Wednesday, 13 August 2014

Would you credit it Wednesday

This, believe it or not, is not a spoof.
He wasn't sacked; he resigned, and yet he gets redundancy money.
WHAT?
And this is the record of the rest of them...
Just an ordinary day doing ordinary things
Like any ordinary non member of the shadow cabinet ordinary mother.


NO Thanks indeed.
Nope, can't work that out.
Maybe we have something they need to keep them rich?
Like anyone thought there were going to be new powers...
Lower benefits for those outside London and the south east...

ANYONE GOT ANY IDEAS ON THIS APPARENT INVITATION TO ELECTORAL FRAUD?

Once again, as with all of these things seen on social media, I cannot guarantee that this is genuine. However, according to my twitter source, it is the real thing.

Can anyone really confirm this or does anyone have proof that it is a spoof?

If it's true, isn't it incitement to fraud?

After all I have several friends in France, Jersey, America and England who very much want an independent Scotland. But much though I want it, it wouldn't  ever have occurred to me to offer them the use of my address. We'll need to look out for the population of the Western Isles expanding... 

All comments welcome.

(Yes Niko, even yours, but maybe in Latin this time?)

Tuesday, 12 August 2014

OH DEAR DARLING, WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THIS?


"An independent Scotland could flourish either by using the pound sterling without the permission of the rUK (or by setting up a "ScotPound" pegged to sterling through a currency board, which would achieve a similar end). This 'sterlingization' would emulate a number of Latin American countries that use the US Dollar without an official agreement with the US government. Because Scottish banks would not have access to a currency-printing lender of last resort, they would have to make their own provisions for illiquidity, and would necessarily act more prudently.

"Scotland actually had this system of 'free banking' during the 18th and 19th centuries, during which time its economy boomed relative to England's and its banks were remarkably secure. And Panama, which uses the US Dollar in this way, has the seventh most stable financial system in the world.


"Everyone says Mr Salmond needs a Plan B if the rUK does not agree to a currency union with Scotland. But unilateral adoption should be Plan A, making Scotland's economy more stable and secure. The UK's obstinacy would be Scotland's opportunity."


*Of course there are various other plans beside Plan A. The FM made it clear that a Fiscal Commission has laid out alternatives. The Scottish government, however, agrees with the Fiscal Commission (and the Adam Smith Institute), that a currency sharing option is the best option, not just for Scotland but for the UK as well.

A LITTLE LIGHT RELIEF...

Oh No!

Sunday, 10 August 2014

SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS MADE AGAINST STV


Neil Gillespie says:

A little background about myself:

I am a firefighter of 18 years, aged 42 married with four children. 

Professionalism, honesty and integrity are things that I hold in high regard. 

I was selected, along with a no voting friend of mine from Barrhead Main Street by a representative from Ipsos Mori to attend Tuesday Night’s Debate. 

I was really looking forward to it. 

I had to get the night off as I was working. 

I received a text from the Ipsos Mori rep 20 minutes before the opening of 18:30 hrs asking if I had received a call from STV today. 

I hadn’t. 

She replied to say that this would be a problem and that I wouldn't get in!

I tried anyway.
++++++++++

Here is a rough transcript of the conversation:

I was asked by a STV Rep for my Name.
I said Gillespie.
He said, John, we spoke today.
I said, No its Neil.
He replied, I don’t have a Neil Gillespie. Who contacted you to attend this evening?
I said the Rep from Ipsos Mori (Name).
He replied. You are the third person to mention her name. I’m afraid that your information was never passed on to us and as a result, that you won’t be getting in this evening.
I argued with him telling him that I had taken time off and that a mistake had been made.

I was still refused entry.
++++++++++

I had the Ipsos Mori Rep’s Mobile number from her text to me and I called her to see what she had to say.

She stated that this was all bull shit and that she had given them the details the Thursday before. She said that she would phone her boss in London and find out what has happened.

