tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79477575052545068202024-03-14T14:18:52.707+00:00TocasaidUisge-beatha agus beatha. Polataigs agus cultar.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger245125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947757505254506820.post-88048821486399119152016-06-16T22:20:00.000+01:002016-06-17T08:15:42.462+01:00Jo Cox - that's where it ends<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtj-w8IpkbAhznFiuZIgvXGjUuQ4yzi1_1O41JSq6I_rpUXvJnjXTx09iVJnA4q6_cjmA5jJxRbUAG-5BwR_yD8JwLOrkg5gu0kGx-o6ObpIIRipaTOoloUn7qXuYa1pYEU2xKUOqIoqWY/s1600/farage+racist+poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtj-w8IpkbAhznFiuZIgvXGjUuQ4yzi1_1O41JSq6I_rpUXvJnjXTx09iVJnA4q6_cjmA5jJxRbUAG-5BwR_yD8JwLOrkg5gu0kGx-o6ObpIIRipaTOoloUn7qXuYa1pYEU2xKUOqIoqWY/s400/farage+racist+poster.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Today's murder of a pro-Euro and pro-immigration Labour MP has been brewing for years.<br />
<br />
In the 70s, the loony National Front campaigned chiefly against black immigration. For different reasons that and a fear of general immigration subsided a bit and became the preserve of posh bigots and council-estate fuhrers. For a while.<br />
<br />
Then it was 'illegal immigrants' though 'genuine' asylum seekers were welcomed. Now, hard-working Polish plumbers are scorned and no asylum seeker is genuine. <br />
<br />
Now, it's mainstream and everyone from Syrian refugees to 'migrants' from other EU nations to Gaelic-speaking Australian children are objects of derision. Immigration must be 'controlled' says an England/ Britain that has long since surrendered her industries, working classes and much of her culture to multi-national big business and the banking classes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfewe1-etQAzX4M4r0OXN9PT1hmyXp5pA1-lFchW1E0sL8C2RExjc77BUG1bmejE_NXnGpZOaKf0di6d3adYu4u-Rh6UoNFyvZFVATTwrqPYI_dn-qnmn0XMSMxsjiD5dPFEN9NtGRwFGK/s1600/brain+family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfewe1-etQAzX4M4r0OXN9PT1hmyXp5pA1-lFchW1E0sL8C2RExjc77BUG1bmejE_NXnGpZOaKf0di6d3adYu4u-Rh6UoNFyvZFVATTwrqPYI_dn-qnmn0XMSMxsjiD5dPFEN9NtGRwFGK/s400/brain+family.jpg" width="325" /></a></div>
<br />
'We want our culture back' scream toffs and neds alike as they guzzle Belgian beer, curries, nachos, pizzas, kebabs, drive German cars, use Japanese technology, watch American films, wear Bangladeshi-made clothes, write barely literate Tweets using a Roman alphabet and Arabic numerals.<br />
<br />
For wealthy bigots like Nigel Farage and his self-appointed bodyguards in Britain First, publicity has been easy to find. Add to this the tabloid front pages - what started as a drip-fed poison has become a daily scream of fearmongering hate.<br />
<br />
The BBC must shoulder a lot of the blame for Farage's disproportionate appearances on Question Time. The press have built him and his party up while stoking 'legitimate' fears about immigration. Britain First and other morons like the EDL - whipped up into a fury by Farage and the media - have taken their hate onto the streets in a mirror image of NF ugliness from the 70s.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83Zs5msa1EiaEAhuNdCJATAVCzZO_AeLtUps014vKqvdbW2lrZ6NUmh_ROgyNyVWG5XfBF3okPT-U0C4Q5HiJnvO3WXAF7W7j8Uyhk9joADqyrKGr4Adf-KksuTxdZconwiy-n_RGPTYt/s1600/britain+first+paramilitary+terrorists.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Far-right terrorists" border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83Zs5msa1EiaEAhuNdCJATAVCzZO_AeLtUps014vKqvdbW2lrZ6NUmh_ROgyNyVWG5XfBF3okPT-U0C4Q5HiJnvO3WXAF7W7j8Uyhk9joADqyrKGr4Adf-KksuTxdZconwiy-n_RGPTYt/s320/britain+first+paramilitary+terrorists.jpg" title="Britain First" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Britain First and their terrorist chic.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This has culminated in the sorry spectacle that is the #Brexit referendum. Immigration has always been the main beef for most Brexit enthusiasts though unfettered access to wealth through exploitation has had its attractions too. The Leave campaign's leaflets are evidence of this - little or nothing about what Britain would do with 'complete' control - but lots on immigration. The threat of Turkey joining - and the implication that millions of their dark-skinned Muslims will come here. More insidious was the highlighting of Iraq and Syria as if they could conceivably join too at a future date.<br />
<br />
No. The EU has its faults but fuck Brexit. We will become a fascist-lite fantasy isle as envisaged by Farage if we exit. There will be no socialist resurgence. For Scotland, we may have a second indyref as a way-out from the madness but for England...?<br />
<br />
Fear of foreigners shows no sign of abating. <br />
<br />
Labour too have infamously joined in the melee with 'control immigration' mugs and even Milliband's talk of 'border guards' on the Scottish/ English border should us Scots vote for self-determination.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcJPTZTW9vFgjGCnH4mpsTockoMOwuckWKKEcGDLLA8SJtTQxGT6SFGnH6-7sk1-y-mqLknlLoU5k2P0vucgczjO2MIGcQYgzQxAbZxF28gw05vGin6oTVgiN0oIvZ7boaDIl-PkSyqZCz/s1600/labour+immigration+mug.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcJPTZTW9vFgjGCnH4mpsTockoMOwuckWKKEcGDLLA8SJtTQxGT6SFGnH6-7sk1-y-mqLknlLoU5k2P0vucgczjO2MIGcQYgzQxAbZxF28gw05vGin6oTVgiN0oIvZ7boaDIl-PkSyqZCz/s320/labour+immigration+mug.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
To their credit, some in Labour such as the late Jo Cox and leader Corbyn have stuck by their internationalist and anti-racist principles. I only wish there were more of their calibre in Labour, north or south of the border.<br />
<br />
I'm of the view that immigration has never been an issue. People come, people go. They always have and they always will. It's nature.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcurqpq9lKwZ4wUkSThvn5N0rtV79BSC8htn4NtYg5mCXkKNAOechCA3MvJdtvKoEbbcl8P3nckY8ajry_LDDn5VU-IYF_85iS6u_qE6BHPKOwUxuQvWR_hA97iaSzgYF7iYAn2WvPx5mk/s1600/immigrants.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcurqpq9lKwZ4wUkSThvn5N0rtV79BSC8htn4NtYg5mCXkKNAOechCA3MvJdtvKoEbbcl8P3nckY8ajry_LDDn5VU-IYF_85iS6u_qE6BHPKOwUxuQvWR_hA97iaSzgYF7iYAn2WvPx5mk/s320/immigrants.gif" width="279" /></a></div>
<br />
Sure, some will always fear and hate the new or the unknown. There should be no excuse for that in 2016. We don't believe priests and witchdoctors anymore.<br />
<br />
If these people, racists and fascists, cannot be educated or persuaded to keep any poisonous thoughts to themselves then they must be opposed.<br />
<br />
The lessons of history from Spain '36 to WWII to Islamist fascists such as Daesh must be learned.<br />
<br />
Fascism doesn't start with concentration camps - that's where it ends. No pasaran.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gyEG1cCCd7M" width="480"></iframe></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947757505254506820.post-21294772274885220592016-05-09T21:27:00.003+01:002016-05-09T22:29:32.510+01:00Seven things we have learned about #SP16<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6s_aC3ABTTR14ALKt9hMVDg73jQHq530BxS-cmMNmBQl8R-8B7WiXBinWhyXoLRo0LU75_L2jvh8IwQ0JHYwZ7YhYJi4MsmyZM4VeB42Wyd3wIHJvZDbA7gV555Ju_MZ52BHUirEaRk1R/s1600/fifi+bonbon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6s_aC3ABTTR14ALKt9hMVDg73jQHq530BxS-cmMNmBQl8R-8B7WiXBinWhyXoLRo0LU75_L2jvh8IwQ0JHYwZ7YhYJi4MsmyZM4VeB42Wyd3wIHJvZDbA7gV555Ju_MZ52BHUirEaRk1R/s320/fifi+bonbon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I say, jumping on the latest clickbait jargon for lazy hipster journos. <br />
<br />
The aftermath of the 2016 Scottish elections has created a lot of froth and foam. Let's sift through the debris.<br />
<br />
1 - The Tory revival. In footballing terms, the Tories have made the top six of the SPL after years flirting with relegation. They're still playing guff fitba but they've enjoyed some fortune against their derby rivals. They are however, a country mile behind the league leaders. Perversely, they actually polled lower than hapless Labour meaning that only one-in-five of those who voted chose Satan. Many of these were tactical votes - some from Blairite ex-Labour voters and some apparently from the farming community, angry at an SNP delay in payments.<br />
<br />
They're still polling less than John Major did. Christ on a crutch... <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD011ZYOYXC3PJ5vHxDzGRi-ERvu1FNkdbR51JNSZOE0pputppNnEcnJHWSouuNXysFe5wkkfFTaKiku4aeS4ljOMrzTDKU5nFV6JNYdsJNd1-N2QsBRGQ6ffqOiNcEbBEqsPIwIAKmB2p/s1600/spfl+league.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD011ZYOYXC3PJ5vHxDzGRi-ERvu1FNkdbR51JNSZOE0pputppNnEcnJHWSouuNXysFe5wkkfFTaKiku4aeS4ljOMrzTDKU5nFV6JNYdsJNd1-N2QsBRGQ6ffqOiNcEbBEqsPIwIAKmB2p/s320/spfl+league.jpg" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SPFL league according to Ruth Davidson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
2 - Labour are now entering their habitual post-election period of 'listening' to the public having acheived yet another low. It's not easy to pinpoint where exactly Labour lost the trust of its once natural constituency - Blair and Iraq? Blair himself? Abandoning nationalisation? Selling policy to billionaires like Bernie Ecclestone? The PFI disgrace? Slandering striking workers as 'fascists'? Miliband? Anti immigration mugs?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYaYyxtNnuhTGd_A-WsPO01LBFR7dcTkCVrSghL4RajFgPbbBgf97iy3BGMaGsFvtrQcE2LnRHV9GaIQaEwoUUBT3MselkVaiKMLk53OO81ceDwTllss4nOGO2WWs652rtr8zCIgsQqAXz/s1600/kezia+says+vote+green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYaYyxtNnuhTGd_A-WsPO01LBFR7dcTkCVrSghL4RajFgPbbBgf97iy3BGMaGsFvtrQcE2LnRHV9GaIQaEwoUUBT3MselkVaiKMLk53OO81ceDwTllss4nOGO2WWs652rtr8zCIgsQqAXz/s200/kezia+says+vote+green.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
Poor Kezia Dugdale who was bewildered just a few years ago at actually being elected is even more befuddled in her current stint as human shield for the Branch Office. Maybe pics of her holding up a 'Vote Green' poster are a sign that she has sights on coming over to the good side eventually?<br />
<br />
3- The Rev Stuart Campbell from Wings Over Scotland continues to be an objectionable wank. Tocasaid has covered his bizarre <b><a href="http://tocasaid.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/fearofagaelicroadsign.html">anti-Gaelic rant</a></b> before but he's topped that by his stubborn and insensitive - wrong, even - comments on Hillsborough. He's also peeved that the SNP didn't get an outright majority due to us dullards not following HIS instructions though he does admit that the SNP actually increased their vote. He's now aiming his blunderbuss at anyone who questioned his #BothVotesSNP dictat, including the likes of Bella Caledonia and the Greens. Bizarrely, he's now attacking Green voters on class grounds and Bella on readership stats. I'd imagine that there's a fair bit of truth in the claim that Green voters are mostly middle-class. It's just that Stuart Campbell's adopted home of Bath, that's BATH, sticks out a bit in the roll-call of Proletarian heartlands... Toxteth, Brixton, Easterhouse, Hulme, Craigmillar, Bath...<br />
<br />
Bye Wings, was nice while it lasted... <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6AkelvHA-_IjriTWICL2Gc-KfpwsfZ8TDqkDwkjrNQYCREvV31r0ZTRRGzv3-62NlYYwrJIO_EhbhK_PdxvTzaae4jiOSajuS09_0FL3BKftqpFFEumCTf3b_RK4YweR2n5XOVmraUusl/s1600/wings+scotland+boho.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6AkelvHA-_IjriTWICL2Gc-KfpwsfZ8TDqkDwkjrNQYCREvV31r0ZTRRGzv3-62NlYYwrJIO_EhbhK_PdxvTzaae4jiOSajuS09_0FL3BKftqpFFEumCTf3b_RK4YweR2n5XOVmraUusl/s400/wings+scotland+boho.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
4 - RISE didn't rise very high at all. While I agree with the jist of them - I've voted SSP in the past - I find their existence as a political party to be pointless at this moment. Some of their stunts are bizarre and the little communication I've had with them has been off-putting.<br />
<br />
I was amazed that while their manifesto was a nigh-comprehensive list of worthy causes that they couldn't find room for <a href="http://tocasaid.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/scottish-gaelic-in-sp16-manifestos.html"><b>Scottish</b></a>/ Gaelic culture and the more the campaign wore on, the less relevant they were to me... Driving around Glasgow in a transit blaring out Bella Ciao? A fine song, but what on earth does an Italian partisan anti-fascist anthem have to do with the Scottish elections? If RISE really need to enforce their playlist on Glaswegians, could they not find something a bit more relevant? Dick Gaughan? Hamish Henderson?<br />
<br />
And bellowing at McDonald's customers with megaphones?<br />
<br />
And the RISE Young Team? <i>Who</i>?! Presumably it was one of the Youth Team, and a candidate no less, that tweeted a death wish to the Rev Stu...Word on the street bruv is dat's a dumb ting to do...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWTnRe01pz6omk-hMiCDSdMjS5iJBR6pGQ8o4piu8PysaALxYqGQFQJ1roapau_oIlUtkHY9aXgGgT7i_ixiOfJ9uLrpeMtx2Q158m7kKStriByGnmM2ysqLDSv3qGJ3cm5h-4tcmuPRTd/s1600/rise+scotland+tweet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWTnRe01pz6omk-hMiCDSdMjS5iJBR6pGQ8o4piu8PysaALxYqGQFQJ1roapau_oIlUtkHY9aXgGgT7i_ixiOfJ9uLrpeMtx2Q158m7kKStriByGnmM2ysqLDSv3qGJ3cm5h-4tcmuPRTd/s400/rise+scotland+tweet.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Little wonder that despite disproportiante media coverage they finished behind Tommy Sheridan's Solidarity. Bit of a 'red neck' given their antipathy towards Tommy and his ego. <br />
<br />
5 - The SNP did well. The SNP are patently the best vehicle on the road to independence. I'm not wedded to one party though and a plurality of parties in a future Yes campaign must be for the good. Wings Over Scotland may be right that the Greens, so far, are not 'popular' with most voters but then again neither are the SNP. Nevertheless, they do represent a significant body of opinion and that 6 to 12% depending on where you vote may deliver a crucial majority in #indyref2.<br />
<br />
Nicola Sturgeon is a powerhouse of a politcal leader and the SNP generally a force for good. However, they do need to pay attention to who they choose to represent them in elections. Taking money from the likes of Brian Souter may not be cool but if the SNP can put his dosh to progressive use then I can live with that. On the other hand, wild horses would not drive me to vote for Christian heidbangers who openly display their prejudice to gay and women's rights. I believe there were one or two such 'guid Catholics' on the SNP list. Get rid. Personal beliefs should be kept personal. An invisible guy in the sky should have no bearing on government in a modern Scotland.<br />
<br />
6- The Lib Dems. Meh. Can't be bothered writing about them.<br />
<br />
7- All-in-all, with more than 50% of the vote going to pro-Indy parties and an SNP/ Green majority in Holyrood, the mandate is there to call #Indyref2 when the time is right.<br />
<br />
Pour yourself a dram, relax and prepare for an independent Scotland sometime in the near future. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947757505254506820.post-22623059712972689092016-04-28T22:07:00.000+01:002016-04-28T22:07:54.377+01:00Scottish Gaelic in the #SP16 manifestos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHUzUVwVIMjO9gE3DXHYN0crQwL4ZGCvysQORLKtDYwJHSQiXPXlmLWLxVRsFXe2jB9a6wC4BtQEIaLRH9-_ja6DKvsEUdyNr8HVaapN7Uc3PLX9ir7ARUs1oBjVVTP6xetnEg68ECTxeD/s1600/gaelic+protest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHUzUVwVIMjO9gE3DXHYN0crQwL4ZGCvysQORLKtDYwJHSQiXPXlmLWLxVRsFXe2jB9a6wC4BtQEIaLRH9-_ja6DKvsEUdyNr8HVaapN7Uc3PLX9ir7ARUs1oBjVVTP6xetnEg68ECTxeD/s400/gaelic+protest.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Or not, in the case of RISE Scotland and the Lib Dems. But more about them later.<br />
