tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79680368786573523982024-03-08T11:34:32.685+00:00Sign for ScotlandWelcome to the Sign for Scotland blog!
We're a group for those within Scotland's 'SIGNING' Community who believe in Independence and want to fully participate in the referendum debate. We are open to everyone who is interested in promoting BSL, from those who use the language as their primary form of communication, to learners and well-wishers.Sign for Scotlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16057474693059978339noreply@blogger.comBlogger108125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968036878657352398.post-35409506767256784452014-09-17T10:20:00.000+01:002014-09-17T10:20:29.986+01:00Hello, Goodbye and Hello<div style="text-align: justify;">
‘Hello’ to everyone within Sign for Scotland and the wider
‘Yes Scotland’ movement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hello to the
Scottish National Party who put forward the independence vote, hello to the
Scottish Green party who backed it, hello to Labour, Liberals and Conservatives
for Independence who realised that this issue went beyond party politics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hello, too, to the smaller parties currently
outside the Scottish parliament but who offer a wealth of choice to future
governments.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheyAhl0d0c1zBEVhghdVsX1Gu-JxmKaYlXKSxvDSojfMGCZ3rRlXfML2LF9GZviffmxJ-n83GwvyG9bEnbujXnhpEuu_S0AOdmZRTpfWzT_YiKYXui0cg7jRCAhkTPuSklnjlhRLEP1GE/s1600/PICT0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheyAhl0d0c1zBEVhghdVsX1Gu-JxmKaYlXKSxvDSojfMGCZ3rRlXfML2LF9GZviffmxJ-n83GwvyG9bEnbujXnhpEuu_S0AOdmZRTpfWzT_YiKYXui0cg7jRCAhkTPuSklnjlhRLEP1GE/s320/PICT0004.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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The biggest hello goes to those of no political party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those hardy souls who stood for hours
collecting signatures in all kinds of weather for these past two years, who
gave whatever funds they could afford towards our noble cause and who never
allowed themselves to give up.<br />
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Most people will not be recognised for their efforts, for
they number so many, yet they will have something much more precious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they are old and grey, they will be able
to tell their grandchildren the part they played in winning Scotland’s
sovereignty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’ll say ‘this was when
we took responsibility for ourselves and returned to the family of nations’.</div>
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It’s an especially poignant moment when I think back on all
those people who believed in an independent Scotland and yet couldn’t see this
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ever since we lost our sovereignty
there have been those who have tried to win it back and now we have the chance
to make their struggle and sacrifice worthwhile.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGDgri1e17Xv0aF64oqz6fY7QD9MCJchtJ3ndPg_THb3SkRsDBLkWEhASEQVuuUQlSBdHj41ZlPy4U2_UHqShGwGUT1Q7Z0urzGPTlG0OJiUau1uFRqJQtBCkSPhYWqNUG19ZHfET1ZI/s1600/PICT0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGDgri1e17Xv0aF64oqz6fY7QD9MCJchtJ3ndPg_THb3SkRsDBLkWEhASEQVuuUQlSBdHj41ZlPy4U2_UHqShGwGUT1Q7Z0urzGPTlG0OJiUau1uFRqJQtBCkSPhYWqNUG19ZHfET1ZI/s1600/PICT0004.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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Amongst all these ‘hellos’ we need to say a few
‘goodbyes’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘Goodbye’ to the divisive
and poisoned Westminster politics who could never put Scotland first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Goodbye to warmongering, and constant
fighting overseas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Goodbye to ‘business
as usual’ and the sense of entitlement Scotland’s MPs too often suffered
from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And finally, we say goodbye to
helplessness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No more will we be reduced
to a faint voice far from the centre of power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will become the architects of our future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ultimate power in Scotland above all
others will once more be her people, the way it should always have been.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho2gtCATFKNbTY4NP42MSXAiLDOZdcETrjODzSQxFthPcU4vSCYrjnfkRj4yi3FlJTNWLRjcPPopc4Z4yIZNQK8vHdymYTnYg8ERqO187bR8JMfGr0oFWpIQ-3rVpekfyH-CzK7ecKRXM/s1600/PICT0034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho2gtCATFKNbTY4NP42MSXAiLDOZdcETrjODzSQxFthPcU4vSCYrjnfkRj4yi3FlJTNWLRjcPPopc4Z4yIZNQK8vHdymYTnYg8ERqO187bR8JMfGr0oFWpIQ-3rVpekfyH-CzK7ecKRXM/s320/PICT0034.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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A ‘Yes’ vote means saying another ‘Hello’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This hello is to a move diverse, inclusive
politics, a hello that welcomes reform and change and the possibility of a
better tomorrow.<br />
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The referendum on Scottish Independence is only a few days
away and this will be my final entry before that historic vote.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon, we will know if the destiny of Scotland
lies with her people or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will
know if our efforts to secure a ‘Yes’ vote have been successful or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will know if we are a nation or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please, it might not seem like there is much
more that can be done, but make sure to vote ‘Yes’ and to tell others that you
support independence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make sure that
over these last few days that you do one more positive act for the
campaign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And after the result comes in,
make sure that you are ready for the early days of a better nation.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr7TgGPo76p55sNX8l5_Ifz-79dj5T78jhnHnI-t4cbfQ1C2ZXAbcINqFtA7oBXv4JMFcegD8zWvucMXm2SLX31wtEZJEqWXPzR933bhS3JklCG07jfa7C0sV3g_mz5n9suVVZvmXxL5c/s1600/Blair+Jenkins.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr7TgGPo76p55sNX8l5_Ifz-79dj5T78jhnHnI-t4cbfQ1C2ZXAbcINqFtA7oBXv4JMFcegD8zWvucMXm2SLX31wtEZJEqWXPzR933bhS3JklCG07jfa7C0sV3g_mz5n9suVVZvmXxL5c/s320/Blair+Jenkins.JPG" height="223" width="320" /></a></div>
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Let’s say ‘hello, goodbye and hello’, together.<br />
Drew<br />
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If you like this blog, then please consider visiting our other sites:<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sign-for-Scotland/499368123435883" target="_blank">Facebook - Sign for Scotland</a><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/Sign4Scotland/videos" target="_blank">YouTube - Sign4Scotland</a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/Sign4Scotland" target="_blank">Twitter - Sign4Scotland</a></div>
Sign for Scotlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16057474693059978339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968036878657352398.post-36633527574625505162014-09-14T08:54:00.001+01:002014-09-14T08:54:04.863+01:00Not in the News - Referendum Special<div style="text-align: justify;">
Normally on our <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Not%20in%20the%20News" target="_blank">Not in the News segments</a>, we poke fun at the main stream media (and in particular the <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/bbc-special.html" target="_blank">British state broadcaster</a>) for examples of bias and mis-information. That would have been tricky this week, as nearly everything the BBC, Sky News and the newspapers have done falls into this category, so instead we're going to offer our favourite moments from the referendum campaign.</div>
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Here is the Yes Scotland campaign from our perspective.</div>
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<b>Favourite image</b></div>
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Our favourite image had to come from <a href="http://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2014/08/29/the-top-20-indy-posters-are/" target="_blank">Bella Caledonia's poster competition</a>. Our pick was one of the 20 finalists and we feel it summed up Independence perfectly. Vote YES and the Scottish butterfly can catch up with all our friends:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWtURyZjWTYKXwFUWyHEQewgTU4S4WUET6X6ygiSnWNRd3gRjf4Au-v7vLIlUe85c3shxwds4FDhHC-WTDcjtdJZzOQfOnUnxKXU0ODXfemgLQ2VcgXlYzU0CfrU7J0lpHW4sxyCu4Hs/s1600/soar-alba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWtURyZjWTYKXwFUWyHEQewgTU4S4WUET6X6ygiSnWNRd3gRjf4Au-v7vLIlUe85c3shxwds4FDhHC-WTDcjtdJZzOQfOnUnxKXU0ODXfemgLQ2VcgXlYzU0CfrU7J0lpHW4sxyCu4Hs/s1600/soar-alba.jpg" height="400" width="282" /></a></div>
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Other images include 'Scotland's future in Scotland's hands' by <a href="http://www.yesscotland.net/" target="_blank">Yes Scotland</a>, '142 countries have chosen independence' by <a href="http://www.indyposterboy.info/" target="_blank">Indy Poster Boy</a> and 'Love Scotland, Be Yourself, Vote Yes', by <a href="http://bravemany.com/" target="_blank">Brave Many</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIREg0xWSZdqmPdA9FP_vWPBC2CszczVqOGDQJ1mtqzF8CbV2WvGOtmhpp6DZgUVD7Ig8aODw834T-f1XIl9_EGOLcQ9eYcUYIYfhag52WlJZSawbsgyMEFvj_ZQ4FBqYnaYXDoiYgSs/s1600/10644926_802115349809924_306982576913715315_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIREg0xWSZdqmPdA9FP_vWPBC2CszczVqOGDQJ1mtqzF8CbV2WvGOtmhpp6DZgUVD7Ig8aODw834T-f1XIl9_EGOLcQ9eYcUYIYfhag52WlJZSawbsgyMEFvj_ZQ4FBqYnaYXDoiYgSs/s1600/10644926_802115349809924_306982576913715315_n.jpg" height="206" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Favourite photo we've taken</b><br />
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This one was really tough because we have meet so many wonderful people and seen such fantastic sights beyond anything we were expecting. But we had to pick 1 and we decided that this image of Sign for Scotland with Mark Coburn, Indy Cyclist, was our favourite. Mark has done a great job not just for Yes Scotland, but also <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/500-miles-in-5-days" target="_blank">for Maryhill Foodbank</a> and he's definitely one of our heroes:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmw2IraEeMlOpzz-S8DqbE00HTuAlUWFb4mquTQDyIo3_YHoH4QRGrzFIWdVcLOa3RmUBdTL0_QjedOcYBUuT5WLNC6dDM4PXr2L5nEyW-t7EP7iCijBRkd2nFVbPiIo4vfH_jAjA1Xc/s1600/PICT0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmw2IraEeMlOpzz-S8DqbE00HTuAlUWFb4mquTQDyIo3_YHoH4QRGrzFIWdVcLOa3RmUBdTL0_QjedOcYBUuT5WLNC6dDM4PXr2L5nEyW-t7EP7iCijBRkd2nFVbPiIo4vfH_jAjA1Xc/s1600/PICT0001.JPG" height="336" width="400" /></a></div>
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Other images include at the 2013 Independence March and Rally, at the Scrap Trident Rally in Glasgow and wee Mo meeting Yes Scotland board member Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh:</div>
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<b>Favourite photo we've seen</b><br />
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The British state broadcaster has been at the heart of the no campaign and our favourite photo from online comes from one of the BBC bias demonstrations. This has become even more poignant following <a href="http://tompride.wordpress.com/2014/09/11/bbc-reporter-caught-red-handed-manipulating-video-in-scottish-indy-campaign/" target="_blank">the outburst by senior BBC political correspondent Nick Robinson</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPKERbf-PlHGDWRiFDNaKN83SpvtryWIgvhahppCXS7ce3WI6Vbx9LAd6vsgF-sFpszq21BnlBwbK7pbeFB1kcaZAyGyVHWjd2uUrEF_UmxNdBOr-tlXhvDIGDg1vMmHUq8iyTRGFJUA/s1600/10294404_10152470902561310_3973845651030441977_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPKERbf-PlHGDWRiFDNaKN83SpvtryWIgvhahppCXS7ce3WI6Vbx9LAd6vsgF-sFpszq21BnlBwbK7pbeFB1kcaZAyGyVHWjd2uUrEF_UmxNdBOr-tlXhvDIGDg1vMmHUq8iyTRGFJUA/s1600/10294404_10152470902561310_3973845651030441977_n.jpg" height="265" width="400" /> </a></div>
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Other images include Kirsty from Yes Scotland, the <a href="http://radicalindependence.org/events/event/glasgow-takeover/" target="_blank">Radical Independence take-over of Glasgow</a> and the Yes Scotland message to our friends from across the EU.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFtgNYf1TMG_cQsigkoLv8necJNULzz0x0V_L0TuD4okRCweUZFoGNRRQocichAU2EazBkABowVpEaPQx7HOaCJ3e-4XbNKFa_ExvOJ2RNoJ17gaYvA58xaPqGamaTipZhVP60n3rGLU/s1600/Yes+Scotland+BSL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFtgNYf1TMG_cQsigkoLv8necJNULzz0x0V_L0TuD4okRCweUZFoGNRRQocichAU2EazBkABowVpEaPQx7HOaCJ3e-4XbNKFa_ExvOJ2RNoJ17gaYvA58xaPqGamaTipZhVP60n3rGLU/s1600/Yes+Scotland+BSL.jpg" height="190" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmPQDruruI_Nd_0vWKLBw461Ji3jMgGo_qhMgu7TAXZqj5fjmZPGS2HHrR9jY840M6Br48fZyeF2zN53OfOEItWcf0FsS1N7E_uAoKxL2fPNTogZN-d55h8IyNSVMW0FiUZXSg0XV4R4/s1600/Radical+Takeover+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmPQDruruI_Nd_0vWKLBw461Ji3jMgGo_qhMgu7TAXZqj5fjmZPGS2HHrR9jY840M6Br48fZyeF2zN53OfOEItWcf0FsS1N7E_uAoKxL2fPNTogZN-d55h8IyNSVMW0FiUZXSg0XV4R4/s1600/Radical+Takeover+1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtcbwqpoXDFESZB_g-BEhiKDa1NgoHYQZ1RAF42B2n1UeoWpXbxX9h-EfzSqmWvZ_80ELAHWGJZUYBWvDsOXw-EOm4hJ0N1dMCIcQjaKm3S7jqIMxKzQ1e6XBfJJJdG622dJS8HI7aCmM/s1600/yes_in_all_languages.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtcbwqpoXDFESZB_g-BEhiKDa1NgoHYQZ1RAF42B2n1UeoWpXbxX9h-EfzSqmWvZ_80ELAHWGJZUYBWvDsOXw-EOm4hJ0N1dMCIcQjaKm3S7jqIMxKzQ1e6XBfJJJdG622dJS8HI7aCmM/s1600/yes_in_all_languages.jpg" height="297" width="400" /></a></div>
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</div>
<b>Favourite video</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We've seen so many great videos during this campaign, but for us at Sign for Scotland, we find ourselves returning to this rendition of our national anthem by the ladies of '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nv8JOdVY414" target="_blank">Signed Songs R Us</a>'.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Nv8JOdVY414?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Other videos include messages from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1511551419092313&set=vb.1418018235112299&type=2&theater" target="_blank">Pink Indy Lassies</a>, '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSdsGoFIyaA" target="_blank">The morning after</a>' by Lady Alba and the <a href="http://new.livestream.com/IndependenceLive/VeteransForIndependence" target="_blank">Independence Live broadcast of Veterans for Independence</a> (which featured a live BSL signer).</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1511551419092313&set=vb.1418018235112299&type=2&theater" target="_blank">Pink Indy Lassies give their reasons for an independent Scotland</a><br />
</div>
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</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/iSdsGoFIyaA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<a href="http://new.livestream.com/IndependenceLive/VeteransForIndependence" target="_blank">Indy Live - Veterans for Independence [with BSL signer]</a></div>
<br />
<b>Favourite blog post</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Now this will be tricky! There have been so many great features that we have read during the campaign and so many more that we haven't that this is going to be just a very incomplete list, but the one that made the strongest connection with the Sign for Scotland team came from Wee Ginger Dug; '<a href="http://weegingerdug.wordpress.com/2014/08/19/proud-like-a-yes-swan/" target="_blank">Proud like a Yes swan</a>'. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Other memorable reads include '<a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/the-mccrone-legacy/" target="_blank">The McCrone Legacy</a>' by Dale Ross on Wings over Scotland</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
'<a href="http://www.commentisntfree.com/an-open-letter-to-my-friends-in-labour/" target="_blank">An Open Letter To My Friends In Labour</a>' by James Forrest</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
'<a href="http://scraptrident.org/britain-at-war-the-never-ending-story/" target="_blank">Britain at War - The Never Ending Story</a>' from Scrap Trident</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And Derek Batemans fantastic slapdown of the Editor of the Scotsman in '<a href="http://derekbateman.co.uk/2014/08/09/to-the-editor/" target="_blank">To the Editor</a>'</div>
<br />
<b>Favourite resource </b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There are lots to choose from the Yes side of the campaign and because of that we've going to stick to the most prominent (although a special mention for <a href="http://www.scoop.it/t/referendum-2014" target="_blank">Peter Bell's Referendum 2014</a> has to be made as he has been a great friend to Sign for Scotland and his comments to stories are always thought-provoking and based on reason).</div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The number 1 resource has to be the <a href="http://www.theweebluebook.com/" target="_blank">Wee Blue Book</a>. Get it, share it, download it, send it to everyone you know and send it to everyone you don't know. The more people who read it, the more who will vote Yes.</div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The <a href="http://www.scotreferendum.com/reports/scotlands-future-summary/" target="_blank">Scottish Government's White Paper on Independence</a> (the summary of which can be viewed in multiple languages, including BSL), <a href="http://www.businessforscotland.co.uk/" target="_blank">Business for Scotland</a>, and <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/" target="_blank">Newsnet Scotland</a> are all well deserving of praise.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLaNncBHDsS2pdZvKgbstEb6UJ3vkQdM-txzIBM8tetXNm0KC4ETn3FKfPmOqmZyBK1CP4BTV04OY7S_j50hgJW0omDF_cTOINlDJV1NC8Onv5S6T3BSH0hJLCeHa08fCQEwpzkvZnicU/s1600/41.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLaNncBHDsS2pdZvKgbstEb6UJ3vkQdM-txzIBM8tetXNm0KC4ETn3FKfPmOqmZyBK1CP4BTV04OY7S_j50hgJW0omDF_cTOINlDJV1NC8Onv5S6T3BSH0hJLCeHa08fCQEwpzkvZnicU/s1600/41.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Friends we've lost</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm certain that everyone will know someone they have lost who would have wanted to see an independent Scotland, so this space is for them. RIP Margo MacDonald.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdj6wbVykL5UOzqWPb56lctbkLG0x4Hq3VYQPkc9XqRt3bp9JpnoX3yhE2w80PazDD_KKajQanUMv9WIP7szbFRyELoCEKKm2w8ckPa8KfanjjAfxo__VXvMWND9550MqAdq1Zz1raEs/s1600/Margo-MacDonald-in-1973.-004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdj6wbVykL5UOzqWPb56lctbkLG0x4Hq3VYQPkc9XqRt3bp9JpnoX3yhE2w80PazDD_KKajQanUMv9WIP7szbFRyELoCEKKm2w8ckPa8KfanjjAfxo__VXvMWND9550MqAdq1Zz1raEs/s1600/Margo-MacDonald-in-1973.-004.jpg" height="240" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8iuoZcvA7dcSUi7XF0AYwaMOL4ny1lMKBkyVMcrTrYUhsjkm0ZzwY625ACthby-nhqecJWHuOCAHvWCxHxZNYkvixaBkt9SqKqa_HcWh_w6Y_SHz9jIWxcbMvb45riiF2irBlw1vq3fc/s1600/margo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8iuoZcvA7dcSUi7XF0AYwaMOL4ny1lMKBkyVMcrTrYUhsjkm0ZzwY625ACthby-nhqecJWHuOCAHvWCxHxZNYkvixaBkt9SqKqa_HcWh_w6Y_SHz9jIWxcbMvb45riiF2irBlw1vq3fc/s1600/margo.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Friends we've gained</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We've seen so many people campaigning for a better Scotland and we consider each of them a friend. So many thanks to <a href="http://www.labourforindy.com/" target="_blank">Labour for Independence</a>, <a href="http://www.womenforindependence.org/" target="_blank">Women for Independence</a>, <a href="http://safi4yes.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Scots Asians for Yes</a>, the <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/why-sda.html" target="_blank">different political parties</a> who back a Yes vote, <a href="http://www.banthebomb.org/" target="_blank">Scottish CND</a>, the Sunday Herald, Blair Jenkins, Dennis Canavan and everyone else at Yes Scotland.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL5_OmCUdUQbVvAzcLQvPVkquktmBQDUVMt59UghZPChqy_LdB8XVX6aCRfuWB0riX3HPLcv4VFIeUi_U9b_WlS74l-vS2sw-vBSbxolKgYl_-8ORvA9sJLDodIg1Utjy0cuaWCINrZHo/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL5_OmCUdUQbVvAzcLQvPVkquktmBQDUVMt59UghZPChqy_LdB8XVX6aCRfuWB0riX3HPLcv4VFIeUi_U9b_WlS74l-vS2sw-vBSbxolKgYl_-8ORvA9sJLDodIg1Utjy0cuaWCINrZHo/s1600/13.jpg" height="285" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPL9MoNW6ignnqhRrsZobqN-bvL6zKsKe0sCIac6aw6zAK8yAdZ8wYt6Rz7vNxkzx_rk9Twh1uCcgBBpfqeU8Av39jmSq91MHXMBTybEDkhNcXH71R__Ec3EoIH28iL6kFdG8OZ8gkZvA/s1600/32.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPL9MoNW6ignnqhRrsZobqN-bvL6zKsKe0sCIac6aw6zAK8yAdZ8wYt6Rz7vNxkzx_rk9Twh1uCcgBBpfqeU8Av39jmSq91MHXMBTybEDkhNcXH71R__Ec3EoIH28iL6kFdG8OZ8gkZvA/s1600/32.JPG" height="400" width="371" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ4vhANBUuokTCqPRR8oZyiL5X2hEprWz1EofifdXDLooYGBZGty7cU1_oisYaqNhVTucetpGlo22n89qPvh6NxFowNBpOc7Lgz1AF9LBL1GyO4bAjP2RGooyDqzBfFbexPvq4xdM3Grs/s1600/43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ4vhANBUuokTCqPRR8oZyiL5X2hEprWz1EofifdXDLooYGBZGty7cU1_oisYaqNhVTucetpGlo22n89qPvh6NxFowNBpOc7Lgz1AF9LBL1GyO4bAjP2RGooyDqzBfFbexPvq4xdM3Grs/s1600/43.jpg" height="400" width="308" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7MDClkkfOMwq2sFmXc8MIuUMrrfvPOtHSbJr5tOMrxyCabANEhnYAiLdPOdW82KVhf3JT6LceR1omEZYI0rNQmPqQcUevRt7aMkhuvZ3TjFJnqj1fPsbwxcOZgpkTHH5ewwBzYcrpsI/s1600/Blair+Jenkins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7MDClkkfOMwq2sFmXc8MIuUMrrfvPOtHSbJr5tOMrxyCabANEhnYAiLdPOdW82KVhf3JT6LceR1omEZYI0rNQmPqQcUevRt7aMkhuvZ3TjFJnqj1fPsbwxcOZgpkTHH5ewwBzYcrpsI/s1600/Blair+Jenkins.jpg" height="371" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Shameless plug</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And finally, here are our 3 most popular videos from the campaign: I'm voting Yes, Reasons for Independence and Journey to Yes.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ZVeHgatfG4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/iHufX_GD344/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/iHufX_GD344?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/v/iHufX_GD344?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/czke8_XBP0c/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/czke8_XBP0c?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/v/czke8_XBP0c?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
All that is left to say is 'thank you' to the 1,700+ people who have given us a 'like' on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sign-for-Scotland/499368123435883?ref=bookmarks" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, the 2,000+ people who follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/Sign4Scotland" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, those who contributed to our blog reaching over 70,000 hits and those who have added to the 5,000+ views we've had on our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/Sign4Scotland/videos" target="_blank">YouTube channel</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We are so close to regaining the powers we need to make a better Scotland. <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/why-democracy-will-be-stronger-in.html" target="_blank">A more representative democracy</a>, an end to paying for <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/why-pay-for-what-you-dont-want.html" target="_blank">Westminster's waste and folly</a>, a <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/which-wars-mr-cameron.html" target="_blank">more peaceful foreign policy</a>, a <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/what-would-you-like-in-constitution.html" target="_blank">constitution written by us which will guarantee our rights</a>, a <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/a-fairer-greener-scotland.html" target="_blank">cleaner environment</a>, a <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/business-but-not-as-usual.html" target="_blank">more competitive economy</a> and the <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/recording-this-moment-challenge.html" target="_blank">breakup of media monopolies</a> is the prize on offer. Let's take it with both hands and Vote YES!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Drew (and everyone else at Sign for Scotland HQ) </div>
Sign for Scotlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16057474693059978339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968036878657352398.post-3599789169110426782014-09-11T08:42:00.000+01:002014-09-11T08:42:09.598+01:00A story with a cast of 5.3 million<div style="text-align: justify;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->No, this isn’t about a lost Cecil B Demille movie, this is
about Scotland.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The population of our country is at an all time high and
we’re part of a diverse and fluid mix of different cultures that are being
blended together to form our identity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
Scot isn’t just someone who is born here, or whose parents were born here, a
Scot is someone who calls this country home.</div>
<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/AVvXsEgPmhT9Hxt0uSolzvRfMmCfTgulZu6ThSuIdSZYKLBYAL79nEaIZLjJAu_Kc3RdKBd3o9slakxjG_TPysKMj7Ze5ULSWD9w5m0mNNEQucWSvxbwUBWhLLcFv7QVWgvE7Cj5e58iQMEUgkw/s1600/TheBroons.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPmhT9Hxt0uSolzvRfMmCfTgulZu6ThSuIdSZYKLBYAL79nEaIZLjJAu_Kc3RdKBd3o9slakxjG_TPysKMj7Ze5ULSWD9w5m0mNNEQucWSvxbwUBWhLLcFv7QVWgvE7Cj5e58iQMEUgkw/s320/TheBroons.JPG" height="202" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Picture taken from Sign for Scotland HQ</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Sometimes it might seem that we in the Signing community and other minorities are
on the outside looking in, but it’s just not true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re as much a part of Scotland as everyone
else and we need to make sure that things are better after independence than
devolution allowed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With our government
closer to us, we can have greater influence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We can get rid of the sense of entitlement that too many Westminster MPs
feel and have a more diverse and accountable politics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can push for reforms, for the fact that we
will be independent will prove that the people are strong, and can enforce
change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can make sure that no-one is
left behind, and that everyone has a say.<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The draft constitution produced by the Scottish Government shows consideration for all of Scotland's domestic languages. There is a determination from different Yes groups, emboldened by the possibilities of independence, to challenge gender and wealth inequality. And we will empower a more democratic and representative form of governance, which is more responsive and reflective of our values and wishes.</div>
<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/AVvXsEhXXkhKGNqBD_lfRVAhcbbItaHNI4r0ysbIIDo1NJfv7xoQrBil4XF2HoQ9AgFhpWAV225LASiEtJU3S-uDpxTDS1c5XIntuAJdP1A9-cdd9_JTeJO1sT3KBcRo9bgv7QufsWumn5t2sHM/s1600/tug-of-war.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sign for Scotland" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXXkhKGNqBD_lfRVAhcbbItaHNI4r0ysbIIDo1NJfv7xoQrBil4XF2HoQ9AgFhpWAV225LASiEtJU3S-uDpxTDS1c5XIntuAJdP1A9-cdd9_JTeJO1sT3KBcRo9bgv7QufsWumn5t2sHM/s320/tug-of-war.jpg" height="308" title="Yes Scotland" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Westminster isn't working, but if we work together, we can create a better society</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The cast may be of millions, but a single person can make a
real difference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please get involved and
help out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It might not seem like much,
but a lot of people doing a little each will go a long way to securing a ‘Yes’
vote next week.</div>
Drew<br />
<br />