I walked down the steps of the auditorium and felt deflated. I was gutted.

5 minutes later she phoned me back.

This next bit took me aback.

She said that all of the Yes voters and undecided persons that she had put through to attend the event were not contacted and instead STV had replaced them with their people, No people. This came from high up in STV.

I will repeat that as this is the important part.

She said that all of the Yes voters and undecided persons that she had put through to attend the event were not contacted and instead STV had replaced them with their people, No people.

This made my blood boil. I was, and am still livid. I have spread this everywhere I can. Please share it, it needs done.

Oh and one last thing, my no voting friend who was vetted at the same time I was, what happened to him…….?

He was in the audience; he got a call from STV;  he was allowed to attend! So the bullshit response from STV stating that Ipsos Mori hadn’t passed on the details is exactly what it says on the tin….Bullshit.

I have made formal complaints to STV and Ipsos Mori and I am still awaiting a reply from this.

I wouldn't lie about this. I could lose my job if I was caught out lying about something as important as this.

I am a passionate Scot who loves his Country and this is just another example of the lengths the powers in Westminster will go to, to win this referendum.
++++++++++

Neil's original article says that he will chat with anyone about this, and the site, linked above, has a place for comment.

I hope that we will see some response from STV. 

This is a very serious charge to make. But as Neil points out, as a firefighter, he is a government employee. Fabrications would be severely punishable offenses, and frankly not worth the making unless they were cast iron.

Please spread this widely.

Answers are required.

SNAPS ON SUNDAY

What is it? It's clout. Not much more
Yeah, whatever. What did you used to be again?
Well duh, yeah, we know this.
Only unionists seem to think it all came for the broad shoulders of Alistair Darling.
If the UK had had to bail out its banks it would have been sunk.
Yeah, and Iain Duncan Snuff might find out about you.
Well well, but Alistair said the oil would run out in 2017
Another careless government official in Downing street
forgetting that there are such things as cameras these days.
Looks much more statesmanlike now. Not the hideous clutter of before.
And maybe now they can have to good manners to find a space for
a Welsh dragon?
Sounds like plan to me
And one of Jackie Baillie's men was in the audience asking questions
Alex treats the occasion of the remembrance of the millions of dead
in the first war with the seriousness and respect that it surely deserves (even if it
would be more appropriate to  have it in 4 years' time)]
George Osborne and his cabinet colleague think it's all a big laugh.
Anyone think that people care if Cameron's heart is broken?
ARGH Foreigners. Maggie Curran's at the back of all this.
UK Austerity, one way or the other.
Oh look, Labour used to be a socialist party.
Democracy, Justice, Healthy Homes, Fair Rents?
Hmmmm....
Obviously Blair, obviously
Trying to get some Grassroots?
You don;t need the money. There's any number of people looking for seats in the
House of Old Sleeping reeps.
OK, it's a spoof, but it IS what she would want.
Never forget this. It is important.
Remember Alistair was in charge of bank regulation
 when the whole thing went BANG.
And his "friend" Brown had been in charge up to that point.

Saturday, 9 August 2014

RESOLUTION ON SCOTLAND IN CONGRESS SUPPORTED BY AROUND 6%

The Herald has published a report about a resolution in the House of Representatives in Washington DC.

The heading points out that the resolution has been raised, but they don’t bother to mention the important fact that it was supported by 27 of the 435 Congressmen or women until half way down the story.

Isn’t that quite important? Indeed isn’t it rather embarrassing that they got such a pitiful support for it?
Ming the Mystified
Ming Campbell is dragged out of wherever he is stored these days to lecture us on how many Americans Scottish roots have.  (This might have something to do with the appalling conditions that Scots lived under in the Uk which forced them to leave for somewhere else and the almost certainty of a better life at various stages in our history, and as recently as the post war period. They can be found in Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and Australia too.

