Welcome to this week’s roundup!

There has been a lot of talk about David Cameron’s comments on Scottish independence while campaigning in Glenrothes. Many have noted that Cameron’s argument is a lot more mature than a lot of unionist arguments.

Alex Massie thinks it’s a breath of fresh air compared to the normal argument that stresses economic benefits. North Britain asks, “Is the Unionist argument finally maturing?” But Scottish Unionist points out that this is nothing new.

Not so mature was the group of activists that Stephen Glenn met in Glenrothes.

Staying in Glenrothes, Will Patterson asks what the Lib Dems really want, noticing that they appear to be happier attacking the SNP rather than Labour who currently occupy the seat. Perhaps they should focus more on Labour, because Malc thinks that Labour could hold Glenrothes. Gordon Brown must be hoping so since Alasdair thinks that this by-election is do or die for the Prime Minister.

Elsewhere, Stephen Glenn has spotted that the SNP Government is good at shifting the blame.

Jeff analyses a YouGov poll of 60 marginal seats. He warns against reading too much into it when it comes to Scotland, but the poll has some interesting findings regarding the (under-) performance of the Conservatives in the UK as a whole.

More good news for Labour is the fact that they can genuinely claim to have reduced levels of income inequality and poverty, as Yousuf points out.

Meanwhile, Caron points out an email sent by SNP councillor John Finnie speculating on possible future by-elections as a result of people’s ill health.

Scottish Unionist takes Joe Middleton to task for one of his arguments in favour of independence.

Yapping Yousuf wonders if going to university is worth it any more. This is something that I am sure crosses most students’ minds these days.

Calumn Carr has posted some thoughts on suicide in the wake of the assisted suicide of rugby player Daniel James. What are the moral rights and wrongs surrounding it?

Meanwhile, Jamie Cooke considers the case of a suicidal girl who is kept in prison, noting that it’s a terrible way to treat society’s most vulnerable.

Last week the SNP Conference came to a close. Ideas of Civilisation asked what exactly the point of party conferences is. Meanwhile, Will P summed up his experiences from inside.

Jack Deighton looks at the tendency of Republicans to “the hounding, whilst in office, of… Democratic Presidents” and predicts that if Barack Obama wins he’ll have to contend with a lot of opposition.

Meanwhile, James at Two Doctors takes a look at more stories of dodgy voting machines in the USA.

Big Rab considers the case of “Joe the Plumber”. Did he have a point? Big Rab thinks not.

Meanwhile, Clairwil adopts the stiff upper lip when thinking about the economy: “We saw off Hitler we can see off the cock ups of greedy bankers.”

Adopted Domain ponders the SNP’s fondness for free universal public services. He notes that the plans tend to benefit the middle classes rather than society’s poorest.

On the back of more murky stories surrounding political donations this week, Political Dissuasion worries that the idea of state funding of political parties will rear its ugly head again.

Big Rab looks at the problems small businesses face. He is not impressed with politicians’ ideas to help small business.

Jeff recounts a tale of a colleague of his who was beaten up by a drunken youth. This prompts him to reconsider the SNP’s proposals to restrict alcohol sales to under-21s. A range of views are expressed in the comments.

West World looks at Christine Grahame’s calls for repatriation of the remains of Mary Queen of Scots.

Will P wonders what the best outcome would be in the event of a hung parliament.

Matt’s Mic casts his eye over John Loughton, who appears to be about as principled as most other politicians.

Finally, on the back of a story about the SNP’s media management written by Nicholas Christian, James takes a look at the history of the fake byline.

And that’s all for this week. Remember to send in your nominations either by using the form on the right or by emailing scottishroundup@gmail.com. Thanks!

Hi folks… the Roundup is arriving just in time this week, on account of my swanning about in Perth. But more on that later…

The economy dominated the blogosphere this week, especially as Gordon Brown took time out from solving the world’s woes to have a pop at Scottish independence. Shuggy reckons that he has a point, but the SNP did take all of this rather badly and opted to fight back. SNP-leaning blogs had their say: Justified Spinner, McChatterer and Chris Stephens are all unimpressed with Labour’s reaction to the crisis. Jeff, meanwhile, looks at two other Unionist commentators and compares their style. Ideas of Civilisation looks at the impact the current situation will have on the independence debate. Duncan, interestingly, asks if the financial situation ought to be the be-all-and-end-all of the constitutional question.

