Let’s be careful out there
Posted on
May 11, 2013 by
Stewart Bremner
The world's most-read Scottish politics website
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About
Wings Over Scotland is a (mainly) Scottish political media digest and monitor, which also offers its own commentary. (More)
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Recent Comments
- on Mad caps: “So you’re claiming that US soldiers on RF soil will be summarily dispatched. The RF won’t make any political capital…” Apr 7, 19:53
- on Mad caps: “The possibility might need to be considered that the higher percentage of support amongst younger voters in polls for independence…” Apr 7, 19:49
- on Mad caps: ““after 300+years of neglect and abuse Scotland and Scots are worse off than they have ever been” Here you go…” Apr 7, 19:47
- on Mad caps: “Calm down, Bob. This isn’t where you post your application for camp guard in the New Scottish Gulag you and…” Apr 7, 19:38
- on Mad caps: “To be fair, most of us where taken in by this be-Kind, inclusive, civic nationalism nonsense. Look where it is…” Apr 7, 19:35
- on Mad caps: “@ Robert Hughes TBQH Robert I have more or less stopped responding tae these pricks , it is the same…” Apr 7, 17:48
- on Mad caps: “I wonder what Belarusian govt would say if a US military vehicle drove across the border from Lithuania? Viv. OB,…” Apr 7, 14:56
- on Mad caps: “Scottish media in panic about Universities and their subsequent bankruptcy. Page after page, comment after comment. Children are trapped in…” Apr 7, 12:34
- on Mad caps: “The “age” question is interesting. Can you remember if younger people were very visible in the 2014 campaign? From memory…” Apr 7, 12:03
- on Mad caps: “An excerpt from an article on the website of the Atlantic Council (see also Radio Free Europe); “Lithuanians paid tribute…” Apr 7, 10:21
- on Mad caps: “Exactly Robert – it’s full of people who rant and rave like you do. Nobody wants to be associated with…” Apr 7, 08:56
- on Mad caps: “” it’s also that the campaign is too closely associated with anti-Englishness, sympathy for the Kremlin sometimes and increasingly wild…” Apr 7, 08:25
- on Mad caps: “Don’t overlook the ingrained antisemitism which a close read of the clannish, self-congratulatory backslapping posts reveals. But yes, if they…” Apr 7, 07:14
- on Mad caps: ““We voters would be in the driving seat – that would be wonderful” Would it though, sarah? In all of…” Apr 7, 07:05
- on Mad caps: “@Ian – as someone who is around half the age of the average suggested above, it’s not just that many…” Apr 7, 07:03
- on Mad caps: “@Sarah (9.16) – Thanks for that and aye, totally agree, there’s nothing like meeting folk in the flesh. Sometimes they’re…” Apr 7, 00:09
- on Mad caps: “IanB, I do hope so , I am definitely in need of meeting up with the cheerful , positive folk…” Apr 6, 22:10
- on Mad caps: “MaryB, it is encouraging that you read para (a) the same way that I do i.e. that it empowers People’s…” Apr 6, 21:27
- on Mad caps: “I miss the way btl was. It was always relevant to independence, and pleasant on a personal level. OK Robert…” Apr 6, 21:16
- on Mad caps: “Sarah @ 4.48 & Duncx I tried to post this earlier today, but it didn’t appear. So here it is…” Apr 6, 21:07
- on Mad caps: “Hi D, Yes, it was good. Not just because the atmosphere was relaxed (because the Eagle Inn is Robert Slavin’s…” Apr 6, 20:18
- on Mad caps: “Had forgotten all about that, Robert. No idea what we were discussing. Love, Samantha
.” Apr 6, 19:44 - on Mad caps: “Hoots aplenty sah, you’ve got me off the hook as Tinto was fingering me for that one!
” Apr 6, 19:41 - on Mad caps: “@Hatey – you aren’t supposed to look into things, you’re supposed to sign the petition and possibly donate money regardless…” Apr 6, 19:39
- on Mad caps: “Sorry I missed the night too – it sounds as though a good time was had by all. Next time!” Apr 6, 19:27
- on Mad caps: “ha ! you told me your name when you emailed me a while back – including your surname – which…” Apr 6, 18:51
- on Mad caps: “@Robert Hughes 3.23: nae probs, Robert. See you next time. Had to head off early. Don’t know how you know…” Apr 6, 18:26
- on Mad caps: “Please tell us, sarah, that when you say you haven’t had a proper look at this thing you are enthusiastically…” Apr 6, 17:46
A tall tale
Wee Books
Video
Probably a robbery
Transphobia
You'll have had your tea then, Stewart?
