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Stacking the odds

Posted on March 25, 2017 by

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  1. 25 03 17 11:57

    Stacking the odds | speymouth
    Ignored

106 to “Stacking the odds”

  1. Croompenstein
    Ignored
    says:

    Cracker Chris, Harrison, Wullie and the Dug should be stacking shelves..

  2. defo
    Ignored
    says:

    Yer usual topical brilliance Chris.
    As close to face sitting as wee Willie will ever get :-0

  3. Muscleguy
    Ignored
    says:

    Shouldn’t Nicola be standing on Patrick Harvie? Or he could be offering her a hand up.

    Is Cairnstoon pushing the unionist idea that only the SNP have a referendum mandate?

  4. Clootie
    Ignored
    says:

    As always – captured perfectly.

  5. Valerie
    Ignored
    says:

    Haha, buffalo rider strikes again.

  6. Malky
    Ignored
    says:

    Captured NS’s unruffled disdain for the shrill and empty ‘opposition’ quite nicely.

  7. we want democracy
    Ignored
    says:

    The unionist Tower of Babble.

  8. Dr Jim
    Ignored
    says:

    The opposition clearly having to stand on each others shoulders to reach the level of the FM

    Yet still unbalanced and toppling over themselves

  9. Fixitfox
    Ignored
    says:

    Stacking the oddballs more like.

  10. Dorothy Devine
    Ignored
    says:

    Most excellent! One sharp kick in the shins and the wee tower will topple in an ungainly heap .

    Come to think of it ‘ Ungainly Heap Party’ has a certain descriptive ring to it.

  11. Gaelstorm
    Ignored
    says:

    TBF Muscleguy, Patrick is not contesting the existence of a mandate, which is the point being made.

  12. mumsyhugs
    Ignored
    says:

    “and ma dad’s bigger than your dad tae!!!” – typical yoonie bullying tactics.

    Nae worries – we’ll haud yer coat Nicola! πŸ™‚

  13. K1
    Ignored
    says:

    Brilliant Chris! None of what they say stacks up…well how could it built on a foundation of pish.

  14. manandboy
    Ignored
    says:

    They’re building a hill of beans – with three beans!

  15. Proud Cybernat
    Ignored
    says:

    Brilliant Chris!!

    SNP form a majority Gov = “One-Party State”
    SNP form a minority Gov = “No Mandate”.

    Yoon’s pretzel logic.

  16. Richardinho
    Ignored
    says:

    Am I the only one to notice a striking resemblance between Ruth and Sam Slade Robohunter’s infantile adversary ‘Kidd’ from the 2000Ad comic?

  17. stonefree
    Ignored
    says:

    That’s 2 buffaloes ,7 tanks and 1 Rennie broken by Oberleutnant Tank Commander, the Dugdale doesn’t count as not sure it was in working order

  18. manandboy
    Ignored
    says:

    ‘Our mandate is bigger than yours’ cries Ruthie the cartoon Tory. The electorate wait in silence.

    “Wee, sleekit, cow’rin, tim’rous beasties,
    O, what a panic’s in thy breasties! ”
    Cos ye know the days a comin when
    Aff the train o’ gravy, then
    oot on yer erse yir gonnae be
    greetin ‘n girnin we will see;
    yi’ll say the gither ‘it wisnae me’!

  19. Joseph Robinson
    Ignored
    says:

    I thought ruthy was gay, cause wullie is well hrmm right there between ruthies ehh hrmmmm anyway nice cartoon lol.

  20. Grouse Beater
    Ignored
    says:

    Nice, Chris. On the backs of the mediocre stand … the mediocre.

    Beautiful, bright, sunny day today here in Embra, the kind to fill you with optimism that regaining dignity and nationhood is just around the corner. Enjoy it, Chris.

    Your weekend reading

    Don’t come to Scotland: http://wp.me/p4fd9j-ewg
    A strange phone call: http://wp.me/p4fd9j-eCj
    The nothingness of Trump:http://wp.me/p4fd9j-eN5

  21. Macart
    Ignored
    says:

    Heh. They look like an argument searching for an empty room. πŸ™‚

  22. Mike
    Ignored
    says:

    Hey Sturgeon! You’re never goin tae win a mandate fur anything in this one party State of yours.

  23. HandandShrimp
    Ignored
    says:

    Particularly ironic given that Ruth came a distant second and yet if you read the press the day after you would have thought she was moving into Bute House.