Yousuf notes that the Tories have also gone on the attack, but compares the SNP and Conservatives’ approach, and finds the Tories’ response to events wanting. In a second post, he looks at Labour’s economic record, arguing that things aren’t as bad as they could be, or indeed are for other nations. But boxthejack points to a warning from that oracle of all things financial Vince Cable, issued all the way back in 2003.

On a wider note, Big Rab and Otan2 express a degree of frustration and bemusement at matters, while Shuggy outlines how things could be done.

Of course, all of this is overshadowing the Glenrothes By-Election: Stephen Glenn isn’t impressed with Alex Salmond challenging Gordon Brown to a debate in the constituency, while Cabalamat reckons that Labour will pull this one out of the bag.

And speaking of By-Elections, there’s yet another one due in Baillieston. Glasgow Labour Councillor and SNP Councillor David McDonald, one of the serving representatives for the ward, cross swords.

Elsewhere, SNP members gathered in Perth for the National Conference, where the main talking point was a debate on the Government’s plan to tackle alcohol abuse, with the SNP youth movement, Young Scots for Independence, questioning plans to raise the age limit for off-sales to 21. Julie Hepburn gives her thoughts before and after the debate, which saw Conference support Ministers following a close vote. The result prompted Caron to suggest that a change in the off-sales age limit should make YSI members want to ditch independence en masse. Seeing as I’ve spent a fair part of the weekend in the company of the YSI, I can say quite confidently that Caron may be a little disappointed.

Meanwhile, LibDem bloggers jumped at a chance to interview Tavish Scott. Caron andBernard Salmon post their views, while Stephen Glenn subcontracts his reporting of the tête-à- tête to Lionel de Livi. Reading their accounts, Jeff detects a theme.

Cabalamat reacts to Government plans to eavesdrop on phone calls, texts and emails. James isn’t happy with Geoff Hoon’s arguments against civil liberties, while Tom Harris asks if politicians are setting the bar a little too high for themselves, and in effect inviting public disappointment in them. Angry Steve is certainly disappointed in his local Edinburgh Councillors. And Surreptious Evil doesn’t view SNP MSP Christine Grahame in the most positive of lights.

Let’s hop across the Pond now: Holyrood Patter followed the last debate between Barack Obama and John McCain, while Malc in the Burgh has two posts asking if the contest is as over as people are starting to claim. Yes, says Bernard Salmon. Meanwhile, Jack Deighton wonders why McCain’s middle name doesn’t get anywhere near as much attention as Obama’s.

But one election across the Atlantic has already taken place: in Canada, Stephen Harper’s Conservative Party has won the General Election held this week, increasing the number of seats but still not able to form a majority government. Malc notes the results, while Alex Massie notes that few people paid all that much attention.

Oh, and on this side of the Atlantic, Jersey voted too, with the voting age limit being lowered to 16. David McDonald flags this up.

Richard Havers discusses why Donald Trump’s golf project in Aberdeenshire is now an even worse idea than he thought it was before.

Tom Harris asked his first Parliamentary Question since that rather unkind reshuffle.

Louise finds gloating about Gordon Brown’s apparently increasing visibility problems utterly distasteful.

Richard Havers isn’t overly impressed with the MSM’s reporting of road safety standards.

In the world of navel-gazing, Ideas of Civilisation and Adopted Domain reflect on pseudonymous posting.

Jeff invites certain death upon himself by suggesting that it’s not necessarily a bad thing to support England.

Matt Wardman sounds the alarm for the future of the humble haggis.

And Flying Rodent looks at why people still support Fascism.

Finally, Cabalamat asks if it’s a crime to take a photo of a drunk.

So on that slightly odd note, I have to pack my case and head for home. Duncan’s here next week, and you can send him your posts using the shoobadibadoowop on the right or by e-mailing scottishroundup@gmail.com. Bye-de-bye!

Want some carrots?

Having just finished two weeks of off again on  again child taming myself, I could have benefited from Alex Massie’s free advice on child taming. Dorothy and friends works well apparently.

The Wizard of Oz transforms cranky tots into goggle-eyed paragons of quiet behaviour.