<br />
With the Scottish elections <i>air faire</i> - I thought I'd break my sabbatical to explore what the main parties have to say on the place of Scottish/ Gaelic in our society. Gaelic is mostly a non-partisan issue. It is a language and if it is truly of equal worth and status then a plurality of viewpoints expressed through it as a medium should not be a surprise. There are some bigots whose regular but erroneous outbursts on Gaelic issues are fodder for a new ugly breed of fringe Unionists but by and large Scottish is supported across the political spectrum.<br />
<br />
Despite the gurning that the SNP are 'forcing' Gaelic onto an unwilling populace, they are for the most part only following legislation signed or implemented by Tories, Labour and Lib Dems in both Westminster and Hollywood.<br />
<br />
Here we go. Let's get the worst done and over with...<br />
<br />
<b>The Tories</b> - despite loose cannons like Alex Johnstone and Jackson Carlaw - the truth is that the Tories have supported Gaelic since Thatcher. Significant funding for Gaelic was first put in place by a Tory government in London. In their current <a href="http://www.scottishconservatives.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Scottish-Conservative-Manifesto_2016-DIGITAL-SINGLE-PAGES.pdf">manifesto</a>, they even have a picture of <i>Bagh</i><i> a' </i><i>Chaisteil</i> and manage to state:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
We continue to support Gaelic education
and would welcome further dedicated Gaelic schools
being set up.</blockquote>
<b>Labour</b> - the Branch Office has been generally supportive over the years. Alasdair Campbell is a piper of Gaelic-speaking Tirisdeach stock while the arch-Unionist and pro-nuke bag of bitterness that is Brian Wilson can even speak it to some degree and has been a vociferous proponent of the tongue for decades. On the other hand, one of Kezia Dugdale's first statements after expressing shock at being elected (you're not alone there <i>a' ghràidh</i>) was to oppose BBC Alba receiving a slot on Freeview. <br />
<br />
Labour though is currently a chaotic mess on many fronts. As I write, a mere week before the election, their manifesto is hot of the presses. Well, kind of lukewarm. In fact, it seemed as if Scottish Labour would abstain on a manifesto this year. Sure enough given the ever decreasing standards of Labour personnel over the past few years this manifesto made even Rise Scotland's seem slick. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Two gaffes immediately caught the eye. First, the online version was published with at least one section missing - the now infamous 'hello there, hello here' gunshot to foot. Next in the language section was this...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqzCn6O2ibfaI6SY_-oEit7OuQPRJjxxFEYsWDx6QnVoTjNHNZNfZJmoU00e8IdUPNXsAmEAE5dNJjE_tsbdLrVarP9cWoV2PxeAqUSaGgxYN4wiv8SlgIzJo0RB5Dl1eQhCh6wUKnDhz/s320/labour+nordic.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<br />
Where on earth did they get 'Nordic' from? Norn or Norse? Or did they mean Doric? This sums up a party that has taken the electorate for granted for decades - producing shoddy campaign material with factual errors, spelling mistakes and all the finesse of a stoner staying up all night to finish a crucial essay before next day's deadline.<br />
<br />
As to the real life language that is Gaelic, it's pretty wishy washy. Just what you'd expect from a party now famous for abstaining.<br />
<br />
Shame, as it wasn't always like this. In their 2011 manifesto for the Highlands and Islands they stated:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Scottish Labour recognises the crucial importance of Gaelic medium education to the continued survival and flourishing of the language. We support an expansion of opportunities for learning Gaelic, including removing the obstacles to Gaelic education and growing the number of Gaelic medium teachers, especially in areas where there is strong parental demand. We will build on the achievements of the Gaelic Language Act and will enhance our support for Gaelic through encouraging Gaelic broadcasting, Gaelic arts and increased visibility for the Gaelic language in Scotland. We will also support the work of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the Gaelic college on Skye, and encourage new learners as well as native speakers from the traditional heartlands and beyond. </blockquote>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cTpa2cPLqR6DPEbr18TwAA1uAHXTJWhhTM-CPdRYYlqe2T98YxMvarqEzgUUwQ2n8aaFgBD8DA_SFCEbwVxKhciqhUZdHV-cQP2JmK_sziYClzVkgqodRYjP76OTLcLGeL5504cvEAOW/s1600/sp+poll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cTpa2cPLqR6DPEbr18TwAA1uAHXTJWhhTM-CPdRYYlqe2T98YxMvarqEzgUUwQ2n8aaFgBD8DA_SFCEbwVxKhciqhUZdHV-cQP2JmK_sziYClzVkgqodRYjP76OTLcLGeL5504cvEAOW/s400/sp+poll.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Liberal Democrats</b> - skimming over this document after taking several wrong turns in their garish eye-stabbing website was worse than perusing the Tories' letter to Santa. Please note, multiple pics of Willie Rennie (minus mating swine) is not a positive! He either looks as if he's struggling with a bout of anal cramps or is trying very, very hard to add up the numbers of remaining Lib Dem MSPs.<br />
<br />
This is a party that has lost any relevance it once had. With a strong representation in the Highlands, it was once very pro-Gaelic. Elected members such as John Farquhar Munro and Charlie Kennedy not only spoke Gaelic to varying degrees of fluency but were honest, likeable and even radical politicians. Now, we see the likes of the ridiculous Tavish Scott - son of the laird - playing the anti-Gaelic card in an attempt to hold onto the party's remaining 'heartland' of the Northern Isles where Gaelic does have a 'history' albeit not as a recently spoken community language by a significant percentage of the locals.<br />
<br />
In 2011 though, they did say:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Support Gaelic medium education where there is demand and promote the language in cost effective ways.
</blockquote>
Though funnily enough they now say that if parents in Shetland were to demand GME, they would oppose the desire of those Shetlanders to have their kids educated in Gaelic. Then again, what do you expect? They are Lib Dems after all. Would <i>you</i> trust a Lib Dem?<br />
<br />
Curiously, the link to the Lib Dem manifesto I sourced included the words 'no to nuisance callers' (??!)<br />
<br />
Answers in a Tweet please...<br />
<br />
<b>Scottish Greens</b> - their online <a href="https://greens.scot/sites/default/files/Scottish%20Greens%20Manifesto_Online.pdf">document</a> is certainly more pleasing to the eye and does not focus on one personality (if that applies to Wille Rennie). Nothing on Gaelic education but this comes in under Arts and Cultural Diversity:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
We support cultural
ventures in all the languages of Scotland, including measures to encourage the use of
Gaelic, the Scots tongue and the languages of those from minority ethnic backgrounds</blockquote>
Could do better. Support is good but any new ideas at developing the use of Gaelic?<br />
<br />
<b>SNP</b> - Compared to some 'national movements' the SNP has been relatively 'language-lite' perhaps in an attempt not to 'scare the horses' as was said of the Yes campaign. Gone are the days when Gaelic slogans were part and parcel of SNP conferences. On the face of it, the SNP offer perhaps the strongest case for Gaelic though as mentioned above, until now they have mostly been building on common ground cultivated by the three main Unionist parties. That said, the present Gaelic 'heartland' of Na h-Eileanan Siar is strongly SNP at both Holyrood and Westminster levels. <br />
<br />
Here though we have a bit more to chew on with Gaelic coming under <i>both</i> education and culture (A Creative Scotland) - not rocket science but something the other parties have failed to recognise. Here we go:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
We will also implement new legal duties and rights to
support Gaelic Medium Education as part of our ongoing
commitment to stabilise and increase the number of
Gaelic speakers.</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
We support the central role of Gaelic arts in engaging
people with the language, and enhancing the relevance
of the language to Scottish society. We will also provide
support for the Scots language</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
We will maintain our investment in BBC Alba as a vital
part of Scottish broadcasting output, and in recognition
of its contribution to the development of the Gaelic
language. </blockquote>
<b>RISE Scotland</b> - the new radical pro-indy alternative to the SNP 'establishment'. One could ask what is wrong with the Greens and why did the already extant SSP need to be subsumed into a new organisation but...<br />
<br />
<i>Nothing</i>. They have words on many valid causes but nothing on Scotland's indigenous culture - the language, music, education, research, media, sport - not a syllable. The closest they come to Gaelic culture is promising to add yet more tax onto a bottle of whisky! Though some of their policies have a worryingly libertarian tone about them:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The primary curriculum is too cluttered, and in secondary schools the burden of assessment has become a direct barrier to better learning and teaching.</blockquote>
<br />
Gaelic and other languages taught as a second language would be easy pickings in attempts to 'declutter' the curriculum. Could Gaelic and other languages be taught and encouraged in other 'radical' ways? Er, we don't know. It would seem as if RISE have taken the Lord Robertson's words on 'Scotland not having a culture and languages' to heart.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Nationally, RISE will ensure that councils’ spending decisions are made using participatory budgeting techniques such as those developed in Porto Alegre, Brazil, which allow citizens to decide for themselves how their funds are spent. </blockquote>
'Citizens' such as Tavish Scott who could whip up a sizable minority of whingers with a grudge and decide that 'his' local area does not demand Gaelic education/ services and even if locals were to demand it, we're not going to let you have it anyway. How will these citizen panels operate? Will a simple majority vote suffice? We aren't told. <br />
<br />
RISE should know that getting 100% agreement, or anywhere near, is nigh impossible amongst virtually any grouping of people. Otherwise, the socialists of RISE would just have joined the SSP instead of creating yet another organisation, no?<br />
<br />
But I digress...<br />
<br />
I expected better from RISE even though their existence at this point in Scotland's journey towards independence is a mystery to me. Their manifesto document itself is difficult to read - black text on a dark red background on some pages- <i>gu sealladh orm</i>!! So far, RISE seem <i>relatively</i> well known for certain members who gained notoriety during the indyref campaign and for others shouting at McDonalds' customers about said company's working conditions. Their highlight in the polls seems to have been a subsample of 39 voters in Glasgow, 2 of which were going to vote RISE.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaf29l6Ip0ccgFj9Kf1avWZIR13-bJ7rdGU6ZVYgFaVGE5mg6dXZcbxrtavr-848LgTDCO25fAr0bf0dX9jT_2k776lsDlLEDcpvfphHbG7EOkCrrXD0nv1j8E0KegCp1FsKoL8gWdbkpA/s1600/lord+robertson+no+culture+in+scotland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaf29l6Ip0ccgFj9Kf1avWZIR13-bJ7rdGU6ZVYgFaVGE5mg6dXZcbxrtavr-848LgTDCO25fAr0bf0dX9jT_2k776lsDlLEDcpvfphHbG7EOkCrrXD0nv1j8E0KegCp1FsKoL8gWdbkpA/s400/lord+robertson+no+culture+in+scotland.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
In terms of a positive vote for Gaelic, the SNP promise the most. For that important list vote, you may consider the SNP again or the Greens assuming the Tories' warm words of comfort to Gaels don't wash away the knowledge of just <i>who</i> they are. The Lib Dems continue their downward spiral and Labour can barely get their half-baked manifesto out on time though we can assume they are still pro-Gaelic given recent voting records. RISE may as well not exist as far as we're concerned. Certainly, we don't exist in their eyes.<br />
<br />
All in all, there's a worrying lack of action on languages of any kind from any party. Bilingualism is the norm for most people in the world. The benefits of bilingualism to children are proven. The EU is still pushing the 1+2 approach to languages and education. Bilingualism has been shown to promote positive attitudes towards diversity in children and has valuable cognitive benefits to the child.<br />
<br />
It's been said that English is the Walmart of languages. Surely this type of myopic and imperialist attitude should be consigned to the past? If so, our politicians need to do more to equip our young people with a knowledge of their own languages, culture and history as well as insights into those of others in the world community.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947757505254506820.post-11814526088012510152015-09-21T20:17:00.000+01:002015-09-21T20:17:12.491+01:00If pigs could fly...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFGbddJaDC_leHuvgqKZ3LS6h6iDtLBgH-oDId2aEy1LGJ23i3dx6MCczB_duVt6vtwNIIJFM1HnPXQj4noce96oxTQl3VTcj7UD27KrDxp_Plyytwu4yHsbN87WDsUfbr1JUd8DZjRJc/s1600/some+people+fuck+pigs+get+over+it.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Get Over It" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFGbddJaDC_leHuvgqKZ3LS6h6iDtLBgH-oDId2aEy1LGJ23i3dx6MCczB_duVt6vtwNIIJFM1HnPXQj4noce96oxTQl3VTcj7UD27KrDxp_Plyytwu4yHsbN87WDsUfbr1JUd8DZjRJc/s400/some+people+fuck+pigs+get+over+it.jpg" title="Some People Fuck Pigs" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
...their graceful porcine wings would take them far away from the debauched cesspit that is Westminster and the establishment of rich white men who run it - give or take the odd Corbyn or Mhairi Black. And they are roundly ridiculed as extremists by people who engage in or support arms-dealing with Saudi Arabia and others, penalising the poor and disabled, renewing Trident and sexual intercourse with dead mammals.<br />
<br />
To be fair though, they'd probably fuck dead fish were the opportunity to present itself.<br />
<br />
It now seems beyond doubt that when Flemish master of the canvas, Hieronymus Bosch painted his triptychs he was envisioning the future governing class of Great Britain.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3L4Ybsq1MZmZpuSXYp9sReb4XHOsSdDvNPdnlViBjNdPzS56McZMRr1S2-qkQFtfCXqz_aXJ4e0Oy4dXlG6CVCuu9rsT9MHliTilVenoFsFQKJqXtSFCRaQD8IHwAuPUUl2aAdqxPlk0V/s1600/cameron+pig.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Westminster debauchery" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3L4Ybsq1MZmZpuSXYp9sReb4XHOsSdDvNPdnlViBjNdPzS56McZMRr1S2-qkQFtfCXqz_aXJ4e0Oy4dXlG6CVCuu9rsT9MHliTilVenoFsFQKJqXtSFCRaQD8IHwAuPUUl2aAdqxPlk0V/s400/cameron+pig.gif" title="David Cameron pig" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rule Brittania fellows!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The MPs expense scandal was only the tip of the iceberg - the apparent coverup of paedophile rings working within the corridors of power would allude to the depths to which these people would sink. Hell, I hate foxhunting but these people fuck and kill kids and people. The dead foxes are probably just a carnal <i>digestif</i>.<br />