    Ruth does not speak for me πŸ™‚

  24. Mike
    Ignored
    says:

    We’re absolutely no goin tae campaign on the same anti Indyref platform ever again.

    Eh after we point oot our joint mandate to oppose yer Indyref is mair valid than your one party State mandate wie the Greens.

    Ah ken wimmen who have a better grasp of logic than this.

  25. heedtracker
    Ignored
    says:

    Is Cairnstoon pushing the unionist idea that only the SNP have a referendum mandate?

    Stop whining about nothing perlease. Its one satirical cartoon.

  26. jimnarlene
    Ignored
    says:

    Love the look on Nicola’s face, “Is it, aye?”

  27. Smallaxe
    Ignored
    says:

    Excellent, as usual, Chris is it just coincidental that the three Yoonatics have as much trouble balancing themselves as it is for them to balance their books?
    πŸ™‚

    Peace Always

  28. Smallaxe
    Ignored
    says:

    Mike says:

    “Ah ken wimmen who have a better grasp of logic than this.”

    Was that remark really necessary Mike?

    Peace Always

  29. Mike
    Ignored
    says:

    Smallaxe

    ??

    Would you have asked if Id posted “Ah ken men who have a better grasp of logic than this”?

  30. Calum McKay
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    says:

    Wonder when penny will drop for labour voters that their labour vote legitimises and effectively endorses tory rule?

  31. Calum McKay
    Ignored
    says:

    Wonder when penny will drop for labour voters that their labour vote legitimises and effectively endorses tory rule?

  32. Graeme Doig
    Ignored
    says:

    You just copied a photo of FMQ’s (;

    One of your best Chris.

  33. Reluctant Nationalist
    Ignored
    says:

    It’s a fair enough comment that Mike made, Smallaxe. I wouldn’t think that any woman who would want to know him is capable of rational thought.

  34. Mike
    Ignored
    says:

    Smallaxe

    Lol. Very good. Touche.

    But if we cant all be subject to humour should any of us be?

  35. Tackety Beets
    Ignored
    says:

    Been harbouring this one for a few weeks now.

    As seen above Ruth, Kezia & Rennie will be back in bed together.

    Ruth an Kez are a bit iffy aboutr it, as they don’t like Willie !

  36. Capella
    Ignored
    says:

    SNP MSPs = 63
    CON + LAB + LIB MSPs = 59 – 1 (Presiding Officer) = 58

    SNP majority over Unionists = 5.
    GREEN MSPs = 6

    Independence majority over Unionists = 11

    That’s the mandate the Scottish voters have delivered. The arithmetic is so simple, even the BBC could get it right. So let’s see that honoured on Tuesday.

  37. Smallaxe
    Ignored
    says:

    Mike:
    πŸ™‚

    Peace Always my Friend

  38. Mike
    Ignored
    says:

    @Reluctant

    Really?

  39. cynicalHighlander
    Ignored
    says:

    Nicola has loaded up her pet donkey before taking them on a suprise holiday to Indyland.

  40. Macart
    Ignored
    says:

    Latest Journey to YES.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvMTKT6nta8

  41. Morag
    Ignored
    says:

    That’s hilarious! Thanks Chris.

  42. Artyhetty
    Ignored
    says:

    Excellent image. The three stooges all hoping to get to the top, using and supporting each other.

    Weird, I saw that imbecilic comment by Joseph Robinson@11.58, thought I would see what it comes up with, clicked on the name and red screen saying ‘warning, a likely ‘phishing site’ came up. Just so you know.

  43. K1
    Ignored
    says:

    Mike your ‘Really?’ at RN’s ‘reversing’ of your ‘humour’ to turn it back on you is ‘ironically’ humorous. Don’t gie it oot if ye cannae take it back min…just sayin’

  44. Reluctant Nationalist
    Ignored
    says:

    You have offended my feminine sensitivity. And I’m extra sensitive today as I’m on the blob right noo.

  45. Artyhetty
    Ignored
    says:

    Mike@12.12

    WTF. Sometimes your comments make sense, is there more than one mike? Get lost with your anti women crap, it doesn’t belong here.

  46. K1
    Ignored
    says:

    Yes there is Arthetty…the other ‘mike’ has an initial after his forename…perhaps yer confusing the twa? πŸ˜‰

  47. Mike
    Ignored
    says:

    Artyhetty

    Seriously? You object to an injection of humour within a thread commenting on a cartoon?

