Saturday 2 March 2013

SNAPS ON SUNDAY




And, just for a laugh...

57 comments:

  1. 1. An independent Scotland would inherit its share of UK debts, so wouldn't be debt free as you seem to imply.

    2. Oil prices are variable, and subject to asymmetrical shocks - thus its foolish to pretend that an Independent Scotland would be fiscally secure just 'cos of oil.

    3. RBS. Where was it headquarters again? Oh yeah- Edinburgh. We'd have been just like Iceland or Ireland.

    4. As an indie Scotland we'd be keeping the pound, the queen, the BBC ... makes you wonder what the SNP even mean by 'independence' ...

    5. An Indie Scotland would command less influence in the EU than the UK does ...

    I could go on but that is more than enough evidence to show the stupidity of separatism.

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  2. Dean:

    1. An independent Scotland would, according to some thought on the subject, inherit nothing from Britain. No share in things that have cost the taxpayer in Scotland money. It seems to me unlikely in that case that the UK would be able to pass its debt over in that case. It's many shades of grey, but it seems unlikely that you can pass on debts but refuse to pass on assets. No law would stand for that.

    2. Although oil prices are variable, Norway, which was in a similar position to Scotland 35 years ago, is now one of the richest countries on Earth. Whilst oil is often talked about, because instead of being like Norway, we have wasted our oil (as we did our Marshall Plan aide) on nuclear capacity, which we are not allowed to use, oil is not the be all and end all of the Scottish economy, as you know.

    3. RBS's headquarters was and is, in Edinburgh but it was regulated by the City of London, a state within a state, and one of the most corrupt places on Earth according to Iain McWhirter, a unionist and labour supporter. In any case, I'd much rather be like Iceland than like Scotland.

    4. An independent Scotland would initially keep the pound, as the Republic of Ireland did when it left the UK. Most experts agree that this is the best solution (although I'd like an independent Scottish currency: Kronar or the likes) for both countries. The pound is not a great attraction at the moment, thanks to George Osborne's mishandling of the economy. The Queen is independently Queen of Scots (a very different deal from being Queen of England). Unless we throw her out or she abdicates, she is automatically the head of state in Scotland. The BBC doesn't belong to Britain. It belongs by percentage of payments to Scotland as well.

    5. Scotland would have the same influence in the EU as any other small country. Britain probably doesn't really have much influence. Complain though it might about bankers only being allowed to double their salaries by bonuses, or triple them if agreed by the shareholders it didn't stop the EU decision. (This is terrible because they will all leave London and go to China or India...Oh wow will be us!) Britain is hated in the EU because as was predicted, it wants everything its way. And its way always benefits the super rich and penalises the poor. In any case, as it is now looking as if it will leave it is a total lame duck. Scotland on the other hand, is well liked and respected country for which there is a great deal of support in the EU.

    Do go on, if you wish.

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    1. Please do ole boy :P

      I will concede in fairness my point on RBS... was a cheap shot ;)

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  3. I enjoyed the pictures than decided to read the first comment! Okay here goes.

    1. An independent Scotland only inherits any debt if it is treated as a successor state. In which case it also inherits a % share of all the assets as well. If it is treated as a new country, which Westminster has proposed, it has no debt. That's the international law.
    2. Not sure what the point is here. Oil prices can vary in the union as well. The union that is at least £1 trillion in debt.
    3. International banking law states that banking bailouts are the responsibility of the country in which the debt was accummulated. It has nothing to do with the HQ. RBS was bailed out by the US Reserve too for it's American debts. 90% of RBS's debt was accumulated in England - their responsiblity.
    4. The point of independence is for the residents of Scotland to make political and thus social decisions that best fit the country. Not to have decisions foisted on them by a majority in another country that appear to have very different priorities. As for the Queen, she's Queen of 16 independent countries, I'm sure she'll manage 17. People all over Europe can watch the BBC Indeed there is BBC America. As for the pound, Scotland can use any currency it likes and if we quit sterling, it's value will drop like a stone. Not helpful to anyone.
    5. An independent Scotland may have less influence in EU than UK, though with Cameron pissing everyone off, I'm not even sure of that. It will however have much more influence than it currently has ie NONE.

    Evidence of stupidity? Not about "separation" thats for sure.

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  4. @Dean

    "1. An independent Scotland would inherit its share of UK debts, so wouldn't be debt free as you seem to imply."

