Tidying up
Right, as promised, one last piece of admin. (This post will be removed in due time.)
We left yesterday’s piece and the associated poll up for two full days to make sure the people who don’t read Wings at weekends saw it and had the chance to vote in it too. But in truth it was pretty obvious how the vote would go from about 20 minutes in.
Like, that’s not even a little bit close.
So the remainder of the Wings Fighting Fund will be used to commission occasional opinion polls until it runs out or until (ha) a second indyref becomes a reality, whichever happens first. However, almost everyone who gave a reason for voting “Oppose” (and quite a few who voted “Support”) said they did so because they wanted me to keep the money for myself.
That wasn’t offered as an option in the poll, because I’m not the SNP or Kezia Dugdale – that money was donated and meant to be used to in some way further the cause of independence, not buy me Lamborghinis (at the time of writing my 17-year-old Mini is still doing stellar service) or country cottages.
However, lots of people in the comments also expressed a desire for a final fundraiser to mark the closure of Wings Over Scotland as a politics blog, as a sort of redundancy package. It IS traditional to give a retiring employee a carriage clock or a gold watch or some such, and as it happens there’s a thing I really want but haven’t bought because the price is so absurdly extravagant, so if readers would like to get it as a farewell gift gesture that’d be very lovely.
It’s this hilariously high-tech jacket. It’s got graphene and electric heaters and stealth pockets and all sorts of nonsense, so it’d be ideal for staying toasty while out feeding the swans and squirrels in the fast-approaching winter.
(The three families of swan babies are nearly all fully-grown now and they’re always hungry, while the patter of tiny squirrel paws is imminent if this pic from the park last week is anything to go by.)
Any excess cash raised will go, as always, on crisps, Sherbet Dip-Dabs, fruity gins, and badger food for these goons.
And of course on the foxes (currently six).
And this magical vanishing dick, who bangs on the glass with his beak at teatime if there are no suet pellets on the ledge, or knocks stuff over if the window’s open.
And lastly and absolutely leastly, these complete arses.
Click the pic below, or the poll one at the top of the page, to go to the fundraiser if you want to kick in a few quid for the going-away present. Don’t worry if you don’t – people usually donate in expectation of a good or service, not for one they’ve already had or just to buy somebody some ludicrous parkwear. I have other coats.
And that’s about it. It’s been quite a ride, gang. Hopefully we’ll meet again one day, in the future of a better land where the Wicked Witch is no more and there might actually be a chance at independence. Until then, eh?
Have great adventures Stuart! Hopefully we will see you back soon. Thankyou for all that you have done for Scotland.
Take care Stu and thanks.
How far will you get with your jacket when it’s plugged in?
“How far will you get with your jacket when it’s plugged in?”
Well, up to 22 hours, according to the table on the Kickstarter page, which is further than I can walk.
Following your Wizard Of Oz reference, here’s one of my own; “I think I’ll miss you most of all”
For the squirrels, obv 😉
Now that I’ve donated this now feels final compared to the other recent posts…
Dammit, stop chopping those onions! I’M NOT CRYING, YOU ARE!!! 🙁
Wear it well Stu – thanks for your efforts, they’ve been phenomenal. Hasta luego.
Please post your nature pictures on your Facebook page – and I hope the jaiket keeps you warm. Dinnae let it get mankie) Awrrabest.
We all have to move on thanks for your efforts in the independence cause.
Have a great future.
This fundraiser will get the jacket total in about 10 mins, so how do you want to dispose of the huge over subscription that’s bound to happen? 🙂
Will you add it to the Wings Fighting Fund to get even more polls?
If we manage to get rid of the she/her fruitcake and cabal, ALBA/AS gets its finger out and starts to crack the polls, will you really get back in to push the new version of WINGS II..!?
Graf Midgehunter says:
28 September, 2021 at 9:02 am
This fundraiser will get the jacket total in about 10 mins…
Already there now Graf and agree this will be well above the goal – I reckon it’ll probably be around 10 times by the time it’s finished.
That’s tons of badger food anyway!
Donation made.
I’m sure we’ll hear from you in due course.
Done, with pleasure, you deserve more. Enjoy your wanderings in the Fleetwood Macket but I’m still hoping you’re a bit like Jason Bourne and will be reactivated in the future to fight the good fight.
All the best, Lynne.
Sent a small donation, hope you get your cosy jacket. Will see you back here for indyref2, in another decade or more ?
Thanks so much for all your efforts over the years. It was huge and very appreciated by those of us without our heads up our own arses or in the clouds.
In the meantime enjoy bear patrol and whatever else you get going on. Fingers crossed its not too long until there’s a reason to dust the cobwebs off the domain if not the site and crank things up again. But, we’ll see.
FFS, it’s already at £465 after 34 minutes…
🙂 🙂 🙂
Graf Midgehunter says:
No way! He said jacket, sweeties and whatever and I want that to be for him.
If things change then I’m happy to support whatever needs done then, but this is for Stuart.
A sad day for us all Stu. You enjoy yourself and remember not to forget us up here. To all my fellow wingers, I hopefully see you all one day in an independent Scotland. Off to donate to that jacket ?. Andy
Venue and time of imminent FOW gathering to be confirmed soon…keep watching this space, in between checking that totaliser!
😉
This is not goodbye it’s au revoir,,,,,(we hope)
Hi Stu, I would like to thank you for all your hard work over the years. You have been a great servant to the cause of independence. I wish you all the best and if there ever is another referendum (never going to happen with sturgeon and her sycophants) then hope to see you back again. Until then…
All the best Stu. Don’t forget to post a photo of you in your exciting new jacket. Sending love and many thanks. xx
Chipped in something toward your toasty jacket and very glad to do so. Thanks again for everything, Stu, and I do hope we meet again. As the man said, the dream shall never die.
Have a great time in your jacket, Stu, far better than any old carriage clock! Hope it’s not so much a retirement rather a strategic waiting in the wings(!) 😉 Take care of those animals and yourself. xx
Ps. Where’s the retirement ‘do’? I saw Ian Brotherhood is at the organising…
Hi Stu…
Just to say thanks. I remember the time in 2013/2014… that’s when I came across WoS and whilst I always felt independence was the way, you help me articulate the reasons to others who might have been on the fence. The Wee Blue Book was stellar work and convinced many people of the merits of independence.
You have been a tireless campaigner for indy and for women’s rights. It was also through your site that I became more aware of the utter nonsense of the gender ideology and realised the dangers we as women are in. You, as well as other amazing people have helped me find my voice and I have become very vocal about this thorny issue.
You have also shown great deal of resilience and courage in the face of the most horrific personal attacks by people determined to remain in power, no matter what the electorate thinks or the damage they might cause.
So thank you Stu… thank you for everything you have done. You deserve your time back and hopefully you get to enjoy other pursuits. We’ve never met, but I will miss you and your fearless critical analysis.
Be well Stu, and if the independence movement ever wakes up and decides enough is enough, please come back. We will need you.
All the best…
‘Ian Brotherhood says:
28 September, 2021 at 9:28 am
Venue and time of imminent FOW gathering to be confirmed soon…keep watching this space, in between checking that totaliser’
Great idea, Ian, put me down for a ticket. ?
The small sum that I have donated should be spent on yourself in any way you see fit.
many thanks rev
Hope you enjoy your jacket. We’ll miss you but enjoy the coming months. I hope you’ll be back. Thanks for everything that you’ve done for Scotland.
Enjoy the jacket, mate
We all know it’s au revoir. The darkest hour is just before the dawn. And behind the scenes people are organising.
@Doreen (9.38) –
Noted, with thanks.
I’m not really ‘organising’ anything, I am just despatched to deliver wee messages as and when decisions have been made.
Now I must scurry back to check for updates…
😉
Enjoy yr jacket Stu , but don’t ( completely ) jack-it in please
You didn’t need a fundraiser to buy this
You’re just self-iding as a naughty boy
Wanting to piss off the opposition one last time
And it will
Job done
Sure you don’t want a fur-lined, sheep-skin jacket?
All the best, and thx for everything.
Done. Enoy.
Looks like you may have enough for the trousers and hat as well. Enjoy your wildlife.
Thank you for everything you’ve done over the years, every bit of it. That’s a seriously nice jacket, hope it keeps you cozy.
and this extra for sweeties
I like your style! Enjoy wearing your jacket. Small donation given with appreciation.
With hope that we’ll meet again anither year…
Surely the Greens will let you in now. All those recycled fivers.
Good luck to you in whatever adventure is next. Thank you for all you’ve done to highlight this awful leader and her hanger on’s. What a pathetic bunch they are.
F**k me those jackets look good. Finally a solution for going to the football in winter. It’s a very well stacking up the layers for the ground but that doesn’t work well for when you walk into a roasting pub after.
Donated and given with thanks and best wishes.
Having had a look at the jacket, we could all do with one for the winter to wear indoors eating our Christmas gruel! So a review when you get it will be appreciated.
Write that book – I’ve always thought you know far more than you let on about the murky goings-on at SNP Towers. Do it before she gets another injunction. An outsider’s account of the independence that nearly was is badly needed.
I hope life treats you well, Stu. Hail and farewell.
You are a good man, Rev. (better than many ‘accredited’ Revs. I know…). You work has been amazing. You were prescient, honest, fearless. Like so many here, I hope very much to see you back in the fight. Meanwhile I’ve chipped in a few bob. All the best.
Enjoy your break. You’ll return at some point in the future, refreshed and fired with passion and sherbert dib-dabs.
Spend the surplus unwisely with a clear conscience, you deserve it for all your years of dedication and hard work.
Stuart, my other half and me bought electric bikes this year as hills are getting higher! You can actually get a 4 year interest free loan to buy them from The Energy Savings Trust. Anyway, I thoroughly recommend them, maybe you could get one with the rest of the fundraiser, although you may need to put a yellow vest on top of that new jacket, I think you’d look cute in a bike helmet, like an angry teddy bear! just kidding, seriously I’m going to miss your sanity, reason and obtuseness! Take care and buy a bike!
Stu, stuff the gold watch, I hereby appoint you Honorary President of the Scottish Republic. From now on everyone must curtsy when they meet you except Pension Pete who must throw himself into puddles for you walk over and keep your shoes from getting muddy.
PS Are you still on Twitter? Some of us miss your witty barbs.
Is it safe to assume you will continue to write for a living in your post Wings career Stuart? Please do let us know where we can read your new work, the rigour and integrity of your journalism has been a joy to consume over the years.
Not sure what I can say now. I’ve been a reader since around 2013, maybe earlier, can’t recall, since one of my lads pointed me at your blog.
It is still a mine of well researched and sourced information that needs to be preserved.
My 18 year old wagon is currently in for it’s (possibly final) MOT and that too has provided sterling service, including another of my lads hammering it along the autobahn at something over 120MPH a year or so back.
All the best for the future and never stop being a critical analyst. It’s why your on this earth 🙂
Cheers bud.
Ahhh, shit … *You’re
🙁
I see the fundraiser has reached its target. Enjoy the jacket!
Will you still be editing the Wee ALBA Book?
Bereft.
Donated just now for the magic jacket via the WoS donate button (so please add that £25 to the final total to upset comfy slippers).
Please do write a review of the jacket. Good to see on the kickstarter page that it resists knives. Go carefully.
With eternal thanks, admiration, respect etc.
I have this flashback to “Still Game” where Eric’s electric bunnet catches fire 🙂
I have just donated a wee bit toward your Jacket,
I will miss your Bear patrols and your relentless search for the truth.
All the best and I really hope you will be back.
Thank you Stuart for all you have done.
Go well.
Sheena.
Thanks for the final giggle. But 10 smart pockets? That is more smarts than you will find in Westminster and Holyrood combined.
enjoy your new coat..
By the way, having read thorough all the chat it seems rather stonkin.
I’ve had a DM in Twitter from a recently created user called RetireRunRig. Reproduced below.
“That jacket looks brilliant. Do they do matching slippers?”
We still owe you. I believe many will turn out if you should call.
donated as ‘wet pishfart’
just to annoy the wannabee speaker
hope ye hang it on a shoogly peg
(for the unexpected comeback)
cheers
All power to your elbow Stuart. Although in that jacket you’ll have power to your elbows, shoulders, back and heid! Missing you already.
Chipped in for the jacket, it’s the very least we can all do after the work you’ve put in over the years. Wish I had some funny remark to make but I think I’ve got something in my eye…
Thanks for everything and very best wishes for the future.
In terms of being contactable, I know they expelled you from Twitter, but are you on other social platforms? I am not a Facebook user, but I can see you have a LinkedIn profile (https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuart-campbell-66084822/). Is this account active?
It has specially designed pockets so he can keep his nuts warm.
(For the squirrels, obvs…)
😉
Good to see some pictures of things most of us forget there is wonder out there and a lot of people don’t won’t or can spend the time just looking and absorbing nature all around us .
As for your final fairwell I hope you get your modest wish and any leftover you might think about a final get it right up you message to Pension Pete and the rest of the tossers
Maybe a expensive meal in the Savoy followed by a glass of the best Whisky available and a Cuban cigar you could post the pictures and people could send them on to wind up Sturgeon supporters,
Anything that gives them a total meltdown , something you will be remembered by , maybe some folks have better ideas because let’s face it a sigh of relief was probably heard when you finally shut up shop , just like when Tory MPs gave when Johanna Cherry lost her position in Westminster
Anyway have a good life and I wish you well .
Thanks for the sterling service you have given to Scotland for so long. I came here first time during the Indyref campaign to read and listen to the various arguments. I offered my friend Craig Murray, should he stand as an Independent, my services and experience as a past agent and election campaigns manager, or simply to help shove leaflets through doors.
That the SNP pretenders have placed themselves into the long grass, living of the daily narrative/hot air the media willingly spreads, must not be a bad thing, the chaff has split off and it should be an invigorating time for the AUOB and those in Alba working on arguments to bring over at the next election.
I wish you well with the polling and hope that many here will carry on to support genuine Independent moves. I’m sure that Craig, once he has served half of Dorrians revenge sentence, will have a lot to say with regards to Independence, a crumbling Labour orifice and whatever one could strive for in future.
Wishing you health and happiness, take care
In my reading of Scottish history the country might so easily have been united with France rather than England. Just think, better food, elegant city planning, café culture, a turbulent political life and very likely independent.
The seeming stability of the British state has lulled all into a state of torpor.
The current instability of the thing may be a shower of chill reality in which the English will look after themselves, they always do, the Scots on the other hand imbued with the safety first mentality so ably demonstrated by the current régime may need a long spell in the deep freeze of marginalization. Too cold even for the Wicked Witch of the North.
Ciao Rev, santé, slàinte, enjoy!
Thanks for the inspiration over the years. It’s a sad time, and I’m ashamed at my lack of courage. As Black Joan has already said, I’m glad your jacket is resistant to knives. Take care.
Stu, there aren’t enough words to express how fab you have been. Your contribution to the cause is incalculable. I am glad you have decided to acquiesce to the Winger wishes and accept something for yourself. It will never be enough but we need you to know that you are very much appreciated.
It was great fun and so invigorating working with friends on the Wings stall in sunshine, gales, lashing rain, duck tape always to hand. Anyone who remembers way back to the 2 day Arbroath effort will recall some of the funniest & craziest experiences – Order of the Hairy String anyone?. We (t’other half and moi) met so many like-minded people, some we cannae shake off no matter how hard we try :-)), and in places we wouldn’t have imagined notably when we were a hub for the Wee Blue Book and delivered to some interesting places.
I posted the comment below on another group a couple of days ago. It doesn’t say everything I feel and for which I am grateful. Take care of yourself Stu Campbell.
“Wings was what kept me going. Wings was how I was introduced to some great indy friends who came together at rallies and events promoting indy “Wings style”. Wings was where I turned in the early hours of 19th September 2014 when the tears finally flowed after a night at the count and found all the usual suspects doing exactly the same, sadly reflecting on a country that didn’t believe enough in itself or be brave enough to take back its statehood and dignity. Wings, like the Yes movement, picked itself up and carried on with confidence.
The phenomenal research done by Stu Campbell was appreciated by the Yes Movement and a fair number of the politicians who were supposed to be on our side for a long time until that research and analysis led to the discovery of some uncomfortable truths. Stu could not ignore, nor lie about actions/inaction which he assessed would damage the prospect of indy and why should he?
Unfortunately, critical thinking and civil discussion seems to be beyond many and now the indy movement finds itself without one of its best assets. I know where I lay the blame for this, but, right now I am just incredibly sad especially when I think of the divisions created amongst indy supporters (deliberately I am sure) and I fear it won’t be repaired. Indy supporters need to come together ignoring the politicians’ shenanigans and false promises.”
Stuart Campbell…The bravest, the cleverest AND the coolest,
not to mention, a man with an awareness for (real) kindness and beauty some will never see nor understand.
Smilin through the tears Rev.
You will go on!
Enjoy being super cosy and safe – love the photos!
Ian B , will be there ! I need cheering up and your wee perplexed face used to do the trick!
Take care Stuart. I’m really going to miss you on here. It’s like you’ve always been there for Indy supporters. It just feels like another bit of the independence dream has died today. Enjoy your bear walks in your new jacket. I truly hope you resurface in some capacity. You are too damn fine a journalist to disappear into the ether ( yes, even better than Dani Garavelli!). To the future. Whatever that may be for all of us. Xxxx
Can’t improve on Annie’s comment at 12.29. Good thing this is being written – couldn’t speak at the moment, got the snivels.
Look after the three beasts at home and all those outside. But most of all, yourself. You would be welcome in thousands of homes in Scotland – never forget that.
Whilst in Bath, do pop into no. 8 Edgar Buildings, if you haven’t already. You will find a lovely, intelligent lady there who publishes brilliant out-of-date books – Nicola Beauman of Persephone Books. Check out the website. After all you are retired now and need to find something to fill those idle hours…
I’d read that book. I guess word of it’s very existence would have to be spread person to person, here. Just a few private starter emails from overseas should be enough to get it going.
But there’s also a TV or Netflix series to be written. Are you friends with Armando Iannucci by any chance?
Best wishes and thankyou.
It’s not the ‘Wicked Witch’ I’m polishing the blunderbuss for, but the flying monkeys that do her bidding. Servile b@stards, the lot of’em! (The bucket of Highland Spring, of “Vote No” fame, will take care of she/her – it’s all the stuff’s good for).
Best wishes everyone. It’s been fun being part of the Wings Community.
Enjoy my donation any way you see fit Rev. You are, Sir, truly a legend.
Signing off…
RK
Stu
Thank you for the unbelievable commitment to publishing WoS for all these years.
It definitely wasn’t done to make you rich, nor popular and most certainly not to be the media darling of tbe SNP.
You stuck to your principles and through it all you offered your readers another media channel and viewpoint to that provided by the Westminster establishment and latterly by the SNP.
It’s a sad day for the Indy movement as another independent voice goes silent. But you’ve done all that was humanly possible to keep up the good fight. It’s just a shame you and many thousands of others, including me, have hit a brick wall built by the SNP party hierarchy.
IMO the Indy movement is done. 2014 was the chance and we blew it. No-one in tbe SNP will now seriously trade their good, secure jobs in Holyrood and Westminster for the uncertainty of a new independent nation.
So if ever there was a time to walk away with your head held high, this is it.
All the best in whatever you do.
I’m more than happy to chip in as I think you’ve definitely earned it. Take care and I hope to see you back online if and when the SNP get up of their arses and do something to help us get our independence.
You’re well past your target so have chipped in a few bob for the squirrels and dreamies for the kitten.
Happy walking x
Thanks for all you’ve done Stu you were a breath of fresh air bud, you had no favourites & held all parties to account great forensic dissection getting to the truth in your own special way, hopefully we’ll see back if and when we have another Indyref, take care Stu Indy Scots thank you for all your hard work, it won’t be forgotten from those that followed you throughout. Stay Safe thanks Stu.
ALBA GU BRÀTH
Pure thanks and gratitude for helping to keep me almost sane over the last few years. I can’t imagine making it without you.
Awrabest man. Huv a gid wan.
Aw, All Auld Comfy slippers Pete will get when he eventually leaves the dung heap down WM is some crystal brandy glasses or sumit wae WM building engraved on it . Lmao
Very sorry to see you go and the ‘Wings over Scotland’ getting mothballed.
Kind regards Stuart all the best going forward.
My monthly donation will continue on until you stop it.
Goodbye to you other wingers until another time, maybe not too far away.
“Will you still be editing the Wee ALBA Book?”
Yes, of course.
You’re all much too kind 🙂
“In terms of being contactable, I know they expelled you from Twitter, but are you on other social platforms?”
By far the easiest and most reliable way is to email through the Wings contact form.
https://wingsoverscotland.com/contact/
“Look after the three beasts at home”
Three? You are BAD at counting 😀
Thanks Stuart,
Chucked a few quid into the fundraiser as much to wind up certain individuals as to buy you a wardrobe full of jackets.
I still have my WoS counting agent ID from 2014. It’ll remain a treasured momento.
Looking forward to your new ‘wee book’ and take care.
Jim
If you’ve got a few quid, you could really help us out with rebooting the #indyref2 campaign. We’re trying to produce another Indy Kit for Yes groups to fundraise and campaign with.
https://donorbox.org/indy-kit-six-vi
I assume you’re doing the sensible thing and retaining/pre-paying the domain name registration for several years to prevent any future “amusement” from others in the “indy” movement – or the other side?
If not then please stick some of the excess funds into doing that so we don’t end up with SiU/OO crap on the wings domain name.
I dunno about timescales. Ten years maybe? Then again that might not be enought time for the SNP to do a SLAB and become irrelevant….
@ Rev at 2.35 “bad at counting”. Well I was in the SNP so figures aren’t my strong point…
Irony of my membership – I joined to show solidarity on the day Alex Salmond was charged.
Re the three beasts – well, I thought it looked like three in the pic but your linked article did refer to six so thought some had passed on to the great USB snack bar in the Cloud. I am really pleased to hear this is not the case. 🙂 🙂
‘Plausible deniability’ is the name of the game at Holyrood nowadays. We saw it at the Fabiani Inquiry and it’s not going to get any better. It works at Holyrood.
Stuart Campbell is right in getting-out now as I see Holyrood and Scottish politics as being dead, for this generation anyway.
It turns out that ‘Shocked’ is a lawyer. Well, words fail me.
Just donated a small thank you.
WINGS MADE ME DO IT !
I’d forgotten how much I enjoy refreshing Wings fund-raiser pages
– there’s not been one for so long!. Donation duly made.
Just donated a small thank you.
WINGS MADE ME DO IT !
(sorry Stu – resubmitting cos for some reason I can’t see because some arsehole is peeling onions)
Hi Rev Stu.
Enjoy your jaikit!
In other news…
SNP moving to ‘new phase of independence campaigning’, says leaked email
https://archive.is/YcKpX
All the very best to you Stuart. Thanks for the blood,sweat and tears that you’ve put into the campaign for returning Scotland to Independence. The wicked witch won’t be around forever. She’ll probably slither off to a highly paid job where her narcissistic personality will take her far. Her part in the struggle for Independence will be remembered for all the wrong reasons. Thanks for being truthful and blunt when you needed to be, it has been a blast. Good luck with whatever the future brings your way. Oh and enjoy the toasty, cosy jacket. Cheers!
Donation made. Apart from the good cause it’s great to know that the fundraiser will piss off so many of the right people.
As it seems likely that there might be a few quid to spare 😉 please consider veterinary treatment for that cygnet in pic 3. It seems to have been assembled without reference to the instruction diagram.
BDTT @ 3:32pm:
What a laugh eh?
I’d take them seriously (perhaps) if they drew a diagram in the style of racetrack highlighting what ‘phases’ we had already come through, and what they involved, and how many there are to go till we reach the finishing line, with a banner reading ‘independence’ above it.
I assume the car in the drawing would still be very near the beginning of the track were it a honest depiction; certainly if it the car were further along than imagined, I’d be very pleased to hear which phases have been successfully ‘driven through’.
Did I say it was a laugh? Perhaps, if it weren’t so tragic.
“Re the three beasts – well, I thought it looked like three in the pic but your linked article did refer to six so thought some had passed on to the great USB snack bar in the Cloud.”
It’s a video, you can see all six clearly if you click it 😀
Adding my thanks, and acknowledgement of your completely objective driven, straight shooting, forensically acute honesty. Qualities that one would imagine would be lauded and sought, if there were any illusion left that the carpetbagging sociopaths weren’t in charge. Please have a joyful (that might be a bit much for you), restful and at least predominantly happy whatever you do next.
Best
Garrion
Thank you for all you have done here. It was thorough, true and brave. Wishing you all the best for the future.
Just made a personal donation to Stu and wished him a happy retirement. Well deserved you have absolutely nothing to prove to me. Phenomenal effort!. It is normal practice to benefit from a retirement package but also chucking a contribution in the hat toward (Pro rata holiday boy contribution) for someone leaving and moving on. I was thinking about Chris Cairns. Any plans or that?
Enjoy your new jacket & R-n-R time Stuart. Am not saying cheerio, you will be back when the time is right.
Meanwhile there are those of us still trying to keep certain wheels turning. Stay tuned in to WOS, folks, and as well as doing your own wee bits here & there for the cause please try helping other great indy causes such as this:
RogueCoder250 says:
28 September, 2021 at 2:52 pm
If you’ve got a few quid, you could really help us out with rebooting the #indyref2 campaign. We’re trying to produce another Indy Kit for Yes groups to fundraise and campaign with.
https://donorbox.org/indy-kit-six-vi
Converting folk doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, money & effort. The sooner folk are informed of facts the better chance of converting them to pro-indy. Supporting the machine that gets that info out there is just as important as producing the info. Please help RogueCoder & Co on this latest task of theirs. They’ve been every bit as important to us as WOS have been.
Keep up the fight, Troops, converting folk is a process.
I thought you would keep going to see what happens when the Indy ref that was promised does not take place .But more important what is happening is Social care under severe pressure a shortage of hospital beds the army being brought in to drive ambulances fuel shortages the virus .This has been the year of the mask. That is what we should have been commenting on this year .Indy has anyone said how to get the PM to agree to it.And does the public think its important .
I’ve chipped in for one of the toggles to hang on one of the zips on one of the pockets.
All the best, Rev. I’ve had my money’s worth out of you over the years.
Aw the best Stuart, always something I looked at when indyref was approaching and since – feels like the end of the dream is turning into a nightmare for some. So many of the faces recognisable from the bid in 2014 being silenced into extinction to avoid Indyref2 and still folk can’t see what is going on in front of oor eyes.
Take care, enjoy the jaickit. Look forward to the wee Alba book.
Thanks for everything, Stu. Your efforts have been appreciated. Hopefully this is a career break and not full on retirement! Haste ye back.
Do they come in different colours ? Looks like you could get a couple!
Stu Campbell
Assuming you get the jacket, as my Ma used to say:
I wish you health to wear it.
Good luck for the future.
Where are the cats?
,
– man who never “sold the jerseys” has one bought for him … nice
enjoy the rest, come back when you are ready.
Some sequels are better than the original, and there is no one worth reading in the “indy blogosphere” (windbags and fake-nats)
I’ve chipped in for button , if only for the gorgeous pics
Thank you and enjoy life
*sigh , a button
Thanks for everything youve done down the years, maybe you could use some of the extra money to pay hosting costs to keep the site online and archived during the long dark years ahead?