Yes, I find unionists usually speak rubbish as they rubbish the Scottish part of their country.
What can you say? Depressing or what?
Nationalists will not guaratee there will be no Nazi invasion from the moon, in 2018.
Having written my undergraduate thesis on permo-carboniferous volcanism in the Midland Valley, I can probably offer some reassurances on this.
The next phase of magmatism is not due for at least 2 years.
Oh and incidentally, there’s some lovely volcaniclastic sediments mixed in with the pyroclastic beds and lava flows out at North Berwick; classic vent structures too. With a keen eye you can even find some quite exotic deep crustal rock clasts.
Anyhoo, I blame the Iapetus Ocean. If it hadn't decided to close, we wouldn't be in this mess.
Nationalists will not guaratee there will be no Nazi invasion from the moon, in 2018.
You think they'll wait until 2018? As soon as Trident goes, they'll attack.
What I want to know is will the SNP gaurentee that the earth will not be blown up by a 'Death Star' in an independant Scotland? Who is to say that is a moon and not a giant space station!
The Yes movement should inform the citizens of Dundee that the La' will definately not explode after independence.
There could be panic in the streets otherwise.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Shit, my flat will burn in an independent Scotland.
Will the SNP guarantee that Johann Lamont will have her dentures fixed in an Independent Scotland?
O shit, I walk round there every day! I was too blind to see my nationalist ways would lead to a firey death. I repent!
OT Was reading herald and came across article about who is going to be labour candidate for Falkirk. One of the front runners is Gregor Poynton, UK political director for communications firm Blue State Digital. That would be the company running the Bitter Together campaign.
Yeah, noticed that this morning and found it rather curious. Wonder if the voters of Falkirk will be keen on those good Scottish socialist credentials?
This kind of witty rsponse to the BT scaremongering is the way forward. It makes a mockery of their bizarre claims and is more likely to be read widely on twitter and facebook if it's amusing. Focus on people rather than political point scoring (but still do that too….).
Mm. Graphics tend to get 5-6 times as many shares and likes on our Facebook pages as articles do. Of course, you can’t win a campaign on snappy pictures alone, but they’re a huge help in getting people to investigate issues for themselves, which is why something URGENTLY needs to be done about the absolutely abominable quality of most of the official Yes Scotland output. It’s the one area where there’s simply no defending the campaign. They’re appalling.
I know LPW was having a down on cute kitties, but to be honest a dozen or so good Lolcats for Independence could work wonders among the feminine persuasion.
RevStu, why does FireFox's spellchecker not work in your comments boxes any more?
Not the faintest idea.
Edinburgh folk will no doubt be delighted. Think what they will save on the heating bills!
I'm struggling as a result of spell chucker, and hope I don't post anything rude by mistake.
Rev. Stuart Campbell says:11 May, 2013 at 2:50 pm
"… which is why something URGENTLY needs to be done about the absolutely abominable quality of most of the official Yes Scotland output. It’s the one area where there’s simply no defending the campaign. They’re appalling…"
Hey, nice to see you are coming round a little, to my way of thinking about the YES campaign. You have made two separate critiques of it in two different articles this AM.
“Hey, nice to see you are coming round a little, to my way of thinking about the YES campaign. You have made two separate critiques of it in two different articles this AM.”
At a loss as to what the second one is.
CameronB says:
I'm struggling as a result of spell chucker, and hope I don't post anything rude by mistake.
Quite. It's something I feel I need to asses myself.
Here's hoping BT are magma-nimous in defeat…
…aye, okay, I'm going.
@Morag
I'll have a think about the lolcats. U can haz slogan?
@ The Rev. 2.50
Just come back home from putting out leaflets and must agree with the comments about how dire they are. Also put out Lab. for Indy leaflets at the same time much improved. Now off down to the pub for a well earned pint.
Ps. was lying in bed listening to the rain and wind on the window and having doubts about going out when I heard that wee reptile Angus McLeod on the Bateman show. That did it. Up, polished, fed and out into the rain. Talk about positive reinforcement!