    No one implied that Scotland would be entirely debt free just that an independent Scotland could use her oil resources to her advantage instead of having them squandered in London.

    2. Oil prices are variable, and subject to asymmetrical shocks - thus its foolish to pretend that an Independent Scotland would be fiscally secure just 'cos of oil.

    Always worth remembering what the UK McCrone Report had to say on the issue of how oil revenues would affect an independent Scotland's economy:

    "t must be concluded therefore that large revenues and balance of payments gains would indeed accrue to a Scottish Government in the event of independence provided that steps were taken either by carried interest or by taxation to secure the Government ‘take’. Undoubtedly this would banish any anxieties the Government might have had about its budgetary position or its balance of payments. The country would tend to be in chronic surplus to a quite embarrassing degree and its currency would become the hardest in Europe, with the exception perhaps of the Norwegian kroner. Just as deposed monarchs and African leaders have in the past used the Swiss franc as a haven of security, so now would the Scottish pound be seen as a good hedge against inflation and devaluation and the Scottish banks could expect to find themselves inundated with a speculative inflow of foreign funds."

    "Conclusion
    This paper has shown that the advent of North Sea oil has completely overturned the traditional economic arguments used against Scottish nationalism. An independent Scotland could now expect to have massive surpluses both on its budget and on its balance of payments"

    "Thus, for the first time since the Act of Union was passed, it can now be credibly argued that Scotland’s economic advantage lies in its REPEAL."

    3. RBS. Where was it headquarters again? Oh yeah- Edinburgh. We'd have been just like Iceland or Ireland.

    Where did RBS conduct 90% of it business again? Oh yeah - London therefore the bulk of the bank bailout would have rested with the English government. RBS would have been a joint bailout like what happened with Fortis bank. As for Iceland they are currently had on a steady run of seven quarters of growth averaging at 2.5% per annum,unemployment has fallen to just below 5% and confidence is returning.
    Now compare that to triple dip recession UK. It could also be pointed out that if the Union had not squandered Scotland's oil revenues and built up an oil fund we could currently be like Norway with £600 billion in the bank and growing.

    4. As an indie Scotland we'd be keeping the pound, the queen, the BBC ... makes you wonder what the SNP even mean by 'independence'

    The queen is head of state of Australia and Canada, the BBC broadcasts to both these countries and both of them kept the £ post independence. Did this make independence therefore pointless and they should return to London rule?

    "5.An Indie Scotland would command less influence in the EU than the UK does"

    nonsense as currently, Scotland – population: five million – is represented in Brussels by only six MEPs, the same number as Malta (population: 420,000). However, were Scotland to become independent and a member state of the EU in its own right, its number of MEPs would double to 12. Even the highly partisan House of Commons foreign affairs select committee admits that the "allocation of seats in the European Parliament disproportionately favours small states; thus, Scotland's MEPs would double in number".

    Not only would Scotland have its own seat at the top table and a voice on the international stage, but the number of representatives championing Scottish interests and concerns at the heart of Europe would double, in turn doubling Scotland's prominence and influence.

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  5. The 'Excuse Me' poster is nice and simple as it reminds me of Dean.

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  6. Dean,

    It seems that your opinion of the "stupidity" or independence has already been adequately shown to be nonsense and I would merely point out that RBS's taxes were paid to the UK and not to Scotland. Why then would it be Scotland's sole responsibility to address the bank's debts?

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  7. LOL Dean... Fair comment!

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  8. It is pretty smart CH...

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  9. Well guys... thanks for these comments. Dean has taken the demolition of his argument in good spirit.

    I look forward to Niko's contribution!

    BTW. Has anyone seen or heard anything from "Arbroath 1314"? She disappeared around Christmas...

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    1. BTW. Has anyone seen or heard anything from "Arbroath 1314"? She disappeared around Christmas...

      Pass they do appear to of gone of the radar for some reason.

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  10. Replies
    1. incredible CH...

      And yes, it's where we are going under the Tories... and probably Labour too.

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  11. I like the Austerity poster.

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    1. Hello Marcia: It's a corker, but when I look across to Norway, all I can see is wealth, and why would we be different.

      If only we didn't feel obliged to fight every war, and have the 4th largest military in the world.