His sister Claudia has a very fine art blog showcasing some of her work and that of others. I am always interested in the interpretation of the Scottish landscape, brooding and dark. My father is an artist and his early work was like that. He has lightened up a little. I know that the light and changing weather make for some very inspired source material. Here in Australia I capture all those things with my digital camera. Much quicker and a lot easier than developing your own film. What an 80s type of thing. Or was it earlier than that.

Strathearn Journeys by Claudia Massie

And speaking of hobbies and keeping it in the family, this is what my brother likes to do on the weekend. I walked up there one sunny day in summer over 20 years ago. It was snowing on top and there was no view. The diversity of the human experience and peoples interest amuse me. Running up Ben Nevis does not.

This is more along my line. Glaswegian Guerilla Gardening. I wonder if you can get carbon credits for the good works? And our Jakarta correspondent reminds me of why I am happy not to have to go there any more.

Being out of Scotland, it is easy to lose touch with football issues like who is Kris Boyd. A prize prick by the look of things. And who is that other guy?

Here in Adelaide, the big soccer stories are the Socceroos going up against Qatar tonight in World Cup qualifying and Adelaide United’s 22,000 kilometre round trip to Tashkent to try to secure a spot in the final of the Asian Champions League and a spot in the World Club Championship against Manchester United and some other teams. They are even taking along a chef for the trip. What’s wrong with the food in Tashkent.

Talking of great places to watch football. What is it with all those Dumbarton supporting bloggers. They are everywhere. This two word combination with negative conotations reminded of those dour football roundups on a Saturday afternoon that I grew up with.

….

“Dumbarton nil”

……

Rangers one?

Insert your team and you know what I mean..

Personally I would add G____e B__s_  and G___d_n B__w_ to that list.

Talking of wankers, this guy will have to learn things all over again.

And when things don’t look too good, just be glad that you have a more positive outlook than this guy.

And if all else fails, try this.

And taking the heartless biscuit, our friends from the Government, planning for the Nuclear Holocaust in the 1970s.

“If your grandmother should die while in the shelter put her outside, but remember to tag her for identification purposes.”

Talking of pleasant Scottish things, how about the weather.

There is just NO getting away from it – Scotland is a ****** cold country. And I’m sorry for swearing but Scotland is so ****** cold all the time that you HAVE TO use expletives. A friend in Sri Lanka who’s done a fair bit of world travel and living abroad told me that when I went home I’d “near freeze to death”. What he forgot to tell me was that it would last for … a month so far and counting. I thought I’d get used to it but I haven’t.

Seems that Sri Lanka has some down sides though, like having to wash your clothes every day. When I lived in the Philippines, the neighbour used to wash our clothes. They lasted about a week after being bashed by river bed rocks to get them clean.

When I first moved to America, I couldn’t get over the fact that it was warm most of the time and sunny almost every day. I am used to it here in Adelaide. Spoilt eh? Unfortunately I am stuck here now, because my family would moan too much if we moved to Scotland. They have the heater on in the house when it is 20 degrees. My kids have no concept of the idea of putting on some clothes when it gets a little cool.

Wednesday is recycling day every second week in our neighbourhood. I was impressed this morning when the driver did a poor job of dumping the bin. Lots of stuff ended up all over the pavement. He got out of his truck, put it back in the bin and dumped it. Perhaps he has something to teach these guys.

And talking of reducing our environmental footprint, it seems that the Scots do quite well.

Talking of things the Scots do well, we are very good at growing potatoes. Almost everyone in Scotland must have taken time off to pick them at some point. Missy M made me all nostalgic Miserable, muddy and cold are my memories, not so different from Missy M’s experience.

So here’s how tattie picking works- the clue’s in the name. A tractor with a thingy attached goes up the field. The thingy digs over the ground exposing the tatties to the world, it is your job to pick them up. There we stand, with our own six meter square area to clear of tatties and put them in buckets. You’ve the time it takes for the tractor to come back down the field until we move on to the next dug section of earth to start over again. It’s physical work alright. In fact, it’s chain gang type work. Without the fetching striped jammies and ….erm, chains.

My brothers father in law was a potato merchant. Every year he used to take his family skiing. I met them in Colorado one year and took them for their first Sushi. He was shocked that you could have a meal without potatoes. It was one of his first ever. We had to take him out to McDonalds for French Fries afterwards so that he could feel that he had eaten.

