The Political Thread

[Leigh S]

The greatest trick teh devil ever pulled etc.

Dave is downright more Right wing than Maggie ever was - witness the whole sale slash and burn of benefits and the privatisation of areas that Maggie wouldnt have dared approach (police/NHS) etc.

The moderate image is just that - image.  It may have meant that he pisses off his core audience, but the idea is to play to a wider one, while dismantling the state and passing it off to his mates in a race to beat teh 2015 election deadline.

[TordelBack]

(don't click if you're squeamish),

I always love the St. George iconography in these things - celebrate your pure white Englishness and Imperial heritage with reference to (possibly) a half-Turkish half-Palestinian* emigrant who was born in Syria and was martyred by the Romans for refusing to conform to the religion of the Empire he served. 



*I appreciate that these are anachronistic ethnicities to ascribe to folk based on their geographical origins in the 3rd C, but that's sort-of the point.

[Frank]

The greatest trick the devil ever pulled etc. Dave is downright more Right wing than Maggie ever was - witness the whole sale slash and burn of benefits and the privatisation of areas that Maggie wouldnt have dared approach (police/NHS) etc.

The moderate image is just that - image.  It may have meant that he pisses off his core audience, but the idea is to play to a wider one, while dismantling the state and passing it off to his mates in a race to beat the 2015 election deadline.

I essentially agree, Leigh; but the liberal economic concensus amidst the governing class is such that I can't imagine either of the Milibands presenting options to address the defecit that differ radically from those favoured by their counterparts.

I don't quite understand how we found ourselves in a position where universal health, social and welfare provision, which seemed- as part of the post-WWII settlement- to be accepted as an obvious benefit to society, are now commodified as just another national asset to be popped off in the post to see how much Cash For Gold or Mazuma will give us for it. I wonder whether Osbourne or Balls have contacted Wonga?

[JOE SOAP]

Reduction and raising the price of life-standards is the name of the game.

[Colin MacNeil]

Apologies for not replying sooner.

I'm not a legend, but I was "pissed off". Apologies, there's  no need for me to behave like that. I was just so frustrated and exasperated by the media, not just the BBC in particular, and especially the whole Independence Referendum thing going on.
This post was a lot longer, but it was going all ranty and rambling. I cut it down to a few paragraphs which express ... something. I do struggle to find words that describe my feelings  I am an artist after all), so I've added some links to other people's words to help explain.  It might help, it might confuse, but at least it might be fun. Have a Youtubetastic time!
Cheers
Colin

Economic – left/right  -7.38
Social – libertarian/authoritarian  -2.82
I am a believer in having a "none of the above" option on all ballot papers. They'd have got my vote at least a couple of times.
I agree with you, the scrutiny of the BBC is of vital importance. We pay for it, after all, more importantly rely on it for impartial truthful reporting of facts, not opinion, not speculation, but facts.
Has anyone seen the emails in question? I found them on The Spectators website, not the BBC. The BBC showed one line from the emails. (at the time of looking) This whole story is much more interesting when you actually read the entire email and the others too. Can you tell what the picture is from one small detail? No?! Neither can I.
Justice has a price indeed, so does Scottish Independence. Those who strive for us politically have to walk through the shit that the Union and the elites have given us.
The elites created this union, not because it was good for me and you. They did it because it was good for them, and it still is. In the past you had to be born in to the elites, now you merely have to believe in them and serve your time to become one of "them".
When you have to walk through shit, then some of it's going to stick you. Whether you crap in it too, is a whole other question. When the Opposition/BBC/Unionists/whoever say, "Look! He has shit on him! That proves he shat in it!" No, it doesn't. All it means is that he has shit on him. There is no proof, so far, that any shit was taken. We need to follow the paper trail to find the truth of this shit. Levenson and Co, Plumbers to the political classes. We need to wait till they've got their arm right round the U-bend and they finally pull out the turd of "truth". Then we will see what colour it is and who it really belongs to.
If he is mired in the filth of power, if he really does think more of himself and his party than Scotland, if he really is sucking the balls of the elites, then I will be first to sharpen the axe. And I don't mean that metaphorically! Those who have ultimate power and responsibility over us should be bound by the ultimate price. Twenty years on Titan? Just chop their f***ing heads off! There is only one sentence for a "Rogue".
All this been said, I do trust Alex Salmond. I've met him, I've looked him in the eye and shaken his hand. I know it's only a feeling, but feelings are all we have. It's feelings and emotions that get us through life and more importantly give us a chance of a happy and worthwhile existence.
I am a Scot. I love my country.
It's the land-it is our wisdom
It's the land-it shines us through
It's the land-it feeds our children
It's the land-you cannot own the land
The land owns you
-   (Dougie MacLean – Solid Ground)
"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win."
-   Mahatma Ghandi