  48. Smallaxe
    Ignored
    says:

    People, Wingers, just let it be. Last night there was enough discord to put people off posting.

    It’s Saturday, cartoon day, chill out and enjoy the rest of the day.

    Peace to All Always

  49. Mike
    Ignored
    says:

    K1

    Oh ok I mistook it for an attempt at abuse not humour.

    Silly me. I’ll remember next time.

  50. Dr Jim
    Ignored
    says:

    What are the Ruthies Unionistas waiting for
    I wonder what our ancestors who didn’t get offered the chance of a referendum on the sale of their country to a foreign dictatorship would make of us today having to ask that foreign occupying power who over 300 years lifted by stealth everything Scotland has, and is only being forced to return it in bits at a time because the world has changed and it’s now unacceptable to do what they used to do to us and every other country which is throw us out or kill us to get what they want, and every time I see Ruthies face twist up with anger I can see she’d just love a return to the good old days

    Maybe after Brexit they’ll return to the old tried and tested method
    After all shouting and threatening us doesn’t seem to work anymore no matter how much their representatives try

    Too angry?….Mibbees aye! but Mibbees Naw!

    PS Norway’s geographically close to us and they’re happy
    what’s wrong with preferring those guys over the people who shout at us all the time and tell us we cannae dae nuttin and they wouldnae let us anyway

    It’s not a normal or equitable state of affairs is it?

  51. DerekM
    Ignored
    says:

    lol great cartoon Chris the unionist tower of lies as they pretend to be different political parties and use the merged figures of their support to try and stop Scottish democracy.

    Despicable people who need their p45`s asap.

  52. K1
    Ignored
    says:

    Seems you want tae pick and choose what ‘you’ consider ‘humour’ Mike?

    So if another person regards ‘your’ humour as ‘offensive’ they cannae take a joke, but if you cannae see their humour ‘your’ offended cause you cannae see their joke?

    May ah remind ye of what ‘you’ just said:

    ‘But if we cant all be subject to humour should any of us be?’

  53. Reluctant Nationalist
    Ignored
    says:

    I was just joking with you mike. I thought it would be fun to gang up wi smallaxe on ye. But then he went and πŸ™‚ ‘d at you and left me to sink like a big serious stone.

  54. Hamish100
    Ignored
    says:

    Joseph Robinson says:
    25 March, 2017 at 11:58 am
    I thought ruthy was gay, cause wullie is well hrmm right there between ruthies ehh hrmmmm anyway nice cartoon lol.

    Gi’en somebody a “shouldery” or a “co-carry” is not dependent on your sexuality.

    This about politics and power and the unionists are losing it. Don’t divert the message.

  55. Robert Peffers
    Ignored
    says:

    @Mike says: 25 March, 2017 at 12:12 pm:

    “Ah ken wimmen who have a better grasp of logic than this.”

    Ah ken auld Blairadam Bricks wi mair logic than Ruthie.

  56. Mike
    Ignored
    says:

    K1

    “Seems you want tae pick and choose what β€˜you’ consider β€˜humour’ Mike?”

    Who should pick and choose for me then?

    “So if another person regards β€˜your’ humour as β€˜offensive’ they cannae take a joke”

    That’s why I ensure its funny and no offensive.

    “but if you cannae see their humour β€˜your’ offended cause you cannae see their joke?”

    I don’t appear to have your infallible ability to tell the difference. You should never put down those with lesser abilities than your own. that’s just bad.

    “May ah remind ye of what β€˜you’ just said:”

    You have no idea how often I require that service.

    “β€˜But if we cant all be subject to humour should any of us be?’”

    So you’re not trying to be funny then?

  57. Mike
    Ignored
    says:

    @Reluctant

    Its ma fault I don’t have K1s abilities to discriminate Humour fae Nae humour.

    Probably why I struggle tae find rational wimmen tae talk tae.

  58. K1
    Ignored
    says:

    I have nae excuse Mike…ah just thought if wis ironic that ye took offence havin’ just admonished others fur taking offence πŸ™‚

    *looks over at Smallaxe…and peace reigned upon Wingsland* πŸ˜‰

  59. Mike
    Ignored
    says:

    K1

    Irony can be funny.

  60. Robert J. Sutherland
    Ignored
    says:

    Mike,

    Since you’ve been on WoS you seem to be spoiling for a fight with almost anybody, a curious attitude to take towards people whom you supposedly support.