Thanks for everything youve done down the years, maybe you could use some of the extra money to pay hosting costs to keep the site online and archived during the long dark years ahead? We will miss you!
I have been in denial for months because every inch of my being refused to accept this site was coming to an end.
Today I have a lump in my throat because I can see the end of the road and it feels too real.
I am scared. I don’t like what I see. Evil is destroying the good. The current unprincipled and useless political cohort hand us sht and they expect us to consider it a delicacy. Well, I refuse it. This is not the way it is supposed to end.
I am angry because arseholes like comfy sleepers, the daddy, the political fraud, those responsible for the vanishing of the 600,000, the perjurers, the professional dividers, and the entire british state apparatus will see the ending of this site as their victory. Those shtbags, unprincipled liars and cowards do not deserve the taste of victory. What they deserve is a taste of their own medicine.
There is nothing that can even compare to this site. Nothing. There is nothing as gratifying, nothing as impossibly infuriating at times, nothing as thought provoking, nothing politically as exciting, nothing as addictive, nothing I would wish to read more.
There is nothing as informative, nothing that presents the naked truth like this site does.
There is nothing that offers a channel to vent properly while watching how the biggest political fraud Scotland has ever seen shredd with impunity the dreams of so many people, sells us and makes a complete mockery of democracy, of our popular sovereignty, of our justice system and our right to self determination.
I feel like an orphan now. I don’t know where to look. I gag at the prospect of reading the headlines of the political fraud’s fanzine or heaven forbid, dare to click in the Sturgeon’s worshippers blog.
I hope that jacket keeps you feelings towards us warm Stuart and that finds a way to bring you back to us when the time is right. The thought that you will not be back to show us the way in this sea of madness, unbelievable political mediocrity, disgusting political betrayal and where abuse of power is used daily as a substitute for talent and convincing abilities is far too painful to bear.
The indy movement needs you. You are like a lit candle in the cold darkness. A bigger asset to the yes movement than the entire cohort of absolutely useless chicken SNP MSPs, most of the SNP MP “warriors” that turned to be useless seat warmers and abuse of Scotland enablers, and of course the utterly and embarrassingly useless leadership that instead of leading uses its time to destroy democracy, to undermine us and to dismantle the SNP to recycle into the british state’s best colonial tool.
Take a holiday. A very long deserved holiday. Rest, a lot. Breath, deeply. Clear your head. Go and see the wonders of the world. Try new things. Enjoy life to the full. Take your time. But please, don’t leave us now that we found you. Now that we have had a taste of what decent and honest investigative reporting actually is. Now that we knew somebody had finally taken the measure of the biggest political fraud Scotland has ever seen. Now that we have found the only communicator that is ready to say it publicly how it is.
It is not fair. Why is it us losing out and not the political fraud and her brigade of compliant betrayers?
I refuse to say “goodbye”. I am afraid “See you soon” is all my fingers can type.
Hmmm, on the jacket Rev, at the top it says it’s waterproof then in the features at the bottom it is listed as water and wind resistant. I have a Nike running jacket like that, converts to a gillet too, vents, breathable. Pockets.
But I also have a liightweight Goretex shell. No pockets, no lining, long sleeve top or the lower arms literally fill with sweat. But it is 100% waterproof and 100% windproof. I live above the beach in Dundee so when the Easterly is blowing off the Urals and throwing freezing rain your face you want the Goretex.
So when the marketing says waterproof but the technical you can sue us on this stuff says resistant be cautious. Also my Goretex shell can be re-proofed with the wash in stuff from outdoor shops. Can this be re-proofed?
At the current rate, the final crowdfunder is shaping up to supply you with an entire wardrobe of hilariously high-tech jackets that would shame your average Nordic ski team, with some loose change left over for animal pal maintenance, gin & sweeties; in exchange for occasional polling and – please God, make it so – a BOOK. A bargain at the price, frankly!
All I can do is echo the heartfelt comments so many folk have made. Thank you so much for everything, Stuart – it’s been an education, a rollercoaster ride and a laugh. Your writing is always intelligent and perceptive, often challenging and fearless, sometimes confrontational, but it’s also distinctively entertaining – a journalistic skill much underrated and drearily lacking in the output of other independence commentators. Your investigative skills are, of course, formidably tenacious – I’d give that proverbial dog with a bone long odds against you.
Much like yourself, it was initially heartbreaking to come to the bleak conclusion that independence isn’t happening any time soon, not in the current circumstances anyway. Nothing will ever change my belief in independence should that opportunity ever come again, however, as you observe, we all have lives to lead and make the best of in the meantime. No independence supporter has earned that more than you.
If I may offer one final gin recommendation – if you haven’t tried spit-roasted pineapple gin from That Boutique-y Gin Company yet, DO IT! Imagine barbecued, caramelised pineapple distilled into gin form. It’s also 46% proof so is guaranteed to put hairs on your chest (a minor inconvenience easily resolved with a quick swipe of a Ladyshave, I’ve found). It should go without saying, that it has no business anywhere near a pizza.
All the best for the future in whatever you do – it would be great to hear updates every now and then – and, when the time is right, (and from a safe legal jurisdiction), please, please, write that BOOK.
Besides for that rough amount of money I’m eyeing up the latest all in one brewing machine the Braumeister 20L. Add water, malt, hops press go get wort ready to pitch the yeast into out the other end. Tempting very tempting.
Would take a lot of the effort out of doing a brew. Tempting, very tempting. Save £800 a month for two months and it’s pretty well mine. Recently did £1k for 3 months to afford my new heat pump system (inheritance paid the rest). So I know I can do it.
Thanks for everything Stu, enjoy the jacket!
This is hilarious!
I’m happy to donate to jacket fund.
Finger crossed it doesn’t end up being ‘the wrong jacket’ that goes wrong!
https://tinyurl.com/tn9txjju
Make sure you buy the right size!
Mia at 5.26 expressed my feelings exactly.
Devolutionists are happy – strange how the jeers of the Sturgeon groupies and science-denying wokies are harder to bear than anything from Tories and other unionists. A coalition of the treacherous, the nasty, the intellectually dishonest, the stupid, the gullible and the spineless is succeeding.
Remember that while your enemies hate and fear you there are many of us who regard you with affection and enormous respect.
@peter newling 6:26pm
This is Stu’s day. I am not concerned about the reaction. It was entirely expected. I agree with what you and Mia have said. Exchange, Intellectually Dishonest with Intellectually Bereft and you are there. They obviously haven’t heard that a quiet campaign to convert SNP MSPs (mainly Salmond men) is underway. We need a half of dozen or so to walk over to Alba. Changes the political balance of Holyrood and undermines the Greens. My message to these possible converts take a leaf out of Stu’s book. His reputation is intact is yours?
Brian Doonthetoon @ 3:23
Thanks Brian had a good laugh at the ” SNP moving to a new phase ” pish
Aye the old ones are the best ones and the shite factory is still churning it out at a fair rate of knots I wonder if anyone really believes this guff anymore,
The leaked email given to her paper of choice The Daily Record who coincidentally is the centre of a police Scotland inquiry about previously reported leaked private information on the Alex Salmond fit up
Now that’s just coincidence isn’t it , the good old VOW producing Daily Record the paper of choice of every fake Independence supporter .
My first ever comment, I was feart of making an arse of it and being killed with hammers but braving it to say thank you. I hope when you wear your fancy new jacket, (is it bear proof), it reminds you that those of us who really want independence, and also think women deserve rights, are forever grateful for your work. Thanks Stuart x
` The Man in the Graphene Jacket` reminds me of a great old film `The Man in the White Suit`.
Do they no do heated trousers to go with the top,
nae point your top bein all toasty when your nether parts are shivering in the desolate Bath winter.
Glad to make a contribution for sweeties, critturs and gin.
Thanks for everything Stuart. Been a hoot and as I said the other day the friends of Wings will continue. Who know, you might even get an invite to one of our special nights out. (see you Mr Brotherhood….watching – let us know on the twittersphere to make sure word get out)
I hope you have a peaceful retirement and I sincerely hope you have to cut it short to return to duty 😉
Why am I sat here in tears?
Because all that is good and honest has been squeezed out of the campaign for Scottish independence. It’s now a shell. The goodness sucked out of it by a fake FM and all her Yes Men & Women.
No longer Yes for independence, but Yes St Nicola, you’re wish is our command.
Thank you from my heart for all you’ve done for Scotland Stu, and sorry for all you’ve been put through by that bunch of shameless scoundrels.
I will make a small donation,but it’s a parting gift from me to you. Just you.
Take care dear friend. You will be greatly missed. You’re the best.
Mia @ 5.56
Wowza . That’s how to say thank you and * goodbye * . Beautifully expressed .
Don’t worry sister the game’s not over yet , far from it n with passionate , intelligent, insightful people like you around it never will be . Not until the game is won .
Take of yourself ; and that goes for all of you good people too .
” Because of a great love, one is courageous.”
” care “
No more words… everyone else has written them all so much better than I would have. So just going to say… ‘Au revoir’, and hopefully ‘a bientot’! Meanwhile I wish you fun in whatever you do next, but keep yer eyes peeled for the ‘Wings’ signal in the Scottish sky!
Just off to add another button to your jaiket! Ach… I see it has plenty! Well… buy another sweetie then! Whatever… WORD OF CAUTION: the amt of sweeties you’re going to have, will equate to how tight that new jaiket is going to feel…
Dang! I can’t type & peel bl**dy ingins *watery eyes…*
This’ll be some jaikit but it will never be on a shoogly peg!
Whenever you wear it, remember us and the goodwill we send you.
At the rate your crowdfunder is going you’ll be able to buy trews, gloves, a hat, a back pack that has rocket boosters to get you out of any dodgy situations and an invisible overjacket to help you watch the badgers and other wildlife.
Thank you for everything and all the very best, Stu.
Stay safe.
If you ever need accommodation in Stirling just give me a shout.
To ALL WINGERS:
Remember Bruce and the Spider –
‘If at first you don’t succeed, try , try and try again.’
We will meet again and we will be free.
The dream will never die!
Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high, there’s a Scotland that I heard of, once in a lullaby. Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue, and the dreams that I dare to dream, really do come true. Someday I’ll wish upon a star, and wake up where the clouds are far behind me. Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops, that’s where you’ll find me. Somewhere over the rainbow, bluebirds fly. Birds fly over the rainbow. Why then, oh why can’t I? If happy little bluebirds fly Beyond the rainbow, why, oh why, can’t I?
Just chipped in and yes more than you asked for but
so little of what you deserve.
The money is for you to spend on you!
It’s what we want and it’s what is right.
Go a holiday, put go faster strips on that Mini!
Enjoy!
If there’s going to be lots of money left over, Stu – and there surely will be – use it whatever way you like. But, just for the record, although it’s only my opinion, I am sure most of us here would love you to use it to keep you going while you write the book.
And a very great book it will certainly be. Come to think of it, it might even become a series of books.
Thanks for everything. All the very best. Look after yourself. And thank you for all the magnificent honesty.
And by the way, by the beginning of 1304, and certainly by Easter that year, Edward I was licking his lips because the whole of Scotland had ‘finally’ succumbed, and ostensibly submitted to him. True, Stirling Castle was still holding out, but everyone knew it didn’t stand a chance. The whole land was in his grasp.
Unbeknown to Edward, just at that time, in June 1304, underneath the ramparts of that same Castle, ostensibly supporting the English king’s battering of its crumbling walls, the young Robert Bruce and William Lamberton, the Bishop of St. Andrews, entered into a secret and solemn compact (i.e. mutual alliance) to support each other in all things. Henceforth, they promised to make common cause in all their undertakings.
This didn’t hit any headlines, and not the slightest rumour even arose around it. No one knew the slightest thing about it. Or, if anyone did, it was only the most intimate confidants of Bruce and Lamberton, and they were sworn to absolute secrecy. There were no leaks. These were honourable men.
Undoubtedly, this was the beginning of the organised resistance that eventually led to the sudden enthronement of Robert Bruce, which took Edward totally by surprise, on March 25 – the New Year’s Day of that epoch – 1306. Two whole years they kept the lid on it, and yet the organisation must have been going on underneath, in secret, for all that time.
Sure, there were initial setbacks. Big ones. Huge ones, that even seemed irreversible. But when Bruce secretly landed on the Carrick shore, gathered his men, progressed from Glentrool to Loudon Hill and on, there would be no going back.
Professional historians might dither and quibble about some aspects of this, but it can surely be proved beyond any reasonable doubt that this whole trajectory begins with the Bruce-Lamberton ‘band’, or compact, of June 1304.
In other words, it was just when Scotland’s cause was at its lowest ebb – indeed, when Scotland as a nation and even her existence as a political entity, of any kind, seemed completely finished and once and for always defeated – that, hidden in complete secrecy, covered over in a total silence, her continuation and re-birth and new beginning came into existence. Not in any public way – no one saw it. Just these two men, all by themselves, with not a single witness. There was the acorn from which the solid oak would grow.
On Saturday what I knew already, at least in my head – that WoS was coming to an end – came through in a more real fashion than ever. The picture that came to my mind was of a later episode in Scottish history, post Culloden, post 1745, in the midst of clearances. The famous and sad. sad painting, that is, of the Highland chief on his horse, with his head bowed low in dejection and defeat, surrounded by his kinsfolk, as – if I am interpreting it aright – they wait to embark for America.
That was the feeling on Saturday, and on Sunday too, of course. With the twin posts of both Chris Cairns and, then, next, Stuart’s as well.
But today, with this ‘last post’ from Stuart, the feeling is different. It’s even upbeat. No matter how bad the situation is, it’s even – I would say – confident. Indeed, even uplifting. The scene from Scottish history that comes to my mind today is that of the Lamberton-Bruce compact. As others have noted, it’s at the darkest moment that the dawn begins. you don’t see it at first, but it’s happening already.
I am not in despair. The gloom has gone. I feel strangely full of hope. And happy, even; light-hearted. The forces of evil and wickedness, embedded in their own labyrinth of lies and deceit, cannot and will not win. They can look as if they are winning, they can even kid themselves on that they have won, but even in their apparent victory – their seeming total subjection of everyone – they contain within themselves the seeds of their own destruction. They are themselves the basis of their own implosion.
In June 1304 Edward was priding himself in his apparent total victory. He knew nothing of Bruce and Lamberton, and the reality of their secret accord. Appearance versus reality? There can only be one winner.
I actually feel more hopeful today than I have been for a long long time. It may seem irrational, but the heart has its reasons, and ultimately reason – in the sense of ‘calculating’ reason – is no match for it. I don’t know what is being cooked in secret, but – you know what? – we ARE going to win. Of that, I have never been more sure.
Once again, Stuart, thank you for everything. And, lest you forget, I am really looking forward to that book.
Many others have written what I would have wanted to write. This is a very sad day.
Thanks, Stu, for all your excellent work, amazing work, invaluable work, over the years.
Take care, and look after the animals.
Au revoir.
@ Rev at 3.48 “it’s a video…”
I am very happy to be giving you a laugh today, Rev!!
To be fair, when I made my first response I hadn’t actually watched the video – I thought it might be a lengthy one and as today is the first day with my puppy I am not able to lounge around, popping high class chocolate in my mouth, watching videos. 🙂 🙂
I have since found the few seconds to watch this epic film of 6 – is it 6? – lovely creatures. They look a cheery, companionable group. Great fun. You could pop them in the pockets of your new jaikit and take them for a walk to see the sights. I’m sure they would love it.
Nice one wull.
‘For as long as a hundred of us remain alive….. it is not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we fight, but for freedom alone..’
Cheerio Stu – enjoyed reading your stuff over the years.
sarah says:
28 September, 2021 at 9:23 pm
To be fair, when I made my first response I hadn’t actually watched the video – I thought it might be a lengthy one and as today is the first day with my puppy I am not able to lounge around, popping high class chocolate in my mouth, watching videos. ? ?
—
I really don’t see the issue here. Teach them well, teach them young.
Ach, this is sad. I remember when it all started – can’t believe it has been so long. ‘Back in yer box Scotland, back in yer box, and shut the f*** up about independence.’
Thanks Sturgeon, you utter tractor. For London’s gold and all that..
I just have no words.
@ Scott: well, the puppy would definitely like the chocolate part of the routine! Thinking of changing her name to Bessy Bunter or Greedy…
“I have since found the few seconds to watch this epic film of 6 – is it 6? – lovely creatures.”
Yep, six – Daphne, Celeste, Pepsi, Shirlie, Coco and Rosie. They’re twats.
Thank you Stu and the holiday boy for your years of diligence. Don’t go making the badgers and rats obese with all the extra titbits they can now get! All the best with whatever you turn your hand to next.
Thanks once again for everything. Wishing you the well deserved peace to enjoy your jaikit.
Though I’m afraid ‘Snuggly Cybernat’ doesn’t quite have the same ring to it…
“Daphne, Celeste… Rosie”.
They may be twats but they are beautiful twats. They have gorgeous names too. You must love them dearly. And now you will be able to spend a bit more time with them – silver lining, kind of thing.
I think everyone is beginning to see there is a plus to what is happening with Wings – we care about you and know that you will be better off without the burden.
My third attempt about putting you in the way of Persephone Books is – I meant to say “out of print” not out-of-date! One book on their list in particular that sounds as if it would interest you is “Tory Heaven”. It is a post-war satire set in an England with a strictly ordered society of 5 social classes, no intermingling or move from one group to another permitted. And no democracy either – parliamentary constituencies are the pre-1832 version! I haven’t read it myself yet having bought it and then given it to a brother-in-law… big mistake.
Will the new jacket(s), (Winter Collection) have a WINGS emblem stitched on it? 🙂
As all good things come to an end, so regrettably ends this remarkable blog.
On reflection – while I cannot not regard the blog’s termination as a good thing – I nevertheless do not believe its ending has damaged the independence cause, such as it is.
There is a lot of anger and frustration amongst us “disciples” (for want of a better word), which is bound to get worse in time. When that energy finds an outlet, good things may yet come about.
The onus is now on us to figure out what we can do individually to move things along, seeing that we have lost our guiding star.
Stuart has done his bit. It is up to us now.
Delete “cannot not”, insert “cannot”.
My daughter bought me a heated jacket last Xmas, but she did not get a battery pack to go with it !
Happily chipped in for the jacket and sweeties, enjoy you have earned it
Jez
It feels like the end of an era.
I feel a bit despondent, because it feels like the SNP are doing their utmost to become unelectable, and Alba have some way to go before they can become real contenders.
Independence has never been so essential and urgent as it is now, but I cannot see how we are going to achieve it.
Meantime, I’ll keep chipping away at the sceptics and the shouty denialists, trying not to get too frustrated about how gradualist it all feels.
Here’s to better days – enjoy your holiday – I look forward to your return when the time is right.
Just donated Wear it well Stuart you’ll be missed
Stuart, best of luck, and thanks so much for all your travails.
To new beginnings.
@wull
Thanks I needed that post!
Chucked in a few quid and Just remembered what that jaicket reminded me off..
‘Dynamo’ from the movie Running Man…!
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093894/characters/nm0887419
Looking at the fund raiser, you can probably buy some solar panels too!
Nice f’n Jacket Stu !!!! Love it, already jealous.
Auf wiedersehen !
Enjoy yersel’!
You’ve been brilliant!
Belter of a website.
…and thos ‘fancy’ ‘graphene’ jackets attract bears anyway..so I heard.
So chuffed to be able to donate to your choice of leaving gift, Stuart. Thank you for your passion, courage, wisdom and exquisite journalism. I share your simple love of the natural world and love of beauty. You are a true Scottish stalwart.
Thank you for your support for women’s rights, informing and educating about the absolutely terrifying and monstrous GRA ideology from the dark forces amongst Sturgeon and her “ special people “. Her dismissal of women’s concerns as “ not valid “ is yet more evidence of the smugness and condescension that constitute the tone of every narcissist.
Get real Nicola Sturgeon. Sex is a material reality. Gender is a social construct. No society would permit what you want to happen to women if, at some level, it didn’t have contempt for them. You have also demonstrated your predilection for cruelty and causing state-sanctioned harm to children.
This struggle will bring forth great masses of women and their menfolk together to directly challenge the state’s authority to behave in such a monstrous, despotic and despicable way. I and many others are so fucking angry. The court of public opinion will be her judge and jury and consign her to the dustbin of history, along with those who said and did nothing to stop her. You don’t scare me, Nicola Sturgeon. I’ve never been scared of bullies.
Bella Ciao, Stuart. I look forward to your comeback when we need you.
Thanks for all your brilliant output. I have a feeling we’ll hear from you again. Hope so. Awrabest.
Your love of animals speaks volumes, you are a good soul Stuart.
I can only echo annie621 and Mia above.
You are going to leave a massive hole here as you can see by the comments above and on the previous post.
I think this is going to shock a lot of people including your critics in the independence movement. This act is far more powerful in communicating the bleakness of the current situation than anything you could have written. But at what a price…
I don’t normally say this to another man but I am really going to miss you. 🙂
Arrabest bud. Hope you like the jacket.
Thanks for all you’ve done, and the rage of Wokus Dei currently being seen on twitter feels a bit like an encore when your favourite band comes back on and plays their best tune. When I think of you, I always think of Warrior Soul for some reason:
Maybe this one:
They said you couldn’t break away
The liars they can’t stop you
They say that you are just a pain
So what man you inspire
And then the world comes crashin’ down
And you’re the toughest thing around
How many times they gonna count you out
And baby you don’t care
They said no-one loves you
So what
And you’re goin’ somewhere
So let’s go
Stu,
I’ll keep my monthly direct debit contribution going, in gratitude for all your dedication and clarity of purpose over the years. You can use it towards the lovely jacket!
All the best in retirement. Your furry friends will keep you busy I’m sure.
Rev
The very best of luck with whatever comes in the future.
“Yep, six – Daphne, Celeste, Pepsi, Shirlie, Coco and Rosie. They’re twats.”
Good escapologists, too, generally…
Wings’ thoroughly-researched articles, presented with evidence to substantiate every point, will remain as timeless reminders of everything that Scottish journalism was not.
The likes of Wishy Pissfart responded with nothing but childish insults. Not one of Stuart’s statements of fact was successfully challenged.
Wings’ catalogue of evidence, together with the work of Gordon Dangerfield, Craig Murray and others, will make an important contribution to the analysis of how the Sturgeon regime failed the people of Scotland.
Even before Angela Merkel’s reign over Germany has ended, people have begun to ask questions. The same will happen in Scotland.
The importance and accuracy of Stuart’s work will be recognised by history, unlike the ramblings of the humble ex-investment banker, Wishy and the rest of the sycophants.
We will all remember the feeling when a new article appeared and that the contents never disappointed.
Thank you, Stuart.
Like Chris @10.14 I’d like to keep my stingy wee monthly contributions going to keep you in jacket batteries or whatever sweetie comes to mind (or dentist’s bills).
Every day on Wings you shamed the churnalists/presstitutes and lying politicians with your articulate and thoroughly-researched articles and that’s why they hate and vilify you so much.
You also gave some great BTL commenters a voice and a platform, most notably Breeks, whose constitutional and Rage Against Imelda Sturgeon stuff has been an outstanding contribution to the site, in my opinion.
Last, to all you vile cybernats and horrid spawn of Campbell: cheerybyethenoo and arrividerci, Erchies!
The British state is crumbling. With even its once staunch advocates, e.g. the philosopher A.C. Grayling intellectually deserting it, time to get out in the streets and speeded up the demolition.
Johnson & Starmer will obligingly aid in that demolition. .
Thank you and good luck, Rev. Stu., your contribution has been both monumental in the face of anodyne and duplicitous officialdom.
As my spectral dissonance makes me contrary by nature, I shall never believe that you went voluntarily. I fear you have left a vacuum.
Indy – a cause without a rebel.
2 layers of graphene stops bullets.
No ‘Manky Jaikit’; more ‘Swanky Jaikit’.
As both the crooks in Holyrood & the crooks in Westminster have you on their watched-list, being bullet -proof is a very good idea.
I am being completely serious.
Happy trails Stu, thanks for all the truth you have given us over these past years. The truth often hurts.
Til we are on an actual valid campaign trail again, may God protect you, in this wicked world. Stay safe. Stay really safe! There are many malignant eyes watching us all, but especially you.
Glad to donate Stuart. Enjoy your rest.
Christine at 8.27am Sep 29…..I agree with every word you wrote, especially the first paragraph.
All the best to you Stuart
Crisiscult @ 9.48
:Thanks for all you’ve done, and the rage of Wokus Dei currently being seen on twitter feels a bit like an encore :
I suppose that’s one way to look at it Crisiscult, I personally am a tad insulted, just a tad mind , but nevertheless !
It’s not so much with those who just don’t like or are professionally envious of Wings, they’ve always just been noise.
But with those pontificating on what should have been done instead.
THAT particular choice was OURS the people who actually donated.
We had the option to say no to the Revs preffered option and give some sort of direction as to what WE would have preferred happen instead.
The vote was open to all, and all were invited to comment.
Now that our decision is made around the fighting fund and the the Rev has responded to OUR, his readers , main request during the debate, that he be acknowleged in some way with a token of our esteem the butt hurt of Twitter rock and rant about that too.
Well Actually
It’s none of their Tweeting business …. what happens on Wings BTL is our business, conducted in the open and approved right here.
If they had a thing to say they could have argued it here, with us, I have to wonder why they didn’t ?
But as usual with far too many Scots, they shy away from the actual decision making and make a far too little comment far too fucking late.
The term put up our shut up never applied so well ….
They seem to be so blinded by the need to have a dig at the Rev they forget it’s actually us , the Wingers, and our choices they criticise.
Well we made our choices and theres not a fucking thing they can do about it except bitch in limited characters at the wrong person.
I have to wonder though why none faced us here ?
Glass house syndrome perhaps ?
Although self awareness is distinctly lacking in many quarters so mibbi they are just plain yellow.
But ultimately I struggle to care.
So … enjoy your present Rev it’s freely given with love and affection and that , I think , is what’s bugging them most of all 🙂
https://www.bitchute.com/video/HBZxMr4JaRQp/
An interesting legal question.
I am, as ever, gobsmacked by your kindness and generosity for a daft wee fundraiser to buy a fancy jacket. As promised, have started spending the extra on swan food. (Also for ducks.)
I remember a conversation I had with the late Andrew MacIntosh and a prisoner from Ayrshire about Independence. Andy reckoned the only way the Scots would go for Independence is when their doors are being kicked in by the State. The Ayrshire man reckoned it impossible as the Scots were too prone to infighting. The moron Sturgeonettes have proved the man from Ayrshire correct.
Made a wee donation. Wings had been essential reading for me since 2012. I regularly mentioned it to friends. And you know what, none of them bothered to check it out. They did vote Yes though, but I was hoping to arm them with facts that they could then impart to others. And so on. Oh well, you can’t force folk. Fortunately this site DID reach many hundreds of thousands and definitely persuaded a fair percentage of them to vote for normality!