Of course Ming is worried about the special relationship, which I’d have thought was likely to be quite safe with the UK, even with Scotland gone. After all the special relationship is about the UK saying yes to whatever America tells it to do, buying its nuclear weaponry from the USA and allowing them to withhold the launch codes. Indeed allowing them to think of it as their own. 
Ming the Magnificentish...
I’m sure that the Uk can do that toadying without Scotland.

Scotland will, I am sure, given the aforementioned close ties with the USA, have a successful but perhaps less sycophantic relationship with Washington, given that it has no aspiration to be a permanent member of the Security Council, or near the top of any other clout waving body.

Campbell goes on to say “"The names attached to this resolution and the positions they held in the Congress makes it clear that this resolution is a serious expression of opinion.”

What? You really would think that he might have had qualms about saying that given that 408 out of 435 of the members of Congress didn’t bloody support the thing. Is he daft?

Jeez, yesterday it was Cilla Black and Bruce Forsyth and today Ming the Mouldy! Give us peace!
************

Here is the article for those who don’t have access to the Herald.
 
Munguin's shed or Congress or something important like that
A resolution in support of a "united, secure and prosperous" United Kingdom has been tabled in the US Congress ahead of the independence referendum. The resolution "expresses deep friendship toward the Scottish people" and "respects the right of the Scottish people to make their decision" on the issue on September 18.

It goes on to say: "The House of Representatives believes that a united, secure and prosperous United Kingdom is important for US national security priorities in Europe and around the world."

House Resolution 713 references Winston Churchill and the "special relationship" between the US and UK, and highlights the millions of Americans who have Scottish roots and ties.

It was introduced by Brad Sherman, Democratic congressman for San Fernando, California, on Monday and has attracted support from 27 Republicans and Democrats.

The resolution follows comments from Barack Obama, who previously observed that the UK appears to have ''worked pretty well''.

Speaking at a press conference with Prime Minister David Cameron in June, the US president said that America's interest in the referendum was to ensure it retained a ''strong, robust, united and effective" ally.

Commenting on the resolution, Sir Menzies Campbell, Liberal Democrat MP for North East Fife, said: "Notwithstanding the emotional connection with Scotland which many members of Congress have, there is no doubt that in both Senate and the House of Representatives there is concern at the idea of independence for Scotland and the impact that would have on the UK, which is regarded as one of America's closest allies and with whom we have a unique relationship in the sharing of intelligence.
Brad Sherman: Control yourselves ladies.
Didn't he record Hello Mudda, Hello Fadda?
"The names attached to this resolution and the positions they hold in the Congress makes it clear that this resolution is a serious expression of opinion.
"The signatories have rightly recognised that the decision is for Scottish people alone but following President Obama's previous intervention on this matter there can be no doubt about the level of American concern."

A spokesman for the pro-independence campaign Yes Scotland said: "It's great to know that Scotland has so many friends and admirers, and we know they will all continue to be our friends and admirers after we vote Yes on September 18.

"We're sure that everyone who genuinely has Scotland's interests at heart will be delighted in future years to see a fairer and more prosperous Scotland emerge using the great opportunities of independence to grow our economy and make an even bigger contribution on the global stage."

Friday, 8 August 2014

THE JOB CENTRE HAS GOT TARGETS FOR SANCTIONS

Action this day Mr Duncan Snuff.

A bloke on my Facebook feed has just got a job. it's only a part time one. it was all that there was, but he is absolutely over the moon.

He won't get his pay for another 3.5 weeks, and today he got a payment of £110 from DWP to last him till pay day.

Is this what you call HELPING PEOPLE INTO WORK, Smith? because if it is, you have a bloody funny idea about what the word "HELP" means. Maybe a course in English is in order...one that you finish this time, perhaps?

Someone else has commented on my friend's post as follows. I've obscured his name because I'm sure that if the DWP finds out who he is, he will be left to starve to death. Such is the job of life at the bottom in modern Britain.