    This thread (like the others) is not about you. Grow up.

    Now, can we get back on topic, everyone, please…?

  61. Mike
    Ignored
    says:

    @Robert

    Put em up! Put em up!

    I thought the topic was humour? Isnt that a cartoon at the top of the page?

  62. Bill Hume
    Ignored
    says:

    If Ruth and Kezia ever actually want a large ‘man date’….I suggest they look for someone more effective than Wee Willie.

  63. Reluctant Nationalist
    Ignored
    says:

    Peace Always

    Peace of my arse mairlike.

    (piece)

  64. heedtracker
    Ignored
    says:

    If you’re in or near Scotland’s capital city Edinburgh, christ its stunning today, there’s the Young European Movement March for Europe right now, pan Europe, commemorating today’s 60 year anniversary of the Treaty of Rome.

    What a country the European nation state of Scotland can become, or remain a mere tory ruled region, of greater Brexit England, under the heal of Pacific Quay beeb gimps, forever:D

  65. Dorothy Devine
    Ignored
    says:

    Bill Hume , he does come over as a pathetic wee simpleton doesn’t he ?

  66. Arbroath1320
    Ignored
    says:

    Apologies for being O/T here peeps but came across this.

    http://archive.is/9JzBk

    Don’t all laugh at once and when you do laugh can we please keep it down to a dull roar, I have a bit of a crasher today … thanks. πŸ˜€

    Thinking outside the box what do you call an MP who has defected from the Tories to UKIP to now being an Independent MP?

    TUKPI? πŸ˜€

  67. K1
    Ignored
    says:

    You thought yer comment wis funny, others didnae Mike, but then you thought RN’s wisnae, so of course you’re deciding what you find funny or not? Nae point in admonishing others if they didn’t find what you found…funny. Cause it wisnae tae them?

    Ah don’t think what I said wis that complicated…and ah certainly wasn’t ‘putting you down’ Mike, merely pointing out the ‘irony’ in the ‘logic’ applied? Ergo can’t have it both ways, if what you find funny is ‘taken as’ offensive by others, ye can’t rebuke them for feeling that way when you yersel’ respond exactly the same way to another person’s humour that you find offensive?

    Im no discerner of what’s ‘humourous’ or not Mike and that’s not at all the angle I came in from. You’re the one who thinks he know’s what humour is here Mike: ‘That’s why I ensure its funny and no offensive.’ That’s a ‘subjective’ and wholly impossible assertion to prove, it precisely makes my point for me Mike. But you then you immediately contradict that very statement by stating: ‘I don’t appear to have your infallible ability to tell the difference’

    I’m genuinely confused by the contradictions in yer logic Mike. I’m not getting at ye and there is no justification for you tae infer that ah view this exchange in the manner that you seem to: ‘You should never put down those with lesser abilities than your own. that’s just bad.’

    I didn’t put you down, have no clue where your or what your abilities may be, therefore cannot possibly ‘compare’ them with ma own to establish ‘lesser’ or ‘greater’ criterion with which to judge accordingly.

    End.

  68. Meindevon
    Ignored
    says:

    O/t. Did anyone see Davey Coburn on RT Going Underground? At least I think it was him or a caricature of him. It was hilarious. Even the interviewer was trying not to laugh at one point.

    SNP bad, SNP mad, snp completely bonkers, what are they thinking they’re certifiable,nobody but NOBODY wants another ref, SNP stupidly, crazy to to mention BAD.

    Oh and I almost forgot Scotland has a huge, humongous, getting bigger by the day Β£15B defect and not only that it was, and I quote ’caused by the SNP’ extremely bad people.

    And breathe…..

  69. K1
    Ignored
    says:

    Looks like it was inevitable LA…think they’ll force a by election..Arron Banks wants tae stand against him…miminpopcorn distraction time. I’d like tae see them trounced doon there especially Banks!

    TRUKIP (Tory Rump United Kingdom Independence Party)

  70. Arbroath1320
    Ignored
    says:

    I am convinced, well almost convinced, that RT only have David Coburn on their programmes for comedy effect NOT for any serious discussion Meindevon.

    https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/photo/101639850456727702167/6401441440843782050?icm=false&authkey=COCT8MfB5Iy9iQE

  71. Reluctant Nationalist
    Ignored
    says:

    Man goes to the doctors. He says, ‘I’ve been getting these dizzy spells, along with an awful headache, and to top it all off I’ve got this horrendous cough.’
    Doctor says: ‘Hmmm…do you ever masturbate?’
    Man replies: ‘Excuse me?! I’d rather not talk about something so private. But if it helps, yes I do occassionally masturbate.’
    Doctor says: ‘It’s fuckin great isn’t it?’

