It’s a pleasure to do the round-up again, and this time they’ve let me loose on some of the political stuff. I feared that I might have to feign interest in the interminable shadow election campaign, which has largely been a policy free zone – as politicians of all sides maintain a high level of vacuous platitudes seemingly determined to bore most voters rigid prior to the vote. Luckily, though, I got a boring week. Aside from the Gordon Brown bullying allegations, the launch of another Scottish referendum consultation, Nicola Sturgeon’s apology (and the absurd over-reaction from some quarters of the Parliament), the launch of the Conservative party campaign slogan, some football club complaining about officiating, bank bonuses, and bank losses nothing’s happened. So, on with the round-up:

You can’t beat a bit of bully

The week began with The Observer serialisation of Andrew Rawnsley’s book on what has happened within the Labour government since his last book. The allegations that civil servants cowered in fear as the Prime Minister punched seats of cars prompted a wonderful Grand Theft Auto style reconstruction but prompted little comment from the Scottish blogosphere (although Jeff suggested that it might not be a negative factor come election day) until the intervention of Mrs Pratt – head of the National bullying helpline – who suggested that her confidential helpline had had calls from Downing Street including one person who had been signed off with stress, while suggesting that through not naming these individuals anonymity was preserved. Big Rab pointed out that Mrs Pratt had previously been a litigant in a case where she had been alleged to have “thrust her face into his and screamed “Communicate!” very loudly and directly into his ear. Mr Roberts found this very painful and was profoundly shocked by her conduct.” Caron and Mr Eugenides found themselves bemused by Mrs Pratt’s conduct (while Stephen maintained a running commentary on the slow death of the helpline as patron after patron resigned). Duncan’s perceptive post on Mrs Pratt’s entwining with the Prime Minister suggests that personal criticism of Gordon Brown may serve only to strengthen him – by appearing like bullying.

When it comes to Rauf justice sorry doesn’t seem to be the hardest word

Deputy first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, disarmed critics in the media and Holyrood by making an apology for her conduct. The apology was welcomed by bloggers from various quarters including Angus Nicolson, and Caron - although some (including Angus Nicolson and Jeff) noted that the wording of the apology – where the Deputy first minister indicated that she did not have a “duty” to act in the way she had may have left Alex Salmond somewhat exposed. Noteworthy though was the reaction from the Labour party. The Gallus Glaswegian, for example, suggesting that the one week recess between the original story and the apology worked to Nicola Sturgeon’s advantage. Joan McAlpine noted the adversarial personal tone of aspects of the Labour party parliamentary  response (notably from Iain Gray and Johann Lamont) and Will wonders if the memory of the Wendy Alexander resignation influenced Labour party behaviour.

Consultation paper and National Conversation leads to… new consultation paper

For the second time in two and a half years a draft referendum bill has been published for consultation by the Scottish public. This unprecedented level of pre-legislative consultation (which has nothing to do with parliamentary arithmetic or the imminent general election with the consultation period closing during the campaign – if we are heading for a May election) sees one big variant from the first paper, with two questions proposed on greater powers for the Scottish Parliament, and negotiations on independence. The approach is supported by Subrosa who notes the lack of response to the consultation from opposition leaders within First Minister’s Questions this week. While Braveheart suggests that this approach is designed to encourage confusion in the electorate.

Spare some change, mister?

I would be better disposed towards political slogans if they were better written. After Labour appeared to promised funfairs for all the other week, the Conservatives launched their slogan “Vote for change” – without specifying exactly how much change or what denomination of change we’ll get.  Jeff  suggests that it is a vacuous slogan to come up with at a time when polls suggest that more than 1/3 of the electorate don’t know what the Conservative party stands for. And Tom Harris MP has his own fun with the slogan.

Political blogging headline of the week

This comes from James, whose “Long-time lurker, first-time Parliamentary candidate” confirms his selection as PPC for the Scottish Greens in East Lothian.

What would Richard Dawkins do?

