Take Eight Blog Posts and See Me in the Morning

I can picture the scene. It’s early on a Sunday morning. You went back to work last week, having accidentally altered your genetic makeup to consist almost entirely of mince pie and brandy. You’re beginning to realise you have to go to work again tomorrow. You need a pick-me-up, and fast. Never fear, Dr Roundup is here! I prescribe a healthy dose of this week’s Scottish blogs. So open up and say aah…

With the holidays out of the way, constitutional debates are once again raging across the blogosphere. Irvine Welsh, writing on Bella Caledonia, posits the interesting theory that an independent Scotland might pave the way for a new kind of Britishness, based on identity and values rather than structures. He also sums up the feelings of many when he expresses the hope that we can “dispense with all this shite in the run-up to the 2014 referendum, and consider the real issues.” Hear, hear.

Undaunted by Irvine Welsh’s perception of a preponderance of poop in political debate, Jeff at Better Nation has gone looking for an opportunity to get involved with the Edinburgh branch of Yes Scotland. Sadly, it turns out not to have a functioning website, contact person or any future events. He does manage to follow the branch on Twitter, but they haven’t tweeted since November, so they don’t seem to consider this independence business to be very urgent.

But politics does often fuel passion: sometimes too much. Ellen at In a Bun Dance cries shame on those who are gearing up to dance on Thatcher’s grave, reminding us that humanity ought to trump political ideology. Raymond Weir worries that the Department of Health thinks parents need legislation to stop them stuffing their kids with burgers. Caron at Caron’s Musings takes exception to the Sottish Government’s tactics to put women off alcohol. And Kate at A Burdz Eye View argues that recent events at both Westminster and Holyrood will confirm the views of those who think politicians are all the same.

Meanwhile, Katie Grant at the Scottish Review admirably demonstrates that deeply held views can be explored without dogma or vitriol, as she considers the views of the Catholic church on gay marriage.

Finally, we all know that some things matter more than either religion or politics. And nothing is more important than a child’s most beloved cuddly toy. Is There a Plan B? pays tribute to Bunny, a honourable old rabbit still operating on the front line of toddler support despite terrible war wounds.

And that’s it for the week. Hopefully that has made you feel a bit better. Dr Roundup will see you again next week: make an appointment on your way out.

 

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