  72. Reluctant Nationalist
    Ignored
    says:

    Ah FFS. Wrong thread.

  73. yesindyref2
    Ignored
    says:

    Yes indeed, Hamish arms crossed looking casual at John Bull with the red white and blue falling apart in no particular order, and with no particular place to go, while Dugdale vainly reaches for Chris’s pen, trying to get him to stop the world as she wants to get off, and wonderng if she really wants to be propping up such a shambolic mess. Even Willie’s lost his smile.

    I need a cup of tea.

  74. Thepnr
    Ignored
    says:

    O/T After yesterdays discussion on Gers this morning I downloaded a document “Country and Regional Analysis Noverber 2016” from the HMRC website.

    It purports to breakdown “identifiable expenditure” spending in England, Scotland, Wales and N. Ireland into its various components, health, education etc.

    One item in particular was amazing to me at least. According to this document:

    “The UK average spend per head is Β£9,076. The highest spend per head is in Northern Ireland at Β£10,983, this is followed by Scotland at Β£10,536, Wales at Β£9,996 and then England at Β£8,816.”

    So the spend in Scotland per person is now Β£1720/person more than in England. Take note that “identifiable expenditure” is only 88% of expenditure, the other 12% being deemed as “UK expenditure”.

    There are a couple of really interesting facts in there like for General public services the spend in Scotland is £189/head and in England less than half that at ££89/head.

    I’ll bet you didn’t know that for Environment Protection (dealing with waste)spend in Scotland is Β£258 and in England just Β£165.

    Or I’ll bet you be thrilled to hear that Scotland spends Β£199/head on Recreation, culture and religion compared to the poor English who only get Β£102 πŸ™

    Here’s a biggie the UK generously spends Β£261/head on national and local roads in Scotland. What’s the score then as England only get’s a paltry Β£130/head spent on roads?

    Now we must have the best roads in the UK eh! I smell shit.

    https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/country-and-regional-analysis-2016

  75. Steffano
    Ignored
    says:

    The overarching look of the picture is that Nicola is standing taller than all yoons put together!

  76. Steffano
    Ignored
    says:

    Also Chris could have included a representation of the yoon madia in a boller hat right at the bottom of kez and Nicola would still stand taller.For sure its the yoon media that props up all those fuds.

  77. Breeks
    Ignored
    says:

    I honest to God wish the Unionists would get with the program. The referendum is going to happen, and happen on our terms.

    It WILL feature our staying in Europe.
    It WILL feature our open and inclusive society in stark comparison to UK xenophobic hysteria.
    It WILL feature our candour about the economy versus the UK’s fictional GERS and deficits.
    It WILL feature how our economy will thrive in the EU, not suffer delusions about the stupidity of a petulant ill prepared and friendless Brexit.
    It WILL feature a prosperous oil industry. McCrone will not be forgotten or forgiven.
    It WILL feature a prosperous renewables industry to contrast sharply with UK’s overpriced nuclear folly.
    It WILL feature the Unionist duplicity and betrayal of 2014 in all its lurid detail.

    But most of all; this time around, it will also feature Scotland’s certain, inalienable and non-transferable civic sovereignty; the sovereignty which the Unionists at Westminster and in the Mundell’s household, would have us believe ceased to exist 300 years ago, but which remains a thorn in your side.

    Mandate for all of the above? Why that’s a simple one, you LIED to us all and conned us back in 2014, and if you lie or try to con us again over ScotRef, then we will take that as our mandate for IndyRef3, or IndyRef4,… Scotland will have its justice, so you had better bury your secrets deep.

    St Augustine of Hippo circa 400AD β€” ‘The truth is like a lion; you don’t have to defend it. Let it loose; it will defend itself.’

    Aye, and that lion might just run rampant.

  78. K1
    Ignored
    says:

    Plato apparently quipped:

    ‘One of the penalties for not engaging in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.’

    Never a truer word in our circumstances…let’s stay utterly engaged in removing the red Tories from our councils this May. Then onwards tae removing the arch blue Tories from ruling our country…for ever.

  79. Thepnr
    Ignored
    says:

    @Breeks

    St Augustine of Hippo circa 400AD β€” β€˜The truth is like a lion; you don’t have to defend it. Let it loose; it will defend itself.’