If you like this blog, then please consider visiting our other sites:<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sign-for-Scotland/499368123435883" target="_blank">Facebook - Sign for Scotland</a><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/Sign4Scotland/videos" target="_blank">YouTube - Sign4Scotland</a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/Sign4Scotland" target="_blank">Twitter - Sign4Scotland</a></div>
Sign for Scotlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16057474693059978339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968036878657352398.post-73453301656859099112014-09-06T07:52:00.001+01:002014-09-06T07:52:59.432+01:00Not in the News - 6th of September Edition<div style="text-align: justify;">
Welcome to another edition of our <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Not%20in%20the%20News" target="_blank">weekly series</a> looking back at the stories
which the main stream media in Scotland didn't offer much attention to,
and comparing them to those that hit the front pages. Our last edition can be found <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/not-in-news-31st-of-august-edition.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Do you hate your children? You must be a Yes voter! </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The No campaign, which had previously claimed that "<a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/no-lights-in-the-window/" target="_blank">the key factor (in determining how to vote) is the love of our families</a>", made what is quite possibily the most ridiculous campaign poster since Mayor Quimby's disasterous "he'd vote for you" promise. "<a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/a-significant-escalation/" target="_blank">We love our kids. We're voting no thanks</a>" (the obvious conclusion being that everyone voting Yes does hate their kids, even the ones who don't have kids!).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGw1_JHg3D-Rx5Ky6qFxfnI_6-MPWMxYurOVy-iH2-C0K5aOX43nRt9wJTMO1x9z6Dblv7S8cPQ7h4cHU6Wc6l-rBqKt_ta_ho9sNy8zWqWIIXaNK5Z_IywSv2Vifj5HU_n1WOpwMAwA/s1600/vote_quimby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGw1_JHg3D-Rx5Ky6qFxfnI_6-MPWMxYurOVy-iH2-C0K5aOX43nRt9wJTMO1x9z6Dblv7S8cPQ7h4cHU6Wc6l-rBqKt_ta_ho9sNy8zWqWIIXaNK5Z_IywSv2Vifj5HU_n1WOpwMAwA/s1600/vote_quimby.jpg" height="400" width="373" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/not-stopped-hama-time/" target="_blank">#Hamatime</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23PatronisingBTLady&src=tyah" target="_blank">#PatronisingBTLady</a> and now <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ilovemyfamily?src=hash" target="_blank">#ilovemyfamily</a>. The No campaign has been nothing but entertaining (really, they have been nothing!). We can confirm that this trend will continue, as we have seen a preview of their next poster campaign:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd315j4cwkFl-KsuPHu83ZfvU01UaFBvIIGSXeavLtxCE4RPXqTpj787O9ncaZ7FOVAXRb5zETSSsaDNwk3r7_bBiADQQcpIzEdNm9Q057KMwc4lWBF7Zok8UcPV5AY8ajv9IT91s6F74/s1600/Bwc3wxAIIAAxGHR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd315j4cwkFl-KsuPHu83ZfvU01UaFBvIIGSXeavLtxCE4RPXqTpj787O9ncaZ7FOVAXRb5zETSSsaDNwk3r7_bBiADQQcpIzEdNm9Q057KMwc4lWBF7Zok8UcPV5AY8ajv9IT91s6F74/s1600/Bwc3wxAIIAAxGHR.jpg" height="220" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Taking it to the Max</b></div>
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Max Keiser, star of the internationally renowed Keiser Report and On the Edge, has previously stated his support for Scottish Independence. He confirmed that again with his website adding the following post: <a href="http://www.maxkeiser.com/2014/09/yes-an-independent-scotland-would-have-the-highest-gdp-per-capita-in-the-world-a-no-vote-is-asinine/" target="_blank">"YES! An independent Scotland would have the highest GDP per capita in the world. A 'No' vote is asinine".</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNK-a4mw-AL2A52dvGluKv1zit6eb8Cw0Cz9L3Rxt99Dk2iOR0jobwbhRPnvGPKL6jkd4IYxyJUVLvlrEqYcRl8458FzxknKX3HW2SqoNLLUx37d5aD1eB9VKp4UzyT7uzn5FWv4mZeUU/s1600/392933_524602814245747_213995981_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNK-a4mw-AL2A52dvGluKv1zit6eb8Cw0Cz9L3Rxt99Dk2iOR0jobwbhRPnvGPKL6jkd4IYxyJUVLvlrEqYcRl8458FzxknKX3HW2SqoNLLUx37d5aD1eB9VKp4UzyT7uzn5FWv4mZeUU/s1600/392933_524602814245747_213995981_n.jpg" height="205" width="400" /></a></div>
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No wonder he and his partner Stacy Herbert are considered <a href="http://www.maxkeiser.com/2013/12/max-stacy-are-no-1-the-25-most-dangerous-people-in-financial-media/" target="_blank">the most dangerous people to the establishment in the financial media</a>. <a href="http://www.maxkeiser.com/2014/09/yes-an-independent-scotland-would-have-the-highest-gdp-per-capita-in-the-world-a-no-vote-is-asinine/" target="_blank">Well done Max</a> and keep up the great work you do!</div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Checking your purse before they check your pulse</b></div>
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The UK Government confirmed that the EU-US Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (also known as TTIP) will affect the NHS. The details can be found in these articles <a href="http://www.unitetheunion.org/news/uk-government-confirms-nhs-is-not-exempt-from-controversial-trade-deal/" target="_blank">by Unite the union</a> and <a href="http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/ttip-government-will-not-exclude-nhs-free-trade-agreement-1463454" target="_blank">International Business Times</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ77lOYT9SYhfsT0MrsLwaVe3ZkPXCB7j-bum2nDoTO55lBmtkRZ2OLRdKUIyfrLuZBwV6oTGQKRaxLqQWGQNK4-aYzsjiJJy8jkJiof1I63DxHISY0xMIVBlyxbDXjgzKIzwAPeEhvSo/s1600/Nice+guy+Dr.+Nick_10ad06_4697658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ77lOYT9SYhfsT0MrsLwaVe3ZkPXCB7j-bum2nDoTO55lBmtkRZ2OLRdKUIyfrLuZBwV6oTGQKRaxLqQWGQNK4-aYzsjiJJy8jkJiof1I63DxHISY0xMIVBlyxbDXjgzKIzwAPeEhvSo/s1600/Nice+guy+Dr.+Nick_10ad06_4697658.jpg" height="337" width="400" /> </a></div>
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Independent EU nations have <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/the-nhs-and-the-ttip-trap/" target="_blank">the right to safeguard their health services</a> if there is an existing state monopoly (i.e. if privatisation is not already taking place). Scotland can only have this protection if we vote Yes on the 18th.</div>
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<b>The Pot and the Singing Kettle</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yes supporters in Scotland were buoyed by the <a href="http://scotgoespop.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/scotland-stands-on-brink-of.html" target="_blank">latest figures from polling agency YouGov</a>. Whether or not you <a href="http://scotgoespop.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/ok-yougov-your-self-imposed-purdah.html" target="_blank">believe the initial figures</a> isn't very important (<a href="http://www.economist.com/node/656655" target="_blank">or even the notion of polling altogether</a>) the evidence that the movement is towards independence is very encouraging.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4YqE-BOnvQI6FTfYXqbilCMndxjf8W5aHlKQiCqdvsIcTy7vHAJiTi0m1hjTwE222XX74sgH7Mvzhbs_qvEyVFFpJ9LFZsSfKWBkUqzk4EZ_3wiACFcUE3tW2zm6h-cWRyYfud_QSao/s1600/Pot+and+the+Kettle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4YqE-BOnvQI6FTfYXqbilCMndxjf8W5aHlKQiCqdvsIcTy7vHAJiTi0m1hjTwE222XX74sgH7Mvzhbs_qvEyVFFpJ9LFZsSfKWBkUqzk4EZ_3wiACFcUE3tW2zm6h-cWRyYfud_QSao/s1600/Pot+and+the+Kettle.jpg" height="400" width="375" /></a></div>
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And we know this is important because the BBC (<a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/bbc-special.html" target="_blank">that bastian of impartiality [<i>sarcasm</i>]</a>) considered the massive jump in support for Yes as being less news worthy than the music group the singing kettle announcing that they will stop touring in 2015. Maybe they could have squeezed them both in by dropping the 'New Paranormal Festival for Scotland' story...nah [<i>sarcasm, extreme sarcasm</i>].</div>
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</div>
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The reason why this is important is because belief regarding how most other people will be voting is a consideration made by <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/its-great-to-be-different.html" target="_blank">a very large proportion of the electorate</a> at every election. If our fellow Scots believe that Yes can win, then this will translate into more votes. It shouldn't be this way (and with independence we will <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/why-democracy-will-be-stronger-in.html" target="_blank">gain a representative parliament</a> where every vote carries the same value - <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/08/15/voters-ignored_n_3759951.html" target="_blank">unlike Westminster</a>) but it is a reality we should recognise.</div>
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<b>Heartless Vandals! </b></div>
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<a href="http://bbc.scotlandshire.co.uk/index.php/city-news/813-blow-to-salmond-as-natz-vandals-caught-on-camera.html" target="_blank">Evidence has emerge of terrible acts of vandalism</a> against 'no' campaign signs! First Minister Alex Salmond <a href="http://munguinsrepublic.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/snaps-on-sunday_31.html" target="_blank">has had to deny personal involvement</a>! Additional statement which hints at, but doesn't make a specific allegation which would need to be justified or could be subject to scrutiny, the Yes campaign being evil and bad!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4m084YPAG2iCtqA76iqCeU0ELrrM1W5sEUPGqkLnAzsCI2Eveb85InYyIHoHarlHSM3an6P-YCEsmqQW3OmO_ncAGoAdA9rC2MoXtZQ3aCEBMejv3X7nlkPClr3olcF2Wwp6dWQ7ZvXI/s1600/coos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4m084YPAG2iCtqA76iqCeU0ELrrM1W5sEUPGqkLnAzsCI2Eveb85InYyIHoHarlHSM3an6P-YCEsmqQW3OmO_ncAGoAdA9rC2MoXtZQ3aCEBMejv3X7nlkPClr3olcF2Wwp6dWQ7ZvXI/s1600/coos.jpg" height="237" width="400" /></a></div>
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Have these cows fully appreciated the choice facing Scotland?</div>
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<b>Scotland has value (something the 'no' campaign doesn't appreciate)</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We wrote a while ago in our blog '<a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/nobody-wants-you-so-please-stay-with-us.html" target="_blank">Nobody wants you so please stay with us</a>' how the primary tactic of those opposed to independence is to portray Scotland as a land which has <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/nobody-wants-you-so-please-stay-with-us.html" target="_blank">no intrinsic value</a>. Westminster <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/so-who-else-cant-use-pound.html" target="_blank">wouldn't want to treat us as equals</a> because we have no value. The <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/eu-or-not-eu-well-gain-either-way-with.html" target="_blank">EU won't try to keep us in the club</a> because we have no value. And then <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/a-scare-day-nato-edition.html" target="_blank">NATO would expel us</a> because we have no value. Just follow the links to see why each of these arguments are nonsense.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYYMtqYxuQOXDyoG7_xN2HdRS0_JUS9GX1yeSpKB-FwSi96nCjQhPShniN2-dse06f8PHuR231WEHIFECuq1nCuZdyg_7Kn3pJBfGieUL3IxAMjNqPR1c8XiwYGBWT-a-F6kFi7bGriI/s1600/desert_isle_nato_membership_675755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYYMtqYxuQOXDyoG7_xN2HdRS0_JUS9GX1yeSpKB-FwSi96nCjQhPShniN2-dse06f8PHuR231WEHIFECuq1nCuZdyg_7Kn3pJBfGieUL3IxAMjNqPR1c8XiwYGBWT-a-F6kFi7bGriI/s1600/desert_isle_nato_membership_675755.jpg" height="285" width="400" /></a></div>
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In each case we have shown that this just isn't true, and today we had more evidence of this as a former UK ambassador to NATO, Mariot Leslie, <a href="http://rt.com/uk/184732-scottish-independence-ambassador-nato/" target="_blank">stated her intention to vote Yes</a> and <a href="http://rt.com/uk/184732-scottish-independence-ambassador-nato/" target="_blank">her confidence in Scotland being warmly welcomed</a> within the military alliance.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
And on a little side story which Russia Today mentioned: a country can be a member of the EU and use the currency of another. Luxembourg, which was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Union" target="_blank">a founding member of the EU</a>, continued to use <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgium%E2%80%93Luxembourg_Economic_Union" target="_blank">Belgian Francs until 2002</a>. Of course, to the 'no' campaign, Luxembourg has value but Scotland does not. There are only obstacles and problems facing us and no-one will do anything to make things easy or fair.</div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>I'm not ready for my closeup, Mr Ponsonby</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
David Cameron spent Prime Minister's Questions accusing STV of chickening out of hosting a debate between himself and undecided viewers. <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-politics/9687-stv-ran-away-from-referendum-programme-says-cameron" target="_blank">His exact words were</a>: "On the television programme, I offered them [STV] a date and indeed a
format but they seemed to run away themselves which is a great pity."</div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Mr Cameron <a href="http://news.stv.tv/scotland-decides/290716-david-cameron-referendum-programme-still-on-the-table-says-stv/" target="_blank">made a few interesting demands</a>:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
No questions from a journalist</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
No representatives from the Yes Campaign (which STV would have agreed to) </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And only 'genuine' floating voters, which Downing Street would arrange (ie, Dave's team would pick the audience)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirHElXihCu0haF7-zmQstcc-O0q2hROjq5NHxjdAChNYLQ9EeXQt1nqgJ35zhnULKRdMQU0L-upcw7CffOj5VPlk3wZQx2lvHXGXUyLukQ_mnsbrE3jUsRoxbAjk6HfqEZO7DeylOFnn8/s1600/Chicken+Run.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirHElXihCu0haF7-zmQstcc-O0q2hROjq5NHxjdAChNYLQ9EeXQt1nqgJ35zhnULKRdMQU0L-upcw7CffOj5VPlk3wZQx2lvHXGXUyLukQ_mnsbrE3jUsRoxbAjk6HfqEZO7DeylOFnn8/s1600/Chicken+Run.jpg" height="400" width="212" /></a></div>
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Despite attempts to <a href="http://news.stv.tv/scotland-decides/290716-david-cameron-referendum-programme-still-on-the-table-says-stv/" target="_blank">put pressure on the channel</a> by claiming that this 'debate' would take place on Sky News or the BBC (Mr Cameron has so far taken part in nothing), STV refused to surrender editorial control.</div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The offer for Mr Cameron to speak to undecided voters on STV <a href="http://news.stv.tv/scotland-decides/290716-david-cameron-referendum-programme-still-on-the-table-says-stv/" target="_blank">is still available</a>, but we suspect he won't be ready for 'genuine' scrutiny any time soon...</div>
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<b>Every little hinders</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The no campaign used a frankly bizarre claim in their literature recently that the cost of food in supermarkets would increase following a Yes vote. This doesn't make sense for a number of reasons (most of which are explained <a href="http://www.businessforscotland.co.uk/supermarket-prices-may-fall-after-independence/" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/the-status-quo/" target="_blank">here</a>) but the interesting part is the use of Tesco. The image below was taken from a no campaign leaflet and clearly shows that the supermarket will increase every price by 16%.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihim36tiPcNE9SfssjTWKkTH9esvHM1nIIHJ2bNCmRNsgGZV2QAVTBTVpfQs8loe-IbGaH_AHUP7dUoq7ePsL2VZZ3zLssZShjTj2Cw9xZK67nUuwoa7fl3G9c5Vh4iL-K7_3YN919yIQ/s1600/10646967_792817557428858_4516927293354575836_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihim36tiPcNE9SfssjTWKkTH9esvHM1nIIHJ2bNCmRNsgGZV2QAVTBTVpfQs8loe-IbGaH_AHUP7dUoq7ePsL2VZZ3zLssZShjTj2Cw9xZK67nUuwoa7fl3G9c5Vh4iL-K7_3YN919yIQ/s1600/10646967_792817557428858_4516927293354575836_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"I can confirm that this [16% higher prices] is not true as we've got a great business in Scotland and our job is to create the best offer for customers whatever the outcome of the referendum." <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/what-didnt-really-need-saying/" target="_blank">Sue Whitaker, Tesco Customer Service </a></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The problem for the no campaign was that someone asked Tesco, and they <a href="http://newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9697-calls-for-better-together-to-withdraw-leaflets-as-more-false-claims-exposed" target="_blank">confirmed that this story was a lie</a>. So, the no campaign have been caught making up nonsense (<a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/what-didnt-really-need-saying/" target="_blank">again</a>) and hiding their scares behind someone else. I guess in their world, every little hinders.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This fake story, which has been introduced whilst votes are being cast, is clearly against election rules. But fear not! Below is a photograph which shows all the work we have seen that the Electoral Commission, who describe their own objective as achieving "<a href="http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/our-work/roles-and-responsibilities" target="_blank">well-run elections</a>", is doing to ensure a free and fair contest:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEittI1DCs6l-315YFBgmbgx_KjZMHbkc3cfmKD50EdFpdWIz7omhjCT2R_3xx3Ig0vGbTtTWGx3cunu0pJSc1aCwUcbN7WUOdVGv2PrfQ-zDbvneqOjwdB5KMvnRUVk16AVzzSq-bhScbo/s1600/Empty+Field.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEittI1DCs6l-315YFBgmbgx_KjZMHbkc3cfmKD50EdFpdWIz7omhjCT2R_3xx3Ig0vGbTtTWGx3cunu0pJSc1aCwUcbN7WUOdVGv2PrfQ-zDbvneqOjwdB5KMvnRUVk16AVzzSq-bhScbo/s1600/Empty+Field.png" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Strategically positioned paperwork jobs</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This map below, which was shared by the <a href="https://twitter.com/WingsScotland" target="_blank">Wings over Scotland's twitter account</a>, shows where civilian jobs for the UK military are based.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7pCQ2Uv_qiw-BaF9BgV3yfCFjA9oQ_vFG7CtED62e8cHAK-jgc3TmCyswWCvBfba4qeMgOoTNN8v6Dbq33UIIUTT_viG1Snc_0UEnkYAcwWNlFfyJaxuXkSkrmpkOpLwGFXgtR70Xgc/s1600/Bws-w2rCMAEkIag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7pCQ2Uv_qiw-BaF9BgV3yfCFjA9oQ_vFG7CtED62e8cHAK-jgc3TmCyswWCvBfba4qeMgOoTNN8v6Dbq33UIIUTT_viG1Snc_0UEnkYAcwWNlFfyJaxuXkSkrmpkOpLwGFXgtR70Xgc/s1600/Bws-w2rCMAEkIag.jpg" height="400" width="280" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Civilian jobs within the military are very important but they can by and large be located anywhere. Why do these jobs (and remember that a population share of their associated costs are attributed to Scotland despite the obvious shortfall in jobs being based here) have to be concentrated in the south of England? Does this map look fair to you?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It reminds me of <a href="http://www.businessforscotland.co.uk/where-does-scotlands-wealth-go/" target="_blank">this article by Business for Scotland</a>. The maps there don't look very fair either.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Eh...mass canvas? </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We at Sign for Scotland do not share links to the Scotsman newspaper (see our blog '<a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/i-read-it-in-paper.html" target="_blank">I read it in the paper</a>' for the main reason why), but even they were highlighting how hopelessly unsuccessful Johann Lamont's mass canvassing attempt in Govan was on Friday.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw2FGyLVS6BFiXghoMXLSQXJdeFvgBB79sbZ3ojv25Y-DZUyNg97ztXKhBSg1y_DkC8iTua6MvhqwXHSVXFB6kk1qt6ZlfgUPkk6V_8_fXwy7vqST_r-xiF-PydFwqx-e4fYH3cSFmZc4/s1600/10629736_618729671580060_2025708723610739388_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw2FGyLVS6BFiXghoMXLSQXJdeFvgBB79sbZ3ojv25Y-DZUyNg97ztXKhBSg1y_DkC8iTua6MvhqwXHSVXFB6kk1qt6ZlfgUPkk6V_8_fXwy7vqST_r-xiF-PydFwqx-e4fYH3cSFmZc4/s1600/10629736_618729671580060_2025708723610739388_n.png" height="290" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"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." Scotsman Newspaper</blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ouch! The reason why senior Labour politicians are finding such a hard response from people in Govan and other predominately working class areas is because they are campaigning to keep a Tory government in Westminster in power over Scotland. The argument that we should 'vote no and then hope people in England vote Labour next year, (just ignore <a href="http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2013/12/balls-reaffirms-labours-commitment-cuts-2015" target="_blank">our commitment to matching every Tory public service spending cut</a>)' is not as strong or as reliable as 'vote Yes and the people will always get the government they vote for'.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We can even save a fortune by <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/why-pay-for-what-you-dont-want.html" target="_blank">not paying for what we don't need</a>!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But if you are an undecided Labour voter, then please compare any speech by Johann Lamont to the words of <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-opinion/9694-vote-yes-for-social-justice-fairness-and-equality" target="_blank">Jeane Freeman</a> and decide which one <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/back-to-future.html" target="_blank">more accurately reflects the founding principles of the Labour Party</a>. What future <a href="http://campbellmartin.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/why-labour-supporters-are-voting-yes.html" target="_blank">would you rather have</a>?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Join us again on Sunday for our final look at what's 'not in the news' before the referendum! </div>
Drew<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://twitter.com/Sign4Scotland" target="_blank">Twitter - Sign4Scotland</a>Sign for Scotlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16057474693059978339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968036878657352398.post-82059467036808008892014-09-04T13:48:00.000+01:002014-09-04T13:48:29.023+01:00Illogical logic<div style="text-align: justify;">
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</xml><![endif]-->Illogical logic, or more accurately ‘logical fallacy’, is
when an argument is presented as being based in logic when it is in fact devoid
of reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is something which
voters in Scotland are being subjected to in our referendum campaign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But how can we tell what is self evident and
what is self interest?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We at Sign for
Scotland have made a basic guide.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmBeCyiL3dHPrBSPzrj91INgR8CQ5CwwRNn9hTRduvOA5c59qEYVyREm38Q4w4SLZ6igja_BAS7rvzZVNunkQpLMWA3Dl7SY0gq9KhrNdJbdTEpQzkQWxSkY44hIOEmovxB1ZRTkUAj8/s1600/muffin+cannon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmBeCyiL3dHPrBSPzrj91INgR8CQ5CwwRNn9hTRduvOA5c59qEYVyREm38Q4w4SLZ6igja_BAS7rvzZVNunkQpLMWA3Dl7SY0gq9KhrNdJbdTEpQzkQWxSkY44hIOEmovxB1ZRTkUAj8/s320/muffin+cannon.jpg" height="304" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Step one: write down all the arguments you come across.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This applies to both the Yes and no
campaigns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Step two: check through the
list below and remove the arguments which fail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Step three: weigh the options of what remains.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
1) <a href="http://auldacquaintance.wordpress.com/2011/11/21/we-the-accused/" target="_blank">The personal attack</a> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The football term would be ‘playing the man and not the
ball’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is when you are asked not to
believe something because of who said it.<span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
2) Tradition</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Just because something has ‘always’ been a certain way <a href="http://www.opendemocracy.net/ourkingdom/2008/03/20/time-almost-up-for-uks-archaic-lords" target="_blank">doesn’t mean that it is right</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is traditional in many
countries for women to be paid less than men for the same job however few would
suggest that ‘tradition’ makes this valid.<span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
3) I
don’t like the idea of that</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This fallacy is to refuse to believe something
simply because you dislike the conclusions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>An example would be refusing to believe that successive UK Governments <a href="http://newsnetscotland.com/index.php/referendum/7466-the-mccrone-report-a-thirty-year-secret-" target="_blank">actively hid the value of North Sea Oil for generations</a>.</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjj62SoHCuFuFZicrbP6wzFVjiJ2aTil7O-pT2jJHR00K7CjKsY9aOrTmhLPxRVBxyNxVgFRH0cex4krfADGkz297KDcP-rXyfFvKyjwvDy_Nj7yd4eTRPc770dkK3o6Ybs0PYF2Xr6w/s320/logic5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjj62SoHCuFuFZicrbP6wzFVjiJ2aTil7O-pT2jJHR00K7CjKsY9aOrTmhLPxRVBxyNxVgFRH0cex4krfADGkz297KDcP-rXyfFvKyjwvDy_Nj7yd4eTRPc770dkK3o6Ybs0PYF2Xr6w/s320/logic5.jpg" height="320" width="306" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
4) But what if
they…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
This is when someone is threatened to support a point of view. This can
be explicate (<a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/death-from-above/" target="_blank">we’ll bomb your airports</a>) or implied (wouldn’t it be terrible if
<a href="http://www.businessforscotland.co.uk/no-barriers-to-trade-with-a-yes-vote/" target="_blank">none of us bought products from your country</a> anymore).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
5) <a href="http://petewishart.wordpress.com/2012/12/20/the-ghost-of-too-wee-too-poor-too-stupid/" target="_blank">Big Lie</a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
This is when a lie, slogan or deceptive half-truth is repeated over and over
again until people believe it without evidence.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
6) <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Political%20Parties" target="_blank">I support my party</a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Believing an idea because that is what your favourite party,
politician, celebrity or individual believes isn’t logical. Logic is coming to
your own conclusions, not blindly accepting the conclusions of others.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<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/AVvXsEjW68_wZEnchKYLrT93Lt2k9JlWrcrNgfG24w6TMXCp7m1S0mlui5BM6I1aHaRt10zuJr8rLChWMiCw_Q4CZ5-FKRcO7M74Pkoo90kTB_1OazpRZg8fvmUxbBpiUOjkMZS_-Ni5KcIkz3I/s1600/WallaceGromitMoon2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW68_wZEnchKYLrT93Lt2k9JlWrcrNgfG24w6TMXCp7m1S0mlui5BM6I1aHaRt10zuJr8rLChWMiCw_Q4CZ5-FKRcO7M74Pkoo90kTB_1OazpRZg8fvmUxbBpiUOjkMZS_-Ni5KcIkz3I/s320/WallaceGromitMoon2.jpg" height="242" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"Can you prove that the moon isn't made of cheese? There's too much uncertainty..."</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
7) Equivocation</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Using words in a specific way to suggest something without actually lying. For example, suggesting that Scotland <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/ten-penny-westminsters-current-currency.html" target="_blank">wouldn't be allowed to use the pound</a> without stating how that's possible.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
