstacles, to hand all that dreams and a vague socialism had built in post-war Britain, to the bankers. From Smith to Blair went rather more smoothly.
Post # 2474598696969,
In which Habbabkuk,Kempe and Fred pretend not to be working out of the same sockpuppet bunker.
Lolzzz…
England, Do Not Be Afraid
by Adam Ramsay
Scottish independence would barely impact on election results, but would be a welcome blow to British nationalism.
15 August, 2014
Whilst researching for my new e-book, 42 reasons to support Scottish independence, I spent some time looking at historic election results. The answer to my question was three: Since the 1832 Reform Act, I can only find three Prime Ministers who depended on Scottish MPs: Asquith, Wilson and Callaghan. In the latter two cases, this was only for a total of a few months. This isn’t, as some have suggested, because Scottish votes have only diverged from those south of the border recently.
I say this because all too often I hear people in England express the fear that a yes vote in the Scottish referendum would mean endless Tory governments for the remainder of the UK. It’s a fear I can understand; worrying about Conservatives having any power over you is rational. But Scotland is so small compared to England that even minor changes south of the border impact much more on who wins at Westminster than would the potential absence of Scottish MPs.
The more important question is not how Scottish independence would impact on the political arithmetic in England, but how it would change the politics. The most obvious difference would be within the Labour Party. All too often Scottish Labour MPs (Jim Murphy, Douglas Alexander, Alistair Darling, Gordon Brown, Tom Harris, to name a few) are framed as the saviours of the English left, coming south to rescue England from itself. The truth is quite the opposite. Scottish Labour, because it is the party of the establishment in Scotland, has long been on the right of the party.
/..
http://www.newleftproject.org/index.php/site/article_comments/england_do_not_be_afraid
Why is this twerp putting his two penn’orth in? Who told him to? Agent Cameron?
16 August 2014
Australian PM warns against Yes vote
Australian PM Tony Abbott warns against Scottish independence, saying it is “hard to see how the world would be helped by an independent Scotland”.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-28814936
“Fred, where’s your tinfoil hat?”
Kathy, this is serious. I know Nationalists believe they are superior to everybody else but they have to take notice. The threat from space is very real.
Here are some government documents the laughing hyenas should read.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmdfence/1552/155205.htm
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmdfence/1925/192504.htm
O/T,
I admire the bravest amongst the brave:
https://uk.yahoo.com/news/dutch-man-returns-israeli-wwii-honour-family-killed-195337557.html