      I noticed that tube Hague is hinting that we may have to go in and teach these Syrians a thing or two about democracy. God help them.

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  12. Tris

    Just luv this story just goes to show Cameron looks after his pals
    its not just a Tory prime minister looking after his MPs.
    As Labour would and does.
    Its just his mates become before Party or Nation

    what a patriot ????


    http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2013/mar/03/andrew-mitchell-european-commissioner


    Andrew Mitchell expected to be offered job as European commissioner

    Deal struck over lunch with David Cameron in Chequers ushers 'plebgate' ex-chief whip back into key position

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    1. Well, there's a surprise. He's a sleekit looking wee toad is Mitchell...another one with his money in the BVI.

      But people like him always fall on their feet. He will go across to Europe and earn a vast salary and get a huge pension, on top of his MP's/Minister's pension. And they usually give these people a seat in the Lords too, so he'll get a title out of it and £300 + tac free a day...

      Creep. I just hope the president of the commission gives him a really stinking remit.

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  13. tris

    Like the
    English is a crazy language poster

    is the way i write anyway

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    Replies
    1. I know it is Niko. I read what you write...!

      Delete
  14. tris


    You like the Froggys dont ya


    Paddy O’Connell struggled to compose himself following a reading of a love letter from Emilie Blachere to Remi Ochlik, who died alongside Sunday Times journalist Marie Colvin in the besieged city of Homs last year..


    wimp had a tear so he did

    http://lejournaldelaphotographie.com/entries/10393/a-love-letter-from-emilie-blachere-to-remi-ochlik

    Mind after reading this i had to hold back so Im a wimp so there

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  15. Hmmm... yes, I have to be honest, I was doing pretty well, Niko, but towards the end, ...well, it is sad, so very sad.

    I'm a bit of a wimp too, I guess.

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  16. Tris

    Love the pics, thanks. Dean, not a good blog for you this one and I certainly don't want to add to your misery but if you troll out the better together retoric from the Daily Mail your points are going to be picked apart. I am becoming more and more convinced than ever that the BT campaign will not win this referendum, you are probably going to have to rely on apathy which I will credit you is still very high but the tide is turning, never mind the polls or Irish students voting at Glasgow University your argument is lost. Best way to go now would be to bore the electorate to death or just keep rolling out the family of McConnell, Darling, Davidson, Rennie, Alexander and I await Gordon Browns contribution when he can be arsed from his round the world £40,000 speeches. The better together family and descendents are enough to turn anyone away from the ballot box.

    Bruce

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  17. Thanks Bruce. I'm glad you enjoyed them.

    There is no doubt that BT loses the argument every time, mainly because they make stuff up without thinking it through.

    One week they proudly boast to us that support is at 23% (although the figures in that particular poll added up to 24%, it hadn't asked the referendum question, and it was many months out of date), then they tell us, a week later, that the referendum at Glasgow was a humiliating defeat despite support appearing to have risen to 38% (and only 12% bothering to vote, a disproportionate chunk of that figure being protestant/unionist NI students).

    This will not convince thinking people. All it does is shores up the beliefs of the non thinking. Even some of them may being to wonder that if the arguments are so thin that they have to lie to get a point across, it might just be a little dodgy. Even if people want to believe that we are better together, they may see through arguments that rely on fabrication.

    There will be X thousands of treaties to sort out... no there won't Willie, and what there is will happen very quickly, mostly on a nod, just like it does in every other independence sitution...and how many of these has there been, again?;

    Scotland will be thrown out of the EU... as if (and anyway, it looks more and more certain the England will leave the EU);

    We'll get all the debt but none of the assets...against every principle of international law;

    We won't be able to afford 270 embassies and consulates (their map showed around 10 uk bases in uninhabited northern Canada!), with all the trade and wealth they bring, and our 110 embassies will leave us isolated, alone and broke...erm, yeah, just like Norway, which has just over 100 embassies/consulates;

    We won't be allowed to have nuclear weapons...oh woe will be us. I can see auld Mrs McGinty in tears of depression over that, as she gets her free elderly care and NHS treatment, while Mrs Applethwaite in Yorkshire will be jumping for joy, because although she hasn't any free care, and they have privatised the NHS (and there is no profit in old people), she can at least call on the services of Trident, whenever she is cold and hungry.

    Keep it up lads...