8) It's just like...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Comparing one thing to something very different in order to draw a false conclusion. An example would be saying that ‘<a href="http://www.businessforscotland.co.uk/why-did-the-banks-only-become-scottish-after-they-failed/" target="_blank">Scotland would have been like Greece</a>
if we have been independent', <a href="http://www.businessforscotland.co.uk/10-key-economic-facts-that-prove-scotland-will-be-a-wealthy-independent-nation/" target="_blank">when our economies are different</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
9) Statistics, damn statistics and lies</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Using numbers to prove unrelated claims. An example would be asking people in Scotland whether the UK should have a nuclear deterrent and then claiming that those who support the notion automatically support keeping <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/7356-ashcroft-criticised-for-political-spinning-on-trident-poll" target="_blank">Trident at Faslane</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSB4Jb-TEAI_nOIFjlSZuKFTEIpkJv_-XM81rtSSfHFzfGLmojW5EKVSbuFJzqrgYJECQmSG0FPj9l2ucEyJBhbePCX1BAzSlmdZqVjYcuaMQiOyBXbS1Ln9q6aozgMv1oscfjMuw6ojE/s1600/Mom%2527s+Logic+-+Junk+Food+vs+Balanced+Meal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSB4Jb-TEAI_nOIFjlSZuKFTEIpkJv_-XM81rtSSfHFzfGLmojW5EKVSbuFJzqrgYJECQmSG0FPj9l2ucEyJBhbePCX1BAzSlmdZqVjYcuaMQiOyBXbS1Ln9q6aozgMv1oscfjMuw6ojE/s320/Mom%2527s+Logic+-+Junk+Food+vs+Balanced+Meal.jpg" height="218" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
10) <a href="http://www.yesscotland.net/answers" target="_blank">We don’t know enough yet</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Claiming that all information needs to be presented before a conclusion can be made is an example of logical fallacy. This is because it is impossible to have 'all' information on a given subject (especially on something as complicated as how a future government that is yet to be determined will run a nation).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
11) <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/a-significant-escalation/" target="_blank">What about the children?!</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Arguing purely on emotion isn't logical. An example would be saying 'think about our shared history'. <a href="http://nationalcollective.com/2013/07/16/you-can-be-scottish-and-british-after-independence/" target="_blank">History won't change</a> based on where political decisions are made.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
12) A rose by any other name</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Using a different term to give a positive or negative spin to a story. If a celebrity were to say 'I'm pretty sure an independent Scotland would be successful', then a negative spin would be 'celebrity has doubts as to how successful a separate Scotland would be'. The statement isn't untrue, but <a href="http://newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/6874-bbc-scotland-in-spotlight-again-as-second-foreign-minister-claims-eu-comments-misrepresented" target="_blank">changes to the wording or context give a different impression</a> from that intended.</div>
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<span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhMjivcuaFkaRcHFqF46IIVTSbe_QbujuZAMcirZQV94_WAS0UczHqcaxpQA9in8PMdNJ4-cDWny777GZAhg0W2NUgLEHDF6zTYuFlJOMLiKlcyKrlEx5aJMDHBke2vK5o6KIaR6jBy4/s1600/donde-esta-el-fallo-2-igual-a-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhMjivcuaFkaRcHFqF46IIVTSbe_QbujuZAMcirZQV94_WAS0UczHqcaxpQA9in8PMdNJ4-cDWny777GZAhg0W2NUgLEHDF6zTYuFlJOMLiKlcyKrlEx5aJMDHBke2vK5o6KIaR6jBy4/s320/donde-esta-el-fallo-2-igual-a-1.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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13) Red Herring<br />
Bringing up another topic to <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/7902-moves-to-smear-yes-scotland-underway-as-more-details-of-hacking-claims-emerge" target="_blank">distract away from the issue at hand</a>.<br />
<br />
14) Shifting the Burden of Proof<br />
In the referendum debate, both sides need to state the case for their viewpoints. Stating 'the other side has questions to answer' but offereing <a href="http://newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/7820-law-society-no-campaign-must-answer-on-further-devolution" target="_blank">no answers from their perspective</a>, is an example of logical fallacy.<br />
<br />
15) You can't say that!<br />
Saying that certain viewpoints or topics cannot be discussed is a type of logical fallacy. This includes <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/7862-pressure-on-mills-as-backlash-against-festival-referendum-ban-grows" target="_blank">banning discussions in public forums</a>. <br />
<br />
Both sides have used some if not all of these tricks, but
that doesn’t mean that they are as bad as each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is up to you to do your own research and
to come to your own conclusions.<br />
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It is said that truth is one but wisdom is many.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe that to be a good place to start
when critically evaluating opposing viewpoints.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is easily possible for two seemingly incompatible opinions to be
party or wholly truthful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it is
possible for people to be honest, even when they slip one of the above
fallacies into their statements.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZW-criD5J6XCkh4YgFCP1T0_CnTiz6KzKLA9NuYHUvyxV4HvfOGBoHfGHttAAr__8fo8WuhFF5Ud1Q7eColHnAyDpnuYi6PldFf2mevcVqQa_BGuIguBBiXBYrOrp_J4W5wZ9GgHWaAk/s1600/funny-cartoon-logic-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZW-criD5J6XCkh4YgFCP1T0_CnTiz6KzKLA9NuYHUvyxV4HvfOGBoHfGHttAAr__8fo8WuhFF5Ud1Q7eColHnAyDpnuYi6PldFf2mevcVqQa_BGuIguBBiXBYrOrp_J4W5wZ9GgHWaAk/s320/funny-cartoon-logic-18.jpg" height="314" width="320" /></a></div>
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There are <a href="http://www.yesscotland.net/why_vote_yes" target="_blank">many reasons to vote Yes</a> which don't rely on logical fallacies,
including <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/what-would-you-like-in-constitution.html" target="_blank">a written constitution</a> which will safeguard our rights, <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/should-your-opinion-matter.html" target="_blank">a more representative democracy</a> and the <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/the-folly-of-trident.html" target="_blank">removal of nuclear weapons</a> from Scottish
territory.</div>
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So before you vote in 2014, remember to check whether the
arguments you come across fall into one of the categories above.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ignoring the ones that do is the only logical
choice.</div>
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And if that doesn’t convince you, I have a muffin cannon.</div>
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Drew </div>
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<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-mJRNKIaawyQ%2FUg0bFUx3p4I%2FAAAAAAAAAe8%2FprOR3S4xs10%2Fs320%2Flogic5.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjj62SoHCuFuFZicrbP6wzFVjiJ2aTil7O-pT2jJHR00K7CjKsY9aOrTmhLPxRVBxyNxVgFRH0cex4krfADGkz297KDcP-rXyfFvKyjwvDy_Nj7yd4eTRPc770dkK3o6Ybs0PYF2Xr6w/s320/logic5.jpg" -->Sign for Scotlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16057474693059978339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968036878657352398.post-24458921779768138002014-08-31T08:36:00.003+01:002014-08-31T08:36:24.544+01:00Not in the News -31st of August Edition<div style="text-align: justify;">
Welcome to another edition of our <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Not%20in%20the%20News" target="_blank">weekly series</a> looking back at the stories
which the main stream media in Scotland didn't offer much attention to,
and comparing them to those that hit the front pages. Our last edition can be found <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/not-in-news-24th-of-august-edition.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwjBBcffxrMovow7HIDYnA4FpLjqbTOd6YRruTXmf1iauPWcfwIkxm5diAembnuEtAi_3ZZC6cy1Ty_zzjBo-kofjTV9UVmiq1Qv1gb8EUkVZeQWehaOqhc8BaIdvF96C3gdrLzxFjmk0/s1600/Hootsmon+HQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwjBBcffxrMovow7HIDYnA4FpLjqbTOd6YRruTXmf1iauPWcfwIkxm5diAembnuEtAi_3ZZC6cy1Ty_zzjBo-kofjTV9UVmiq1Qv1gb8EUkVZeQWehaOqhc8BaIdvF96C3gdrLzxFjmk0/s1600/Hootsmon+HQ.jpg" height="277" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Google-eyed!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
No campaigner Kezia Dugdale MSP <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/kezia-dugdale-is-a-liar/" target="_blank">was caught on tape lying to an audience in Leith</a> on Wednesday, the 20th of August. Further details about the meeting can be found <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9641-better-together-claims-on-scottish-economy-probably-misleading-admits-leading-spokeswoman" target="_blank">here on Newsnet Scotland</a>.</div>
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<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/AVvXsEi6VsLIy7M7Dr30AwYiHIEHUbs695xCx0KqaAh6kv72PyH8uI5dsb7uHJMPCFx-ZGuGoEuSA0-dEO11b1AJEvxHh4j4CvJjul3ZtCbXjwgwaW5_GLNTyjpU5s-m54tvnLqjjnCrEJwVY-E/s1600/index.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VsLIy7M7Dr30AwYiHIEHUbs695xCx0KqaAh6kv72PyH8uI5dsb7uHJMPCFx-ZGuGoEuSA0-dEO11b1AJEvxHh4j4CvJjul3ZtCbXjwgwaW5_GLNTyjpU5s-m54tvnLqjjnCrEJwVY-E/s1600/index.jpg" height="285" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"I think Kezia is right and wonderful!" <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/youd-need-a-heart-of-stone/" target="_blank">Fifi la Bonbon</a> (probably)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And here is the list of main stream media outlets that reported this fact: [silence]<br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Scotland ahead</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9637-scotland-ahead-of-ruk-even-without-oil-says-credit-suisse-report" target="_blank">Credit Suisse made an announcement last week</a> which highlighted their conviction that an independent Scotland would be a happier, more prosperous nation using the Human Development Index (even before we cut out <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/why-pay-for-what-you-dont-want.html" target="_blank">Westminster's wasteful expenditure</a>).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLlgFCms_1J02utxA8gSQzHvQ_NxSDBpEKtWJTth8fBIp7tUbmh_ZwK1Sk9PCqu1qxKnr1YwBN8EAwjgYNfJ5v2GmcH30ijVUsSXHaH2mwwIFVv6IEq6NDGuESxz3rjCUqwtPXZRis-WI/s1600/lets-talk-hd.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLlgFCms_1J02utxA8gSQzHvQ_NxSDBpEKtWJTth8fBIp7tUbmh_ZwK1Sk9PCqu1qxKnr1YwBN8EAwjgYNfJ5v2GmcH30ijVUsSXHaH2mwwIFVv6IEq6NDGuESxz3rjCUqwtPXZRis-WI/s1600/lets-talk-hd.png" height="122" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The internationally renowed finance company stressed that this wasn't dependent upon oil and gas, adding that even if Scotland had no north sea resources we would <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9637-scotland-ahead-of-ruk-even-without-oil-says-credit-suisse-report" target="_blank">"still rank ahead of the UK"</a>.</div>
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</div>
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And here is the list of main stream media outlets that reported this fact: [silence]</div>
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<b>Finish him!!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The BBC may have <a href="https://www.change.org/p/bbc-one-scotland-to-provide-bsl-interpreters-in-live-debate-on-screen-for-the-deaf-viewers?recruiter=76172713&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=share_facebook_mobile" target="_blank">ignored the wishes of over a thousand people</a> to have a BSL interpreter on screen during the debate between Alex Salmond and Alistair Darling, but everyone knows who the winner was. In the words of Action 4 Equality Scotland, <a href="http://action4equalityscotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/played-blinder.html" target="_blank">Yes played a blinder</a>.</div>
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<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/AVvXsEj2ytXVPIeddPgyGbCuSGS2Os07oihMlrR_HTtgWJpJ6vPlZ_XfWQTjvMSC8By2VHNQ8T0SHAF-ee7HvCEPQfR3CIwQJ3VHhGbomFNIt2I6V59ktfdjDOzQVIrTh6maAvaNcRhDLMcD-k8/s1600/Finish+Him.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ytXVPIeddPgyGbCuSGS2Os07oihMlrR_HTtgWJpJ6vPlZ_XfWQTjvMSC8By2VHNQ8T0SHAF-ee7HvCEPQfR3CIwQJ3VHhGbomFNIt2I6V59ktfdjDOzQVIrTh6maAvaNcRhDLMcD-k8/s1600/Finish+Him.jpg" height="250" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Note: not actual photograph from the debate</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Despite <a href="http://scotgoespop.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/icm-poll-confirms-that-brilliant-alex.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+ScotGoesPop+%28SCOT+goes+POP!%29" target="_blank">initial claims by the BBC and the Guardian</a>, it was a <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/affairs-scotland/9643-assured-salmond-defeats-darling-in-second-tv-head-to-head" target="_blank">clear victory</a> for the Yes Campaign and a defeat for project fear. <a href="http://scotgoespop.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/icm-poll-confirms-that-brilliant-alex.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+ScotGoesPop+%28SCOT+goes+POP!%29" target="_blank">71% of people polled by ICM</a> stated their belief that the First Minister of Scotland had won. So how did the papers react? Well <a href="http://action4equalityscotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/juvenile-and-partisan.html" target="_blank">the Times</a> and <a href="http://weegingerdug.wordpress.com/2014/08/26/bloodsports-for-vegans/" target="_blank">Sky News</a> both embarrassed themselves, but the prize for most blatantly ridiculous coverage comes <a href="http://munguinsrepublic.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/i-dont-think-this-needs-any-comment.html" target="_blank">from the Daily Mail</a>, whose headlines in Scotland and the UK can be seen below:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNUaWQTA5e8KqVR11017c6q9MK8NIowmGo_tWQvM7EgXzVCUB8ahyphenhyphenRsGAxP9H1VokRjPuAVvUFcAkD8uVC_wyho8uE0hlEn5W_OTHZDHcVW8b4rY8N0_lVMFVqnFYY3N6H8QIh2SeCFdU/s1600/mail....jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNUaWQTA5e8KqVR11017c6q9MK8NIowmGo_tWQvM7EgXzVCUB8ahyphenhyphenRsGAxP9H1VokRjPuAVvUFcAkD8uVC_wyho8uE0hlEn5W_OTHZDHcVW8b4rY8N0_lVMFVqnFYY3N6H8QIh2SeCFdU/s1600/mail....jpg" height="227" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Darling's cat is out of the bag</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After bleating on about wanting to know what 'Plan B' was (something that Sign for Scotland blog readers <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/so-who-else-cant-use-pound.html" target="_blank">have known since February</a>), Alistair Darling, the Director of the 'no' campaign, answered his own question:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6lJFWKPrewdffrOknwqoTEOUg8Ggd1gAQHbRs7JDIQ_ZxYe2TOC4NPfdBO3epD854U94UYNDj1UWM8u1ohkApKnyx_hsqguCf9RWVofkBfvbmXTc0CoPZUpgFB_qLkLyuuMKYX-lnMDE/s1600/no_say_use_the_pound.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6lJFWKPrewdffrOknwqoTEOUg8Ggd1gAQHbRs7JDIQ_ZxYe2TOC4NPfdBO3epD854U94UYNDj1UWM8u1ohkApKnyx_hsqguCf9RWVofkBfvbmXTc0CoPZUpgFB_qLkLyuuMKYX-lnMDE/s1600/no_say_use_the_pound.png" height="200" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Of course we can use the pound. Anyone can use it and it was always ridiculous to suggest otherwise. Despite <a href="http://weegingerdug.wordpress.com/2014/08/26/bloodsports-for-vegans/" target="_blank">making jibes at the Republic of Panama</a> (one of the most <a href="http://www.ibtimes.com/panamas-economy-will-grow-over-5-percent-2014-making-it-fastest-growing-economy-latin-america" target="_blank">successful and stable countries</a> in Central America) to try and defuse his momentary lapse into honesty, there was no escaping the fact that the <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/out-of-the-loop/" target="_blank">main line of attack from the 'no' campaign</a> just fell apart.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-dlChCHXb9H_AtxFViDYGYY0L8Ks3dgkKKJ4y9XjegdwM_wDRM3WTaSSzMlV22LmGexVdua6hway5fqvWyAxNFcsL1wuC1Erc7T9sO0Vp1FEYD_kHOXo51y_ugNaE-4-7fkCFR7RycA/s1600/Cat+out+of+the+Bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-dlChCHXb9H_AtxFViDYGYY0L8Ks3dgkKKJ4y9XjegdwM_wDRM3WTaSSzMlV22LmGexVdua6hway5fqvWyAxNFcsL1wuC1Erc7T9sO0Vp1FEYD_kHOXo51y_ugNaE-4-7fkCFR7RycA/s1600/Cat+out+of+the+Bag.jpg" height="315" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
The cat is out of the bag. Mr Darling better make more corporate appearances over the next 3 weeks, because we suspect his <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/columnists/article-2517238/RICHARD-KAY-After-dinner-star-Alistair-Darling-makes-170-000-private-events.html" target="_blank">£10,000 a night fee</a> won't be lasting for much longer!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Floating Voters </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Voters travelling to Shetland were treated to a Q&A session with Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. She was heading for a <a href="http://www.womenforindependence.org/" target="_blank">Women for Independence</a> / <a href="http://yesshetland.info/index.html" target="_blank">Yes Shetland</a> event.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7LY3-C470aS8dLYf4O9Jg0dZXarIr1Bsy1LvohiN_xNf6GPwNAHs4RP56qgs4sTsxHpbDvMZ0An3B7yTbORjXzPUgUCnPqE3xpQtSurGg37aUI99oqSxDTxa83BW5rX3aWivfHRGlpY/s1600/10609600_762355967139655_5586599545655097077_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7LY3-C470aS8dLYf4O9Jg0dZXarIr1Bsy1LvohiN_xNf6GPwNAHs4RP56qgs4sTsxHpbDvMZ0An3B7yTbORjXzPUgUCnPqE3xpQtSurGg37aUI99oqSxDTxa83BW5rX3aWivfHRGlpY/s1600/10609600_762355967139655_5586599545655097077_n.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yes supporters on board reported that seeing such a leading figure answering questions during the ferry crossing had left them feeling buoyed!</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>What Women Want!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hilarity was shared across social media this week as #PatronisingBTLady spread like wildfire. It was even reported in <a href="http://rt.com/uk/183440-scotland-independence-sexist-ad/" target="_blank">Irish, Russian and Italian</a> news outlets. The story started with an embarrassingly bad video from the no campaign, which was then widely shared and parodied across the internet, including on <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/a-decisive-choice/" target="_blank">Wings Over Scotland</a>, <a href="http://scienceofindependence.wordpress.com/2014/08/27/patronisingbtlady-its-time-to-get-angry/" target="_blank">The Science of Independence</a>, <a href="http://weegiewarbler.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/guest-writer-steven-mcbrien-looks-at.html" target="_blank">Witterings of a Weegiewarbler</a>, <a href="http://www.womenforindependence.org/#!Janey-Godley-Why-Im-Voting-Yes/c8f9/D3015CD9-C1B5-42CE-8081-8531351DEB7F" target="_blank">Women for Independence</a> and <a href="http://logicsrock.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/women-spot-difference.html" target="_blank">Logic's Rock</a>. The most stinging (and thus enjoyable) criticism came from <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/08/27/patronisingbtlady-scottish-independence_n_5721048.html" target="_blank">the Huffington Post</a> and online:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwIpEMJHSJUeOtQ22a-lIKaluoTvvdLo1j9pehht9IwSmIlZKazeRWtlnpHW2lGTr2OoAHGbEls6Uos_-RKZqxhKB_E4DCgPShpue5GT9MD6ZSM0zwVYX1NqyVxQINxPnD40xNxiePsQ/s1600/1908403_266599540202690_2716293954128768900_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwIpEMJHSJUeOtQ22a-lIKaluoTvvdLo1j9pehht9IwSmIlZKazeRWtlnpHW2lGTr2OoAHGbEls6Uos_-RKZqxhKB_E4DCgPShpue5GT9MD6ZSM0zwVYX1NqyVxQINxPnD40xNxiePsQ/s1600/1908403_266599540202690_2716293954128768900_n.jpg" height="198" width="400" /></a></div>
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Whilst many people thought it would be impossible for the no campaign to surpass #Hamatime for sheer ineptitude (see: <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/not-in-news-24th-of-august-edition.html" target="_blank">Two wrongs make a far right</a>) they pulled their creative resources together, attended 'lots' of focus groups, and created a parody fit for Saturday Night Live. At least this campaign is <a href="http://www.dunoon-observer.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7300:dunoon-observer-referendum-debate-&catid=1:news&Itemid=19" target="_blank">paying the mortgage of many senior unionists</a> and during the week they managed to find <a href="http://www.heraldscotland.com/mobile/politics/referendum-news/labour-critics-pin-blame-for-new-no-woes-on-alexander.25188352" target="_blank">someone to blame</a>!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSbCymaFD8sNzq9_mHy6DvzDKicJdpMinTFdQf4rbD-uroNNqHGADhmxD2fpwlqFSBp8gKbprAGH3PxSjFxQFADFucakt6Fd7N8zHjic9lzeHbKnnLriEEip9tEo9JinMND-gIKf4sSss/s1600/Focus+Tweet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSbCymaFD8sNzq9_mHy6DvzDKicJdpMinTFdQf4rbD-uroNNqHGADhmxD2fpwlqFSBp8gKbprAGH3PxSjFxQFADFucakt6Fd7N8zHjic9lzeHbKnnLriEEip9tEo9JinMND-gIKf4sSss/s1600/Focus+Tweet.jpg" height="157" width="400" /></a></div>
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But compare and contrast with the new video from Yes Scotland entitled 'Yes Means'. Here is the video with subtitles available (just turn on captions):</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/bbWnBX6BY5A?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<b>2,500 is larger than 132 (I need to clarify this for the BBC)</b><br />
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During this week, <a href="http://derekbateman.co.uk/2014/08/27/three-cheers-for-us/" target="_blank">132 business figures signed a letter</a> stating that people in Scotland should vote no. The primary reasons appeared to be surrounding the currency (which the head of the 'no' campaign Alistair Darling confirmed can be the £ without Westminster's permission - see above), EU membership (<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jun/21/eu-referendum-majority-leave-opinium-observer-poll" target="_blank">ha ha</a>) and that they don't like the prospect of changes (<a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/business-but-not-as-usual.html" target="_blank">especially ones which will increase competition</a>).</div>
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</div>
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But looking at the list, <a href="http://derekbateman.co.uk/2014/08/27/three-cheers-for-us/" target="_blank">I'm not sure I want to be on the same side as them</a> anyway.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyM6F6AgfAi9Qt8cUSr6EZ1RV28-01K-bRASDZV6CmR2BtOC4HiMfaxpy7OOleY8FJjk1KRDWzGdHwtSGSdej3TQEbwMZV9I5UYcVzX8BOBqVw0gb71RkL8fhgmuQR__De1TMPsoSBbWc/s1600/Over+2500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyM6F6AgfAi9Qt8cUSr6EZ1RV28-01K-bRASDZV6CmR2BtOC4HiMfaxpy7OOleY8FJjk1KRDWzGdHwtSGSdej3TQEbwMZV9I5UYcVzX8BOBqVw0gb71RkL8fhgmuQR__De1TMPsoSBbWc/s1600/Over+2500.jpg" height="400" width="332" /></a></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The BBC, whose <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9650-bbc-facing-calls-to-resign-from-cbi-as-dinner-deemed-an-official-no-campaign-event" target="_blank">colleagues in the anti-independence organisation the CBI</a> make up a significant percentage of the signatories, gave this story a <a href="http://www.businessforscotland.co.uk/business-for-scotland-calls-on-bbc-to-leave-cbi/" target="_blank">great deal of promanence</a>. Of course, the number of business people who support independence is <a href="http://www.businessforscotland.co.uk/member-profiles/" target="_blank">over 2,500</a> (over 19 times larger). Do you believe the BBC has offered 19 times more coverage to business leaders who support independence than oppose it? Didn't think so.</div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Putting the boot in</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A source at Fifa, the governing body for international football, has stated that a 'no' vote in the referendum will likely see the end of the Scottish national football teams.</div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“If Scotland votes No then you're going to see that debate [about the UK
pitching four teams] erupt again. There is going to be real pressure to
have that UK disparity finally dealt with. In the wake of a No vote
many of the countries envious of the UK's special footballing status
would see this as a perfect opportunity,” <a href="http://en.ria.ru/analysis/20140828/192417905/Scottish-No-Vote-Will-Lead-to-Questions-Over-Its-International.html" target="_blank">NIA Novosti news agency</a></blockquote>
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<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/AVvXsEhMbFj3LovuEJawb64Hb6pEbL77_eqpcqT3OEUzOiSIRPn19IqJfTAyoe6CZz_6z2FIF6O4NsNmDk3EFOZ9Z__1X9kbk4uKdeumPIWqyBAX2GDMk5v-gA5JfaSq0PpSdily3t51aEtApVw/s1600/archie-gemmill-goal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbFj3LovuEJawb64Hb6pEbL77_eqpcqT3OEUzOiSIRPn19IqJfTAyoe6CZz_6z2FIF6O4NsNmDk3EFOZ9Z__1X9kbk4uKdeumPIWqyBAX2GDMk5v-gA5JfaSq0PpSdily3t51aEtApVw/s1600/archie-gemmill-goal.jpg" height="236" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Vote no and you'll never see this again</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEgZMGvSg9e28yvkgjPIqJ3AxJxpsGRVeCnqewEYP0YdAJ4oGDYP4c-ImMDQIWtpyTxoWFswMHvhfp9L_uYlpaa0qSUj43-0u3dagui_QmWy7JGskHTmo7G7B1ADUentsGOkytitXyTulfQ/s1600/scotlandwomen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZMGvSg9e28yvkgjPIqJ3AxJxpsGRVeCnqewEYP0YdAJ4oGDYP4c-ImMDQIWtpyTxoWFswMHvhfp9L_uYlpaa0qSUj43-0u3dagui_QmWy7JGskHTmo7G7B1ADUentsGOkytitXyTulfQ/s1600/scotlandwomen.jpg" height="168" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Or this either</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A Yes vote will give us <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/the-negotiator.html" target="_blank">the upper-hand in any negotations</a>. A no vote gives Westminster and FIFA <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/here-comes-the-love/" target="_blank">the opportunity to put the boot in</a>. If you believe Scotland is a nation, and that we should be allowed to represent outselves, in either politics or sport, then you have to vote Yes.</div>
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<b>What came first, the chicken or the egg?</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Jim Murphy MP was the victim of a soft egg being patted onto his back (or '<a href="http://yes2014.net/2014/08/29/jim-murphy-mystery-man/#twitter" target="_blank">an attack</a>' if you read the Mail online, which you probably don't). But who was the perpetrator of this heinous crime? Yes International engaged in journalism, a rarity in Scotland, and found an interesting result:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2UG8QBl93eqQa0St8Jvu99EZln7S7d8sqryLbwstdG93o43IC8utMiIeLxQNv5Pfh2y5BzTu52EMYwNx3-I0VQ9KxZ5M9KmirN57NDINbchRZPGMr2mCuCkQZLzC_OkBIlS8ZbowY7NU/s1600/eggy4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2UG8QBl93eqQa0St8Jvu99EZln7S7d8sqryLbwstdG93o43IC8utMiIeLxQNv5Pfh2y5BzTu52EMYwNx3-I0VQ9KxZ5M9KmirN57NDINbchRZPGMr2mCuCkQZLzC_OkBIlS8ZbowY7NU/s1600/eggy4.png" height="235" width="400" /></a></div>
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That is a picture of the man who used the egg according to STV. And below is an image of what is believed to be the same person.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKWzx_EFEREMkjbPTgY4hT532L4-k6EyZluh-Dawsm7TLftJ_W_82_6tR9qeWrFSjytcTk8PZNDrqqyr8VmIfL0DRiBknjEUy0nuqXcUiqak3Vo0LmT5s65T4tXuwRtbw8EFyQpw8EO4s/s1600/mysteryman2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKWzx_EFEREMkjbPTgY4hT532L4-k6EyZluh-Dawsm7TLftJ_W_82_6tR9qeWrFSjytcTk8PZNDrqqyr8VmIfL0DRiBknjEUy0nuqXcUiqak3Vo0LmT5s65T4tXuwRtbw8EFyQpw8EO4s/s1600/mysteryman2.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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At Sign for Scotland, we know a little bit about hearing aids. What is in the picture above is not something you can pick up from Specsavers.</div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"[The earpiece is] known as an acoustic radio police radio earpiece with push to talk.