<br />
And, it isn't just the sordid image we have of a young dish-faced, shiny-chinned David Cameron inserting his sausage into a dead pig's mouth - it's the fact that he and others do this because it, er, lubricates the wheels of advancement.<br />
<br />
For us in Scotland... at least us Yes voters in the #indyref can hold our heads up high. We didn't vote to be ruled by swinefuckers.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947757505254506820.post-81476067533865474272015-09-02T10:43:00.001+01:002018-10-04T18:32:44.094+01:00#FearOfAGaelicRoadsign<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-aOVgPrGEM2z6j2YbIWbhD5wvNjcI3IdcrsThBV3WlN9_pN1tIpZVNsRa5-jy-llXORHqV1H4kWPjkfC-2U88imb86X5ppDNrlUg7KjFxEB92L1u4Jp7mL4ickknzaZYhD2R-k8zSfR9e/s1600/gaelic+vicious+circle.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-aOVgPrGEM2z6j2YbIWbhD5wvNjcI3IdcrsThBV3WlN9_pN1tIpZVNsRa5-jy-llXORHqV1H4kWPjkfC-2U88imb86X5ppDNrlUg7KjFxEB92L1u4Jp7mL4ickknzaZYhD2R-k8zSfR9e/s400/gaelic+vicious+circle.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Or to be more exact, it's a hatred of something that's not understood. Ignorance, in a word. While <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/the-lesser-of-two-stupids/">Stuart Campbell </a>may bleat about feeling like an 'alien in his own land' due to other people using a language he doesn't know and may question the role of an 'ancient' language in modern society - he sounds more like the dark-age peasant who fears the forest and darkness due to not having the wherewithal to shine a light.<br />
<br />
Let's be clear, no-one is forcing the Rev Caimbeul to light a torch instead of cursing the darkness but surely it isn't too much to ask for those us who possess two (or more) torches to live without ridicule. To stretch this metaphor further, our taxes go to support the supply of batteries for our big torch (some may say an 'alien' Anglo-Saxon torch) so surely some cells for the wee torch must also be provided?<br />
<br />
That sounds like a progressive and just solution.<br />
<br />
And, if we aren't fighting for a progressive and just Scotland that can stand on her own two feet without fear of being derided as 'too wee and too stupid' then frankly, it's not gonna be fuckin worth it.<br />
<br />
And if the Rev Caimbeul - ironic, eh? - isn't deriding the language of the Scots, or her speakers, as 'too wee, too stupid' then what the France is he doing?<br />
<br />
This seems to be the sum of his logic:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>spoken by a minority </i>= obsolete, no-one speaks it<br />
<i>Gaelic is ancient</i> = so is witch burning, castles, mountains, fossils (is this actually an argument?)<br />
<i>Gaels are bilingual </i>= force them to speak English then (and the Danes and Dutch too?)<br />
<i>I don't understand it</i> = bad<br />
<i>it's the indigenous tongue of the Scots </i>= Nazi blood and soil stuff </blockquote>
<br />
This is the vicious cycle of Scottish bilingualism: Speak it = <i>don't force your elitist language on me. </i>Don't speak it =<i> it's a dead language, no-one speaks it.</i><br />
<br />
Jackson Carlaw, who kicked off this stooshie, is one huge balloon of a man. If the usually sharp and well-researched Stiùbhart Caimbeul - <i>he does make several good points in the latter half of his posting</i> - can't hit a <i>closach </i>this size with his darts without nailing Scotland's Gaelic speakers then maybe his is a bubble that's burst.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ322pkvE-GW_bEzdhXUAwN3XB37_M8cjcmNdUIfcGE6Osbe14zYWur_dHNsb-Gvzgs0eZfSM3T9ZVnBxySckoFEJg15KKeJq54zbfxG5d1Z6e8nCEsqed_WXZ9AtF1njZQSSvpmzAbVYO/s1600/na+cac+anseo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ322pkvE-GW_bEzdhXUAwN3XB37_M8cjcmNdUIfcGE6Osbe14zYWur_dHNsb-Gvzgs0eZfSM3T9ZVnBxySckoFEJg15KKeJq54zbfxG5d1Z6e8nCEsqed_WXZ9AtF1njZQSSvpmzAbVYO/s320/na+cac+anseo.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carpark sign in Islay. Resulted in closure of Scottish schools.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Someone mentioned that the worst enemies of Scottish are Scots themselves hence why people with Gaelic names like Caimbeul often seem to revel in their ignorance and celebrate their kicking of the wee guy. This would seem to be the case. And that begs the question, how will we ever gain our independence if we're trying to stagger forward under the burden of yon massive chip on our shoulder - that self-loathing grudge known as the Scottish Cringe.<br />
<br />
Elvis Costello - the Sionnach Fionn <a href="http://ansionnachfionn.com/2015/09/01/one-more-anglophone-one-less-white-nigger/">here </a>- sang about 'one less white nigger'. Are we still, to use a another crude term, still just 'porridge wogs'? Carlaw and Caimbeul think so.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7RvWvjQs0vOJXuVvmUTQLpYo2URu3a9LzgbI8GLimQXuj8gg2nrzFfYnk60Cfzrq6VwAU-epd0WIqMnrgOjok7Rgx42oa2MHEKrrusexCVRapdFnnNyvOY4IwQLwhhcqURWYIYMMM3OXt/s1600/porridge+wog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7RvWvjQs0vOJXuVvmUTQLpYo2URu3a9LzgbI8GLimQXuj8gg2nrzFfYnk60Cfzrq6VwAU-epd0WIqMnrgOjok7Rgx42oa2MHEKrrusexCVRapdFnnNyvOY4IwQLwhhcqURWYIYMMM3OXt/s320/porridge+wog.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entry in the 'Urban Dictionary'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I mean to say and if you pardon my French - otherwise useless to me despite two years of it in school - what the fuck? If a modern Scotland can not encompass diversity and bilingualism then it deserves to be forever the lackey of Westminster and the runt of the Union, being laughed at by the rich, the idle and the debauched in the House of Lords. Would an independent Scotland only care for the poor in the Mother Theresa style - speak the right tongue in the right way and I may help you?<br />
<br />
As to <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=jacksy">Jacksy </a>Carlaw - he's the loose cannon of the Tories. What kind of ersepiece would lift a crude and erroneous image and statement from a group of right-wing EDL-types known as 'Smash the SNP'? I trust that Ruth Davidson is taking action? Or do only those 'vile CyberNats' warrant our disdain?<br />
<br />
Lastly, some biographical and other points.<br />
<br />
Scottish Gaels have worked for and paid taxes to the Scottish/ British state for centuries. From Bannockburn to Dunkirk, they have been the backbone of 'our' many armies on the frontline. They received neither reward nor recognition for this and indeed were punished and repressed until modern times. During the Clearances, Gaelic was good enough to entice Scottish speakers into the army and to warn them of the consequences of trying to reclaim their own land. This, while it was beaten out of their kids at school.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXw_eKK_3nymLcljJj03Xsc1fBMPSe2zzOI-PUgR88ci0QURv8YlOeakazFcMU8HJR_Rv9QWJxezjy_AG6kKfDF35VA6h4M6YVZ57cOgm65JDb7Q739WNydInXrzYgAuvT3QmmxV-s0Dq/s1600/Rabhadh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXw_eKK_3nymLcljJj03Xsc1fBMPSe2zzOI-PUgR88ci0QURv8YlOeakazFcMU8HJR_Rv9QWJxezjy_AG6kKfDF35VA6h4M6YVZ57cOgm65JDb7Q739WNydInXrzYgAuvT3QmmxV-s0Dq/s400/Rabhadh.jpg" width="325" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A warning to backward teuchters in an obsolete tongue. Know your place bumpkins.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As to myself, I am half-immigrant and my children are half-immigrant. My grandparents and great-grandparents were immigrants and emigrants due to poverty and famine in the Ireland and Scotland of their time. If this is 'blood and soil' nationalism then which blood, which soil? I thought the Nazis only wanted '<i>ein Spraeche, ein Volk'</i>? My children speak three languages - two of which are 'useful' should they <i>wish </i>to communicate with millions of others. Their Scottish tongue is also useful - not for the millions, who says big numbers only matter - for day to day conversation in their home, for decoding their local and ancient placenames in the Lowlands (is knowledge of the past/ present a bad thing?) and for enjoying the modern cultural output we can now enjoy in our Scottish tongue - from dad's Oi Polloi CDs to BBC Alba to Dotaman to Peppa Muc to Tormod Caimbeul to the film Seachd.<br />
<br />
The talk of Carlaw and Caimbeul is almost fighting talk and it's clear that neither frequent local Scottish hostelries very much - goading and ridicule of this sort in sometimes met with a response that's not as polite as that of Gaelic speakers.<br />
<br />
Maybe that's what we need to do more. Fight.<br />
<br />
One of the most positive aspects of the pro-independence campaign was the prominence of strong, Bolshy, outspoken women. Why should 51% of the population continue - in the year 2015 FFS! - to be silenced or subjugated? Scottish Gaels may be less than 2% but that won't improve unless we become as crabbit and impolite as the Basque speakers, the Welsh speakers and the Maoris.<br />
<br />
Go for it. <b><a href="https://brochan.teemill.com/product/na-g-ill-stpauli-gaelic-t-shirt/">Na gèill is tu beò</a>.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Other responses:</i><br />
<b> https://wildernessofpeace.wordpress.com/2015/09/02/tongue-lashing-with-friends/</b><br />
<b> http://ansionnachfionn.com/2015/09/01/one-more-anglophone-one-less-white-nigger/</b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947757505254506820.post-50401457433740610082015-06-01T16:38:00.000+01:002015-06-01T18:59:42.891+01:00Sow good. The championship season.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI8ImSXMH2GZNrjtmkAjhTk51XoUaw6UuPD-M1dHpn7_F6GmcEaua-IzY8378qfudYqjKG0YQObLzxXYxbZIomKPfiAZqenmgng0PHV2tQBVq01mXSGVOdNDEhGYXcA81yAGhX2ulPeF6V/s1600/rangers+pioneers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI8ImSXMH2GZNrjtmkAjhTk51XoUaw6UuPD-M1dHpn7_F6GmcEaua-IzY8378qfudYqjKG0YQObLzxXYxbZIomKPfiAZqenmgng0PHV2tQBVq01mXSGVOdNDEhGYXcA81yAGhX2ulPeF6V/s320/rangers+pioneers.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_2102112055"></span><span id="goog_2102112056"></span><br />
It's been a belter. Obviously for those of us who watch the fitba through maroon-tinted goggles it was unexpectedly painless, at least in the league. The cups were another story but if Robbie Neilson's plan was to concentrate on the league then it worked a treat. The three-horse race with Hearts, The Rangers #2 and Hibernian didn't work out. Instead, Hearts had the league sown up before Valentine's Day with Falkirk and Queen of the South in particular forming a cluster of four some distance behind.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="253" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MbDzep3W1Ws" width="450"></iframe>
</div>
<br />
I was lucky enough to be at the Whisky Fringe when news of Sow's last minute winner at Ibrox came through. Probably the most important goal of the season. It instantly dented the unfounded and undeserved self-regard of Sevco Rangers and their lapdogs in the media. From that game on, they were trailing Hearts and proceeded to go to pieces. That was followed up by another important defeat of Hibernian who after the previous season's farce hadn't really got going yet.
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="253" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DJVIQ6Gy_GI" width="450"></iframe>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Hibs then lost two on the bounce to Falkirk and Alloa while Sevco dominated all teams until they too met the unpredictable Alloa with only a late goal saving them from defeat. More points lost to Hearts though. The gap was to grow even larger after Hibs visited Castle Greyskull and handed Salary McCoist's overpaid duds a 3-1 defeat. Hibs had looked uncomfortable at first, barely able to string a pass together, but then the Sevco defence imploded and Sevconian FC were fortunate to keep the score to 3. In typical Hibs fashion though they followed up that satisfying win by drawing at home to Raith Rovers. The much ridiculed Christian Nade creating havoc in the Hibs defence.
Hearts were still undefeated when they met Hibs for the first Easter Road derby. Hibs were up for it and Hearts despite having possession and chances didn't look like scoring. Hibs did, Hearts got a man sent off and Hearts were heading for defeat. With the Hibs fans bouncing and taunting, the Hibs players inexplicably gave Hearts the freedom of the pitch. Ozturk took the ball and this happened... </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="253" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3Ddw_eY87kM" width="450"></iframe>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Late November and Hearts hammered yet more nails into McCoist's coffin with a 2-0 win at Tynecastle. Rangers turned up with a mission to hurt and that they did. Incredibly, only one of them saw red but young Kevin McHattie was forced out for months after a horrific kick from Kenny Miller. Hibs meanwhile lost again to Falkirk. Mid December saw McCoist have his ass handed to him in Dumfries after a convincing win for Queen of the South against 'The People'. Hearts marched on regardless.
The start of December saw Sevco in a cup semi-final and plucky wee Alloa. Surely this would bring some comfort for Salary and his well-remunerated players? Maybe not. One of the results of the season... </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="253" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ePKtLj7DQrA" width="450"></iframe>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Ally McCoist then became the first(!!!) Rangers manager of the season to leave footballing duties in favour of 'gardening leave'. With a glum Kenny McDowall now in the throne, Sevco's defence went all LibDem and things could only get better...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="253" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6N2Gfhgv7RA" width="450"></iframe> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
High-score of the season is an easy one to call. Again, an important win came when Da Rangers were labouring to draws with Falkirk and er... Cowedenbeath the week following this mauling.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="253" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/V2HPAA3EWvU" width="450"></iframe> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In March, Stuart McCall who had done a grand job leading Motherwell into danger took over at the Ship of Fools and went on an unbeaten run. Or in other words, a series of draws against teams in the second tier of football whose player budgets would barely stretch to buying a pair of spades for both of Rangers' gardening-leave managers.<br />
<br />
Hibs meanwhile were looking good and were now the closest of 'the other two' to Hearts. When they met Rangers at Easter Road on March 22 anything other than a Hibs win would give Hearts the title.
As per usual in games of high significance, Hibs went to pieces and McCall was the toast of the Blue Derry Boys of Billy Union Orange or whatever the Rangers' fans sing about themselves.<br />
<br />
When the fixtures were announced, the Hearts/ Rangers match on the final day of the season was seen by some to be the title decider. In the end, Hearts won it without kicking a ball. In the middle of March.