Pps I suppose the “reptile” comment gets me into the cybernat club. Yippee!
I agree – good images are worth a thousand words. They sink in at a sub-conscious level and are readily retrieved by the brain in a way that facts and figures aren't. They also allow an individuals to impose his/her own meaning onto the image's message, in a way which makes sense to that individual and his/her personal experience and circumstances. Music works in a similar way. And I agree……a lot of the Yes literature is far too wordy. I'm not encouraged to read it myself. Not everyone has good reading ability, extensive vocabulary and understanding of statistics. I can say that as a former teacher. That's why we use visual and other sensory aids – to reach the pupils at different levels of understanding using resources that meet their needs. Good, memorable images and good song lyrics and catchy tunes can reach a huge volume of people very quickly and effectively. We just need a lot more of them.
Is this image loader not working for Firefox, or am I just thick?
I'm not good at lolcats slogans. Someone else will be, though. I mean even obvious stuff like "Vote yes or the kitten gets it" can raise a smile.
For all Brewer criticised the cybernats as humourless, we have the best satire. We have BBC Scotlandshire for a start, and Hamish, and harder-hitting stuff like "Vote Britain". And look at what happened with #500questions. We should lose no opportunity to lampoon them to death.
I had thought about the or the kitten gets it, but I thought it might have been a bit unfriendly!
I think we really do need to push the humour side more. There is a danger is seeming to po-faced. Humour connects better than any lecture, no matter how well informed.
@Stewart Bremner
I think we really do need to push the humour side more. There is a danger is seeming to po-faced. Humour connects better than any lecture, no matter how well informed.
SO agree with that!
Oh great! a volcanic eruption just in time for the trams finishing, more excuses for delays.
Can I have a rent rebate please?
@Stewart Bremner
Got a vision of Indeh Kitteh in my brain but can't think of a slogan
I've got more belief in seeing a lake of lava in Holyrood Park than a tram on Princes Street!
@Stewart Bremner
Indeh Kitteh iz sez all our fishehs are belong to us
Jeannie
I agree.
I think YES Scotland do a good job with their street stalls etc up and down the country actively engaging with people but it does concern me a little that there is little in the way of rebuking BT and their lies. However, do we really want to see a tit for tat campaign, I think not.
Every day here on Wings we read of people changing over to YES – so these people are only coming from the NO & DK. so I reckon it is happening all over. I think we can all agree that no-one is moving from YES to NO.
The people who are not really engaged yet have no idea about anything BT have to say anyway Hard for some of us on here to believe but true, they don't watch Newsnight, QT or the Politics Show and certainly don't rely on BBC Scotland for news.
More and more people are coming onto Wings and other pro- indy sites and this will only increase over time. I reckon by this time next year the Scottish people will know well enough that a YES vote is the only way forward.
What about a cat/kitten with its paw on a computer mouse, and Indeh Kitteh : I can haz control?
Indeh Kitteh is SO much a good idea.
I'm surprised LOL cat hasn't already been recruited for the Litter Together Campaign.
I CAN HAZ U'R OIL?
The Yes campaign needs to make folk aware that all cats are welcome after independence.
Independence is kool for katz,
Cats are good – independent creatures.
9 out of 10 cats prefer independence…that type of thing
link to rlv.zcache.co.uk
Another one –
link to 3.bp.blogspot.com
I made one and put it over on twitter. I couldn’t quite figure out how to get it here too.
link to twitter.com
Pushing the humour – sorry can't agree, isn't that what Johann Lamont tries to do with her standup routine every Thursday and she has lost all credibility as a result except by the knuckledraggers sitting behinded her.
@Stewart Bremner
Aw fantastic! Love it
No bother. Feel free to share it! Any other suggestions for the cutest independence supporter are welcome.
Arnie
Johann is a case in point on how not to do humour. However a loose affiliation of voters can do humour. Political satire and humorous motifs is cool when it comes from the supporters..it can look clumsy when the politicos try it.
Stewart link to i.ebayimg.com,!l!E4lqYUvWIBOROW2nJj!~~0_12.JPG”
Stewart, better without the "iz". Kitteh grammah ain't that bad.
I mean, just “Indeh kitteh sez….”
Morag, that is a good point. We wouldn't want anyone to think Indeh Kitteh was thick!
link to twitter.com
@Stewart Bremner
I'm thrilled to bits with that – on Facebook now.
