Hi there, Richard here with this weeks roundup. A bit later than usual as ‘events’ have gotten the better of me this week (more on that at the end). I had been expecting the ’silly season’ to get the better of the political and news stories, but there seem to be plenty in circulation, so it’s not some frenzied “are exams getting easier” or weather related issues.

The BBC, license fee and broadcasting in general seems to be exercising many this week. As covered by Richard Havers, Jeremy Paxman has opened a debate about whether we’re getting the TV and Radio that we deserve. Kevin Williamson is frustrated by the national coverage of Scottish events, and is pondering the demise of the BBC in Scotland.

Elsewhere, Bellgrove Babe highlights a call by some MP’s and Welsh Assembly members to withold some of their license fee in protest at Wales’ lack of coverage by ‘national’ news, and rehetorically speaking picks over the terrorist labels we choose to apply.

Moving away from broadcasting, a storm is brewing over in Edinburgh as a result of the SNP and Liberal Democrat Edinburgh run councils education policies. A new campaigning website stopthecuts.blogspot.com leaves you in no doubt about what they’re after, although a ‘Stay out of School’ day is certain to cause a lot of controversy. Kezia Dugdale writes from the Labour perspective, and SNP tactical voting from, er, The SNP’s…

Labour of course has another new leader-in-waiting after a no-contest contest thing. Richard Thomson (SNP) MacNumpty and Holyrood Chronicles all have a few things to say.

Getting the public engaged in politics has always been something I’ve supported, and bringing the politicians closer to the people they claim to represent a key way of doing that. Robert Sharp highlights “Open Source campaigning“, coordinating the campaigns and publishing the result, in an open and collaborative way.

A key ‘anniversary’ was marked today, but depending on which side of the political divide you’re on seems to dictate whether it’s been a success or a failure. Reluctant Hero has done a nice job in balancing things up.

Other stories out there have tickled me somewhat. The story of a Sikh family offering to bring their child up as a Catholic, in order to get her into the local school is wonderfully summarised by mr eugenides. I do rather like the idea of a Pastafarian school…

Fruit based computing news now, and (for me at least) the delighful news that Scotland has taken a leap forward this year, turning it’s back on the old and embracing a new beginning. Or does Glasgow now have a new, technical schism that is going to result in sore fingers, spilt mochas and dubious t-shirts? I speak, of course, that Glasgow’s Buchanan Street is now home to Scotland’s first Apple store, and the Apple fan sites have plenty to say. Even his Fake Steviness (for it is he) is stepping into the murky world of ‘Glasgowians’ vicious and (so far) un-reported Mac vs Windows, iPod vs Zune war. Perhaps that’s another reason neil has put down his flaming torch and pitch fork?

Staying with the technical theme, but deftly (or not) making it topical and local I’ve been intrigued for a while now by Southside Media’s G41 website/initiative, to bring technology to the aid of local communities here in Scotland (They are also Scotland’s first Community Interest Company). They’re hoping to roll the model out to other areas in due course, but any other Glasgow South side residents would do well to take a look and chip in with their events.

Another arrival, of sorts, and I’ll confess I was rather reticent about reading Davie Hutchison of ‘North To Leith’ post titledA bad case of sea squirts, especially when you see the photographs. But it’s not quite as bad as you think. Well, it *is*, but it isn’t, if you see what I mean…

Another Steve – this one is angry rather than fake – is exercised by the ‘pay as you throw’ proposal that is proposed for some councils. I think I might even have learnt some new words today after having read that…

Afraid that’s all I have time for in this, my second stint at the roundup. One last, and unashamedly blatant plug is to let folk know that 20,000 folk (including, you’ll be surprised to hear, me) will be running the 2007 freshnlo Great Scottish Run/Glasgow Half Marathon next week. I’m hoping to raise funds and awareness for The Prostate Cancer Charity, and many other great causes will be represented. It’s a fun event for participants and supporters alike, so if you’re bored with the new Apple store, fed up with politics (or just can’t wait until the conference season starts), but can’t face the gardening or the pub(!!?), why not pop along and lend your support?

As ever readers are encouraged to drop a note using the “thingmy-wotsit” (that’s the technical term, I’m told) to nominate posts for inclusion, or by e-mailing scottishroundup@gmail.com – Don’t feel ashamed now, it makes writing these roundups a whole lot easier! Have fun, and be sure to check back at the bat-place, at the same (ish) bat-time the next exciting installment…

Hello there! It’s that time of the week again. Is it just me, or does it come around far too quickly these days? (Don’t answer that.) Anyway, I start with a small confession: when I said ‘yes’ to taking part in the Roundup, I was quietly dreading August, and the probable lack of material that the month would bring. I was an idiot to have worried. This week has produced a goldmine of stories that have got people to their keyboards and generated some Grade ‘A’ Bloggery.