The Secretary of State for Scotland delivered a speech this week on faith and politics – appearing to suggest that people of faith would find their natural home in the labour party. This prompted a riposte from the National secular society, as well as various religious and political figures. As well as a lengthy post from Richard Thomson generally critical of Murphy Richard notes that religion and politics can mix because

” The experiences which people have and the beliefs that they hold will always inform how they respond to the issues of the day and will always shape their views on how the world should be. While it’s plainly wrong to pretend that religious belief can lead only to one single ‘correct’ viewpoint or that someone’s faith should lend their views any additional weight, it would be equally wrong to pretend that our public debate would be anything other than greatly diminished were no religious perspectives to be found.”

Yousuf takes a similar view (in a piece praising Murphy for his engagement with faith in politics). On such issues I turn to my “What would Richard Dawkins do” wristband – and, as he no doubt does, watch a story from season 17 of Doctor Who.

Football news

The following story came as something of a shock to me – and no doubt readers will have their flabbers well and truly gasted. Apparently, some people in Scotland will not be cheering on those parragons of virtue, John Terry, Steven Gerard et al during the forthcoming World Cup. Indeed, in a bid to cash in on this sentiment a company has produced casual wear bearing the slogan “anyone but England”. Michael Greenwell has a post justifying this view.

Also this week news broke that Celtic had contacted the SFA to complain about the quality of refereeing in Scotland due to decisions sometimes going against Celtic. A blog known as Celtic Paranoia has its own analysis. From my own perspective may I suggest to Celtic fans and board that if they want to see bad decisions they really need to come to the Third Division.

Mark Devereaux

The case of Mark Devereaux, the HIV infected man convicted of reckless and culpable conduct after he had sex with four partners, has prompted two passionate posts from opposite sides of the argument. Efrafandays argues that Devereaux 10 year sentence was correct. Lallands Peat Worrier’s post contains the sentencing statement and expresses some concern about prosecution and sentencing of HiV sufferers.

Miscellany

Ellen Arnison has an interesting post on news values and the impact of social media on the development of news stories.

Little Mummy comments on some of the Winter Olympics commentary where in certain sports female competitors are reduced to their status as “pin-ups”. And Skip Cottage Curling offers a summary of the disappointing British performance in the curling within the Games – while having rather warmer words for Steve Cram’s commentary than were used in my house.

Andy at Road Maps for the Soul has a post on the parliamentary report on homeopathy – which contrary to the “science of homeopathy” maintains its potency despite exhibiting no dilution of view, arguing that

“My own view is that a fraction of that £4 million would be better spent informing the public that “alternative” medicines are only so named because they are the alternative to the sort that makes you better.”

Of course, if the parliamentary report is followed and the budget for homeopathic treatment is diluted this will serve to make the funding of homeopathy even stronger.

Also nominated this week was the A Place to Stand post challenging the idea that there is (or was) scientific consensus on climate change.

The Absolvitor law blog reassures readers that the prosecution has been dropped in the case of Michael Mancini who had been charged with not being in control of a motor vehicle when he blew his nose while behind the wheel (and digs up the wonderful piece of information that the officer who charged Mr Mancini apparently issued an on the spot fine of £50 to a man who dropped a £10 note last year).

One blog that looks like it will be worth keeping an eye on as the year goes on is the Fraoch Wood site which is building up a diary examining an area of privately owned woodland in the Cairngorms with some photos of the area and the wildlife.

Iain MacWhirter

And like Ian Hamilton QC, Subrosa, and others I’d like to wish sometime blogger (and journalist) Iain MacWhirter a speedy recovery from his heart by-pass surgery. His excellent post on his imminent surgery gives a good indication why we need him back writing on Scottish politics and life in general as soon as he is able.

Keep the nominations coming in via the widget or by e-mail to the usual address or via the twitter feed. Next week you’ll be in the hands of Kenny MacLaren.

No Po Sco Blo Ro

Not fluent Judoon, but – with apologies for the delay – a welcome to the non-political Scottish blogging round-up which gathers together a series of the best of the non-political posts from the Scottish blogosphere. Having volunteered to do this review I have increased admiration for those that have completed the reviews before, and for those 24 hour news channel hosts that have to segue effortlessly from one topic to another. In what follows feel free to participate in the spot the joins contest (but nae prizes).

