The death of Benazir Bhutto, sadly, didn't come as a huge shock - from the day she made the fateful decision to return to Pakistan to fight January's elections there was an inevitability that an attempt would be made on her life, and so it proved. There are all sorts of theories about who was responsible, and I doubt if we'll ever really know who perpretrated the act - there is certainly a lengthy list of suspects.
I've just learned that both the son and husband of Benazir Bhutto are to take up the reins of her PPP party and will fight the election, whenever that now takes place. Again no great shock there, but whether that decision is in the best interests of democracy I'm not too sure. I'm not a supporter of political 'dynasties' - just because your mother and grandfather were politicians doesn't neccessarily mean that you will naturally inherit the skills to do the job - you won't. The Royal Family over the centuries is a pretty good example of that!
You can't help but feel that there will be a lot more blood spilled in Pakistan in the weeks ahead - and no doubt high on the assassins' list will be the latest members of the Bhutto family who have decided to take lead their party into the election.
Sunday, 30 December 2007
Saturday, 15 December 2007
Back from The Smoke
Had a great few days down in London - coldest I've ever known it down there, even for December. We stayed on The Strand, right by Covent Garden, and I love the atmosphere there - if that can't get you in the Christmas mood I don't know what can! Did some shopping and repeated a few of the 'touristy' things, including a Jack the Ripper guided tour. Not much of the old East End left, of course, so the images of Whitechapel shrouded in fog just had to be imagined. Interesting, though.
Took in 'Wicked', a show that's had rave reviews and I can understand why - the two women leads were absolutely top class and it was a brilliant performance overall.
As always the London trip came to an end too quickly - time seems to take on a different dimension down there, the pace of life is so frantic - but I'll be back again soon. As Dr Johnson said: "The man who grows tired of London has grown tired of life". Or it might have been Derek Johnstone!
Back to the real world, then, and it's off to Easter Road now ...
Sunday, 9 December 2007
Christmas Cheer
Not much Christmas cheer around down Easter Road way - the Hibs have hit a mini-slump and aer slowly sliding down the league after another defeat. I said at the start of the season that Hibs would probably finish fifth or sixth and I stand by that - after losing players of tthe quality of Scott Brown, and missing captain Rob Jones over recent weeks, the lack of depth and experience in the squad is becoming clear for all to see. Here's hoping Rob Petrie loosens the purse strings in January and gives John Collins a belated Chrsitmas present. If he doesn't it's going to be a long hard end to the season and the natives are getting restless ...
Anyway, I'm putting the cares of Easter Road and Noo Lab Scotland behind me and heading down to London for a short break. I shall return ...
Monday, 3 December 2007
Playing for time ...
All quiet from the New Labour bunker today - no fresh revelations in the press, but a deafening silence from Wendy's camp as Team Alexander tries to work out a damage limitation strategy. Jackie Baillie was wheeled out to trot out the official line, but I was disgusted to hear Ms Baillie - a politician who I genuinely respected - insinuate that the campaign against Wendy Alexander is gender based! Quite simply, that's nonsense and it stinks - Ms Baillie should be ashamed of herself for her utterances do her, or her gender, no credit. I've always found those who play the gender card - or the race card, come to that - have little else of a positive nature to offer. Too often it's a sign of desperation, the last roll of the dice, and it certainly seems so in this particular case.
Wendy's current travails are of her own making - and there really is only one way out and that is resignation. Having studied Wendy's unusually brief public statement on the affair, the key word in her defence is 'intentional'. Unfortunately, intentional or otherwise, Wendy is guilty of breaking the law. How this could happen when she was surrounded by some of the West of Scotland's most experienced politicians is mystifying, but it's a fact. There are suggestions that she will attempt to buy more time by awaiting the outcome of Electoral and Police inquiries, in the hope that the furore over the cash donations will diminish and so take the pressure off her besieged Westminster colleagues. It's said that Gordon Brown himself has urged her to tough it out.
However if Wendy Alexander really cares about the future of the Labour Party she professes to love, and if she wishes to retain any shred of honour or credibility at all - she must go now. And I say that not because she's a woman, but because she's a public figure who was caught and has admitted to breaking the law.
Those senior colleagues who handled her campaign - whether inept, incompetent 'numpties' or devious, arrogant crooks - should also be seriously considering their positions - not only have their actions greviously undermined democracy but they've also helped further the cause of independence much more effectively than Salmond could ever do. Well done Comrades!
Wendy's current travails are of her own making - and there really is only one way out and that is resignation. Having studied Wendy's unusually brief public statement on the affair, the key word in her defence is 'intentional'. Unfortunately, intentional or otherwise, Wendy is guilty of breaking the law. How this could happen when she was surrounded by some of the West of Scotland's most experienced politicians is mystifying, but it's a fact. There are suggestions that she will attempt to buy more time by awaiting the outcome of Electoral and Police inquiries, in the hope that the furore over the cash donations will diminish and so take the pressure off her besieged Westminster colleagues. It's said that Gordon Brown himself has urged her to tough it out.
However if Wendy Alexander really cares about the future of the Labour Party she professes to love, and if she wishes to retain any shred of honour or credibility at all - she must go now. And I say that not because she's a woman, but because she's a public figure who was caught and has admitted to breaking the law.
Those senior colleagues who handled her campaign - whether inept, incompetent 'numpties' or devious, arrogant crooks - should also be seriously considering their positions - not only have their actions greviously undermined democracy but they've also helped further the cause of independence much more effectively than Salmond could ever do. Well done Comrades!