Love it!
Of course, that one won't stand up to serious campaigning because we'll just be accused of wanting to give the fishehs away to the Spanish through the EU, but it's a great start.
London has swap our fishehs for their rebate?
Well, yeah. It gets a bit complicated though.
The question really is, why are Scotland's fishing grounds being swamped by Spanish trawlers? There's nothing special about Spain's membership of the EU that entitles it to preferential access over local boats. So why is Scotland's fleet uniquely disadvantaged?
Same question as, why do they still make cars in Wolfsburg? Why do they still make steel in Schweinfurt?
Indeh Kitteh Sez
Fisheh–Oil;Cods been good to us
In memory of cod liver oil
Tried unsuccessfully to add
In memory of Cod liver oil a staple many years ago whether you needed it or not
The edit did not work then it did I must be doing something wrong Sorry
Mmmm……Indeh Kitteh likes Salmond with his Sturgeon.
Indeh Kitteh iz want a plaice of his own
@mato21
That's a good one
Annie – I would say there's a difference between Yes campaigners trying to use humour to send up the absurdity of most (all?) Better Together's arguments, and Lamont trying to convince people she is a credible candidate for leader of the country through turning herself into a comedy character.
Besides, the main problem for Johann in terms of credibility is the fact she has no substance to back up her criticisms!
Argh does anyone else hate cats
Bound to, but the question is, would Indeh Kitteh sweeten up more people than he soured? I suspect so.
Speaking with my sister today she said her son living in Israel said "if Scotland voted no he would come home only for family funerals" I couldn't be more proud of him.
Will Indeh Kitteh come out if it the cat doesn't get it?
Annie
"Argh does anyone else hate cats"
I don`t hate cats, but I`m very much a dog man. Indeh Kitteh is cool though
Cat Lovers for Independence Facebook Page
annie says:
11 May, 2013 at 8:02 pm
Argh does anyone else hate cats
Not here but wasps are another story.
The Flamster says:
11 May, 2013 at 8:42 pm
Cat Lovers for Independence Facebook Page
link to facebook.com
annie You are not alone ' I hate cats with a passion that is only superceeded by my desire to see my country independent .
superseded, even? /pedant
Indeh Kitteh likes the piece of cod that passeth all understanding
@cynicalHighlander-
'Wasps for Independence'.
No creature left behind…
Annie,
I'm with you. You like gardening and wildlife too?
@Laura
I said something very similar yesterday Laura, about the general public still not engaged the way we are, I would say only about 20% are truly engaged, we are the ones laying the foundation for the campaign starting for real next year, by that time the voters will take the Yes Campaign to their hearts and be convinced that a Yes vote is the only way Scotland can flourish..
@Laura
I think you and I are on the same planet Laura.. We could be the new Alex and Nicola.
ianbrotherhood
Stinging response!
@cynicalHighlander-
Imagine what we could do if we got midges on our side?
ianbrotherhood @ 12:26am: Imagine what we could do if we got midges on our side?
Empty what is full. Fill what is empty. Scratch what itches.
Rescue Dawn (2006) @ link to imdb.com
Thanks to everyone for the inspiration, particularly GP Walrus, I give you…
link to imgur.com
Downing Street Kitteh!
Should show all the buttons for sharing via facebook, twitter etc if you like it. Obviously I have kept the template for more!
Big Al
The red in the Cat's neckware has confused an american already!
Would any self-respecting Indeh Kitteh want to do either?
@Big Al
Brilliant!
@Big Al
Posted it on Facebook as Indeh Kitteh's evil rival. Think there's lots of mileage here for an ongoing rivalry between these two
@Big Al
Indeh Kitteh sez
U taekz meh oil – eh taekz u fishehs
@Stewart Bremner
You couldn't do an "Indeh Kitteh sez Yez" image that I could get on a t-shirt, could you?
Now that I have finally figures out how to put up a link – here is another cutie!
Bunnies for Independencelink to facebook.com
I’m all in favour of cat memes obvs, but feel I should point out that Guy McV has been using “Indy Kitteh says…” For some time on his YouTube videos. Sorry, don’t know how to link but you can search for Guy McV channel and he’s got loads of vids up. Maybe contact him and collaborate, spin off?
Just a thought…