And if you are in Brae Shetland and feel like some potatoes, you can avail yourself of the most Northerly Fish and Chip Shop in the UK.

Is a Jacobyte bigger than a Gigabyte?

Moving back into important stuff, Mr Farty continues his common man’s guide to computer storage terminology.

And talking of not quite enough storage, these guys need some external storage by the looks of things. Is it on the other hand, a metaphor for the world economic bail out and the likely end result?

And speaking of festive matters, it is only about 50 days to Christmas.

On that note, I will vacate the keyboard and go and finish my kangaroo sausages. Until the next time. Onya from the Antipodes

Sadly there’s going to be no Scottish Roundup this week. I checked and checked but there just didn’t seem to be any worthwhile news taking place in the last few days.

Wait, what’s that you say? The near collapse of the world banking system? Capitalism in jeopardy? Marx’s predictions of the inevitable socialist triumph finally coming true?

OK, give me just one minute, I’d better look and see if there was anything of note.

[This might take a while, go and make a cup of tea or something]

Well you’re right, not only does it seem that there been a lot happening since last Sunday but the Scottish blogging world has not been slow to comment on it.

International finance

Bad jokes of mine aside, there’s no doubt that the ongoing global financial crisis unsurprisingly remains the top issue of the moment. For an excellent summation of the issue see Shuggy’s Blog.

And given that governments around the world, including the UK, have injected hundreds of billions of pounds (or respective currencies) into the world banking system there are various views on this with Ewan Aitken suggesting that the financial world has not been nearly grateful enough for this.

Tom Harris backs this view (and that of the Prime Minister) when he says that heads should roll at those companies responsible for the crisis. However Holyrood Chronicles is sceptical that this will actually happen and Two Doctors is sceptical that anything good will come from the bail-out at all.

Yousif Hamid and Bill Cameron look at different aspects of the deal and the potential implications for us all. Ideas of Civilisation and Holyrood Chronicles also offered some words of warning in future.

However it wouldn’t be a Scottish Roundup without attempting (like the Scottish media at large) to try and ‘put a kilt’ on the issue.

The spectacular financial problems that Iceland in particular faces has led some bloggers to question whether the SNP still want to hold this country up as a shining example of the success a small country can enjoy; Scottish Unionist and Love and Garbage commenting thus. Jim Millar makes a similar point about how the SNP have reacted to this situation.

Scots and Independent however refutes this, arguing that all countries are affected, independent, part of a union or otherwise, with Alex Massie backing this view.

Malc in the Burgh provides perhaps the most succinct summation of economic events around the world. I’m not sure if that’s a real front cover or not though…

Bogging hiatus

However the oncoming financial apocalypse aside, nothing excites people more than the chance of some navel gazing. The Scottish blogging community is no different.

As such it was a week for interviews with one blogger being mentioned on another’s blog. Matt Wardman got the ball rolling with a link to an interview with Tom Harris, following the latter’s exit from government. But the big blog story of the week in Scotland was Kezia Dugdale, Labour’s top blogging voice in Scotland, deciding to hang up her metaphorical keyboard, making the announcement in an interview with SNP Tactical Voting.

This provoked a flurry of responses – and a mention in the Edinburgh Evening News – most of which expressed their sadness at the passing of yet another blog, and saying how much they enjoyed reading Kezia’s comments. Crossing party lines Scottish Tory Boy, Stephen Glenn, Salt and Sauce and Justified Spinner all chipped in to this effect.

However there were some dissenting voices. J. Arthur MacNumpty criticised Kez’s decision on the grounds that he thinks she should reconsider (and he’s not included solely because he was nice about me). Bill Cameron is equally unimpressed, albeit for different reasons.

Moving away from the specific decision Jess the Dog and Holyrood Patter both offer thoughts on related issues – namely who blogs for Scottish Labour and indeed who blogs generally. Political Dissuasion says this blog’s closure is evidence of the nasty nature of nationalism.

Again in the wake of Kezia’s decision Doctor Vee also offered the interesting contention that in fact there’s more that unites Scottish blogs (regardless of constitutional positions) than divides them. A sentiment Adopted Domain agrees with. Whether John Prescott agrees is unclear, according to Bellegrove Belle.