All that were left were the play-offs. Alloa deservedly secured their Championship status while the formidable Queen of the South narrowly lost to Rangers. The idea of Da Rangers back in the top flight was as appealing to most of us as being caught in a sandwich between Eric Pickles and Jackie Baillie. Could Hibs stop them? No. Only Motherwell, who had under Stuart McCall, been sacrifical lambs for Die Rangers stood between the Premiership and the Forces of Dunkelheit.<br />
<br />
In the end, all's well that ends well. Sevco were trounced over two games and their cartoon defender Moshni is facing police action after giving Motherwell's Irwin a bit of doing after the final whistle. At least for another year, Scotland's top flight will be spared the violent play of Rangers players as well as the violence, sectarianism and racism of their fans. Some further financial woe is not out of the question. 'Glib and shameless' Dave King who had a hand in the previous Rangers going bust is now at the helm. What could go wrogn?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GCIVAjgYYXg" width="480"></iframe>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947757505254506820.post-30800265961369846622015-05-13T20:15:00.000+01:002015-05-13T20:15:22.805+01:00Labour: missing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVeUISikcLr27eSShqIwI35P4PF3yAZXBZGVGva0OmEqnkefeZBKahH9O9i5lojYmJD31HPaSezKWYlhiHkflpelPilwRBYpl9BKCLGkNl0Apj8K6zTvditPbcne0yehfeqGf-U5Enx3k/s1600/jim+murphy+missing.png" imageanchor="1"><img alt="John McTernan" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVeUISikcLr27eSShqIwI35P4PF3yAZXBZGVGva0OmEqnkefeZBKahH9O9i5lojYmJD31HPaSezKWYlhiHkflpelPilwRBYpl9BKCLGkNl0Apj8K6zTvditPbcne0yehfeqGf-U5Enx3k/s640/jim+murphy+missing.png" title="Jim Murphy missing" width="451" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Murphy is in hiding. Perhaps in a designer <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/we-need-to-talk-about-john/"><i>McTernan </i></a>chrysalis and about to re-emerge as yet another Jim Murphy - "At my service folks. One for me, all for me!"<br />
<br />
Labour were horsed. Many in the party acknowledge that. Even their sole winner in Scotland - the UnionJack-clad Ian Murray seemed dumbfounded at the realisation that he, after polling well in the posh parts of south Edinburgh, was the last man standing.<br />
<br />
It has been a slow demise though. To me, the best thing Labour in Noff Bwitan could do is to separate from the party HQ in London. If the prospect of Chukka Umunna as leader comes to pass and he does indeed take the party further to the right in order to win back the all important Middle-England, then what's left of Labour in the Scottish Parliament is sure to be further eroded.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipC0YKFlKuwUBcv3opc1KW0G0xP829rgYcrbMljyPGCbPRNu2uHjIMs5I7BHTbLfDOIHkd5cDjgkdHtvuPleK1w0mvsSicn8W-jVg2OR9VK1XKBHKz7WdGshKcRzlJZIyYykSSIVFgplPE/s1600/ian+murray+union+jack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipC0YKFlKuwUBcv3opc1KW0G0xP829rgYcrbMljyPGCbPRNu2uHjIMs5I7BHTbLfDOIHkd5cDjgkdHtvuPleK1w0mvsSicn8W-jVg2OR9VK1XKBHKz7WdGshKcRzlJZIyYykSSIVFgplPE/s320/ian+murray+union+jack.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Hearts fan Murray, or is it Rangers?</i><b><br /></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The problems are many and stretch back many years. Here's a wee saunter - in no particular order (hell - I don't enjoy Ian Murray's office expenses!) through Labour's shining path to oblivion in Scotland...<br />
<br />
- <b>Fascist Bastards!</b> No, not the BNP, Ukip or even the SNP (patent pending <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/friendly-help-for-kezia-dugdale/"><i>Ian Smart</i></a>) but striking firefighters. This came from the then Labour minister <b><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/2513847.stm">Dr Richard Simpson</a></b>. Surely a man whose moral compass lies somewhere north of Tony Blair's broon-eye...<br />
<br />
<br />
- <b>Iraq</b>. Maybe this over all others encapsulates the poverty of the modern Labour Party. Joining with a rabid neo-con US president to mercilessly bomb another nation that in no way threatened us with the loss of up 1 million lives is beyond belief.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxHOayR1u6V1YqboUCTY5h7mbBAfFhRrOJ2EHO9JjiW7R59swqM-jgTUZpyvbQoSqZ3AFHemrDy0ANThL_MA1sdetJYpBOg9F1_RWopj_T0Efhfpx-ZC3aivy1qPXc2fqBdwMQPB9Ht96/s1600/blair+iraq+blood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxHOayR1u6V1YqboUCTY5h7mbBAfFhRrOJ2EHO9JjiW7R59swqM-jgTUZpyvbQoSqZ3AFHemrDy0ANThL_MA1sdetJYpBOg9F1_RWopj_T0Efhfpx-ZC3aivy1qPXc2fqBdwMQPB9Ht96/s200/blair+iraq+blood.jpg" width="200" /></a>- <b>Immigration Mugs</b>. This isn't the <a href="http://wembleymatters.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/withdrawn-labour-kenton-by-election.html">first </a>time that Labour has tried to appear tough on immigrants but this was surely one of the most crass. I mean, what the fck! Labour, instead of taking on Ukip and the BNP and fighting for immigrants and explaining the benefits of immigration get into bed with <i>der kleine Englander</i>. 'We can goose-step' further than you....' Gordon 'moral compass' Brown himself lifted a National Front slogan from the 1970s - <i>British Workers for British Jobs</i> - to bolster his flagging campaign in 2010. <br />
<br />
- <b>Trident</b>. I can mind the auld days when people like George Robertson and Murphy et al would join the CND marches. Even if you considered nuclear weapons a deterrent back in the days of the Cold War, there can surely be no justification for them now. Even army high-heid-yins and Portillo agree. It's vanity. A white fucking elephant. Even lonely Ian 'UnionJack' Murray agrees. How did he vote though...?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMu7ZNtlrrZZdsBzyNBhwIT3Q4zKRDI8cLLRGU4Rg0ElQzq-VK1sa66RniGND3bboL3e1bDBPKcWZxse4a-F4bHKdQrh04EdM8EOwWtojqZ31oMXqp7jxD62s6ZFzQG4Okymz_Ytqd9JAW/s1600/labour+immigration+mug.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMu7ZNtlrrZZdsBzyNBhwIT3Q4zKRDI8cLLRGU4Rg0ElQzq-VK1sa66RniGND3bboL3e1bDBPKcWZxse4a-F4bHKdQrh04EdM8EOwWtojqZ31oMXqp7jxD62s6ZFzQG4Okymz_Ytqd9JAW/s200/labour+immigration+mug.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
- <b>Drones</b>. No. Not the ones that Obama uses to massacre tribal children in Pakistan but the soulless careerists that took over the Labour Party... when? I don't know but probably around Kinnock's time. Just look at the likes of Murphy, Dougie Alexander, Alastair Darling as well as the 'new generation' of smooth city slickers already jostling for Weird Ed's vacated seat ... not a principled bone between them. I hope that the SNP never attracts this sort.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6K6S2TufFCZf7_Wr0HYBkTIS8dqdMAqb7MUfiUhHtgsUmVPpHpOw_Xi8Edni-w6nG2iTFMdy95IBwBEYzznXiS4ejxfm9qdOQJGqXYf30vPwrloMNxr4SYZvi5sKximLb5HRWLNlod2kB/s1600/fundilymundily+muphistory+bingo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6K6S2TufFCZf7_Wr0HYBkTIS8dqdMAqb7MUfiUhHtgsUmVPpHpOw_Xi8Edni-w6nG2iTFMdy95IBwBEYzznXiS4ejxfm9qdOQJGqXYf30vPwrloMNxr4SYZvi5sKximLb5HRWLNlod2kB/s320/fundilymundily+muphistory+bingo.png" width="320" /></a>- <b>Jim Murphy</b>. There's so much been <a href="http://tocasaid.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/play-murphistory-bingo-now.html"><b>said </b></a>about this guy and much in ridicule. The fact that he sits - not just as a supporter - but on the political council of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Murphy#Henry_Jackson_Society_membership"><b>Henry Jackson Society </b></a>is something that he should be confronted with. Somehow, I can't see Kaye Adams broaching the subject... Suffice to say, Murphy is toxic and only the gleeful coverage in the Unionist media of his Better Together antics has hidden this fact from some.<br />
<br />
- <b>PFI</b>. It's still incredible to me that this was Labour's <a href="http://tocasaid.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/eorpa-reveals-labours-pfi-disgrace.html"><b>egg</b></a>. And some wonder why many folk don't see any difference between Labour and Tory? The schools and hospitals that will be paying private-business pirates rent for the next century know this only too well.<br />
<br />
- <b>Better Together</b>. And not only in the slimy campaign of scaremongering to save the bankrupt UK political system... Labour members were photographed not only with the Tories but with Ukip and National Front (!!!) activists in a desperate attempt to keep the Westminster trough open. During the #GE2015 campaign, <a href="https://twitter.com/wingsscotland/status/594513794178625536"><b>Tories </b></a>were seen at Labour Party stalls presumably to encourage a 'tactical' vote against those dangerous Nats.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcTYiF4KlhpRLGdNjDRgby2CsLBq486GFFMeJF2P-l86N-Spxd2XHjDYnFGaouUTw7ndwqKPGJW_kTYZ98uxJAIYG1kE8coWeBt9j6SsCtFAKBE-VCYG0jdvT3Z77ylg3NELfmr5bLmb67/s1600/Labour+and+NF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcTYiF4KlhpRLGdNjDRgby2CsLBq486GFFMeJF2P-l86N-Spxd2XHjDYnFGaouUTw7ndwqKPGJW_kTYZ98uxJAIYG1kE8coWeBt9j6SsCtFAKBE-VCYG0jdvT3Z77ylg3NELfmr5bLmb67/s320/Labour+and+NF.jpg" width="320" /></a>What's left of a genuine left-of-centre Labour membership in Scotland needs to wake up and smell the coffee. Break from the Eton kids and banker-class of the south of England. Actually support the progressive policies of the SNP and Scottish Green Party when required to instead of blindly opposing everything they do like some buttock of an Old Firm tribalist. Lastly - when the next referendum comes - throw your weight behind the yes-campaign. A modern left-of-centre Labour Party that Keir Hardie would feel at home in, starting anew in an independent Scotland might just be the answer to SNP domination.<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947757505254506820.post-26910867824722874152015-05-08T11:12:00.000+01:002015-05-09T10:15:26.418+01:00#GE2015: they said what?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4En_omYA-8B5FjatuDy_Ovezf4AuBz83HFse1fG6MUr3SWXw8VAAZhy4gLeq7PvfajOAzxqGhXrtqls5c2qmm8MIRXJuPklkohWo1oF_EJjPJHpSLJCkXc01c5VzoNh-VvYb4UPcAvnSA/s1600/john+mcternan+spider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4En_omYA-8B5FjatuDy_Ovezf4AuBz83HFse1fG6MUr3SWXw8VAAZhy4gLeq7PvfajOAzxqGhXrtqls5c2qmm8MIRXJuPklkohWo1oF_EJjPJHpSLJCkXc01c5VzoNh-VvYb4UPcAvnSA/s400/john+mcternan+spider.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
It doesn't become Tocasaid to gloat in others misery but... seeing the queues of taxis taking away a succession of Labour and LibDem 'Portillos' is immensely satisfying. So, GIRUY. And, I really fkn hope that you do find out for real what it is like to survive on £55 a week.<br />
<br />
Anyway, how did the high-heid-yins and talking heads in the world of politics fare - not only in the runup to #GE2015 - but in the previous years. Years that are important if we wish to examine the painful but deserved decline of the <strike>RedTories</strike> Labour Party in North Britain. Did the politicos really know any better than the <a href="http://tocasaid.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/football-celebs-vote-in-ge2015.html"><b>footballers</b></a>?<br />
<br />
Firstly, here's the one-time socialist cum NATO chief, George Robertson AKA the Baron of <strike>Analingus</strike> Port Ellen:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="st"> <b>"Devolution will kill Nationalism stone <i>dead</i>" </b></span></blockquote>
Now, there's the 'spider' that pulled the strings behind Jim Murphy's meltdown of a campaign - and other failures - John McTernan. The Mr Nasty of UK and Australian politics who makes Alasdair Campbell look like a life-giving ray of sunshine said,<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>"The No vote brings that fantasy (the SNP) to a juddering halt. The Tories will lose the 2015 general election."</b></blockquote>
<br />
oh, the Spider again,<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>"A no-vote will rejuvenate Scottish Labour".</b></blockquote>
<br />
Well, that one worked out well, eh?<br />
<br />
Another nasty is George Galloway who himself is out on his arse.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>"The SNP won't win a single seat from Labour."</b></blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT-n60DhrbZPqldQjCfnKHJfduzw8TirjYyTTf_tIbG8wCvJw9L0oYDK_8XaRis6vVqxciUuuQUqW5UKjx7cqZsDI5hDapToZ56DkulJ7O1fflFWAtCSRkYWa8rz0ythkcMA0IdGfQJWR1/s1600/galloway+loses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT-n60DhrbZPqldQjCfnKHJfduzw8TirjYyTTf_tIbG8wCvJw9L0oYDK_8XaRis6vVqxciUuuQUqW5UKjx7cqZsDI5hDapToZ56DkulJ7O1fflFWAtCSRkYWa8rz0ythkcMA0IdGfQJWR1/s320/galloway+loses.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Galloway needs to take the words 'single', 'seat' and 'Labour' and rearrange them into a new sentence.<br />
<br />
Tha last word goes to the Dead Man Walking that is Jim Murphy,<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>"I'm astonished at how easy it's been to outwit the SNP"</b></blockquote>
<br />
Off to prepare the groundwork for some good drams later on. I'm sure this post will be a work in progress.<br />
<br />
Edit: final word goes to <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/world-of-hubris/"><b>Wings over Scotland</b></a>, of course, with a pretty comprehensive account of the utter bullshit spoken by the deluded. Sure, we all make mistakes but even at the time these statments were patently ludicrous.<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947757505254506820.post-55356574654112199472015-05-08T09:32:00.000+01:002015-05-08T09:58:45.313+01:00Revolution singalong: Murphy v. Leatherface<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOhwde36omhfO1wkX6ahIAKp_wJZ0vnMjMhyphenhyphenIpVYWO94ZzULyHm7MfSQoXUQNAP2i7aJsJoyBNEIDIv2-6IqWNvFg0kqLQ9E9WwgXb5t7tnLkip6IhAwbnneKDSDi_9mDdKmPwE_s2mhof/s1600/murphy+confused.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOhwde36omhfO1wkX6ahIAKp_wJZ0vnMjMhyphenhyphenIpVYWO94ZzULyHm7MfSQoXUQNAP2i7aJsJoyBNEIDIv2-6IqWNvFg0kqLQ9E9WwgXb5t7tnLkip6IhAwbnneKDSDi_9mDdKmPwE_s2mhof/s320/murphy+confused.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
It's the song of the moment. Tracy Chapman's classic 'Talking 'Bout a Revolution' is the song of the morning and beyond. Jim Murphy and his election-lifebelt, Gordon Brown, were famously trolled by a young boy and his father in a pre-election school visit.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1C74fX4eFrY" width="420"></iframe>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://tocasaid.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/play-murphistory-bingo-now.html"><b>Murphy </b></a>was cringeworthy in my opinion but then again, i'm no muso. Apart from the original, Sunderland's proletarian melody-makers Leatherface #fundilymundily get my vote.</div>
<br />
<div id="fb-root">
</div>
<script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_GB/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script><br />
<div class="fb-video" data-allowfullscreen="true" data-href="/634490439964372/videos/vb.634490439964372/832290733517674/?type=1">
<div class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore">
<blockquote cite="/634490439964372/videos/832290733517674/">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/634490439964372/videos/832290733517674/"></a><br />
Well, Jim Murphy thought he could schmooz a wee guy with a guitar at Braehead. So I played 'Talkin' About a Revolution' - I think the irony might have been lost!!` Lol<br />
Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Matthew-Gibb/634490439964372">Matthew Gibb</a> on Saturday, 2 May 2015</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947757505254506820.post-52263351326879982732015-05-06T21:06:00.000+01:002015-05-08T09:59:06.373+01:00Football celebs vote in #GE2015!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnRtY7dANFNw30FWsGKXbiEpB2kWnvEtsy0xrVOGoZqDzWzBWmmFF12QdBlRcppuk54mJXOUKEIMlKJ4OXLh1dSZlX6AbG502j2uYnIs_fB1uNEbX3ktm53VRPvBOl8qLYkrqfSuZmNCPt/s1600/murphy+mob+glasgow+stv.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnRtY7dANFNw30FWsGKXbiEpB2kWnvEtsy0xrVOGoZqDzWzBWmmFF12QdBlRcppuk54mJXOUKEIMlKJ4OXLh1dSZlX6AbG502j2uYnIs_fB1uNEbX3ktm53VRPvBOl8qLYkrqfSuZmNCPt/s1600/murphy+mob+glasgow+stv.png" width="377" /></a></div>
