How ‘two 13-year-olds charged after Scottish primary hit by ‘sectarian arson attacks’ tells us to calm down

Professor John Robertson OBA In the National today and no doubt all over the Scottish media with dramatic headlines, two 13 year-olds are charged with vandalism in the form of ‘anti-Catholic‘ graffiti on the wall of a primary school. I do feel for the staff, parents and the children. It will have been unsettling and it is unacceptable. I was pleased that the FM will visit the school to show support but let’s keep things in perspective. This is not evidence of surging or worsening hate crimes against Catholics. Hate crime based on religion, including against Muslims, Jews, Sikhs and … Continue reading How ‘two 13-year-olds charged after Scottish primary hit by ‘sectarian arson attacks’ tells us to calm down

Trump and Zelensky – What would Bob say?

From stewartb, TuS Dylanology Correspondent of the Year Courtesy of Bob Dylan (1963): ‘With God on Our Side’. ‘Oh my name it ain’t nothin’My age it means lessThe country I come fromIs called the MidwestI was taught and brought up thereThe laws to abideAnd that land that I live inHas God on its side ‘Oh, the history books tell itThey tell it so wellThe cavalries chargedThe Indians fellThe cavalries chargedThe Indians diedOh, the country was youngWith God on its side ‘The Spanish-AmericanWar had its dayAnd the Civil War, tooWas soon laid awayAnd the names of the heroesI was made to memorizeWith … Continue reading Trump and Zelensky – What would Bob say?

Why I blocked James Cook – Losing an argument, he suggests that those who criticise him are mentally unstable

My post three days ago – BBC Scotland’s James Cook wallows in one town’s drug deaths but does not tell you what is really happening there – the trend is down, the treatment is there and the new powerful drugs are pushed by English gangs – prompted a response from James Cook, BBC Scotland News Editor. Leaving aside his frankly astonishing understanding of what a statistical trend might, he notes correctly that I have blocked him. I did. Here’s why. On 25 August 2018, I wrote to the Head of BBC Scotland, Donalda MacKinnon, to protest the appointment of James … Continue reading Why I blocked James Cook – Losing an argument, he suggests that those who criticise him are mentally unstable

Labour government Bill on the ‘Lords Spiritual’ extends and applies to Scotland: should we be grateful, reassured … puzzled?

By stewartb On the website of the Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland we learn that of Labour Government Bills in the Kings Speech, 24 out of 40 are identified as applying in Scotland. Notable among them is this one: ‘Lords Spiritual (Women) Act 2015 (Extension) Bill’ concerning representation in the House of Lords. Lords reform It’s hard to resist looking back to 5 December 2022 when the Scotland page of the BBC News website had this headline: ‘Gordon Brown: Labour plan would make UK work for Scotland’. Here we find a photograph of Brown and Keir Starmer … Continue reading Labour government Bill on the ‘Lords Spiritual’ extends and applies to Scotland: should we be grateful, reassured … puzzled?

Soap box serial objectors

Image PA JUSTIN TALLIS VIA GETTY IMAGES By NMRN the Hate crime and public order (Scotland) Act…. it is being reported that “Rishi Sunak backs JK Rowling in row over Scottish hate crime legislation”…..of course he does as do other like minded people who also oppose everything said and done by the SNP as the Scottish government…..which is a ‘serial’ event…..though considering some of the actions via his government I cannot see his consensus with JKR as being something many would regard as being worthy of noting…..as significant. Indeed I am sure some individuals see this new Act as an … Continue reading Soap box serial objectors