All the best, you bad tempered bugger. Here’s hoping there will be a need for you to come out of retirement. Oh and well done for sticking to your guns on the gender debate. I knew you were bang on but it took some time for others to understand just how important it is to stand up for women.
Enjoy the warmth this winter.
I can well understand that you are burnt out, but isn’t this the problem with being one person up against a whole establishment, who pay themselves lots of money and are very good at lying and hiding information. As in “you can’t fight City Hall”.
And a problem with all of new media and community organisation. That it’s atomised, whereas they have structures built to last. How can it be sustained after the initial motivators have gone?
Your website, with its millions of hits, is trusted more than politicians and newspapers. Is there no way of using the money that is left to pay for other people to continue with it, with you as owner/managing director?
You covered a wide area of subjects, but for me the most important was the core of taking the claims of politicians and the spin of newspapers and comparing them with the evidence. Time after time you showed they were lying, and none of the press has journalism that we can rely on.
If you can’t face it, I just want to say thank you.
You’re gobsmacked? Don’t be and stop selling yourself short, you are leadership material, even those who hate your guts secretly love you…..You are a media STAR.
Don’t walk off into the night like some petulant prima donna, you have a magnetism which can still be utilised to “kill the witch”, look at the hold you have here on members who are certainly not all of one voice, keep fighting I’m sure there are dozens of platforms who would see you as a sure ratings booster.
I had a look at the publicity for that jacket, and as someone who goes out on horses in the Highlands, it looks interesting. But the one thing they didn’t mention was size. Stu, you’re the same height as I am. Do tell, when you get it, how well it fits…
https://www.bitchute.com/video/XrW4qtXSh4CW/
A question for the gullible lockdown fans. Is it good for a woman’s health to be sexually assaulted by Police?
I hope you have a receipt for that jacket and duck food cos I will be sending in the fraud squad to check that you are not using a crowdfunder for purposes other than their intended use.
@lizg – you may have misunderstood my sentiment. I agree with you. I just meant it’s kind of fun to see people spluttering and upset – I’ve now seen someone tweet in outrage that people have so much money to spend when there are people who are starving!
Anyway, one particularly accurate point you make:
But as usual with far too many Scots, they shy away from the actual decision making and make a far too little comment far too fucking late.
The term put up our shut up never applied so well ….
And definitely watch your back… It is when you are out the public eye that you become more vulnerable.
Even with the new jacket DON’T be going hill walking anytime soon. 🙂
“I had a look at the publicity for that jacket, and as someone who goes out on horses in the Highlands, it looks interesting. But the one thing they didn’t mention was size. Stu, you’re the same height as I am. Do tell, when you get it, how well it fits…”
I’m imagining they’re going to contact people when it’s time to send them out and ask for sizes then.
I wish you well Stu. Enjoy your time out away from the madness, you have earned it for sure.
You gave us Wings and I thank you for it.
Crisicult @ 2.27
I knew that 🙂 and do see where your coming from.
I was just bouncing off your comment to have a rant from the other side of the coin.
Sorry if it read that I was having a go … I really wasn’t 🙂
And sorry for messin up your name too
Look after you and yours
Thank you for everything
It’s been a blast!
Px
Was that the real Pete Wishart? If so, why is he reading these posts which are a farewell to Mr Campbell who is retiring from the fray? Does he really want to waste his TAXPAYER-FUNDED time on what is surely none of his legitimate TAXPAYER-FUNDED business?
Great speech by Sir Keir Starmer today .Nearly 90 mins proved he has what it takes to be PM.
@ Rev,
In case you haven’t already thought of this – your site has hundreds of thousands of readers and you have invited or allowed other people to post on it in order to reach a wider audience e.g. Geoff Bush’s Good Guys effort to get better people elected onto the SNP NEC in November 2020 [which had some success].
With the site remaining in existence would you consider inviting e.g. Ian Lawson, Barrhead Boy, Grouse Beater, to share their articles here?
I leave it with you.
Amazon @1:09pm says:
“Amazon will make a donation to Lgb Alliance”
Oh no! With Amazon about to get cancelled how will anyone get Christmas presents? Even if there were delivery drivers available?
@Liz g – no worries, and no worries about the name (my mother was always doing it and I’ve no idea why she gave me the name in the first place 😀 )
Eh David Ritchie
Was that a joke ” great speech ”
Just in case it was serious stamer has either just been blessed with leadership qualities or your drunk .
Pete Wishart says:
29 September, 2021 at 2:16 pm
I hope you have a receipt for that jacket and duck food cos I will be sending in the fraud squad to check that you are not using a crowdfunder for purposes other than their intended use.
I’m assuming that even Pete the Pishartist has more wit than is displayed here. This communication has all the hallmarks of the lesser-lucid-loonatic-limits of the SNP
Robert graham says:
29 September, 2021 at 6:01 pm
Eh David Ritchie
Was that a joke ” great speech ”
Just in case it was serious stamer has either just been blessed with leadership qualities or your drunk .
————-
He’s pissed Robert. He’s been on here a wee while touting the unionist slab mantra. He’ll be pleased with Starmer fighting for the union .
Ignore him – it’s Kcor or that other eegit .
holymacmoses says:
29 September, 2021 at 6:11 pm
Pete Wishart says:
————
Seriously, did that maniac just say that? Holy moses he’s unbelievable. No way that man should be an MP. Get him voted out Perth!
Pixywine @ 1:02, yeah seen that one about ownership makes a change from fridge magnets ha ha
The BBC quite low down on their website GMO crops previously banned in the EU are all of a sudden the answer to food shortages in Britain how nice eh I guess next on the menu will be chlorinated poultry and this will solve any shortage of Christmas Turkeys,
Now aren’t we blessed with being England’s best pals all due to Princess Nicola a true gem
I still can’t believe this is the end for Wings. This is where I cut my teeth on using social media for Scottish Independence in 2012. I loved reading all the comments good and bad.
The affection you have from Independistas is huge Stu. I will miss Wings so much.
You deserve some time without getting abused every day. Mind you if you were writing rubbish these Unionists wouldn’t abuse you!
Good Luck for the future Stu, all the very best to you.
Stu
Gonna miss you and this site soooooo much.
You remind me of Avon from Blake’s 7 and since this was on Forces TV the other night, I’m attributing Avon’s quote to you!
Stu to Sturgeon: I’m finished. Staying with you requires a degree of stupidity of which I no longer feel capable.
You’re awesome, Stu. Live long and prosper.
Splundig vur Thrigg,
Greg.
o/t
RT under severe attack from the security services in the UK they managed to get RT in Germany into real trouble , the UK site has interference on every single subject they are airing just now the most bizarre comments on some of their stories imaginable probably in order to close them down.
I knew Google was up to the censorship bit , now Utube has banned any mention of the plague serum Aye a free press and media, North Korea looks like a haven of liberal democracy now .
If anyone is still under the illusion this situation is normal then they need their head examined this serum has caused more deaths and injuries than every vaccine combined there has never been a more deadly concoction administered ever, this stuff beats every other hands down .
“I think he said something about an ‘independence industry’. If there is indeed one he must be one of its most celebrated recipients. What a grifter. And the Albists and blogger followers will still hand over their cash”
Jesus what a prick Pete Wishart is.
https://twitter.com/PeteWishart/status/1443262355568308230
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tZFFbign7pc
To all of you still buying the Governments covid propaganda. You’re on the wrong side of History.
Robert Graham. YouTube has been censoring any covid dissent since Susan Wojiki took over.
Keir Starmer gives 90 minute speech about paperclips. Scintillating.
Republicofscotland says:
29 September, 2021 at 8:07 pm
“I think he said something about an ‘independence industry’. If there is indeed one he must be one of its most celebrated recipients. What a grifter. And the Albists and blogger followers will still hand over their cash”
Jesus what a prick Pete Wishart is.
—-
In the good old days, there’d be a fundraiser for a trophy to go with this award, which is what I think he was alluding to at the end there.
And yes, he really is a prick with a keyboard.
If that was really Pete W at 2:16 –
Pete, ISTR donating to the missing fund. Long ago, and that card and account no longer exist. Please let me know who to contact. I suspect there may be others on here also interested.
https://www.bitchute.com/video/pH6or52rtUl4/
Sturgeon. We’re onto you.
There has been a lot of appreciation expressed towards Rev Stu today. Witnessed by a a crowdfunder for £215, launched yesterday, reaching almost £10,000 as I type.
I’ve just watched this again. If you’ve seen this already, watch it again. If you haven’t watched it, take the opportunity now.
It’s the extended version of the interview/interrogation that Alex Salmond carried out with Rev Stu in Bath, back in May, 2019.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uueN3GKxAfM
Pixywine says:
29 September, 2021 at 11:19 pm
Sturgeon. We’re onto you.
—
If that’s in the same way that there was an interesting legal point earlier, then you really aren’t.
I have to ask if you read the actual opinion, because the point made in the blurb was utter drivel that ‘vaccinated humans aren’t human due to this 2012 dispute over patent and its ensuing privileges’.
What a shill.
Well, if that was the miserly Pete Wishart posting earlier today and if he does try to call in the fraud squad I would like to put it on record that:
The donation I made to this crowdfunder is a small gift to Stuart Campbell to spend as he sees fit in deepest gratitude and sincere respect for the many hours he has spent writing, analysing, defending and fighting for the truth, for political awareness and Independence for Scotland across the years.
No matter how hard he tries, Pete Wishart will never earn the respect and affection that this man has earned in abundance.
Just happened to pop up eh Scott ?
Your comment is exactly on the same theme as the team who are presenty all over the comments section of R T a coincidence ? You people really need to update your game boys its boring
It’s a pity Stu never implemented the ‘ratings’ feature so we could signal approval/disapproval of BTL comments. So many moving posts here that I would’ve liked to give the ‘thumbs up’ to, notably Mia’s tribute @5.26pm:
https://wingsoverscotland.com/tidying-up/#comment-2678106
Hope it’s not too long before you come out of retirement!
Well the fundraiser has done its job and bought the rev a new jaiket and triggered all the right people. Who knew that Pete Wishart hated ducks, swans, badgers and foxes ? I suspect Pete is not all that big a hit with the wildlife either given his fetish for a stoat coat.
Just seen some of Comfy pete’s comments. What a bitter wee man. The guy needs to take a wee look in the mirror. Stuart Campbell did more for independence in eleven years, than Comfy pete has done in his entire twenty years lving it up in England’s capital city. I wonder if he has picked his seat in the Lords yet?
Comfy pete, on over 90k salary a year, with unlimited expenses, free flights to London for him and his family, and a free second house in London. And he calls Stuart a ‘grifter’.
This sounds like an ending,
crushed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wgv08gsexfc
Thanks to all over the years…especially the big man!
Chief Secretary to the Treasury is a Gove clone.
On Sky with the most outrageous claims either beyond Burley’s
comprehension or not questioning as that’s her job to help the Tories.
The Gov helped everyone during Covid?
What about the million newly self employed who got nothing?
The £20 uplift continuing would put 1p on Tax and 3p on fuel?
Tories just put 1.5p on tax and fuel has gone up 5p.
The fuel crisis is over?
Why are the army trying to deliver fuel them?
Why are workers unable to go to work as they can’t get fuel?
What are the majority of petrol stations closed in many areas?
What oh what is it with the English electorate.
With so many crisis’ going on in Tory land those interviewed claimed
to have been Labour voters previously still wouldn’t go back?
I wouldn’t vote Labour either but how on earth can you want to stick with the corruption and
incompetence of the Tory party that gets worse every year.
We must get away from England very soon as it’s a matter of strife and death!
PS Great to see the Rev gets his coat of many colours and £10K !
Scott the SNP Tory bot.
Pete Pissflaps should stop defaming people with insults such as “grifter” or I’ll tell everyone how shit Runrig are. Pure biscuit tin tourist elevator music.
Spot the Scot bot.
Fraud squads driven by malice are corrupt.
May I echo Meg merrilees and say that I have donated of my own free will and with gratitude to the Rev Stu for all his work for Scotland , all his effort to challenge the media and shine lights where the gloaming hid truth.
I will donate again if asked – I also donated to some’ ring fenced for Indy ‘fund raiser.
I do hope Mr Wishart realises that he merely succeeds in looking incredibly spiteful and foolish – sadly that seems to be the SNP’s modus operandi these days.
Effigy at 7.27am
“We must get away from England very soon as it’s a matter of strife and death!”
And there it is! Run away; it’s the Scottish “Nationalist” way. No wonder they chose yellow as their political colour.
John McNab,
Not all Scottish Nationalists are SNP members and there is not nearly enough SNP members that are Scottish Nationalists.
Regarding Scottish self determination, people have to be lying to themselves and others if they don’t believe that people in Scotland should make our own decisions. A ridiculous state of mind, really.
robert graham says:
30 September, 2021 at 1:39 am
Just happened to pop up eh Scott ?
Your comment is exactly on the same theme as the team who are presenty all over the comments section of R T a coincidence ?
—
Didn’t know pixy posted context-free links on RT anaw…blame the whiner, not me.
Pixywine says:
30 September, 2021 at 7:37 am
Pete Pissflaps should stop defaming people with insults such as “grifter” or I’ll tell everyone how shit Runrig are. Pure biscuit tin tourist elevator music.
Reply
I don’t think that’s a fair assessment of their music. I used to like Runrig but P. Wishart has put me off.
I also used to like R. Kelly but not anymore.
It is predicted that a lot of big ‘rock n roll’ stars could be in trouble.
Elvis dated Prescilla when she was 14.
The following is a quote from an article about R. Kelly & the music industry. The part which I have bolded could apply equally to P. Wishart.
“The music industry is soulless and immoral,” Jim DeRogatis, the music journalist who has been chronicling the accusations against Kelly for more than 20 years, said in an interview. “Nothing comes before ‘do not derail the gravy train.’ That’s what it’s all about.”
Breastplate says:
30 September, 2021 at 9:56 am
Regarding Scottish self determination, people have to be lying to themselves and others if they
Breastplate says:
30 September, 2021 at 9:56 am
John McNab,
Not all Scottish Nationalists are SNP members and there is not nearly enough SNP members that are Scottish Nationalists.
Regarding Scottish self determination, people have to be lying to themselves and others if they don’t believe that people in Scotland should make our own decisions. A ridiculous state of mind, really.. A ridiculous state of mind, really.
Reply
Not only do they not ‘believe that people in Scotland should make our own decisions’ they believe people in Scotland are incapable of making their own decisions.
What about ‘Runrig’ are they the only rock n roll band who are absolutely scandal free? No groupies?
I have to say, checking into the crowdfunder warms my heart.
To see the aspiring pensioneer (parliamentary twitterer of the year,FFS) unable to ignore it is worth the money alone.
Not sure how many have seen this. It’s for discussion, it’s about educating. Not a tablet of stone, just for thinking. Have a wee look
https://constitutionforscotland.scot/
Ruby says:
30 September, 2021 at 10:43 am
What about ‘Runrig’ are they the only rock n roll band who are absolutely scandal free? No groupies?
With pension pete’s mug, parents were safe.
paul says:
30 September, 2021 at 10:49 am
Ruby says:
30 September, 2021 at 10:43 am
What about ‘Runrig’ are they the only rock n roll band who are absolutely scandal free? No groupies?
With pension pete’s mug, parents were safe.
Reply
The mug doesn’t matter it’s the fame that attracts the ‘groupies’
https://archive.is/OHoXj
This is what Ian Casey said of P. Wishart
“I was a musician. He was an international rock god with hundreds of groupies,” Cawsey told Reuters.
I’m pretty sure the rock god P. Wishart must have touched a knee or pinged the hair of one of those hundreds of groupies.
P. Wishart can bring in the fraud squad if he likes but while he is doing that others might decide to focus on the behaviour of ‘rock gods’ with hundreds of groupies.
What is that saying about ‘those without sin’?
English Pete,
English Pete,
English Pete
And his comfortable feet.
Late on in the morning,
Pete he starts his trolling,
Typing shite in every post and Tweet.
I was at a Runrig concert at Edinburgh Castle on 27th November 1989 and P. Wishart attempted to rape me.
OK I admit it’s a lie I wasn’t at a Runrig concert & there wasn’t even a concert on that date but hey if an ‘Alphabetty’ can get away with making up stories with the support of P. Wishart then any reason why others can’t?
In some meritocratic parallel universe, Pete Wishart is creeping around putting ambitiously worded posters on greasy walls: “MAN WITH A VAN. NO JOB TO BIG! NO JOB TO SMALL! “
I just tried to watch Starmer’s speech to conference. My God. I think I lasted 10 seconds which, judging by his expression, is probably longer than his incontinence pants lasted. He always has that look though, eh…
The BBC are giving Starmer an easy ride which signals to me that the Tories — having totally fucked the economy up (again) and watched several hundred thousand people needlessly die as a direct result of their policies — are looking to get out of Dodge (I’m adding the needless covid deaths to the needless deaths caused by austerity here, for all you nitpickers out there).
It’s been an amazing 11 years for the Tories.
The big news of the last few weeks, totally downplayed by the BBC, was Biden telling Boris to fuck off without a trade deal. Sending in the British army there wasn’t really an option.
It’s a bad time to be closing down a platform like this. The UK economy is basically in free fall. Being inside the propaganda bubble, we don’t see it. Covid might help disguise the fact that most of these problems stem from Brexit, but from a Treasury perspective Covid just makes everything 100 times worse.
There’s talk of Brexit Britain having to put up with frozen Turkey this Christmas because of staff shortages on the farms. Theres a million jokes there and the Europeans must be peeing themselves laughing.
zip a dee doo da
Right Stu, it has been a couple of days now and hopefully you are now refreshed and ready to get back into the fight?
When are you posting your next forensic analysis?
I genuinely don’t believe that you can simply sit back and watch all the shite continuing to unfold.
Scotland expects every man/woman to do his/her duty.
Malicious Banana Scotland and its supreme Covid info-gods must be delighted with this latest development (re. all Covid questioning/alternative information: Censored!/Banned!).
Now, suck up the darkness (hell), fools…
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-58743252
Does the army do dentistry?
I would have loved to donate to this in thanks for all the hard work in opening our eyes to what was happening to indy etc, but I am sad that I cant afford even a stitch on your jacket right now. However, gutted though I am at this ending of WOS, I am thoroughly enjoying watching you go out with a bang and a flare, Stu, winding up all those bitter, miserable whingers who have done you down over the past seven years. And thanks to all the donors who are helping to bring this about, it has fairly eased some of the sadness at the passing of Wings and at Sturgeon winning yet another battle in silencing those who see through her so clearly, and who have and do call her out for her vile actions and words.
Hatuey says:
The big news of the last few weeks, totally downplayed by the BBC, was Biden telling Boris to fuck off without a trade deal. Sending in the British army there wasn’t really an option.
—
On this point, Biden didn’t say fuck off.
He said, once all the corporate placemen are in situ, it’s a done deal.
With so many businesses ‘failing’, somebody (from a litigious nation) will pick up the slack in the markets at a price of their ‘choosing’.
Apologies for the poor tagging in my post.
Should only have been ‘failing’ in italics.
At least a little levity amidst the despondency of WOS exiting ….
The idea of Pathetic Pete The Pension Protector as , wait for it …” an International Rock God ” is about as credible as Useless Pee as a stalwart fighter for Independence ie literally incredible
It’s always a matter of personal taste , but Runrig never floated my ferry over the sea to Skye , yr man Donnie Munro always sounded to me like a singing accountant and the band lost whatever musical authenticity it had when they followed Simple Minds down the road of over-produced technical bombast – with a wee Celtic twist .
The reason why there are no stories of rock n roll excess attached to them is because they all had to be home by 10 pm ( 8.30 in Pete’s case ) and potential groupies were turned-off by being offered glasses of shandy and shortbread rather than the typical chemical cornucopia of the milieu .
I think we’re a wee bit short if we wanna buy this pad Rev Stu. Time to start upping the anti and windup.
Wouldn’t want Pension Pete gazumping us now would we!
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/homeandproperty/500-million-mansion-called-the-one-goes-into-foreclosure-because-no-one-wants-it/ar-AAOXG3S?ocid=msedgntp
So Iceland with a pop of only 400,000 has built the largest carbon capture facility in the world with Icelandic scientists in charge.
Then look at Scotland with all the potential in the world flushed down the lavi.
Stu,
Thanks for all your work in the march to independence. Your contributions during the 2014 referendum should not be downplayed – they were a shining light in the unionist darkness. I wish you all the best in the future and hope you find happiness. You have been ahead of everyone throughout and very seldom wrong in any way, although I don’t share your despair.
I was a member/activist for the SNP for 35 years and, on the day that C Murray was jailed, I cancelled my membership and joined Alba. In that time, I have experienced great political times, terrible political times, and slumps that I never thought would end. They always did, and independence slowly but surely grew to what is now the dominant position of the electorate. This slump will pass, huge marches will return, new people will come to the fore, and Scotland will be free.
I see one or two BTL commenters suggesting we take a look at Weak Pishfart’s life as a “Rock God (yer arvin a larf) and possible nefarious behaviour with unners o’ groupies.
Won’t do any good, you only go after the important people and Weak Pishfart has never been that.
Socrates MacSporran says:
30 September, 2021 at 3:20 pm
I see one or two BTL commenters suggesting we take a look at Weak Pishfart’s life as a “Rock God (yer arvin a larf) and possible nefarious behaviour with unners o’ groupies.
Won’t do any good, you only go after the important people and Weak Pishfart has never been that.
Reply
Maybe but that is not something P. Wishart believes.
Whatever you may think of ‘Runrig’ they did have a huge number of female fans who followed them from gig to gig and they were part of the music industry.
In light of the R.Kelly verdict the MeToo movement will now focus on the music industry.
In Scotland it will be on all Scottish bands. If I were P. Wishart I would be keeping a low profile and not pissing people off.
If I were a journalist in Scotland I would be looking for people who were part of the music industry in Scotland and who better to interview than an ex-member of a well know Scottish band who is now a politician at Westminster?
Socrates MacSporran says:
30 September, 2021 at 3:20 pm
I see one or two BTL commenters suggesting we take a look at Weak Pishfart’s life as a “Rock God (yer arvin a larf) and possible nefarious behaviour with unners o’ groupies.
Reply
It wouldn’t have to be unners o’ groupies ten would be enough.
Bella & Co crying, lying & dying. What’s not to like? https://twitter.com/bellacaledonia/status/1443248670242222086
Robert Graham and Robbo no not pissed .What are you going to do to persuade the PM to agree to another Indy Ref and what if he says no .My no 1 priority right now is the pressure the Care at Home service is under and the Hospitals that is what everyone should be concentrating on. Then there is Universal credit.That is what you should be commenting on. Have to go the Fugitive is on.
@ Stoker 4.21pm my god Mike smallist is a rabid jealous wee git , talk about prams and throwing toys , ye can see the BILE and GREEN SLIME pouring out his mouth when he even contemplates the Stuart Campbell aura
Stuart Campbell has installed himself in the consciousness of so many people, small Mike is the perfect example where their nightmares are running riot during the day
EVEN the very name Stuart Campbell triggers their rabid bile and green slime spittle flecked outpourings ,the name Stuart Campbell is the kryptonite that renders these clowns incapable of a reasoned thought , the RED MIST descends and all semi rational thought explodes into fragments
Poor wee small Mike and his sycophantic nikla adoring numbnuts don’t know whether to celebrate or cry at your leaving
Grifters ?
`The three MPs with the highest expenses claims are all SNP politicians, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority shows.
In the 2018-19 fiscal year, Chris Law, Ian Blackford and Brendan O’Hara all claimed a combined total of over £760,000 in expenses from the UK Parliament.`
David Ritchie says:
30 September, 2021 at 5:23 pm
Robert Graham and Robbo no not pissed .
———
Why don’t you give him your pin number for your bank account too!
Chase yirsel
I am inclined to make another donation. This grifter attack is unbelievable the people are thanking a fellow Independence supporter for his contribution over the years. I am not usually fazed by these antics but the SNP have stooped to a new low and Pete Wishart in particular. What a grubby party they have become.
Hey Robbo I didn’t know we knew each other or agreed on something , but according to David Ritchie we do , I haven’t a fkn clue what that’s about maybe he will explain.
And Scott what’s a context free link ? Cos I haven’t a scooby what you are on about , and pixywine can post wherever he likes go and ask him to explain ,
I can’t remember the outcome of legal action he posted a link too but I did notice two things the Date firstly , this case was heard long before this novel virus appeared , and the whole idea of applying for a patent for a cure for something that supposedly wasn’t around at the time is a bit suspicious
The whole secrecy surrounding this mass inoculation and the Hysterical way Governments all over the world are in lockstep following exactly the same script in every city and in every country storm troopers masquerading as police dressed for battle all in the same black kevlar it’s just a coincidence eh , I guess there was a sale of riot equipment just before the plague struck ? Good judgment or was it planned ? Because most politicians aren’t that fkn bright .
As far as I have seen pixywine is attempting to show people what the media are will fully hiding I guess he has better stuff to be getting on with but has taken the time to show people what’s going on , so do us a favour and get off his case thanks , he’s just the messenger so keep yer bullets for the ones who deserve them .
I haven’t donated yet as I get paid tomorrow. The more sour grapes I see, the higher the donation is likely to get.
“I can’t remember the outcome of legal action he posted a link too but I did notice two things the Date firstly , this case was heard long before this novel virus appeared , and the whole idea of applying for a patent for a cure for something that supposedly wasn’t around at the time is a bit suspicious ”
—
You just displayed your own ignorance. Well done, ‘Robert graham’.
The patent had hee-haw to do with covid, merely the exclusive right to market a discovery related to cancer in women.
Can you send those squirrels up to Edinburgh? The SNP are running out of them… 🙂
Robert graham says:
30 September, 2021 at 6:52 pm
Hey Robbo I didn’t know we knew each other or agreed on something , but according to David Ritchie we do , I haven’t a fkn clue what that’s about maybe he will explain.
——
Robert
It kinda started here then few posts later yest. But he’s been on here a few months posting absolute slab pish and wait for this wait for that b4 we go for another ref. Then comes on supporting here yest Starmer and saying -great speech. He’s pissed cos Starmer is a unionist therefore Mr David Ritchie is a unionist! Simples
David Ritchie says:
29 September, 2021 at 5:09 pm
Great speech by Sir Keir Starmer today .Nearly 90 mins proved he has what it takes to be PM.
Robert Graham said: “As far as I have seen pixywine is attempting to show people what the media are will fully hiding I guess he has better stuff to be getting on with but has taken the time to show people what’s going on , so do us a favour and get off his case thanks , he’s just the messenger so keep yer bullets for the ones who deserve them .”
Totally agree. Pixywine finds very relevant stuff that is instrumental in getting people informed as to what is going on. I follow his links all the time now. Most are worth their weight in gold for the information they point to.
Beaker says: at 7:15 pm
“Can you send those squirrels up to Edinburgh? The SNP are running out of them…”
Those greys are classed as an invasive species due to the pox they carry that harms oor indigenous native reds.
There will be none of that civic squirrelism up here!
There’s absolutely no issue with classifying certain plants and animals as invasive species to Scotland due to the detrimental effect they have. In fact there are rules and laws that prohibit introducing such things.
All those grey squirrels up here in NuScotland should simply Self ID as reds and they’ll be safe.
