Yesterday we noted that rational people arrive at decisions about things based on the facts, not the personalities of who else might support or oppose those things. But in the interests of balance, allow us to present the counterpoint.
As it happens, we agree with McDonald on NATO membership. It would be a pointless folly and an exercise in self-destructive virtue-signalling to leave an organisation which is willing to defend Scotland militarily for free because of its strategic location, and it would be extremely unpopular with the Scottish public (including SNP voters), no matter how much those on the left might wish otherwise.
His reasoning above, however, is a wretched embarrassment.
Because 2020 is the maddest year in history, Ruth Davidson opened her contribution to Holyrood’s debate on the Brexit deal today with a lengthy quote from this website.
Drew Hendry won a lot of praise from Yes supporters a few days ago when he seized the Mace in the Commons. It’s not easy to speak in the chamber at any time and doing so in the face of hostility from the Speaker is challenging indeed.
The institution of Parliament is, by its very design, geared towards control by the British establishment. Not only are all sides uniformly hostile, but even the staff and officials, usually so polite and deferential, turn on you. So it was an intimidatory atmosphere in which he acted and it can’t have been easy.
But the idea that Scottish MPs should routinely require to suffer the scorn and derision poured upon their nation and their people is long past its sell-by date. Much of the vitriol shouted wouldn’t be countenanced elsewhere and just because it’s supposedly Honourable Members who act in that manner doesn’t justify it. There comes a time when words aren’t enough.
Dr Tim Rideout is one of the most serious and respected people in the Yes movement and the SNP. As convener of the Scottish Currency Group he’s presently engaged in trying to solve the party’s self-inflicted weakness over its lack of a coherent currency policy, and he’s sufficiently highly rated by SNP members that earlier this month he was elected to the party’s Policy Development Committee.
So you might think he was entitled to a view on, well, development of policy.
If this site seems to spend most of its time being angry at the SNP these days, that’s because we are. And a large part of that is because there’s very little that hacks us off more than people insulting our intelligence.
Smith’s tweet is just a crassly offensive flat-out lie. This week’s vote is NOT about “EU membership”. The United Kingdom hasn’t been a member of the EU since 31 January. We’ve already left and there’s no going back. The vote is about whether we leave with a sliver of a trade deal slightly reducing the self-inflicted harm, or the total catastrophe of no deal at all, and it’s just crushingly embarrassing for all concerned that Smith thinks so little of his own supporters as to believe he can “frame” it otherwise.
There is no good position for the opposition parties in the House Of Commons to take on the impending Brexit deal vote this coming week.
It’s a terrible deal, and voting for it – as Labour will do – makes you look like an idiot, especially when it completely fails the “six tests” you swore never to vote for it without. On the other hand, time is absolutely up and were it to be somehow defeated the only alternative left to the deal would be a no-deal exit, which is the only thing worse.
With precisely the grim level of cynicism we’ve now come to expect as standard, the Scottish Government has released a key document relating to the Salmond inquiry two days before Christmas, hoping it’ll be buried in the ongoing coronavirus-and-Brexit-related implosion of the UK.
The document, which contains legal advice relating to the judicial review brought by Salmond regarding the Scottish Government’s investigations into false allegations of misconduct against him, is extremely heavily redacted. But a few interesting passages remain, so let’s have some fun.