After all, the debate on independence, which appears to have been rumbling on as a permanent feature in Scottish politics since, well, 1707, has become the big topic this week, with the launch of the ‘National Conversation’ and the White Paper on the subject. In this, Alex Salmond has achieved his objective: we are definitely talking about it. However, bloggers’ reactions have actually been fairly predictable, and party lines appear to come into the equation.

BellgroveBelle, and Chris Stephens are excited at the prospect of the debate to come, and the reaction of Labour, the Tories and LibDems comes under scrutiny. Cllr Jennifer Dunn, Louise, Richard Thomson and Scottish Politics all criticise the Unionist parties’ approach. IndyGal, meanwhile, casts her eyes over the reporting of the celebrations for the 60th anniversary of independence for India, and notes the general goodwill towards not just the commemoration, but its subject. She wonders why Indian independence seems to be broadly welcomed in the press, but Scottish independence isn’t.

Red Star Coven looks beyond the referendum to the policies that an independent Scotland would adopt, and is excited, but sceptical about the nature of the ‘National Conversation’.

On the other side, Kezia Dugdale isn’t happy about the way the debate is being conducted, and is concerned that further powers for Holyrood might emerge as a compromise option. Bill Cameron isn’t impressed with the White Paper, but does reckon that a referendum could bury the issue for a generation. Alex Massie agrees that the Tories should call Salmond’s bluff, but is exasperated at the tactics used by them and Labour. Richard Havers and the Scottish Tory Boy both come to the conclusion that the debate is a waste of time and money, and Gavin Yates believes that there’s no chance of an independence vote being won before the next election, but is impressed by Alex Salmond’s tactics. Pete Murray isn’t: he’s scathing about the SNP’s motives.

However, Jeff at SNP Tactical Voting takes a look at the arguments for the Union, and accuses Labour, the Tories and the LibDems of only producing negative points of rebuttal, and Shuggy considers politicians’ reaction to referenda in general.

Meanwhile, in the Liberal Democrat camp, a rather paradoxical split has emerged: Liberal England supports a referendum on the matter and criticises the Scottish LibDems’ opposition to one being held. While at Quaequam Blog, the line being taken is that the English LibDems should keep their noses out of this one and let the Scottish LibDems decide their own policy on the matter.

Speaking of the LibDems, chatter about Coalition started briefly, but was pretty much crushed. Tartan Hero looks at how the LibDem approach to negotiations following the Election has backfired.

The next big thing was, predictably, the resignation of Jack McConnell as Labour Leader. Elizabeth Maginnis (a Labour Councillor in Edinburgh) isn’t too sorry to see him go, and considers the state of the party. Her diagnosis isn’t good: she laments the introduction of STV, but doesn’t blame that for her party’s woes. She suggests that Labour were, quite simply, tired.

Though the question of McConnell’s legacy brings up a broad spectrum of opinion: Andrew Burns (another Labour Councillor in Edinburgh) is positive, and marks out the introduction of STV as the most important part of the McConnell administration. Given that he supports it, I suspect that he’s going to have (and may already have had) quite a few interesting chats with Cllr Maginnis. Richard Thomson does his best to be cordial, though does bring up a few memories of meeting the man which don’t paint Scotland’s third First Minister in a favourable light. Justified Spinner is brutal, recalling McConnell’s “do less, better” approach.

However, attention has turned to his successor, most likely Wendy Alexander. Firstly, I should point out that most bloggers plumped for that awful picture of the Shadow Finance Minister’s entire mouth. If you’re eating, I’d advise you to wait a while before following these links. Anyway, former Western Isles Councillor Angus Nicolson recalls her visits to the Isles with a small measure of horror. Holyrood Watcher wonders if Labour MSPs’ support is as whole-hearted as it appears. Fitaloon reckons that Alex Salmond will be laughing, and Justified Spinner looks at Alexander’s proposed solutions for Scottish Labour’s current difficulties (i.e. second place) and is sceptical that they will actually be enough for Labour to win again. It’s not all negative coverage though: Kezia Dugdale is excited at the prospect of Alexander in charge. Mr. Eugenides is over-excited.

Beyond the corridors of the Scottish Parliament, Holyrood Watcher looks at a proposal to abolish Inheritance Tax, while David Farrer is exasperated with the Chancellor’s response to Tory taxation plans. Staying on the theme of people taking your money, Craig has this on bank charges.

On immigration, CuriousHamstercriticises the current policy of refusing political asylum to Iraqis employed by the British, and The Woolamaloo Gazette takes the British Citizenship test.