XXXXXX XXXXXXXXX: I signed on today and over heard two staff saying to each other 'we have not met our sanctions for this week, just had an email about it'. Sorry i did not get their names but it was in the job centre in High Riggs in Edinburgh AT XXXX hrs.

Comments, you ******* ****-***** *******?

Thursday, 7 August 2014

LETTER FROM ABROAD...

The following people have signed a letter to ask us to stay in the UK. 

I've no idea who most of them are, but I am wondering how many of them are personally affected by what happens in this country. I'm wondering, too, how many of them have been hurt by the likes of Iain Duncan Smug, Esther McVile or Lord Fraud. I wonder if any of them are forced to use a Food Bank, or don't have access to private health care if the NHS as we know it disappears completely.

I wonder it, in fact, what they are is worried that the loss of Scottish revenue might mean their taxes will have to go up.

I recognise some of the names... I mean who doesn't know McJagger and Cliff Richard, Melvyn Bragg and David Starkey, Sandie Shaw and Ben Ainsley. 

I'm disappointed to see David Attenborough's name there. I'd have thought him above getting involved in this. The rest seem to be the usual suspects. Labour activists and very rich people from England, or further afield.  I wonder how many of them really live in Scotland or even the UK. Doesn't McJagger live in America, and Cliff in the Bahamas?

Now they have every right to ask us to stay... as does a wee woman living in Phnom Penh. For that matter I have every right to write to the people of Greenland and tell them never to ditch Denmark. 

I just wouldn't do it, because it's not my business and I don't know nearly enough about it.


Still I expect Sandie Shaw does.