Dougie MacLean – Solid Ground
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3i_GbfKAu8k
The Corries – A Man's a Man
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSoxa8XpJ84&feature=relmfu
The Corries – The Dawning of the Day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmuY6aBeBQg&feature=related
The Corries – Scotland Will Flourish
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkr9c_ok-7c&feature=related
Dick Gaughin – Freedom Come All Ye
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nLGKFTH5sw
Brian McNeill – No Gods and Precious Few Heroes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUI1O8m-L7k
Robert Burns - Auld Lang Syne
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86_tlA9maA0
John McDermott – Scotland the Brave
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5bxT-j9UOQ
Gaberlunzie – Scotland Tomorrow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxtwZA-472g
The ChielMeister – Ah'm e Chiel (sae dinna fash)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ig_hEe4TVU4
Battlefield Band – The Yew Tree
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8nIFwpb3NQ&feature=related
The Corries – Highland Lament
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_i49qdVtyY&feature=related
Dougie MacLean's – Homeland
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3VXb2T1uqA
Andy M Stewart – Gallant Murray
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50vFarPZla0
Robert Hall and Jimmy MacGregor - The Wee Magic Stane
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKI8wwvY5mA&feature=related
Dick Gaughin – John MacLean's March
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKk8cxskmVo
The Corries – The Sheriffmuir Fight Song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TkQkyXV-M4&feature=related
Traditional - The Drunk Scotsman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZ35SOU9HTM
The Corries – Scotland the Brave (humorous)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kK6LkpfZ94s
North Sea Gas – The Kishorn Commandos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_i49qdVtyY&feature=related
The Corries – Kismuil's Galley

[Roger Godpleton]

tl;dr

[Colin MacNeil]

Sorry, wrong link. Here's the correct one.

The Corries - Highland Lament
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQOuyP1pCJc

[Old Tankie]

Sorry we've kept you enslaved for so long.  As an Englishman, I wish you well.  Bon Voyage and all that.  Oh! and close the door behind you!

[Roger Godpleton]

tr;dr

[Old Tankie]

Roger, tr;dr?  If that's an insult, it's wasted on me, mate, 'cos I haven't got a clue what it means.  Could you please insult me in plain English!

[Colin MacNeil]

Sorry we've kept you enslaved for so long.  As an Englishman, I wish you well.  Bon Voyage and all that.  Oh! and close the door behind you!

You haven't kept us enslaved. That's the point. WE have kept ourselves enslaved. It's the elites who have done this to us, whether Scottish kings or Tory and Labour Prime Ministers in Westminster. Their lies and greed have kept us enslaved.

It's only stupid feckless Scots who hate the English. Most of us have no animosity to the English people at all. As the old joke goes, "some of my best friends are English".

As much as I believe in an independent Scotland, I also believe in an independent England. I also believe we can be friends, our two nations, despite our histories and despite our different dreams for our countries futures. We mustn't close the door on friendship.

[Trout]

Roger, tr;dr?  If that's an insult, it's wasted on me, mate, 'cos I haven't got a clue what it means.  Could you please insult me in plain English!

I'll have a go, if you like.

Contrary to popular belief, Scottish people don't tend to have a problem with the English, despite notable exceptions such as Jimmy Hill. We do, however, dislike obnoxious people.

Best wishes

- Trout

[Old Tankie]

Yep, I agree with everything you say, Colin.  I happen to think that Alex Salmond is by far the most charismatic politician in British politics today.  I'm like you, I believe in independence for my country, but the politicians at Westminster don't want to know about an English parliament.  So, if the only way we can get one is by default, with the Welsh, Scots, and Northern Irish going their own way, then so be it.

I was only joking about closing the door.  Been to Scotland many times and I love the place.

[Old Tankie]

Oh! Troutie!!!  I've upset you!  Didums!!

[Trout]

Oh! Troutie!!!  I've upset you!  Didums!!

Nah. I just wanted to insult you.