James on The Idiot Rodeo: “Yoon tossers are like the buses – none for ages then two at once. Oh, here’s your bum chum “Aidan”.…” Dec 19, 09:03
James on The Idiot Rodeo: ““Colonised by wankers”. Classic. Over to you, Main, you being long since crowned the Site Prick.” Dec 19, 08:56
Hatey McHateface on The Idiot Rodeo: “Just needed a fresh battery and the points scraped.” Dec 19, 07:57
Hatey McHateface on The Idiot Rodeo: “Why would he need a dictionary? He’s entitled to see his own case notes on demand.” Dec 19, 07:53
Mark Beggan on The Idiot Rodeo: “On this day in 1606 the Jamestown colony started.” Dec 19, 07:30
Aidan on The Idiot Rodeo: “Right Dan, but the above is all about oil and gas engineering, which isn’t a subject either under discussion or…” Dec 19, 06:31
Fearghas MacFhionnlaigh on The Idiot Rodeo: “« Is éard is féiniúlacht ann, nó cultúr Gaelach, ar deireadh thiar thall, an rún daingean chun maireachtáil beo, chun…” Dec 19, 00:35
Dan on The Idiot Rodeo: “Okay Aidan, then take some of your own advice and stop cherry-picking parts of what I wrote to lose and…” Dec 18, 23:22
Mark Beggan on The Idiot Rodeo: “Since you’ve got the dictionary out. Try Nutcase.” Dec 18, 22:55
Northcode on The Idiot Rodeo: “Is that you, Hatey? I preferred your John Main moniker most- it lent a bit of gravitas, unlike McHateface, to…” Dec 18, 22:42
Mark Beggan on The Idiot Rodeo: “@ His Northness My dear Northy. You are looking up the wrong word. School boy error. Try ‘Ringer’. And you…” Dec 18, 22:28
Northcode on The Idiot Rodeo: ““Contrast that to Northcode, who whilst admittedly sometimes amusing…” Thanks for the compliment, AI Dan. Your sycophancy won’t save you…” Dec 18, 22:24
Northcode on The Idiot Rodeo: “Are you a professor of Scottish History? ANSWER ME! YES or NO? NO! Then it is as I thought, you…” Dec 18, 21:58
Aidan on The Idiot Rodeo: “@Dan – my experience includes providing extensive professional advice on the subjects I’ve written about above. You can chose to…” Dec 18, 21:52
Hatey McHateface on The Idiot Rodeo: “As long as more than 50% of the immigrants are called Navid they, and we, will be grand. It’s a…” Dec 18, 21:26
Fearghas MacFhionnlaigh on The Idiot Rodeo: “HEALTH SECRETARY VOICES CONCERNS OVER PUBERTY BLOCKER TRIAL The Health Secretary has said he’s “not comfortable” with the upcoming puberty…” Dec 18, 21:26
factchecker on The Idiot Rodeo: “factchecker says: 18 December, 2025 at 3:32 pm Factually, of course, the campaign to eradicate Gaelic language and culture in…” Dec 18, 21:25
Hatey McHateface on The Idiot Rodeo: “Ah, C’moan noo, Northy. Get yersel a pen, or a pencil, or a soft crayon if the staff in your…” Dec 18, 21:16
Northcode on The Idiot Rodeo: ““There is no such word as “dead” to be found in the Dictionaries of the Scots Language” Should read: “There…” Dec 18, 21:05
Dan on The Idiot Rodeo: “https://caltonjock.com/2025/12/18/the-scottish-islamic-forum-sif-a-group-tied-to-the-global-muslim-brotherhood-has-announced-that-it-is-planning-a-radical-campaign-to-play-a-greater-role-in-scotlandss-civic-life-to-chang/ A name rings a bell… https://wingsoverscotland.com/this-is-what-a-liar-looks-like#comment-2571782” Dec 18, 20:58
Hatey McHateface on The Idiot Rodeo: “Just marking time, Chas. Indy is a done deal. Waiting for the UN to make the announcement that we’re free.…” Dec 18, 20:50
Northcode on The Idiot Rodeo: “There is no such word as “dead” to be found in the Dictionaries of the Scots Language, Scots or otherwise.…” Dec 18, 20:47
Hatey McHateface on The Idiot Rodeo: “Show your teeth, Northy. Bark and howl. Everybody fears rabies. You’ll be safe.” Dec 18, 20:34
Hatey McHateface on The Idiot Rodeo: “Sorry, Alf, I’ve only just noticed your recommendation I read Freire’s theory of antidialogical action. Before I make the effort…” Dec 18, 20:30
Mark Beggan on The Idiot Rodeo: “@Sven My choice is the Scottish word. The other two are English words. Dead; Scottish meaning; Absolute, without doubt, On…” Dec 18, 20:25
Hatey McHateface on The Idiot Rodeo: “Trainspoting? Never heard of it. Google neither.” Dec 18, 20:20
Hatey McHateface on The Idiot Rodeo: “C’moan Aidan. The moon is made of cheese. You just have to believe. Ever wish the “believers” would just believe…” Dec 18, 20:16
Northcode on The Idiot Rodeo: “I’m wondering if this is another of those veiled and cryptic threats of physical violence we’ve seen on here a…” Dec 18, 20:15
Hatey McHateface on The Idiot Rodeo: “Wow, I’m a moron who most likely takes it up the arse. Alas, puir Auld Scotia, abandoned by all but…” Dec 18, 20:01
Northcode on The Idiot Rodeo: “An apposite quote in response to my ‘intensifier’ comment. Now there’s a writer who knows, or at least did at…” Dec 18, 19:31