Sunday, 2 December 2007
In the Brown Stuff ... Money, Money, Money
Gordon Clown, Brown envelopes, etc., etc. It was inevitable that the Sunday papers were not going to make good reading for Labour, and so it has proved. This is one almighty mess and the sad fact is it is self-inflicted.
'Events, dear boy, events', as Harold MacMillan said all those years ago. There are some problems that come along in life that you can't predict and can't really do much about, and Gordon Brown's government has been buffeted by one mishap after another. Leaking viruses from research centres, incompetent staff managing to lose the records of half the population, Northern Rock ... all very worrying, but not issues that can be laid at the door of the government. The funding scandal, however - and it is a scandal - is something completely different. Some people have broken the law here - we still don't know how many will be implicated - and the government's reputation is in tatters. There's been an attempt to steady the ship - loyal apologist Hazel Blears was wheeled out this morning in an attempt to spread the blame across all parties - but for the moment at least this is a Labour problem.
Although I have been a member of the Labour Party for over 20 years I never signed up to this so-called New Labour 'Project' - it strikes me that these New Labour entryists have caused the Labour Party every bit as much damage as Militant ever did - and at least Militant were socialists! These New Labour types, with their fawning admiration of wealth, big business and celebrity, have brought a once-great working people's movement to it's knees. 'Real' Labour members have deserted in droves - leaving the shell of a party which bears little resemblance to the party I joined all those years ago. A party filled with too many people who are there for what they can get out of it, people for whom principles are expendable (if they ever had any principles in the first place) and a Party that appears to have lost it's soul, it's very raison d'etre.
I never left the Labour Party - I have always believed that we will return to our roots and that the New Labour phase will come and go (the New Lab types won't stick around when things start to go belly-up, they'll move on to some new 'project'). I personally feel some responsibility for being part of a silent majority of the membership who acquiesced and did nothing to stop this takeover happening. With a few honourable exceptions (Glasgow MP Ian Davidson, take a bow!)elected politicians of the old school have also been very reluctant to speak out - claiming their silence is down to 'party loyalty', sadly for many it's a bit more pragmatic than that. It's the fear of losing their incomes - be that their seats, quangoes or other forms of patronage. No doubt these Bastions of the Left will find their voices again later when it's safe and convenient to do so.
While the Westminster saga is bad enough - and it comes to a sad day when a Labour Prime Minister can be humiliated by stand-in Lib Dem (or should that be stand-up) leader Vince Cable, who has the Commons rolling in the aisles when he cracks jokes about Mr Bean - we've also got our own wee Tartan version of sleaze, les and corruption up here now too.
Sure, the sums of money are not as large - but the issues are the same: deceit, concealment, lies, breaking the law. And incidentally, why did Wendy need £17,000 to 'fight' a campaign anyway? was she shadow-bowing herself? It seems a lot of money for what was basically a coronation tour!
My hope is that when the enquiries are concluded - those responsible pay for their criminal activities not only with their jobs, but with their freedom. Only then can you start to rebuild confidence in a democratic system that too many people now see as inherently corrupt.
As to the future, it's inevitable that party funding must be looked at again but I would strongly advise against any attempt to force taxpayers to pay for political parties. Political parties are in essence clubs with memberships, and non-members e should retain the right to decide whether or not they want to join or donate to these organisations. My guess is that many would choose not to, with the upshot that the political parties must offer more to appeal to members. And if the donations just aren't forthcoming, the parties will just have to adapt and fight smaller, less expensive election campaigns with fewer officials on the payroll. That's not rocket science - that's the real world.
There will be casualties - and so there should be - but in an odd way I think the events of the last week could turn out to be of lasting benefit to the Labour Party. It's an opportunity to clear out the corrupt, ditch the New Labour spin and get back to Real Labour politics. A chance to start afresh in rebuilding trust with both the electorate and party members. The next General Election could still be two years away and I genuinely believe that there is still enough time to recover from what is undoubtedly a dire situation, although Labour cannot afford any more mishaps. Remember Neil Kinnock enjoyed a percentage point lead over John Major that was double that enjoyed by David Cameron at the moment. The result of the General Election? Yes, indeed.
'Events, dear boy, events', as Harold MacMillan said all those years ago. There are some problems that come along in life that you can't predict and can't really do much about, and Gordon Brown's government has been buffeted by one mishap after another. Leaking viruses from research centres, incompetent staff managing to lose the records of half the population, Northern Rock ... all very worrying, but not issues that can be laid at the door of the government. The funding scandal, however - and it is a scandal - is something completely different. Some people have broken the law here - we still don't know how many will be implicated - and the government's reputation is in tatters. There's been an attempt to steady the ship - loyal apologist Hazel Blears was wheeled out this morning in an attempt to spread the blame across all parties - but for the moment at least this is a Labour problem.
Although I have been a member of the Labour Party for over 20 years I never signed up to this so-called New Labour 'Project' - it strikes me that these New Labour entryists have caused the Labour Party every bit as much damage as Militant ever did - and at least Militant were socialists! These New Labour types, with their fawning admiration of wealth, big business and celebrity, have brought a once-great working people's movement to it's knees. 'Real' Labour members have deserted in droves - leaving the shell of a party which bears little resemblance to the party I joined all those years ago. A party filled with too many people who are there for what they can get out of it, people for whom principles are expendable (if they ever had any principles in the first place) and a Party that appears to have lost it's soul, it's very raison d'etre.