Normally used by the police, by the security services on operations and
by private security firms." <a href="http://yes2014.net/2014/08/29/jim-murphy-mystery-man/#twitter" target="_blank">Yes International</a></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It is possible that this person is a Yes campaigner and not someone inciting trouble (see here for recent UK based examples of agent provocateurs from <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/jan/10/fine-line-undercover-officer" target="_blank">the Guardian</a>, <a href="http://www.channel4.com/news/undercover-police-officer-was-agent-provocateur" target="_blank">Channel 4 news</a>, <a href="http://liberalconspiracy.org/2011/03/28/bbc-footage-identifies-police-agent-crossing-line-during-cuts-protest/" target="_blank">Liberal Conspiracy</a> and <a href="http://medialens.org/23_fg_75_lc/viewtopic.php?p=9485&sid=a36321ca911de8aedc56b3d3ce3a3491" target="_blank">Medialens</a>) but the main stream media in Scotland should have attempted a little journalism before jumping to baseless conclusions. As a side note, Jim Murphy now has an excuse to cut short his <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/losing-the-rag/" target="_blank">disasterous 100 street tour</a>.</div>
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<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/AVvXsEimhQz0ccXAxHeFN_LTZCyzXDUxf7ivQCuoLQq4JbSthqKOiDCjlhbmfYUR5FtKvTUGpAQJC-aaTqOtCpl79eeTkvY_Q0XW5fTaZ1H1sXVyKvYOmt-osP9u4qPGu4kanGCb9QRHMdtuF_4/s1600/I+am+the+Eggman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhQz0ccXAxHeFN_LTZCyzXDUxf7ivQCuoLQq4JbSthqKOiDCjlhbmfYUR5FtKvTUGpAQJC-aaTqOtCpl79eeTkvY_Q0XW5fTaZ1H1sXVyKvYOmt-osP9u4qPGu4kanGCb9QRHMdtuF_4/s1600/I+am+the+Eggman.jpg" height="357" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The real mastermind behind the egg</i><u><br /></u></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In other, less serious news, a person has been found guilty of abuse after <a href="http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/crime-courts/twitter-troll-who-threatened-to-kill-salmond-as-joke-found-guilty-has-sentence-def.1409320802" target="_blank">threatening to assassinate First Minster Alex Salmond</a>. But <a href="http://derekbateman.co.uk/2014/08/29/the-rabble-rouser/" target="_blank">that's not as important as an egg story</a>.</div>
<br />
<b>#GlasgowTakeover</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On Saturday, the 30th of August, Radical Independence made a mass gathering at the top of Buchanan Street in Glasgow. It was extremely well attended a featured a number of famous Yes supporters.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtwBSZVO-63GtSuO3u_ioJnhFeXFJtcV5phX8M2bT0lmc5LF1w-5MRdyXAYhTzdUYhxFIr8vSn8TIkupECoObfiDi1SnyT3vxF_85MZWpsi_7hgngkogoWR29pL2YW3HJCTwAUIfJYnn8/s1600/Radical+Takeover+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtwBSZVO-63GtSuO3u_ioJnhFeXFJtcV5phX8M2bT0lmc5LF1w-5MRdyXAYhTzdUYhxFIr8vSn8TIkupECoObfiDi1SnyT3vxF_85MZWpsi_7hgngkogoWR29pL2YW3HJCTwAUIfJYnn8/s1600/Radical+Takeover+1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This is the type of grassroots campaigning that the no campaign just can't match. If you'd like to know more about this event, then check out <a href="http://jameshenryowens.wordpress.com/2014/08/30/the-ric-rally-glasgowtakeover/" target="_blank">this blog by James Owens</a>.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Join us again on Sunday for our next look at what's 'not in the news'! </div>
Drew<br />
<br />
If you like this blog, then please consider visiting our other sites:<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sign-for-Scotland/499368123435883" target="_blank">Facebook - Sign for Scotland</a><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/Sign4Scotland/videos" target="_blank">YouTube - Sign4Scotland</a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/Sign4Scotland" target="_blank">Twitter - Sign4Scotland</a>Sign for Scotlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16057474693059978339noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968036878657352398.post-30922761313635847722014-08-28T08:58:00.001+01:002014-08-28T08:58:20.757+01:00Vote no, get nothing<div style="text-align: justify;">
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</xml><![endif]-->This blog is about reasons for voting ‘Yes’ during the
referendum for Scottish Independence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We largely focus on economic, social and political reasons why we, the people of
Scotland, would be better off having the decisions affecting our lives being
made within our borders by politicians who are answerable to us. We try to use logic and facts to back up our arguments and avoid personal attacks (wherever possible).</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg5ss-DWO3TsLHkf5993EI_N3EMYt0MGCBaqYlUtQA_B0AaVePm5DU5iL-k5hIwKVDgriFDwJIUy_kcUIoyIOfiduitckTJnaMkZ7FKtG4pKOBHgH8DPxKowj6ZghC6T5oAZf94l58KKw/s1600/just-the-facts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg5ss-DWO3TsLHkf5993EI_N3EMYt0MGCBaqYlUtQA_B0AaVePm5DU5iL-k5hIwKVDgriFDwJIUy_kcUIoyIOfiduitckTJnaMkZ7FKtG4pKOBHgH8DPxKowj6ZghC6T5oAZf94l58KKw/s320/just-the-facts.jpg" height="308" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
But it’s important to acknowledge the future that awaits us
if we vote no.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No offers no economic
stability; just as the ‘Yes’ campaign cannot guarantee that an independent
Scotland will become richer despite a mountain of evidence which suggests that
it would, the ‘no’ campaign cannot promise to stop the UK’s economic slide and
stagnation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The ‘no’ campaign cannot tell us what tax rates we will
have, for even if everyone in Scotland were to agree on an approach we would be
unable to enforce such a policy within the UK due to our minority status.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ‘no’ campaign cannot tell us what
currency we will use, for the decision is a reserved matter at Westminster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is nothing to stop David Cameron from
taking us into the Euro or adopting the US Dollar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He doesn’t need our permission, the way an
independent Scottish Parliament would, as all he would need is to have a
majority of MPs to back his idea, and he can easily gain them in England alone
(and even if he were forced into a referendum, a 55% - 45% vote in Scotland
would only affect the overall outcome by less than 1%, reducing us to
spectators).</div>
<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/AVvXsEg5X3hGCJMMg9ntkUtrMTRWv1cp_4mxzI4l2-gzqtOf8isLYWW7l7ElHljsVdLou7BJiKBbYDZ3424jPz2RgbN00KnOc0bFBKtTCTvjb_okyIrMVLiq7UdpYsWb8ErN_tnlHjSL8P2szw8/s1600/120403111958-large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5X3hGCJMMg9ntkUtrMTRWv1cp_4mxzI4l2-gzqtOf8isLYWW7l7ElHljsVdLou7BJiKBbYDZ3424jPz2RgbN00KnOc0bFBKtTCTvjb_okyIrMVLiq7UdpYsWb8ErN_tnlHjSL8P2szw8/s320/120403111958-large.jpg" height="208" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"We'll make all the important decisions for you," Westminster's 'offer'</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The Conservatives will not transfer new powers to a Scottish
Parliament which they are unlikely to control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This means that whenever we get a Tory Government ruling us, the
transfer of power can only move south.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most people agree on this point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What about the only alternative to the Conservatives at Westminster, the
Labour Party?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Ed Miliband, the leader of the Labour Party, has repeatedly
called for ‘One Nation’.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ve set out a vision of what this country can be, one
nation…from business to education to welfare.” (New Year speech, December 2012)</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A ‘one nation’ approach to business means that the power to
vary the rate and thresholds for corporation tax cannot be held in Scotland
(which Mr Miliband has relegated to a region).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A ‘one nation’ approach to education, means that the tuition fees which
students resident in Scotland can currently avoid will be imposed, with a £9,000
per year charge becoming the norm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
‘one nation’ approach to welfare means that the prevailing attitudes in
Westminster towards those receiving benefits will be adopted, regardless of
whether those values match those of the Scottish People.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘One nation’ doesn’t leave much room for the
transfer of powers towards Scotland.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdf5hXwfkWogFmlJgtj6LDT1iZSHYm7mn426JggHnUzD6uG-CBGnA5VsyVT71SHSv9QhDvr7cdk8i2vKP0awZx9xnJdgZSEE7RuJ3oiDtOC87db5QvbyVXD8rN0OQYd7TWcWtpb2DiQA/s1600/553908_393130257400820_622302880_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdf5hXwfkWogFmlJgtj6LDT1iZSHYm7mn426JggHnUzD6uG-CBGnA5VsyVT71SHSv9QhDvr7cdk8i2vKP0awZx9xnJdgZSEE7RuJ3oiDtOC87db5QvbyVXD8rN0OQYd7TWcWtpb2DiQA/s320/553908_393130257400820_622302880_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The Scottish Parliament will no longer be for a nation
within a nation, regardless of which half of Westminster wins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we want a meaningful say in our future and
for our parliament to hold onto the powers that it has, then we need to support
independence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two Westminster
parties are like railroad tracks running parallel to one another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their direction is clear; reduce the
authority of the Scottish Parliament until it is unable to do anything and
hoard all power in the southeast.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Only ‘Yes’ can maintain what we have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/tag/vote-no-get-nothing/" target="_blank">If you vote no, you'll get nothing</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Drew</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you like this blog, then please consider visiting our other sites:<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sign-for-Scotland/499368123435883" target="_blank">Facebook - Sign for Scotland</a><br />
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Sign for Scotlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16057474693059978339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968036878657352398.post-91763780122075085812014-08-24T10:09:00.003+01:002014-08-24T10:09:45.338+01:00Not in the News -24th of August Edition<div style="text-align: justify;">
Welcome to another edition of our <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Not%20in%20the%20News" target="_blank">weekly series</a> looking back at the stories
which the main stream media in Scotland didn't offer much attention to,
and comparing them to those that hit the front pages. Our last edition can be found <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/not-in-news-late-august-edition.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVpJkGKImzCKP9h3USF9_Q-zhnEoowY-JrngMGBwF43BuFKZeDiFomDxHKjWIJL-O1ok2qtc4VNOQOycDNy6mD1B4kg8M5cKKD1l6JJ_bBrHdPglg6R7Y547iC5jn-O02p5-JxdEc13w/s1600/negative3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVpJkGKImzCKP9h3USF9_Q-zhnEoowY-JrngMGBwF43BuFKZeDiFomDxHKjWIJL-O1ok2qtc4VNOQOycDNy6mD1B4kg8M5cKKD1l6JJ_bBrHdPglg6R7Y547iC5jn-O02p5-JxdEc13w/s1600/negative3.jpg" height="288" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Bankers' Loyalty</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A prime example of why it is better to build an economy <a href="http://www.businessforscotland.co.uk/10-key-economic-facts-that-prove-scotland-will-be-a-wealthy-independent-nation/" target="_blank">on real goods and commodities</a> was revealed this week as a number of US Banks threatened to <a href="http://newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9604-us-banks-make-plans-to-move-to-ireland-as-fears-grow-over-uk-eu-exit" target="_blank">re-locate from the City of London</a> to locations within the EU.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOlSU41qdGPxnsKn3vTgPUgNQG-ERKUrAV7VFWnkSYjqGqZ6HO1RQbmVrSTncz6j0l7olXtBahxnJ9K0eKXgTdhN_EV_k2Qiu95dpf75UkMdd2s6F5ey6kfSovnTopmIWbGhcM_Buj1E/s1600/banksters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOlSU41qdGPxnsKn3vTgPUgNQG-ERKUrAV7VFWnkSYjqGqZ6HO1RQbmVrSTncz6j0l7olXtBahxnJ9K0eKXgTdhN_EV_k2Qiu95dpf75UkMdd2s6F5ey6kfSovnTopmIWbGhcM_Buj1E/s1600/banksters.jpg" height="283" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
With it appearing increasingly likely that <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jun/21/eu-referendum-majority-leave-opinium-observer-poll" target="_blank">Westminster will leave the EU</a> (and have to negotiate a free-trade agreement that <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/eu-or-not-eu-well-gain-either-way-with.html" target="_blank">will not have favourable terms for Scotland</a>), the American Banks are making contingencies to move operations to Dublin and/or Frankfurt. With independence, Scotland could also enjoy <a href="http://www.businessforscotland.co.uk/leading-think-tank-independent-scotland-can-become-financial-powerhouse/" target="_blank">some benefit from the Bankers' flight from London</a>, but re-industrialising our country will be the priority.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And of course, there are others who are looking to <a href="http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/nissan/84643/nissan-factory-moving-england-scotland" target="_blank">re-locate to Scotland</a>. </div>
<br />
<b>Two wrongs make a far right!</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You can read the story of Yvonne Hama, who appeared on the front page of the official no campaign website, <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/bigots-together/" target="_blank">here</a>. It so shocking that even the BBC <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-28837313" target="_blank">had to report it</a>! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But none of that stopped Ms Hama from starring in the no campaign TV broadcast a day later. It's #hamatime!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20Exhh-seOziayDEtTYqjzRLsNXyi-3PCcGC9f7WdH403xSCW9Me-zUm7KqIVr_Rs7zyIyZJldQrketqfkQdmidPNmBELMrAucrtKBgNI30PiTDZRxuXcRO6_4nBoBrYcObA3vS681xs/s1600/Hamatime+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20Exhh-seOziayDEtTYqjzRLsNXyi-3PCcGC9f7WdH403xSCW9Me-zUm7KqIVr_Rs7zyIyZJldQrketqfkQdmidPNmBELMrAucrtKBgNI30PiTDZRxuXcRO6_4nBoBrYcObA3vS681xs/s1600/Hamatime+1.jpg" height="168" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqF_YMvZsWSyEJMUzerNH-bZidcvJjoo-lFcXF9iUdj3JjxKqOjWi799mGDR9jRACKfnbJEHHuy7dFSphyphenhyphenSMQnpwvAsr7ewR7WQheEo3gQB_j5GG9EdmvV8zCdv5PkOahtarlBGf8ablo/s1600/Hamatime+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqF_YMvZsWSyEJMUzerNH-bZidcvJjoo-lFcXF9iUdj3JjxKqOjWi799mGDR9jRACKfnbJEHHuy7dFSphyphenhyphenSMQnpwvAsr7ewR7WQheEo3gQB_j5GG9EdmvV8zCdv5PkOahtarlBGf8ablo/s1600/Hamatime+2.jpg" height="145" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Go Westminster! (Seriously, just go away and stop interfering)</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Everyone in Scotland who is reading this article will be pleased to know that the tax they pay is contributing to the 'no' campaign! HM Government has been <a href="http://aworkingclassman.com/exclusive-uk-government-broken-referendum-spending-rules/" target="_blank">paying for better together adverts</a> on various websites in an attempt to prevent a Yes vote in September's referendum.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOtwsV6y4OgetHiDlP6aZxLAKUYsgXXSfuWetuWp-BuiWwvF40s8B_bo2WqZC6BW8rVGeKesJAElYo8veuBhZnMy5Sf1wEYae_ycE2ZevM3N0bETxR-z4eH_mCpN2VpmclUTAq1RSHddc/s1600/cartoon-puppet-media-600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOtwsV6y4OgetHiDlP6aZxLAKUYsgXXSfuWetuWp-BuiWwvF40s8B_bo2WqZC6BW8rVGeKesJAElYo8veuBhZnMy5Sf1wEYae_ycE2ZevM3N0bETxR-z4eH_mCpN2VpmclUTAq1RSHddc/s1600/cartoon-puppet-media-600.jpg" height="341" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This story appeared on <a href="http://aworkingclassman.com/exclusive-uk-government-broken-referendum-spending-rules/" target="_blank">aworkingclassman.com</a>, whose evidence comes from Google Adwords used on their site. It was <a href="http://aworkingclassman.com/uk-government-still-breaking-election-rules-indyref/" target="_blank">confirmed that this process</a> has continued into the final 28 days of the referendum, which is in direct contravention of the Edinburgh Agreement. The real question is whether or not the Electoral Commission will record this expenditure as part of the no campaign budget and act on this <a href="http://aworkingclassman.com/uk-government-still-breaking-election-rules-indyref/" target="_blank">breach of election rules</a>. <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/not-in-news-early-july-edition.html" target="_blank">We don't have high expectations</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Vote Yes and we'll punish you (vote no and we'll really punish you!)</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Westminster's <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/the-negotiator.html" target="_blank">idle threats against Scottish Independence</a> have been around since the start of the referendum campaign, but their very geniune signals of intent following a 'no' vote have become much clearer during the past week. <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/here-comes-the-love/" target="_blank">The Times, the Herald, the Telegraph, the Scotsman</a> and <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-28859522" target="_blank">even the BBC</a> are highlighting the coming cuts (although they use the estimate of £4 billion per year rather than the <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/here-comes-the-love/" target="_blank">more likely £7 billion figure</a>).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCZrKLHdWgIrmQD6rVR-M3hLd4rtVDoVK-giLTrj1YRVN4hGYEgeRyuWAbwtFBIoAv8APNSMVWwxP62zLXPDTDghTEKUtb85ysTQ0-cQUFIQLLM4Rk3ODDAUVZfelcCrFXkO6NCIV4PA/s1600/heavyprice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCZrKLHdWgIrmQD6rVR-M3hLd4rtVDoVK-giLTrj1YRVN4hGYEgeRyuWAbwtFBIoAv8APNSMVWwxP62zLXPDTDghTEKUtb85ysTQ0-cQUFIQLLM4Rk3ODDAUVZfelcCrFXkO6NCIV4PA/s1600/heavyprice.jpg" height="260" width="400" /></a></div>
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And these <a href="http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/UK-Budget-can-t-hide-continued-cuts-a90.aspx" target="_blank">extra cuts</a> are likely to come about despite up to <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-28855053" target="_blank">1,000,000 being unable to afford adequate housing</a> with 100,000 of them being deemed <a href="http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/scottish-independence-almost-million-scots-too-poor-proper-housing-1461857" target="_blank">too poor for even minimum standards</a>. Instead of looking at <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/why-pay-for-what-you-dont-want.html" target="_blank">money that is being wasted</a>, it is those who have the least that will <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ReasonsForAnIndependentScotland/photos/a.726676597347585.1073741829.690586660956579/952623841419525/?type=1&relevant_count=1" target="_blank">bare the brunt of future London budgets</a>.</div>
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Vote Yes and Westminster will have to <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/the-negotiator.html" target="_blank">cut off its own leg to scratch us</a>, vote no, and we'll be left <a href="http://rueclementmarot.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/backlash.html" target="_blank">defenceless to resist</a> their austerity programme (as well as the demand for a pound of flesh from voters in England).</div>
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<b>The missing 8 billion barrels of oil - Let's 'Frack' this case!</b></div>
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If you have any interaction with the Main Stream Media in Scotland, then you will have come across the name Ian Wood. This week, he claimed that there is just <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/the-lost-treasure-of-the-deep/" target="_blank">15,000,000,000 to 16,500,000,000 barrels of oil</a> left in the North Sea, which is much lower than the amount in Scottish Government's White Paper on Independence (24,000,000,000 barrels). The fact that this was significantly higher than the <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/not-in-news-early-june-edition.html" target="_blank">OBR's estimate</a> of 10,000,000,000 barrels wasn't as widely reported.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvqL8Kno1hQIQB9X4r-vgjYMq2SHE-rMpyCDuzOBHuJAwjodbyge-3l3wWdHuaSAXzzVLxUWHj8W7mLqEqXUcVAEt8gwr7yILtA5Rls6geas-CV5h8okneNSRP9AoHRHqc-KF3P5npzBo/s1600/Treasury1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvqL8Kno1hQIQB9X4r-vgjYMq2SHE-rMpyCDuzOBHuJAwjodbyge-3l3wWdHuaSAXzzVLxUWHj8W7mLqEqXUcVAEt8gwr7yILtA5Rls6geas-CV5h8okneNSRP9AoHRHqc-KF3P5npzBo/s1600/Treasury1.jpg" height="400" width="362" /></a></div>
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So what do other experts in the field believe? Well the UK Government's own Department of Energy and Climate Change put the oil reserves at <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/the-lost-treasure-of-the-deep/" target="_blank">35,000,000,000 barrels</a>, and N-56, a think tank with members that operate in the North Sea, has estimates <a href="http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/uk_news/scotland/article1447959.ece" target="_blank">closer to 60,000,000,000</a>. You can also read the reply to Mr Wood by economist and former advisor to Labour and Conservative Secretaries of State for Scotland Donald MacKay <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-economy/9630-sir-donald-mackay-challenges-sir-ian-woods-remarks-on-oil-and-gas" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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Finally, and perhaps most significantly, in February of this year Ian Wood wrote a report saying that he believed there to be around <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/fool-you-twice-shame-on-you/" target="_blank">24,000,000,000 barrels left</a> in the North Sea (yes, the same Ian Wood who, with no new information being presented to him, now believes that 8 billion barrels worth of oil has magically disappeared). He also advised young people to get involved in the North Sea industry as it can offer them '<a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-opinion/9623-sir-ian-woods-oil-intervention-was-political" target="_blank">a job for life</a>'. Let's hope that none of them were silly enough to listen to him!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqYoB1WMB7tjsx985T4pHYG6Wi5rGt9qI_hN7rEgRqz5UFMiTNg5J44rpgzfGx6OPruAb1QEKYph4N4U5ZomUfvQAwGlyo-1nF-quJ4iC0RqI_Z2tcyHHXZqVgCjV7JCHbwpgaZIzOafs/s1600/economist+and+oil3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqYoB1WMB7tjsx985T4pHYG6Wi5rGt9qI_hN7rEgRqz5UFMiTNg5J44rpgzfGx6OPruAb1QEKYph4N4U5ZomUfvQAwGlyo-1nF-quJ4iC0RqI_Z2tcyHHXZqVgCjV7JCHbwpgaZIzOafs/s1600/economist+and+oil3.jpg" height="400" width="262" /></a></div>
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While nothing has changed with regards to the amount of extractable oil, a new feature is <a href="http://frack-off.org.uk/locations/" target="_blank">UK Government contracts for fracking</a> becoming available. Mr Wood's company, the imaginatively titled 'Wood Group', is <a href="http://www.bq-magazine.co.uk/scotland-august-2014/fracking-helps-wood-group-maintain-momentum/" target="_blank">heavily involved in fracking</a>, and Westminster will be handing out lucrative licences in <a href="http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/newsdesk/energy/analysis/environmental-impact-14th-round" target="_blank">various locations across Scotland and the UK</a>. If the Wood Group were to receive enough of these, then Mr Wood's grandchildren would certainly be thankful for a no vote!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzzc7GBmpe_Yq1E-UDwZGiXn5f0M3rivFLxdmWQmKWPUBIeTZC4HCD2u_nqoGdhCVC72WUXb4Zrc2L4_32bs_JgcAhgxWm6Eb85Oz7jWmS9JAkirgaDQDbDyB-NdxPhlS_LhkNZOVdHCs/s1600/mightbehardposter5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzzc7GBmpe_Yq1E-UDwZGiXn5f0M3rivFLxdmWQmKWPUBIeTZC4HCD2u_nqoGdhCVC72WUXb4Zrc2L4_32bs_JgcAhgxWm6Eb85Oz7jWmS9JAkirgaDQDbDyB-NdxPhlS_LhkNZOVdHCs/s1600/mightbehardposter5.jpg" height="186" width="400" /></a></div>
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But the central question remains: do you believe the Scottish Government's position that we will have <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/the-oil-debate-for-busy-people/" target="_blank">a massive windfall for numerous decades to come</a>, a position based on <a href="https://archive.today/HLiSd" target="_blank">record levels of investment</a> by numerous oil companies as well as the evidence presented above, or Westminster's predictions that it will all be gone <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/later-than-you-think/" target="_blank">the moment we become independent</a>. <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/fool-you-twice-shame-on-you/" target="_blank">Here's a final bit of evidence to consider before you decide</a>.</div>
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<b>Things I don't know because I trust the BBC...#YesBecause!</b></div>
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The whole #YesBecause trend of twitter seemed to pass the BBC by this week. There were some fantastic messages of hope and optimism (as well as a few cheeky replies!) which helped to highlight the causes that we are campaigning for. It was fantastic that #YesBecause was seen around the world and it came just 1 day before Yes Scotland announced that <a href="http://www.el-balad.com/1112527" target="_blank">1 million voters in Scotland</a> had signed the Yes Declaration.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17RqpHw_HG88Sqp6RWWBhBVEKefxJQ0rU1Nxcwej1xD155DKYYtJEWYnqkWC3Nyj6dICdaa_BdgETv_uyfun4KFCCsN27d9w3I8zWRKTiW7Z0-Dkex-fczL9AKm8jq0HX8d7U9UhyIO0/s1600/Yes+Because.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17RqpHw_HG88Sqp6RWWBhBVEKefxJQ0rU1Nxcwej1xD155DKYYtJEWYnqkWC3Nyj6dICdaa_BdgETv_uyfun4KFCCsN27d9w3I8zWRKTiW7Z0-Dkex-fczL9AKm8jq0HX8d7U9UhyIO0/s1600/Yes+Because.jpg" height="400" width="297" /></a></div>
Of course, there were a few #nobecause messages:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6rxVCfBCHcX2mO628AWLaQLkqDuEExwohMaRoA5P8o6KPpYdzWf9x-apcPGSTCZsSXg75yezvLK2h3JeJaEC9sdOTC6XmGkI1IesMmj7pq0mXTkB7sfQz0OjEmULdeBigKu7ngBE64wM/s1600/No+because.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6rxVCfBCHcX2mO628AWLaQLkqDuEExwohMaRoA5P8o6KPpYdzWf9x-apcPGSTCZsSXg75yezvLK2h3JeJaEC9sdOTC6XmGkI1IesMmj7pq0mXTkB7sfQz0OjEmULdeBigKu7ngBE64wM/s1600/No+because.jpg" height="75" width="400" /></a></div>
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Remember to check our next 'not in the news' to find out what else I wouldn't know about if I trusted the BBC!</div>
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<b>Silence in Unison</b></div>
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"<a href="https://archive.today/jNY6u" target="_blank">SNP under fire for 'scandalous deceit' on future of NHS</a>" was the headline in the Daily Express this week as the Yes Scotland campaign highlighted the threats to our health service. So it was no surprise that the controlled media in Scotland offered very little coverage to the warnings of NHS privatisation made by trade union group <a href="http://www.unison.org.uk/at-work/health-care/key-issues/fighting-cuts-and-privatisation-in-the-nhs/home/" target="_blank">UNISON</a>. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOMkCbfyPaX9lGqg5qIfs014KM54VaubhIHzLCtc5HcNPQksIw1yQ4kws-gmCu72iMwlYVJUFC3PbiaZ-h4j89dX6e3O5SqrP-9Zp5vfRIeHzOeNddVR23AMm5f8B-FHwtwyWp2X6HrQ/s1600/hamishboo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOMkCbfyPaX9lGqg5qIfs014KM54VaubhIHzLCtc5HcNPQksIw1yQ4kws-gmCu72iMwlYVJUFC3PbiaZ-h4j89dX6e3O5SqrP-9Zp5vfRIeHzOeNddVR23AMm5f8B-FHwtwyWp2X6HrQ/s1600/hamishboo.jpg" height="281" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Not%20in%20the%20News" target="_blank">As you should know by now</a>, if you want the facts, you need to look online. Our favourite article on this topic comes from Wings over Scotland with "<a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/more-lying-nationalists/" target="_blank">More lying nationalists</a>".</div>
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Join us again on Sunday for our next look at what's 'not in the news'! </div>
Drew<br />
<br />
If you like this blog, then please consider visiting our other sites:<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sign-for-Scotland/499368123435883" target="_blank">Facebook - Sign for Scotland</a><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/Sign4Scotland/videos" target="_blank">YouTube - Sign4Scotland</a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/Sign4Scotland" target="_blank">Twitter - Sign4Scotland</a> Sign for Scotlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16057474693059978339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968036878657352398.post-13360836315859961172014-08-22T09:11:00.001+01:002014-08-22T09:11:33.970+01:00Plans A, B, C, D and E (I know you don't care about currency but it's the only thing the Westminster Defence League talk about)<div style="text-align: justify;">
We at Sign for Scotland were recently asked about the best way to respond to people who bring up the topic of currency. So here is our handly little guide. Just remember that the best references to this subject can be found in the '<a href="http://www.theweebluebook.com/" target="_blank">Wee Blue Book</a>' (starting on page 11) and on the Business for Scotland website (especially the article '<a href="http://www.businessforscotland.co.uk/euro-pound-or-scottish-pound/" target="_blank">Euro, Pound Sterling or Scottish Pound</a>'). The different options available to us are also listed on the Scottish Government's <a href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2013/11/8021" target="_blank">White Paper on Independence</a> (starting page 109).</div>
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<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/AVvXsEiGnyFz8KWfWZAGNTh6al5kSjrPgtyDJCUTl5qBjykW7NP8Kd7R-0MxUzpRJH3oRUj6lRyJv5_OAYmsk-hOupjMmwrEluB1E4FSs40c3-yPWB-y1HXYPjpNvNDsBhPrGDdHKaWpmGqAg4E/s1600/Lesson+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGnyFz8KWfWZAGNTh6al5kSjrPgtyDJCUTl5qBjykW7NP8Kd7R-0MxUzpRJH3oRUj6lRyJv5_OAYmsk-hOupjMmwrEluB1E4FSs40c3-yPWB-y1HXYPjpNvNDsBhPrGDdHKaWpmGqAg4E/s1600/Lesson+1.jpg" height="222" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>If the show 'Spice and Wolf' can use a wolf deity to explain economics then so can we!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Currency
Union</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
The term
‘Currency Union’ can be a bit mis-leading. It has nothing to do with using the
£ itself (as options 2 and 3 below will prove), it only means that the Bank of
England will continue to act as ‘lender of second last resort’ (see reference
[<a href="http://jcr.sagepub.com/content/48/2/194" target="_blank">1</a>] and [<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1266871/A-warning-British-economy-haunting-echoes--34-years-on.html" target="_blank">2</a>]). The main feature of this approach is that things remain the same
for people on both sides of the border. There will be no transaction costs and
banks operating in Scotland have a local lender with the ability to shore up
their finances. This option gives the Scottish Parliament no direct control
over the supply of money, although we have the flexibility to set our own tax
types and rates [<a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/the-race-thats-never-run/" target="_blank">3</a>] [<a href="http://www.kpmg.com/Global/en/services/Tax/tax-tools-and-resources/Pages/tax-rates-online.aspx" target="_blank">4</a>].<br />
<br />
This approach was successfully used by Luxembourg and
Belgium for over 7 decades [<a href="http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/59408/Belgium-Luxembourg-Economic-Union" target="_blank">5</a>] and could be replaced with any of the
other options listed at a future date. Below is a video in BSL explaining why Westminster will want a currency union, and why they are pretending to be against it during the referendum campaign.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw637yXZ07gw_F3-miRsm49fxCFdu6Pvswlra_4h04DGeptxOcBaXN6_kA2zlGvyf0u-Xqch7xSNSm16fcALw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Sterlingisation</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sterlingisation
means using a currency without having a central bank. This is the same as
‘Dollarisation’ and is a popular choice around the world [<a href="http://wfhummel.cnchost.com/dollarization.html" target="_blank">6</a>]. In our case,
Sterlingisation results in us using the £ as normal, as well as reduced debt payments
to Westminster. This is because the Bank of England holds a number of assets
that would be withheld from us [<a href="http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/boeapps/iadb/FromShowColumns.asp?Travel=NIxAZxI3x&FromCategoryList=Yes&NewMeaningId=ACRTOT,ATOTL,AFCAS,ATOTAL&CategId=6&HighlightCatValueDisplay=Assets%20-%20total" target="_blank">7</a>], and thus we would not be liable for any
debt that was accrued to secure those assets.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sterlingisation would not affect
the guarantee on savers, which means savers with up to €100,000 in their
accounts will continue to be protected [<a href="http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/bank/guarantee/index_en.htm" target="_blank">8</a>]. Banks operating in Scotland would
not be guaranteed bailouts should they fail, which will force them to act more
responsibly [<a href="http://www.adamsmith.org/blog/money-banking/an-independent-scotland-should-use-the-pound-without-permission-from-ruk/" target="_blank">9</a>]. This can be achieved without agreement with Westminster and be
replaced with any of the other options listed at a future date.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnhS8YK7RzRB5lGB5ASBMHIM3a9DrFVS6CL2c6ERQH5d9BSN0GTZwjYcYBrBFdXmnXmuKDviC-u4C-g08CaZN1Lpc1snAKw8oceIAPPCTl5uTitGyVLKgLhu-kN4K5kjjyNVkssR6CCw/s1600/Lesson+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnhS8YK7RzRB5lGB5ASBMHIM3a9DrFVS6CL2c6ERQH5d9BSN0GTZwjYcYBrBFdXmnXmuKDviC-u4C-g08CaZN1Lpc1snAKw8oceIAPPCTl5uTitGyVLKgLhu-kN4K5kjjyNVkssR6CCw/s1600/Lesson+2.jpg" height="282" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Scottish
Currency pegged to the Pound</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
The third
option is for Scotland to have its own currency that will have the same value
as the £. Bank of England notes would continue to be accepted in Scotland, and
the Scottish Parliament could, at a future date, decide to remove the peg (see
option 4) giving much more freedom of choice to future generations.<br />
<br />
A Scottish
Central Bank would be formed (or an existing bank in Scotland could be changed
into a central bank) which would adopt the same functions that the Bank of
England currently has. The strength of this central bank would depend upon the
post-referendum negotiations: if our share of the Bank of England’s assets were
transferred, then the corresponding levels of UK debt would be transferred too.