Mick Jagger (SIR)
William Dalrymple
Eddie Izzard
Sir Patrick Stewart
Sir Bruce Forsyth
Sir Mick Jagger
Stephen Hawking
Jenny Agutter
Sir Ben Ainslie
Kriss Akabusi
Roger Allam
Kirstie Allsop
Alexander Armstrong
Sir David Attenborough
Steve Backley
Baroness Joan Bakewell
Frances Barber
Andy Barrow
John Barrowman
Mike Batt
Glen Baxter
Cliff Richard (SIR)
David Aaronovitch
Helena Bonham-Carter
Stanley Baxter
Martin Bayfield
Mary Beard
Sarah Beeny
Anthony Beevor
Angelica Bell
Dickie Bird
Cilla Black
Graeme Black
Roger Black
Malorie Blackman
Ranjit Bolt
Alain de Botton
William Boyd
Tracey Brabin
Lord Melvyn Bragg
Jo Brand
Gyles Brandreth
Rob Brydon
Louisa Buck
Simon Callow
Will Carling
Paul Cartledge
Guy Chambers
Nick Cohen
Michelle Collins
Colonel Tim Collins
Bruce Forsyth (SIR)
Olivia Colman
Charlie Condou
Susannah Constantine
Steve Coogan
Dominic Cooper
Ronnie Corbett
Simon Cowell
Jason Cowley
Sara Cox
Amanda Craig
Steve Cram
Richard Curtis
Tom Daley
Richard Dawkins
Dame Judi Dench
Jeremy Deller
Lord Michael Dobbs
Jimmy Doherty
Michael Douglas
Simon Easterby
Gareth Edwards
Sandie Shaw (?)
Jonathan Edwards
Tracey Emin
Sebastian Faulks
Bryan Ferry
Ranulph Fiennes
Ben Fogle
Amanda Foreman
Neil Fox
Emma Freud
Bernard Gallacher
Kirsty Gallacher
George Galloway
Sir John Eliot Gardiner
Bamber Gascoigne
David Gilmour
Harvey Goldsmith
David Goodhart
Lachlan Goudie
David Gower
AC Grayling
Will Greenwood
Tamsin Greig
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson
Lord Charles Guthrie
Haydn Gwynne
Maggi Hambling
Mehdi Hasan
Sir Max Hastings
Peter Hennessy
James Holland
Tom Holland
Andrew Lloyd Webber (SIR and LORD)
Tom Hollander
Gloria Hunniford
Conn Iggledun
John Illsley
Brendan Ingle
Betty Jackson
Sir Mike Jackson
Howard Jacobson
Baroness PD James
Griff Rhys Jones
Terry Jones
Christopher Kane
Sir Anish Kapoor
Ross Kemp
Paul Kenny
Jemima Khan
India Knight
Martha Lane Fox
Baroness Doreen Lawrence
Tory Lawrence
Kathy Lette
Rod Liddle
Louise Linton
John Lloyd (journalist)
John Lloyd (producer)
Vera Lynn (DAME)
Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber
Gabby Logan
Kenny Logan
Sarah Lucas
Dame Vera Lynn
James May
Margaret MacMillan
Stephen Mangan
Davina McCall
Sir Ian McGeechan
Heather McGregor
Andy McNab
John Michie
David Mitchell
Lord John Monks
Lewis Moody
Michael Morpurgo
Bill Morris
David Morrissey
Philip Mould
Al Murray
Neil Stuke
Sir Paul Nurse
Andy Nyman
Peter Oborne
Michael Parkinson (SIR)
Sir Michael Parkinson
Fiona Phillips
Andy Puddicombe
Lord David Puttnam
Anita Rani
Esther Rantzen
Sir Steve Redgrave
Derek Redmond
Pete Reed
Lord Martin Rees
Peter Reid
Baroness Ruth Rendell
Sir Cliff Richard
Hugo Rifkind
Sir Tony Robinson
David Rowntree
Ian Rush
Greg Rutherford
CJ Sansom
June Sarpong
Simon Schama
John Sessions
Sandie Shaw
Helen Skelton
Hercule Poirot 
Sir Tim Smit
Dan Snow
Peter Snow
Phil Spencer
David Starkey
Lord Jock Stirrup
Neil Stuke
Sting
Tallia Storm
David Suchet
Alan Sugar
Graeme Swann
Stella Tennant
Daley Thompson
Alan Titchmarsh
James Timpson
Kevin Toolis
Lynne Truss
Gavin Turk
Roger Uttley
David Walliams
Zoë Wanamaker
Robert Webb
Richard Wentworth
Sir Alan West
Dominic West
Kevin Whately


From the Guardian...via Twitter

Wednesday, 6 August 2014

THE MARKETS EXPLAINED


Thanks to Bugger Le Panda for reminding me of this, when yesterday's post became a bit off topic (and very interestingly so too!).

Tuesday, 5 August 2014

ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER PHOTO OPPORTUNITY... GONE WRONG or NICK CLEGG SIGNED ANOTHER PLEDGE FOLKS!!!!!

It all seemed to start out well.
(OK, the fake parchment is a bit tacky, but it's Lamont, Rennie and Ruthie.
 What were you expecting? Class?)
Still the sun was shining.
On the day of "the debate" they  launch their
campaign that may deliver possible new
powers maybe perhaps
, for the Scottish parliament.
This despite Mr Carmichael, their Secretary for Scotland, saying
that the Uk must never again allow its predominance in
 Scottish affairs to be forgotten. Or sidelined.
But it wasn't long before it all started to look a little less smart.
People noted that BT volunteers often have to be bussed in from England
and paid for working for the cause.
This is what it said. It's a pledge. Nick Clegg has signed it.
Doesn't that make you want to laugh till you fall down.
It fails to say what the new powers are.
(Each party's is all different.)

It says it will put them to the Scottish people at the general Election.
It doesn't mention that they will also have to be approved by
 the people of Wales, NI and England. And if they say no, then no it is.
The NO Thanks badge is particularly appropriate at the bottom of that.
BTW, are they Not Better Together any more?
This is the reality.
Or this, more colourfully.