I never left the Labour Party - I have always believed that we will return to our roots and that the New Labour phase will come and go (the New Lab types won't stick around when things start to go belly-up, they'll move on to some new 'project'). I personally feel some responsibility for being part of a silent majority of the membership who acquiesced and did nothing to stop this takeover happening. With a few honourable exceptions (Glasgow MP Ian Davidson, take a bow!)elected politicians of the old school have also been very reluctant to speak out - claiming their silence is down to 'party loyalty', sadly for many it's a bit more pragmatic than that. It's the fear of losing their incomes - be that their seats, quangoes or other forms of patronage. No doubt these Bastions of the Left will find their voices again later when it's safe and convenient to do so.
While the Westminster saga is bad enough - and it comes to a sad day when a Labour Prime Minister can be humiliated by stand-in Lib Dem (or should that be stand-up) leader Vince Cable, who has the Commons rolling in the aisles when he cracks jokes about Mr Bean - we've also got our own wee Tartan version of sleaze, les and corruption up here now too.
Sure, the sums of money are not as large - but the issues are the same: deceit, concealment, lies, breaking the law. And incidentally, why did Wendy need £17,000 to 'fight' a campaign anyway? was she shadow-bowing herself? It seems a lot of money for what was basically a coronation tour!
My hope is that when the enquiries are concluded - those responsible pay for their criminal activities not only with their jobs, but with their freedom. Only then can you start to rebuild confidence in a democratic system that too many people now see as inherently corrupt.
As to the future, it's inevitable that party funding must be looked at again but I would strongly advise against any attempt to force taxpayers to pay for political parties. Political parties are in essence clubs with memberships, and non-members e should retain the right to decide whether or not they want to join or donate to these organisations. My guess is that many would choose not to, with the upshot that the political parties must offer more to appeal to members. And if the donations just aren't forthcoming, the parties will just have to adapt and fight smaller, less expensive election campaigns with fewer officials on the payroll. That's not rocket science - that's the real world.
There will be casualties - and so there should be - but in an odd way I think the events of the last week could turn out to be of lasting benefit to the Labour Party. It's an opportunity to clear out the corrupt, ditch the New Labour spin and get back to Real Labour politics. A chance to start afresh in rebuilding trust with both the electorate and party members. The next General Election could still be two years away and I genuinely believe that there is still enough time to recover from what is undoubtedly a dire situation, although Labour cannot afford any more mishaps. Remember Neil Kinnock enjoyed a percentage point lead over John Major that was double that enjoyed by David Cameron at the moment. The result of the General Election? Yes, indeed.
Saturday, 1 December 2007
The Song Remains The Same
I bought the latest Led Zeppelin album 'Mothership' a couple of weeks back. It's hardly 'new', of course - it's a compilation of remastered classics. Over the years I've bought all of Led Zeppelin's albums many times over - on vinyl, cassette and then CD.
At secondary school in the early 1970s it was almost compulsory to be seen carrying a Pink Floyd or Led Zeppelin album under your arm (or in a Bruce's Record Shop plastic bag) if you wanted to be 'hip'. Right on ...
Anyway I've never lost my love of Led Zeppelin (or Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull or Black Sabbath, come to that) so it was a joy to sit back and listen to those amazing tracks once again. It's a great album, although I could argue about the choice of tracks. I always change my mind about the best Led Zeppelin album (or even my favourite Led Zep track) - it changes with my mood.
At their best I don't think any band in the world came even close to Led Zeppelin, and there are obviously many more like me with fond memories - millions applied for tickets to their London reunion gig next month. No, I didn't get tickets either!
It was a bit of a shock to see a white-haired Jimmy Page promoting the new album and concert - I remember feeling the same when I saw a Pink Floyd reunion gig a couple of years back. Don't they all look old? Then of course you look in the mirror and realise that the years take their toll on all of us - not only rock gods!
At secondary school in the early 1970s it was almost compulsory to be seen carrying a Pink Floyd or Led Zeppelin album under your arm (or in a Bruce's Record Shop plastic bag) if you wanted to be 'hip'. Right on ...
Anyway I've never lost my love of Led Zeppelin (or Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull or Black Sabbath, come to that) so it was a joy to sit back and listen to those amazing tracks once again. It's a great album, although I could argue about the choice of tracks. I always change my mind about the best Led Zeppelin album (or even my favourite Led Zep track) - it changes with my mood.
At their best I don't think any band in the world came even close to Led Zeppelin, and there are obviously many more like me with fond memories - millions applied for tickets to their London reunion gig next month. No, I didn't get tickets either!
It was a bit of a shock to see a white-haired Jimmy Page promoting the new album and concert - I remember feeling the same when I saw a Pink Floyd reunion gig a couple of years back. Don't they all look old? Then of course you look in the mirror and realise that the years take their toll on all of us - not only rock gods!
Sunday, 18 November 2007
Wiz we robbed?
Well, it wasn't to be - another heroic failure. You can't fault our team for effort, and you've got to give our wee nation a hell of a lot of credit for keeping the excitement going almost all the way to the end.
Of course the Italian winner should never have been - the award of a free kick to the Italians was mystifying - but you could also point to what seemed like a perfectly good second 'goal' in the first half that would have effectively killed the game off. A couple of dubious decisions then, and it looks like the standard of international refereeing is gettting as bad as it is domestically. I've witnessed more than a few breathtaking refereeing mistakes at Easter Road this season, dodgy decisions that have changed the outcome of games. Mistakes can cost matches, but when it's the officials and not the players who make them it's much harder to stomach.