<br />
We all know that Alex Ferguson is a Labour man, whatever their policies are. Also that ex-Hearts and Hibs red-card junkie Michael Stewart is an intelligent advocate of independence and is backing the SNP. Terry Butcher is, or at least used to be, a Tory. But, let's face it, fitba celebs rarely put their heads above the parapet on the political front.<br />
<br />
Tocasaid will hazard a few guesses though.<br />
<br />
So, with the election upon us and episodes of mindless sickening violence (see above) now in the past, let's enjoy some 90-minute nuggets... <br />
<br />
First up is house-favourite <a href="http://tocasaid.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/the-banana-selfie-well-never-see.html"><b>Leigh Griffiths</b></a>. Hibs fan and righteous Celtic FC forward has been banging in the hat-tricks lately. His ongoing hat-trick seems to be the triple-grudge of racism, homophobia and Islamophobia. That's surely makes him a Ukip man.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGVFTjoQI4xbmGA3bBv_gMBpXNpWFdKalbVE3hi1oI5V8ITNsRHZqcehKoQEmy_z94xTQPNuEa5RVQnKgpu-VE7DW_hQKi5PAnl3T7eaCT_JPu1POkBEk0GI6PaCebe4BQ4-6KtPZxLNIf/s1600/griffiths+vote+ukip.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGVFTjoQI4xbmGA3bBv_gMBpXNpWFdKalbVE3hi1oI5V8ITNsRHZqcehKoQEmy_z94xTQPNuEa5RVQnKgpu-VE7DW_hQKi5PAnl3T7eaCT_JPu1POkBEk0GI6PaCebe4BQ4-6KtPZxLNIf/s1600/griffiths+vote+ukip.png" width="167" /></a></div>
<br />
Moving slightly to the left, we have <b>Ally McCoist</b>. He's a well known Unionist and with Oldco Rangers having corned the right-wing conservative market for fans in recent decades, he's sure to be a Tory. In fact, I reckon he's so taken with Scottish Conservatism that he's morphing into Ruth Davidson.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOjgFIkyxvOJ2PElCTWlfJsO3FJ_T1Rn7AfL3M54ZkBUoRQtl6ippybS-VMEv_1NJpKrwFLPhcyq7vErXxCKAAVdzAM64iW8KgmWF8Op0kqf-cetl7F8CunziCDDjYH386mXO6FdYx7DkK/s1600/ally+mccoist+vote+tory.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOjgFIkyxvOJ2PElCTWlfJsO3FJ_T1Rn7AfL3M54ZkBUoRQtl6ippybS-VMEv_1NJpKrwFLPhcyq7vErXxCKAAVdzAM64iW8KgmWF8Op0kqf-cetl7F8CunziCDDjYH386mXO6FdYx7DkK/s1600/ally+mccoist+vote+tory.png" width="170" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Anne Budge</b> of Hearts and <b>Leanne Dempster </b>of Hibs are two independently-minded women with clear visions of what their respective clubs should look like. They also thrive in an otherwise backward-male environment. That makes them SNP fans of oor Nicola.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyE1l2OLil5SUbSQCL73q-9hOdQ_OAdjvz9Pxqyw-2YIlpYusl_s0EbZVIKvikO5svtg3Z1GE1ur41MIIiDeMUItMr500teqKufFbFkzsPT6PLZxO4YgkIIBS0VfzLuuIYQTo5XTRsiebL/s1600/budge+and+dempster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyE1l2OLil5SUbSQCL73q-9hOdQ_OAdjvz9Pxqyw-2YIlpYusl_s0EbZVIKvikO5svtg3Z1GE1ur41MIIiDeMUItMr500teqKufFbFkzsPT6PLZxO4YgkIIBS0VfzLuuIYQTo5XTRsiebL/s1600/budge+and+dempster.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Robbie Neilson.</b> Young manager who's quiet demeanour has nevertheless yielded spectacular results for Hearts this season, albeit in the second tier. They won the league by a country mile as the SNP are predicted to do on May 7th. SNP again for this winner.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS2pO7ZFT7BSum5Sgn1EoFAAag4JaiGVho-iwhRcKQD-tTnh1HlSwITzkCHM5s9fq0brtWSi-jl6-_L10pO0anUqMYO8p1GBpLuzzneeIxLTfV7wiTCgmjdQ9KHklc4EHBPcXhVGptPvLF/s1600/robbie+neilson+vote+snp.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS2pO7ZFT7BSum5Sgn1EoFAAag4JaiGVho-iwhRcKQD-tTnh1HlSwITzkCHM5s9fq0brtWSi-jl6-_L10pO0anUqMYO8p1GBpLuzzneeIxLTfV7wiTCgmjdQ9KHklc4EHBPcXhVGptPvLF/s1600/robbie+neilson+vote+snp.png" width="320" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b>Lee '</b><i>Elbows</i><b>' McCulloch.</b> Past the sell-by date footballer and vicious hardman of The Rangers FC. Even his own fans don't like him. Other fans detest him. Referees don't know he exists. He's not very popular. He must be a Lib Dem.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltLd-xdrud-71cZg8QXj-GppyD55Gha3sIWg2NIPc4qy9-x-b7ng15sJWj-0fstwEd5domDFoQIJZ6jNiW5td0Nd_YW5svpyiqqBuXn36AM6b16wSHWzOrqe_m5ozgsFqF_CroMrrQWMm/s1600/lee+mcculloch+vote+lib+dem.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltLd-xdrud-71cZg8QXj-GppyD55Gha3sIWg2NIPc4qy9-x-b7ng15sJWj-0fstwEd5domDFoQIJZ6jNiW5td0Nd_YW5svpyiqqBuXn36AM6b16wSHWzOrqe_m5ozgsFqF_CroMrrQWMm/s1600/lee+mcculloch+vote+lib+dem.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Alan Stubbs</b>. Used to be a likeable guy but has grown into one hell of a bitter man this season as Hibs yo-yo all over the place - one minute they're horsing Sevco and the next allowing Christian Nade of all people to dance around their defence and score. Given his bitterness towards other teams and fans coupled with the fact that his team finished a very distant second to winners Hearts, he has to be a Labour man. No <a href="http://tocasaid.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/play-murphistory-bingo-now.html"><b>Jim Murphy</b></a> though as Stubbs is just bitter, not evil.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbcAkxF7zGy31POsMH4jAlZiBz9eOf3SESSTeUiFz4jI4DAevLbLcgfeLUAmcfqc39c5LLCXflhjhsaAaNAbA4hX_vXMji_yEBVJjliRMU5Mp1L7f34w_yjZGgeuZjne6dvaqalL-KXLH/s1600/alan+stubbs+vote+red+tory.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbcAkxF7zGy31POsMH4jAlZiBz9eOf3SESSTeUiFz4jI4DAevLbLcgfeLUAmcfqc39c5LLCXflhjhsaAaNAbA4hX_vXMji_yEBVJjliRMU5Mp1L7f34w_yjZGgeuZjne6dvaqalL-KXLH/s1600/alan+stubbs+vote+red+tory.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Inverness Caledonian Thistle</b>. Hell, we may not all support them but most of us have a soft-spot for them. There's Yogi for a start who's gone from buffoon to manager of the year. And, there's the excellent Twitter account. The Frankie Boyle of the football Twitter world though not as foul-mouthed. They also love beating the corporate-corpse of Scottish fitba - Celtic FC. I'm sure they're partial to a few jars and a 'wee smoke'. Defo a Green Party team and what's wrong with that?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiE0DdxmCfr-jzSzCfIjNWaCv1nSbrDxbblqL5rGh_tRELfoYXw5c-BV-UQ9rnel8jIe9iFjklbpkMzxDgZ7kJZCBFZZlH12M45jEhOlnNznsEppHlvGff4KvsCRry1SAc2e6Mvzc8Qcg5/s1600/ict+fc+vote+greens.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiE0DdxmCfr-jzSzCfIjNWaCv1nSbrDxbblqL5rGh_tRELfoYXw5c-BV-UQ9rnel8jIe9iFjklbpkMzxDgZ7kJZCBFZZlH12M45jEhOlnNznsEppHlvGff4KvsCRry1SAc2e6Mvzc8Qcg5/s1600/ict+fc+vote+greens.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Angry denials or accusations of hate-speech here? Contact the Daily Mail. Corrections or suggestions? Post below.<br />
<br />
Vote early, vote often, vote SNP.<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947757505254506820.post-29791295347817011342015-05-05T21:15:00.000+01:002015-05-05T21:53:57.210+01:00Play Murphistory bingo now!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyjQAxQZRWrav1srBFiA_5sagpaiCJ9cSpcozq20SDx4P1P-_hjQQELWxUoB5ucCiDiYczhWfCBxLQVzijvdHzdRUcWyD1_0SEnHbVWcpAU5TDEFALMBeLULOTUG4BDHEIkR_syMPpDWo/s1600/fundilymundily+muphistory+bingo.png" imageanchor="1"><img alt="What do you know about Jim Murphy?" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyjQAxQZRWrav1srBFiA_5sagpaiCJ9cSpcozq20SDx4P1P-_hjQQELWxUoB5ucCiDiYczhWfCBxLQVzijvdHzdRUcWyD1_0SEnHbVWcpAU5TDEFALMBeLULOTUG4BDHEIkR_syMPpDWo/s1600/fundilymundily+muphistory+bingo.png" height="300" title="Murphistory bingo" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
As we go to the polls with North Britain expecting a Labour meltdown, can you really get to the bottom of the enigma that is Jim Murphy? Is he a nice guy? Is he a <a href="http://tocasaid.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/jim-murphys-ordinary-followers-hit.html"><i>nasty guy</i></a>? Did he sniff glue? And, can he remember?<br />
<br />
Now we, the once Labour-voting plebes, can join in the fun. What is true? What is fiction?<br />
<br />
For added mystery, you can spin our Murphistory Quadruple Chance spin wheel!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMm2VZVQ9hZl0OaCqxZQlyCiW5527EVp8oskTIsf7ojue7dltQtDl48IOfjht29f_SMaQEdVDMneqm8tT33nyIZiILwh_nnSTs0JaRCFHEt64b3wrWUk1JZzr3PbLs7HjgIc0yeXZaf6PF/s1600/quadruple+chance+murphy+bingo.png" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Quadruple fun!" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMm2VZVQ9hZl0OaCqxZQlyCiW5527EVp8oskTIsf7ojue7dltQtDl48IOfjht29f_SMaQEdVDMneqm8tT33nyIZiILwh_nnSTs0JaRCFHEt64b3wrWUk1JZzr3PbLs7HjgIc0yeXZaf6PF/s1600/quadruple+chance+murphy+bingo.png" height="300" title="Jim Murphy" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
So, get the family. Get their bahookies on those IrnBru crates (only provided with MPs' expenses) and play all night long! UHU too can be a Murphy!<br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">For further research:</span></i><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.counterfire.org/articles/opinion/17573-five-reasons-why-jim-murphy-s-election-is-bad-for-the-labour-movement</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://wingsoverscotland.com/the-sure-thing/</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/jim-murphy-named-among-27-mps-in-new-expenses-row.1350640850</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://autonomyscotland.org/jim-murphy-gift-snp/</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2014/11/05/jim-murphys-selfless-devotion-to-scotland/</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://caltonjock.com/2014/08/29/man-of-a-1000-faces-jim-my-way-or-the-highway-murphy-the-ups-and-downs-of-a-con-man/</span></li>
</ul>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947757505254506820.post-70267186851123741402015-05-04T14:38:00.000+01:002015-05-04T14:38:26.200+01:00Tormod a' Bhocsair...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1qDxZsspcXzD8hJaPYJpFxGQ08c7pQq0Kg4eLCKFT-EJ1oymqhYXhjaskJCQ20qkCRuHkvF-fYE7-pEv6AoPFL_rZ0eFSmYJENu6p0JG-anhv9pBtycWQRGgKUxN93AE9hqUqqg1I4rN/s1600/tormod+a+bhocsair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1qDxZsspcXzD8hJaPYJpFxGQ08c7pQq0Kg4eLCKFT-EJ1oymqhYXhjaskJCQ20qkCRuHkvF-fYE7-pEv6AoPFL_rZ0eFSmYJENu6p0JG-anhv9pBtycWQRGgKUxN93AE9hqUqqg1I4rN/s320/tormod+a+bhocsair.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Also known as Norman Campbell - Niseach and writer - in his additional language has passed away.<br />
<br />
Clach air a chàrn. <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<br />
Taing mhòr dha airson an iomadh pìos, alt agus leabhar
taitneach bàrdachail is eirmseach. Sàr ghaisgeach saoghal nan Gaidheal. Dh’fhàg
e iomadh pìos saothrach as a dhèidh agus gu cudromach, dh’fhàg e a’ Ghàidhlig
aig a chloinn.<br />
<br />
A true Gaidheal who worked on the croft and railways before becoming a teacher and writer. There are some who call themselves 'tradition bearers' at less than half Tormod's age and with a fraction of his life experience - both of the Gaelic world and of the inner city working class that he knew so well. <br />
<br />
It's a testament to him that both I and my children still regularly enjoy his output for both adults and children. <i>Deireadh an Fhoghair</i> should rank as one of the finest works of Scottish literature and it would were it to be translated. For kids, his translations of a' <i>Chaparaid, an Gruffalo </i>and <i>Spuinnedairean Dubh na h-Oidhche</i> are full of entertaining and idiomatic Scottish/ Gaelic.<br />
<br />
More importantly perhaps, he left Gaelic on his own kids' tongues unlike some of the bàrds and academics of the Gaelic.<br />
<br />
Some question the need of Gaelic today when all of us can speak at least one other tongue. Without Gaelic, you couldn't appreciate Tormod a' Bhocsair's work. Literature and culture greatly adds to our experience. His work would be well worth learning our language for.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/naidheachdan/32580363"><b>Tormod a' Bhocsair at BBC Alba </b></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://gd.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tormod_Caimbeul"><b>At Gaelic Wikipedia.</b></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947757505254506820.post-41143767916405411552015-04-20T21:49:00.001+01:002015-04-20T21:49:38.276+01:00The Hand of Meekings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiqrKKnbOJ-_bxsfZPPiAzfp_HQfQoyVyaaDXGBPK9yOMo0oNrcSOoNm88nAI4tZpoVdD61bkSBzcSSsaw__wtXtLjLu4vIYFcwW5mSVwmv7teich9KOi0DmKIaLTPORyq0aS5pLhtb-SY/s1600/guidetti+dive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiqrKKnbOJ-_bxsfZPPiAzfp_HQfQoyVyaaDXGBPK9yOMo0oNrcSOoNm88nAI4tZpoVdD61bkSBzcSSsaw__wtXtLjLu4vIYFcwW5mSVwmv7teich9KOi0DmKIaLTPORyq0aS5pLhtb-SY/s1600/guidetti+dive.jpg" height="205" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If Carlsberg made conspiracies...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The ridiculous Celtic FC has taken their culture of grievance to new extremes. The biggest and arguably most 'establishment' club in Scotland - two of their current squad are <a href="http://tocasaid.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/fun-at-fitba-with-leigh-griffiths-and.html"><b>racists</b></a>, another professed support for Israel's bombing of Palestine and their former chairman is a <a href="http://tocasaid.blogspot.co.uk/2010/11/john-reid-v-james-connolly-you-be.html"><b>war-criminal</b></a> who commanded the British Army in Iraq - have made an official complaint regarding a penalty kick they should have been given against the mighty Inverness Caley Thistle.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here's hoping that the crusaders of the moral highground also mention their forward John <a href="http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11787/9589806/john-guidetti-no-diver-insists-celtic-boss-ronny-deila"><b>Guidetti</b></a>'s dive to get a penalty- see above - against Hearts earlier in the season. Perhaps their goalie Craig Gordan getting sent off and conceding a penalty for a kamikaze challenge in the box may also have lead to Celtic's downfall? Perhaps, ICT themselves should've had a penalty when their forward was flattened by Celtic's second goalie late on in the game?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
An honest gurn to the SFA would mention all of this. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Or maybe not. Swings and roundabouts, eh?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This wasn't a mistake though. It was, according to tens of thousands of their mainly Scottish and godless Protestant support, a conspiracy to stop Celtic FC winning the treble.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
No doubt the arch-unionists and Brits who make up Celtic FC's ruling class will be quick to point out that the SNP have not ruled out allowing ICT fans to bring down Celtic players in the box... </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I knew this <a href="http://tocasaid.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/a-season-like-no-other-kicks-off.html">season </a>would be one to remember. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
#NotRuledOutByTheSNP</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div id="fb-root">
</div>
<script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_GB/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script><br />
<div class="fb-video" data-allowfullscreen="true" data-href="/395014013862234/videos/vb.395014013862234/935658649797765/?type=1">
<div class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore">
<blockquote cite="/395014013862234/videos/935658649797765/">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/395014013862234/videos/935658649797765/"></a><br />
This video is for real folks! that's a typical deluded Tim for ya!<br />
Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Revival/395014013862234">The Revival</a> on Sunday, 19 April 2015</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947757505254506820.post-57899217176995574512015-03-30T10:40:00.000+01:002015-03-30T15:01:09.616+01:00Labour/ Ukip coalition on the cards?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQPmsUWRxp2Y6M7W011lJAYRUZEmzV5tAlsZu2BtICb1QILCPdFZ_SusLU_aek6KhClg-D-rwT1xc3OxI1AUmBAYlVM3GaGhBir4YoS0aIHuAVMfKPsNDm_4bvRWOo7lIiZ-IDz7LQJ17/s1600/labour+immigration+mug.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQPmsUWRxp2Y6M7W011lJAYRUZEmzV5tAlsZu2BtICb1QILCPdFZ_SusLU_aek6KhClg-D-rwT1xc3OxI1AUmBAYlVM3GaGhBir4YoS0aIHuAVMfKPsNDm_4bvRWOo7lIiZ-IDz7LQJ17/s1600/labour+immigration+mug.png" height="272" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Many have looked on with a morbid fascination as Labour in recent years has moved further and further to the right. It's been truly horrible though the reality of what's happened has been evident enough. It's as if Jackie Baillie rolled up to your house just to squat on your lawn and lay a huge steaming log. You'd look on, intoxicated by the novelty of the scene but horrified by the spectacle and consequences.<br />
<br />
And, what are the consequences of Labour's latest attack on <a href="http://tocasaid.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/homegrown-horrors-for-halloween.html">Johnny Foreigner</a>? I hate to think.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQsQXnrhbojlO3_jc1IcG0071MvJsR7Aw9JT4aImPgqAbFH4y4QdmswY9-m3AiEc4Rs0o8ygNiwBGvPC_xH6GPi1453zZFUvLOCdIta0KuIMw1jmh8l3722qM46aIqvoQ83k740QcOzvBe/s1600/mosely.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQsQXnrhbojlO3_jc1IcG0071MvJsR7Aw9JT4aImPgqAbFH4y4QdmswY9-m3AiEc4Rs0o8ygNiwBGvPC_xH6GPi1453zZFUvLOCdIta0KuIMw1jmh8l3722qM46aIqvoQ83k740QcOzvBe/s1600/mosely.jpg" height="200" width="184" /></a></div>
<br />
Or to put it another way, Labour are unashamedly going for the racist/ Ukip/ Bnp/ EDL/ Britain First vote at a time when the Daily Mail's bogeyman du jour, <a href="http://athousandflowers.net/2015/03/27/what-if-alex-salmond-didnt-exist/">Alex Salmond, </a>is talking up the benefits of immigration.<br />
<br />
For the Middle-England audience, Labour have been falling over themselves to distance the party from the SNP. Yet up here, Murphy is trying to airbrush his many past misdemeanours by embracing any 'Clause 4' ideology from free tuition to free prescriptions.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJtkha1NQjzaCiDugxnHmLWZAYdipm_bVIm_m3Tzq6c5oT_gziBhorxHGPbFfq4A5mP75Db0J0uv5hc4_IXW3RUfImaNWz5D8poAoN00j97Y70YH8bNwCEj3trJ2llAUecyVGQH3sy2Yr/s1600/miliband+and+farage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJtkha1NQjzaCiDugxnHmLWZAYdipm_bVIm_m3Tzq6c5oT_gziBhorxHGPbFfq4A5mP75Db0J0uv5hc4_IXW3RUfImaNWz5D8poAoN00j97Y70YH8bNwCEj3trJ2llAUecyVGQH3sy2Yr/s1600/miliband+and+farage.jpg" height="199" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Labour too should be confronting the Little Englanders head-on instead of stoking their fears. Whether they come from Germany or Nigeria, whether to pick our veg or perform brain surgery - immigration is good. Culturally too, the benefits are evident all around us. The fact there are some dinosaurs in every group of people - be they immigrants or 'natives' - who are scared of 'the other' makes it all the more important to stand up to the bullshit of the anti-immigration rhetoric. Labour have form on this though. From local-campaign leaflets to Gordon Brown lifting NF slogans from the 1970s - British Jobs for British Workers.<br />
<br />
Why does this need to spelled out in the year 2015?<br />
<br />
And the consequences? The political spectrum of the '<a href="https://twitter.com/irvinewelsh/status/577610985785008129">paedo-parliament</a>' in Westminster is pulled further to the right. Roll on the next indy-ref.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947757505254506820.post-28893801830852582012015-03-24T19:31:00.001+00:002015-03-24T19:31:23.496+00:00Facing the wrath of an audience scorned<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9_qB6kBahihi44ndPp3vqEiqXwYNDJXuM00llNXmBPHij65UiUhsRLK8gNkArIpOq1s9P75TLfenB2L4jXpoeEQZZvbQAzf5jL0qAAxWKxJgGDOHVlFiNYFsllhROtSp4TiPdTgbkWIg/s1600/twitter+whinge2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9_qB6kBahihi44ndPp3vqEiqXwYNDJXuM00llNXmBPHij65UiUhsRLK8gNkArIpOq1s9P75TLfenB2L4jXpoeEQZZvbQAzf5jL0qAAxWKxJgGDOHVlFiNYFsllhROtSp4TiPdTgbkWIg/s1600/twitter+whinge2.png" height="65" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5SYHylnzu7B2OZ0xOMlbryOrF4DMGchIHtnjMPZyM8qoUbJxuoACV-wDn3gtcZmQtEfpaJklxYaGcCTkXuDp0pVgCh72mJt0_dpBgcP4oMDOn62UbEr6eyr2ljdVC1Gox122U5xo85bhu/s1600/twitter+whinge4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
If I may digress from the important matters in life such as @jimforscotland, <a href="http://radgedug.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/salachar-feise-is-droch-droch-chainnt.html"><b>Gaelic profanity</b></a> or Hearts winning the Championship, I'd like to offer my final comments on <a href="http://tocasaid.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/dirty-gaelic-black-house-and-crap-telly.html"><b>Outlander </b></a>and its <strike>obsessed</strike> devoted audience and their <strike>jihad </strike>concerns.<br />
<br />
Actually I <i>loved </i>it. Well done folks. Does it still matter that I only sat through the one pilot episode? Is my <i>volte-face</i> negated by my ignorance of Diana Gabaldon's body of work?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0yZy_mDpoMfrfJGr0qIuYEiRktLXizUkeaTLE-oN17VkDMDcW78Y9y3BqqLOydg__U2LSfIjIuHXl_42ieQFv8p3SDtK4VmhX1FO1-HNJ-1bo6D4cfkiqm_Gq8ZAH6WNtNlt9GDzWTxeE/s1600/twitter+whinge1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0yZy_mDpoMfrfJGr0qIuYEiRktLXizUkeaTLE-oN17VkDMDcW78Y9y3BqqLOydg__U2LSfIjIuHXl_42ieQFv8p3SDtK4VmhX1FO1-HNJ-1bo6D4cfkiqm_Gq8ZAH6WNtNlt9GDzWTxeE/s1600/twitter+whinge1.png" height="122" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Sure, my partner told me that in Germany, many loveless middle-aged women are obsessed with the scintillating blend of sex, adventure, fantasy, Celtic landscape and... romance. She's only read one Gabaldon book though, so what does she know? Plus, you could easily stereotype many niche markets. Football fans, for example, who are similarly navel-gazing and who often take aggressive umbrage to those who question their chosen devotion.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRe2tNyfEYIytRPLqyLeeJddy1sx3z0fIC-ROj5CZWDduBQzjh5XuS24tPDwVXESRtA5N7qexnoGb8e4Wn3MlpAWEGsfb2V-1xmRkimyUhmBCm78kP9z0Qrh1NDp5XYWaIFUuthUTBJ5Gu/s1600/twitter+whinge3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRe2tNyfEYIytRPLqyLeeJddy1sx3z0fIC-ROj5CZWDduBQzjh5XuS24tPDwVXESRtA5N7qexnoGb8e4Wn3MlpAWEGsfb2V-1xmRkimyUhmBCm78kP9z0Qrh1NDp5XYWaIFUuthUTBJ5Gu/s1600/twitter+whinge3.png" height="320" width="126" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Adventure and history</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Anyway, back to the delicious melange of adventure, history, sex and 18th century square-gos that is Outlander. Some may say that were you to remove the 'adventure' scenes, you'd be left with a slushy soft-porn production of the sort Channel 4 were once famous for broadcasting but clearly they are ignorant. Most probably douchenozzles in Gaelic even - <i>srùb tòin</i> (?)<br />
<br />
And then there's the glorious <i>history</i>. Highlanders escaping the redcoats were most probably hairy and dirty. Most did speak Gaelic without subtitles (I bet the modern-day Redcoats will hate that!). Some may take issue though with the concept of Invernessians of 1946 partaking in pagan rituals in stone-circles and generally being backward superstitious bumpkins. <i>Some like my very own mother!</i> She, in her ignorance, claims that in her teenage years, almost all Scots were strict followers of Calvinistic Presbyterianism! No stone-circles for her - only dour adherence to a diet of Sabbatarianism and hellfire (a fate that I now believe is too good for Outlander critics). They even worked on Xmas day or so she says. Plainly, she hasn't read every Diana Gabaldon novel.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj691q_Kb8jkMmfX1LGwUDTQxcuK6K-pSL_K0LDGW0jeFSuJ-LD2b-9JFFEjDP_lhKsMzWj2oudDD0CEJtgswb5EPP5g4dvj0D9t_mYtRVuxNtcq1K1PzLf9EcGUQGJNaBo5UBdeo4tddQr/s1600/twitter+whinge4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj691q_Kb8jkMmfX1LGwUDTQxcuK6K-pSL_K0LDGW0jeFSuJ-LD2b-9JFFEjDP_lhKsMzWj2oudDD0CEJtgswb5EPP5g4dvj0D9t_mYtRVuxNtcq1K1PzLf9EcGUQGJNaBo5UBdeo4tddQr/s1600/twitter+whinge4.png" height="222" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Certainly, were I a Jacobite <i>sudger </i>escaping murderous Redcoats hellbent on ethnic cleansing, I wouldn't say no to getting a lumber from a beautiful older woman who had just appeared from 200 years distant. She could lay her hands on my <i>biodag </i>anytime...<br />
<br />
Some in their heretic lunacy may even suggest other Scottish films that portray Scotland as seen by real-life Scots.<br />
<br />
Like<b> </b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117951/"><b>Trainspotting</b> </a>maybe. Aye right - the language there is terrible and there's no Gaelic. Plus, who could love a junkie?<br />
<br />
Or there's <a href="https://vimeo.com/22303052"><b>Seachd </b></a>- lots of Gaelic, one or two nefarious Sasannaich and even mystical folklore. No sexy bare-chested Highlanders though. And we know that's very important given the beseeching of some on Twitter for readers to 'fix' an online competition for the 'best on-screen couple'.<br />
<br />
I just know that the British public will love this! It's a shame that it's not on terrestial telly and we've had to leave it to tax-dodging pirates Amazon to show it but... that's life folks.<br />
<br />
If any douchenozzle or ignoramus says otherwise then let them write their own blog with their own opinion. How dare they!<br />
<br />
<i>Btw</i>: I found Outlander at Online Movies <a href="http://onlinemovies.pro/outlander-s01e01-sassenach-hdtvoutlander-s01e01-hdtv/"><b>here</b></a>. It didn't cost me a penny but that was before Amazon's announcement so who knows how long that will continue. <i>Dèan maorach is an tràigh ann....</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947757505254506820.post-75167131428921207572015-03-02T21:25:00.000+00:002015-03-23T09:20:35.759+00:00Dirty Gaelic, the Black House and crap telly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNcc5lva4jc0AMkEylRnOZdP49E3d_S8Pl8t2zP8NgbtJUcLwubKQRanZUw4Z2BPidXtch2RV-NLi7pnbgPxQpjlBrV9BslkhTRGLmmPkgH6r7Q5mq4XuK9DvAi98UeHEanZ5woOC-kDl9/s1600/paipear+toin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNcc5lva4jc0AMkEylRnOZdP49E3d_S8Pl8t2zP8NgbtJUcLwubKQRanZUw4Z2BPidXtch2RV-NLi7pnbgPxQpjlBrV9BslkhTRGLmmPkgH6r7Q5mq4XuK9DvAi98UeHEanZ5woOC-kDl9/s1600/paipear+toin.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
After a winter hiatus indulging in the above while also allowing myself to become bewitched by the ironic Tartan Noir that is Kezia Dugdale's online presence, I've finally found time to praise and to bury.<br />
<br />
First up is Outlander. I had read all about this expensively made thriller - a Scottish Game of Thrones apparently - and the notable inclusion of Scottish/ Gaelic in its script. I usually prefer Nordic Noir to mystical American stuff like GoT but the Scottish angle hooked me. It seems that even though it was filmed here and has received a fair amount of attention, it wasn't to be released this side of the Atlantic or the North Sea - both American and German audiences have so far been eagerly lapping it up. A spot of <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=proletarian+shopping"><i>proletarian browsing</i></a> online came up with the goods though.<br />
<br />
What a disappointment. As the credits rolled, I spotted the name of the writer - Diana Gabaldon and various doomladen bells rang in my heid. Having run it past <i>die Frau</i>, I learn that her translated novels of horny Scottish clansmen and willing ladies are hugely fucking popular. It's basically Mills and Boon in the heather with groins moving to a <i>port-a-beul</i>. Minus the midges in the pubes and ticks on your scrote.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFYqZw4IM-XjcY1FmjYI9dNm1_CckFjAGDPPqQB8kirPokWclIa0EwBIO4LtK3Tdxbx7e8xg3WMCUrtVA4I1fGLIG1zk0b7JMcAJZ0GxTUecbJzcgexAZ9FAvnNd-rbTGrHWhb2cksA9Fq/s1600/Outlander+Scotland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFYqZw4IM-XjcY1FmjYI9dNm1_CckFjAGDPPqQB8kirPokWclIa0EwBIO4LtK3Tdxbx7e8xg3WMCUrtVA4I1fGLIG1zk0b7JMcAJZ0GxTUecbJzcgexAZ9FAvnNd-rbTGrHWhb2cksA9Fq/s1600/Outlander+Scotland.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outlander - <i>rach air muin?</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It's pretty shit to be honest but the gist of it is this - a posh English lady and her typically effete and stiff lipped husband find themselves in a post-war Inverness where pagan rituals are still commonplace. The lass goes to stone circle and the <i>tursachan </i>quickly spirit her away to the same spot but 200 years distant and in the midst of a skirmish between hairy Highlanders and Redcoat villains. The Gaelic Jacobites are portrayed as they probably were - hairy, smelly and plaid-wearing. All except one who is inexplicably clean-shaven - even his 18th century torso is hairless - and handsome. Nuff said.<br />
<br />
Though tax-dodging pirates Amazon have announced it's release online, I am not inclined to watch the remaining episodes - one dose of romantic slush is enough though Outlander is not without its attributes. The excellent Bill Paterson is in the cast somewhere down the line and... there is some attempt at authenticity by having the Highlanders speak Gaelic, at least some of the time. To be fair, the Gaelic spoken is not bad though it is a tad wooden and forced coming from the mouths of non-Gaelic speaking actors. Some bits threw me - <i>trobhad </i>(come here) was pronounced as 'trew-ad' and not trow-ad for example but that's a minor gurn. Especially when everything else was so, so bad...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/336xn/p01hmnqv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/336xn/p01hmnqv.jpg" height="200" width="128" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Unlike the Black House by Peter May. I always thought the Western Isles would make the perfect place for some Tartan/ Nordic Noir. So did Peter May, who has now produced a trilogy. This is the <i>clachan a' choin</i>. It's got gore, sex, authenticity (May knows the Isle of Lewis and her culture very well indeed), the Gaelic, the culture - warts and all, dour Presbyterianism and intrigue.<br />
<br />
This is what BBC Scotland/ BBC Alba should be producing and exporting to the world...<br />
<br />
...instead of <i>cac </i>like Bannan. Like Outlander, the PR lie-machine was busy grinding out comparisons to whet the appetite. This one was 'Gaelic's answer to the Killing'. It's like comparing Thomas the Tank Engine to Steven Seagal's Under Siege 2 simply because of the locomotive angle. Except Bannan doesn't have any killing in it - only a jealous boyfriend lamping his love-rival. The only other crime to speak of is an underage quad bike rider escaping from the cops over the machair. Seriously.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5WV9YetRQg_ROuTdy6UGzeZBqRsr8RgPeOEAJD_sRVEq3PGNN8S1mcl_uxBIvPZayaO2CrN14RdFRrY_s_pTTA8zvek6jyM6LO5HQn6jjdnvqcy_1g3R6S0cDTpDXcZxiIZLbzmS3zlJ/s1600/not+drochaid+an+eilein.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="No Nordic Noir here..." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5WV9YetRQg_ROuTdy6UGzeZBqRsr8RgPeOEAJD_sRVEq3PGNN8S1mcl_uxBIvPZayaO2CrN14RdFRrY_s_pTTA8zvek6jyM6LO5HQn6jjdnvqcy_1g3R6S0cDTpDXcZxiIZLbzmS3zlJ/s1600/not+drochaid+an+eilein.jpg" height="225" title="Chan e Drochaid an Eilein" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nordic Noir - not the Skye Bridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The Killing was dark - in all senses. Loads of night scenes, always raining, the vile excesses of human nature on display and no simple solutions to complex, multi-faceted issues. Bannan on the other hand was just a tourist advert - stunning scenery, no rain (in Skye??!!) and a transparent plot with too many lightweight characters. At best, this was a mid-evening soap opera filmed in a wild location. Strangely, it was given a slot after the 9pm watershed - perhaps it was thought that the one illicit kiss between the main character and her ex-boyfriend would cause a spike in teenage pregnancies amongst young Gaels?<br />
<br />