If no assets were transferred, then Scotland would have vastly reduced debt
payments. This is the option that Switzerland successfully uses today [<a href="http://www.theweek.co.uk/business/2433/swiss-national-bank-pegs-franc-euro" target="_blank">10</a>]. Any
transaction costs would be small as a Scottish Pound and a Bank of England
Pound would have equal value.<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/AVvXsEgys6cLqYBKwazsCCB-iC2MqY0S_UqeVPhc5kqwWxBECMi_XD6VFJ7l98aIjH8Sa1EB9fEStcYJiCJKQUtsdNpY7yFapo5RWd1XDfLoT-dSV4K-C1JTHEvjfs5rpLqLMKA6eocQQI-MZRo/s1600/Reality.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgys6cLqYBKwazsCCB-iC2MqY0S_UqeVPhc5kqwWxBECMi_XD6VFJ7l98aIjH8Sa1EB9fEStcYJiCJKQUtsdNpY7yFapo5RWd1XDfLoT-dSV4K-C1JTHEvjfs5rpLqLMKA6eocQQI-MZRo/s1600/Reality.jpg" height="396" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The new no campaign poster</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Scottish
Currency that floats freely</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This
approach would see Scotland have its own Central Bank and currency. There would
be transaction costs when trading with the UK if we picked this choice similar to those we have when trading with the rest of the world. The advantage of this option is
that full control over the supply of money would be held by the Scottish
Parliament. The result of this option would be that Scottish bank notes would
have a higher value than those produced by the Bank of England [<a href="http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1224903/scottish-independence-gets-boost-hong-kongs-money-markets" target="_blank">11</a>], which
means that anyone holding Scottish currency (i.e everyone in Scotland) would
become wealthier, as our money could purchase more goods from abroad than
before. The downside is that our exports would become more expensive to others
and tourists would view Scotland as a more pricey place to visit.</div>
<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/AVvXsEjRRGKmytXZElaS7vo-CNUrWzc9aFnDBsgxY3mBbN71iJTE2RXq5_7N8BlvuOgk7nJpmCNJDDXhB1GyA44655DhW3qmcDfBHjfeTLQekH-SkM6YIYTFMy9Ksc6yLuJeJl7rKX3HFvqSk9o/s1600/Lesson+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRRGKmytXZElaS7vo-CNUrWzc9aFnDBsgxY3mBbN71iJTE2RXq5_7N8BlvuOgk7nJpmCNJDDXhB1GyA44655DhW3qmcDfBHjfeTLQekH-SkM6YIYTFMy9Ksc6yLuJeJl7rKX3HFvqSk9o/s1600/Lesson+3.jpg" height="400" width="386" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>We're pretty sure Holo is not refering to this story <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/gordon-brown-is-a-liar/" target="_blank">here</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Euro</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
Scotland
cannot officially use the Euro due to ERM2 [<a href="http://www.businessforscotland.co.uk/euro-pound-or-scottish-pound/" target="_blank">12</a>]. ERM2 demands that any country
that wants to join the Eurozone has to be using a currency that is ‘pegged’ to
the Euro for at least 2 years. Scotland can only meet this qualification if we
adopt option 4 for at least 2 years (which isn’t physically possible as our
independence day will be the 24<sup>th</sup> of March 2016 [<a href="http://www.yesscotland.net/answers/how-will-scotland-become-independent" target="_blank">13</a>]). Scotland
could unofficially use the Euro in the same way as we could use the £ in option
2 however there are few immediate advantages with this approach. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3KSQ_Mf6EbAD4Vmq09QIuUhWSTGWnb66Vj1WsZeSDzuvKb3yDLWXmOCePSREvi4nPnni5B-JbwlymCdiGhl9IVIfJytusxZX7Ho5HnwNyWAqM1QirVSWPFncUtGvB9Fte-48AjBcTMvo/s1600/calvin,economics,fun,hobbes-b3fe3ff7ca0a4c4d29e2d22d73ba40e1_h%5B2%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3KSQ_Mf6EbAD4Vmq09QIuUhWSTGWnb66Vj1WsZeSDzuvKb3yDLWXmOCePSREvi4nPnni5B-JbwlymCdiGhl9IVIfJytusxZX7Ho5HnwNyWAqM1QirVSWPFncUtGvB9Fte-48AjBcTMvo/s1600/calvin,economics,fun,hobbes-b3fe3ff7ca0a4c4d29e2d22d73ba40e1_h%5B2%5D.jpg" height="187" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
After Independence there will be even more options to pick from however those will be discussed and debated at elections. We, the people who live in Scotland, will get to decide what we want. That's the spirit of democracy and something that Westminster doesn't offer. And it's one of the best reasons to vote Yes.</div>
Drew <br />
<br />
If you like this blog, then please consider visiting our other sites:<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sign-for-Scotland/499368123435883" target="_blank">Facebook - Sign for Scotland</a><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/Sign4Scotland/videos" target="_blank">YouTube - Sign4Scotland</a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/Sign4Scotland" target="_blank">Twitter - Sign4Scotland</a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
List of references:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[1] Crisis, Conditions, and Capital –
The Effect of International Monetary Fund Agreements on Foreign Direct
Investment Inflows [Nathan M Jensen, Department of Political Science,
Washington University, St. Louis] - </span><a href="http://jcr.sagepub.com/content/48/2/194"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">http://jcr.sagepub.com/content/48/2/194</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[2] U.S. planned British economic
bailout in the 1970s, newly released documents reveal…with haunting echoes
today [Dan Atkinson, Mail on Sunday Economics Editor] - </span><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1266871/A-warning-British-economy-haunting-echoes--34-years-on.html"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1266871/A-warning-British-economy-haunting-echoes--34-years-on.html</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[3] The race that’s never run
[Reverend Stuart Campbell, Wings over Scotland] - </span><a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/the-race-thats-never-run/"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">http://wingsoverscotland.com/the-race-thats-never-run/</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[4] Tax rates online [KPMG,
international audit, tax & advisory company] - </span><a href="http://www.kpmg.com/Global/en/services/Tax/tax-tools-and-resources/Pages/tax-rates-online.aspx"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">http://www.kpmg.com/Global/en/services/Tax/tax-tools-and-resources/Pages/tax-rates-online.aspx</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[5] Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union
[Encyclopaedia Britannica] - </span><a href="http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/59408/Belgium-Luxembourg-Economic-Union"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/59408/Belgium-Luxembourg-Economic-Union</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[6] Dollarization [How Money Works,
William F Hummel] - </span><a href="http://wfhummel.cnchost.com/dollarization.html"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">http://wfhummel.cnchost.com/dollarization.html</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[7] Bank of England Assets - total
[Bank of England official website] - </span><a href="http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/boeapps/iadb/FromShowColumns.asp?Travel=NIxAZxI3x&FromCategoryList=Yes&NewMeaningId=ACRTOT,ATOTL,AFCAS,ATOTAL&CategId=6&HighlightCatValueDisplay=Assets%20-%20total"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/boeapps/iadb/FromShowColumns.asp?Travel=NIxAZxI3x&FromCategoryList=Yes&NewMeaningId=ACRTOT,ATOTL,AFCAS,ATOTAL&CategId=6&HighlightCatValueDisplay=Assets%20-%20total</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[8] Deposit Guarantee Schemes [The EU
Single Market, EC Europa] - </span><a href="http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/bank/guarantee/index_en.htm"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/bank/guarantee/index_en.htm</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[9] An independent Scotland should
use the pound without permission from rUK, says new ASI report [Adam Smith
Institute] - </span><a href="http://www.adamsmith.org/blog/money-banking/an-independent-scotland-should-use-the-pound-without-permission-from-ruk/"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">http://www.adamsmith.org/blog/money-banking/an-independent-scotland-should-use-the-pound-without-permission-from-ruk/</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[10] Swiss National Bank pegs franc
to euro [The Week, Business magazine] - </span><a href="http://www.theweek.co.uk/business/2433/swiss-national-bank-pegs-franc-euro"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">http://www.theweek.co.uk/business/2433/swiss-national-bank-pegs-franc-euro</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[11] Scottish independence gets boost
from Hong Kong’s money markets [South China Morning Post] - </span><a href="http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1224903/scottish-independence-gets-boost-hong-kongs-money-markets"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1224903/scottish-independence-gets-boost-hong-kongs-money-markets</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[12] Euro, Pound Sterling or Scottish
Pound? [Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp, Business for Scotland] - </span><a href="http://www.businessforscotland.co.uk/euro-pound-or-scottish-pound/"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">http://www.businessforscotland.co.uk/euro-pound-or-scottish-pound/</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[13] How will Scotland become
independent? [Yes Scotland] - </span><a href="http://www.yesscotland.net/answers/how-will-scotland-become-independent"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">http://www.yesscotland.net/answers/how-will-scotland-become-independent</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
Sign for Scotlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16057474693059978339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968036878657352398.post-17635281156807912612014-08-20T09:02:00.003+01:002014-08-20T09:02:45.734+01:00The Negotiator<div style="text-align: justify;">
The strength of Scotland's position in post referendum negotiations is completely dependant upon the outcome of the vote. A Yes makes us much, much stronger. A no makes us weaker. Here are the reasons why:<br />
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<b>Strength of Yes</b></div>
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Scotland as a country is fundamentally self-sufficient. We produce <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-25451385" target="_blank">excesses of electricity</a>, have abundant <a href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Business-Industry/waterindustryscot/WaterResourcesScotlandAct" target="_blank">supplies of water</a>, <a href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Economy/Q/pno/1" target="_blank">export food and textiles</a> and generally have most of the other essentials of life. We have a <a href="http://www.businessforscotland.co.uk/scotlands-100-billion-of-exports-provide-the-foundation-for-a-wealthy-independent-country/" target="_blank">balance of trade surplus</a> as a result of <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/fool-you-twice-shame-on-you/" target="_blank">our natural resources</a> as well as <a href="http://archive.today/jP1CN" target="_blank">other industries</a>, and with a <a href="http://www.businessforscotland.co.uk/welcoming-the-world-scotlands-vibrant-tourism-sector/" target="_blank">significant tourism sector</a> we have no problems with brand recognition or sources of revenue.</div>
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The things that the UK offer aren't important. We don't need <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/how-much-for-voltron-scottish-defence.html" target="_blank">a vast military</a> as we have <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/a-scare-day-nato-edition.html" target="_blank">no nearby threats</a>, we don't need a permanent seat in the UN security council, and we certainly don't need <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/the-folly-of-trident.html" target="_blank">nuclear weapons</a>. Our largest market is <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/eu-or-not-eu-well-gain-either-way-with.html" target="_blank">provided by the EU</a> (and which <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/eu-or-not-eu-well-gain-either-way-with.html" target="_blank">the EFTA could equally offer</a>) and <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/ten-penny-westminsters-current-currency.html" target="_blank">the currency is fully tradeable</a>. There isn't anything that we need to have from Westminster.</div>
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The UK however has a <a href="http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article-2091113/1trillion-debt-How-big-Britains-debt-problem.html" target="_blank">debt problem that isn't getting better</a>, and the £ needs <a href="http://www.tradingeconomics.com/united-kingdom/balance-of-trade" target="_blank">more exports to guarantee its value</a>. The UK also has <a href="http://www.businessforscotland.co.uk/10-important-points-on-independence-trade-and-borders/" target="_blank">significant trade with Scotland</a> that it will need to protect and the prospect of <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jun/21/eu-referendum-majority-leave-opinium-observer-poll" target="_blank">leaving the EU</a> is very real, making good relations a priority. And, strictly speaking, the <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/the-pensioner-jackpot/" target="_blank">liability for current pensioners will not change</a>, as their national insurance contributions were paid to Westminster. Starting with no debt or pension payments will mean Scotland will begin with a very lucrative budget surplus.</div>
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Finally, <a href="http://tompride.co.uk/2013/04/07/atos-declare-george-osborne-unfit-for-work-as-chancellor/">the Westminster negotiators are rubbish</a>. Because the path to
power is guaranteed, the people who gain high politicial office <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/why-democracy-will-be-stronger-in.html" target="_blank">don't require any special talent or skill</a>. The Westminster system is a lazy
system that lacks <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/vote-to-make-your-vote-matter.html" target="_blank">the competitive nature of a proportional parliament</a>.
We will have the more skillful negotiators, and we will be giving them
the best possible hand.</div>
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All of this means that Scotland holds the advantage in any negotiations. And there are plenty of things that could be done to make Westminster squirm (like demand the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-28775848" target="_blank">immediate removal of Trident</a> or insist on <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=a8suBA8I.3ik" target="_blank">an audit of the UK's debt</a> - both of which they will not want).<br />
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<b>Weakness of no</b></div>
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A no vote leaves Scotland vulnerable. With independence no longer an option (thus making us dependent on Westminster) there is <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/strong-enough-is-too-strong/" target="_blank">no incentive for any further devolution</a>. Indeed, both halves of Westminster have an <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/strong-enough-is-too-strong/" target="_blank">incentive to reduce the importance of Holyrood</a>.</div>
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A no vote also means a cut to the Scottish budget is not only a possibility <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/the-barnett-future/" target="_blank">but a likelihood</a>. The fact is, Scotland more than pays its way and is <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/the-barnett-trap-and-the-expensive-lunch/" target="_blank">a net-contributor</a>, but that won't stop Westminster politicians from demanding that spending is cut here. The current system makes no allowance for <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/the-barnett-trap-and-the-expensive-lunch/" target="_blank">where money is earned</a> and the only UK 'region' which will be viewed as an exception is <a href="http://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2014/07/31/boris-johnson-wants-21-billion-of-investment-in-london-a-year-that-no-market-will-supply/" target="_blank">London and the South East</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2F0IQylj70kQiGncQkR9SXT9c_mebpyqTSsccJa_ChwxjF-JDw2iMBXdkSar0NYtG9ABs0DWldHb7w0LFd18iYvnv-wW8pYmACiQQ0In_M4cCXmR6a1pV-L19MuuFMGDgfpQnYG0PJ8M/s1600/heavyprice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2F0IQylj70kQiGncQkR9SXT9c_mebpyqTSsccJa_ChwxjF-JDw2iMBXdkSar0NYtG9ABs0DWldHb7w0LFd18iYvnv-wW8pYmACiQQ0In_M4cCXmR6a1pV-L19MuuFMGDgfpQnYG0PJ8M/s1600/heavyprice.jpg" height="260" width="400" /></a></div>
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With no means to defend ourselves and every reason to cut, Westminster will view a post-no Scotland as a means to secure more votes in England, and deny reform for a generation.</div>
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You don't have to be a great negotiator to see the difference. A Yes vote means that Westminster is left over an oil and whisky barrel. No leaves us open to no end of cuts and the prospect of a weakened Holyrood. Even if you don't want Scotland to be independent, you can see how independence is the best way to protect our interests.</div>
Drew<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://twitter.com/Sign4Scotland" target="_blank">Twitter - Sign4Scotland</a>Sign for Scotlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16057474693059978339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968036878657352398.post-28828893368107616952014-08-17T08:59:00.003+01:002014-08-17T08:59:57.139+01:00Not in the News -17th of August Edition<div style="text-align: justify;">
Welcome to another edition of our <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Not%20in%20the%20News" target="_blank">now weekly series</a> looking back at the stories
which the main stream media in Scotland didn't offer much attention to,
and comparing them to those that hit the front pages. Our last edition covering early August can be found <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/not-in-news-early-august-edition.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNgXS_eazUM2mCYrxchImuyG61g2BWfTu958HNhZk91AM8X8s6ob9fwNgPhTWZnHxD2IV85zDMB-KLs0b8vyg3phVKR0-GuI0FeQOFrCtsTrpMGYNxqBCtYGH90O9enUJN5E6NK70ZhKI/s1600/10294404_10152470902561310_3973845651030441977_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNgXS_eazUM2mCYrxchImuyG61g2BWfTu958HNhZk91AM8X8s6ob9fwNgPhTWZnHxD2IV85zDMB-KLs0b8vyg3phVKR0-GuI0FeQOFrCtsTrpMGYNxqBCtYGH90O9enUJN5E6NK70ZhKI/s1600/10294404_10152470902561310_3973845651030441977_n.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>The £1,000,000 questions - Who wants to be in an independent Scotland?</b></div>
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In August it was revealed that the UK Government had spent £1 million on surveys and polls regarding Scottish Independence. The results of these polls was kept secret from the public with the findings being restricted to a handful of individuals in the 'no' campaign.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSa6FslKYG9lefyIuDD3BYNiZK7WgBbJ_BJ5cSwU-wjdhcK-VVtC5ZzeIWIHdiISfIIZKwDj6UeVT4giirr71L7cc8kK1ZosJNCGaIRz97WzQB8zY8U4Sy-DCu-ZU4zVeRrCSzY2uLnRk/s1600/10599246_908133245868415_8027805585146556531_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSa6FslKYG9lefyIuDD3BYNiZK7WgBbJ_BJ5cSwU-wjdhcK-VVtC5ZzeIWIHdiISfIIZKwDj6UeVT4giirr71L7cc8kK1ZosJNCGaIRz97WzQB8zY8U4Sy-DCu-ZU4zVeRrCSzY2uLnRk/s1600/10599246_908133245868415_8027805585146556531_n.png" height="57" width="400" /></a></div>
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Our thanks to Cathy Newman of Channel 4 news for reporting this story.</div>
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<b>Rules are for other people</b></div>
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It is well known that the no campaign <a href="http://thirdforcenews.org.uk/management/news/anger-as-pro-union-group-caught-touting-for-sham-volunteers" target="_blank">has paid 'volunteers' during the campaign</a> to hand out their leaflets, yet the Electoral Commission (who are supposed to provide oversight) have done nothing. Is this because they aren't technically breaking any rules? Wings over Scotland checked the guidelines:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhup7IT46KCJkM7wyCKz1IUzBPp0k-yitvnqYULYd3k4DLWl0QFV7ImJnFMQVYMOJ3p8hQ4ZPf-gBjCkwIrwmNdDmCAPCup5ZQLhOAink2X08ti2RaStLwB8N2WvnlRi7a2zam13ruV4RY/s1600/Rules+are+for+other+people.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhup7IT46KCJkM7wyCKz1IUzBPp0k-yitvnqYULYd3k4DLWl0QFV7ImJnFMQVYMOJ3p8hQ4ZPf-gBjCkwIrwmNdDmCAPCup5ZQLhOAink2X08ti2RaStLwB8N2WvnlRi7a2zam13ruV4RY/s1600/Rules+are+for+other+people.jpg" height="233" width="400" /></a></div>
Rules are for other people it seems.<br />
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<b>Threat! Chaos! Emergency!</b><br />
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These are some of the words that didn't appear in Mark Carney's speech on the 13th of August, although you could be forgiven for thinking that they were <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/emergency-cases/" target="_blank">if you follow the controlled media</a>.</div>
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<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/AVvXsEhYyRuoFXQ1QPZcoCiYV9YXVE4YYZaH_msvENmx5xMUTe4VZLBC40gNisT1IdvBnITjknItYDcllHxiQ3ZqNEixBe6C7lz-aTulGssC1bzYstoM_S68QZpo3PV59dUOvnWxkT1P0CuyLj4/s1600/eva3-33_condition2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYyRuoFXQ1QPZcoCiYV9YXVE4YYZaH_msvENmx5xMUTe4VZLBC40gNisT1IdvBnITjknItYDcllHxiQ3ZqNEixBe6C7lz-aTulGssC1bzYstoM_S68QZpo3PV59dUOvnWxkT1P0CuyLj4/s1600/eva3-33_condition2.png" height="170" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This was not the scene at the Bank of England</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The Governor of the Bank of England reported that his organisation had considered the effects of Scottish Independence as well as the threats made by the Westminster parties to block a formal currency union. Mr Carney did suggest that uncertainty was concerning the markets, but the only way that can disappear is if there were pre-negotiations between the two sides. And remember, only 1 side is <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-21010470" target="_blank">refusing to pre-negotiate</a>.</div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9583-no-campaign-blow-as-bank-of-england-chief-confirms-indy-contingency-plans-in-place" target="_blank">No threat, no chaos and no emergency</a> (and soon no Westminster politicians!)</div>
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<b>Deja vu all over again</b><br />
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The Conservative Party has managed to prove the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infinite_monkey_theorem" target="_blank">infinite monkey theorem</a>! The questions sent to MP David Mundell by Cammy Young, Mr Allison, Arthur Langcake, Neil Calvert, Pat Caultay, Hannah Macgregor and Mrs Douglas,<a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/more-ordinary-voters/" target="_blank"> were exactly identical</a> to the questions sent to MSP John Lamont by Edna Tait, Andrew Meldrum, Karen Hume, Craig Wood, Rachael Hamilton, Moira Hughes and Trevor Adams (with even the order of the questions being the same!).</div>
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To make the co-incidence complete, the replies were identical too (except Mr Lamont avoided some of Mr Mundell's spelling mistakes!).Great minds think alike? (or at least use the same pre-prepared responses).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKozOZZUu_P7BfqENNPsv31gDEn3ucPcshr4-ZlFSIJ2lmnCfAmx6-uiXEc2SQJC7kpR7q2V_i8T97PxyIz4urCr2Rw2leG7R0GEeFH62npzAYuzWGJksxqIzg8goYAmK4XhaTsCYlSnE/s1600/Dirk_Gently_Fanart_by_msprout.png.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKozOZZUu_P7BfqENNPsv31gDEn3ucPcshr4-ZlFSIJ2lmnCfAmx6-uiXEc2SQJC7kpR7q2V_i8T97PxyIz4urCr2Rw2leG7R0GEeFH62npzAYuzWGJksxqIzg8goYAmK4XhaTsCYlSnE/s1600/Dirk_Gently_Fanart_by_msprout.png.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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Maybe we need to call Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency to check this out!<br />
<br />
<b>Things I don't know because I trust the BBC...Healthcare Privatisation!</b><br />
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This is a new series that we're thinking of including the our Not in the News blogs. Our first entry looks at Healthcare Privatisation, with the <a href="https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/petition-to-stop-new-nhs-competition-regulations-si257-being-passed" target="_blank">SI 257 amendment</a> being a good example. The BBC has offered <a href="https://www.opendemocracy.net/ournhs/nicola-cutcher-lucy-reynolds/nhs-as-we-know-it-needs-prayer" target="_blank">scant comment </a>and for the life of us we have no idea why...</div>
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<b>Protecting Socialism from within the House of Lords (for the bargain price of just £300 quid a day plus expenses!)</b></div>
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John Reid, also known as Baron Reid of Cardowan who once claimed for <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5301741/John-Reid-claimed-for-a-pouffe-and-a-glittery-loo-seat-on-MPs-expenses.html" target="_blank">pouffe cushions and a glittery loo seat</a> amongst <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5301741/John-Reid-claimed-for-a-pouffe-and-a-glittery-loo-seat-on-MPs-expenses.html" target="_blank">other essential expenses</a>, told voters that the Yes campaign was <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scottish-independence/11035403/John-Reid-Labour-voters-beware-Alex-Salmonds-promises.html" target="_blank">pretending to stand up for ordinary workers</a>. He sited SNP plans to cut corporation tax as proof that they support big businesses (these are obviously different from when the government he was part of <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6473993.stm" target="_blank">reduced taxes for larger firms whilst simultaneously raising them for small businesses</a>).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApef9bkL_CNKrpgBaWIjQMYA4kajAgIIR5ZONFRZHOdudDmMqTcd7tENrgKTx6Z0yO3Qn8D1XkeBnPK5zk86bGZP6NB5mStfiIzABE1nzgACVM5YpC3FTHbLhuAgYXEUUBuVLdLLKe0A/s1600/sun%20reid2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApef9bkL_CNKrpgBaWIjQMYA4kajAgIIR5ZONFRZHOdudDmMqTcd7tENrgKTx6Z0yO3Qn8D1XkeBnPK5zk86bGZP6NB5mStfiIzABE1nzgACVM5YpC3FTHbLhuAgYXEUUBuVLdLLKe0A/s1600/sun%20reid2.jpg" height="385" width="400" /></a></div>
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Of course, if you don't like SNP policies, then don't vote for them. Unlike at Westminster where the same two parties share power between them, <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/why-democracy-will-be-stronger-in.html" target="_blank">Holyrood uses a democratic system</a>. No-one is guaranteed to be in office, and we certainly won't have unelected Lords talking to us <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1111702/John-shot-fired-Reids-50-000-Iraq-security-job.html" target="_blank">about principles</a>.</div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>What the Daily Mail didn't report!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Daily Mail <a href="http://www.yesscotland.net/news/seven-corrections-simon-heffer" target="_blank">isn't a friend to the independence movement</a>, but they did provide even more reassurance over pensions. It was confirmed that a Yes vote will have <a href="http://www.theyworkforyou.com/sp/?id=2014-08-14.14.0" target="_blank">no effect on the pensions</a> of the Scottish employees of the 'newspaper'. We found this out because one of their staff members anonomously asked the tabloid's pension provider. Funny that this wasn't featured in any of their editions.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_-2uGoUubsVjzYMLQJ1jaG8OBFoOhqDtdKPoyqjlsqCKKo6Pie50PQak4CFYUGioYKgxu0uSOUKjpChC08xjDdqAod_ZDrLO5lo8_Y5diKYcaHwbExFYCJi1w8MdOpvthCbr2x_uWQY/s1600/A_mwLtnCQAAxgqy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_-2uGoUubsVjzYMLQJ1jaG8OBFoOhqDtdKPoyqjlsqCKKo6Pie50PQak4CFYUGioYKgxu0uSOUKjpChC08xjDdqAod_ZDrLO5lo8_Y5diKYcaHwbExFYCJi1w8MdOpvthCbr2x_uWQY/s1600/A_mwLtnCQAAxgqy.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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Of course, the Daily Mail knows what <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2688258/Work-70-earn-pension-says-watchdog-Payout-age-rise-soon-2037-help-plug-multi-million-pound-hole-public-finances.html" target="_blank">Westminster will do with pensions</a>, and <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2514232/Britains-pension-shame-State-packages-worst-world-study-shows.html" target="_blank">their value</a>, but won't report that <a href="http://www.businessforscotland.co.uk/pensions-advantage-for-an-independent-scotland/" target="_blank">Scotland's pensioners would be better off independent</a>.</div>
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<b>Oil oil everywhere (except in the mainstream media!)</b><br />
<a href="http://www.energyvoice.com/2014/08/video-north-sea-resource-produce-700million-barrels/" target="_blank">North Sea Oil reality</a><br />