Anyway, hard luck to the Scotland squad. No-one expected anything from us when the draw was made, and to achieve what this team has is some performance: beating France twice and running the World Champions so close is no disgrace. Watching the much-vaunted Italians running down the clock and their relieved celebrations following the final whistle, showed just how much Scotland tested them.
The draw for the World Cup qualifiers is made next week, and the roller-coaster ride that is supporting Scotland starts all over again. The joy, the tears, the ultimate disappointment - I can harldy wait!
Of course the Italian winner should never have been - the award of a free kick to the Italians was mystifying - but you could also point to what seemed like a perfectly good second 'goal' in the first half that would have effectively killed the game off. A couple of dubious decisions then, and it looks like the standard of international refereeing is gettting as bad as it is domestically. I've witnessed more than a few breathtaking refereeing mistakes at Easter Road this season, dodgy decisions that have changed the outcome of games. Mistakes can cost matches, but when it's the officials and not the players who make them it's much harder to stomach.
Anyway, hard luck to the Scotland squad. No-one expected anything from us when the draw was made, and to achieve what this team has is some performance: beating France twice and running the World Champions so close is no disgrace. Watching the much-vaunted Italians running down the clock and their relieved celebrations following the final whistle, showed just how much Scotland tested them.
The draw for the World Cup qualifiers is made next week, and the roller-coaster ride that is supporting Scotland starts all over again. The joy, the tears, the ultimate disappointment - I can harldy wait!
Saturday, 17 November 2007
Final Countdown
Just 90 minutes until the big kick off in Scotland's biggest game in years - I can't remember a bigger one. Can we do it? The head says no, Italy are too professional and will play for and get the draw they need ... and yet the heart says yes, we can rise to the occassion with one last great effort, beat the World Champions and take our rightful place in the European Championships next year.
We'll know soon enough - either way our publicans will be rubbing their hands; it must be like Christmas and New Year rolled into one day for them.
Cheers!
We'll know soon enough - either way our publicans will be rubbing their hands; it must be like Christmas and New Year rolled into one day for them.
Cheers!
Three Car Trick!
Friday was a strange day: three jobs to cover which made it difficult to get any writing done, then, when I was finally able to get started on writing up my stories, a ghost from the past appears in the office (after closing time, too). Stan Lawson, the self proclaimed rebel champion from Pennywell who fought the local council (and, inevtiably, was evicted earlier this year), has returned from exile in Bury, Lancs, and called into the office.
His travails have clearly affected him - there's still all the old bluster and the defiance, but what you see in front of you is a frightened old man who sadly got carried away with all the publicity and who found his life spinning out of control. Everyone, save Stan, knew it would end in tears - and it has. It's still very sad to see the end serult, though.
As I ushered Stan out of the office to attend another job we banged into Billy Fitzpatrick, who lost his council seat in May and has been a bit of a lost soul ever since. Billy was a councillor for 23 years and he's found it very difficult to find work since his enforced 'retiral'. I feel for him and I hope he picks up something soon.
Felt a bit down after these two encounters and perhaps my mind was elsewhere when I had a wee mishap. I am in the fortunate position just now that I can use any one of three cars - my wee Citroen, which I use for work; a Picasso which we use for all othe rthings and Gail's Saxo (lying idle til she comes home from New Zealand).
Anyway, to cut an increasingly-long blog slightly shorter, I must have left the Citroen in gear when I switched off (something I never do) so when I turned the engine back on it ploughed into the Picasso. No great damage done (wee Citroen is a wee tank and shrugged it off, elegant Picasso suffered the indignity of a broken number plate) but quite a shock. Running late for the final job of the day now, jumped into Gail's car only to find the battery dead! Back into the PIcasso and just made the job on time. Too many cars, too little time!
Wasn't sorry to see the end of CHildren in Need Day, but we all get days like that from time to time ...
His travails have clearly affected him - there's still all the old bluster and the defiance, but what you see in front of you is a frightened old man who sadly got carried away with all the publicity and who found his life spinning out of control. Everyone, save Stan, knew it would end in tears - and it has. It's still very sad to see the end serult, though.
As I ushered Stan out of the office to attend another job we banged into Billy Fitzpatrick, who lost his council seat in May and has been a bit of a lost soul ever since. Billy was a councillor for 23 years and he's found it very difficult to find work since his enforced 'retiral'. I feel for him and I hope he picks up something soon.
Felt a bit down after these two encounters and perhaps my mind was elsewhere when I had a wee mishap. I am in the fortunate position just now that I can use any one of three cars - my wee Citroen, which I use for work; a Picasso which we use for all othe rthings and Gail's Saxo (lying idle til she comes home from New Zealand).
Anyway, to cut an increasingly-long blog slightly shorter, I must have left the Citroen in gear when I switched off (something I never do) so when I turned the engine back on it ploughed into the Picasso. No great damage done (wee Citroen is a wee tank and shrugged it off, elegant Picasso suffered the indignity of a broken number plate) but quite a shock. Running late for the final job of the day now, jumped into Gail's car only to find the battery dead! Back into the PIcasso and just made the job on time. Too many cars, too little time!
Wasn't sorry to see the end of CHildren in Need Day, but we all get days like that from time to time ...
New Arrival
Well my new niece arrived this week after an anxious wait of nearly two weeks (great niece, actually, but that makes me sound ancient!) The baby - Laura - and her mum Carol are both fine. Visited on Thursday afternoon - baby handled all the fuss like a real wee trooper and didn't even bother wakening up for her visitors. It's amazing looking down on a new wee person that's just hours old. I wonder what life's got in store for wee Laura ...
