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.
Cynicus on The Tactics Of Suicide: “Thank you for that intriguing comment – particularly apposite this sombre morning when bombs again fall in the Middle East.…” Feb 28, 10:28
Sven on The Tactics Of Suicide: “You definitely win, Mark, there’s no topping that one. (Not even with gravy).” Feb 28, 10:19
Cynicus on The Tactics Of Suicide: “Andy Ellis says: 28 February, 2026 at 8:13 am .“Voting against the SNP presupposes that the available alternatives Le aren’t…” Feb 28, 10:10
Alf Baird on The Tactics Of Suicide: ““It’s a shite state of affairs” In a colonial society where external interference is the norm and another culture dominates…” Feb 28, 09:34
Bilbo on The Tactics Of Suicide: “I had made a habit of reading the Guardian and Daily Mail websites to see how the other side thinks,…” Feb 28, 09:31
Andy Ellis on The Tactics Of Suicide: “Dear me Geri, your unwelcome return to BTL commentary does – if nothing else – provide some comedy relief in…” Feb 28, 08:38
Andy Ellis on The Tactics Of Suicide: “Voting against the SNP presupposes that the available alternatives aren’t as bad or worse though surely? Like many I’ll never…” Feb 28, 08:13
Mark Beggan on The Tactics Of Suicide: “Well here’s her chance to woman up and do her duty. It’s totally sickening what those young girls had to…” Feb 28, 08:10
Aidan on The Tactics Of Suicide: “Yes Geri – I’m asking to be treated like royalty. That famously royal experience of an efficient passport system, the…” Feb 28, 07:57
Young Lochinvar on The Tactics Of Suicide: “I suspect nothing. She’s one of Tricky Nicky’s right side of the bed (way over ability) appointees. Goes to John…” Feb 28, 03:06
Geri on The Tactics Of Suicide: “Her handlers have their wee indiscretions. Torture a particular favourite & the Eppy class become orgasmic when victims cry out…” Feb 28, 01:10
Geri on The Tactics Of Suicide: “A Brexshiteer crying about no freedom of movement is absolutely priceless. How very dare they not treat you like Royalty.” Feb 28, 00:47
Aidan on The Tactics Of Suicide: “The only thing that could put me in a good mood today after the long queues at Berlin Brandenburg airport…” Feb 28, 00:14
Iain More on The Tactics Of Suicide: “Zeig Heil yah English NAZI. I guess you also like being associated with a Yankee Epstein Class Child Rapist.” Feb 27, 23:44
Geri on The Tactics Of Suicide: “increasing defence expenditure, and promoting the formation of an independent European defence identity without the USA.’ Well, well would you…” Feb 27, 23:32
Cynicus on The Tactics Of Suicide: “?Andy Ellis says:?27 February, 2026 at 5:01 pm ‘Doubtless many “politically homeless” Scottish independence supporters…….. will be wondering who to…” Feb 27, 22:06
Hatey McHateface on The Tactics Of Suicide: “On the plus side, Alf, the special needs child remains blissfully oblivious. So no harm done.” Feb 27, 21:37
Mark Beggan on The Tactics Of Suicide: “I wonder how Jenny Gilrough! (fuck the fascist Gestapo spelling politzi) felt after listening to the victims of the Pakistani…” Feb 27, 21:37
Mark Beggan on The Tactics Of Suicide: “I’ve just been busted by the Grammar Gestapo (again). If I’m not heard of again then light a candle.” Feb 27, 21:31
Benhope on The Tactics Of Suicide: “Mark Beggan at 7.55 pm. The pedant in me could not let it pass ; death throes not death throws…” Feb 27, 21:14
Alf Baird on The Tactics Of Suicide: “Ever the paternalistic colonizer dealing with its wayward child, the colonized.” Feb 27, 20:59
Mark Beggan on The Tactics Of Suicide: “@Sven ‘I love children but I couldn’t eat a whole one”” Feb 27, 20:51
Hatey McHateface on The Tactics Of Suicide: “I feel a little sorry for the plumber bint. She’s throwing away a steady, high earning, useful, productive, respected, needed…” Feb 27, 20:20
GM on The Tactics Of Suicide: “As did Enoch Powell. I think Enoch actually spoke the language.” Feb 27, 20:16
Sven on The Tactics Of Suicide: “Mark Beggan @ 19.12. But, “When I became a man I put away childish things,” mostly, as every Dad knows,…” Feb 27, 20:13
Mark Beggan on The Tactics Of Suicide: “The old saying ‘When you sup with the devil use a long spoon’ comes to mind. The Greens will roll…” Feb 27, 19:55
Hatey McHateface on The Tactics Of Suicide: “Crivens, Geri. If you went private during the time you were referred for treatment, sue them for every penny you…” Feb 27, 19:39
Hatey McHateface on The Tactics Of Suicide: “I’ll throw the question open to you too, Northy. Any ideas for May? Anything that will set the heather alight…” Feb 27, 19:19
Geri on The Tactics Of Suicide: “Its you that’s delusional, as per usual. This news just in – No one likes the Unelected leaders at the…” Feb 27, 19:15
Mark Beggan on The Tactics Of Suicide: “‘When I was a child I thought like a child, I spoke like a I reasoned like a child……” Corinthians…” Feb 27, 19:12