American signal crayfish may wish trans into being the native white clawed type. But unfortunately for them I’m Self IDing as Cajun food loving otter, thus liberating masel fae the legislative constraints humans have for catching and munching both those types of crustacean.
SNP Expenses- You do know travelling from your home in Sky
to Westminster is more expensive than travelling to a second home
in London.
@Effigy9:51pm
I have been to Skye more times than Pete Wishart. I did the Cuillins. Sky is a commercial broadcaster you have to try harder. Skye or Sky?. Your choice? I prefer Syke.
All the best Stu
@Effigy,
travel was not the main expence,
`Chris Law Laclaimed £259,866.85 in expenses, his highest expenditures being staffing (£146,057.82), travel (£41,351.79) office costs (£30,320.75) and accommodation (£23,138.77).
Ian Blackford, claimed £256,780.73, again mainly in staffing (£149,863.38), travel (£45,533.17), office costs (£37.867.66) and accommodation (£22,775.73).
Brendan O’Hara claiming £247,895.01. This comprised £152,925.61 on staff, £28,458.34 on accommodation, £44,580.17 on travel and a £21,930.89 office spend.`
@Scot Finlayson 11:17pm
Great stuff Scot worthy of Stu-esque comment. How about having a mobile footage of Chris Law staggering down the street?. I have the footage. I have done that myself. But I am not an SNP MP. We have to go dirty on these guys.And I have lots of info. We are trying to turn 6 SNP MSPS to Alba.
An easy way or a hard way?
I voted NO in 2014, and in spite of 7 years reading these boards I have not seen much to change my mind.
I do value your journalism Rev and your scrupulous fairness in making sure all voices are heard.
I wish you all the best, whatever you decide to do next.
@Papko 12:00am
True the No vote won. And when I see what the SNP have become,no surprise. You won, we lost, but the recrimination is to come. I went to a so called reconciliation event in the City Square. It was anything but. I pay tribute to Stu’s journalism.
I donated because I also think Stu deserves some space age duck/swan feeding attire in recognition of his years of invaluable work and because I know comfy slippers is keeping a watchful, jealous, beady eye on the total. Wish I could have donated more. Thanks for everything, Stu, but most of all, for the pure, unadulterated truth! For that, I ADORE you. Good luck in whatever you choose to do!
Just http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w59suJUvGfc
Richter’s cover of “Spring” is better than the real thing. Not many covers you can say that of…
A squirrel dropped a half-chewed chestnut on me in the park today as I walked through the trees. Nobody (except the squirrels) seems to bother collecting them any more, which is fine by me. I have a pile of real beauties.
I suppose in the end it’s going to be a question of how much the Scottish people want it. Somebody clever said they’re not oppressed enough. I don’t know. Maybe they’re too oppressed.
.
As Stuart’s retirement fund barnstorms through the remarkable £10,000 mark, might I give a present as well as a few quid?
Justice will come through in the end. This is France’s ex-President Sarkozy’s SECOND JAIL SENTENCE….
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-58729505
Stu, justice WILL come for Sturgeon and Murrell and their acolytes such as Swinney, Wishart, Lloyd, Yousaf et al. Their toxic corrupt cabal will get booted out of office and with no power, they will be SARKOZEYD..
It will come remarkably fast when the bent/cowardly officials at the Clown Office and Police Scotland are pensioned off or sacked/jailed.
There are honest cops and advocates out there.
Happy retirement Stu. Get a sabbatical of rest and recreation. You will soon be joining the come-back-kid… Alex Salmond. He has been written off many times and the current Unionist/Woke political lickspittles are running out of road as Alex Salmond starts the engine of his latest vehicle, the Albamobile.
Y’ve no see the last o’ the bunnets of Bonnie Dundee or Bone Bath.
…
Y’ve no seen the last o’ the bunnets of Bonnie Dundee or Bonnie Bath.
So, a Tory Millionaire and party donor, who FAILED to get elected in Edinburgh, has been made an unelected English ‘lord‘ by England’s clown Prime Minister, and then appointed as a Scotland office Minister.
That is NOT cronyism. That is CORRUPTION. This Tory party donor who was rejected at the ballot box, and cannot get elected in Scotland will carry out the wishes of England’s colonial government in Scotland.
We need the laughably self-titled ‘uk government in Scotland’ run out of Edinburgh and Scotland. These English colonial clowns have no place in Scotland. And this unelected nobody called Offord can go with them. We need these colonial imposters run out of Scotland. Away to England with the whole damn lot of them. Good riddance. Mibbes they can all sit in the English house of ‘lords’, along with the 900 plus other unelected nobodies.
The SNP can whine all they like about it, but until they collectively get off their lardy a*ses and go for independence today, England simply will not care.
Those in the indy movement could do us all a favour however, by calling this what it is, CORRUPTION. It is not ‘cronyism’.
For heavens sake, SNP, get off your knees and start to fight. England and its clown of a Prime Minister is now taking the utter p*ss out of all of you, and Scotland. Go for independence NOW, or resign, and let us elect a NEW Scottish government that will free us from England’s colonial, unwanted and wholly undemocratic rule.
If, today in Scotland, you are not angry as hell, then you are not paying attention.
It’s taken me a few days to comment,as I knew this was coming, its just so sad. Donated a wee bit on the first day to show my appreciation for your utter integrity, something the SNP should take note of. You opened my eyes to so much. We miss your humour on the site you’re banned from. Wishing all the best to the man with a barbed tongue, and soft heart. Many thanks for everything, and gie the emergency kitten and assorted animals a wee pet fae me.
Following the comments by the w*nker Wishart, can I say you certainly have my permission, and I’m bloody certain everyone else’s, to spend your retirement crowdfunder on anything you damn well please.
Pay day, so a wee donation to the good cause happily made.
Vera Lynn’s playing in my head…
Some sunny day!
🙂
So long and thanks for all the fish!
Whilst wings has been hard to read lately I will always want to know what’s going on than live in ignorance.
You are appreciated by many for the service you have given to Scotland
Take care
Wings is being «clipped» at a time when we need radical alternatives to the state sanctioned, social controlling, «we got an app for that» mind games.
It is to be hoped that the free spirit of Wings, maybe with a new «pilot» will soar again.
«Radical alternatives» the diversity the diversity promoting functionaries hate.
Politics is truly dead, thanks be to whatever.
https://archive.is/AZYsO
‘Transgender inclusion, fairness and safety often cannot co-exist’ says major review
Are the beginning to see the light?
The above is about sport but it could equally apply to other areas.
‘Transgender inclusion, fairness and safety often cannot co-exist’
Ottomanboi says:
1 October, 2021 at 8:49 am
It is to be hoped that the free spirit of Wings, maybe with a new «pilot» will soar again.
Reply
Wouldn’t any new «pilot» be at risk of having his/her wings clipped and ending up in jail?
The wisdom of Carl Sagan for our out of joint times.
«We have also arranged things so that almost no one understands science and technology. This is a prescription for disaster. We might get away with it for a while, but sooner or later this combustible mixture of ignorance and power is going to blow up in our faces»
«One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we’ve been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We’re no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us. It’s simply too painful to acknowledge, even to ourselves, that we’ve been taken. Once you give a charlatan power over you, you almost never get it back»
Ruby.
There is no such thing as «risk free».
In this «game» the rules do not guarantee personal safety.
All the best. Haven’t agreed with some of the output in recent years but thank you for everything you have done in the past.
” It is to be hoped that the free spirit of Wings, maybe with a new «pilot» will soar again.”
I’ve been thinking the same Ottomanboi .
I have noted with admiration your own comments here over the last while , fancy taking-up the reins ?
I realise you are a young man , no doubt with other commitments of study/work/life , but I think you could create something along the lines of WOS . Totally understand why you – or anyone else – would be reluctant to put yourself up for the hassles and , as we’ve seen , the risk of persecution/prosecution entailed in being a prominent genuine advocate of Independence .
It would be a shame if all the excellent contributors BTL here are dissipated by the dissolution of WOS . I hope , at least , many will gravitate to the few remaining blogs whose commitment is unequivocal .
Ottomanboi says:
1 October, 2021 at 9:39 am
Ruby.
There is no such thing as «risk free».
In this «game» the rules do not guarantee personal safety.
Reply
Well sure I know that!
It seems in this case it’s very high risk for a cause that is fractured & leaderless & all the other reasons outlined in ‘Under her thumb”
Thanks for everything you’ve done for Scotland and independence and enjoy your `retirement` (Machiavellian chuckle)….!!
I won’t be the only one who enjoyed your meanderings in the park. You and your new jacket could morph into ‘Wings in the Park’ and give us regular updates on the local wildlife in your inimitable fashion.
BBC crowing about VAX Pass website down due to overwhelming demand FFS
You wouldn’t need a Army to invade this country the sheep would just give up .
I suggest people start preparing for a winter that is going to surprise a lot of people
Bye for now last post there is no point most people are just too dumb to realise what’s happening despite the obvious warnings it’s it’s staring them in the face and they can’t see it .
Best of luck all .
https://www.bitchute.com/video/oHNrZF0EWhYT/
Doctors and scientists who put their careers on the line in order to give the other side of the covid story who be taken more seriously than those doctors and scientists who work for a safe Government wage or indeed may have shares in the companies benifiting from draconian legislation. Ironically enough it was commenter like Robbo-yeees- who originally inspired me to “research” a subject, get behind the news presentation and usually find the presentation is bullshit. I was the typical NPC until I started reading this site in 2014.of course it goes without saying Stuart Campbell journalism should be an example to all other journalists who unfortunately are taking the Queens Shilling.
Clipped wings,
Perhaps it would be less strenuous and more supportive if more than one pilot was in the cockpit,
See the utter propaganda from one well known newspaper, talking about dust in you’re house, and becoming paranoid under lockdown,
First the journalist associates it with covid, then with the ghost of rats, than with old age, then with death,
Feed the people mind control. Suggestive ways to think.
Dust has always been on this planet for millions of years and there are millions of people on this planet, that do not die of dust,
But the fear of everything is to be propagated.
Journalism is propaganda nowadays.
Another well newspaper say Scots should apologise for their involvement in the slave trade,
Now if I remember correctly the Scots [ WERE ] the slaves, and sent in ship loads by the rich plantations owners to colonise Australia, Nova Scotia, Canada, and America,
The journalists forgets to mention that it was not the race of Scots as slaves that need to apologise but the elite who’ s Descendent’ s still own all the land in Scotland, and most of whom sold Scotland for English gold,
Journalism now means twisting history to suit a story,
Let the rich apologise, to us.
for the indigenous Scottish people, the Irish and welsh, and some English people were the true shackled slaves of the British empire.
James Che. says:
1 October, 2021 at 12:33 pm
Clipped wings,
” Perhaps it would be less strenuous and more supportive if more than one pilot was in the cockpit ”
Indeed James . There are definitely quite a few BLT commenters here who could share the burden . Yourself included .
The question is who has the time , inclination and journalistic skills Stu has demonstrated over the years ?
Grousebeater , Barrhead Boy , Iain Lawson ( among not that many others ) all do excellent work , but to my mind have not been sufficiently questioning of the Bubonic Covid Narrative and where it is leading us , as individuals , societies and in terms of achieving our goal of Independence
https://www.bitchute.com/video/7UC7Xz7vhI9M/
I don’t necessarily agree with every conclusion arrived at in the videos I link. I often disagree with the political background of some of the alternative media I peruse but covid 19 should not become a party political matter yet that is how it is played by grifter like Sturgeon Bozo et Al.
The draconian politics since the surrender of power to Bozo in the form of Emergency Legislation affects all of us of all political colours. I think at best we are facing a humanitarian crisis as a result of criminal mismanagement of an exaggerated “crisis” or at worst a full Fascist takedown of what passed for Western Democracy.
I view the politics in the USA with increasing alarm as the carlot voted Biden who I suspect is a puppet for Obama and Ma Clinton, deepens any societal divides that may exist and creates new divides between the vaxxed and no vaxxed for example. People who are demanding “context” on a subject that is plainly visible to those with eyes to see are looking at life through a keyhole.
I’ll apologise for Scottish part in ancient slave trade when the people of North Africa apologise for arriving on Scottish and Irish shores in the form of Corsair pirates and kidnapping my ancestors.
@James Che 12.59 pm
Unsurprisingly James, you don’t remember correctly. Whilst there were undoubtedly white slaves taken historically largely by North African and Barbary Corsairs (mostly from ships and from raiding the Spanish and Italian coasts, though they did venture as far as the UK and Ireland), and by the Ottomans from Russia and Eastern Europe, those sent to the New World in the colonial era from the UK were indentured servants and convicts, not the result of chattel slavery.
The distinction is important, particularly as many of those who misuse the phenomenon like you are (presumably?) using it to bolster the “Scotland as colony” narrative. You’ll find that historically many “real” victims of slavery like Frederick Douglass bridled at the misuse of the term slavery to describe other forms of tyranny and oppression, however odious they were.
Douglass said in a speech during one of his lecture tours of the UK:
“there was no similarity between slavery, as existing in the United States, and any institution in this country, than there was between lightness and darkness.” (see. p. 174 of “Frederick Douglass – Prophet of Freedom” by David Blight).
The conditions of indentured servants in the early colonial period may often have been bad, but – much like the fate of “wage slaves” in the poor industrial areas of the UK when Douglass toured them in the 19th century – to make direct comparisons, between them and African chattel slavery is a false equivalence and will seem to many to be morally indefensible.
Sturgeon. Go fuck yourself.
Ottomanboi: “It is to be hoped that the free spirit of Wings, maybe with a new «pilot» will soar again.”
There’s one guy that comments on here who has the charm and nous required to replace the Reverend and he doesn’t want the job.
What Campbell does is a sort of alchemy or chemistry, like Heisenberg, and the outcome was blue magic. No other political blog in Scotland ever came close in terms of delivering hits like that.
Without him, we are all going to cold turkey, I’m afraid, along with the boy from Ottomania.
Andy. Why don’t you bend over and blow us the International.
Robert Hughes.
Indeed that is my point,
No one person in Scotland may have so much individual time, nor should be the sole burden lie on one man or women’s shoulders,
however many people in Scotland could contribute on a site as an amalgamation of contributors.
This takes the onus of of people like rev stu, barrhead boy, grouse beater, etc..
I do not know anything about computers, was never taught it, and I am dyslexia,
How ever I would contribute articles on subjects or have a reasonable good interjection in Scottish topics and conversations,
I always suspected that I was not alone, when I ranted on wings against trolls and such persons, but felt alone often,
Somewhere inside I knew that a lot of them were reading but not commenting,
When Chris Cairns and Stu have said their goodbyes for now, all the old recognised names appeared.
I knew they were still here.
Together as bloggers on a contributory site of (Scots news and views and voices ). We could fill the gap where so called MSM fail us and keep everyone in touch with independence,
Some may be more suited to Monitoring the site, and blocking bad language or derogatory comments.
Some may be good at research, others could keep us in touch with other bloggers.
Many on here over the years including yourself, breeks Alf Baird etc are articulate,
It would also nice for a few Scottish women to have a voice as bloggers, they have been going through a tough time the last few years.
Parents are in need of a voice.
If somebody has the knowhow of how to run a blog site, how to raise open and honest funds. Open to scrutiny.
Scottish journalism may take a new route.
Robert. We may not convince any bineheads on here but this site still has a considerable readership here and Internationally. We might be wrong but I invite, implore you all to look behind the headlines. Go to places online you may consider anathema to your political thinking. Like me you might be surprised. We have bee nudged into polarizer thinking like sheep
By the way Robert Graham. Thank you for your work.
In fact I could even do a few cartoons, or pictures if I had guidance on how to do the transferring a drawing on to computer.
As I used to do cartoons for a few local papers a long time ago.
There are many skilled Scottish people that could do something similar,
It’s a case of for those with modern tech knowhow to get started, to give a home to all those Scottish voices not being heard.
Regarding the Vaccine Passport STV news website had a report during the week Rangers will require Fans to provide hard copies of their Vaccine certificate . At their match on Sunday.
Weather report it will stop raining .It has just started again haha
James .
Similarly , my computing skills are only slightly above index finger prodding level and have no clue how one goes about setting-up a blog . I agree pooling skills and resources would be the best solution .
Aye , Pixywine , a thankless task trying to at least budge some from their adherence to the – frankly , ridiculous , CovNarr . Kudos for trying
Hatuey.
There is no reason to by pass or replace the good people like Stu or Any one else that has been the sole voices of Scotland,
I am sure if Stu has the time or inclination, and wishes to contribute any material we would consider it manna from heaven.
He and a few other bloggers might appreciate not having to do all the work, that took over their lives for a change.
There is no reason Why ordinary people like you and I cannot contribute, there are many of us, and it avoids any one of us being targeted.
Keep it clean, unbiased and find unorthodox methods of a way around difficult taboo subjects, rebrand it if necessary.
But Scotland and its people need a real voice.
Robert Louis @ 7.03 am
Do you not remember the same thing happened recently with the noble Lord Duncan of Springbank?
He was defeated in the polls in Perth but the erstwhile (T)Ruthless, now, Baroness Davidson of Lundin Links had him appointed to the House of Lords where he is now the Deputy Speaker of their Noble Lordships’ House.
So there is a bit of a track record of their CORRUPTION and seeming tendency to award failure.
Middle Class Sensibilities #342 : Black Fetish, Slavery Worship
Inconvenient Facts to Avoid
– Slavery was practiced throughout history, everyone did it everywhere
– yes, White people did get enslaved; the men got castrated too, something modern day Americans probably regret
– indentured servitude v chattel slavery is a play on words unworthy of someone with IQ above 101.
– slavery gets abolished just about when economists work out : wage slavery is more profitable, by coincidence
– the slaveowner is compelled to “look after” his “investment” but not when buying labour on the open market; you could be worse off, yet “free”
– the people who ran, organised, financed the atlantic slave trade were not actually “white”; clue – the slave markets shut on a Saturday; Tony Martin wrote about this, for a while, until he started to point fingers in the wrong direction
– Frederick Douglass “would say that, wouldnt he”
– africans sold other africans into slavery; this remains a cause of friction today. Dahomey was real big on it.
this middle class obsession, of creating a hierarchy of suffering, of victims, more worthy and less so is idiotic; we all bleed the same – and to care more for the exaggerated claims of misdeeds done to foreigners rather than your own people, is to further add weight to the conclusion most of the wingers have probably come to … anyone who promotes such views is not a nationalist and should be “run out of town”.
The scots, the indigenous peoples, the first nations – OWE THE BLACKS NOTHING; if you want to push it, they were also secondary victims of that evil business because the slave traders (the same class of treacherous “Scots” who sold out their nation) used their vast fortunes to buy huge estates in Scotland, throwing off the locals.
Save us from the “false equivalance” of Ellis and a Scottish Nationalist. If the likes of him are the folks writing the ALBA manifesto it will turn into the SNP 2.0 quicker than milk sours.
There can’t and won’t be another WOS, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
For one thing, WOS was synonymous with Stuart Campbell. Many of the most vicious attacks didn’t even mention Stu by name – ‘Wings’ was enough, everyone knew who was being referred to.
And the fact that it was a one-man operation meant that ad hominem was the only real line of attack for critics *IF* they couldn’t find fault with the content. And they certainly couldn’t find factual errors (because if there were any, it was Stu who corrected them) so were restricted to editorial decisions which even divided commenters here (e.g. Gaelic, Rangers Tax case etc).
The other established indy bloggers have had their stalls laid out for some time. We know where they stand. Some of them prefer to concentrate on specific aspects of the independence debates, and pointedly ignore others. Nothing wrong with that, of course, but it does mean that self-censorship becomes an issue. (Let’s face it – no-one in their right mind would invite the kind of abuse Stu’s had to put up with, and the kind of intimidation we’ve seen used against Stu/this place would quickly deter most from even considering such a project.)
We have more than enough ‘personalities’ on the blogging front, despite this place closing. Do we really need any more? A lot of big egos are already occupying a relatively small space.
But we do need well-written and properly sourced material of the type Stu excelled in. We may not be able to match the overall standard, output and longevity, but we can use this place as the model.
One thing we can do is make sure there’s no head for the opposition to strike at; personal attacks don’t mean a lot if no-one can confidently pinpoint who ‘the editor’ is.
Ever seen a two-headed skink? Its arse is patterned in a way which makes it virtually indistinguishable from its head – when attacked it presents both ‘faces’ and the predator doesn’t know which to go for.
😉
The ordinary people are the people of Scotland, the ones that go to wrk or cannot find work,
The ones whom are parents losing their children to state control or perverse new laws and regulations.
The women that used to be the ones to go to, before crazy mother f..k..rs took over the role of women. While trying to push women into obscurity in such a demeaning manner,
The people who cannot keep up with their rent and have to go to food banks ( when open) workers and unemployed alike.
The small businesses that are being penalised.
And suffering from corruption of local councils, bankers, lawyers.
and lack of legal representation in for all ordinary people, that suffer closed secret court cases without juries.
For all those people with out a voice we need our own media.
And this idea of the news and views of the Scottish people is a good place to start, a good place to call out corruption at ground level.
To let each other know they are not alone or isolated.
To have an aim of keeping the independence bond strong for Scotland.
To stop eroding of Scottish voices bit by bit.
For us to gather strength once again, to rise up from the ashes.
Wings over Scotland had more than just the clever well researched blogs.
It was a unit, a unit of people.
In a way this is what wings over Scotland did. It was a connection and a purpose. It had direction.
@Pixywine 1.48 pm
It’s pretty evident that bending over and blowing off would account for all of your output and most of that vomited up by you like minded mates.
Sad to see a once proud site reduced to the playground for conspiracy theorists. Pulling the plug will probably be like a relief for Stu rather than see his legacy soiled by moon howlers.
@Confused 2.26 pm
If Alba becomes the home of fringe nutters who think Scotland is a colony and that we were / are enslaved, it will never reach electoral escape velocity because *normal* people will point at it and laugh.
The reason you won’t hear grown ups like Alex Salmond or others in the leadership of the party backing up the views of the moon howlers who have been soiling the nest BTL here over the past few months is they don’t want to end up in an electoral cul-de-sac.
Constructing a party that aims to challenge the SNP and Greens, even if the short term aim is only to hold the balance of power, isn’t going to happen by adopting preposterous policies and pandering to the views fringe nutters. If those holding them had any support, we’d already know about it.
RobinMcAlpine.org is worth a read.
Hatuey 1:47 pm
You wrote “There’s one guy that comments on here who has the charm and nous required to replace the Reverend and he doesn’t want the job.”
…its not specifically that I don’t want the job. Whilst, I am of course appreciative of you views with respect to my charm and nous, I occasionally get the feeling that some folk here may not have the charm and nous to understand just how knowledgeable, experienced and full of wisdom – I am.
Tomorrow there won’t be a CC cartoon and it’s not because he needs some putting practice..
Ian Brotherhood is right, WOS, Wings, Rev Stu is unique.
Anyone trying to copy it is just a cover band.
I’m certain there are good writers out there, some good detectives, some good sharp minds, but, get them all rolled into one with a backbone. That’s not easy.
Some idiot says:4:39 pm
“…to understand just how knowledgeable, experienced and full of wisdom – I am.”
—————————–
Norman Wisdom.. which is why we’re always laughing at you ya clown. 🙂
Meg merrilees @ 2.25pm
Robert Louis @ 7.03 am
Generous handouts to the undeserving has been going on for quite a while: –
“Balliol family, also spelled Baliol, played an important part in the history of Scotland and came originally to England from Bailleul (Somme) in Normandy.
Guy de Balliol already possessed lands in Northumberland and elsewhere during the reign of William II of England (1087–1100). Guy’s nephew and successor, Bernard (d. c. 1167) built Barnard Castle …
… and was the first of his family to RECEIVE LANDS in Scotland.”
And lo and behold we have the nativist hating pontificator pop up as usual to excrete his denigration in a spittle flecked shower of frustration and RAGE
Andy Pandy the independence supporter who OPENLY STATES he will ACTIVELY WORK AGAINST INDEPENDENCE if we don’t do it his way , a patriots patriot
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=f3DNcnTr2K4
“Indefinate detention” is another way of saying Life sentence
Graf .
No one is talking about copying WOS – as you , and others , say , that would be impossible , and fruitless .
The idea is to possibly set-up something that retained WOS’s ethos and – ideally – success rate in exposing the , ahem …inadequacies , dishonesty and buffoonery of New SNP , where the effort and commitment required was not resting solely on the shoulders of one person .
A tall order I agree , though not unimaginable
Word association being a powerful thing, many of us will only ever link the words ‘moon howler’ with a certain individual.
Ach well, nice to be remembered for something, eh?
😉
Truly, the Scottish national movement is pregnant with Unionist «moles».
They’re the ones who think the whole thing is something of a «lark», a joke. though few are laughing.
Scots nats may need a not so gentle reminder that the «whole thing» isn’t for fair weather part timers and political posers.
Although, how many not so gentle reminders do the Scots need that they are not first rank in the UK club? Is it something in the water? Calvinist masochism? Covid?
Many a people would be seething with rage and baying for blood.
Those colonial chains must weigh very heavy.
Of all the roses of the world, for me
The greatest tragedy is to see
The sweet sharp rose of Scotland withering
Amidst the creeping weeds of dullards’ apathy.
@ Shona Paton at 4:37 pm
Aye, plus Robin did ask for input when he recently started the site.
As he is putting together the Wee Alba Book that Stu is involved in editing, it may be worth adding input that he could take onboard with regard to the content.
http://robinmcalpine.org/welcome-come-on-in/
And the blogs page here.
http://robinmcalpine.org/opinion/
In case any folk missed it. The following site was recently put together collating various articles from different sources.
https://www.voices.scot/
Farewell Stu, good luck in your future ventures (bear in mind what I said about there being a market place for a decent political computer game that isn’t just jumped up Excel/Sage Accounts …).
That jacket is a con I’m afraid – most of those claims are complete and utter sweaty Humza Yousaf. Graphene is not non-toxic for starters, and there’s been a plethora of “antimicrobial” clothing “starter” campaigns on Kickstarter, Patroen and the like over the years from people never heard from again.
@ Ian Brotherhood at 5.20pm
Aye, maybe BDtt can knock up a few badges for the original Strongbow soaked AUOB malcontent Indy radicals, with the recent super special limited addition bonus extra of also being a restless indigenous moon howling blood & soil anti-vax roaster natavist.
Hmm, thinking about it though, wearing a badge big enough to fit all that on would probably weigh so much it’d put yer back oot, so on health and safety grounds it might just be best going with the printed T shirt design.
At the moment I really am looking the blood and soil part though, as quaffing red wine whilst boiling up the first batch of the first wheelbarrow load of beetroot to pickle. Ma place looks like a bloodbath scene from a Tarantino film. 🙂
Dan says:
1 October, 2021 at 6:19 pm
At the moment I really am looking the blood and soil part though, as quaffing red wine whilst boiling up the first batch of the first wheelbarrow load of beetroot to pickle.
—
Have you considered going into the beetroot business: jarring it and shipping it all over the world (both types, crinkly & balls) ?
You’d be surprised how lucrative it is.
With Scotland’s wind farms churning out virtually all of our leccy needs, with enough spare to squirt half as much again down south, there’s much to be made about this.