    Aye, and that lion might just run rampant.

    Class!

  80. Robert Peffers
    Ignored
    says:

    @K1 says: 25 March, 2017 at 2:05 pm:

    “You thought yer comment wis funny, others didnae Mike, but then you thought RN’s wisnae, so of course you’re deciding what you find funny or not? Nae point in admonishing others if they didn’t find what you found…funny. Cause it wisnae tae them?”

    Sheesh! I just had a complaint, by email, frae an Auld Blairadam Brick that I use as a garage doorstop.

    I have to post a public apology on Wings for comparing it to a Scottish Tory Leader on the WoS blog.

    It seems ma Auld Blairadam Brick wisan amused an could na see the joke.

    Sorry Blairadam Brick Ah thocht ye were prood tae be an afu dense kind o brick.

  81. Thepnr
    Ignored
    says:

    Re my earlier post there are figures in that document that I can believe all per person Scotland v England.

    Spending on health: Β£2258 Sco Β£2106 Eng
    Education: Β£1470 Sco Β£1266 Eng
    Social Housing: Β£245 Sco Β£67 Eng

    Note that these are all Devolved issues which in itself speaks volumes. Compare with roads which is under the Department of Transports budget.

    Don’t you just get the feeling they are dumping “spending” on Scotland that really isn’t attributable to Scotland?

    On page 9 you have a cracker of a get out clause for the figures for spending on roads for the “regions”, it is this:

    “a robust methodology is not available to allocate all expenditure to regions on a β€˜who benefits?’ basis. This is particularly difficult for spending on motorways and trunk roads (by the Highways Agency) due to the nature of the networks, so
    expenditure is therefore allocated on an β€˜in’ basis”

    Now not entirely sure just what means but it does imply that costs can be attributed to Scotland even if we don’t benefit. There are two types of spend according to them “who benefits” which is directly attributable and “who’s in” which is all of us.

    I guess their argument is that Scotland “benefits” from improvements or maintenance of the M1 just as much as England does cause we Scots might use the M1 on our trips to England.

    Laughable so it isnae!

  82. manandboy
    Ignored
    says:

    In The National today, Jean-Claude Juncker is quoted as saying the following –
    He said: β€œI have met in my life two big destroyers: Gorbachev, who destroyed the Soviet Union, and Cameron, who destroyed the United Kingdom to some extent, even if there is no wave of Scotland to become independent.”

    ‘EVEN IF THERE IS NO WAVE OF SCOTLAND TO BECOME INDEPENDENT’

    Keep in mind that English is not Herr Juncker’s first language, and that this line is ambiguous at best, there is room to believe that the President of the EU is a little unclear perhaps as to the electoral balance in Scotland for and against Independence, and beyond that, is Herr President also perhaps unclear about the serious democratic obstacles facing Scotland as a disguised Colony, suffering suppression of any indigenous mass media to call its own, not to mention the exploitation of Scotland’s natural resources to the exclusive benefit of England and the detriment of Scotland itself.

    Had he said ‘even were there to be no wave of Scotland to become independent’, then there would be little room for doubt or misunderstanding. But that’s not what he said.

    I call on the Scottish Government and Scotland’s MEP’s to take the appropriate steps to clarify this matter.

  83. manandboy
    Ignored
    says:

    If I lived in another part of the developed world, to be told that in Scotland 99% of the mass media, including 4 TV Companies were all Unionist, I’d say the Independence movement had no chance.

    I say that to draw attention to the fact that we are fighting against overwhelming odds, but gaining ground all the time. This Independence of ours has a hidden force within it which will prevail, with our efforts. We will be free. Only the date is in doubt. The result is not.

    Fear not.

  84. Dan Huil
    Ignored
    says:

    Stacking the sods?

  85. Breeks
    Ignored
    says:

    He said: β€œI have met in my life two big destroyers: Gorbachev, who destroyed the Soviet Union, and Cameron, who destroyed the United Kingdom to some extent, even if there is no wave of Scotland to become independent.”

    I think Junckers is right on the money. Everybody here couches the 50/50 split for Indy in the polls in terms of something we expect to grow, and something we hope will flourish if only we can circumvent the hostile media and get the pro Independence narrative properly unfolded and explained to the whole population. Don’t get me wrong, I very much believe that is going to happen, and it will be decisive in the end.