Beyond the UK, with the independence debate now raging in Scotland, Davie Hutchison looks at developments in Belgium, where tensions between Flanders and Wallonia has derailed the formation of a new government following recent federal elections. Meanwhile, Osama Saeed looks at the decision of German state Nordrhein-Westfalen to ban the hijab. Completely. However you wear it.

From Europe to local politics: Davie Hutchison brings news of the first resignation from Holyrood since the Election: Stefan Tymkewycz is standing down as SNP Regional MSP for the Lothians to concentrate on his Council work and will be replaced by Shirley-Anne Somerville. This might seem like an odd decision, but Edinburgh Councillors have their work cut out at the minute: Andrew Burns reports on school closures in the City, while Angry Steve notes that Council workers are about to strike in protest against planned cuts and redundancies. Steve is, well, less than sympathetic.

Staying briefly with local issues, a historical footnote took place in the Midsocket and Rosemount ward on Aberdeen City Council last Thursday, with the first STV Council By-Election taking place, following the death of Tory Councillor John Porter. With the SNP winning the seat, it’s no surprise that they lead the reaction to the result: Tartan Hero celebrates, while Mark McDonald welcomes his new colleague John Munro Corall to Aberdeen City Council.

And at community level, check out G41, a Glasgow website designed to get local neighbours talking to one another. The operators, Southside Media, are behind a local community newspaper and are pushing citizen journalism.

Elsewhere, the MSM gets some unwanted scrutiny. Sarah reacts with dismay to the news that the X-Factor “re-stages” scenes, while Bookdrunk takes a look at the reporting of the Climate Camp at Heathrow, paying particular attention to the copula ‘be’ (Sorry, that’s the linguist in me, I can’t bring myself to describe ‘be’ as an ordinary verb).

And this week, we learned that Richard Leyton is not backing Glasgow’s bid to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games, and that PDF is backing open class warfare.

Finally, there’s always time for navel gazing. Robert Sharp takes a look at the ‘status’ setting on Facebook, Informationally Overloaded voices his disapproval of Twitter, then considers his willingness to move against prevailing opinion. While Duncan takes a look at more traditional forms of communication. Or at least he would be, if you actually communicated anything meaningful with small talk, which is what’s in his sights.

Worried about August? Nah. There’s still enough going on to get people going, and next week, Richard Leyton will be sifting through the best posts for your delectation and delight. As always, you can nominate posts for inclusion, either by the e-mail address – scottishroundup@gmail.com – or by using the thingmy-wotsit on the right. Bye-de-bye!

Hello there! I am back from a three week break from Scottish Roundup. Not fully refreshed unfortunately, but you can’t win them all. Surprisingly, for the silly season, there have been a fair few talking points this week.

Starting off with the debate on Scottish broadcasting which has been kickstarted by Alex Salmond this week. Stewart McDonald is one blogger who says a Scottish Six is needed.

However, Richard Havers is sceptical of the idea that moving control over broadcasting to Holyrood would be good news. Holyrood Watcher is not bothered, but doubts that BBC Scotland would succeed in producing a Scottish Six.

Meanwhile, Councillor Andrew Burns would prefer a Scottish Ten to a Scottish Six.

Then there is the opinion poll that showed levels of support for the SNP at 48%. Reluctant Hero was among those celebrating, as the Our Scotland blog took the opportunity to look at the political landscape as a whole.

But Adam Smith was a Socialist suggests that it was a voodoo poll. Carried out by Progressive Scottish Opinion, an organisation which is not a member of the British Polling Council, apparently under a shaky methodology. Will Patterson also points out that it would be silly to draw many conclusions from the opinion poll’s findings.

Mr Eugenides has dissected a piece by Neil Clark at Comment is free about the campaign to give Iraqi interpreters who have worked with British forces asylum.

Elsewhere on Comment is free, Roy Hattersley has been courting a bit of controversy by criticising John Stuart Mill of all people. Shuggy takes Roy Hattersley to task. Meanwhile CuriousHamster considers the viewpoint with some inflatable fun time. (Get your mind out the gutter!)

Flying Rodent says something that has been required for a long time: Britain, nobody is persecuting you.

Over at SNP Tactical Voting, Jeff speaks in favour of immigration and takes a look at a few of the bizarre questions that make up the Citizenship Test.

Meanwhile, Jamie Hepburn MSP makes his return to blogging to compare the SNP’s policy on refugees to Labour’s.

Richard Thomson is starting to look at where it might go wrong for the SNP, also taking into consideration what Labour’s next moves could be.

Richard Leyton takes a look at “the new geopolitics”, focusing in particular on Russia and their attempts to plant a flag beneath the North Pole.

Robert Sharp takes a look at the powers his brother has as a Police Constable.

Sarah at Whoopdedoo has had trouble finding out what can and cannot be recycled in Edinburgh. But with a little digging, she has managed to get much more information.