<a href="http://newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9535-rumours-of-massive-oil-find-follow-camerons-secret-shetland-visit" target="_blank">North Atlantic Oil reality</a><br />
<a href="http://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2014/06/11/the-real-state-of-scotlands-oil-and-gas-reserves/" target="_blank">West Coast Oil reality</a><br />
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Join us again on Sunday for our next look at what's 'not in the news'! <br />
Drew<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://twitter.com/Sign4Scotland" target="_blank">Twitter - Sign4Scotland</a>Sign for Scotlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16057474693059978339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968036878657352398.post-79898621561169329452014-08-14T12:04:00.002+01:002014-08-14T12:04:16.447+01:00He asked 'what is your vision for a new Scotland' and answer came there none<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><i>This is the second guest post by Hilary for Sign for Scotland. You can read her first, Indie Dumping and Scapegoating, <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/indie-dumping-and-scapegoating.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gq_0LnE36OJ7E4eCy-e6fzFz3Nh2GNNcvX7WzaAFOjYQbK6BEhDb5IawzT1hmvcgCkMgTmcyuTLTP_lZqXB9JtRFz51SM_wb4rNBUcFpYGlv6sjIXtaZu1VlvQoHloaw9goyPqz1qv8/s1600/Salt+Badge1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gq_0LnE36OJ7E4eCy-e6fzFz3Nh2GNNcvX7WzaAFOjYQbK6BEhDb5IawzT1hmvcgCkMgTmcyuTLTP_lZqXB9JtRFz51SM_wb4rNBUcFpYGlv6sjIXtaZu1VlvQoHloaw9goyPqz1qv8/s1600/Salt+Badge1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Yes, poor darling had no answer at all. He was completely
flumuxed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vision? What’s that? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
So I ask myself the same question and suggest that we all do
that and post in our ideas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
What is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">my</b> vision
for a new Scotland?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Firstly</b> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I see a new Scotland not reliant on weapons of
mass destruction, that is the real name of Trident. The name ‘Trident’ is a
pretty cover up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alex Massey said in one
of the TV debates that Trident is a complete irrelevance. I like listening to
him in the same way that I liked listening to Malcolm Muggeridge and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Boris Johnson. They are all very quick, very
sharp and can be very funny but in this instance I think Massey is trying to be
amusingly dismissive but is actually being superficial.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
If you go out and buy a
gun and put it in a drawer and never use it , that is not an irrelevance. It
marks you out as a person who is or was prepared to use violence against
another human being and that is a very different<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>thing from being someone who would never
dream of possessing a weapon that could cause harm . Therefore if we give up
weapons of mass destruction our psyche alters. In one way we are defenceless
against maniac nations but in many other ways we have alternative defences. We
develop alternative means of communicating rather than always having the great
explosives at our backs. We know that we have to keep good communications
going; we use trade, cultural and educational exchanges, twinnings; our
academics and researchers pool their findings. In other words we behave like
sensible adults not like cowboys and Indians. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I think this is important. There is no weapons-insurance
policy so we have to strive for secure friendships and be watchful over the
peacefulness of our state of mind.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
It can be done. It is done everywhere except in a few power
mad lands.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Secondly </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I see
a Scotland
that is much fairer. How about us actually ‘loving our neighbour’?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who is our neighbour?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Familiar stuff this. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The neighbour is then anyone that you see or
know of who is lonely or in need. The difference between the wealthy and those
in real need is staggering in our country. In the aftermath of apartheid
Desmond Tutu suggested to the wealthy that they adopt a family and look to its
real needs. I don’t do that here but the idea is worth playing with. Let us,
collectivley look for ideas that can make a real difference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is really a whole load of money being
flung around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The coffee houses thrive
on it. How we can redistribute money and make a difference<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and how we can make others who feel unvalued
feel valued I am not qualified to say. You will have better ideas than me. But
think we must.</div>
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</div>
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Now this is crazy…!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
see a Scotland
where we remember Carnegie’s words ‘The man who dies rich dies disgraced’. I
would <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>even enlarge these uncomfortable
words and make them even more feared: ‘The man who lives rich lives
disgraced’!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the States it is
considered a good thing to be a philanthropist. It is ‘cool’. There’s a lot of
kudos to be gained in big giving and a lot of good feeling from those who
benefit. I have aired my views on this before and people immediately think I am
calling for more taxes on the rich. I am not doing this at all. Taxes are given
grudgingly. The philanthropist gives willingly and publicly. The ‘<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">publicly</b>’ is important. Secret giving
is fine and modest but the word philanthropy means ‘love of mankind’ . If a
rich man gives anonymously, in many ways, this is good but mankind needs to
know its rich people as friends and benefactors who will help in need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Money is not bad in itself. It can do
wonderful things but money kept, hoarded, far away from those in need,
rejecting them<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>…that is bad. And it
breeds distaste towards the rich man, not envy but contempt and anger. This is
what we see so often in feudal Scotland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
But I knew a rich man in Ardross ,some years
ago, a Greek of Scottish descent, John MacTagart, an ill man. He was freehanded
with his money, he built a fine community hall, he allowed no fishing out of
respect for the fish and no hunting for pleasure on his estate. The deer were
managed and a certain amount eaten by the estate workers and the family and the
rest was left for the wild animals to feed on . I do not know if this is good
management but it gave a very good feel to the countryside and the community.
There was respect and responsibility towards all living things and people. But
he was only part Scot so the feudal path was unknown to him.</div>
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</div>
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The philanthropist should, I think, look around at all those
bare areas in Scottish life and see how he or she can fill its many needs,
building hospices (which can bear the donor’s name), sports facilities, setting
up youth projects and so on and on and on. The rich man should love his country
and his fellow Scots, whatever their position in his world view! and should
give handsomely and he might then<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in
return be held in affection. Unfortunately, he keeps well away from the rabble
and does not appear to love the land, except in so far as he owns that part of
it. The Selfish Giants of Alba.</div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Land reform is thus necessary. The rich could to some extent
ward off the worst effects of this by openness and philanthropy but I am pretty
sure they won’t.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Thirdly</b> I see a Scotland that,
even more than now, welcomes the immigrant. I do not mean those extremes examples
that are shown as the norm on salacious TV. At my first school my best friends
were a girl from Uganda
and a Polish girl whose family had managed to escape from Poland in the
war. Ever since then I have been excited by ‘the stranger’ and made countless
warm and lasting friendships. The immigrant has a lot to offer and a lot to
teach us.</div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The immigrants speak our language already or works hard to
do so. We are so useless that we often alter their names as it is too much
trouble to pronounce the foreign names correctly. Such imperial arrogance! They
also work hard, they dress properly, they arrive on time, they are polite and
good natured. Our young people who complain that the foreign workers are taking
their jobs could learn a lot from them. There was a radio 4 programme recently
and an English farmer said he tried to give the local English kids a chance but
they weren’t up to fruit picking. They arrived late, grumbled and didn’t pick
fast enough. A whole generation, maybe two have lost out on a good attitude to
work. The Me lot can’t do it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I suppose
‘They don’t deserve it!’</div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I understand therefore why lots of jobs are given to the
foreigners. They are reliable. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
However I think the practice of shipping in loads of workers
from abroad and giving them jobs that are not even advertised locally, is quite
despicable and I hope this will be outlawed in our new land of peace and
plenty. I believe this happens at Walkers in Aberlour. If I am wrong then I
apologise immediately. I am repeating the local gossip.</div>
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</div>
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In our new Scotland
I hope to be assured that asylum seekers will be welcomed. These are a
different category of homeless people. They have no safety in their homelands;
they have possibly witnessed their family members being murdered, raped or
tortured. They may have endured rape and torture themselves. They live in a
twilight hell and are haunted by nightmares.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whitehall
has little understanding of their griefs and fears. Freedom From Torture
battles hard on their behalf but it is a hard struggle against beaurocracy. I
hope our Home Office will show itself compassionate and allow asylum seekers to
work and be rehabilitated more quickly.</div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I would like to see a Scotland where people begin to
speak languages again. Languages open up new friendships and cultures and other
countries are no longer seen just from the outside, as tourists. We should be
citizens of the world soon. But languages are a sort of taboo. The presenters
on radio Scotland
set the example by tittering in embarrassment if anyone so much as says
Bonjour! My family say ‘What’s the use of learning languages? They never helped
me!’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So our people don’t get the
interesting jobs abroad; they miss out and have an inferiority complex. What’s
wrong with English?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plenty if you don’t
respect other languages and people and mispronounce foreign proper names.</div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
These three things – weapons of mass destruction,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the gulf between the rich and the poor and emigration
are the big issues that I would like to see reformed and made good in a New
Alba.</div>
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</div>
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Please write what you would like and get folk answering
Alec’s Oh so Difficult Question for You Know Who.</div>
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<i>We at Sign for Scotland would like to say a big thank you to Hilary for writing a second blog for us. </i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixV-gp7FVPD5G_kAi0coF2W2kdNl8TBbpf4xw7JDwHX3Kb9sjxBUeGnxsvijeLKGRNwrSZUISZoJqaoorpTwDojqC4kU1k-YvTpqdbP7X564g6tTtjmdn9LQgovJ5QH7JkW-JQP2C-lwk/s1600/Not+better,+not+worse,+just+different.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixV-gp7FVPD5G_kAi0coF2W2kdNl8TBbpf4xw7JDwHX3Kb9sjxBUeGnxsvijeLKGRNwrSZUISZoJqaoorpTwDojqC4kU1k-YvTpqdbP7X564g6tTtjmdn9LQgovJ5QH7JkW-JQP2C-lwk/s1600/Not+better,+not+worse,+just+different.jpg" height="400" width="358" /></a></div>
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<i> </i></div>
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Sign for Scotlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16057474693059978339noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968036878657352398.post-91426486490615498212014-08-12T08:54:00.001+01:002014-08-12T08:54:15.966+01:00Not in the News - Early August Edition<div style="text-align: justify;">
Welcome to the ninth of our <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Not%20in%20the%20News" target="_blank">bi-monthly series</a> looking back at the stories
which the main stream media in Scotland didn't offer much attention to,
and comparing them to those that hit the front pages. Our last edition covering late July can be found <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/not-in-news-late-july-edition.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5sNLpNLOQxdZSmZaQ6LXsoYvoCe6BdCXXB1HJQspKiYOilPKugV7mPry8Ptm02Bv1YZxLgodwn2Bui1_0sACeY-ZJ1DPhAjzGSGSTYGeIQ3alFpX8VAj_1phRVZYTwVm7ZBn35HOJO-o/s1600/Scottish+Media.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5sNLpNLOQxdZSmZaQ6LXsoYvoCe6BdCXXB1HJQspKiYOilPKugV7mPry8Ptm02Bv1YZxLgodwn2Bui1_0sACeY-ZJ1DPhAjzGSGSTYGeIQ3alFpX8VAj_1phRVZYTwVm7ZBn35HOJO-o/s1600/Scottish+Media.jpg" height="192" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Don't make the games political, or we'll make it personal</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Commonwealth Games were a fantastic event for Scotland. There were <a href="http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2357102/scotland-kicks-off-commonwealth-games-with-support-for-global-clean-energy-push" target="_blank">numerous trade deals</a> signed which will generate more wealth and jobs for our country, and we proved to ourselves that we can produce a fantastic squad of athletes capable of competing with anyone.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Unfortunately, some of our athletes received bullying from UK organisations.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWpw2Z85M2_IdnTjN2aGGnkCpVl_BedQGhSL2G0DMARbebfXJj1Yli431E7n6HDcuYBakLYIpPCgRflKHg3KwTdB1OVEF6mhdjaL_AnrQ0ZjN7VPW01C8HwN4L47MGFxSHHHETYAS_e4/s1600/BtjXumeIMAEoVwz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWpw2Z85M2_IdnTjN2aGGnkCpVl_BedQGhSL2G0DMARbebfXJj1Yli431E7n6HDcuYBakLYIpPCgRflKHg3KwTdB1OVEF6mhdjaL_AnrQ0ZjN7VPW01C8HwN4L47MGFxSHHHETYAS_e4/s1600/BtjXumeIMAEoVwz.jpg" height="205" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
With a Yes vote, no Scottish athlete will ever be threatened for taking their own flag onto a podium (whether they choose to represent Scotland or the UK). This is one of the key aspects of independence: independent nations are equal nations. There are no second class national flags amongst independent countries.</div>
<br />
<b>Statistical Gymnastics (the BBC in Scotland is full of nincompoops!)</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When it comes to manipulating figures, the BBC deserves a gold medal! We mentioned in our last edition of '<a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/not-in-news-late-july-edition.html" target="_blank">Not in the News</a>' that the BBC had quickly altered figures on their website which originally showed Scotland as a net contributor to the UK. Now, <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/the-case-of-the-missing-billions/" target="_blank">thanks to Scott Minto of Wings over Scotland</a>, we know how they are 'justifying' this change.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The scam starts like this: the actual export figures for Scotland in 2012 (the most recent year for which figures exist) were £98,100,000,000 (ninty eight billion, one hundred million pounds). With this figure, Scotland is clearly an net contributor, which is why the BBC had to change it. But how do you change reality? The BBC followed 3 easy steps:</div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH4X5A2FD7ZyZw_v6l6nFYdrj9rl9iWelUWjFPuUuLpYjkgrdvjRITyCeJ8oi6H2yncAZTOrb6ms2DXMY1XHywL1f4_WyB65Yv1PK9oxChQF7Mh65D5Jv9fflu7JSJxyRAdH4fObC_Kuo/s1600/10366233_246168068905433_6494626570749688952_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH4X5A2FD7ZyZw_v6l6nFYdrj9rl9iWelUWjFPuUuLpYjkgrdvjRITyCeJ8oi6H2yncAZTOrb6ms2DXMY1XHywL1f4_WyB65Yv1PK9oxChQF7Mh65D5Jv9fflu7JSJxyRAdH4fObC_Kuo/s1600/10366233_246168068905433_6494626570749688952_n.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
1) They excluded oil and gas from Scotland's figures (but not from the UK's). This is immediately biased as the equivalent action of removing funds generated by financial transactions in the City of London are never done or considered. The excuse offered is that there hasn't been a formal agreement yet between the Scottish and Westminster Governments regarding marine territory, although <a href="http://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2012/01/scotlandengland-maritime-boundaries/" target="_blank">this type of thing is covered</a> extensively in the 'Delimitation of the territorial sea between States with opposite or adjacent coast' and other international agreements. It is also <a href="http://www.businessforscotland.co.uk/scotland-europe-and-westminsters-refusal-to-negotiate/" target="_blank">Westminster who refuses to pre-negotiate</a>. The BBC's solution is to assume that Scotland will have no rights anywhere (which is ridiculous).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Despite removing one of our most valuable revenue streams, Scottish exports would top £73,700,000,000 per year, which would still show us as net contributors. Something else needed to be done to talk us down.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
2) The BBC excluded all exports from Scotland to the rest of the UK. No reason is given for this. The total affect of this change is to artificially lower our exports by £47,700,000,000 per year (down to £25,900,000,000). Yet even this figure would be too high for the BBC to use, so 1 more excerise in statistical gymnastics was required.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
3) The 2012 figures, which are the most up-to-date, were replaced with the lower 2010 totals. The only possible reason for selecting 2010 and not 2011 or 2012 is to artifically put down Scotland's economic performance to fit into the BBC's narrative of lies.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixH2b_SIJ1YGB8LU9aKWgGfLmirVZTf6_xZPEnsBrrZiKOYf0OlJyG33qLTLUJAm8PUK_qnnQ73iaunqIFhMC358dIunciEHZUK9v0Na1u2So34xQ5j86c1nj1H2da7oc7NxMH6FGHsrI/s1600/Nincompoops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixH2b_SIJ1YGB8LU9aKWgGfLmirVZTf6_xZPEnsBrrZiKOYf0OlJyG33qLTLUJAm8PUK_qnnQ73iaunqIFhMC358dIunciEHZUK9v0Na1u2So34xQ5j86c1nj1H2da7oc7NxMH6FGHsrI/s1600/Nincompoops.jpg" height="370" width="400" /></a></div>
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Three unjustifible changes - assuming that Scotland has no oil or gas whilst predicting full UK control and no adjustments to the more volitile City money, the exclusing of all Scottish exports to the rest of the UK (but not the same in reverse) and the misleading of people by selecting out of date figures from a previous year - have been made by the BBC.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yes Scotland is not competing against a no campaign, it is competing the Westminster mouthpiece known as the BBC. <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/bbc-special.html" target="_blank">They are lying to you and have done so for quite some time</a>. Don't trust the BBC.</div>
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<b>Sidestepping parliament and the people </b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On the 29th of July, CND (the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament) reported that David Cameron had signed a secret, decade-long nuclear agreement with the Government of the United States.</div>
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This was done without the opportunity for Parliament to discuss the terms which will not be disclosed to the public or MPs. This is how democracy works at Westminster. You can read more about this story at <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-politics/9517-uk-government-slammed-after-secret-nuclear-deal-exposed" target="_blank">Newsnet Scotland</a>.</div>
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<b>The Times they are a lyin'</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Times newspaper: <a href="http://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2014/07/30/the-times-in-scotland-v-the-worlds-fastest-man/" target="_blank">Making up Usain Bolt quotes</a> so the no campaign doesn't have to. The Main Stream Media: Mo power, mo power, mo power, mo nonsense!</div>
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<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/AVvXsEiHqCnJVeU4T1GzZ-XQz45iVS2kquLYB8lmhdcO4dggpWfwmWmAMW_uMDr51CNdjOy_D1XQS7M6u_ZwtU5nPD78ReIVmlt3ahgnMwpKjHVCXmuuZYjUP6A8mIlSmxjmVRZidXsfM4GKzXU/s1600/topelement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHqCnJVeU4T1GzZ-XQz45iVS2kquLYB8lmhdcO4dggpWfwmWmAMW_uMDr51CNdjOy_D1XQS7M6u_ZwtU5nPD78ReIVmlt3ahgnMwpKjHVCXmuuZYjUP6A8mIlSmxjmVRZidXsfM4GKzXU/s1600/topelement.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>According to unionist newspapers, this is someone who doesn't like Scotland</i></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbBa9xTOxAfam8i6Cxk3R9R1YhfBPRyxEEIMTeNHMmG9LZh3zrme9dfDwUHJO0j9tIGDkBW0yGexzYGKGhXZWkztuKRqB-_-5cM13NATPPLZ9lx7eUk6Qd-qUQ0ilf3zVpInBYx8HxAiY/s1600/Jamaican-sprint-superstar-Usain-Bolt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbBa9xTOxAfam8i6Cxk3R9R1YhfBPRyxEEIMTeNHMmG9LZh3zrme9dfDwUHJO0j9tIGDkBW0yGexzYGKGhXZWkztuKRqB-_-5cM13NATPPLZ9lx7eUk6Qd-qUQ0ilf3zVpInBYx8HxAiY/s1600/Jamaican-sprint-superstar-Usain-Bolt.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVc6rmi_Ma4EXczc1nGQSrXcAafPNd_r74R-MonICW36oukQJSGpvn4JTmdvdRbgdXufTD3us8oBt1rZbSYSuY1lBe7bC_V7b7AzrtC7gCifRhpeOnqimsjldQH5pgSN5n93OfccXqjy8/s1600/tartan-jamaica-4x100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVc6rmi_Ma4EXczc1nGQSrXcAafPNd_r74R-MonICW36oukQJSGpvn4JTmdvdRbgdXufTD3us8oBt1rZbSYSuY1lBe7bC_V7b7AzrtC7gCifRhpeOnqimsjldQH5pgSN5n93OfccXqjy8/s1600/tartan-jamaica-4x100.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlXRUMq8lN2M7yEiJIIf1kakKOByMe-EEi_1-FDZDh1M6n7k6Nm2W97qMWULIYvgyonl1RHsb444qsnoSdhEumjXOCFLSRvbyn-Sp1pB0xe8XLQQXYKMHMibtZCXidxGIPRCMAaNRAEk/s1600/_76705365_bolt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlXRUMq8lN2M7yEiJIIf1kakKOByMe-EEi_1-FDZDh1M6n7k6Nm2W97qMWULIYvgyonl1RHsb444qsnoSdhEumjXOCFLSRvbyn-Sp1pB0xe8XLQQXYKMHMibtZCXidxGIPRCMAaNRAEk/s1600/_76705365_bolt2.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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</div>
<b>Do you hate or despise independence?</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On the 11th of July popular independence site 'Wings over Scotland' <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/a-little-advance-warning/" target="_blank">revealed the 16th questions</a> being asked of Scots ex-pats living in the United States. These included such balanced questions as: <span style="color: #222222;">"Do you think that the Scottish Government has any real idea of the </span><span style="color: #222222;">financial and economic costs of ending the Union?" and "</span><span style="color: #222222;">Are you more </span><span style="color: #222222;">persuaded by the analysis and concerns of The Banker magazine or </span><span style="color: #222222;">assured by the statements of the Scottish Government?" (you can look at each of the questions, along with their preambles, <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/a-little-advance-warning/" target="_blank">here</a>).</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222;">The poll was organised by <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/a-little-advance-warning/" target="_blank">The Friends of Scotland</a> who claim to be non-political organisation. They sent the survey to just 300 people. With the biased nature of the questions revealed in advance only a desperate rag would try to present their results as any kind of serious analysis.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03G5Z4n0wdpgyn_b5WWxRhOhkihAJelgYzO64fI5RrcG18swAUZEAv4FhSX9UF9LLuDKZYc-rKq0zkKwvDAypBJUxO7DE_Q3Cur_GhW97tmMehTSFZzMGE2lgRwJmJDKEe4Tyhb4z-Zs/s1600/AdOwN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03G5Z4n0wdpgyn_b5WWxRhOhkihAJelgYzO64fI5RrcG18swAUZEAv4FhSX9UF9LLuDKZYc-rKq0zkKwvDAypBJUxO7DE_Q3Cur_GhW97tmMehTSFZzMGE2lgRwJmJDKEe4Tyhb4z-Zs/s1600/AdOwN.jpg" height="250" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222;">Oh <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/bang-on-schedule/" target="_blank">Daily Record</a>, who included it on their Scotland now site. Oh <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/bang-on-schedule/" target="_blank">Scotsman</a>, who advertised their rival's website just to let their readers see the results (but not necessarily the questions). Oh <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/missing-one-plot/" target="_blank">Press & Journal</a>, who decided to ignore journalism and follow their tabloid peers.</span></div>
<span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />
<b><span style="color: #222222;">It's hard to keep track of London's expenditure</span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222;">Keeping up-to-date with all of the non-Barnett expenditure that the UK lavishes on London and the South East of England can be quite tricky (see one of our attempts <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/why-pay-for-what-you-dont-want.html" target="_blank">here</a>), but considering that this one project alone is likely to cost Scotland over £19 billion we thought we would mention it.</span></div>
<span style="color: #222222;"> </span><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/AVvXsEiTevp6zBi1oY2BZaLzwXkfrmOrAk1MqHAMwYqqhGvh7MWY2SfDnoPAFF1slapOTkH0Zx2CCldLXbOA7294jqrmEbqME5oJW-Qi-2UPMH3t37Gfx_Mmfnf3XRwW2Ybjok1ZetJXlgKVMxo/s1600/Galaxy-Express-999-Wallpaper-Anime-Movie-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTevp6zBi1oY2BZaLzwXkfrmOrAk1MqHAMwYqqhGvh7MWY2SfDnoPAFF1slapOTkH0Zx2CCldLXbOA7294jqrmEbqME5oJW-Qi-2UPMH3t37Gfx_Mmfnf3XRwW2Ybjok1ZetJXlgKVMxo/s1600/Galaxy-Express-999-Wallpaper-Anime-Movie-2.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"Once the Galactic Railroad is complete in London, we'll consider replacing the broken 'give way' sign near Tomintoul."</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222;">'<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2711686/Plans-afoot-200bn-orbital-railway-Londons-suburbs-planners-predicting-Barking-new-Piccadilly-Circus-100-years-time.html" target="_blank">Plans afoot for £200bn orbital railway</a>!' was the headline in the Mail online. Unsurprisingly, similar plans for cities and towns in Scotland have not been announced. But don't worry, London expects another <a href="http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/wakeup-call-london-needs-13-trillion-to-maintain-its-position-as-world-leader-9637505.html" target="_blank">£1,300,000,000,000</a> (with over £120,000,000,000 coming from Scotland). And there are suggestions that <a href="http://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2014/07/31/boris-johnson-wants-21-billion-of-investment-in-london-a-year-that-no-market-will-supply/" target="_blank">they are going to get their wish</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222;">Plans to have <a href="http://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2014/07/31/boris-johnson-wants-21-billion-of-investment-in-london-a-year-that-no-market-will-supply/" target="_blank">39.7% of all UK state investment</a> spent where just 13.14% of the people live are being made. If we're independent, then we can prove to those outside of London that there is an alternative.</span></div>