And for the health of the blogging scene as a whole we can only hope the retirement bug isn’t catching too much, not least as Mr Eugenides and Adam Smith was a Socialist both announced a temporary cessation in activities.

Elections and such like

Unsurprisingly most other political issues have been swept aside this week. Even the date of the Glenrothes by-election, which has finally been announced as noted by Scottish Tory Boy. Bellegrove Belle offers her thoughts on the chances of the Prime Minister campaigning in Fife.

Doctor Vee defies the bookies (although increasingly less so) and suggests Labour could actually win here – which would be sort of a shock but also not really. Andrew Reeves suggests that the Tories are now doing everything they can to help the SNP win, something SNP Tactical Voting completely refutes, saying it shows the Lib Dems haven’t come to terms with Scotland’s new politics yet.

It was actually a bit of a week for Lib Dem political and election tactics being panned. Calum Cashley got the ball rolling before Two Doctors and J. Arthur MacNumpty offered their own supporting evidence.

And apparently there’s another election taking place in another country in the near future. Ewan Watt defies conventional public opinion and continues to back John McCain whilst taking a sideswipe at Iain Dale.

The big US election story of the week was of course that Sarah Palin, Republican vice-presidential candidate, has been found guilty of misusing her role as governor. As it happened so late only Tom Harris, Holyrood Patter and Political Betting have much comment on this. Finally Woken however suggests it’s not all bad news for Palin – although unfortunately not in a political sense.

Domestic events

As with the elections mentioned above Holyrood affairs also took a bit of a back seat this week. There have however been some further thoughts on the relationship between local councils and the Scottish Government, not least over the recent announcement that school meals will be free and who is supposed to pay for it.

Ideas of Civilisation offered his views on the refusal of many to understand what it actually means when you tell local councils that they can spend money as they see fit. Claims which are supported (in slightly different ways) by Scottish Unionist and Stephen Glenn.

A Scandal and a Disgrace however reserves his ire for all MSPs and how they spend public money, this time in terms of taxi claim receipts (or lack thereof).

Various other thoughts

In spite of everything else that’s happened this week my favourite article isn’t technically a blog, instead being an article from the British Journalism Review looking at the health of Scottish newspapers. It was however flagged up by new blog (whose name greatly amused me) Sour Alba, so it qualifies for inclusion in the Roundup.

Amused Cynicism raises the issue of more steps being taken to erode civil liberties in the UK. Angry Steve is just, well, angry.

Finally SNP Tactical Voting deserves another mention for his excellent pun in relation to an email sent out by Labour MSP Richard Simpson (who was formerly a GP) – I’ll let you check it for yourself rather than spoiling the surprise. It’s nice to finish on a light note after the tragedy of the previous paragraphs.

So that’s it for another week (and my first time doing the Roundup). Hopefully this wasn’t too long for everyone – although anyone who has ever read my blog before cannot be shocked by this.

Tune in again next week when your host will be J. Arthur MacNumpty.

Hello, and welcome to this week’s roundup!

Probably the most surprising story of the week was Gordon Brown’s decision to give Peter Mandelson a job in the cabinet. Bill Cameron sees it as a sign of desperation from Gordon Brown. Holyrood Watcher wouldn’t be surprised if he had to resign again.

Others see the appointment of Mr Mandelson in a more positive light though. Ewan Aitken notes that it shows that Gordon Brown can be bold and decisive — “at last”!

The other big political story of the week was the vice presidential debate in the USA. Bernard Salmon thought it wasn’t even close. Alex Massie liveblogged the debate.

Meanwhile, Malc in the Burgh analyses the implications of John McCain pulling out of the campaign in Michigan.

The biggest story in Scottish politics was the SNP’s decision to entitle all school pupils from primary 1 through to primary three to free school meals. Indygal celebrates this “anti poverty, anti obesity and pro health” policy.

But Labour supporters, perhaps predictably, were quick to point out the drawbacks. Cllr Andrew Burns wondered where the funds would come from. Meanwhile, both Ewan Aitken and Kezia Dugdale used that Friedmanite mantra, “there’s no such thing as a free lunch”. Kind of funny coming from a party that’s supposed to be of the left, but there you go.

Ideas of Civilisation takes a more in-depth look at the issues surrounding the SNP’s plan.