I’d like to begin by referring to the late Sir Neil MacCormick, whose death was recorded in the political round-up last week, but as he bridged the political divide let him bridge the divide between political and non-political round-ups. Sir Neil was a great legal philosopher, Scotland’s finest twentieth century contributor to the discipline. His son-in-law, taught by Sir Neil in Texas, published a very moving tribute to the great man on his blog this month and for those of us that knew him the personal descriptions there will bring a smile to the face. The memorial service for Sir Neil is held at Greyfriars Kirk at 11 am on Friday 17^th April.

24^th March was Ada Lovelace Day. Ada Lovelace was the first computer programmer – writing programs for Babbage’s Analytical Machine and on 24^th March bloggers were encouraged to post about women in technology. Two fascinating posts were nominated – Ben Plouviez’s post on electronic music pioneers Daphne Oram and the wonderful Delia Derbyshire (subject of the fantastic Blue Veils and Golden Sands, a 2002 play dramatising her life and whose original arrangement of Ron Grainer’s theme tune for Doctor Who still surpasses all others); and Ewan Spence’s post on Pauline Gower - who ensured female pilots aided the Air Transport Auxiliary in the Second World War.

The behaviour of Barry Ferguson and Alan McGregor after Scotland’s unsuccessful sojourn to the Netherlands and their behaviour in response to the reaction to their behaviour, and their behaviour in response to the reaction to their behaviour in reaction to the response to their behaviour exercised our leading sports journalists (and Chick Young), for what seemed an eternity at the start of April. Having hastily christened the scandal with the appropriate suffix we had Loch Lomondgate (I’d still have preferred Nedgate personally but with the MSM you can’t have everything) the story was given detailed consideration across the Scottish blogosphere. See the views of Flying Rodent, Malcolm, and a typically thoughtful piece from Will who momentarily turned his forensic eye from politics to point out the past behaviour of the players and their treatment of Paul le Guen. And Big Rab noticed a wonderful juxtaposition in the Daily Record.

The past month has also seen a veritable plethora of posts about Twitter (take delight in the unnecessary adjectives and verbiage because it’s not possible within the 140 characters). Kimire’s post seems reminiscent of the late Dennis Potter’s suggestion that we should live in the instant, enjoying each moment, delighting in the “blossomest blossom”. And Technollama and Pangloss consider the work related benefits of tweeting with hashtags. Finally Woken looks at another aspect of social networking with the jealousies that Facebook friendships can create and the curious affair of the demise of her facebook friends.

As a teenager I used to keep racing pigeons* and consequently was intrigued to see the two nominations from South Side Happenings about the mysterious pigeon-napper of Queens Park– whose persistence in attempting to entrap pigeons finally paid off. South Side Happenings asks if anyone can tell what was going on. Is the recession biting deep? Or is this part of the old school pigeon fancying where the fancier used particularly attractive pigeons to entice pigeons from other lofts, or doocots (it would be the season for it)? Answers and suggestions to South Side Happenings please.

There have been some fine instances of photography on Scottish blogs this month – Up My Tree has “A Stranger View”  a collection of some pictures taken from a disposable camera; Rhythmaning shares some beautiful images of Landform at the front of the Scottish National Gallery for Modern Art and Richard Havers, celebrity novel dedicatee (it’s an Ian Rankin thing) gives us a Saltire in cloud formation.

The travails of getting service at Edinburgh bars are brought to you by Mike Smith (I see that nothing has changed in the past 18 years).

Angry Steve proffers an explanation of employment practices that it occurs to me may help explain the Peter Principle.

Last Year’s Girl anticipates a fond farewell to video tapes (they’ll be telling me to get rid of the 8 track cartridge next).

15^th April was the twentieth anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy as a result of which 96 Liverpool supporters tragically lost their lives. Stephen Glenn’s moving recollection reflects on his own experience as a supporter with a ticket for the Leppings Lane end, and the impact on football.

And welcome to a relatively new blog brought to our attention: Celebrity Litigation - a blog that lets you read posts from people that should blog but don’t (from which list we must now exclude Iain Macwhirter, but no doubt you’ll be hearing a lot more about him on Sunday in the next political round-up).

And finally, as they say on the news, one last item – How the Second World War was won. Best not to spoil it, but I almost resorted to text speak acronyms.

Thanks for having me, and remember to keep the nominations for the round-ups (both political and non-political) coming in via the widget to your right or to the usual e-mail address scottishroundup@gmail.com .

* cue bad joke about only stopping once I’d beaten them.