Bill Cameron comments on somebody who was caught driving at 115mph — and let off by the judge.

I wonder if Stornoway has similar problems? John Kirriemuir takes a look at a rare flaunting of wealth in the Western Isles.

Niall at The Mushkush Miscellany has some statistics about children who run away, some of which may surprise you.

Kevin Williamson had a bit of a scary aeroplane journey. I have still never set foot on an aeroplane, and this post has not done much to encourage me!

And that’s it for this week! Not bad for silly season, I reckon. Next week, if all goes to plan, it will be Will P’s turn once again. Don’t forget to get those suggestions in via the form on the right or by email to scottishroundup@gmail.com.

Hello, and welcome to this week’s roundup. I’m your host, Richard Thomson, and for the next few hundred words or so, I’ll be your guide on this week’s whistlestop tour around the small corner of the blogosphere that is forever Scotland.

With both Holyrood and Westminster now in recess, the silly season is officially upon us. As if on cue, the week started with a minor stushie over which flag should take precedence on our public buildings. Both Kevin Williamson and Joe Middleton concentrated on what they saw as the less savoury associations of the Union Flag, while Kezia Dugdale placed it all in the wider context of the constitutional debate, remarking in the process on the sea of Saltires which she says now fly over Edinburgh following May’s elections.

However, as Jeff asks in the comments, if this really is all about the SNP politicising the Saltire, then what then are we to make of the veritable blanket of red, white and blue over Gordon Brown’s Whitehall right now? What indeed. David Farrer took a stab at explaining over at Freedom and Whisky, as did BBC Scotland’s Brian Taylor, who de-constructed matters for us thusly.

As the week progressed, though, there was very little unanimity when it came to blogging topics, with some very different issues exercising bloggers. Mr Eugenides, sunning himself currently in Greece, chose to take a potshot at Home Office proposals to gather DNA samples from those guilty of ‘non-recordable’ offences. Continuing in a libertarian vein, there was also a call here from Mushkush for all drugs to be legalised.

Another blogger sticking a firework under a cosy ideological consensus this week was Adam Smith Was A Socialist, who made the unfashionable claim that the problem with election turnouts is that they’re not low enough. Making a welcome return to his keyboard was Jamie Hepburn, who contrasted the proposed reduction in the number of Scottish MEPs with the treatment accorded to the smaller accession states to the EU. Tartan Hero was mildly disturbed to find himself in agreement with Lord George Foulkes over the issue of the charitable status of private schools. Will Patterson, meanwhile, used the parliamentary recesses as an opportunity to assess the performance of the parties at Holyrood, based on some markers he set down back in January.

Angus Nicolson gave a cautious welcome to the announcement of the start date for the new Gaelic TV channel. However, with just £16-£17m to play with, he also wondered what sort of output viewers would actually get for their money. And would it be TV produced in the Gaidhealtachd, or simply more of the same from the meeja luvvies of Byres Road? Staying on a media theme, Craigblog considered the recent brouhaha over ‘rigged’ TV programmes, very sensibly wondering what the fuss was all about. This post from Whoopdedoo, as well as this one from doctorvee, would have made less pleasant reading for the BBC, however, as both got stuck into the failings of the Corporation’s new iPlayer.

Away from politics, I will admit to being guilty of the occasional lapse into good taste over at my own blog. However, it’s with particular glee that I point you in the direction of this post from Bellgrove Belle, who seemingly inspired by one of my efforts, chose to share with us all a picture of her arse. Before you get too excited, though, I should point out that she picked this one up on her holidays and it comes in a bottle…

Adelaide Green Porridge Cafe penned a poignant cri-de-coeur for William Topaz McGonagall to finally have a statue of his own in his adopted city of Dundee. Moving seamlessly from the ridiculous to the sublime, though, he also offered us this gem of a photograph. I think we’ve probably all worked with folk like that at one point or another!

Remaining on a Dundonian theme, both Holyrood Chronicles and Whoopdedoo mourn the passing of an old favourite. The Dandy, it seems, has fallen prey to the notion that it needs to fit into the ‘lifestyle’ of its young readers, who apparently are now too busy watching DVDs and texting their friends to bother about something as juvenile as being amused by a comic. How sad. After all, what could have been more ‘Xtreme’ than seeing Minnie the Minx putting in her neighbours’ windows with a catapult?

Nostalgia just ain’t what it used to be right enough. And with that tap on the dashboard, I’ll bring this week’s edition of the roundup to a safe and controlled stop. All suggestions for inclusion next week can be sent to Duncan and his compilers using the form on the right, or by good old fashioned email via scottishroundup@gmail.com. Enjoy the weather if you get the chance, and have a good week.