We’ve already noted that today is a confusing news day. But when we were listening to the radio this morning we thought we maybe hadn’t woken up properly.
The segment concerned a report by the Tory-leaning think tank Reform Scotland, and saw both the organisation and Labour MSP Hugh Henry trying doggedly to find a bad spin on the news in the fact that crime in Scotland is at a 40-year low. So desperate were they to do so that they ended up denying the existence of arithmetic.
So first of all there’s this (click pic for full story):
…in which the figures appear to show that Iceland’s policy of imposing justice and imprisoning the greedy bankers who caused the world financial crash – rather than just shovelling money at them and letting them carry on robbing everyone – actually saw its economy recover at least as well as anywhere else’s.
Thank you for your e-mail to Kezia with regards to her exchange with the First Minister in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 23rd April 2015.
Kezia can confirm that the person mentioned in the exchange has had their membership of the Labour Party put under administrative suspension and an investigation is currently being conducted by the General Secretary of the Scottish Labour Party.
If you have specific questions on the investigation you will need to direct them to the Scottish Labour Party, not Kezia’s Parliamentary office.
If there is anything other issues Kezia can help with as your MSP, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
We’ve already brought you the First Minister’s appearance on last night’s The Daily Show in the US, but in addition to the seven minutes that were shown on TV there were a further seven minutes of interview which didn’t go out on air, but were shown on the Comedy Central website, region-blocked so only US residents could see them.
When the FM goes abroad to represent Scotland in the outside world, though, we think it’s only fair that Scots get to see what she’s saying and doing on their behalf, so we didn’t let such trifling obstacles get in our way.
The Daily Record’s conscience is evidently still bothering it.
Having sold Scotland a pup back in September, the paper has spent much of the time since then frantically trying to present itself as the doughty and fearless champion of home rule. But it’s hard to see what it’s getting itself so worked up about.
The Daily Mail, having unaccountably failed to notice the slew of Unionists who tried to blame the SNP for Charles Kennedy’s death before the body was cold on Tuesday, suddenly remembered to look at its Twitter timeline again today.
There’s an unmissable piece in today’s Guardian about the last days of the general election campaign, as seen from inside the headquarters of the Labour Party.
The reason it’s fascinating isn’t because (as it claims) it provides an insight into why Labour lost the election, but because it reveals how the party’s most senior staff, by pathologically avoiding any non-stage-managed contact with actual voters, lost all grip of reality and sleepwalked into their most crushing defeat in decades.
I had no time for the way that Charles Kennedy conducted himself in the referendum campaign and it would be hypocritical to pretend that I did.
But before that he was one of the main reasons I voted Lib Dem for over 20 years – a compassionate, principled man who took some difficult stands and left his party in a far healthier place, both politically and morally, than it occupies now.
Mark Beggan on The Land Of No Laws: “The Special Needs Party are to scared to condem the Celtic Thugs. Well let me condem them. Scum!” May 18, 13:24
Fearghas MacFhionnlaigh on The Land Of No Laws: “Stuart Campbell writes: THE LAND OF NO LAWS: « But every single person reading this knows that despite the situations…” May 18, 13:03
Confused on The Land Of No Laws: “Hearts are identifying as “trans champions” and holyrood is issuing them a certificate. – there’s a lot of folks “clutching…” May 18, 12:54
Owen Mullions on The Land Of No Laws: “I may be wrong but I don’t think the clock is stopped after a goal is scored so the 30…” May 18, 12:48
Alf Baird on The Land Of No Laws: ““without England’s help we’d have remained a religiously-intolerant backwater.” Should that not read: “with England’s help we remain a religiously-intolerant…” May 18, 12:44
Northcode on The Land Of No Laws: “Since there’s fuckall going on in here I thought I’d follow my last braw comment with a mair chirpy upbeat…” May 18, 12:26
Northcode on The Land Of No Laws: “Ken McGoogan offers a balanced view without ever retreating into neutrality. His work is honest, evidence?driven, and capable of holding…” May 18, 12:06
David Ferguson on The Land Of No Laws: “You claim to be a ref and you appear to know nothing of the laws of the game. The clock…” May 18, 11:56
David Ferguson on The Land Of No Laws: “Here’s an alternative scenario from Saturday: Ni-nil going into eight minutes of added time. 1 substitution and four yellow cards…” May 18, 11:19
Maxxmacc on The Land Of No Laws: “I used to watch Formula 1 until it became obvious that Sky TV were gerrymandering the races to ensure the…” May 18, 11:00
Bilbo on The Land Of No Laws: “Don’t want to be hitting on Glasgow but the city is finished. The main attraction of Glasgow was shopping and…” May 18, 07:52
Willie on The Land Of No Laws: “A most topical article by the Rev. And many very interesting comments thereafter too. Football most certainly invokes popular interest…” May 18, 07:33
Robert Hughes on The Land Of No Laws: “hahahahahaha what joy, seeing all the Glesga haters trying desperately to undermine/tarnish Celtic’s brilliant late season recovery and ultimate League…” May 18, 06:55
GM on The Land Of No Laws: “The richest club in Scotland by a massive distance and that’s 15 out of 16 titles in a row. 15…” May 18, 00:22
william G Walker on The Land Of No Laws: “JAMBO of Hearts says that “there are only three inavoidable rules in life – death, taxes and the Scottish Football…” May 17, 23:01
sarah on The Land Of No Laws: “I’m happy with facts, Martin! Truth is essential in all things. I saw a graphic which was showing the leading…” May 17, 22:48
Young Lochinvar on The Land Of No Laws: “Lighten up folks! I reckon the “chaps” going for a Saturday afternoon stroll onto the pitch might perhaps be discouraged…” May 17, 22:29
Owen Mullions on The Land Of No Laws: “He didn’t cut it short though. There were 30 seconds left when Celtic scored and the clock doesn’t stop when…” May 17, 22:04
Red on The Land Of No Laws: “A scunner of a game. I don’t think Celtic FC realises how unpopular they’ve become with neutral Scots. The neddery…” May 17, 21:25
John from Fife on The Land Of No Laws: “PS. The SEA have apologised for hearts not being awarded a penalty against Motherwell. If the had been given it…” May 17, 20:44
Northcode on The Land Of No Laws: “Yes, you are correct — Herman argues that the Scots invented the modern world, but, as you say, he also…” May 17, 20:42
Martin on The Land Of No Laws: “Except that isn’t true and it depends entirely on the remaining home or away fixtures owed. Celtic despite being top…” May 17, 20:21
Martin on The Land Of No Laws: “He didn’t cut it short. 45 minutes at a minimum were played both halves. Time added in added time is,…” May 17, 20:18
Martin on The Land Of No Laws: “2 seasons ago the added time directive from UEFA came out, concerned about how little ball on play time there…” May 17, 20:15
Martin on The Land Of No Laws: “Sorry Stu, but you’re wrong. The laws you quoted are for normal time. The clock doesn’t stop with goals and…” May 17, 20:03
Billy Carlin on The Land Of No Laws: “I am one of the massive majority who do not bother with Scottish football – only around 150,000 fans bother…” May 17, 19:55
Run the Border on The Land Of No Laws: “Thanks. Very good and spot on.” May 17, 19:53
Jamie on The Land Of No Laws: “You are right, whoever shouts the loudest gets the reward in Scotland, just ask all the Hearts fans last time…” May 17, 19:28
Lorncal on The Land Of No Laws: “Used to follow football, but not for years. However, I agree with the headline. We are, indeed, living in as…” May 17, 19:22