Tuesday, 13 November 2007
Out in the cold but bouncing back
Like a lot of other people I know I've been incapacitated (i.e. floored) by a really irritating cough and cold for the last ten days or so. I don't want to be over-dramatic here, but it's certainly affected the energy levels and it's really frustrating to feel so listless when there is so much to be done.
As a rule I keep fairly good health - helped I suppose by a daily regime of a twelve mile run followed by a cold shower - so I shouldn't really complain about getting the odd cold, but I'll be glad when it's over. The sore throat is affecting my enjoyment of my Embassy Regal and I don't suit the red moustache that accompanies the runny nose!
Anyway, what's been happening outside my own sad wee world. Well, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir (what's the knighthood for?) Ian Blair doggedly refuses to resign over the shooting of an innocent man - and the subsequent attempted obstruction of an inquiry. No real surprise there, sadly - Blair seems to be very much your modern 'public servant'; very media-savvy, well up on diversity and equalities but not quite so well versed in accountability, taking responsibility or doing what he's actually paid to do. The more soundbytes and polished presentations I hear from Blair the less I trust the man, and on the available evidence his position is untenable. Strangely though he appears to enjoy the support of the government - I'm not too sure why. If he refuses to go - and he's clinging on like grim death - he should be gently pushed. No doubt there's a sparkling media career just around the corner, and a bumper book deal too I would wager - we won't have heard the last of 'Sir' Ian, and perhaps that's what the government is afraid of.
Glasgow, as expected, won the right to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games amid great national rejoicing (well, there was if you believe BBC Scotland - saturation coverage and even an overseas appearance from the ubiquitous Jackie Bird to help the celebrations go with a swing). The Commonwealth Games didn't have a lasting impact on the quality of life in Edinburgh when we hosted them - Cap'n Bob Maxwell even had to bail us out last time) - but I sincerely hope for the poor communities in Glasgow's East End that there is a better result for them through regeneration. I still feel though that the Games should have gone to Africa, though - it's criminal that no African nation has hosted the Games since they were introduced in the 1930s.
So sorry about the recent silence from this blog site - normal service has hopefully been resumed. I know you'll feel a lot better having heard that ...
As a rule I keep fairly good health - helped I suppose by a daily regime of a twelve mile run followed by a cold shower - so I shouldn't really complain about getting the odd cold, but I'll be glad when it's over. The sore throat is affecting my enjoyment of my Embassy Regal and I don't suit the red moustache that accompanies the runny nose!
Anyway, what's been happening outside my own sad wee world. Well, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir (what's the knighthood for?) Ian Blair doggedly refuses to resign over the shooting of an innocent man - and the subsequent attempted obstruction of an inquiry. No real surprise there, sadly - Blair seems to be very much your modern 'public servant'; very media-savvy, well up on diversity and equalities but not quite so well versed in accountability, taking responsibility or doing what he's actually paid to do. The more soundbytes and polished presentations I hear from Blair the less I trust the man, and on the available evidence his position is untenable. Strangely though he appears to enjoy the support of the government - I'm not too sure why. If he refuses to go - and he's clinging on like grim death - he should be gently pushed. No doubt there's a sparkling media career just around the corner, and a bumper book deal too I would wager - we won't have heard the last of 'Sir' Ian, and perhaps that's what the government is afraid of.
Glasgow, as expected, won the right to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games amid great national rejoicing (well, there was if you believe BBC Scotland - saturation coverage and even an overseas appearance from the ubiquitous Jackie Bird to help the celebrations go with a swing). The Commonwealth Games didn't have a lasting impact on the quality of life in Edinburgh when we hosted them - Cap'n Bob Maxwell even had to bail us out last time) - but I sincerely hope for the poor communities in Glasgow's East End that there is a better result for them through regeneration. I still feel though that the Games should have gone to Africa, though - it's criminal that no African nation has hosted the Games since they were introduced in the 1930s.
So sorry about the recent silence from this blog site - normal service has hopefully been resumed. I know you'll feel a lot better having heard that ...
Thursday, 1 November 2007
To buy or not to buy?
I'm not a Nat, but congratulations must go to the SNP for ending tenants' right to buy for new housing built by councils and social landlords. Given the ongoing housing crisis, it's a move that's long overdue and a an issue that should have been tackled by Labour long before now - the best of our public (yes, it belonged to us all) housing stock has long since gone. Labour consistently shied away from making what might have been seen to have been an unpopular decision, however, and once again the SNP are seen as an active, energetic government who are willing to get things done.
The SNP are also giving help to first-time buyers, and a phrase I hate - 'housing ladder' - is used again. Yes, more people now aspire to own their own homes rather than rent, but does it have to be a 'ladder' with people aspiring to bigger and bigger and more expensive houses, all about making profits? Personally I would prefer to see support for those who are unlikely to be able to afford their own homes - those people for whom a house is a roof over their heads and a safe place to live, other than those who see bricks and mortar as a nice little earner.
Critics trot out the line that the SNP are simply adopting 'populist' policies, but honestly - what's wrong with taking decisions that are popular with voters?
Six months into the new parliament the SNP have hardly put a foot wrong. Opposition in Holyrood has been - let's be kind here - fairly weak, and Salmond's biggest challenge appears to be a media hostile to independence. Things won't always be so straightforward for the SNP, of course - some tough (and unpopular) spending decisions will be made later this month as the SNP tries to get it's budget through parliament. There are toughter times ahead.