Bill’s seem set to sky rocket JIT for the winter, and even the thickest No amongst us is bound to think twice if made aware. Fuck sake, the turbines are everywhere!
A sea bed full of hydrocarbons, and 25% of European (euro fucking pean) renewable potential, and yer granny is still going to freeze, rather than risk hefty bills!
Better Together!
Thanks for adding the links to Robin McAlpine site Dan (at 5:50 pm)
He’s one of the very few Indy campaigners I still trust and respect from 2014.
Stuart Campbell being amongst those, of course.
@Dan (6.19) –
A ‘nativist’ brewery (called Moon Howler, obvs) producing limited edition craft beers like ‘Yoon Tears’ and ‘White Settlers GTF’. And, of course, many varieties of bitter.
Could be a winner!
😉
Scott says: at 6:41 pm
“Have you considered going into the beetroot business?”
No, I presume you’ve seen the empty food shelves. Even a thick moon howling uneducated roaster like me could see it was fairly obvious this was coming, so have been developing my self sufficiency up a notch since England decided to shit the bed and drag us out of our local single market.
The harvest of my summer plants is pretty much done and I now have large stocks of tatties, onions, beetroots, pumpkins, marrows, carrots, beans, and various jams to see me right through to next growing season.
Still have kale growing which should sweeten up with the first frosts. That will give me my winter greens and I can also make crisps out of it. 😉
All the garden waste is collected and composted into my wormery which is absolutely heaving with red wrigglers and that creates great compost to blend with my soil and grow with in spring.
Easy to take some worms for fishing bait too.
It’s my view that if we are serious about reducing our negative impact on the environment then we should be eating locally sourced and seasonal food which can easily be grown in Scotland, rather than importing similar produce wrapped in plastic packaging and transported around the world in refrigerated containers on bunker fuel burning ships, with all the extra handling that requires to distribute it further in the supply chains on land.
Fair enough import the essential necessities, but seeing raspberries imported from Morocco in the shop in Blairgowrie during the height of berry season is fucking madness.
Anyway, I have no interest in earning extra money these days. The income generated by selling my up-cycled widgets from empty Guinness tins as prosthetic testicles and bubble floats to trans men and fisherfolk comfortably sustains my Stig of the dump lifestyle.
Such astute business acumen has liberated me from the constraints of enduring a money focused existence attempting to unethically leverage an advantage over others, and thus I am free to use my time to engage in voluntary civic duties that benefit my wider locale.
Dan,
Thanks for the link to Robin’s blog. I added to https://www.voices.scot/ and thanks for the plug as well.
Since it might be better for the Rev. to switch off comments at some point in the future to lower the hosting bills a bit and keep the site up for longer, does anybody know if there is a goto site to congregate on? Preferably one with more draconian moderation policies with regards to morons.
I guess we could all head over to WGD and be nice – that would cause no end of consternation.
@Dan –
I did respond to your 6.19 but it’s in moderation. Dunno why…
Wasn’t very ‘funny’ anyway.
Sounds like you’ve cracked ‘The Good life’ there. More power to ye.
😉
@Stuart MacKay (8.37) –
‘I guess we could all head over to WGD and be nice – that would cause no end of consternation.’
Oooooh, that’s a good one.
He would have to amend his boilerplate warning to prospective posters, to incorporate ‘suspected disingenuity’.
We could all rock up at Comfy Pete’s blog, though not sure Andy Ellis would get to post there after he ripped one of Pete’s “great works” to shreds in short order and got stuck on moderation for his troubles.
Grousebeater has been on good form of late on the twitts, though his lack of bicycle tech knowledge and seeming desire to embrace leccy powered propulsion is a concern for a Castrol R burning, piston powered engine loving entity such as myself.
As a man appreciative of the vehicles and the arts, would Gareth appreciate an eclectic collective of input on mech tech and politics to stimulate the mix?
@Dan –
Are you familiar with the name ‘Karen Eliot’?
Saw that ‘Cliff Richard’ is trending on twitter, and thought, ooh-er, blimey, what’s happened?
I still don’t know what’s happened, but there are some real keepers there, one of the tamest of which is this:
ShaunMcManusFlag of Palestinian Territories
@michaelmc761
·
35m
Horrific material unveiled in Cliff Richard’s house, including a new album and calendar
My favoured solution would be to create a sort of leaderless union of destitute crackpots on Twitter, a sort of socio-digital illuminati, well, without the light maybe. Maybe someone could come up with a badge.
Where’s RoS these days? He okay?
I definitely think Iain Lawson’s Yours For Scotland and Roddy McLeod’s Barrhead Boy sites are worthy of visits and on the plus side Andy Pandy thinks it’s full of moon howlers and nasty nativists so he refuses to visit them , or so he says
.
Pete Wishart is either a thief or an incompetent.
The proof….
https://archive.is/tfKyj
Wishart, before you whine in that high-pitched testicle-less voice of yours that your DODGY book work was to quote an honourable First Minister who RESIGNED from office citing the CLANDESTINE THEFT of funds…
“WAS A MUDDLE NOT A FIDDLE”
… may I, as a qualified law officer offer you some advice?
Thieves in glass houses should not throw stones.
I don’t do Twitter, but if evidence emerges that YOU in your snarky bitter, feckless narcissistic way, sniped that Stuart Campbell better produce receipts for a coat and duck food or YOU will call in the Fraud Squad, then best you go consult your lawyer.
Now.
I HATE bent politicians. You are one of the worst hypocrites and political troughers I have ever witnessed.
I loathe having to spend money on solicitors and private detectives. But before I waste police time on your bent accounts Wishart, that is what will happen if evidence is produced you threatened Stuart Campbell with the Fraud Squad I. An allegation broadcast on Twitter. Have you any idea how many laws you would have broken?
All of that, after you stole from the UK Govenrment. Clandestine possession of funds is a crime, even if you give the money back.
Ignorance of the law is no excuse.
Especially if you are one of the overpaid green reptiles that slither about those green benches. Fuckwit.
If you’ve submitted bent paperwork before, it is 95% certain that between 2009 and 2021 you will have defrauded the taxpayer again.
Wishart, when you do go and see your solicitor, make sure they are qualified to practice law in England.
YOUR problem is that the audit headed your way, including proctological investigation for ill gotten gains will be conducted by the Metropolitan Police.
Basically Wishart, you ain’t got your Dodgy pal fae Dreghorn who has the gift to promote judges, to help you out of this Bourach. Dubious Livingstone’s McKeystone cops at Police Scotland have very little to do with your alleged criminality.
The Met Police who will be feeling your collar. They will do their duty without fear, favour, affection, malice or ill will.
Depending on whether you did post that offensive, borderline libellous Tweet today twat Wishart, you are looking at the business end of a pair of Met handcuffs and a BBC photographer on standby.
About bloody time, you insufferable, hypocritical git.
The minute you put your hat on the Speaker’s Chair in Westminster the whole Indy movement knew you had gone to London to SETTLE IN and not SETTLE UP.
Selfish little skid mark of a creature.
Am off to throw up.
Ian Brotherhood says: at 9:37 pm
“Are you familiar with the name ‘Karen Eliot’?”
Wasn’t she the lass that was shagging yon Keyser Söze fella.
Ach well, no cartoon the day but if this Tesla / COP26 stuff is indeed the case it would make a fine image summing up so much of the bullshit we have to put up with.
https://twitter.com/Dougal911/status/1443654752722694144
@Stuart MacKay 8.37 pm
If I recall correctly there was some discussion about either using an alternative platform, or even trying to establish something different, at the time twitter started banning people for expressing gender critical views. None of it really came to anything sadly.
Existing alternatives to twitter like Mastodon have the same problems WRT moderation of wrong think, or like Gab are / have become nests of alt-right nutterdom the like of which would make the moon howlers on here look reasonable. The Gab “model” seemed like a promising concept to begin with, but the founder Andrew Torba is a full paid up alt-right Xian fundamentalist and there is definitely something of the night about the place now.
Individual blogs like Grouse Beater’s, WGD, Scot Goes Pop or even Cosy Feet Pete’s will always tend to reflect the blog owners views: how open they are to critical comment or discussion will of course vary. Not many blogs are as open and unmoderated as WoS has historically been, and from what I’ve seen moderation and keeping on top of any reasonably successful blog must be a pretty thankless task. How many people have the time, IT knowledge and money to pull it off successfully?
There have obviously been times when this place has “gone off the rails” (Yes Cameron Brodie, we ARE looking at you….!), but so often the BTL comment section here has been a joy and consistently shown up all the other blogs for the insipid low grade pap most of them were. That, almost as much as Stu’s analysis, will be a great loss to many of us and to the movement as a whole.
I don’t see any readily available alternative sadly. Individuals like Pete Wishart and WGD patently aren’t going to allow opposing views or engage in any meaningful discussion with those who disagree with them, however respectfully expressed. Few others have any real reach or influence outside a rather narrow band of readers or followers.
Perhaps the future of pr-independence blogging and interaction just looks different? The big tent appears to have collapsed. Whereas before “we” were more or less content to rub along with anyone in the name of the ultimate goal, a number of wedge issues – and perhaps more importantly the way our fellow independence campaigners have reacted to them – have made that common purpose seem hard if not impossible to regain.
That breakdown in to a number of smaller “tents” may always have been on the cards. It’s difficult to see now how the different parts of the movement can be reconciled now. That may make achieving indy harder or even delay it, but most people have certain lines in the sand they just won’t cross.
As Stu observed in his initial discussion of franchise change, if that’s the kind of “better nation” people are trying to sell, they could count him out and I – along with many others – heartily agreed with him. Others – as we’ve seen here over the past few months – disagreed, and would happily change the franchise and are quite unconcerned about a narrative centring “indigenous” Scots. Different people will of course have different issues that are central to them, and it seems the time is now past that we could be asked or expected to shelve policy disagreements until after we reach the sunny uplands of independence.
That may make our task harder, but perhaps in the end it’s a more honest approach? I just can’t see myself campaigning shoulder to shoulder with SNP cultists who have spent the past few years othering me and many others who agree with me, nor if it comes to it can I see myself campaigning for any party or movement which has abandoned civic nationalism. Apparently to some in here that makes me (depending on the day) not a real nationalist, part of the 77th Brigade, a stooge for Nicola Sturgeon and / or a sinister entryist within Alba.
Let’s face it, that’d be some badge too, but at least it wouldn’t mean I’m a science denying crank who supports regressive ethnic nationalism, huh? 🙂
Thought for the Day.
“I believe the government has a responsibility to care for the people… I’m talking about making the people self-reliant»
Carl Sagan
A system that does not recognize the basic right to personal autonomy and with that the right to dissent, will inevitably turn to power abuse.
Sigh, one more time…
Folk discussing a duration of residency before being eligible to vote is not blood and soil and anti-civic nationalism.
If a person has only recently arrived in a country and is there on a temporary or transient basis then why should they get a say in the long term future of said country.
If one’s primary residence is supposedly in a certain country then the addresses on all that person’s legal documentation such as passport, driving license, insurance declarations, etc should all be registered at that address in said country.
Someone whose primary residence is outwith Scotland voting in certain levels of elections is already a fraudulent activity, as can be seen by second home owners in Scotland only being able to vote in local authority elections if they are registered on the electoral roll in the area where that second home is located.
@ Dan 9.11 am
For the benefit of the hard of thinking, and since this whack a mole just won’t fucking die…..
It isn’t necessarily indicative that anyone discussing it is a fully paid up ethnic nationalist and opposes civic nationalism, but it IS undeniable that some of them certainly do. As has been discussed at length over the past few months, those discussing it and advocating for a change from the 2014 have singularly failed to answer Stu Cambell’s original objections: what has changed, why now, and how do you know enacting any such change wouldn’t be self defeating by alienating as many votes as it supposedly gains?
Similarly, not ONE person has ever answered why they think Scots are uniquely incapable of using the same franchise as virtually EVERY other independence referendum since WW2, from the dozens of examples I quoted them at length, and winning.
Arguing that “we wuz robbed” because *second home owners* or *students* is a cop out. To quote Stu (yes, again…..)
“If you want to deny 20% of the people who live in Scotland the vote in a referendum because they were born somewhere else, we’re not on the same side. If you want their votes, fucking well persuade them. If you can’t, your case is shit.”
Andy Ellis says: at 9:24 am
“It isn’t necessarily indicative that anyone discussing it is a fully paid up ethnic nationalist and opposes civic nationalism…”
Great, now that’s we’ve got that in quote, why the fuck won’t you use your supposedly amazing superior brain power to acknowledge this very relevant point in your posts, instead of consistently and lazily resorting to writing in a way that labels anyone that disagrees with your view on the subject in a derogatory manner.
Maybe the reason why we haven’t been able to come up with an answer on here is because every time attempts are made to discuss the subject, you miraculously appears and punt the same old repetitive shite, thus smothering the ability in an antagonistic manner that diverts and inhibits folk from reaching a nuanced consensus.
Many different btl contributors have actually added a quite a lot of decent relevant input regarding this subject, but you just refuse to take any of that input onboard, and relentlessly spew out over simplistic shite which crushes detailed discussion.
This isn’t about an individual winning an argument on the internet because they are better than anyone else, it should be about using the platform to allow a decent range of folk to discuss subjects. It’s very often the case that those with the quietest voice actually have a better handle on things than the dominant shouty twats, but it’s all our loss that the quiet voices aren’t heard.
Of course, we’ve been here before though, so maybe consider that it is actually yourself that perpetuates the whackamole situation because you refuse to change the way in which you engage in discussions with other human beings.
https://wingsoverscotland.com/all-the-right-people/comment-page-2/#comment-2676510
Andy Ellis @ 9:24
“For the benefit of the hard of thinking”
Yes, quite. The UN-sanctioned referendum franchise in New Caledonia and in particular its ‘secondary criteria’ used for voter registration qualification is a useful guide to what should have occurred in Auld Caledonia in 2014, or for any future referendum:
“Franchise (in New Caledonia)
The referendum will be held using a special electoral roll. Potential voters will need to be registered on the general electoral roll, and also meet one of the secondary criteria:[9]
– Was on the electoral roll for the 1998 referendum on the Nouméa Accord;
– Qualified to be on the electoral roll for the 1998 referendum, but were not enrolled;
– Failed to meet the requirements to be on the 1998 electoral roll solely due to absence related to family, medical or professional reasons;
– Having civil customary status, or born in New Caledonia and have their material interests in the territory;
– At least one parent born in New Caledonia and have their material interests in the territory;
– At least 20 years of continuous residence in New Caledonia by 31 December 2014;
– Born before 1 January 1989 and have had their residence in New Caledonia between 1988 and 1998
– Born after 31 December 1988 and reached voting age before the referendum, with at least one parent who was on the electoral roll (or qualified to do so) for the 1998 referendum.
As a consequence of these restrictions, in the 2018 referendum 35,948 registered voters on the general list (17% of the 210,105 total registered voters) were excluded from the vote.[10][11][12] Vote restriction restricts the voting power of recent inhabitants—derogatively known as Zoreilles—and enlarges the voting power of native Kanaks, and was long sought after by FLNKS.[10]”
We all know Stu is brighter than yer average cookie, but FFS Andy ‘Moses’ Ellis, he’s not the messiah!
Virtue signalling is So last year mate.
Personally, i don’t give a shit anymore how we win, clean or dirty, the goal is all that counts.
Same as our opponent’s game plan.
Dan says:
If one’s primary residence is supposedly in a certain country then the addresses on all that person’s legal documentation such as passport, driving license, insurance declarations, etc should all be registered at that address in said country.
FY an amusing little piece of info.
———-
Did Malcolm Offord have to move his primary address to England in order to get the Scottish job?
According to the Company House
Company Name: BADENOCH & CO LIMITED
Company Number: SC461563
Received for filing in Electronic Format on the: 09/09/2021 XACP8MLM
Details Prior to Change
Original name: MR MALCOLM IAN OFFORD
Date of Birth: **/09/1964
New Details
Date of Change: 24/08/2021
Country/State Usually
Resident ENGLAND
https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/SC461563/filing-history
I was born in England and was adopted there.
I was told NOTHING about my background
I married a half- Scots person and moved to Scotland years ago
On research I discovered that my mother was Scottish and had moved to England to find work.
My children were born in England and moved to Scotland before the age of three
They both now live and work outside of Scotland but still consider themselves Scottish and would vote for Scottish Independence if they were given the chance
Kind of relevant.
https://grousebeater.wordpress.com/2021/10/02/man-to-man/
I have lived in Scotland since one year old,
And I would willingly step aside and forego my vote for the Scottish people to have an undiluted vote of Scottish people.
After all it is their country, they should have the right to choose.
Fun fact.
Ever wonder where that licence fee you don’t pay goes?
The ‘Nation’s’ get their own dedicated radio station’s, ours being Radio Shortbread and Alba, but alas poor England doesn’t.
They have to put up with a mere 40 local area station’s, from radio Berkshire to radio York.
40!
Pooling and sharing.
https://www.bitchute.com/video/ZzjeFaOy0Rpf/
Your earlyish morning reality check.
Dan,
Thanks for the link to grousebeater,
A moving commentary from a gentleman that see’s the world different, and Scotland position now and in the future,
A man that no longer has time for stupidity, for time does not sit at his feet,
If only all of us could have the blinkers removed and cut out the rubbish.
I salute you Gareth.
A. Ellis: “Individuals like Pete Wishart and WGD patently aren’t going to allow opposing views or engage in any meaningful discussion with those who disagree with them, however respectfully expressed”.
Looked in a mirror lately?
@James 11.37 am
When have I, or indeed anyone else on this site, ever said you or anyone else weren’t entitled to your woo-woo views? Once again, I can only refer you to the wise words of the person whose blog this is from 2 months ago, and whose decision to give up in disgust can only be attributed at least in part to the actions of unreasoning roasters like your good selves:
“And stop whining that by saying this I’m trying to “shut down debate”. I have no power and no desire to stop you debating it. You can debate it all you want. I’m not reporting you to Twitter or the police. I’m just not interested.
We debated this in 2011 and we came to the right decision. Nothing has happened that justifies abandoning that principle in my view. You can’t just disenfranchise people because you think they’ll vote the wrong way.
As well as being morally wrong, it’s almost certainly self-defeating. The Scotland you’d be trying to sell people under that franchise is a very different place to the one we were advocating in 2014, and very much for the worse.”
@Alf Baird 10.03 am
Scotland =/= New Caledonia.
A lie (“Scotland is a colony”, “We wuz robbed” ” A bad furriner dun it an’ ran away”) becomes no more convincing for constant repetition.
Only a small minority accept the “Scotland as colony narrative”. You and others who cleave to it are quite entitled to keep pushing the idea: nobody is stopping you.
The lack of success you’re having convincing the rest of the independence movement, still less “soft No” anti independence Scots and/or Scots residents, should give you pause for thought, as should the fact that the UN, EU or other international organisations aren’t buying it.
When you change their minds, be sure to let us know, huh?
Holymacmoses.
It is without doubt a very hard decision to make whom should and should not be allowed to vote on Scottish independence in the future,
For Mr Ellis calls me along with others the blood and soil nationalist moonhowler type,
Which I sincerely take as a compliment,
For he see’s a Scots nationalist in me, and you that wants only Scottish indigenous people whom pay taxes, whom live here, whom have the closet ties to Scotland to vote for their right to rule their own country,
Some of us will miss out on being able to vote by dint of birth place, or heritage that would definitely vote for Scotland being independent.
However it also would eliminate a larger majority of people with holiday homes, large cooperations that do not live here or pay into the Scottish public purse,
It would also eliminate charities registered in England but owning land in Scotland but avoiding taxes in Scotland,
It would perhaps eliminate other large land owners like the monarchy, whom interfered in the last referendum, along with the obama’s mantra, Or interference from foreign countries whom would see benifits of Scotland being in tow to England while they stock pile Scotland with WMD. All this is for the good.
The down side however is that NS, wishfart, and some dodgy perves whom try stealing children, and others trying to make women go back to the dark ages would have a say. Being born in Scotland.
Life is not fair in general, but I am hoping the good people of Scotland would vote to free their country with or without us .
And demolish the Scots that sell Scotland for their own fame and fortune.
The people of Scotland cannot do this if their vote is outnumbered by big cooperations, absent land owners, the great British charities or and monarchy, the English branch devolved government, with 5000 British civil servants posted to Scotland, etc etc.
“and whose decision to give up in disgust can only be attributed at least in part to the actions of unreasoning roasters like your good selves”
A flat out lie Moses, but you’re on a mission, so carry on.
We see you.
Yours
Unreasonable roaster.
https://www.bitchute.com/video/5RfbYPDHml1f/
Governments are the only peddlars of “misinformation” when it comes to covid.
@Andy Ellis 12:16pm
Spot on. The Colonialism narrative doesn’t pass the street test. Neither does talk of a franchise. We have 100 things to be concerned about before these ideological wrang dreels.
I tried to refuel my car last night and found all the premium pumps locked but the new E10 bio fuel cylinder head destroyer still available. Is anyone chancing their engine on that cat piss?
The Green Agenda will be used to impoverished us and take away the joys of living. To all virtue signallers very big motor car engines are good pushbikes are retarded.
Grousebeater had some excellent commentary on persistence, of keep knocking the doors down, of the opposition, in large numbers.,
To show up and call out local councils and councillors, local MPs,
We need enough voices to make them panic.
We need to start at the root of the rot.
And we definitely need our own media,
This is «Black History Month», another dubious US import.
However, this is an aspect of history not likely to be cited in our cancel prone culture.
https://www.africanamerica.org/topic/did-black-people-own-slaves?nc=1
Or this
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavery_in_Africa
The major part played by Arabs neither.
https://www.fairplanet.org/dossier/beyond-slavery/forgotten-slavery-the-arab-muslim-slave-trade/
Facts are like spilt milk, pointless to cry or feel guilt over.
@ Arse by Name 10.17 am
What’s virtue signalling got to do with anything? You appear not to even know the meaning of terms you throw around. We know Stu is smarter than the average bear. Most of those posting here probably rate his abilities as an analyst and his forensic dissection of those he disagrees with. While we might not all agree with him all of the time, it’s passing strange that so many on here are queuing up to disagree with his very public denunciations of changing the indyref franchise, isn’t it?
We know that there is a small cadre of folk who think the ends justify the means, and that any principle can be jettisoned for expediency’s sake. You’re all quite free to make that argument. Nobody is stopping you, or trying to shut you down. That doesn’t mean you’re all somehow immune to criticism, or shouldn’t expect the rest of us to stand around, point and laugh at your imbecility. OK?
To quote the estimable Mr Fry”
“It’s now very common to hear people say, ‘I’m rather offended by that.’ As if that gives them certain rights. It’s actually nothing more… than a whine. ‘I find that offensive.’ It has no meaning; it has no purpose; it has no reason to be respected as a phrase. ‘I am offended by that.’ Well, so fucking what.”?
Good. Glad we got that sorted.
@ Unreasonable Roaster 12.20 pm
Stu Campbell, 26/09/2021:
“Meanwhile, among those who are still actively focused on independence an alarming number of people are openly calling for a blood-and-soil voting franchise should another indyref ever happen, a truly terrible idea I want no part of and which I’m very disappointed Alba hasn’t publicly dissociated itself from. A section of the movement appears to be retreating into kilts-and-bagpipes-and-Gaelic cultural nationalism of the type that predated the SNP’s electoral success and gives the average voter the pure heebs every bit as much as Sturgeon’s rainbow-haired sturmjugend do. It’s a sort of comfort blanket for those with no hope of actual victory, much like the last 20 years of the Welsh nationalist movement”
Stu Campbell 13/07/2021 (twitter thread):
“That, of course, is true in many ways. If we got a referendum tomorrow I don’t in all honesty know if I could bring myself to campaign in it, because it’d be a *de facto* campaign for Nicola Sturgeon’s vision of a hellish, intolerant, incompetent and corrupt Scotland.
But that’s not a decision I need to lose sleep over, because we’re not getting a referendum tomorrow, or next year, or the year after that, or the year after that.
But I’ve officially lost any urge to even think about it, if even the people opposed to that awful vision just have a different kind of awful vision, of a country where only “ethnic Scots” have a say. Bollocks to that.”
Doesn’t seem like a lie to me. Ethnic nationalists appear to disgust him just as much as they disgust me (and I’m willing to bet the vast majority who aren’t moon howlers).
Happy to help!
@Tannadice Boy 12.30 pm
“Spot on. The Colonialism narrative doesn’t pass the street test. Neither does talk of a franchise. We have 100 things to be concerned about before these ideological wrang dreels.”
Of course it doesn’t. Most ordinary folk treat the colonisation with the derision it so richly deserves. It’s an ideological and electoral cul-de-sac that will render those wrapping themselves in its banner about as electable as those strutting bare chested around the White House in a buffalo headdress, waving the tractor(ed)ous confederate flag.
That won’t stop them spamming this place with their endless witterings sadly, or claiming to represent “real” or “indigenous” Scots, then acting all horrified when people make fun of their regressive nativism and point out what an electoral liability it would be and in what morally repugnant a direction they are heading.
These aren’t the brightest analysts in the think tank.
ANDY ELLIS.
Wouldn’t rely on such political constructs as the UN or the EU to recognize a colony.
Some Greeks, for example, consider their relationship with the EU «colonial» in tone and the UN has done little to deal with Han Chinese colonial activities among minorities within its sphere. It may be argued that Globalism is simply colonialism rebranded, still a system of topdogs and underdogs.
The inability to detect the threads of colonial attitude with its cultural superiority traits in the Scottish fabric may have much to do with pride. The Scots were very useful idiots in the creation of England’s global empire. So useful they became North Britons, and masochistically proud of it in some cases eg Hume, John Buchan inter alia. The myths of the Scotch character type date from that Scott-landscape.
Sometimes the shame of a situation can be so powerful as to distort the reality to something comforting, hence the romantic tartanry of the aforementioned Scott.
There is no Scottish exception. History can produce many of similar construction.
The English establishment «ran» the Scots well and are still doing the running among those too proud to see the manipulation.
@Andy Ellis 1:08pm
I will be charitable and say these ideological messages are emanating from classic Groupthink amongst a small circle of academics. My definition of leadership. Never ask anyone to do something you are not prepared to do yourself. I can’t sell these messages on the street. And the sooner they recede in the wilderness the better.
Hugh Jarse says:
2 October, 2021 at 12:20 pm
“and whose decision to give up in disgust can only be attributed at least in part to the actions of unreasoning roasters like your good selves”
A flat out lie Moses, but you’re on a mission, so carry on.
We see you.
I assume that you’re not writing to me?
If ever there was any doubt that Scotland is a country being treated as a colony within this union, I give you two words, Malcolm Offord.
@Dan 10.45 pm
Also kind of wrong. One of Gareth’s responses is”
“Employing a franchise of residential status alone is dangerous, guaranteed to lose independence. That’s a parish conception. No country uses that process to decide its entire destiny. In a country where we cannot even control our borders, Scotland, agreeing to a vote for residents, is a colonial trap.”