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<b>On the Bonnie or Fracked Banks of Loch Lomond</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The <a href="http://rt.com/uk/176000-uk-fracking-national-parks/" target="_blank">international media</a> recently highlighted the expansion of fracking licences across the UK to include <a href="http://rt.com/uk/176000-uk-fracking-national-parks/" target="_blank">national parks</a> and places of outstanding beauty. We now have confirmation that the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs national park <a href="http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/newsdesk/energy/analysis/environmental-impact-14th-round" target="_blank">is going to be targeted</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjis3C4C6V8AAurvLvTid2D_OI8i8QiLDRX_eH0XvsZmEaWm7TS8KVo_SM_9y6MoeFBT6c7D313QivMQtaK3W-6DBItij8d2xyejobVByj_7y_7hsZBpbMgaBqC3UxCzdAHE6d_4CIkSwE/s1600/brown-fracking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjis3C4C6V8AAurvLvTid2D_OI8i8QiLDRX_eH0XvsZmEaWm7TS8KVo_SM_9y6MoeFBT6c7D313QivMQtaK3W-6DBItij8d2xyejobVByj_7y_7hsZBpbMgaBqC3UxCzdAHE6d_4CIkSwE/s1600/brown-fracking.jpg" height="252" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Those opposed to fracking, which is also known as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydraulic_fracturing" target="_blank">hydraulic fracturing</a>, do so for both environmental and <a href="http://www.resilience.org/stories/2014-04-21/those-fracking-lies" target="_blank">economic reasons</a>. It <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/14/fracking-earthquake_n_5585892.html" target="_blank">triggers earthquakes</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LBjSXWQRV8" target="_blank">poisons water supplies</a>, <a href="http://rt.com/usa/gag-order-children-fracking-settlement-982/" target="_blank">causes illness</a> and <a href="http://www.resilience.org/stories/2014-04-21/those-fracking-lies" target="_blank">loses money</a> (<a href="http://www.maxkeiser.com/2014/08/shale-gas-the-dotcom-bubble-of-our-times/" target="_blank">lots of money</a>). Fracking isn't required in an <a href="http://newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-opinion/3581-too-poor-too-wee-and-too-energy-rich.html" target="_blank">energy rich country like Scotland</a> but will be forced upon us anyway if Westminster remains in charge.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuoqw_p8YT0hS_mQIGSk88VLO4WSHKQgIkbWjI63ZF3-RVzyzQZycrXnnZrpqmALeZQ1L7HinVTrdf1_uO6Ndfw_ju2V3N9B1lXR6iwbZQs-V8yw4ZEeQUHGtPFoEHqXGK8OIwvOEoS5Y/s1600/wellwater0141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuoqw_p8YT0hS_mQIGSk88VLO4WSHKQgIkbWjI63ZF3-RVzyzQZycrXnnZrpqmALeZQ1L7HinVTrdf1_uO6Ndfw_ju2V3N9B1lXR6iwbZQs-V8yw4ZEeQUHGtPFoEHqXGK8OIwvOEoS5Y/s1600/wellwater0141.jpg" height="262" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
And Westminster isn't likely to change their minds over the process. The blue side is being <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/oct/21/conservatives-links-fossil-fuel-lobbyists" target="_blank">paid by the fracking companies</a>, and the red side are <a href="http://www.exetergreenparty.org.uk/news/53/56/Bradshaw-admits-we-ll-be-fracked-under-a-future-Labour-government.html" target="_blank">happy to expand fracking further</a>. There is only one certainty: vote no and Scotland will be fracked!</div>
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<b>Crude attempts at silence</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
BP have been examining <a href="http://www.businessforscotland.co.uk/clair-ridge-and-scotlands-new-oil-boom/" target="_blank">the potential for vast quantities of oil</a> in the waters west of the Shetland Isles for quite some time. They <a href="http://www.oilandgaspeople.com/news/949/bp-has-turned-a-corner-in-north-sea-output/" target="_blank">announced in June</a> that they were excited about the Clair field in particular.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXsgsfyy4luTiBNr0qNsGGVuvRiJsl-pcwsn1oIwcFLN4Ird7qu9Bcoo4zVNXqxdLRH8ksIxoT8Nb_zhRKxaYbB2o2YdDm4TqjG8oWq4fobWKmAtYJGj5AknpKgSZB4cXsNVqMctGNnM/s1600/Crane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXsgsfyy4luTiBNr0qNsGGVuvRiJsl-pcwsn1oIwcFLN4Ird7qu9Bcoo4zVNXqxdLRH8ksIxoT8Nb_zhRKxaYbB2o2YdDm4TqjG8oWq4fobWKmAtYJGj5AknpKgSZB4cXsNVqMctGNnM/s1600/Crane.jpg" height="288" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Following an analysis of the initial (but as yet not publicly announced) results, Prime Minister David Cameron hurriedly visited the Shetland Islands (something that his predecessors had not done <a href="http://yes2014.net/2014/08/01/oil-around-shetland-could-be-more-than-it-appears/" target="_blank">in over in over 30 years</a>). He said <a href="http://www.oilandgaspeople.com/news/987/worlds-largest-oil-field-not-found-the-mystery-surrounding-the-prime-ministers-shetland-visit/" target="_blank">little to the press</a> and <a href="http://yes2014.net/2014/08/01/oil-around-shetland-could-be-more-than-it-appears/" target="_blank">no further comment</a> has been offered by No 10. Workers are not due to return to the site until after the referendum. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This has led to speculation that BP <a href="http://tompride.wordpress.com/2014/08/02/massive-oil-find-off-coast-of-scotland-hushed-up-till-after-referendum/" target="_blank">may have found one of the largest deposits of oil</a> in the world.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-F8GZ770WnWJfvztUvnQyRYfQd9vz5wbTGYQ_BZSaTebDzNGx2REuL9Mx4lExZ8jJfwtTIe2Zx4YFOSzq2NYpK_4XijTRWtSPSciwllkK8tuaUsOA5ux9xjcPGfIPppTrqEFUL8zUv8/s1600/10501878_1421723931385938_6490550651122313029_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-F8GZ770WnWJfvztUvnQyRYfQd9vz5wbTGYQ_BZSaTebDzNGx2REuL9Mx4lExZ8jJfwtTIe2Zx4YFOSzq2NYpK_4XijTRWtSPSciwllkK8tuaUsOA5ux9xjcPGfIPppTrqEFUL8zUv8/s1600/10501878_1421723931385938_6490550651122313029_n.jpg" height="256" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
We know from past experience that Westminster has <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9535-rumours-of-massive-oil-find-follow-camerons-secret-shetland-visit" target="_blank">lied to the people of Scotland</a> about our resources. From the <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/how-black-gold-was-hijacked-north-sea-oil-and-the-betrayal-of-scotland-518697.html" target="_blank">McCrone report</a> which was classified for decades as '<a href="http://www.oilofscotland.org/mccrone_oil_reports.html" target="_blank">top secret</a>', to the <a href="http://www.sundaypost.com/news-views/scotland/west-coast-oil-boom-was-blocked-by-mod-1.151449" target="_blank">cover-up of oil discovered</a> on the west coast of Scotland, and <a href="http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/the-secret-oil-report-we-find-the-crucial-report-advising-westminster-not-t.24189400" target="_blank">mis-information regarding a future's fund</a> similar to that which <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-08/norway-has-problem-of-too-much-money-ahead-of-elections/4944326" target="_blank">Norway has</a>. Even international magazines <a href="http://newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9507-westminster-deliberately-downplaying-oil-revenue-says-investment-mag-report" target="_blank">recognise that the UK Government is lying</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Questions remain as to just <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9535-rumours-of-massive-oil-find-follow-camerons-secret-shetland-visit" target="_blank">how much wealth Scotland has</a>. But the UK Government don't want you to know before you vote. Perhaps because the answer would guarantee a Yes.</div>
<br />
<b>What was once deleted is now un-deleted</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Anti-independence comedy troope the Confederation of British Industry were embarrassed yet again in August (just as they have in <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/not-in-paper-review-april.html" target="_blank">April</a> [<a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/second-not-in-news-for-april.html" target="_blank">twice</a>], <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/not-in-news-late-may-edition.html" target="_blank">May</a>, <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/not-in-news-early-june-edition.html" target="_blank">June</a> and <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/not-in-news-early-july-edition.html" target="_blank">July</a>). Emails which were thought to have been deleted have been <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9533-electoral-commission-finds-deleted-cbi-emails" target="_blank">uncovered by the Electoral Commission</a> and finally revealed.</div>
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</div>
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For context, here is a quote from a spokesperson for the confederation from earlier this year:</div>
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"The early conversations that took place between the EC and the CBI were
at relatively junior official level and confined to narrow compliance
issues," <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9533-electoral-commission-finds-deleted-cbi-emails" target="_blank">CBI statement</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRWArSIWe3xRCtnxyHMlBdCadrLC6aIXETbxf-5hdLnC-4rHhqMXYEQWGnOIe3b32jX0VFTuiSQ7kyoOD6gud4RFHkDSwbm1hnJd0wYJw2vZgAnVGiABTAUsOAPwzs3-MUHFYrI6HF4E/s1600/10153763_698724470166913_3059990582150940013_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRWArSIWe3xRCtnxyHMlBdCadrLC6aIXETbxf-5hdLnC-4rHhqMXYEQWGnOIe3b32jX0VFTuiSQ7kyoOD6gud4RFHkDSwbm1hnJd0wYJw2vZgAnVGiABTAUsOAPwzs3-MUHFYrI6HF4E/s1600/10153763_698724470166913_3059990582150940013_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
So let's take a look at who the 'relatively junior' officials were:</div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9533-electoral-commission-finds-deleted-cbi-emails" target="_blank">Iain McMillan</a>, <a href="http://www.cbi.org.uk/about-the-cbi/uk/scotland/meet-the-team/" target="_blank">Director</a> of the CBI in Scotland</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9533-electoral-commission-finds-deleted-cbi-emails" target="_blank">David Lonsdale</a>, <a href="http://www.cbi.org.uk/media-centre/news-articles/2013/08/david-lonsdale-scottish-government-must-use-budget-for-growth/" target="_blank">Assistant Director</a> of the CBI in Scotland</div>
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I guess the CBI consider a director (and his assistant) of its (<a href="http://www.businessforscotland.co.uk/business-for-scotland-challenges-the-cbi-to-come-clean/" target="_blank">admittedly very small</a>) Scottish branch to be nothing more than a junior official. For once I think I may have to agree with them.</div>
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</div>
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But where is the BBC in this story? As paying members of the anti-independence group they would have better access to information than most. Why is there no mention of this story on their news website? It's not as if they <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-opinion/9146-bbc-scotland-inept-or-corrupt" target="_blank">haven't highlighted the CBI</a> in the past or stressed the importance of the views of these junior officials...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmROmQkunIrJwrRM3FqeYuMXFavAKli-ZWZlfj9EPHfmbynfZeBOaLqq0eci_S0oIasRu4R31aGRw5pqLvQ17xcroV__Y4dNQH1TkkTY-2iJ_0xmwzhJCbUN4V7mwkdhhUIbZJ7Fx2W4U/s1600/Nincompoops+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmROmQkunIrJwrRM3FqeYuMXFavAKli-ZWZlfj9EPHfmbynfZeBOaLqq0eci_S0oIasRu4R31aGRw5pqLvQ17xcroV__Y4dNQH1TkkTY-2iJ_0xmwzhJCbUN4V7mwkdhhUIbZJ7Fx2W4U/s1600/Nincompoops+2.jpg" height="370" width="400" /></a></div>
I guess they will keep us waiting until Friday the 19th of September.<br />
<br />
<b>No vote guarantees a raid on our troops' pensions</b><br />
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The UK Government <a href="http://yes2014.net/2014/08/03/disrespecting-the-military/" target="_blank">will tax service personnel more for their pensions</a> as a result of changes to the tax system from April 2017. The rules surrounding the introduction of a flat rate pension system means that those on a second state pension will no longer receive a rebate on their national insurance (potentially affecting anyone who is a state employee). This will cost the <a href="http://yes2014.net/2014/08/03/disrespecting-the-military/" target="_blank">average Army private £162 a year</a> in additional tax.</div>
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<b>When victory is recorded as defeat</b><br />
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Amongst undecided who watched the STV debate between First Minister Alex Salmond and Alistair Darling MP, the Yes side won by 54% to 46%. So who does the newspapers and the BBC declare as the winner? Alistair Darling!</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSBWoIsyAR-SKuPFiEUStJVIzKcL6q_-KMwaCDm96_qQlAnnkYdbjYQZtwmHy-eWerA0iQPNioQ2B2_hYSGW7ApZH2-DwdZbOXAZlvTUhbFvRVqBJnjRR5u78CCrFITxcw4fNlmhKdr9k/s1600/Twilight+Zone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSBWoIsyAR-SKuPFiEUStJVIzKcL6q_-KMwaCDm96_qQlAnnkYdbjYQZtwmHy-eWerA0iQPNioQ2B2_hYSGW7ApZH2-DwdZbOXAZlvTUhbFvRVqBJnjRR5u78CCrFITxcw4fNlmhKdr9k/s1600/Twilight+Zone.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></a></div>
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The excuse the controlled media gave for claiming that Alistair Darling won is because of a <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/the-only-stat-that-matters/" target="_blank">snap opinion poll by ICM</a>. This opinion poll showed what you would expect - those thinking of voting Yes at the start backed the First Minister and those intending to vote no before the debate supported Alistair Darling. But they <a href="http://scotgoespop.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/yes-campaign-surge-to-new-record-high.html" target="_blank">asked more people who were already committed to voting no</a> than voting yes.</div>
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Our favourite quote came from <a href="http://weegingerdug.wordpress.com/2014/08/05/the-great-maltesers-debate/" target="_blank">Wee Ginger Dug</a>:<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"But for the most part the currency question is technocratic
pseudowaffle. It’s one of those practical problems to which there is a
practical solution. And there are several solutions, ranging all the way
from a formal currency union to sticking the UK national debt up George
Osborne’s arse and setting up a new Scottish currency, and all points
in between. My personal favourite is the sticking it up George Osborne’s
arse option, mainly because I’d like to see the look on his face. You
can probably tell I’m not primarily motivated by economic arguments
there."</blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Which is why you should read sites like <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-opinion/9546-salmond-edges-debate-but-no-game-changer" target="_blank">Newsnet Scotland</a>, <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/the-only-stat-that-matters/" target="_blank">Wings over Scotland</a>, <a href="http://scotgoespop.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/yes-campaign-surge-to-new-record-high.html" target="_blank">SCOT goes POP!</a> and <a href="http://nationalcollective.com/2014/08/06/editorial-we-want-vision-thoughts-on-the-stv-debate/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=editorial-we-want-vision-thoughts-on-the-stv-debate" target="_blank">National Collective</a>.</div>
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<b>We don't need Westminster's approval</b><br />
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Contrary to suggestions made by the mainstream media, Scotland does not need Westminster's approval to use the pound or any other currency.</div>
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<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/AVvXsEifTgaZsjRkGWcwcWTJjzLlZ4oZaaNAJuOK2qv3ObAxiczdIwos5yqJGnBMKe7uujYjhLlV00OY8LtFms6j_vWM0kHA5ucgyl0_xc4D8YaZB8D5Eu6qMcJcaKHvQokJ9iHscWNKinuQBDc/s1600/Currency_union.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifTgaZsjRkGWcwcWTJjzLlZ4oZaaNAJuOK2qv3ObAxiczdIwos5yqJGnBMKe7uujYjhLlV00OY8LtFms6j_vWM0kHA5ucgyl0_xc4D8YaZB8D5Eu6qMcJcaKHvQokJ9iHscWNKinuQBDc/s1600/Currency_union.PNG" height="181" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>These countries share the same currencies, some officially, others unilaterally</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Our most popular blog, '<a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/so-who-else-cant-use-pound.html" target="_blank">So who else can't use the pound?</a>', goes into detail about how and why we <a href="http://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2014/08/astonishing-coincidence/" target="_blank">don't need permission from George Osborne</a> or anyone else from Whitehall. Quite frankly, if you believe that Westminster would hurt businesses in England just to spite us, then why on earth would you want them making decisions over Scotland?</div>
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<b>Why my juggling has prevented atomic war</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have been juggling for a number of years. There has been no nuclear wars during that time. Therefore, my juggling is the reason why there has been no nuclear wars.</div>
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<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/AVvXsEgRX5MpI1qtE1DBFP3ADLU7SZUShNBzms9mn_bGjbjETXSi0VIm_2yznLxNjq6cSFb1aoTnbD25mhrwM6nXTlJDDDrH8CDY36bJZoZnaH0DHEUTk5604Z98XoEEb1tz-XBHacNOQHXLJtI/s1600/juggling-cartoon-dadwatchme-herman5.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRX5MpI1qtE1DBFP3ADLU7SZUShNBzms9mn_bGjbjETXSi0VIm_2yznLxNjq6cSFb1aoTnbD25mhrwM6nXTlJDDDrH8CDY36bJZoZnaH0DHEUTk5604Z98XoEEb1tz-XBHacNOQHXLJtI/s1600/juggling-cartoon-dadwatchme-herman5.gif" height="400" width="376" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This is how I learned to juggle</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
That is the argument put forward by Annabel Goldie MSP. Voting against the removal of nuclear weapons from Scotland alongside her Tory, Labour and Liberal Democrat allies, the representative for the West of Scotland said:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"The fact is that since acquiring Trident, and its predecessor, Polaris, we have had four decades of non-nuclear conflict." <a href="http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scots-taxpayers-face-multi-billion-pound-4002155" target="_blank">Annabel Goldie, presumably being serious</a></blockquote>
</div>
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It feels almost embarrassing to point out that non-nuclear states have also avoided nuclear conflict during that time. </div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We have already looked into the reasons why Trident <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/the-folly-of-trident.html" target="_blank">does nothing to keep us safe</a> and is a complete waste of money. We have also <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/a-scare-day-nato-edition.html" target="_blank">examined NATO membership</a>, and why the power to decide what alliances we make will be up to voters in Scotland. For unionist MSPs to <a href="http://www.banthebomb.org/index.php/news/trident/1583-scottish-parliament-calls-for-trident-removal-after-yes-vote" target="_blank">actively vote to keep weapons for mass destruction</a> stored a few minutes away from our largest city (and for Scots to <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/why-pay-for-what-you-dont-want.html" target="_blank">continue paying for the things</a>) <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/the-folly-of-trident.html" target="_blank">is abhorant</a>.</div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But after a Yes vote, these parties will change and <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/why-conservatives-in-scotland-should.html" target="_blank">start acting in Scotland's interests</a>.</div>
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<b>FREEDOM (of information)!</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Our freedom of information request found the the UK Government's leaflet 'What staying in the United Kingdom means for Scotland' <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/freedom-of-information.html" target="_blank">had no BSL or audio versions</a>. You can read the full story <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/freedom-of-information.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The BBC, which used the low number of orders for the BSL version of the White Paper to attack the Yes campaign, has, as of yet, not given the same attention to an even worse example by Westminster. <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/bbc-special.html" target="_blank">We can only speculate as to why...</a></div>
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<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/AVvXsEjTXfGQ6bQfb_drk4Xhoi-5jVn3gqHNnp6ikW1ypn1qHcfzh22oYUH0Z0bIWIdVsUFFtt5LAr06PQukP9DOSg-Qw6HddUYcNntpfSKbXEi6TsvIUPqkURLmn5isL0cMrUQGujmd5d0mHSk/s1600/04.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXfGQ6bQfb_drk4Xhoi-5jVn3gqHNnp6ikW1ypn1qHcfzh22oYUH0Z0bIWIdVsUFFtt5LAr06PQukP9DOSg-Qw6HddUYcNntpfSKbXEi6TsvIUPqkURLmn5isL0cMrUQGujmd5d0mHSk/s1600/04.gif" height="223" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #783f04;">"I say the BBC is biased!"</span> <span style="color: #990000;">"And I say the BBC is incompetent!"</span> (at least they agree the BBC is full of nincompoops!)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>All aboard the love boat</b><br />
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Love is in the air as 200 people who aren't able to vote in the referendum told us that we should vote no because they care so much about us. You can check out some of their personal messages below.</div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
First on the list - Piers Morgan:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"OK, Scotland, you've had your fun. Now just quietly vote 'NO' and we'll say no more about it." <a href="http://michaelgreenwell.wordpress.com/2014/08/09/i-get-the-feeling/" target="_blank">Piers Morgan, 8th of August</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgykf7QwgyIC7Ysdgz1KdApHpD6uswg2ItsKTg1t7eJWYjt0UfqOz0zPYl5FTsfzhlF4ow2P8fKmI_AwaivdX1s9hyphenhyphenMQ8XaTmZ7QYi46XZbP1FSmcs3gjaI2SrXTFOBf8s2s37wG-xFs_8/s1600/morgancunt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgykf7QwgyIC7Ysdgz1KdApHpD6uswg2ItsKTg1t7eJWYjt0UfqOz0zPYl5FTsfzhlF4ow2P8fKmI_AwaivdX1s9hyphenhyphenMQ8XaTmZ7QYi46XZbP1FSmcs3gjaI2SrXTFOBf8s2s37wG-xFs_8/s1600/morgancunt.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm00uCxykpcchknqMrPwkn7XUTZC_dWHj5ORewiwwCIb-QF2tOfVQBhEBA302FwL3wXokV9W6wjRTmPbWJjMnE0aCtb_rhFuySQbtfJlZJGpGYe_1behSUSCLqzlwA9CU9UGRnWAfdzjg/s1600/piersmorgan_dailymirror_journalism-fraud_firing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm00uCxykpcchknqMrPwkn7XUTZC_dWHj5ORewiwwCIb-QF2tOfVQBhEBA302FwL3wXokV9W6wjRTmPbWJjMnE0aCtb_rhFuySQbtfJlZJGpGYe_1behSUSCLqzlwA9CU9UGRnWAfdzjg/s1600/piersmorgan_dailymirror_journalism-fraud_firing.jpg" height="144" width="200" /></a></div>
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David Starkey:<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"If we decide to go down this route of having an English national day, that means we become a feeble little country, just like the Scots and the Welsh and the Irish." <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/tough-love/" target="_blank">David Starkey, BBC Question Time</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Rob Liddle:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"The only reason any people remain in Scotland is on account of the extremely cheap alcohol available in supermarkets, plus a ready supply of heroin for when the alcohol runs out...Soon Carlisle and Berwick will resemble those awful UN transit camps you used to see in Rwanda; in this case the inhabitants would be millions of displaced, grey-eyed Jocks pleading for a fix of lager or subsidised methadone." <a href="http://liberalconspiracy.org/2010/09/05/rod-liddle-scotland-just-full-of-alcoholics-and-druggies/" target="_blank">Rob Liddle, Sunday Times</a></div>
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<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/AVvXsEg-TpiYrmVfXNuK3Zd3FIxi_87zgr3v4Z0CGfFgxuttTvhARnT902UtQ6ZHiPR5YHnndVvquPJH6OcCo5AuMM1PGnGT_LjyhR_JXW0kttyUrHR9b4s-IVu9ee-gFxrVz3AVIU8irQXrOZ0/s1600/love-boat-valentines-day-craft-photo-420-FF0211CREATA05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-TpiYrmVfXNuK3Zd3FIxi_87zgr3v4Z0CGfFgxuttTvhARnT902UtQ6ZHiPR5YHnndVvquPJH6OcCo5AuMM1PGnGT_LjyhR_JXW0kttyUrHR9b4s-IVu9ee-gFxrVz3AVIU8irQXrOZ0/s1600/love-boat-valentines-day-craft-photo-420-FF0211CREATA05.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"<a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/normal-0-false-false-false.html" target="_blank">Love us (or else!)</a>" no campaign 'celebrities</i>'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We can't wait to see what plan Ronnie Corbett and Barbara Windsor have to <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/why-democracy-will-be-stronger-in.html" target="_blank">create a more democratic system</a>, what Dan Snow and Dame Vera Lynn proposed to do about the <a href="http://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2014/08/08/vaudeville-britain-speaks/" target="_blank">1 in 5 children in Scotland who live in poverty</a>, or what Mick Jagger and David Bowie think about <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/tax-dinnae-need-tae-be-taxing.html" target="_blank">tax avoidance</a> (I suspect we may have to <a href="http://expatandoffshore.com/blog/top-ten-tax-exiles" target="_blank">wait some time for that last one</a>).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Post script - we understand that Mick Jagger will be releasing an album to support the 'no' campaign. Songs include: 'Sympathy for Westminster', 'Tory money is on my side', 'I know it's only child poverty (but I like it)', 'Under our thumb', '19th September Nervous Breakdown' and finishing with 'It's all over now'. The album will be called 'Tax Exile on Downing St'.</i></div>
<br />
<b>The Scotsman is telt!</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We just wanted to point people towards <a href="http://derekbateman.co.uk/2014/08/09/to-the-editor/" target="_blank">the fantastic letter by broadcaster Derek Bateman</a> for the editor of the Scotsman "<a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/i-read-it-in-paper.html" target="_blank">newspaper</a>". It is definitely worth a read!</div>
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<br />
<b>Wings gives you no bull!</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Popular online blog <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/" target="_blank">Wings over Scotland</a> has produced its long awaited 'Wee Blue Book'! Digital versions can be downloaded from its website in an easy read format for laptops and smart phones (<a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/weebluebook/" target="_blank">click here</a>). On its first day it achieved <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/put-on-the-glasses/" target="_blank">over 100,000 downloads</a>. A physical version will also be coming soon.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYHhTnWZQWdX6ob3ryC1chd5NN0RHgOnCyNGduvdEdAmloBtaJ6PYda-rRnvBV_0QR8dlKtqsT86bvWIS9j0xkrefUJXV1l7TV96nMdu1cWPlvCQhIgr1Su_2tzscUH9ryuwYxp5Fp_c4/s1600/wbbcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYHhTnWZQWdX6ob3ryC1chd5NN0RHgOnCyNGduvdEdAmloBtaJ6PYda-rRnvBV_0QR8dlKtqsT86bvWIS9j0xkrefUJXV1l7TV96nMdu1cWPlvCQhIgr1Su_2tzscUH9ryuwYxp5Fp_c4/s1600/wbbcover.jpg" height="280" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It is a fantastic read and covers the main issues of the referendum campaign. Short and sweet, it is bound to be a big help to those who are looking for more information (and we know they won't find it in the newspapers - as seen <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/not-in-paper-review-january-edition.html" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/not-in-paper-review-february.html" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/not-in-paper-review-march.html" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/not-in-paper-review-april.html" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/second-not-in-news-for-april.html" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/not-in-news-early-may.html" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/not-in-news-late-may-edition.html" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/not-in-news-early-june-edition.html" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/not-in-news-late-june-edition.html" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/bbc-special.html" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/not-in-news-early-july-edition.html" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/not-in-news-late-july-edition.html" target="_blank">here</a> and above).</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Occupancy rates at over 1,000,000%! 999,000,000 people at risk!!!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Another case of the BBC <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9574-bbc-scotland-reporter-accused-of-using-bogus-figures-in-nhs-scare-story" target="_blank">attacking the Scottish NHS</a> with exaggerated figures. The reason why? <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/5962-what-was-behind-bbc-scotlands-attack-on-the-scottish-nhs" target="_blank">Newsnet Scotland covered that back in 2012</a>.</div>
<br />
Join us again near the end of August for our next look at what's 'not in the news'! <br />
Drew<br />
<br />
If you like this blog, then please consider visiting our other sites:<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sign-for-Scotland/499368123435883" target="_blank">Facebook - Sign for Scotland</a><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/Sign4Scotland/videos" target="_blank">YouTube - Sign4Scotland</a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/Sign4Scotland" target="_blank">Twitter - Sign4Scotland</a>Sign for Scotlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16057474693059978339noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968036878657352398.post-77582069985267422882014-08-08T12:20:00.000+01:002014-08-08T12:20:05.024+01:00FREEDOM (of information)!<div style="text-align: justify;">