The SNP are also giving help to first-time buyers, and a phrase I hate - 'housing ladder' - is used again. Yes, more people now aspire to own their own homes rather than rent, but does it have to be a 'ladder' with people aspiring to bigger and bigger and more expensive houses, all about making profits? Personally I would prefer to see support for those who are unlikely to be able to afford their own homes - those people for whom a house is a roof over their heads and a safe place to live, other than those who see bricks and mortar as a nice little earner.
Critics trot out the line that the SNP are simply adopting 'populist' policies, but honestly - what's wrong with taking decisions that are popular with voters?
Six months into the new parliament the SNP have hardly put a foot wrong. Opposition in Holyrood has been - let's be kind here - fairly weak, and Salmond's biggest challenge appears to be a media hostile to independence. Things won't always be so straightforward for the SNP, of course - some tough (and unpopular) spending decisions will be made later this month as the SNP tries to get it's budget through parliament. There are toughter times ahead.
Thursday, 18 October 2007
Ups and downs ...
Strange day, yesterday. I received a phone call in the morning to let me know that the Botanics Hotel has finally closed. It's been on the cards for a few months, and over the last couple of weeks the Bar's only been open from Wednesday - Saturday evenings. It's a shame - not only because my weekly quiz is no more, but the Botanics - or The Marina, as it was much better known - was a very popular hotel. I have fond memories of the old place when it was the post-match venue when I played football at Inverleith Park in the old Maybury League, thousands of years ago - in the days when pubs didn't open on Sundays and you could only drink in hotels and social clubs. Ah, the golden days ...
Anyway I still think it's a crying shame that a perfectly good hotel, with a nice bar and a beergarden attached, is to be converted into yet more flats. And what am I going to do with all those quizzes I've compiled?
On a brighter note, though, I read on the Chicago Film Festival's website that 'Stuck' has won a Silver Hugo (whatever a 'Hugo' might be?). According to the pre-publicity 160 movies from 44 different countries were screened during the event so the Award is no small achievement. It's great news for Graham, and us bit-part players will bask in the reflected glory!
Not much glory in Georgia last night, where Scotland almost predictably fell to the ocassion - we never do well when we're expected to, we're not good favourites. So it's all down to the Hampden showdown with Italy next month - winner takes all. I'd hate to predict the outcome, but one way or another it'll all end in tears ...
Anyway I still think it's a crying shame that a perfectly good hotel, with a nice bar and a beergarden attached, is to be converted into yet more flats. And what am I going to do with all those quizzes I've compiled?
On a brighter note, though, I read on the Chicago Film Festival's website that 'Stuck' has won a Silver Hugo (whatever a 'Hugo' might be?). According to the pre-publicity 160 movies from 44 different countries were screened during the event so the Award is no small achievement. It's great news for Graham, and us bit-part players will bask in the reflected glory!
Not much glory in Georgia last night, where Scotland almost predictably fell to the ocassion - we never do well when we're expected to, we're not good favourites. So it's all down to the Hampden showdown with Italy next month - winner takes all. I'd hate to predict the outcome, but one way or another it'll all end in tears ...
Tuesday, 16 October 2007
An age-old problem ...
So the honourable Ming has bowed to the inevitable and fallen on his sword. No real surprise there - the spotlight shifted onto him as soon as the election was called off. There's no doubt the Lib Dems have been out of the picture recently as Brown and Cameron slug it out under the media glare, and it mus be frustrating for those Liberal young turks who live by the oxygen of media publicity. The question is: given the current political situation, would it have made any difference if any of the plotters had been in charge? I think not.
Who's to blame for Ming's departure? The 'loyal' party members blame the media for stirring it all up. They would, of course, wouldn't they? If the media is to be blamed for anything it was the frenzied speculation over an imminent election, stoked up by those shadowy advisers close to Gordon Brown whose very lives are all about scheming, manipulating and briefing. Really, who wanted an election? Not the public, particularly in Scotland where there is simply no appetite for another trip to the polling stations; Gordon Brown didn't need one, David Cameron didn't really want one and the Lib Dems probably couldn't afford one! No, the real beneficiaries of an autumn election would have been the media. With party conference season over and little of substance on the horizon to fill the political pages, it was the media who badly wanted an election. They didn't get one, but with Campbell's decision to quit and the subsequent leadership election they've got their story now - thanks to over-excited Lib Dem MPs.
Yes, the real assassins here are those Lib Dem schemers who have so little else to do - they are almost an irrelevance in Westminster and they are now bit-part players at Holyrood too - that they have spent months scheming and plotting the downfall of their own leader in the hope of generating some publicity. It's a dirty business - and we can now all look forward to a leadership election where all of the candidates will no doubt praise the great work done by Menzies Campbell and Charles Kennedy before him! I bet you can hardly wait - the phrase 'bald men fighting over a comb' was never more apt!
Sir Ming came across as a decent and an honourable man but not one who is cut out for the often brutal, cut throat world of front-line politics - he seems a man who would be more at home in one of those many leathery old gentleman's clubs which abound around Westminster, discussing issues of national import over a brandy and cigars. He never looked comfortable carrying out the photo opportunity and sound bite sessions so necessary for today's media-savvy politicians, and I'm personally quite pleased that we won't have to witness the undignified spectable of Ming in a baseball cap, or Ming skateboarding to the Commons while listening to the latest sounds on his Ipod! He's not that old, but he gives the impression of being an old-fashioned politician of a bygone age. He's now paid the price for that - something he could really do nothing about.