Now, his sad attachment to the colonialism narrative and the need for a reform of the franchise are opinions he’s perfectly entitled to have and publicise. He’s even entitled to call Stu Campbell’s attitude defeatist or that use of the blood and soil epithet is uneducated, even if I and many others would side with Stu’s analysis rather than Gareth’s or Alf Baird’s.
However, Gareth ISN’T entitled to his own class of facts, and the fact is he’s just plain wrong that “no country uses that process [i.e. residential rather than ethnic/birth status] to decide its entire destiny.
Virtually every country which has held an independence referendum since 1945 HAS used residence NOT birth criteria. I even posted the list in previous threads, but still the adherents of nativism close their eyes and insist there is nothing to see.
Those unfortunate enough to come upon the ravings of Andy Ellis and his few acolytes in here, will note his anger aimed at the concerned illuminating blazing evidence of a colonised Scotland, relies entirely on empty opinion, ridicule, insult and waffle.
Lots of waffle. And a lot of borrowing from the Unionist Handbook.
Readers are liable to feel he suffers from a colonised mind.
If a individual person asks if they would be allowed to move on or leave the position they are in, and the reply is NO, or not now,
Two responses would enter the equation instantly.
1 ). [ If the one whom is asked refuses ] the other to be able to move on, [ The ] one whom was asked must consider they are in ownership of the questioner and their rights.
2 ). The questioner considers that. [ they are owned ] before they felt the need to make the request.
Theoretically and quite responsibly we can replace the word [ person ] with [ country ] and come to the same conclusion.
3 ) One entity considers they are the boss, the hirer and firer, the master, the one in control of the other persons future. ( Or other countries future.)
4 ). And the Questioner, considers this to be so, for [ they have based their question ] on the experience and fact they needed to ask permission to be free, ( Or for their country to be free ).
One plays master of the others future.
Rather than individuals,
5 ). When this scenario involves two countries in a treaty of union,
It becomes obvious that the questioned entity considers he is master of both Countries, a colonial master. That has the other country under subjugation.
He forgets that the two countries have made an equal pact, and has promoted his own status, he has positioned and promoted himself to colonial master.
This questioned entity that now sees himself as colonial master of the Treaty has become a monster, and in doing so ignores the rules set out by both countries.
Many times willing to break those rules and regulations to become colonial master of all he surveys in the two countries.
Westminster and English politicians have and do act as colonial masters with regards to the only other country signed into the treaty of the union, Scotland.
Two countries signed.
Either country can withdraw.
@Andy Ellis
“Regressive ethnic nationalism”?
Poor choice of phrase there Andy.
Progressive ethnic nationalism would be your preferred option I guess. Open borders, let all who wish to come to Scotland do so, and if that materially downgrades the living standards, opportunities and the chances for Indy of the indigenous Scots, then tough.
Pragmatic ethnic nationalism is what I understand that many here are calling for. A set of criteria that defines who is eligible to vote on the most fundamental issue facing Scotland. And yes, it is prime quality moon howling to claim, as you do, that newcomers should have the same say as those who’s ties to Scotland go back for generations.
I see nobody calling for regressive ethnic nationalism. That would be actively calling for solutions like those adopted in Myanmar.
In my view Andy, you exhibit the mindset of all those afflicted with the conviction that all change is good and progressive and can only ever move in one direction. Because of that blindness, you automatically dismiss those that disagree with you as “regressive”.
Life is not fair in general, but I am hoping the good people of Scotland would vote to free their country with or without us .
Some of the people in Scotland aren’t good. My Grandparents were murdered by some ‘bad’ people of Scotland and my mother was left parentless at 7 months old. My mother was reared by relatives because they got cash for her. She sought employment in England married and died when I was 9 months old. My father literally ‘dumped’ me. I was put out to tender:-)
I have had elements of luck about me – right place etc
There are good and bad in all countries: human beings, peoples and individuals. It depends on circumstances. Personally, I wouldn’t mind if a bit of Scottish ‘fairness’ crept into my life and yes, I want to be able to vote YES
Andy, the difference between a battered wife and a wife that’s in a toxic and abusive relationship isn’t really worth browbeating anyone over. You’re supposed to be on her side.
A black eye is a black eye. We all know who threw the blows that caused it as well as so many other injuries. You know too but seem to be arguing that entering into the marriage on a voluntary basis somehow absolves the wife-beater of responsibility.
One of the things I learned when I studied history and politics was that we should never let very carefully chosen words obscure the truth or distract us from realities.
There’s a thousand ways to describe things but when you consistently call things like aggression “defence”, plunder “democracy”, and massacres “collateral damage”, you are essentially speaking in code and using langue to mislead rather than inform. It’s all very Orwellian.
What difference does it make to the millions of Scottish people whose lives have been ruined by abject poverty in this relationship if we say Scotland is a colony or not? What difference will it make to the Scottish children who wake up to presents from food banks rather than Santa this Christmas?
I can see why those who are plundering this country’s resources and causing all that misery might be anxious to discuss things in certain terms. And let’s not forget those enterprising Scots who assist them and benefit from the process, they are naturally anxious too — as they should be.
There’s a reason we have the worst drugs deaths in the western world. There’s a reason the average Scotsman dies about 15 years younger than the average Englishman. There are reasons for the food banks, the poverty, the hopelessness, and the misery.
It isn’t the Glasgow Effect, as some would have it, it’s the London Effect. Proof of that can be found in former colonies all around the world.
Many now independent states had «promoters» to which some within them took ideological exception. That became irrelevant in the wider context of getting rid of an old order. Henri IV of France’s «Paris vaut une Messe» resonates here.
Because the devil presides at the meal doesn’t mean you should starve, simply employ a long spoon and enjoy the feast.
MidEastern pragmatism.
“Similarly, not ONE person has ever answered why they think Scots are uniquely incapable of using the same franchise as virtually EVERY other independence referendum since WW2, from the dozens of examples I quoted them at length, and winning.”
Andy Ellis.
Lets see where to begin with this one, the entire media establishment is biased against an independent Scotland, it continuously spews out dubious reasons why Scotland cannot be a successful independent nation, and that we have to rely on England to keep the country afloat, this propaganda has been pumped out for decades.
Tell me Andy Ellis how do you countered the unfair lies of Perfidious Albion to persuade non Scots residents to vote yes in a plebiscite, when one side of the debate cannot get the airtime to show folk that Scotland would be miles better off outside of this union.
Scotland’s attempt to leave this union isn’t a fair fight, it never will be, Scotland isn’t some far off Commonwealth country that wants its independence from England, no we are right next door to one of the most deceitful and cunning parliaments on the planet, a parliament that will do and say just about anything to keep Scotland tied to this union. England has much to lose, and Scotland has much to gain, if Scotland breaks free from onesided union.
Only the naive or righteous think we’ll exit this union on a level playing field without playing dirty. Independence will need to be taken, it won’t be given, Westminster will do all in its powers to make sure we don’t leave, we must do ALL in our powers to make sure we do leave.
Of course this is all just fluff blowing in the wind, for Sturgeon the Betrayer of Scots neither has the guile or gumption, nor the intention of holding a halfhearted indyref nevermind a hard hitting indyref where we call the shots.
I don’t even want to hold an indyref, I want Holyrood to hold a vote via our MPs and MSPs and declare independence there and then if yes wins.
One quick point before I go and throw my light elsewhere…
I’ve seen a few people talk in terms of how BTL comments here on Wings have gone down hill lately. I actually don’t think the comments here have ever been so rich and substantial. And I mean that.
I remember what it was like on here just a few years ago when anybody that deviated from certain narratives got slated. I’m talking about loyalty to the SNP which I always found disgusting on a certain level.
As for the so-called “moon howlers”, BTL discussion on Wings was and is ahead of the curve on vaccine issues. Stories about vaccine efficacy and potential side effects are in the mainstream news today every time I look. We were right to discuss and raise concerns about the potential health effects of the vaccine on kids, for example — and we did that ahead of the JCVI.
People should stop doing this place down. It has never been better here and if you disagree and think the place has gone to the dogs, why the fuck are you reading this?
Ah, colonialism, eh? We all know what it means.
Or do we?
A few years back, I worked out that colonialism is when somebody goes to another country to make more money or enjoy a higher standard of living. Nothing more, nothing less.
So it’s not something that only happened in the past and it’s not something that only happens in the third world. It’s happening now, here and in most other places.
It’s never a problem when numbers are few. But get a critical mass of colonists together and they inevitably start to change things. Sometimes for the best to be sure. But never in a way that acts against their own interests.
Do the interests of the colonists align with the interests of the colonised, right here, right now? Where Indy is concerned, I think not.
“Douglas Ross claims Nicola Sturgeon will step down as First Minister by next election”
I can’t stand the man, or his party, but I hope on this occasion he’s right, infact I hope she’s gone or forced out before then for the sake of Scotland, and she’s replaced with a indy minded FM with guts and a backbone.
https://archive.is/iv82D#selection-1399.0-1399.85
For the benefit of the hard of thinking,
2021 New Caledonian independence referendum,
franchise,
Potential voters will need to be registered on the general electoral roll, and also meet one of the secondary criteria:
Was on the electoral roll for the 1998 referendum on the Nouméa Accord;
Qualified to be on the electoral roll for the 1998 referendum, but were not enrolled;
Failed to meet the requirements to be on the 1998 electoral roll solely due to absence related to family, medical or professional reasons;
Having civil customary status, or born in New Caledonia and have their material interests in the territory;
At least one parent born in New Caledonia and have their material interests in the territory;
At least 20 years of continuous residence in New Caledonia by 31 December 2014;
Born before 1 January 1989 and have had their residence in New Caledonia between 1988 and 1998
Born after 31 December 1988 and reached voting age before the referendum, with at least one parent who was on the electoral roll (or qualified to do so) for the 1998 referendum.
Vote restriction restricts the voting power of recent inhabitants and enlarges the voting power of native Kanaks, and was long sought after by FLNKS.`
sorry what were you sayin.
Jeezo oh, and here’s me thinking that George Galloway couldn’t stoop any lower on attacking all things Scottish that doesn’t conform to the union.
https://archive.is/8OJ2v
Hello,
Saddened to see the site is all but closed bar some polls every so often. This site has done wonders for the indy movement its truly a shame a small minority in the SNP are truly destroying the whole party for self interest and taking their eye off the prize.
Is there not another like minded person or group that could keep wings going on the same lines Stuart has been doing? Could there be another Stuart Campbell!!!
Republicofscotland
You spot on in describing the effects that defining the franchise for a referendum is attempting to counter. However all that does is limit the effect of the bias at the edges. It doesn’t really address the problem directly.
A referendum, in general, is a path fraught with peril. The Unionist media can be playing on all channels, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Limiting the pool of those who might be affected might not even be remotely successful given the deluge of fear, uncertainty and doubt that would be unleashed.
Much better to muzzle the media rather than limit the franchise but I have no idea how you would create the conditions needed that would lead to a fair vote. Perhaps if Scotland had friends around the world, while possibly not able to exert pressure to have a fair vote, would at least be able to point the finger if it wasn’t.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=n9iL2kTe9ng
Politicians on both sides of the Atlantic with a “Common Purpose”.
Hatuey at 1:52
Agreed.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KmwbsvRLzj0
Good advice.
The constitutional/franchise stuff is academic. Nothing wrong with that, but the sorry fact is that so long as we have the current FM, we’re fucked.
She has to go.
Whether she goes to a job in the UN, on permanent vacation with her husband, or straight to jail, it doesn’t really matter.
First things first.
Christ on a bike, FandAndy is back with his usual self-promotion. Except he doesn’t like to talk directly about the quality of his blog posts.
Scotland isn’t a colony according to the man with a PhD, yet was happy to use this exact phrase (in bold) on his own site, the pre-amble is included to provide more context to the mind-set of Mr NDLS.
“As I made my way along Princes Street, Edinburgh, on 3rd November, I overheard a snippet of conversation between two guys. One, with a posh Anglified (or English) accent, was saying to the other, “…Of course, Scotland couldn’t possibly be independent. It would never work”. I find it absolutely incredible that people still believe this patent ‘too wee, too poor, too stupid’ garbage; that Scotland, out of all the two-hundred nations of the world, is somehow uniquely incapable of governing itself and thriving on its own, and that we need a government that has never had majority-support in Scotland since 1955 and which we are powerless to influence, to rule over us.
What these people really mean, I’m sure, is that they are unwilling to lose control of our land, our natural resources, the military bases on our soil and the wealth we contribute to the UK economy.”
When asked to square that circle… >>
https://wingsoverscotland.com/lights-out/#comment-2677641
…he didn’t see one.
https://wingsoverscotland.com/lights-out/#comment-2677951
If he’s personally hoping to take up the reins from Rev Stu (????…), I’d happily chip in for a new coat for Mr Ellis – a straitjacket.
“Much better to muzzle the media rather than limit the franchise but I have no idea how you would create the conditions needed that would lead to a fair vote. ”
Stuart and there in lies the crux of the matter, you just have to look back at the successful character assassination and smearing of Jeremy Corbyn to see the power the unionist media has over a certain percentage of the population in the UK, the lies and innuendo aimed at Corbyn was and still is breathtaking, such was the power of the lies pushed about Corbyn by the media, that even long term Labour mining towns which were decimated by Tory rule voted for Johnson.
Now transfer this to the run up to a indyref in Scotland, with whomever is at the helm of the indy movement and you don’t need to stretch your imagination to see that the unionist media (all of it) would be on attack against the possibility of Scottish independence 24/7. If that’s not stacking the deck unfairly in the unions favour then I don’t know what is.
The unionist media cannot be countered, ergo it must be bypassed, and the only way to do that is via calling our MPs back to Holyrood and holding a vote on whether to leave this union or not. I’d hope that would cut out the six or so months of nothing but negative stories on how Scotland is too, wee, too, poor etc and the relentless attacks on our indy politicians.
@Grouse Beater 1.25 pm
It seems rather odd then Gareth that you were more than happy to re-tweet my “ravings” in the past and to interact quite amicably in discussions on your blog?
I see you still haven’t responded to the central point of my earlier post, that the statement in your interview is simply factually inaccurate. It’s not a matter of “opnion, ridicule, insult and waffle”, nor is it from the Unionist playbook: you’re simply wrong about the facts.
I’d like to say I’m disappointed about your intellectually lazy response, but given your reactions on this issue, and your earlier rather odd evidence free allegations that I’d contacted Stu Campbell about you, it’s pretty evident you lack perspective or the sense of common decency to apologise so no better can really be expected of you.
I still feel I was right to resign from the SNP over your defenestration as a matter of principle (….which seems rather odd from someone using the Unionist handbook don’t you think?), it’s just a pity the proximate cause has turned out to be such a crushing disappointment.
@Scott 3.35 pm
When have I ever expressed any desire or said I had the ability to “take up the reins”? Like most of the other moon howlers in here you’re too busy interacting with what you *wished* people had said, rather than what they do actually say.
I’ve neither the time, nor the aptitude to run a blog that could come anywhere close to what Stu Campbell has done, nor am I trained in journalism as he is. I’ll give your literary criticism of my efforts all the consideration they deserve. Feel free to stun us with your efforts as a counterpoint. Any time….
The quote from my blog relating the overheard quote from two unionists still doesn’t prove anything, least of all your weak thesis that I’ve somehow espoused the spurious “Scotland as colony” trope in the past and changed my tune since.
To clarify: I’ve never believed Scotland is a colony, and never will. I think references about “settlers” per Alasdair Gray, or indigenous Scots by others more recently who really ought to know better are poison for the independence movement, and that those pushing the narrative are doing more damage to the movement than the hapless yoons are managing to inflict at present.
@Republic of Scotland 1.47 pm
“Lets see where to begin with this one, the entire media establishment is biased against an independent Scotland, it continuously spews out dubious reasons why Scotland cannot be a successful independent nation, and that we have to rely on England to keep the country afloat, this propaganda has been pumped out for decades.”
Are you seriously saying that the list of other countries (including the Baltic States and former Yugoslav Republics) didn’t have it worse? Was the press free in those places? Didn’t they face the threat – and reality – of armed intervention to stop them exercising their self determination?
And what is it that’s stopping us? Convincing enough people to put a cross in a box. We’re not colonised, we’re just feart.
I agree with much of the rest of your post. In the end, you don’t ask for independence, you take it. The indyref route now seems like a dead end, and as others have pointed out, it ain’t going to happen anytime soon, so we may as well concentrate on plebiscitary elections.
Of course, that kinda presupposes we can convince enough of the cultists in the SNP to opt for that route. Given our success in changing 45% to 50% + 1 over 7 years, I won’t be holding my breath on that one.
Like others on here I DON’T want a referendum I want a plebiscite election , BUT I do want to know who the fuck is Andy Pandy to undermine Scottish Nationality , I am sick to the back teeth of people like ellis and sturgeon with their progressive pish encouraging people from everywhere to come to Scotland and they AUTOMATICALLY become Scottish and can avail themselves of everything Scottish even though they have contributed nothing , while our own citizens are suffering poverty, unemployment , NHS queues, shortage of social housing .
Ellis who has lived outside of Scotland for 25 years suddenly feels that he wants to return with his family to the homeland he felt so dear to his heart , he knows nothing of the shit politics and politicians we have had to endure for those 25 years , the fight for independence against the massed ranks of unionist collaborators from all areas and countries , but Andy has returned and Andy wants everyone and their dugs to decide our future because that is PROGRESSIVE
WHEN did Scottish Nationhood become the property of anyone and everyone , when did sturgeon and ellis decide Scottish Nationhood was so worthless that they could give it away like sweeties , when did sturgeon and ellis decide that Scots were so INFERIOR that their votes were less valuable than incomers votes . SCOTS VOTED 53% for independence , INCOMERS VOTED 72% AGAINST
TELL us all Andy how you will ACTIVELY WORK AGAINST indy if you don’t get your way ,
Indy supporter like the woke crew ONLY if they get their way
@Scott Finlayson 2.19 pm
“sorry what were you sayin.”
I was saying that Scotland =/= New Caledonia.
Anyone who can read this:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Caledonia
and then honestly come away thinking that the experiences of an “actual” colony and that of Scotland are the same needs a perspective transplant.
From the above:
41% of New Caledonia’s inhabitants are Kanaks (ethnic Melanesians).
24% are European (around 40% of whom were born in New Caledonia).
11% identify as “mixed”
11% are from other Polynesian islands.
Scotland (2011 census):
83.3% born in Scotland
8.7% born in England
1% Rest of UK
3% born in EU
4% born in the rest of the world
But yea…we’re JUST like New Caledonia.
Good grief. Where do we even start with this level of delusion?
TWATHATER.
I was born in the middle east. No Scottish blood but Scottish relation by marriage.
Would love a Scottish passport. Please do not diss the would be Scots. We bring new perspectives.
Have a good evening.
@Andy Ellis 4:56
Three questions.
1) In 2011, 16.7% of Scottish residents were not ethnic Scots. What do you reckon the % is now?
2) At what % would you accept the New Caledonia analogy to be an acceptable one?
3) On current and predicted future trends, how many years until we get there?
Final question (so I lied). What the fuck will we do then?
Bye Stu and best of luck with everything. Thanks for all your hard work over the years.
‘Ellis’ is, (th)he blusters, a University of St. Andrews ( England’s upper class twats’ 3rd choice after Oxbridge) post grad/MI5 troll. He’s about as Scottish as a Morris dancer on the old Kent Road. An ex or still is employee of BABCOCK..you know the international aerospace, SECURITY AND DEFENCE BRITISH company?
A nonentity that abuses only Scottish nationalists and the courage of the Scottish electorate. The latter because they voted , in the MAJORITY for Independence, whilst his lot, the people who must be convinced i.e. the RUK Economic Imperialist s*ttlers..you know the ‘NEW (NOT) SCOTS i.e. Britnats outvoted us by tipping the balance and will always because they are the real blood and soil nationalists..see Brexit, see Wales, see Spain and France with their little Englander colonies and their hateful attitudes.
See rural Scotland’s working class and young being outbid for housing by the same ‘gammons’. See the next ‘REF’ deliberately held back until Sturgeon knows enough ‘civil nationalists’ i.e. euphemism for RUK ‘NO’s have moved up here to outvote us even more decisively. Wait until they finally allow a census and where will ‘Ellis’ be?
This imposter abused a long term contributor on here because he was ‘on the spectrum’. A coward and a lying troll who won’t show up at any get together of Wings, because ‘he’ wouldn’t dare repeat his shite to anybody’s face.
@twathater 4.33 pm
I want a plebiscitary election too and I hope that’s what we get. Like Stu, I agree that we aren’t getting a referendum anytime soon, so the franchise question is probably moot, but it remains important, because how people approach it tells us a whole lot about the kind of Scotland people want to see.
I don’t want to see the kind of Scotland Sturgeon and her acolytes would bring us, despite you lumping me in with her and what you describe as “progressive pish”.
I suspect you know where you can stick your assertion of being more Scottish than those of us who have had the temerity to leave Scotland at any point and then return. If that’s the kind of response you hand out to other indigenous Scots, I can only imagine how welcome all those “New Scots” who support independence must feel with roasters like you on the welcoming committee.
Scottish nationhood isn’t your property anymore than its mine. It belongs to the people of Scotland: ALL of them. Dozens of other countries have achieved independence using a residence franchise, most of them overcoming economic, social and political obstacles hugely more challenging than ours, but their knee jerk response wasn’t to disenfranchise those not born in their new state.
You and your zoomer mates are the ones with the inferiority complex bud, not me and other civic nationalists. We don’t have to conjure the bogeyman of colonialism to account for the lack of political courage of the 83% of native born Scots, and the failure of the movement to convince them to vote Yes in in 2014.
I’ll actively campaign against any political movement or set of policies I regard as regressive: that’s hardly exceptional is it? Wouldn’t most people say the same? I left the SNP because they no longer reflected my values, they treated Grouse Beater disgracefully and against any natural justice, because of their failure to address TRA extremism and attacks on Joanna Cherry and others, their failure to progress the cause of independence and their treatment of Alex Salmond.
I doubt many voters get 100% of what they want from any political party’s platform. Similarly, I wouldn’t expect any political party to reflect everything on my policy wish list.
What appears to get the goat of the sundry science deniers, nativists and blood and soil types in here is that anyone disagrees with them, or pokes fun at their woo-woo beliefs and fact that they enjoy negligible popular support.
Good. The more the do so, the easier they are to ignore.
Here’s a hypothetical…
My old dear croaks it and leaves me a decent wad, say £100k.
I buy a wee cottage in rural Wales, somewhere nice, near the coast.
I rent it via Airbnb – lovely jubbly – but keep it for set times of the year: a winter fortnight, three weeks or so in the summer, and block off another two or three weeks here and there so that friends and relatives can use it too.
Should I then be entitled to a vote in the Welsh indyref?
@John Main 5.29 pm
1) Who the fuck do you think I am, mystic Meg? The new census will reveal all no doubt.
2) When someone demonstrates that we’re a colony in the same terms as New Caledonia, and “ethnic” Scots are outnumbered by New Scots. Even then….how are you going to count pro-independence New Scots, John?
3) I dunno. Ask someone at the ONS: I imagine their predictions will have so many caveats attached that they will have about the same value as any guesstimate I could make. If you actually think Scotland is headed for a future where 41% of Scots are native born though, I have a bridge you might be interested in buying?
4) We do what the majority votes for. That’s democracy…you know, persuading the majority of the validity of your argument or case? I’ve seen that done for the underpinnings of civic nationalism, even if not for actual independence: I haven’t seen it done for ethnic nationalism and a restriction of the franchise, but go ahead….fill yer boots mate. We’ll wait……
@ John Main and Lochside
How timely as just made this comment on previous thread.
https://wingsoverscotland.com/under-her-thumb/comment-page-1/#comment-2678458
Which links back to the stats Mia previously posted.
https://wingsoverscotland.com/the-last-ten-seconds-of-life/comment-page-1/#comment-2673159
@Lochside 5.44 pm
Wow, that really is quite the diatribe. So is it having a doctorate, or having gone to Scotland’s oldest university, or working for (clutches pearls) a company that does work in defence and security that renders me “not Scottish enough” for you and all yer nativist zoomer mates “Lochside”?
The majority of the Scottish ELECTORATE didn’t vote for independence, or weren’t you paying attention? 45% voted for it. One piece of polling suggests that native born Scots narrowly voted Yes and non natives voted heavily No. What none of you and your blood and soil mates likes to discuss is whether even that supposed result (because there’s no way to prove it) would have looked if the whole campaign had been fought on a different basis.
For all you and the “nativist loyal” know, even less than 45% would have voted Yes if you’d fought a campaign based on ethnic nationalism. I understand that it’s probably too much for you to try and get your head around the counter factual, but detailed analysis, or answering direct questions, never has been the strong suit of the nativists has it? They still haven’t satisfactorily answered Stu Campbells original questions from months ago.
Why might that be I wonder….?
As for being a “coward, lying troll” “Lochside”, I’m not the snivelling coward hiding behind an anonymous moniker am I? I’m sufficiently public that you managed to figure out where I work and announce it presumably because you thought it might intimidate me? Funnily enough, that’s exactly what the yoons did to me when I was still working in England as was othered by the Daily Heil as one of the Cybernat 7, largely for my promotion of this site.
Why would I have any interest in attending any event, whether WoS based or not, with a piece of work like you who behaves in the same way as the kind of unionists who attacked us during #indyref1?
@ Ian Brotherhood
I see you had to consider going to Wales to find a cottage for 100k as ye huv heehaw chance of gettin yin round my way for that sort of cash! Well unless of course ya jist wanna bung me a finders fee and rock up and squat in the empty holiday house next door to me. 😉
Back on the beetroot boiling the nicht… Supping a cheeky 6% Natavist IPA, and got a cheeky dark blood n soiler 5.8% stout lined up next. 🙂
@Dan (6.11) –
🙂 🙂 🙂
Enjoy yourself!
@ Ottomanboi 5.22 pm
You better hope that the moon howlers are the small fringe group of nutters that most of us think they are. After all, what hope have you got of being accepted as a “real” Scot when I’m apprently not Scottish enough for daring to….(consults moon howler playbook…) : have doctorate, it being from Scotland’s oldest university, having lived outside Scotland for just under half my life, and …whisper it….work for a company that is involved in defence projects.
Clearly I’m a monster and not fit to be part of the “ethnos”! How sad?
Perhaps your people will accept me instead…?
Is there an Assyrian or Chaldean independence movement? 🙂
“And what is it that’s stopping us? Convincing enough people to put a cross in a box. We’re not colonised, we’re just feart.”
Andy Ellis.
Not colonised you say, two words to that Malcolm Offord, and of course the queen, and her parasitical brood lording it at Holyrood today, lets not forget our politicians didn’t swear an oath of loyalty to the Scots who put them where they are, no just like our civil service, police, lawyers etc they swore an allegiance to the queen.
As for what’s stopping Scots from leaving this union, that would be Sturgeon the Betrayer of Scots, if Salmond were FM just now he’d have declared Scotland independent after a vote at Holyrood, no indyref needed which would negate the biased media.
Andy ‘cap in hand’ isn’t listening, and never will. Fair enough.
If you’re happy to have such an arrogant, abusive commenter take up all the WoS bandwidth, forever, fair enough too ?