Sadly, Bannan has been given a second series. Could BBC Alba's budget not go on something a bit more gritty?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEqnkfM6M4GT51Pn5L2xSROCHAKw8oYGGyk5b5xqA436doMMVdDZkCFNu-FtfBLSDeANaGDJqLiugCBcjqJGbwdAjzHePw0uVX2q44HN1GwWx-ZbH_eeq_snSutlJp2xTE_JAI8ghSufHC/s1600/na+cac+anseo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEqnkfM6M4GT51Pn5L2xSROCHAKw8oYGGyk5b5xqA436doMMVdDZkCFNu-FtfBLSDeANaGDJqLiugCBcjqJGbwdAjzHePw0uVX2q44HN1GwWx-ZbH_eeq_snSutlJp2xTE_JAI8ghSufHC/s1600/na+cac+anseo.jpg" height="194" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>To be frank, lift your dogshit.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If you want 'salty' language in the tongue of the Gael then one could do worse than purchase 'The Naughty Little Book of Gaelic'. Unfortunately, it is a slim volume but I hope it's one that will be added to in future editions. Indeed, an online 'Urban Dictionary' of everyday filthy Gaelic would be excellent.<br />
<br />
Some delicious dirt I encountered included:<br />
<i> Buinneach o'n teine ort</i> - May you suffer diarrhea from the fire<br />
<i>Tòn air eigh dhut </i>- may your arse hit the ice<br />
<br />
Some good ones from the nether regions:<br />
<i>Pit air iteig!</i> - Flying vagina!<br />
<i>Bod ort!</i> - A penis on you!<br />
<br />
The language also covers terminology for decadent or frowned-upon habits such as drinking and smoking. Responsible drinking is very much a new-fangled idea... from 'The Four Drams of the Morning' we have -<br />
<i>sgailc-nid</i> - a nest-dram (sgailc = a slap or thump)<br />
<i>friochd-uillin</i> - a nip of the elbow, taken while beginning to arise...<br />
<br />
There is a healthy section on genitalia in which such gems are to be found:<br />
<i>bodach beag a' bhàta</i> - little old man of the ship, i.e. the clitoris, stupid!<br />
<i>cirean-coillich</i> - the rooster's comb, vagina <br />
<i>dos </i>- the bagpipe drone, penis<br />
<br />
For a French kiss, go to Sgalpaigh, Harris - <i>pòg Sgalpach</i><br />
<br />
The brevity of the volume may be down to the sources, most of whom seem to be of the academic nature. Perhaps, someone should fund an indepth study that travels the Highlands and Islands to interview fishermen, crofters, bar-workers, labourers, hotel workers and the like?<br />
<br />
While not claiming to be an authority on the matter, I would, off the top of my head, add my tuppenceworth...<br />
<i>cuir corrag nad thòin is leig fead</i> - put a finger in your arse and whistle<br />
<i>goc(an)</i> - (little) tap, penis<br />
<i>rachamama </i>- motherfucker<br />
<i>ith bod</i> - blowjob<br />
<br />
Someone pass a volume to the producers of Bannan please.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://gaelicbooks.org/image/cache/data/Naughty-500x500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gaelicbooks.org/image/cache/data/Naughty-500x500.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947757505254506820.post-31571379572261820802014-12-15T14:15:00.000+00:002014-12-15T14:25:10.147+00:00Happy Winterval from Scottish Labour<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRRDHrUxpKq3MaIXEAUDCyXJEkprgkR_iWEG8tiKbX5TvccOCLAmoryFHtkp8hmWiDOMrlfbVmI5Ravynpu5_qp46eNWi3sWJJHMM5LUqe4ldD9LMp0iGScvNth0S3TH-OumzjPR0PKjiN/s1600/blair+and+murphy+xmas+card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRRDHrUxpKq3MaIXEAUDCyXJEkprgkR_iWEG8tiKbX5TvccOCLAmoryFHtkp8hmWiDOMrlfbVmI5Ravynpu5_qp46eNWi3sWJJHMM5LUqe4ldD9LMp0iGScvNth0S3TH-OumzjPR0PKjiN/s1600/blair+and+murphy+xmas+card.jpg" height="400" width="355" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvETzKpckBRBBzZjtQ5y8khpXg1dezJixxa0ENZ3Jee7_Mn-o9Mv7kzi2DPOJh0Lku4jFR8dcvOsEVI8MezSQnHB_Nn-PiHd0VO1Xrog9vmWbGoSv6Qex40fe2PLo0o2_KIn0bpV50gqxp/s1600/blair+and+murphy+xmas+card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">If the real life Tony Blair Xmas card wasn't bad enough - they seem to be impersonating some of the cast of Hellraiser - Scottish (or was it London?) Labour have decided the way to tackle the SNP in Scotland and to win back the working class pro-independence vote is to move to the right. Labour's answer to Johann Lamont's leadership-suicide note accusing the London Labour machine of dictating to Scotland is to... parachute in a right-wing Blairite who doesn't yet have a seat in Holyrood.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">The fact that he was the only candidate for the job who form cohesive sentences doesn't say much for the wealth of talent in Scottish Labour. The 'left wing' choice Neil Findlay is relatively more traditional Labour but in a shambling interview on BBC Scotland radio, he didn't seem to know his arse from his elbow.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Murphy though has had his fingers in many dirty pies over the years and more than likely has a cupboard full of skeletons waiting to appear. He's rumoured to be a millionaire which leads one to ask, how can someone spend nine years at university - at our expense - before leaving without graduating to 'forge' a career in the Labour Party machine and come out 20 years later as a millionaire? I wonder if his expenses claims have helped a little?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVd4W9Bqwd3YfZfbe_EsZngfGiyjdZvFEKv4BtTVOAHvtIMd8rD_TbyShrTbrTzB-TNVZYBGheIgV_I40L-PZEoRg4IwjRkFl6AP6_f9KwN1S2jRDJ0uPnzGi92SDBPBZr-4_2cRWP7OZ/s1600/jim+murphy+torture+cia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVd4W9Bqwd3YfZfbe_EsZngfGiyjdZvFEKv4BtTVOAHvtIMd8rD_TbyShrTbrTzB-TNVZYBGheIgV_I40L-PZEoRg4IwjRkFl6AP6_f9KwN1S2jRDJ0uPnzGi92SDBPBZr-4_2cRWP7OZ/s1600/jim+murphy+torture+cia.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Did Murphy know?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">More importantly though, as a Blair loyalist and supporter of the illegal Iraq war, just what did holy-willie Jim Murphy know about the CIA torture of prisoners? Where did he stand on the rendition flights that used Prestwick as a stepping stone?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">We look forward to those bones being revealed.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">These are interesting though...</span><br />
<h1>
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2014/12/jim-murphy-torture-aplogist/?utm_content=bufferc484f&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer">Jim Murphy, Torture Apologist</a></span></h1>
<h1 class="posttitle">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2014/12/14/jim-murphy-the-wrong-answer-to-the-wrong-question/">Jim Murphy – the wrong answer to the wrong question</a></span></h1>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947757505254506820.post-67416040457230723642014-11-27T09:41:00.001+00:002014-11-27T09:42:53.623+00:00Grandmaster Flash knew.<a href="http://imgur.com/MiftnyD"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/MiftnyD.gif" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>(Pipeline) pure as the driven snow<br />
(Connected to my mind) and now I'm havin' fun, baby!<br />
(High fry) it's getting kinda low<br />
(Cause it makes you feel so nice) I need some one-on-one, baby!<br />
(Don't let it blow your mind away) Baby!<br />
(And go into your little hideaway 'cause white lines blow away)<br />
(Blow) </i></blockquote>
<br />
Let's face it, if most of us turned up at work in this state, we get our asses handed to us. George Osborne is different though. Remember too that 55% of Scots voted to retain this guy as our overlord. His shaking hands are 'managing' our economy.<br />
<br />
I like it how some have euphemistically referred to Osborne's 'hangover'. A hangover from what? Anally-ingested horse tranquiliser with a whisky chaser? Or has he been down Leith chasing some legal highs? A night with 'Higella' Lawson perhaps - daughter of a former chancellor herself and aficionado of controlled substances?<br />
<br />
I'm sure Dode Osborne is old to remember the fine Grandmaster Flash of Sugar Hill. Though maybe the Sugar Hill sounds were banned from Eton. Who knows.<br />
<br />
Here's a trip - ho-ho! - down memory lane. Listen and learn George.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/rS3sEvRffbI" width="420"></iframe>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>A billion magic crystals, painted pure and white<br />
A multi-million dollars almost overnight<br />
Twice as sweet as sugar, twice as pretty as salt<br />
And if you get hooked, baby, it's nobody else's fault, so don't do it!</i><br />
<br />
<i>A street kid gets arrested, gonna do some time<br />
He got out three years from now just to commit more crime<br />
A businessman is caught with 24 kilos<br />
He's out on bail and out of jail<br />
And that's the way it goes<br />
Raah!</i></blockquote>
<div style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947757505254506820.post-23917330565978195482014-11-09T22:40:00.000+00:002014-11-09T22:40:22.699+00:00Back in the DDR<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFqZLXxjGUvMa29hu3L9fo6KHEloZeeocTXz__QZiK3P3-fBVFQJuKzK1TNa9mDvveNORMI-NQWagOt3O6GzEtDlKktyptdHT4S-naS3oZowN5wR_58NWgac8U9h15GZzvKvEhOAi5V6V/s1600/ddr+25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFqZLXxjGUvMa29hu3L9fo6KHEloZeeocTXz__QZiK3P3-fBVFQJuKzK1TNa9mDvveNORMI-NQWagOt3O6GzEtDlKktyptdHT4S-naS3oZowN5wR_58NWgac8U9h15GZzvKvEhOAi5V6V/s1600/ddr+25.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpwgZvrs6K17WqA7c27tAH48w5x8-rWMDP8n9eNzvnLcEaN14JNHDgSZXVfTPs0LTKv4cC_Y7xeFffoQKARaCEe3LF7-FIUZLCJnxUh_lXquVRLItgRxTl78EuDD4ag-X9eTKimDbw2rK/s1600/wagon+ussr+zone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
The former East Germany is a Cool Place. It's so cool that even the 'Wessies' are discovering the attributes of the their former Eastern Bloc countryfolk. In the 25 years since the 'wall' came down in Berlin, it's amazing that it's taken so long for those in the rest of Germany to realise that the DDR wasn't just state surveillance and repression of those who disagreed.<br />
<br />
In recent years, 'capitalist' Germany has come to accept ideas such as a right to free childcare as normal when only a few years ago they were ridiculed as 'communist'.<br />
<br />
In the east, the people have their 'freedom' - i.e. they can travel wherever they want. The right to work and a decent wage though is another thing. In some towns of the east, a take home wage can be as little as 500 Euros a month. Mind the right to free at access healthcare? That's communist too.<br />
<br />
Little wonder that more people seem to be turning to Die Linke - the Left - for a political solution not to mention reviving formerly discredited 'communist' ideas that had quickly been dumped after reunification.<i> Die Linke</i> apparently includes many members of the former East German Socialists much to the horror of some on the centre-right.<br />
<br />
I like this example from the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/nov/03/thuringia-socialist-east-germany-influence-in-unified-germany"><b>Guardian</b></a>'s take on things regarding education:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i> ...when poor results in OECD school rankings led to call for reforms of
Germany’s education system at the turn of the millennium, a delegation
was sent to Helsinki to study Finland’s top-ranking system. The Finns
told them that they, in turn, had taken their inspiration from East
Germany.</i></blockquote>
Frau Tocasaid's mother testifies to this. When East Germany was <strike>annexed </strike>re-united with the West - and the EU - everything that the DDR regime had built was swept aside to make way for the 'superior' ideas, methods and institutions of the West. Little by little over the past 25 years people have come to realise the error of that thinking.<br />
<br />
Die Famillie Tocasaid was fortunate to set off to the eastern state of Saxony to re-unite the bairns with their German grandparents a few weeks back. The nearest airport is Pratha.<br />
<br />
Having made this journey many times over the years, I still take a morbid interest in the flat and grey environment that seems to make up much of the Czech Republic. Greater Prague itself is horrible - like <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/1817329.stm"><b>Glasgow</b></a>'s infamous 'grim hinterlands' times ten.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDijrd7YtzIIY4BASOeJOWcE29lR0XOxPCC8iQW6FyCyyxowV5rfMgZettztE0IaTs029pyFfQqF6Upkemn_SOfzXJU4XJBMbItS0XxsCcP7RYTWmjr1pJsmsmyfjT3VEe_aGLQNGdqw3/s1600/alasdair+darling+black+dwarf+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDijrd7YtzIIY4BASOeJOWcE29lR0XOxPCC8iQW6FyCyyxowV5rfMgZettztE0IaTs029pyFfQqF6Upkemn_SOfzXJU4XJBMbItS0XxsCcP7RYTWmjr1pJsmsmyfjT3VEe_aGLQNGdqw3/s1600/alasdair+darling+black+dwarf+2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sexy cabaret</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Czechs too have grasped their 'freedom'. It seems to manifest itself in out-of-control and garish roadside advertising. Fuck, it's everywhere.<br />
<br />
Another manifestation of Czech freedom seems to be the market for 'erotic dancing' and establishments that offer that kind of adult entertainment. Their names amuse me on the long drive north: 'Sexy Club', 'Extasy Cabaret' and 'Darling Cabaret' which always amuses me as it reminds me of our very ane and sexless Alastair. The clubs and enthusiastic attempt at English obviously aimed at those Yankee and Brit pioneers of <i>freiheit </i>who come to live and play in Prague but who can't or won't learn the Slavic tongue. The Czech language indeed, seems to be held in even less esteem than our own Scottish. At least Scottish Gaelic, as it is presented in our cultural output and television - see the dire <a href="http://radgedug.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/bannan-no-srannan.html"><i>Bannan </i></a>- is deemed worthy to present to those Engerlish speakers who stumble by and wish to look in.<br />
<br />
The drive north towards Germany takes you past the hulking grey behemoth that is Cerny Most. This is not the socialist past at its best. A sprawling grey expanse of municipal housing erected in honour of Edinburgh's St James Centre and Leith's Banana Flats. The CM scheme is also home to a large retail park which includes the Republik's branch of IKEA. The Czech or Prague government obviously sees retail as a shining path to a better future and has rewarded the Czech slum dwellers with a rainbow coloured neon sign that welcomes drivers to CM and diverts the eye from the glum surroundings.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3dTGrPzb5haFFafiuGJHuRf5BTWhPY0M2rpUSbrsg5oEjV0S5xpGO7v7pN_usZoMtN8Oj5Q9RipQcfDz1JHwQhMG_ADcceCv1RIMybHeC1HZ3GTX0xupDG5sczHg7kpgyXnuDtfgQ3D0r/s1600/jested.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3dTGrPzb5haFFafiuGJHuRf5BTWhPY0M2rpUSbrsg5oEjV0S5xpGO7v7pN_usZoMtN8Oj5Q9RipQcfDz1JHwQhMG_ADcceCv1RIMybHeC1HZ3GTX0xupDG5sczHg7kpgyXnuDtfgQ3D0r/s1600/jested.jpg" height="241" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Not far from the German border is the city of Liberec - or Reichenberg as it was to the Germans before 1945. Close to Liberec is the Jested mountain on the top of which stands a huge pointed tower. This part of the socialist past seems welcomed by Czechs after a hard-day's skiing even though the monument is obviously the world's biggest middle-finger to Western civilisation.<br />
<br />
The visit to the former-DDR is as pleasant as ever but is enhanced by the visit of Dutch punks Bambix to the Emil autonomous centre in Zittau. We head to the Emil and take in the punk rock, ludicrously cheap but excellent beer and salad-leaden vegan burgers. First up in <a href="http://www.rheinlandheartcore.com/index.php?id=63"><b>Inner Conflict</b></a> from Koln. Tuneful hardcore with female vocals - entertaining with good riffs and quality tunes. The guitarist requests than some folk in the crowd stop smoking as the singer is pregnant - it seems as if the anti-smoking laws in Germany have some wiggle room.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3KOugpO3zv7CtJJac2vTjufsJjA41MRc46pu_vT4hGUg7xSMrXmALhPTp33EbYkg7udzIKpgAgF86oNO3G7I6-YAjBijXpxMKA8icCtkzNQ2h5N6qwFixELEF2ZfMZ9ncW7rE2m3P0gI/s1600/emil+antifa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3KOugpO3zv7CtJJac2vTjufsJjA41MRc46pu_vT4hGUg7xSMrXmALhPTp33EbYkg7udzIKpgAgF86oNO3G7I6-YAjBijXpxMKA8icCtkzNQ2h5N6qwFixELEF2ZfMZ9ncW7rE2m3P0gI/s1600/emil+antifa.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emil, Zittau</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Next up is <a href="http://johnnierook.de/"><b>Johnnie Rook</b></a> from Berlin, who I have heard of courtesy of a split EP with Bambix. They kick more ass than Inner Conflict do. Not only that but the singer is pregnant with twins. This lot are great - bags of energy and a charismatic singer who owns the stage. Like a high-octane AC/DC playing hardcore punk.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bambix.org/joomla/"><b>Bambix </b></a>do not disappoint. A Dutch band, speaking German and singing in English. The singer is a tunesmith and the first non-pregnant female-singer of the night. I resolve to see this lot back in Scotland if the chance comes along.<br />