Incidentally I couldn't help but chuckle at remarks made by former Lord Chancellor Charles Falconer at the weekend. The noble Lord - known as Billy Bunter to not a few Labour back benchers - urged Gordon Brown to show 'vision for the country'. Falconer's greatest claim to fame is that he shared a flat with Tony Blair when they were both aspiring young lawyers. Strangely enough Charlie fairly shot up the establishment ladder, yet 'visionary' is not an adjective one would use to describe our dear old Charlie. Gordon Brown is not perfect - he's been a fair exponent of the old 'black arts' himself in the past - but I think he's something of a rarity these days: a conviction politician and a man who still believes in the ethos of public service. The day he starts taking advice from the likes of arch-Blairite Bunter - or come to that those advisers for whom politics is a career option and who have no experience or knowledge of life outside that of their wee Westminster bubble - will be a dark day indeed.
Gordon Brown has learned some hard lessons from the events of the past few weeks. I hope one of them is to be his own man.
Who's to blame for Ming's departure? The 'loyal' party members blame the media for stirring it all up. They would, of course, wouldn't they? If the media is to be blamed for anything it was the frenzied speculation over an imminent election, stoked up by those shadowy advisers close to Gordon Brown whose very lives are all about scheming, manipulating and briefing. Really, who wanted an election? Not the public, particularly in Scotland where there is simply no appetite for another trip to the polling stations; Gordon Brown didn't need one, David Cameron didn't really want one and the Lib Dems probably couldn't afford one! No, the real beneficiaries of an autumn election would have been the media. With party conference season over and little of substance on the horizon to fill the political pages, it was the media who badly wanted an election. They didn't get one, but with Campbell's decision to quit and the subsequent leadership election they've got their story now - thanks to over-excited Lib Dem MPs.
Yes, the real assassins here are those Lib Dem schemers who have so little else to do - they are almost an irrelevance in Westminster and they are now bit-part players at Holyrood too - that they have spent months scheming and plotting the downfall of their own leader in the hope of generating some publicity. It's a dirty business - and we can now all look forward to a leadership election where all of the candidates will no doubt praise the great work done by Menzies Campbell and Charles Kennedy before him! I bet you can hardly wait - the phrase 'bald men fighting over a comb' was never more apt!
Sir Ming came across as a decent and an honourable man but not one who is cut out for the often brutal, cut throat world of front-line politics - he seems a man who would be more at home in one of those many leathery old gentleman's clubs which abound around Westminster, discussing issues of national import over a brandy and cigars. He never looked comfortable carrying out the photo opportunity and sound bite sessions so necessary for today's media-savvy politicians, and I'm personally quite pleased that we won't have to witness the undignified spectable of Ming in a baseball cap, or Ming skateboarding to the Commons while listening to the latest sounds on his Ipod! He's not that old, but he gives the impression of being an old-fashioned politician of a bygone age. He's now paid the price for that - something he could really do nothing about.
Incidentally I couldn't help but chuckle at remarks made by former Lord Chancellor Charles Falconer at the weekend. The noble Lord - known as Billy Bunter to not a few Labour back benchers - urged Gordon Brown to show 'vision for the country'. Falconer's greatest claim to fame is that he shared a flat with Tony Blair when they were both aspiring young lawyers. Strangely enough Charlie fairly shot up the establishment ladder, yet 'visionary' is not an adjective one would use to describe our dear old Charlie. Gordon Brown is not perfect - he's been a fair exponent of the old 'black arts' himself in the past - but I think he's something of a rarity these days: a conviction politician and a man who still believes in the ethos of public service. The day he starts taking advice from the likes of arch-Blairite Bunter - or come to that those advisers for whom politics is a career option and who have no experience or knowledge of life outside that of their wee Westminster bubble - will be a dark day indeed.
Gordon Brown has learned some hard lessons from the events of the past few weeks. I hope one of them is to be his own man.
Sunday, 14 October 2007
Beautiful Botanics
Spent a peaceful couple of hours at the Botanic Gardens this afternoon - glorious autumn colours and a world away from Johnny Wilkinson and that 'magnificent' England performance ...
The Botanics really is a jewel in Edinburgh's crown - you always feel happier with life after spending some time there.
Come On You Springboks!
I never thought I'd ever find myself saying this, but for the next six days I will be a diehard South Africa supporter! Having been sickened by constant references to Ingerlund throughout this evening's Rugby World Cup semi-final - the 'other' semi-final, obviously - I'll be avoiding the news all week and cheering on the Springboks come Saturday.
You forget how obnoxious those 'Swing Low Sweet Chariot' clowns can be; if they win, it's emigration for me!
You forget how obnoxious those 'Swing Low Sweet Chariot' clowns can be; if they win, it's emigration for me!