    From outside Scotland looking in, I suspect it is hard to perceive much momentum for Independence. Don’t forget, when the Brexit result came in, both Jean-Claude Junckers and Guy Verhofstadt were talking in terms of Scotland becoming independent quickly. Pains me to say it, but there wasn’t any appetite for that. Someone once said our advance towards independence is glacial; as in a few cm per year. There is no tidal wave of opinion sweeping away all resistance and demanding Independence. We have only just demanded the right to have another bash at a referendum with half of our population still unconvinced that Independence is the right answer, even after Brexit.

    Junckers is correct, there is an expectation that the Union is perhaps coming to an end, and it is largely because of Brexit, but the case has yet to made and the compelling arguments have yet to be won. I think Junckers is a canny politician, and what he doesn’t say often reveals more than what he does.

    Europe will have a big part to play in ScotRef, and it will be down to us and our Indy campaign and liaison between Holyrood and Brussels to get our friends in Europe properly engaged. Get it right, and I think they can and will give us tremendous support.

    Let’s not kid ourselves, our European friends see Scottish independence as the icing on the cake; that cake being getting shot of the British awkward squad. Perhaps that’s unfair, because there really is a better relationship between Europe and Scotland, but they’re not sad to see the back of Westminster. If we want to be saved, there’s some swimming to be done.

  86. Liz Rannoch
    Ignored
    says:

    @ Breeks 3.29

    Stirring speech Breeks. Fair made me feel like getting up and singing – a cannae tho’. πŸ™‚

  87. Footsoldier
    Ignored
    says:

    Tens of thousands marching in London in favour of the EU..When we are filling civic squares in Scotland with such numbers for independence, I will feel we are on our way.

  88. yesindyref2
    Ignored
    says:

    @manandboy
    But there isn’t a wave just yet, no tsunami of movement to YES. Just a steady trickle πŸ™‚

    BEWARE THE FLOOD!

  89. Orri
    Ignored
    says:

    On simple seat terms the SNP have more seats than all the unionist parties combined. Percentage of votes perhaps not. It’s the regional vote where the combined total of the Green and SNP vote is bigger than the unionists combined that shows that if you get down to the level of counting the size of mandates then you’re putting an emphasis on the PR element of the system.

    There’s a reason the attack has switched to denying the Greens mandate. If anything May gleefully saying we’re leaving the EU and not even independence will do anything to stop that is endorsing the against our will clause in the SNP mandate being activated. I get that BoJo was and is a diplomatic incident waiting to happen but if anything May is worse.

  90. Mike
    Ignored
    says:

    Thepnr

    “The UK average spend per head is Β£9,076. The highest spend per head is in Northern Ireland at Β£10,983, this is followed by Scotland at Β£10,536, Wales at Β£9,996 and then England at Β£8,816.”

    If Scotlands spend per head is 10,983 our overall expenditure is 58,209,900,000

    That means our deficit only amounts to 58 billion less 53 billion = 5 Billion no 15 billion.

    See they UK Government figures? they’re all over the place and ye cannae get them to fit together.

  91. Mike
    Ignored
    says:

    Sorry that should be Scotland at 10,536 which comes to 55,840,800,000

    Which means Scotlands overall deficit amounts to 56 billion less 53 billion = 3 billion.

    Oh my oh my.

  92. Hamish100
    Ignored
    says:

    Mike,

    Twaddle

    We have no deficit . Scotland balances its books each year as it is required to by law. RUK at Westminster does what it likes. Think off all the centralist uk jobs based in London.

    U.K. Has a deficit.

  93. Hamish100
    Ignored
    says:

    Yesindyref2

    Do you think your man Gibson should stand down.
    http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/15181787.SNP_MSP_under_fire_for_failing_to_speak_out_over_landlord_status/?ref=mrb&lp=10#comments-anchor
    Noone is helping in Ardrossan and Stevenston for the council elections because it is claimed he has had too much to say over the candidates for the council elections. Is this true? They work for his parliamentary office or has other close connections ? Isn’t one already a landlord? SNP HQ need to get its house in order and investigate. We can’t afford such behaviour.

  94. Mike
    Ignored
    says:

    Hamish 100

    Eh Ok. I get the bit where the Scottish Government balances its books and underspends but I’m looking at this from a UK Government perspective where on the one hand they tell us we have a 15.8 billion deficit while also telling us our spend per head is 10,536.