Nah. Deafie the cunt, then we’ll see who’s howling at the moon.
@Andy Ellis 5:55
Thanks for your reply.
Afraid you flunked the “What is a woman” question when discussing migration of any kind.
No open borders fan will ever, ever, state what the limit should pragmatically and reasonably be. Because they acknowledge no problems, real or potential, with unfettered population movement, there can be no limit.
It doesn’t matter in which context the issue is being discussed; Indy, house prices, jobs, school class sizes, cultural destruction.
No limit, whether absolute, percentage, rate of change, or any other metric. Ever.
Still, as you say, you can’t imagine any problems with that, so I guess that’s fine and I will go measure my garden to see if the bridge you are selling will fit.
Andy Ellis.
If you want Scottish independence as much as you claim to in some of your comments, pray tell why its wrong for Scotland to stack the deck in its favour to gain independence, when Westminster will try to do the exact same to stop Scottish independence.
Please don’t reply to this with any philosophical, ethical or moral positions, or righteous comments that we must play the Westminster game, or that we must enfranchise everyone and their dog, when currently Westminster is considering enforcing photo ID’s for the next GE, which will disenfranchise millions.
If we want to win the next indyref, we’ll need to get down in the dirt with Westminster. The 2014 Scottish independence referendum was hailed as some sort of bench mark for plebiscites, however, all the plaudits in the world mean nothing if you lose it whilst your opponents play dirty and you do not.
“No country uses that process” – Andy Ellis 1.24pm
Whether deliberately dishonest or in schoolboy error, Andy Ellis quotes to mislead.
The sentence I published reads: “No country uses that process *alone*.”
Secondly, the dumb riposte “colonisation is an unknown to the person in the street”, actually makes the case that we Scots live an ersatz version of an English culture, uninformed and unaware our own is treated as second-class and disappearing.
I am not impressed with him claiming to be a nice chap who disliked what the SNP did to me while he implies I am a closet ‘blood and soil nativist’. Low name calling is used to save accuser, and deter reader, from acquiring knowledge.
I address only those two anti-intellectual points, his garrulous muddle of outburst and waffle is best left where it falls.
Andy Ellis says:
2 October, 2021 at 6:08 pm
I’m sufficiently public that you managed to figure out where I work and announce it presumably because you thought it might intimidate me? Funnily enough, that’s exactly what the yoons did to me when I was still working in England as was othered by the Daily Heil as one of the Cybernat 7, largely for my promotion of this site.
—
About that Daily Heil article (25/01/2014), ND… https://archive.is/0XuUz#selection-2053.0-2061.173
[“Andrew Ellis, 52, on the other hand, is proud to be called a ‘cybernat’. He is helping to promote Scottish independence – from the unlikely location of his home in Chichester, West Sussex.
Mr Ellis, a commercial manager for computing firm Hewlett Packard since November, moved from Yorkshire to his present home in 1992 with his English wife, 51-year-old Debbie.
The Edinburgh-born former politics student appears to be one of the more temperate cybernats, though at times he is a near-fanatical supporter of Wings, in many of his near-17,000 tweets to about 800 followers.
He told the Mail: ‘I am not a member of the SNP or a supporter, even though I find some of what they say and do quite attractive.
‘I am not a slave to the SNP – there are 800,000 Scots living in England and I’m sure plenty of them would also want independence.’
But he conceded: ‘I appreciate some of the people on Twitter can be quite extreme and unpleasant in what they say – but that is the same from both sides.
‘There is a lot of negativity from the No camp too, which could easily be reined in as well.’”]
25 years of living outwith Scotland, you say?
1992 – 2021 = 29 years [less 3 years that you’ve lived back in your hometown = 26. Did you mean living outwith Yorkshire?]
What made you change your mind about the SNP, prompting you to become a member? (which you ‘very publicly‘ resigned from in 2018)
Did you tell them that you’d been working for Hewlett-Packard for 2 months or did they have their finest detectives on the case trawling through your 17000 tweets?
Well done for conceding a point, even if it was to the ‘nazis’.
You had the easiest ride of the ‘Cybernat 7’….only you were directly quoted for some reason, with only a fleeting mention of you being a near-fanatical supporter of Wings and no direct examples of ‘Cybernattery’, unlike the others.
Were you paid for your contribution?
Is anyone going to attempt the Saturday Teaser I posed earlier? (5.54)
Would I be entitled to a vote or not?
If not, why not?
And if so, would I need to own that property for x number of years?
I’m only asking about legal entitlement – the issue of whether or not I *should* be allowed a vote is entirely different.
If you were officially resident there, I think you’d be legally entitled to vote, Ian.
I have said before that I don’t think there’s as much difference between the two camps on this issue as some would have you believe.
Nobody on the alleged “blood and soil” side is ruling out the possibility of foreign nationals voting providing they have lived here for a certain amount of time.
The “civic nationalist” camp, at the same time, as far as I know, aren’t arguing that anyone who lives here automatically qualifies for the vote, regardless of how long they have lived here — it comes down to how we define “resident”.
Take care Stuart. Looking forward to seeing your next contribution to the cause, (not that you haven’t given enough already!). Enjoy some time off in Bath, we have fond memories of living there, particularly bumping into you when you were supposed to be on holiday ?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jMF09YmTGVk
Please forgive the adspam that accompanies some of these videos. Those of you who surf YouTube as I do will probably be familiar with a censorship technique introduced under Susan Wojiki, which is to spam any channel with adverts if that channel questions the official Governments line on current events. The content creator is often unaware that his or her channel is being spammed by YouTube and they don’t get paid for it. Usually the next step for the channel is a “strike” which often leads to a ban. In the 21st Century in so called modern democracy that is fucking outrageous. The ads are designed to piss off the viewer to the extent of switching off. The more adspam the more worthy the content.
Governments only ever censor the truth. Have you noticed that?
Andy Ellis. Einz swei drei.. Ich fahne hoch.. Hahahaha.
@Scott 7.14 pm
You’re coming across as a bit of an obsessive stalker Scott, which is hardly a huge surprise given what some of those having a go appear capable of believing.
As to your sleuthing about my background, and since I seem to be of such interest – indeed taken up residence rent free in your empty head – I’d just point out that if you’re expecting accuracy from the Daily Heil, you’re obviously stupider than I took you for already.
I didn’t move from Yorkshire, the Daily Heil just got it wrong. I moved from Aberdeen to Sussex, not that it really matters. I joined the SNP after the 2015 General Election. I left them for their treatment of Grouse Beater, although in truth I was already disillusioned at their gradualism. Even if I hadn’t resigned over that however, it would no doubt have happened as a result of their behaviour afterwards.
I imagine they found my job details online, as others have done. Hardly rocket science. From memory I was identified as a more reasonable example of the sub-species because I wasn’t sweary and could string two sentences together. It’s the Daily Heil after all: lots of pearl clutching matrons no doubt and folks who disapprove of foul language.
I’ve no idea why I was the only one directly quoted. I remember talking to some of the others at the time as I think most of us were on twitter. Some refused to talk to them, some weren’t tracked down in person. One was out of the country I seem to remember.
Why on earth would I have been paid for my contribution? I suppose that doesn’t really fit with the conspiracy theory of me being an MI5 sleeper, or a unionist plant in the movement? You come across as a bit of a conspiracy theorist like James Che to be honest.
I always wore being “outed” by a filthy rag like the Daily Heil as a badge of honour, much like Stephen Fry. It didn’t really bother me or have any negative impact, but I think it made some of the other six uneasy, particularly Mellissa from memory, but then women do usually get treated differently in such cases, so I could understand her anger.
I wore the
Andy. If Mel Brooks can do do it so can I. Shalom.
@ Ian Brotherhood
I’ll inevitably be wrong for a myriad reasons and Andy will correct me, but I propose that to show your cultural alignment and understanding of the country of Wales, if after several medium strength alcoholic beverages and no internet access you can still pronounce and spell Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch then you’re eligible to vote.
Reeling off any Tom Jones, Catatonia or Stereophonics song at a karaoke gains an extra 0.5 of a vote, or 0.7 of a vote if done without reading the auto-prompt lyrics.
The ability to grow leeks with the lower white section longer than 5 inches and with a minimum diameter of 15/16ths of an inch measured anywhere within the middle third of that white section gains you 0.37 of a vote.
Owning sheep earns you an extra 1/8 of a vote per each 4 sheep.
Owning a proper dragon is like easily 5 votes extra per dragon, and nobody is going to argue with that after watching the shit Daenerys Stormborn got up to in Game of Thrones.
——
My view is that if after all the time we have spent learning the intricacies of our country’s complex history, culture, and governance systems, it would take considerable time to fully comprehend a different country’s setup to the point I would feel I had any semblance of a right to determine its future.
It’s almost as if there is a reason there are restrictions in place to determine who can vote at different levels within a country, as I mentioned earlier in that holiday home owners whose primary residence is elsewhere, can only register to vote in the Local Authority elections in the area of the second home, and not the Holyrood elections.
@ Ian Brotherhood at 8.06
Your original question was this (my emphasis):
Now you’re asking (my emphasis again):
The answer to the second question depends on eligibility for registration and yet-to-be-announced rules specific to a Welsh indyref.
You would be entitled to register to vote in Wales
(https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote and
https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/running-electoral-registration-wales/eligibility-register-vote/what-are-residency-requirements-registration-purposes)
given that you are over 14 years of age and (I assume) a “British” citizen (their adjective), if you could convince the Electoral Commission it was your permanent address on the “relevant date”
(https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/running-electoral-registration-wales/eligibility-register-vote/what-relevant-date).
That could be tricky if you have another “permanent address” in Scotland and/or they notice that you’re renting it out most of the time.
There’s nothing about time-scale in the rules that I can see.
Andy Ellis says:
2 October, 2021 at 9:24 pm
@Scott 7.14 pm
You’re coming across as a bit of an obsessive stalker
—
To you, perhaps.
You’re the one that keeps blowing your own trumpet in public, so it’s hardly surprising that people use the internet to verify the veracity of your claims.
You ask, “Why on earth would I have been paid for my contribution?”
I only asked if you were because papers do pay contributors, the added-on drivel…
“I suppose that doesn’t really fit with the conspiracy theory of me being an MI5 sleeper, or a unionist plant in the movement? You come across as a bit of a conspiracy theorist like James Che to be honest.”
…seems a bit defensive, given I haven’t accused you of being a sleeper for MI5 or a unionist plant, and it actually WOULD fit in with that narrative.
You weren’t exactly “outed” by the Daily Heil if you willingly gave them a quote, were you?
Do you ever engage in good faith?
@ Ian Brotherhood
Part 2 (too many links for one comment):
There’s also this
https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/running-electoral-registration-wales/eligibility-register-vote/what-are-residency-requirements-registration-purposes/can-electors-register-vote-more-one-address
But there must be those who slip through the net, because this petition reached the Senedd last year and gave rise to a briefing paper, which quotes the guidance linked to above:
https://business.senedd.wales/documents/s111439/Research%20brief.pdf
@Grouse Beater 7.02 pm
It hurts to be wrong Gareth and you obviously have trouble admitting your errors, nonetheless they remain errors.
A few examples for you:
1) Slovenia in its 1990 independence referendum enfranchised “internal citizens” (i.e. those with a Slovene on their Yugoslav national ID document: internal citizenship was bloodline dependent) AND all permanent residents.
2) Estonia and Latvia: enfranchised all residents with a permanent Soviet residence card for the 1991 referendum (i.e including Russians born in Estonia).
3) Ukraine: enfranchised all residents in the Ukraine, including Soviet soldiers based there.
4) Quebec: enfranchised all Canadian citizens resident in Quebec in both the 1980 and 1995 referendums.
5) Catalonia: 2014 – Residents in Catalonia and with Spanish nationality, EU nationality, or European Economic Area or Swiss nationality.
6) South Sudan: 2011 – Permanent residents in South Sudan or individuals whose parents or grandparents were permanent residents since 1956.
7) Bosnia Hercegovina 1992: Yugoslav citizens who had established their permanent residency in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
8) Macedonia 1991: Macedonian citizens (internal citizenship provided in the ID cards) residing in Macedonia or abroad.
So in fact the vast majority of countries use residence criteria, not ethnicity. Montenegro imposed a 24 month residency requirement in addition to Serb-Montenegrin nationality on their Yugoslav ID cards. East Timor (1999) excluded those not born in East Timor, or with parents born there due to Indonesian ethnic cleansing during the illegal Indonesian annexation. Lithuania (1991) specifically excluded Russian residents unless they renounced their Russian citizenship.
Of the 16 referendums listed in the publication below, (pages 44-46) only 3 fit your criteria yet you persist in pushing your line as though nobody had done the research. Facts, eh Gareth?
https://www.catedraferratermora.cat/docs/Posts/Who-is-entitled-to-vote.pdf
I’ll leave the rest of your response where it falls too. It’s not worth engaging with someone who has a semi-detached relationship with the truth.
For the benefit of the hard of thinking,
2021 New Caledonian independence referendum,
franchise,
Potential voters will need to be registered on the general electoral roll, and also meet one of the secondary criteria:
just admit this destroys your argument about Scottish moon howling nativists being the only country to restrict the franchise on independence referendum,
being wrong and admitting being wrong is good for the soul,
you can`t be right all the time,
the truth will trump balderdash most of the time.
Hmm… Whit’s aw this “Permanent Residence” malarkey aboot…
@Hatuey (8.50) –
Thanks for the response.
You can see where I’m going with this, and I’m not trying to be mischievous, it’s a serious question.
If the scenario I pitched came to pass, I honestly wouldn’t vote in a Welsh independence referendum. (Not even in secret!) Yes, I would sympathise with the nationalists and wish them well, but I wouldn’t use my vote because it simply wouldn’t be right. I’m not Welsh in any way that I’m aware of. Solidarity? Aye, of course, but not the ScotLab variety which binds us to the UK in the pathetic hope that there will be another International we can all be part of. Fuck that.
If the people of Wales decide that their nation should go its own way, good luck to them. They shouldn’t be hindered – or helped – by people like me. Because I am, when it comes to matters of Welsh identity, politics and culture, an ‘alien’, an ‘outsider’, a ‘foreigner’, whatever way you want to put it. And being described as such doesn’t offend me in the slightest.
So I don’t accept accusations of being a ‘nativist’ – I object to certain people having a say in my family and community’s future. You know the people I’m on about. I’m not going to start fingering anyone but the hairy-arsed fact is that some of them exploit the electoral system to frustrate the ambitions of ‘the indigenous people’ (natives), and secure a status-quo which just happens to be forever skewed in their favour. The rights and wrongs of using that referendum vote don’t concern them in the slightest – it’s about pure self-interest, an entirely financial consideration. ‘Pragmatism’.
I have no solutions to offer, but it’s something that has to be hammered out before Sturgeon leaves, or is hoofed, whichever is first.
And I ask again, of others here, to address the question which Hatuey at least had the decency to try and address – why should absentee landlords and ‘holidaymakers’ have the right to vote on the future of our country?
@Scott 9.43 pm
It’s always seemed to me you’re not the one engaging in good faith Scott. Such is life. We’re never likely to see eye to eye. No reasonable person would think any of those outed in that hatchet job were paid for being doorstepped. But then, it’s pretty evident to me you’re not a reasonable person Scott.
You may not personally have used the Mi% sleeper line, but a few others on here have, and it’s the default response of too many of the moon howlers in lieu of an actual argument.
I wasn’t the on;y one who willingly gave them a quote, I was the only one whose response was couched as a direct quote. From memory, it wasn’t even accurate but a precis of what I said. I doubt that’s uncommon from the gutter press.
Do you ever play the ball rather than the man?
@Scott Finlayson 9.55 pm
FFS! I’m the only one in this whole sorry process who has produced evidence that the vast majority of independence referendums since WW2 use RESIDENCE not ETHNICITY. Further, I specifically cited the relatively few which HAD used secondary criteria.
And still we have roasters like you and Grouse Beater insisting black is white and either that no other countries do this, or that I said something I very obviously DIDN’T say.
At least TRY to argue in good faith, hard as that may be for you.
I have’t checked, is it coming up for full moon or something? It’d explain a whole lot.
Andy Ellis @9.51pm.
Andy its a mixed bag on voting rights in countries around the world. Here’s a list of which countries do and don’t extend voting to foreign nationals.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_of_foreigners_to_vote
Incidentally Andy Ellis you didn’t answer my 6.51pm comment.
@ RoS 10.19 pm
I hadn’t realised it was obligatory. In relation to it tho’ I’m acceding to your wishes and failing to reply within the constraints you detail.
Happy to help clear that up.
Andy Ellis says:
2 October, 2021 at 10:00 pm
Do you ever play the ball rather than the man?
—
I can easily do both when it comes to you.
I provide direct examples of your hypocrisy and constant obfuscation, rather than just revert to ad-hominem attacks like what you do.
Getting back to that Daily Heil article…
“I’ve no idea why I was the only one directly quoted. I remember talking to some of the others at the time as I think most of us were on twitter. Some refused to talk to them, some weren’t tracked down in person. One was out of the country I seem to remember.” – Andy Ellis
also
“I wasn’t the on;y one who willingly gave them a quote, I was the only one whose response was couched as a direct quote.” – Andy Ellis
If “some refused to talk, some weren’t tracked down and one was out of the country” that really only leaves you, 1 person out of 7, to actually give them a direct quote.
Remarkable, n’est-ce pas?
@RoS 10.11 pm
Yes, I know. This was also discussed months ago, and using the franchise qualifications of already independent states isn’t comparing like with like.
The point under discussion is the franchise used to decide who gets to vote in independence referendums.
“I’m acceding to your wishes and failing to reply within the constraints you detail.”
Andy Ellis @10.30pm
Ah.. just as I thought you would, but you have kindly answered it for me.
Thanks.
@Scott 10.31 pm
Why is it remarkable? Ask the Daily Heil. You patently can’t count, but you do seem creepily obsessed with the events some years ago and drawing some conclusion from it. What that conclusion might be I have no idea. More to the point, I’m not sure you have much idea either.
You’ve demonstrated nothing other than a faintly creepy obsession with my personal details, still less showing any imagined hypocrisy or obfuscation on my part.
“The point under discussion is the franchise used to decide who gets to vote in independence referendums.”
Andy Ellis @10.33pm.
I thought that would be pretty obvious, it would be down to the government of the day.
Andy Ellis says:
2 October, 2021 at 10:38 pm
@Scott 10.31 pm
you do seem creepily obsessed with the events some years ago and drawing some conclusion from it.
—
You were the one who introduced the ‘Cybernat 7’ into the discussion, not me.
I think what you mean is – ‘Stop calling me out on things that I mention, especially the stuff that can be verified’
Amarite or a meringue?
@crazycat (9.33 & 9.46) –
You really shouldn’t have gone to all that trouble, but I’m grateful that you did. It should give us all pause for thought.
This ‘residency’ issue has the potential to be every bit as damaging as ‘currency’ was in the lead-up to Indyref1.
Few would disagree that Alex Salmond came a cropper on the latter in that televised head-to-head with Alistair Darling. All it took was that few seconds of hesitancy, uncertainty, and the usual MSM hounds pounced on it as if it was raw meat. Any interviewer, well-briefed and sympathetic to the unionist cause, could easily fashion just as awkward a spanner from this basic ‘franchise’-related stuff.
We need – or certainly, I need – to know exactly what we’re campaigning for as and when the next independence referendum happens. I will not attend a march, street stall, do any leafleting, and certainly no canvassing, unless I know the franchise terms in detail. And I don’t care if this sounds ‘racist’, but I won’t participate in any referendum which explicitly permits second-home owners and landlords – wherever they come from – to have a vote on our future. I’m as up for a fight as the next person, but not if I’m hamstrung before the starting bell is even rung.
Metaphorically speaking, Sturgeon is the political ugly duckling who turned into an ugly political swan.
The bickering over the franchise is pointless whatever the merit of change or otherwise.
The SNP would never push to change it even if they wanted to which is doubtful.
Alf Baird has it right – the demographic has finished us – 50,000 new NO voters a year more or less.
Maybe the best advice is to find something else to do with the rest of our lives.
.
Grousey,
I enjoy many of your essays and was very happy at the Alba recognition. Much deserved.
Maybe a favour to ask? We are all on the clock of mortality. Some of us shouldn’t be here now. Myself included. Grousey, on that Third Act, with you I can empathise.
The favour?
When we all die, many kind words are said.
But after our death, the words we wrote remain, perhaps most elegantly scribed by Omar Khayyám…
“The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ,
Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit
Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,
Nor thy Tears wash out a Word of it.”
My point?
Grousebeater of all your excellent work, the one that has aged least well in my dying eyes is the one described by a reader of your blog as a “Character assassination of Sean Connery.”
https://grousebeater.wordpress.com/2014/04/22/seanorry/
Perhaps, in this Internet age, now Omar Khayyám’s words may be a a little off of the Persian polymaths scimitar edge.
It is very difficult to guarantee erasure from the Internet, but the article about Sir Sean, albeit heartfelt, does read like it is more from ascerbic than just or fair.
Given that so many of us will now go to our graves without seeing Scotland become Independent.
Given that article described Sean Connery as.miserly when he gave his entire fee from Diamond’s Are Forever” to a charitable foundation from which you saw a decent amount to mentor an apprentice close to you.
Given we all have faults.
Given Sir Sean put his head above the parapet for Scottish Independence.
Would it be a huge favour to let your Seanorry article that has aged worse than La Guinelle Banyuks simply fade away via the WordPress delete button?
For what it is worth, from a fellow on the same path, maybe let personal grievances die naturally.
Sean Connery’s place in history is assured. It just reads sad when someone uses their literary skills to dirk a former friend who is dead and unable to defend themselves.
I hope these words come across in the constructive way in which they are intended.
There is a great legacy of work in the Grouse Beater website. It just saddens me to read a one sided account of your dissatisfaction about a Scottish icon who is no longer alive to write a rejoinder.
Kind regards and best wishes.
Al.
The Grouse Beater interview someone posted a link to earlier was a truly excellent read. I’d post it again but I’m on a new ipad and it’s truly mental.
Ian Brotherhood is right when he says he shouldn’t have the right to vote in Welsh elections simply because he happens to own an AirBnB there. And if he shouldn’t have the right then he ought not to have the right.
But I think this issue is overblown and there’s much less between the two camps than anyone cares to admit. Nobody except Andy Ellis is going on about the franchise being based on ethnicity, at least I haven’t seen them.
The obvious solution and middle ground, which isn’t too far from either camp’s position, is to require that those who vote are resident and genuinely committed to living here.
That of course is a principled position, not based on any assumption that changes made to the franchise are likely to make a bit of difference in a referendum that doesn’t look likely to happen anyway.
https://grousebeater.wordpress.com/2021/10/02/man-to-man/
There you go.
@ Ottomanboi 5.22pm I am not dissing prospective new Scots , what I am asking is when was Scottish Nationality so devalued that it could be handed out like vouchers or ciggy cards , all this great civic nationalism where people on twatter and our government invite anyone and their relatives to come to Scotland and that they ONLY have to feel Scottish to be Scottish
How many other countries devalue their nationality in the same way
If memory serves you posted that your nationality is Syrian if I am correct does the Syrian government hand out Syrian nationality and Syrian passports to anyone or is there criteria that has to be met
Sturgeon and her administration aligned with the other parasites in the SP are desperately eager to open our country to anyone from anywhere to gain positive mentions in the MSM without addressing the GLARING problems we have at home , poverty , NHS failures , education , the constitution , drug deaths, all these things are failing to be addressed but she speaks vociferously about taking in more Afghani refugees to add to the problems we already have
Surely if Sturgeon and the parasites were really concerned about refugees from other countries she would speak vociferously out about WM INTERFERING in other countries which is CAUSING the refugees creation
An excellent interview of grousebeater. Lots of good solid thinking. I would urge everybody to have a read. Including many who post on here.
https://yoursforscotlandcom.wordpress.com/2021/10/02/man-to-man/
Here is just a wee taste of what he has to say.
QUOTE “We could withdraw from the Union tomorrow. A treaty is a treaty is a treaty, that is, a document understood in international law to be a mechanism by which the signatory entities can withdraw at any time. Understandably, honorable nations try to uphold treaties, but normally only if both are benefitting to an equal extent. Scotland is the all-time loser in this corrosive, grossly extended tryst with England. And when the Treaty was signed, this nation was under coercion, threatened with invasion and trade blockades. That’s a good argument to put to any international body of judges, that and how few were allowed to vote for the sale of this nation’s wealth. In fact, we are effectively blockaded from trading with other countries now, with Ireland in the west and the EU in the east, an intolerable, repressive situation. It is an echo of 1707. The British state is suppressing the development of a neighbour. But as I said already, we have an SNP administration that is ‘frit’ as Thatcher would have said, to confront the British state. They forget sovereignty lies with the people, not with Westminster. The SNP has failed miserably to assert that sovereignty.”
The current situation for Scotland in a nutshell. If only our elected supposedly pro-indy politicians would wake up, and realise Westminster is simply NOT going to hand them independence. Not now, not ever.
The chains of union that we percieve, are chains of our own making.
Mr Wings
I’m just re-reading your opus on here.
I’m looking forward to reading you magnum opus once it’s in print: I shall have my copy bound in leather.
Keep the bears at bay and the animals fed.
Try and stay away from the dentist
Enjoy your talents
Look after yourself
Au revoir
For the benefit of the really hard of thinking,
2021 New Caledonian independence referendum,
franchise,
Potential voters will need to be registered on the general electoral roll, and also meet one of the secondary criteria:
hows thems facts,
admit you are wrong about your assertion that the voting franchise in every independence referendum since 1945 had no qualifications,
only God is perfect , it`s okay to be wrong it`s human.
@Scott Finlayson 8.33 am
I certainly never said any such thing. I went out of my way to present the facts, which are undeniably that of all the independence referendums since WW2, only a couple have imposed criteria other than residence. I even posted links to a scholarly article demonstrating it.
Still, like dogs returning to their own vomit, the nativists still trot out their truthy assertions as though they were actual facts. What’s worse, roaster like you then assert I’ve said there were zero examples of qualifications being imposed, despite me specifically mentioning cases like Montenegro and Lithuania which had done so. As to equating the case of Scotland with New Caledonia, it’s just risible.
It’s good that you’re so keen for people to admit when they’re wrong Scott: we await you practising what you preach.
Cough… Define “Permanent Residence”.
Robin McAlpine says he is cutting back on his time with Common Weal, and will instead concentrate on a new blog, already stuffed with fascinating articles dating from early September:
http://robinmcalpine.org/opinion/
Common Weal is but a shadow of its old self; still producing excellent work, but completely devoid of the campaigning passion of old.
Looks like all that passion has followed Robin to his new blog.
See, some good things are still possible ..
Successfully steered up nowhere Street by the Government agent Ellis. Arguing endlessly over a “referendum” that is nowhere on the cards at least in the next 20 or 30 years or so. You’re being steered into trivial thinking while ignoring the big Fascist bull in Bute House who is working toward an entirely different agenda on behalf of Gates Schwab et Al.
Ian B, of course you wouldn’t vote in a Welsh referendum – men/women of honour would not so do.
Had you residency of ten years standing I would say you were entitled to vote , any less than a decade and you would be a bystander.