A Tale of Two World Cups
Saturday was a big day for sport, and what different emotions were aroused by two results in two different sports. In the afternoon Scotland continued to 'live the dream' by beating the Ukraine 3-1. Scotland's renaissance has been something of a fairy tale - who could have believed that these are much the same players that plied their trade under the hapless Berti Vogts? Once again we were outplayed for periods of the match, but there's a self-belief an a confidence in this current squad that makes almost anything possible. No world superstars, no Prima Donnas .. just an honest bunch of journeymen professionals who work their socks off for each other. They deserve everything they've achieved so far - no-one gave them a hope in hell of qualifying for next year's Euro championships, yet here we are: just two games and a tantalising four points away from one of the most amazing achievements in Scottish sporting history. As long suffering Scots supporters we've been here before - the long road of our sporting travails is littered with too many 'glorious failures' to mention. I still think we will find it tough to qualify - even if we were to pick up all three points in Georgia (and that's no certainty after the loss of a number of influential players) we could still be faced with having to take at least a point off Italy in our final game at Hampden. There's still a huge challenge ahead, and ultimately we might not quite get there, but at least it's in the players' own hands (or feet) now. They know what they've got to do - and what a lift it would give the nation if they were able to achieve it.
Meanwhile, across 'Le Pond' our neighbours England were grinding out a dour victory over France in the Rugby World Cup semi-final. As usual, the victory was based on a grimly determined pack and the trusty boot of Mr Wilkinson - dire to watch and just so predictable. Enjoyable to watch it was not, yet when you listened and watched news reports following the match - 'Magnifique', 'bulldog spirit' 'tremendous performance', etc. etc. - you could be forgiven for believing that you had actually been watching a different game! And it is supposed to be a game, about providing enjoyment for players and supporters alike. But when you see the set faces of England's modern gladiators before and during the game - fierce, determined,'focused' and 'in the zone' - you see a group of men who are not playing sport for enjoyment or to provide entertainment but who are on the field with one single-minded purpose only - to win.
Win of course they did, and as far as they and their legion of coaches, advisers, motivators, etc are concerned it's the result, not the performance, that matters so their tactics are justified. Seeing and listening to their jubilant followers too, it seems the end justifies the means. It's a pity - England have some exciting backs who are rarely seen to effect when the team plays in this style. Sadly this boring, grinding, monotonous style has been rewarded with victory and England are in the final once again.
Will they open up and play an expansive, flowing, running game fit to grace a World Cup Final? No, I don't think so either!
This has been a RWC of upsets, so it's hard to predict the outcome of the semi-final between South Africa and Argentina tonight - but I'll bet as a spectacle and as entertainment it will be a hell of a lot better than the England's semi.
Meanwhile, across 'Le Pond' our neighbours England were grinding out a dour victory over France in the Rugby World Cup semi-final. As usual, the victory was based on a grimly determined pack and the trusty boot of Mr Wilkinson - dire to watch and just so predictable. Enjoyable to watch it was not, yet when you listened and watched news reports following the match - 'Magnifique', 'bulldog spirit' 'tremendous performance', etc. etc. - you could be forgiven for believing that you had actually been watching a different game! And it is supposed to be a game, about providing enjoyment for players and supporters alike. But when you see the set faces of England's modern gladiators before and during the game - fierce, determined,'focused' and 'in the zone' - you see a group of men who are not playing sport for enjoyment or to provide entertainment but who are on the field with one single-minded purpose only - to win.
Win of course they did, and as far as they and their legion of coaches, advisers, motivators, etc are concerned it's the result, not the performance, that matters so their tactics are justified. Seeing and listening to their jubilant followers too, it seems the end justifies the means. It's a pity - England have some exciting backs who are rarely seen to effect when the team plays in this style. Sadly this boring, grinding, monotonous style has been rewarded with victory and England are in the final once again.
Will they open up and play an expansive, flowing, running game fit to grace a World Cup Final? No, I don't think so either!
This has been a RWC of upsets, so it's hard to predict the outcome of the semi-final between South Africa and Argentina tonight - but I'll bet as a spectacle and as entertainment it will be a hell of a lot better than the England's semi.
Wednesday, 10 October 2007
Another Op'nin, another show ...
Bright start to this month - saw the finished version of 'Stuck' at Broughton High School (where it was shot). Very impressed - I had thought it would be good, but it's even better than I had hoped. The film score, composed by Graeme's brother, complements the gentle pace of the film beautifully. It's a lovely wee film, and I hope it gets the credit it deserves when it's shown at the Chicago Film Festival later this month.
Went along to see it for a second time at The Filmhouse, where it was screened with some of the latest Pilton Shorts. Those were of the more traditional variety - i.e. drugs and violence - so 'Stuck' stuck out!
However they did show one of their older films that featured Lesley Connolly - I had the pleasure of working with her on North Edinburgh Arts 'Oyster Wars' and we had some great laughs. I have no doubt that we would have worked together again, but it wasn't to be - Lesley died suddenly at a party she held on the closing night of the show. Seeing her on the big screen brought back conflicting emotions - happy memories of the laughs we had on set but sadness that she died as young as she did.
Had to leave before the screening to get to the Playhouse to see 'South Pacific' matinee. Glad I made it - that's a musical that's stood the test of time. Memorable songs and an accomplished cast - great stuff!
Went along to see it for a second time at The Filmhouse, where it was screened with some of the latest Pilton Shorts. Those were of the more traditional variety - i.e. drugs and violence - so 'Stuck' stuck out!
However they did show one of their older films that featured Lesley Connolly - I had the pleasure of working with her on North Edinburgh Arts 'Oyster Wars' and we had some great laughs. I have no doubt that we would have worked together again, but it wasn't to be - Lesley died suddenly at a party she held on the closing night of the show. Seeing her on the big screen brought back conflicting emotions - happy memories of the laughs we had on set but sadness that she died as young as she did.
Had to leave before the screening to get to the Playhouse to see 'South Pacific' matinee. Glad I made it - that's a musical that's stood the test of time. Memorable songs and an accomplished cast - great stuff!
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