The SNP weren’t quite so successful, though, in getting their legislation on alcohol passed. Shuggy called the plan stupid and illiberal and was pleased that the Scottish Parliament rejected the scheme. Iain Rubie Dales said that a dialogue is needed, not knee-jerk legislation.

All the while, Niall makes an interesting point:

…if drinking is so widespread ’society’ surely doesn’t have a problem with it because ’society’ is the one doing the drinking – which returns us to a paternalistic government telling us how they think we should be living.

Adopted Domain made the link between the SNP wanting to criminalise teenage drinkers and wanting to criminalise teenage mothers.

Stephen Glenn also criticises the SNP’s plan to criminalise girls who have under-age sex, pointing out that the plans could prevent girls from seeking medical advice. Caron adds more.

Political Dissuasion wonders why all the earnest Labour voices have gone quiet over the arrest of Labour councillor John Holden.

Meanwhile, Scottish Tory Boy thinks that Labour MSP David Whitton should move on from certain events from the past.

Mr Smith has noticed that some of the Scottish Government’s advisers have been involved in the practice of short-selling which Alex Salmond slammed a few weeks ago.

Meanwhile, Holyrood Watcher has taken a look at a problem with the HBOS–Lloyds TSB deal.

Elsewhere, Jeff at SNP Tactical Voting got an inkling that Alex Salmond had been misquoted over the claim that an independent Scotland would have ploughed £100bn into saving HBOS.

As the credit crunch continues to make its presence felt, Cllr Angus Nicolson reminds us of the issue of ‘moral hazard’, a major argument against the bailout. Stephen Glenn added more thoughts on the bailout plan, as did Neil Craig. Boxthejack reckons it may be time for a freer market.

Meanwhile, Richard Thomson has noticed a few flaws in a piece written by Jeremy Purvis.

Bishop Hill finds himself in the unusual position of agreeing with George Monbiot on the issue of corporate welfare.

Secret Scotland looks at the story of Sebastian Przygodzki who has been fined £100 for taking a photograph of a drunk woman in a public street. What gets me about the story is the fact that the Sheriff seemingly handed out the fine not because Mr Przygodzki broke the law, but because he wanted to teach a lesson in chivalry. Cabalamat has more on this.

There was a brouhaha this week when the tram works moved to the centre of Edinburgh. Mr H takes a look. But Political Dissuasion thinks that those calling for resignations after day one are being too hasty.

James at Two Doctors struggles to understand why some on the left continue to have sympathy for Iain Blair. Bernard Salmon was just surprised that it took simple party politics, rather than all of the scandals of the past few years, to dethrone Blair. Bill Cameron congratulates Boris Johnson for getting rid of Blair. But Political Dissuasion sees Blair as a victim of a harsh media campaign.

Shuggy warns the left against underestimating David Cameron.

Cllr Fraser Macpherson cast his eye over ITV’s plans to cut regional news output which would lead to residents of the Scottish Borders receiving their news from Gateshead rather than Carlisle.

Mike Smith is worried that ITV is going down the same path as US television. Meanwhile, I wondered if local television might not have a future at all.

Here is an interesting film by Peter Gerard. Amid the excitement of Glasgow hosting the 2014 Commonwealth Games, this film looks at some of the concerns local residents have about the Games.

Common Wealth? – East End hopes & fears for the 2014 Games from Peter Gerard on Vimeo.

Julie Hepburn felt a shiver down her spine when she read that David Mundell believes that a Conservative government would have the right to implement their policies regardless of how many Scottish MPs they have. I added my thoughts here.

Will Patterson rips to shreds the idea, espoused by Margot James, that gay people “have a duty to vote Conservative.”

Finally Woken has a fascinating post questioning the religion she has followed for 30 years.

North Britain wonders why, as The Scotsman claimed this week, the US would be “shocked” at the prospect of Scottish independence.

Matt Wardman takes note of a worrying trend which could potentially mean climate change leading to “the end of haggis”.

Inquisitor does his stint on “Speak You’re Branes” duty by reading the moronic comments on the BBC’s 606 message board about the offensive chants aimed at Sol Campbell.

Finally, Tom Harris recalls an embarrassing moment.

That’s it for this week. Next week’s guest editor is a mystery guest… mostly because I haven’t got round to finding one yet. Get your nominations in as always by using the form on the right or by emailing scottishroundup@gmail.com. Thanks!