Some will notice that I have upped my original 5 years to ten partly because my country is being colonised as we type and partly because I find it increasingly unlikely that a referendum is close .
Mr Ellis , do you have a blog of your own ? It seems that you commandeer this one far too regulalry.
@ Ian Brotherhood at 10.54
You’re welcome – it wasn’t any trouble because I like research and looking up those regulations enabled me to learn a few things too – including that some of the regulations are a mess with too much subjectivity for my liking. “Would not normally…” – where have we heard that before???
@ crazycat
Aye, it is interesting looking into the details.
This one caught my eye last night but didn’t bother posting about it. With electoral fraud being a crime you’d think the wording could be more direct.
“the application is made by someone who appears to be the person named on the application”
https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/running-electoral-registration-wales/eligibility-register-vote
This highlights the discrepancies in voter eligibility in the constituent parts of the UK for Local Authority Elections. Also note the staggering of some elections too, presumably so there is some continuity rather than wholesale control change which could be more disruptive to the efficient running of a Council.
https://www.gov.uk/elections-in-the-uk/local-government
Some really excellent comments above – Dan , Ian B , Twathater , Lochside among others , that should really put the * franchise * issue to rest – as others have said , it’s kind of redundant at the moment anyway given the paralysis wrought by NSNP .
Hatuey is right …..no one is arguing for the purely ” ethnic ” franchise that seems to haunt the imagination of Mr Ellis whilst being non-existent anywhere else and the gulf between the two – apparently – opposed camps is nothing like as wide as * some * would have us believe
@crazycat (9.30) –
Oh aye, this ‘would not normally’ business is a slippery slope indeed.
If the ‘New Normal’ means that we remain in a permanent State of Emergency, who’s to say what extraordinary powers can be plucked from the hat?
All we wanted was a shot at independence via a 2nd referendum, and we voted accordingly. Now, it looks like we may have landed ourselves with Scotland’s very own Angela Merkel. I mean, seriously, as bonkers as it may sound, who would bet against her still being there a decade hence?
@Dorothy Devine 9.22 am
Nobody is forcing you to read contributions you’re not interested in. Who appointed you the BTL comment monitor?
It seems you’re just another of the blood and soil nativists Stu warned us about when this issue was first raised. Thank God you’re part of a relatively tiny fringe and vanishingly unlikely to have any influence.
“shows thems facts”
Them facts have been presented to Andy Ellis and the so called “civic nationalists” in several occasions now. I distinctively remember presenting here the case about referendums in Gibraltar and the Maldives – both the same as Scotland, British colonies.
Because of the location of Gibraltar and the Maldives, and the fact that the potential incomers, and lots of them, are not british, incomers were banned from voting in those referendums using all sort of frustrating tools. Distinctively, one of them is having something akin to Gibraltar or Maldives “citizenship”.
Here, in Scotland, they expect us to swallow as the acceptable norm the precise opposite, which is allowing every incomer from elsewhere, with allegiance to other countries and not Scotland and knowing that the overwhelming majority are from other parts of the UK with a vested interest in the preservation of the union, a vote to frustrate the vote of the natives. I know for a fact that in 2014 people that lived in Scotland in the past, had moved permanently elsewhere since but kept a holiday home in Scotland, were given the vote. How many people living mainly in the Kingdom of England and with allegiance to it were given the vote because they spent a couple of weeks a year in Scotland?
What about the MOD personnel?
Because let’s make no mistake. Those people with allegiance to other country and with a vested interest in preserving the union are not going to help Scotland to become independent, but to stop it being independent. So the words “civic nationalism” become “uncivic nationalism” because there is nothing civic in the deliberate frustration of Scotland’s exercise in self determination. The only nationalism of such action is British nationalism, not Scottish.
Another scenario where the open franchise was used was in Quebec and I suspect it was for the exact same reason that is being used in Scotland – to stop it being independent. Information released after the last referendum clearly demonstrated that the “native” population, the french speaking one voted overwhelmingly for independence. It was those of British descent who frustrated that vote. This facts were also presented to Andy Ellis here.
Interestingly, at the minor mention by the nationalist party in Quebec of that fact, the useful idiots of the British site started parroting the same crap that we are peddling here. Not exactly the “extreme nativism” crap we here here but something down the lines of “dangerous ethnical nationalism”. Same shit, different wording.
I also brought here to the attention of Andy Ellis the shocking parallelism between the new terminology manufacturing from those desperate for the franchise in Scotland to remain open and the prolific pumping of all sort of vacuous names by Gordon Brown to demonise Scottish nationalism. The number of those in his last speech was such that made his speech look totally ridiculous.
You would be forgiven to think that it is exactly the same brain producing the vacuous soundbites that Brown parrots and the soundbites issued by the so called civic nationalists or the anti “ethno-nationalists” or “anti nativists”whatever the hell that means.
No matter how you look at the franchise that was used in Scotland in 2014 and that these people expect us to use again, to help them frustrate Scotland’s independence, it is crystal clear it is just another British state tool to frustrate the Scottish people exercising their right to self-determination. The numbers are there.
If there was any honest logic in that franchise, at the very least you would expect that all british colonies would have the same rules. But if Gibraltar and Maldives followed the rules the British state and its useful idiots in Scotland wish us to accept as the only possible acceptable one in Scotland, they would be independent by now. If Scotland followed the rules followed in Gibraltar and Maldives, it would have been independent in 2014.
That tells you there is nothing honest in that franchise and the only logic that the franchises in the colonies of the british state follow is that of being designed to stop their independence.
If Maldives and Gibraltar, being colonies, and far smaller than Scotland and certainly not the signatories of an international treaty like Scotland is, have mechanisms to grant their citizenship, how can it be possibly explained that after over 10 years of allegedly nationalist governments in Scotland and absolute majorities of nationalist MPs from Scotland in Westminster from 2015, and after 20 years of Scotland having its own government we still do not have a mechanism to grant Scottish citizenship?
It can only be because neither those MPs and MSPs are real nationalists and/or because they know that a Scottish citizenship immediately would put Scotland, its referendums and its elections on a footing with the rest of the world and would leave much scope for the British state to stick its hand and gerrymander them to its advantage. That scope increases with every year that passes and more incomers from elsewhere are allowed in while the natives are ejected due to lack of work or whatever. How many natives will have to leave Scotland due to the furlough stopping?
We can read in other outlets that the furlough is going to affect more to Scotland than elsewhere. Are we expected to believe this is not yet another tool used to help the swapping of the native population of Scotland by incomers more likely to reject independence?
Outwith british colonies, there are examples of several referendums in Spain and other parts of the world where similar rules apply: you have to be a Spanish citizen. You can only acquire Spanish citizenship by birth or by long term residence + swearing allegiance to the Spanish state.
Here in Scotland the “civic nationalists” whatever the hell that nonsense means, expect us to accept that everybody and their dog from elsewhere in the world have far more right to decide our voting rules and if we can be independent than ourselves. Just like the GRA nonsense consultation was open to everybody in the world by the pretend nationalist government. Same shit rules designed to silence the people of Scotland and to frustrate their claim of right, different scenario.
Another piece of evidence I presented here is the fact that the increase in native population in Scotland in the last 5 years after the last census was released is almost insignificant compared with the proportion of the increase in Scotland’s population due to incomers. And that does not even take into account the fact that many of those new natives are from families that emigrated from elsewhere an therefore have allegiance to another country.
It is therefore a fact that the forced delay by 5 years and counting of indyref that the political fraud has imposed on Scotland, does not help at all to swing the result to yes. It is designed to help swing the result to no. The poor economic conditions that are forcing more and more Scottish natives to emigrate elsewhere do not help yes either. They help no. If there was any further proof needed that this political fraud in charge of Scotland is no nationalist and has no intention to take Scotland to independence, this is it.
But don’t expect Andy Ellis to acknowledge any of it. He has clearly an interest in the frustration of the people of Scotland exercising their right to self determination. He will spout menaingless 2-word soundbites and bllshit of the likes of “civic nationalism”, “ethnic nationalism” or “extreme nativism” or any crap of the sort to waffle his way out of it without using any real argument to support his position.
He has been doing it for months. He is not going to change now.
Bottom line is you cannot possibly justify the exceptionally open franchise that the Scottish people is expected to accept from individuals with a vested interest in preserving the union when you have colonies like Maldives and Gibraltar using the exact opposite franchise.
The whole thing stinks.
” able to tell us of a single nation on the planet that allows foreign nationals votes on their constitutional matters.”
An excellent article from Barrhead Boy, on this very subject.
https://www.barrheadboy.com/fighting-bears/
@ mia: I think you have answered the question comprehensively. Thank you.
I had been pondering pointing out that the UN defines a nation as blood and soil, in effect – a particular spot on the planet, with its unique history and culture.
All existing countries meet that definition. So, obviously, does Scotland.
Lots of folks getting excited about who should be allowed to vote in a referendum for Scottish Independence. Maybe I have missed the announcement but I am unable to recall when this is taking place!
All the ‘discussion’ is a bit pointless to be honest.
However I can almost guarantee that if a referendum took place tomorrow the result would be a resounding NO.
Who in their right mind would vote for Sturgeon and her fellow incompetents running the whole show? Their track record to date is a disgrace and their are numerous unanswered questions re currency, borrowing etc which will be very expensive to resolve, if they can. If you think that once Independence is achieved Sturgeon and Co will disappear into the sunset, job done, you are sadly mistaken. Power is very difficult to relinquish. It would be fun however watching the fight between the Scottish SNP MSP’s and the English SNP MP’s as they jostle for position. As they do so they needs of Scotland would be secondary.
I have said it before and make no excuse for saying it again-Scotland has no chance of gaining a majority for Independence until Sturgeon and her acolytes are replaced. Sadly, if you look around, there is no one within the SNP ranks who is any better. Alex Salmond has to take the gloves off now and get down and dirty if he has to have any chance. Although I fear he has been ‘poisoned’ in the minds of many Independence supporters who are too thick to think for themselves.
Am I defeatist-maybe. Am I realistic-yes.
A. Ellis: “When have I, or indeed anyone else on this site, ever said you or anyone else weren’t entitled to your woo-woo views”?
You don’t even know what my views are, you twat.
This Wiki page deals comprehensively with the citizenship question.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_citizenship
All very full of loop holes and exceptions. British citizenship regulations are among the most complex.
In many jurisdictions citizenship and nationality are generally considered distinct legal states.
As a result of my birth and parentage i have Iraqi nationality and Egyptian citizenship. My elder brothers have a different dual arrangement. Dual Egyptian citizenship excludes me from military service, standing for parliament and probably, though not certain, from voting in constitutional matters as I am not quite «halal». .
Deep in my family history there is a Sefardi connexion so on the basis of that I could apply for Spanish citizenship!.
In the end it is all about bureaucracy, shiny arsed functionaries and bits of paper or plastic to flash at the surly types at passport control. We ought not to attach too much intrinsic importance to such documentation.
I’m mostly Syriac ethnicity/nationality through long family heritage, >2k years of it, at the moment the only «label» that matters.
A Scottish passport would be desirable though. Now that would be an exotic novelty.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/travel/news/expats-leaving-spain-in-droves-retired-brits-abandon-costa-del-sol/ar-AAP502R?ocid=msedgntp
Oh those pesky nativist Spanish Mr Ellis. How dare they.
I’ll just put this here.
How many of the Scots brexiteers amongst them and most likely 90% unionist too are going to be landing back on our shores sun bleached fat as fuck diabetic union jack waving ultras will be welcomed with open arms in NS and Andy Ellis’s progressive Scotland DOES Mr Ellis think are going to be persuaded to vote for independence?
But welcome to Scotland anyhow, you can buy one of our abundant holiday homes personally recommended by the local tory landlord who just happened to move in last week. You can dislodge our young folks and Gaz ump them from bidding on any housing stocks in their local areas and clog up our NHS with your life long aliments acquired on the Costa del sol.
The chances of persuading these lot to vote for independence is ZERO. Gid luck wae yir referendum Andy !
Oh and if Mr Ellis thinks I’m wrong- well I ain’t.
There’s fecking thousands of them. I worked in bars on Costa del sol and there’s nae chance any of that lot will vote YES I can assure you. So gid luc trying to persuade them .
Mr Ellis , no worries I just scroll by and miss all your bon mots, but you do clutter up the place much like Cameron once did.
@Dorothy Devine 11.35 am
If you lack the mental capacity to discern the difference between Cameron Brodies contributions and mine, then there’s no help for you. It seems in here you can’t win: if you reply to posts specifically mentioning you, it’s too many. It seems logic isn’t your strong suit either.
Since you appear to have nothing else meaningful to contribute, I’ll treat your future contributions similarly.
Grousebeater is one of the most respected voices in his own mind.
@Mia 10.10 am
Your usual over-long an ill thought out contribution I see Mia: nice to see some things never change. Scotland is not a colony, ergo any comparisons with the Maldives and Gibraltar are moot. Interesting that you – like the other nativists – still ignore all the other examples which don’t fit your narrative, detailed in the Serrano and Lopez paper I’ve referenced a number of times.
One might almost think that’s because they have no real counter argument? I suppose we should be thankful for small mercies that you’re not just straight out lying about what I’ve said previously like Scott Finlayson.
It’s indicative of the hard of thinking of course: pick on one exception that supposedly represents a slam dunk defence of your argument, and ignore the fact that there are literally more than a dozen others which prove the opposite. If it weren’t so depressing it’d be funny.
Again like so many times in the past you retread and regurgitate the old nativist trope about how already independent states treat citizenship, which is nothing to do with how putative citizenship could or should be decided in cases of independence referendums.
It’s honestly like trying to explain small and far away to Dougal in Father Ted.
Your wrote:
“Bottom line is you cannot possibly justify the exceptionally open franchise that the Scottish people is expected to accept from individuals with a vested interest in preserving the union when you have colonies like Maldives and Gibraltar using the exact opposite franchise.
The whole thing stinks.”
I’ve spent the past 3 months apparently trying to educate pork, that not only is it possible to justify using the open franchise used in 2014, but that it is morally the right thing to do and the best course of action politically and electorally. The arguments in favour of changing are weak, regressive and self defeating, as well as putting forward a solution that has been used in a very small minority of independence referendums since WW2.
Still nobody has really addressed (still less answered) Stu Campbell’s original “ask”. It is just as arguable that any prospective gain you and other nativists imagine happening after you restrict the franchise will be offset by voters refusing to support the nativist proposition.
It’s doubtless true that there is no referendum on the cards, but that doesn’t mean the franchise restriction concept – and the fact that a small but vocal minority of misguided nationalists are arguing strongly for it – is unimportant or something that shouldn’t be strangled at birth.
Considers launching a crowdfunder to buy a bike or dug for Andy so he has a reason to go out and have a break from telling folk on the internet they are wrong…
Noticed there was a breeze whilst out on the mountain bike ride this morning.
So that will be just the 5Gw of power Scotland is exporting to England today then…
https://extranet.nationalgrid.com/RealTime
Ottomanboi asks (1 October, 2021 at 5:32 pm)
“Although, how many not so gentle reminders do the Scots need that they are not first rank in the UK club? Is it something in the water? ….”
A joint statement from the Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland recommends everyone, everywhere should have fluoride added to their water supply. Fluoride has the same effect as bromide on humans – makes us docile, unquestioning, dumbed down.
https://off-guardian.org/2021/09/26/uk-to-begin-nation-wide-fluoridation-of-tap-water/
Andy Ellis says: at 12:57 pm
“Still nobody has really addressed (still less answered) Stu Campbell’s original “ask”. It is just as arguable that any prospective gain you and other nativists imagine happening after you restrict the franchise will be offset by voters refusing to support the nativist proposition.”
More wormtongue using the word “really”, thus allowing you to filter out and disregard the input folk have actually put forward relating to this point.
Sounds like a potential subject that some of the proposed future polling could cover though.
What is ‘chief UK gov scientific advisor’ playing at:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10052689/Government-condemned-refusing-release-details-key-email-conversations-Covid-origins.html
https://www.gsk.com/en-gb/media/press-releases/patrick-vallance-president-rd-gsk-to-become-uk-governments-chief-scientific-adviser/
Hi Andy Ellis.
You stated,
“Scotland is not a colony”.
That may be true, however that fact does not stop the Westminster parliament, the English establishment and the Scottish Cringe treating Scotland as a virtual colony.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_cringe
Gregor’s direct link to Daily Mail archived.
https://archive.is/sM3Bs
I think that the Constitution question is fundamental to the independence debate. In 2014 we accepted vague assurances that things would get better if we voted ’No’. Seven years later we are no closer to independence, still inferior, still accepting the same platitudes and still without a definitive statement of the nature of an independent Scotland.
Scotland is not independent and does not have its own Constitution. The Alba Party on its membership card states “I am committed to the national independence of Scotland, a social-democratic form of governance and a written constitution to enshrine equal rights for all”. I don’t think the Alba Party has produced its version of a written constitution. Without the goad of an Opposition’s model constitution which could provide ethical guidance and impetus, Scotland’s governance has become malevolent, corrupt and difficult to change or improve.
“Only a clear commitment to a strong Constitution could ensure that a small, corrupt, unaccountable and lawless clique in London would not simply be replaced by a small, corrupt, unaccountable and lawless clique in Edinburgh. Only a strong Constitution could defend the institutions of Scotland against incumbent manipulation, authoritarian backsliding and corruption, and so force the Scottish state to serve the common good rather than the private interests of a few.” Bulmer, 2015
It shouldn’t be difficult for a political party to produce and adopt a substantive Scottish constitution which shows how Scotland could be, should be and, after independence, will be governed. There’s no excuse for inaction. There’s been enough of that.
From Grouse Beater ‘A Constitution For Scotland’ 11 August 2018
“Article 10: A citizen of Scotland is anybody born in Scotland of parents living in Scotland who are also Scottish. Citizenship shall be granted by right, automatically. A child of Scottish parents born outside Scotland but not residing permanently in another country shall be given citizenship as a matter of right. Citizens of other nations can apply for Scottish citizenship and a passport on the basis they provide evidence they intend to live and work in Scotland, either employed or self-employed, for a period of no less than five years. Individuals already residing in Scotland shall be eligible to apply for citizenship by naturalisation. Citizenship shall not be refused on grounds of sex, gender, race, colour, religion, personal beliefs, status, or sexual orientation.”
Other draft constitutions are available eg Bulmer, 2014.
Sooner or later something along these lines will be accepted and end unnecessary juvenile name calling and tedious, facile arguments.
@Dan 1.03 pm
Who do you think I am, WGD!? I don’t need to grift contributions ta.
Was out on my bike earlier in fact. It does indeed provide a refreshing change from telling wrong people how wrong they are. A sair fecht, but somebody has to do it. 🙂
@Ron Maclean – 2:19 pm
“Citizens of other nations can apply for Scottish citizenship and a passport on the basis they provide evidence they intend to live and work in Scotland, either employed or self-employed, for a period of no less than five years.”
Sorry Ron, but you are not going to end tedious, facile arguments with that.
For a start, nobody retired, or who intends to retire within 5 years, would meet that requirement.
I can see another two problems, but I don’t wish any further juvenile name calling so I will stop there.
@Andy Ellis
Can you please stop using the phrase “educate pork”?
It is potentially exceedingly offensive to certain groups within our community.
@John Main 2:57pm
Grousebeater made an effort – You didn’t.
@Brian 1.30 pm
The fact that we can’t prevail upon enough of our “indigenous” countrymen to vote for independence doesn’t signify us being a colony, even if there are elements of the colonial mindset that might strike a chord: it simply demonstrates Scots lack political courage.
Equating the Scottish cringe as our nativist friends are won’t to do, isn’t just a cop out excusing the lack of balls of the Scottish electorate and pandering to the chip on the shoulder “it’s not our fault, we wuz robbed” narrative, it’s deeply insulting to the victims of actual colonisation.
Sadly, as we’ve seen over the past months the moon howlers are never going to be convinced otherwise. It’s like arguing with Trump supporters who insist Obama isn’t really a US citizen, or brexiteers who insist we’re all going to better off because they read it on the side of a bus.
“I’m really sorry to your husband. He might have a very difficult time with you.” Sayed Rahmatullah Hashemi, former Taliban spokesman, in response to a female ‘heckler’ in 2001.
In 2021 he’d most likely say:
“I’m really sorry to your wife. She might have a very difficult time with you”
…in response to Andy Ellis.
@ Dan 1.23 pm
Perhaps I should simply have omitted the word “really” because I’ve seen nothing in any of the responses that actually addresses the fundamentals of Stu’s original post and some of his follow ups. It’s not a matter of being worm tongued, it’s simply that I don’t accept that the putative excuses for making the change are either valid, or even if they have some merit in the abstract, are necessary now or are sufficiently strong or urgent enough to abandon the 2014 precedent.
Although I accept Stu’s logic that there isn’t going to be an indyref anytime soon, I differ with him in respect of thinking that it is still something worth debating and heading off now.
The strongest arguments t me are that it is counter productive and simply morally wrong. As you say, without more polling (which it is difficult to see anyone doing unless Stu feels like using some of the WoS funds) it’s difficult to point to actual evidence one way or the other, but I just don’t believe it’s an issue that would result in a net gain in support.
Time will tell no doubt. Since the nativist claque in here are so convinced that we’re being swamped by unionist in-comers, and that it’s a nett increase of thousands and thousands of unionist supporters every year, doubtless we’ll see the evidence of that in the polls already, right? I mean….it stands to reason doesn’t it? If the “Scotland as colony” mob are right, we must have had 7 years worth of nett unionist gains in voter numbers since 2014, which must be why the % in favour of indy is……..more or less where it was then.
Ooops…..
From ‘The Gentleperson’s Guide To Forum Spies – Rules of Disinformation’
5. Sidetrack opponents with name calling and ridicule. This is also known as the primary ‘attack the messenger’ ploy, though other methods qualify as variants of that approach. Associate opponents with unpopular titles such as ‘kooks’, ‘right-wing’, ‘liberal’, ‘left-wing’, ‘terrorists’, ‘conspiracy buffs’, ‘radicals’, ‘militia’, ‘racists’, ‘religious fanatics’, ‘sexual deviates’, and so forth. This makes others shrink from support out of fear of gaining the same label, and you avoid dealing with issues.
?
“Grouse Beater of all your excellent work, the one that has aged least well in my eyes is the one described by a reader of your blog as a “Character assassination of Sean Connery.” Al Stuart 12.44pm
Al, the reader was haverin’. The biography of Connery was written while he was alive. You discovered the essay late. It is 90% positive of his work and politics, 10% critical of his well-known short-comings. I was also privy to his worst side. I kept that confidential. I don’t write puff pieces for anybody, nor would accept a paid commissioned to do so.
I meet people wholly praiseworthy in my profession, uncorrupted by big money contracts. I count the gifted movie composer Patrick Doyle in this category and wrote about him with due respect. The link is here: https://wp.me/p4fd9j-b2a
@robbo 11.16 am
1) “Oh those pesky nativist Spanish Mr Ellis. How dare they.”
Presumably they dare because they’re an independent country, and they can do as they please with respect to enforcing their rules on the citizens of a country which abandoned the EU and the freedom of movement that it brought. Doubtless many of the British “expatriates” living full or part time in Spain, but failing to integrate in to the society, were fervent brexiteers too. Such is life.
2) “I’ll just put this here.
How many of the Scots brexiteers amongst them and most likely 90% unionist too are going to be landing back on our shores sun bleached fat as fuck diabetic union jack waving ultras will be welcomed with open arms in NS and Andy Ellis’s progressive Scotland DOES Mr Ellis think are going to be persuaded to vote for independence?”
But welcome to Scotland anyhow, you can buy one of our abundant holiday homes personally recommended by the local tory landlord who just happened to move in last week. You can dislodge our young folks and Gaz ump them from bidding on any housing stocks in their local areas and clog up our NHS with your life long aliments acquired on the Costa del sol.
The chances of persuading these lot to vote for independence is ZERO. Gid luck wae yir referendum Andy !”
I’ve no idea how many of the returnees will be Scottish, or how many will come back to settle in Scotland. Until we’re an independent country, what do you suggest we do…? Tell them they aren’t welcome to come back, or ban the non-Scottish ones from coming to Scotland? Would the Scottish ones not be allowed to go back to England or Wales?
You come across very much like the brexiteers, UKIPers and anti-immigrant types moaning about immigrants, Muslims, Polish plumbers stealing “our” jobs etc. etc. from time immemorial Robbo. No doubt you’d be shoulder to shoulder with Priti Patel sinking immigrants inflatable boats in the channel given half a chance.
Let’s see how that kind of nationalism plays with the Scottish electorate, huh?
@John Main 3.03 pm
Is “sentient Spam” still too porcine loaded?
It’s important to know which terms you think I’m not allowed to use so I can ignore them all.
@Scott 3.30 pm
Identifying with the words of a Taliban spokesperson. Out of the mouths of babes right enough……
I’d like to say I’m surprised, but honestly it kinda makes sense. I mean I thought Stu Cambell was right on the money when he said:
“A section of the movement appears to be retreating into kilts-and-bagpipes-and-Gaelic cultural nationalism of the type that predated the SNP’s electoral success and gives the average voter the pure heebs every bit as much as Sturgeon’s rainbow-haired sturmjugend do.”
but the “nativist Taliban” works just as well as the rainbow-haired sturmjugend.
I’m quite bored by the conversation, but it seems like most of your arguments have fallen to pieces, Andy.
I see you abandon principle in the last comment by suggesting the electorate would punish us if we tweaked the terms of the franchise. If you were arguing from a principled standpoint, you wouldn’t concern yourself with making guesses like that.
And it is a guess. For the record, though, if you knew for a fact that changing the franchise would improve the chances of a “yes” victory, would you still oppose it?
“For a start, nobody retired, or who intends to retire within 5 years, would meet that requirement.” John Main 2.57pm
Tough, eh? Life is full of bureacratic hurdles.
In a civil society rules allow for an individual to appeal rejection. If they are serious they will do that. If not, and a retiree, they won’t be worried over being ineligible to vote.
If smart, they won’t leap to a public forum to trash the nation’s constitution that they claim they respect, want to sign up to, and abide by.
“Doubtless many of the British “expatriates” living full or part time in Spain, but failing to integrate in to the society, were fervent brexiteers too. Such is life.”
—
Such is life? A very interesting point, Mr NDLS.
Doubtless many of the British ‘expatriates’ living full or part-time in Scotland, but failing to integrate into the society, are fervent unionists too?
As for the ‘nobody really imposes restrictions on the franchise’ line that you cling to, can’t you do ratios?
3/16 = 18.75%.
[If Scotland altered the ‘2014 franchise’ we’d have 4/17 = 23.5%]
We already know that the 48% who voted to remain in EU and the 45% who vote for independence are an insignificant minority, but that’s ideology and fear of scrutiny for you.
You keep referring to Rev Stu’s point about denying ‘20% of Scotland’s residents a vote’ as reason to keep the franchise as was, but are happy to ignore the near 20% of referendums since WWII that DID impose restrictions.
Do you spend your whole life insulting people?
I can’t believe The Reverend would be comfortable with the way you quote him like that, Andy. You’re starting to remind me of Nicholas Witchell.