<br />
Back in town the next day, local municipal buildings are presenting exhibitions on the 25th anniversary of re-unification. As much of the east has died in the past quarter century, here's hoping that a move to the left can see the old towns and cities rejuvenated. There's a lot of the socialist past that's worth reclaiming.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/yZzmK-sUqTw" width="480"></iframe></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947757505254506820.post-40615738932983744272014-11-09T09:32:00.000+00:002014-11-09T09:45:06.030+00:00Peace. Likes.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCC6Xmhde8zKBdspM2Ob_eSmXL0QMTGY43N9lkOuQdfNJjrfErOHNc3eIRTCaMgyLvmG_-CuoEl78udLv-gwiMLnMHLMCZ477aFsfdqjOrtFO-b8vz40YDftk9CEPTUSZV1PB2f022v3s/s1600/crass+-+your+country+needs+you.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCC6Xmhde8zKBdspM2Ob_eSmXL0QMTGY43N9lkOuQdfNJjrfErOHNc3eIRTCaMgyLvmG_-CuoEl78udLv-gwiMLnMHLMCZ477aFsfdqjOrtFO-b8vz40YDftk9CEPTUSZV1PB2f022v3s/s1600/crass+-+your+country+needs+you.jpg" height="400" width="285" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Can't we remember without the hypocrisy of glorifying our martial present?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here's a wee tune by a working-class guy from Peebles called Eric Bogle.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/vt-1efVkDfE" width="420"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
And I can't help but wonder oh Willy McBride<br />
Do all those who lie here know why they died<br />
Did you really believe them when they told you the cause<br />
Did you really believe that this war would end wars<br />
Well the suffering, the sorrow, the glory, the shame<br />
The killing and dying it was all done in vain<br />
Oh Willy McBride it all happened again<br />
And again, and again, and again, and again</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947757505254506820.post-2256178969089308112014-10-24T22:15:00.002+01:002014-10-25T17:11:39.821+01:00Banned from the Mòd<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7eDcv6Hw2SX-R2bsCJBHJJ5PoPONqc1kVOP28b3_EO1gJ4Gf7rhgbS2CSSSPw3yo9kB-yNCDqviCPoHK5RtDikQ0J40U7eA0OO0MIaluRe8I945xCzpqZDCsaHCB9JbsnwoJFztDc-P9l/s1600/royal+mod+graveyard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7eDcv6Hw2SX-R2bsCJBHJJ5PoPONqc1kVOP28b3_EO1gJ4Gf7rhgbS2CSSSPw3yo9kB-yNCDqviCPoHK5RtDikQ0J40U7eA0OO0MIaluRe8I945xCzpqZDCsaHCB9JbsnwoJFztDc-P9l/s1600/royal+mod+graveyard.jpg" height="250" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Well, not banned. But <b><i>Na Seudan Ura</i></b> were given a stern dressing down for daring to put a dreaded 'modern' slant on their Gaelic folk music. Apparently one of the 'judges' for the 'Royal' National Mod managed to remove his or her head from their nether region just long enough to look down their nose at the group of teenagers and chastise them for their 'lounge jazz'.<br />
<br />
It does nothing to dispel views of Scottish/ Gaelic speakers as old-fashioned and dour Presbyterians of the 'no sex as it might lead to dancing' mould.<br />
<br />
It also does little to present Gaelic as a living modern tongue.<br />
<br />
An Comann Gaidhealach, who have organised the National Mod for more than a century, have presided over the death of the language over much of the Scottish mainland. In 1892 when the first Mod was held, Gaelic was still spoken by local families and communities in places such as Caithness, East Sutherland, Easter Ross, Inverness-shire, Strathspey, Perthshire, Stirlingshire, Arran, the Angus glens and on Lomondside. Despite the pomp and pageantry and despite the Royal patronage, An Comann Gaidhealach did little or nothing to make a stand for Gaelic and to protect it in those communities. Comparisons with similar societies in other small nations are like chalk and cheese.<br />
<br />
Cultural and political can be merged but not if you're too feart to offend the Royals and the lairds. Not if you're still doffing your cap and mustering a few words of gratitude to those, and their kind, who happily saw our glens emptied of people with the remaining men used as cannonfodder and any remnant 'native-speaking' children punished for that crime.<br />
<br />
Sadly, in Scottish Gaelic culture, the world-views and words of long-dead poets and a vanished society hold more value than a vibrant and forward looking future.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, in the Basque Country, the <a href="http://hesian.weebly.com/"><b>local punks</b></a> have a new CD out. The good news for An Comann Gaidhealach is that it isn't lounge-jazz. The <a href="http://tocasaid.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/basque-punk-rock.html"><b>bad news</b></a> is....<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="259" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/NPEYik1xLEQ" width="460"></iframe></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947757505254506820.post-88175289809708545272014-09-17T17:16:00.002+01:002014-09-17T19:19:18.282+01:00Let's do it. Vote Yes.<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="259" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/jBOj1xAu2NQ" width="460"></iframe>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Watch and share. We know what a no-vote looks like, we're living it already. Some are doing fine but tens of thousands are mired in poverty. Can't we use our wealth more wisely?<br />
<br />
Nach dèan sinn nas fheàrr na th'againn ceartair? Bi misneachail agus thoir sùil air adhart. Saor Alba. Thoir air ais an cumhachd. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6rwd_lLnhvjdw2cBVbgAxINtWjzItH6KyxZ2e2ClkADBnpRfML3DFtrU8jowJqhygQSaBedoY4Ckss9HJP13GnCZS1eFFvmNkQovWWrvSJwTTeM8lOukfGJsNiVGCIwApZ82Lkiph1ql0/s1600/child+poverty.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6rwd_lLnhvjdw2cBVbgAxINtWjzItH6KyxZ2e2ClkADBnpRfML3DFtrU8jowJqhygQSaBedoY4Ckss9HJP13GnCZS1eFFvmNkQovWWrvSJwTTeM8lOukfGJsNiVGCIwApZ82Lkiph1ql0/s1600/child+poverty.png" height="208" width="400" /></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947757505254506820.post-34013878263855535252014-09-09T21:51:00.000+01:002014-09-09T21:52:05.275+01:00Its twins! Royal babies to take power!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOm83IM08I0QlmvhSy_hA9lofDSZuh15ZSQnGNsXfKLjAIGOWd9WqOW6ELGEgHr8ZqvByUDDimnFtsra0DXNGYSGKgulX_CwRV2mbGAYW-QmvWY-V_NxBAIyeV_wCh9fSnWMh_s86qijfk/s1600/royal+babies+twins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOm83IM08I0QlmvhSy_hA9lofDSZuh15ZSQnGNsXfKLjAIGOWd9WqOW6ELGEgHr8ZqvByUDDimnFtsra0DXNGYSGKgulX_CwRV2mbGAYW-QmvWY-V_NxBAIyeV_wCh9fSnWMh_s86qijfk/s1600/royal+babies+twins.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We are privileged to reveal that the Royal Baby is not one but two! They are very premature but in a panic to avert Scotch independence, Princes David and Nigel will be installed on the Downing Street throne. Though young, Downing Street PR gurus with help from Gordon Brown, have advocated a 'back to basics' approach to the coronation. Brown is said to have alluded to the sorry tale of the Maid of Norway who became Queen of Scots at the age of seven.<br />
<br />
The previous heir to the London throne, Prince Boris, is thought to be considering a reality TV show which he would co-host with the reputed anti-Semite, George Galloway.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947757505254506820.post-77433877431618702812014-09-05T22:42:00.001+01:002014-09-05T22:42:07.330+01:00Scotsman censors itself...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFwla4JKxBky87BXR98-7apuP94KE_L5lxw8BCQtl09H_ynazynpkjxENDB1LFQemRFZAQhoOM-pQFP-9f-kkJBzZjjV9hgLhYzIBtx1HEw7-2E9UXvYHbEumGXaH4kOxaq4Pvi4W9zAx/s1600/Hootsmon+WATER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFwla4JKxBky87BXR98-7apuP94KE_L5lxw8BCQtl09H_ynazynpkjxENDB1LFQemRFZAQhoOM-pQFP-9f-kkJBzZjjV9hgLhYzIBtx1HEw7-2E9UXvYHbEumGXaH4kOxaq4Pvi4W9zAx/s1600/Hootsmon+WATER.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a> </div>
<br />
Was alerted to an amusing story of<a href="http://tocasaid.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/johann-lamont-missing-in-falkirk.html"><b> Johann Lamont'</b></a>s woes today in Govan. However, the link to the negative 'off the no-message' story in the Scotsman was... not there. Instead, would be voyeurs got this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1UXPht3JkYbftj2dKqFgBx4j-RzGDQ9qpJt3PLHc_1gas9aFhbGjzlk0r-shgVSXSgKShGxpJI64ijZC8dwp91OQF7Jo-dF1S-ChrVt_HXo-fM7jHNwx6K9BcwsPgAHa5B92yLOqbtnIA/s1600/Scotsman+Lamont+story+censored.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1UXPht3JkYbftj2dKqFgBx4j-RzGDQ9qpJt3PLHc_1gas9aFhbGjzlk0r-shgVSXSgKShGxpJI64ijZC8dwp91OQF7Jo-dF1S-ChrVt_HXo-fM7jHNwx6K9BcwsPgAHa5B92yLOqbtnIA/s1600/Scotsman+Lamont+story+censored.jpg" height="193" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
So, the Scotsman is now censoring its own stories?! Fortunately, some evil hackers swiftly organised by Alex Salmond himself on behalf of Yes Scotland's IT squadron were able to access an archived copy. Archived after 3 hours? Wonder why....? After all, it was billed as a 'top story'.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcB2yrLO1KVEQG_T9Jv50lVgGXXm_OK9gHApPiK_em59MX8OfOd-RI1yRFprGcId7cSRoSwlhlf12rU0Wv0d2uHwNUnwsoaqwBnlixxYkfY7jhwoHXfeZRus8hXx-_MwKF8TgJut0Tnf6/s1600/Scotsman+Lamont+censored+story.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcB2yrLO1KVEQG_T9Jv50lVgGXXm_OK9gHApPiK_em59MX8OfOd-RI1yRFprGcId7cSRoSwlhlf12rU0Wv0d2uHwNUnwsoaqwBnlixxYkfY7jhwoHXfeZRus8hXx-_MwKF8TgJut0Tnf6/s1600/Scotsman+Lamont+censored+story.jpg" height="320" width="295" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Whose ass is on the line for this one then - the author or the sub-editor? Even worse, they let slip that working-class Govan, home of The Rangers no less, is now an 'SNP heartland'. Expect a call from <a href="http://tocasaid.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/patronising-lady-and-scary-man.html"><b>Darling</b></a> sometime soon.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-top: 14px; text-align: left;">
<b style="font-family: OpenSans-Semibold, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 600; text-align: left;">SCOTTISH
Labour leader Johann Lamont got the wrong No vote today when she took
to the SNP heartland -- and was met with closed doors.</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-top: 14px; text-align: left;">
The
MSP for Glasgow Pollok made a ‘behind enemy lines’ visit to Govan, in
deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon’s Govan constituency, to argue the
pro-Union case with voters.</div>
<div style="line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-top: 14px; text-align: left;">
But
despite an army of Labour supporters knocking doors, only three
residents engaged in conversation with her - while several even came
outside to return the leaflets pushed through their letter boxes.</div>
<div style="line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-top: 14px; text-align: left;">
The
weak response from SNP voters got worse when a pensioner refused to
even discuss with Lamont how she would be voting on the 18th.</div>
<div style="line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-top: 14px; text-align: left;">
But Lamont later insisted it had been a successful exercise and not a waste of her time.</div>
<div style="line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-top: 14px; text-align: left;">
She
said: “I’m very positive about the response that we got. It’s reflected
the response that we’ve got across the country in Labour areas.</div>
<div style="line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-top: 14px; text-align: left;">
“Labour
people are committing to vote No whilst the SNP’s supporters are
committing to vote No as well, because they recognise they can get the
benefits of devolution.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-top: 14px; text-align: left;">
But she claimed she did not see the local residents only come outside to give back the Labour leaflets.</div>
<div style="line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-top: 14px; text-align: left;">
She said: “Well I didn’t see that.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-top: 14px; text-align: left;">
“Everywhere
you go you’re going to have some people who are not going to be happy
to see you, but right across the country I’m getting a very warm
response on the doors because people know that for us this is not about
what our party is saying, it’s what’s in the best interest of the people
of Scotland.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-top: 14px; text-align: left;">
The
Scottish Labour leader also said she was not concerned about an
increasing number of women Labour voters apparently moving towards
independence.</div>
<div style="line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-top: 14px; text-align: left;">
She
said: “It’s not what I’m finding on the doors. I think particularly
women are recognising that actually you wouldn’t put your family’s
future at risk.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-top: 14px; text-align: left;">
“They’d
be expected to deal with a £6 billion black hole from day one and we
know that’s a real problem and women recognise that.”</div>
</blockquote>
Source <b><a href="https://archive.today/oi5Qd#selection-2199.0-2257.130">here</a></b>. <br />
Headline image from this excellent <a href="http://mypseudepigrapha.blogspot.co.uk/"><b>blog</b></a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947757505254506820.post-50689727210826304972014-08-29T21:42:00.001+01:002014-08-29T21:42:44.454+01:00Jim Murphy over eggs his pudding<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk1UAccELC7zRpJpp7TzPvjQpkDXZWLYuKASQiomQ6dSQ2jZQWlNdUbKRgLQ_g919Ivg-sy0bx3wC3WDgafxSqbmApHDdXAF1CfXpFuDiLoFVvv_CkRi4Y5hRmaMYKyj5CgEPsDzWlKTJf/s1600/jim+murphy+egg+spike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk1UAccELC7zRpJpp7TzPvjQpkDXZWLYuKASQiomQ6dSQ2jZQWlNdUbKRgLQ_g919Ivg-sy0bx3wC3WDgafxSqbmApHDdXAF1CfXpFuDiLoFVvv_CkRi4Y5hRmaMYKyj5CgEPsDzWlKTJf/s1600/jim+murphy+egg+spike.jpg" height="320" width="251" /></a></div>
<br />
Tocasaid is only too pleased to join the chorus of disapproval at the disgusting and <span style="font-size: large;"><i>mindless </i></span>violence that befell Jim Murphy yesterday in a Fife town. We trust that Police Scotland are throwing all resources behind identifying the man that catapulted Murphy's sorry tour into the headlines. <br />
<br />
It is indeed shocking that Murphy used a microphone to bellow over <a href="http://tocasaid.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/jim-murphy-0-auld-lady-1.html"><b>an old-age pensioner</b></a> who challenged him on Gordon Brown's lies on the NHS.<br />
<br />
It is indeed shocking that one of his Labour colleagues told a woman recovering from cancer to 'get a job'.<br />
<br />
It is indeed shocking that in places, Labour councillors wearing their council name tags were wheeled out to provide an audience.<br />
<br />
It is shocking that many think Murphy has engineered this stunt to take people's attention away from the paucity of his arguments and that after supporting the Iraq War and the Tories' Welfare Cap that people now think of him as a 'Red Tory'.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qAG_8shXruOm0Q22461tY6iQV41z8UCv_bDJp-WoM05Lli-zC2zf5nVsVZEm5JXtFj2FhsdbCWygvqEusCriC5T_G27eCfiJ-jVfJiyv-sDgWa8flMJ4-Z6ebmQ-IJvcvK1-V5VkfM2g/s1600/jim+murphy+egg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qAG_8shXruOm0Q22461tY6iQV41z8UCv_bDJp-WoM05Lli-zC2zf5nVsVZEm5JXtFj2FhsdbCWygvqEusCriC5T_G27eCfiJ-jVfJiyv-sDgWa8flMJ4-Z6ebmQ-IJvcvK1-V5VkfM2g/s1600/jim+murphy+egg.jpg" height="200" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Delivery for Mr Murphy.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0