    Putting that together and you get a discrepancy of 12.8 billion in our so called deficit. From their calculations and Forecasts.

    That’s all I was pointing out.

  95. Graf Midgehunter
    Ignored
    says:

    Re. Juncker

    He said: β€œI have met in my life two big destroyers: Gorbachev, who destroyed the Soviet Union, and Cameron, who destroyed the United Kingdom to some extent, even if there is no wave of Scotland to become independent.”

    Some things (lots?) in English and vice versa in German or any other language are not always translatable one-to-one.

    With wave he means an “increase or surge”.

    …and Cameron, who destroyed the United Kingdom to some extent, even if there was no surge of enthusiasm in Scotland to become independent.”

    In German they say “To shoot yourself in the knee” not in the foot as in English.

    A famous/fun saying in German is “Er ist schwer auf Draht”. Meaning:
    “He is clever, he knows what he is doing”.

    In English the translation is: “He is heavy on the wire”.

    Blanks stares would be the answer to that down at the pub…!

    Ask WGD, it’s the same in Spanish. πŸ™‚

  96. Cactus
    Ignored
    says:

    Scotland… it’s yours!

    Take it.. take your rightful ownership beautiful people.

    Love Cairnstoon.

    Love Wings.

    Love Independence.

    Love Freedom.

    Love Scotland,
    X.

  97. gus1940
    Ignored
    says:

    O/T

    During the recent battle for Aleppo US & UK politicians and their fan clubs in the media were up in arms shouting their heads of accusing The Russians and Syrians of War Crimes regarding their shelling and bombing of the city and its population.

    The battle for Mosul has now been raging for months and the Coalition of Iraq, US and I understand UK have been and still are bombing and shelling the city with a steadily increasing toll of deaths of innocent civilians.

    Has this coalition been accused of War Crimes? Have they hell.

    If it was OK to accuse the Russians of War Crimes for exactly the same thing why no cries of outrage regarding the Mosul outrage?

    This situation must be in line for the worst ever example of disgusting political hypocrisy.

  98. DerekM
    Ignored
    says:

    hmm i see you are back under attack from the lets all talk about Trump idiots again Rev.

    All mouth and no fucking action the lot of them,you do more for indy every day than they have done in the last 3 years.

    I do not even see anything about the fact we just busted Gers they are all to busy talking about Trump.

    Get your eye on the ball or get the fuck out our faces and let us do the job we have always done.

    Though i have no idea what the fuck they bring to the indy movement except pictures of the Trump.

  99. William Wallace
    Ignored
    says:

    Love the broad shoulders of the union sketch. Fantastic. I don’t smile at cartoons often but I laughed out loud at this. Nearly spilt my malt.

  100. Ian McCubbin
    Ignored
    says:

    A great piece of light relief. Do agree Patrick Harvie deserves and place holding the Easter windmill maybe and key to section 30?

  101. Reluctant Nationalist
    Ignored
    says:

    @ manandboy, re: Juncker

    The only difference I see between his statement and your altered one is your correct use of the subjunctive. Both are hypothetical, and mean the same thing to me, or am I just being thick? I’m being thick aren’t I?

  102. Christian Schmidt
    Ignored
    says:

    That’s not a cartoon – I think that’s what they truly believe.

    The reasoning probably goes like this: As Scotland voted no in 2014, on any constitutional issues the SNP and other yes-parties cannot have any mandate, but the mandate to determine Scotland’s constitutional future lies solely with the UK government and the unionist parties in Scotland.

    No amount of votes for any independence-supporting parties in any Westminster or Holyrood elections can ever change that. The only way to change that is through another referendum. But it is solely the right of those who have a mandate to determine whether and when another referendum is allowed.

    That’s 100% logical, and if independence supporters disagree and say that this is a circular argument, that doesn’t matter for the reasons outlined above.

  103. Liam
    Ignored
    says:

    Christian Schmidt said:

    “As Scotland voted no in 2014, on any constitutional issues the SNP and other yes-parties cannot have any mandate”

    By that ‘logic’ circumstances don’t change anything. Once something has been decided that’s it. Nothing would ever re-examined. No one would ever think, ‘wait a minute, my decision was based on faulty evidence, lies, and deception…’.

    As you argue it the whole of western democracy has been based on the fundamental error of assuming that THINGS CHANGE! Apparently, according to you, things don’t change at all. Well that was a waste of several hundred years of thought and discussion.

    Hold the front page! The world is flat after all!



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