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  18. Replies
    1. If you are right about overwhelming support for separation, it make me feel like doing this:

      http://www.howtoquitsmokingprogram.com/images/blog/man-shooting-self.jpg

      :P

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    2. What a strange way to drink whisky using a water pistol!

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  19. Bravo Posties...

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  20. LOL @Dean... I take it you don't take ice then?

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  21. Are these photos the cast of Fraggle Rock?

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  22. Good article CH.

    The whole structure and running of the UK outdated. The reason England didn't get its own parliament is that it has always had its own parliament, and the secretaries of state have really represented the Celtic countries, with the exception of Cornwall.

    I can't see England giving up the nukes, because it will mean giving up its place at the top table. I think America will help to pay for them to keep their lap dog onside.

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  23. I had to Google Fraggle Rock, John.

    But in answer to your question, no, they are the cast of the Muppets.

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  24. Anyone see the troop redeployment. Another nail in the unionists coffin. Lets see how Murphy and Campbell blame this on the SNP.

    Bruce

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  25. Labour propose building a statue to Thatcher and the tories vote it down You couldn't make it up
    http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/03/04/margaret-thatcher-statue-grantham-consevative_n_2804480.html?utm_hp_ref=uk

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  26. I haven't seen it Fairfor. But I imagine that Scotland has, as usual done badly. I suppose that they will blame the SNP government for creating uncertainty over the future of the union... and forget that we have troops stationed in Germany, Malta... so why England couldn't have troops in Scotland is a good question.

    They might like to reflect that we pay for 10% of the forces anyway, so we have a right to they being here.

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  27. "Grantham Labour group calls for Thatcher statue in town' - incredible but in keeping with #Labour demise as a workers & socialist party."

    The tweet sums it up. Labour is a Thatcherite party, bless it.

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  28. Wee Glen Campbell having scoured the world to find someone against Scottish independence the MSM are again being accused of misrepresentation http://www.wort.lu/en/view/foreign-ministry-clarifies-asselborn-s-scottish-independence-comment-51362400e4b0bae312230f3b

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    1. BBC Scotland is trying to stir up an international row by calling other countries representatives liars and I thought that was what Labour did, or are they one and the same..

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    2. You've got it in one Collect the prize

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  29. Labour defence spokesman Jim Murphy accused Mr Hammond of reneging on a promise to base more troops in Scotland. He said: "There will be real disappointment at the closures across the UK where historic bonds are now being broken. The armed forces remain crucial to Scotland's future the Government has reneged on its promise.

    “While there is positive news of the return of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and the Royal Marines staying in Arbroath, a previous pledge of thousands more troops to Scotland has become a plan for just hundreds. It is a real blow to Scotland and will not be forgotten."

    That's what he had to say... in fairness to him.

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  30. Yes CH... I'm not sure which one is in charge... probably neither are they.

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  31. There are over 30,000 British army family members in Germany. Their presence is estimated to contribute some 1.5 billion Euros to the German economy each year. (Independent)

    Interesting that after all this time they have remained in Germany, when there was no longer any need for them to be there. The East Germans are on our side now Westminster, or hadn't you heard.

    I see the whole thing will cost £1.8 billion but it will save at least £250,000 a year. Soooo, it's going to be a long time before we see any benefit from it... and of course the cost will be underestimated and the benefits over estimate.

    Remember that these figures are coming from the MoD, hardly the world's most efficient organisation.

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  32. The SNP would destroy all MOD defence infrastructure because of their separatist agenda.

    Tories will kick our MOD in the shins in Scotland.

    Only a vote for LABOUR is a vote for our MOD jobs. Anything else is to vote for destruction of our jobs.

    Fact.

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  33. Scotland would have the defence capability it need to defend our country instead of the defence capability which entitles it to permanent membership of the UN security council and its position at the right hand of the president of the USA.

    I suspect that the report into the Iraq war will show some things that Labour would rather not be known.

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  34. My latest effort.

    http://grumpyscottishman.wordpress.com/2013/03/06/what-does-no-mean-to-me/

    Bruce

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  35. A great post Bruce... I highly recommend it for discussion.

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  36. Bruce:

    The blog has been added to the roll...I thought it was already on... apologies

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  37. Yes indeed. He had his faults, but at least he tried to make life a bit better for ordinary Venezuelans.

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  38. ... and that's a lot more than the lot in London ever bother doing.

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