We at Sign for Scotland have been busy making our first freedom of information request. On the 5th of July we sent a message to the Scotland Office asking them how many BSL copies of their anti-independence leaflet 'What staying in the United Kingdom means for Scotland' had been issued (the one that was sent to every household in Scotland <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/not-in-news-late-june-edition.html" target="_blank">at our expense</a>).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This was inspired by the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-27327187" target="_blank">BBC's FoI request made in May</a> regarding the number of copies of the White Paper on Independence that had been ordered in BSL. The answer (which we didn't receive until today - the 8th of August) might surprise you:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: blue;">'What staying in the United Kingdom means for Scotland'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: blue;">Number of BSL copies: <b>0</b> (zero)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Back in May, John Denerley, from Deaf Connections, stated that the number of BSL copies of 'Scotland's Future', the White Paper on Independence, had been "<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-27327187" target="_blank">...ridiculous, shocking, and frankly embarrassing...</a>". We wonder if the BBC will seek a similar quote from him regarding the UK Government's 0 availability (there wasn't even an option on-line to view or request a BSL version).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As reported on <a href="http://newsnetscotland.com/index.php/referendum/9218-campaign-group-challenges-bbc-scotland-claims-of-lack-of-indyref-material-for-deaf" target="_blank">Newsnet Scotland</a>, the information from the Scottish Government's White Paper has been available in a number of locations and formats. At that time, the <a href="http://vimeo.com/81532918" target="_blank">BSL summary of Scotland's Future</a>, which is over 2 hours and 20 minutes long, had received over 500 plays, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2HAuIEHDMlnOfc-W4AvguQ" target="_blank">videos from ourselves</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ScottishDeafIndy?fref=ts" target="_blank">Scottish Deaf Independence</a> had received even more.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ZVeHgatfG4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But the UK Government's lack of consideration for the Deaf isn't the main issue. The topic that should be our focus is in regards to the BBC. Three questions emerge:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>First</b> - Did the BBC make a Freedom of Information request regarding Deaf access to the UK Government's referendum material as they did for the Scottish Government's?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Second</b> - If not, why not? Freedom of Information requests are not difficult and had produced a story that featured prominently on their news website and <a href="http://limpingchicken.com/2014/05/21/deaf-news-are-deaf-people-being-left-out-of-the-scottish-independence-debate/" target="_blank">was commented on widely</a>. If they did, then why did they withhold this information from the public, and who was involved in the decision?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>And finally</b> - Now that they are fully aware, will the BBC give this story the same prominence as they gave to their anti-independence report? If not, why not?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You can view the Scotland Office's full response below. Despite the date showing as the 28th of July, we only received this letter by email today after requesting an update earlier this week. As of yet, no physical copy has been delivered.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLxQKbj73IZF_CaxPdEWPIGWwSHEoVjqK3oAvkNqh1zHH9zvI673GNujaCTkObGXRb3eTcDEFJyFqzQw0kzRVjo4sUxWUF9DCfU_eciLzMg2rWngQtzuN8HoslrAEr6mxzav6msbdsh0Y/s1600/Scotland+Office+Response+Letter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLxQKbj73IZF_CaxPdEWPIGWwSHEoVjqK3oAvkNqh1zHH9zvI673GNujaCTkObGXRb3eTcDEFJyFqzQw0kzRVjo4sUxWUF9DCfU_eciLzMg2rWngQtzuN8HoslrAEr6mxzav6msbdsh0Y/s1600/Scotland+Office+Response+Letter.jpg" height="640" width="372" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/not-in-news-late-may-edition.html" target="_blank">Unlike the BBC</a>, we are happy to offer them the right of reply to our article.<br />
Drew<br />
<br />
If you like this blog, then please consider visiting our other sites:<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sign-for-Scotland/499368123435883" target="_blank">Facebook - Sign for Scotland</a><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/Sign4Scotland/videos" target="_blank">YouTube - Sign4Scotland</a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/Sign4Scotland" target="_blank">Twitter - Sign4Scotland</a>Sign for Scotlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16057474693059978339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968036878657352398.post-1573352829501183472014-08-06T08:41:00.006+01:002014-08-06T08:41:48.319+01:00Indie Dumping and Scapegoating<i>A guest blog for Sign for Scotland by Hilary Christie</i>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkqEJ9YzOWN_fU6TJQqTJbXo6pzEb0ieliGVr9__xzR5iG_p_PwiXkq1wbmSbI-QswkJJ2DskKXKkDXltNHNXVMpiTkNRiqmqO71Am6jjYv-RifhLhO11dpJP40QKWJY1kmHaK6gS5VE/s1600/Salt+Badge1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkqEJ9YzOWN_fU6TJQqTJbXo6pzEb0ieliGVr9__xzR5iG_p_PwiXkq1wbmSbI-QswkJJ2DskKXKkDXltNHNXVMpiTkNRiqmqO71Am6jjYv-RifhLhO11dpJP40QKWJY1kmHaK6gS5VE/s1600/Salt+Badge1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My teenage years in the fifties were clouded over with
anti-communist outpourings from my step-mother who was otherwise a great
person. There were reds under every bed and she spouted fire in the direction
of any labour politician. I met some of them and thought they were ordinary,
pleasant enough human beings. How many evening meals were spoiled by these
rantings. My father would leave the room. Then came the Soviet invasion of
Hungary in 1956. There was a call put out on the BBC for families to give a
temporary home to a refugee. I was delighted. At last an opportunity to show
real solidarity with those who had suffered the hated communist <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>oppression that had benighted our evenings.</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I asked ,’Can we have a refugee?’ The answer
was a tremendous disappointment and at the same time an eye opener: ‘My dear,
you are sweet. No, we couldn’t possibly’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>‘Why not?’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘My dear, he would
smell so!’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is theatre. People don’t
say such things. But it was said. So we had no refugee. We did not welcome the
stranger and I saw that politics was very often not about real life and
changing wrongs but about having someone or something to hate. That’s very
useful for the hater. Something inside you growls and snarls and conveniently
you, subconsciously, choose somebody to hammer and that makes you feel a lot
lighter, a lot better for a while, superficially at least. It doesn’t of course
rid you of your anger – in fact it almost certainly fuels it and keeps the pot cooking
and it most definitely alienates other people by its sheer virulence.<br />
<br />
So I
avoided politics scrupulously for decades while Harold Wilson<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ruined our meals; Mrs Thatcher ruined our
meals and Tony Blair ruined our meals. And then came the Referendum and it all
changed.</div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Now I go around the streets and houses and chap on doors and
meet with friendliness, enquiries and blind hatred. One big guy screams,
‘You’re all a load of paedophiles!’<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
An other elderly woman hates Alec Salmond and says ‘If I had
a gun I’d shoot him’. I ask what he has done to her that she feels this way.
She says, ‘I think he’s out for himself’. That’s a small reason for capital
murder.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A third person sees me coming, spots my badge and bag and greets me
with ‘I’d like to ask you a question.’ I am interested. ‘What are the two most
poisonous fish in Scotland?’ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I begin to
run through jelly fish and so on in my mind. Fool! It dawns on me. Our First
and Deputy leaders. I found this so disgusting that I couldn’t speak<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>about for it a fair while. </div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
All these distressed people have the same thing in common,
namely a great need to dump, i.e. a need to find a scapegoat to blame and on to
whom they can<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>pour out their anger,
frustration and spite. An interesting ‘Dilemmas’ column in the Independent by
Virginia Ironside, (30 July 2014)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>explores scapegoating. She says that one person is selected by someone
or a family and those around them learn to despise this victim as well. This
person is blamed for all manner of ills. The cause of this hate can be a
similarity to someone remembered and disliked from the past. Or, which is more
likely, the hater may see in the scapegoat traits that he or she has<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>personally and is ashamed of . By dumping
this hate and rejection of bad traits on to this person then that gets rid of
them for a while and they don’t have to be faced or dealt with for the time
being.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
These powerful subconscious feelings have to be avoided. Run from them
if you can. Arguing and reasoning are useless. ‘Get the hell out of there,’ she
says. Keep clear of the situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
then she says a thought stirring thing – in order to survive the hater badly
needs you to be around. Take away the prop and the bad feelings will come home
to roost. It seems that people are unaware of what they are doing when they are
scapegoating. They think it is justified and their hatred deserved. They do <u>not</u>
want to listen to moderate arguments. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These take away from them their great weapon. This
is dysfunctional behaviour and it stems from deep hurt from the past, buried
but living unhealthily inside.</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
So our poor but sturdy First Minister has the unfortunate
distinction of being of some use to these unhappy individuals whether they like
it or not. It would be good if politics could be free from fly tipping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May all scapegoats be protected from spite
and evil thoughts and come through unscathed.</div>
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<![endif]--><i>We at Sign for Scotland would like to say a big thank you to Hilary for writing this blog for us! </i><br />
<br />
If you like this blog, then please consider visiting our other sites:<br />
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<a href="https://twitter.com/Sign4Scotland" target="_blank">Twitter - Sign4Scotland</a>Sign for Scotlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16057474693059978339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968036878657352398.post-29508132162553358462014-08-03T09:00:00.005+01:002014-08-03T09:00:37.868+01:00What would you like in the constitution?<div style="text-align: justify;">
The UK does not have a written, codified constitution. It is the only country in the EU to not have such a document and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncodified_constitution" target="_blank">one of just five in the world</a> (the others being Israel, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia and Canada - although Canadian provinces do have the right to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_of_British_Columbia" target="_blank">create their own constitution</a>).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But what difference does this make? A constitution guarantees the rights and freedoms of all citizens. It ensures that everyone is equal in the eyes of the law and that power lies with the people and not parliament. Constitutions are also important because they can ensure that new laws meet certain standards.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJstezRag7905FG-kQeutmE87hwcqOWcYpPhnLvaOuVl5OIzJ94YwI0Uw9dB22CMKDWlobL6IBoRP2ilgRZKh9NS5eGMmizmI-CxCCJv67Og5k5MfS1B6g_rmdFwuC2d8y4DD64vyS6o/s1600/Australian+Constitution.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJstezRag7905FG-kQeutmE87hwcqOWcYpPhnLvaOuVl5OIzJ94YwI0Uw9dB22CMKDWlobL6IBoRP2ilgRZKh9NS5eGMmizmI-CxCCJv67Og5k5MfS1B6g_rmdFwuC2d8y4DD64vyS6o/s1600/Australian+Constitution.jpg" height="303" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The following comes from the <a href="http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/explore/federation/why-our-constitution-matters.aspx" target="_blank">National Archives of Australia</a>:<br />
<b>Seven reasons why our Constitution is important to you</b><br />
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Australia wouldn't exist without the Constitution. In the
1890s the people of six British colonies (now the states) agreed to
unite under one Constitution as the Commonwealth of Australia.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">We
Australians were the first people in the world to vote on our national
Constitution. And today, the Constitution can only be changed if we
agree to it through a referendum.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Imagine trying to
envisage what life would be like in 100 years time – and creating a
Constitution to meet future needs. That's just what the key players did
in the 1890s – they created a Constitution that still has relevance to
our complex life today, with our mobile phones and internet connections.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Our
federal parliament was designed by the Constitution. It allows for an
upper and lower house and for elections every three years. It also
ensures that Senators and Members of the House of Representatives are
directly chosen by the people. And, if we want to, we can stand for
Parliament ourselves.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Our Constitution obliges all
Australians to obey the law – even politicians and governments. The High
Court was set up as a separate power from the Parliament and has, at
times, overturned decisions made by the Australian Government as
unconstitutional.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The Constitution also has an impact on
our personal lives by dividing up powers between the Commonwealth and
the states. The Commonwealth makes laws on a range of issues (such as
regulating marriage and divorce) but allows other powers (such as
providing roads and transport) to remain with the states. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The
Australian Constitution provides some rights for all Australians, such
as freedom of religion and the right to compensation if the government
acquires your property. </li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Instead of having a clear, easy to understand constitution, the UK Government prefers to have power at Westminster. This means that the protections our Australian cousins enjoy are not equally guaranteed to us.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Other countries use their constitution to protect certain groups, including the Deaf. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_recognition_of_sign_languages#Austria" target="_blank">In Austria</a> they included an amendment which reads: "Austrian Sign Language is recognised as an independent language. The laws will determine the details." This may not appear to be much, but every law passed in the Austrian parliament has to ensure that this rule is not broken.</div>
<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/AVvXsEicwh3sI5aCAzue8ARh3BtnGsWimhqJecR1zQY_wYvdhSgKilywfU43kC0_iDOChinBVI7_WGbQTbmotNORi0cKbIy4u9-A5LVJQfWuNrjUotqXNuClUHrSs0PC2IqXjXFVVLpO19Bn8J8/s1600/971144_10151544047323316_1867215481_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicwh3sI5aCAzue8ARh3BtnGsWimhqJecR1zQY_wYvdhSgKilywfU43kC0_iDOChinBVI7_WGbQTbmotNORi0cKbIy4u9-A5LVJQfWuNrjUotqXNuClUHrSs0PC2IqXjXFVVLpO19Bn8J8/s1600/971144_10151544047323316_1867215481_n.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="uiHeaderTitle">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Österreichischer Gehörlosenbund meeting in Austria</i></span></span></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_recognition_of_sign_languages#Finland" target="_blank">Section 17 of the Finnish constitution</a> reads: "Right to one's language and culture [...] The rights of persons using sign language and of persons in need of interpretation or translation aid owing to disability shall be guaranteed by an Act."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There are other examples from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_recognition_of_sign_languages#Portugal" target="_blank">Europe</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_recognition_of_sign_languages#Uganda" target="_blank">Africa</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venezuelan_Sign_Language" target="_blank">Latin America</a>. This is something which we can push for and improve upon in a Scottish Constitution.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Scottish Government's proposed interim constitution, to be adopted in 2016, <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/in-brief/9331-patrick-harvie-welcomes-draft-constitution-proposals" target="_blank">includes the following</a>:</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;"> Setting up an "inclusive and participative" constitutional convention in 2016 to draw up a permanent constitution</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Giving Scots the right to a healthy environment</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Committing the government to removal of nuclear weapons</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Prioritising the promotion of international peace</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Enshrining the principle of local government</li>
</ul>
It also contains this message:<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Many constitutions contain provision about national and official languages and although there is no language provision in the Scottish Independence Bill the Constitution Convention, as stated in Question 589 of Scotland's Future, could consider the constitutional status of Scotland's languages such as English, Gaelic, Scots and British Sign Language." <a href="https://consult.scotland.gov.uk/elections-and-constitutional-development-division/scottish-independence-bill/user_uploads/independence-bill.pdf" target="_blank">The Scottish Independence Bill: A consultation on an interim constitution for Scotland, Page 67</a></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This shows that the needs of BSL users in Scotland are being considered, but we need both a Yes vote in September and to ensure that we get involved. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The final constitution will be written by us, the people who live in Scotland and anyone can contribute. To highlight this point, we have put below our submission to the consultation. It lists what we would like to see entered into the constitution. We want this message to be considered before any law is passed:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHepuf8pQHeYR-fqmzSfxC9D1yOoZ1Ubfkgkjz3_O3tkMW7wvNLL5dM3Rik4-ya_9htHvkErdLmteC0DsaHtPmPeIqv9cRhPbu2htIGn3ypj-O070E3yfLa7xucmqF03pyPSJWPkdNW6U/s1600/Constitution+version+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHepuf8pQHeYR-fqmzSfxC9D1yOoZ1Ubfkgkjz3_O3tkMW7wvNLL5dM3Rik4-ya_9htHvkErdLmteC0DsaHtPmPeIqv9cRhPbu2htIGn3ypj-O070E3yfLa7xucmqF03pyPSJWPkdNW6U/s1600/Constitution+version+3.jpg" height="363" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But what would you like included in the constitution? You can send a submission to the Scottish Government's consultation which can be found <a href="https://consult.scotland.gov.uk/elections-and-constitutional-development-division/scottish-independence-bill/consult_view" target="_blank">here</a>. But don't forget, the only way to gain a constitution is if Scotland has the powers of an independent country (so we need to vote Yes!).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Drew</div>
<br />
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<ul>
</ul>
Sign for Scotlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16057474693059978339noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968036878657352398.post-64694500202955042622014-07-27T09:16:00.001+01:002014-07-27T09:16:51.273+01:00Not in the News - Late July Edition<div style="text-align: justify;">
Welcome to the eighth of our <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Not%20in%20the%20News" target="_blank">bi-monthly series</a> looking back at the stories
which the main stream media in Scotland didn't offer much attention to,
and comparing them to those that hit the front pages. Our last edition covering early July can be found <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/not-in-news-early-july-edition.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie3c0PjGncQslRJhAnhegB5Td_Y3f8p55188C2ff1rvrb3bThEAyJK6dFL3A3hYJFmD993Gu_v1YpbwUT7rV3vws0VimVpAWJCgBJYm0urmxyZ3yVIaiXupKFWCE9NRnzYG_UapEUNBs0/s1600/Censorship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie3c0PjGncQslRJhAnhegB5Td_Y3f8p55188C2ff1rvrb3bThEAyJK6dFL3A3hYJFmD993Gu_v1YpbwUT7rV3vws0VimVpAWJCgBJYm0urmxyZ3yVIaiXupKFWCE9NRnzYG_UapEUNBs0/s1600/Censorship.jpg" height="297" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>One hundred million billion quadrillion jobs could be lost! </b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We were treated to a headline in the Scotsman '<a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/i-read-it-in-paper.html" target="_blank">newspaper</a>' in mid July entitled: "<a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/dont-think-of-a-number/" target="_blank">Labour claim 1m may lose jobs after independence</a>". What is the basis for this headline (because obviously it isn't reality)? The latest idea being pedalled is that everyone in the rest of the UK will suddenly, and inexplicably, stop wanting to make money or have quality goods and services if it involves Scotland in any way.</div>
<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/AVvXsEjruZNzLICzAXfAcnV6BWbXLNR7EIuKGAgbzPv6Z5KIkxA_Q5yHN365YotvfNPff7ZDCwKGUx7AP3p25XC9E9iEnuzKxw6BKimP33ruktwsSi9KQ39-5DI32I_xPWqso3I9FzHVZYmGTs4/s1600/Dont-Panic2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjruZNzLICzAXfAcnV6BWbXLNR7EIuKGAgbzPv6Z5KIkxA_Q5yHN365YotvfNPff7ZDCwKGUx7AP3p25XC9E9iEnuzKxw6BKimP33ruktwsSi9KQ39-5DI32I_xPWqso3I9FzHVZYmGTs4/s1600/Dont-Panic2.png" height="400" width="245" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Note: this is how you are supposed to react.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Currently, Scotland exports <a href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Economy/Q/pno/1" target="_blank">£47,600,000,000 worth of goods</a> to the rest of the UK every year. There will continue to be free trade between our borders (<a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/eu-or-not-eu-well-gain-either-way-with.html" target="_blank">as there is between all EU and EFTA states</a>) so there will not be any legal barriers to trade. And our <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/nobody-wants-you-so-please-stay-with-us.html" target="_blank">wealth isn't magically created by Westminster</a>. The suggestion, therefore, can only be that people who live in England (and the companies that are based there) will suddenly and blindly hate anything Scottish solely because we don't want anything to do with Westminster anymore. <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/do-unionists-hate-the-english/" target="_blank">This is plainly wrong</a> and I feel embarrassed for anyone who tries to make such an argument.</div>
<br />
But being wrong and embarrasing <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/i-read-it-in-paper.html" target="_blank">doesn't mean that the Scotsman won't print it</a>!<br />
<br />
<b>Nobody loves you (if you believe Westminster)</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On the 15th of July, EU President Jean-Claud Juncker stated the European Union was not looking to expand beyond its current borders <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9465-calls-for-no-campaign-to-apologise-after-ec-official-confirms-junckers-remarks-were-misrepresented" target="_blank">in reference to membership applications from Balkan states</a>. Despite his spokeswoman confirming that "[Juncker] was not referring to Scotland when he talked about a five year pause in EU accession", the controlled British media <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/what-it-would-be-like/" target="_blank">proceeded to attack the Yes campaign</a>:</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Alex Salmond's dream of staying in the EU dealt a blow by new President of the European Commission" (Daily Record)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Unionists hail Juncker 'hammer blow' to Scotland's EU place" (Financial Times) </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Independence: Juncker deals blow to Scots EU plans" (Scotsman) </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Juncker deals blow to Alex Salmond's EU claims" (Telegraph)</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And, despite the EU president's spokeswoman's statement coming during the afternoon, that evening's Reporting Scotland broadcast on the BBC at 6:30pm <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-opinion/9477-the-bbc-stick-it-up-your-juncker" target="_blank">still suggested that his speech was somehow directed against Scotland</a>. It took the BBC until <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9465-calls-for-no-campaign-to-apologise-after-ec-official-confirms-junckers-remarks-were-misrepresented" target="_blank">8:40pm to correct its story</a>.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNaDbUDMBoBwx1RE33stQTy1oqpyaYPiX7lgVEM_Rs5GaHhw8EVHW0zii5HMh-2CEeschoMyKrjUMJyr5ga40TVPoEEnAlv1lA6l49lTlyE0uGay2R4_lyKoLWhq9hYarjft2cfOrmJcY/s1600/BBC+Truth+made+from+Lies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNaDbUDMBoBwx1RE33stQTy1oqpyaYPiX7lgVEM_Rs5GaHhw8EVHW0zii5HMh-2CEeschoMyKrjUMJyr5ga40TVPoEEnAlv1lA6l49lTlyE0uGay2R4_lyKoLWhq9hYarjft2cfOrmJcY/s1600/BBC+Truth+made+from+Lies.jpg" height="221" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Another victory for the modern media over the dinosaur press. Of course, none of this stopped Liberal Democrat MP Charles Kennedy from using Prime Minister's Questions to help David Cameron <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9466-prime-minister-called-on-to-correct-inaccurate-juncker-remarks" target="_blank">repeat this same, debunked nonsense the very next day</a>. Democracy in-action!</div>
<br />
<b>Vote for us to remove the policy we introduced and defended!</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Liberal Democrats have finally realised that the Bedroom Tax was a stupid idea and are now against the policy. It was known <a href="http://campbellmartin.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/bedroom-tax-vote-labours-disgrace.html" target="_blank">before it was introduced</a> that it would hurt the poorest in society, but that didn't stop their leaders <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/why-lib-dems-should-support-independence.html" target="_blank">breaking Liberal principles</a> and supporting it anyway.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYtp07JEEPfjg_eOudjlL3UQw6t9mm1Jvo13rgD-uXtMVFBn8WG6cQdjj9DN0MxJ1XpOdNp7VW2QgFX145n7ZlbkhzY3LxyZcZvertlqd6-8JEhE9CR-jXjsX6OkrYjzGXAEXtkpYTmQM/s1600/PeterBrookes_01_94999c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYtp07JEEPfjg_eOudjlL3UQw6t9mm1Jvo13rgD-uXtMVFBn8WG6cQdjj9DN0MxJ1XpOdNp7VW2QgFX145n7ZlbkhzY3LxyZcZvertlqd6-8JEhE9CR-jXjsX6OkrYjzGXAEXtkpYTmQM/s1600/PeterBrookes_01_94999c.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So the Westminster Liberal Democrats are now asking people to elect them because they promise to oppose the policy they introduced. The question is, <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-19646731" target="_blank">can you trust their promises</a>? Or would you rather a Liberal Party free from Westminster's influence comes to the fore? Only a Yes vote can create the latter.</div>
<br />
<b>Absolutely nothing is going on</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Absolutely nothing is going on with <a href="http://rt.com/news/172724-gchq-spying-internet-tools/" target="_blank">online opinion polls, linked in accounts or YouTube videos</a>. Yes <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/jul/14/gchq-tools-manipulate-online-information-leak" target="_blank">nothing</a>. We can't image a single thing <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2693399/GCHQ-spy-Facebook-YouTube-users-ability-manipulate-online-polls-latest-Snowden-leaks-claim.html" target="_blank">that could possibly be going on</a>. If it it were possible (<a href="http://rt.com/uk/174172-british-intelligence-lacks-oversight/" target="_blank">which is isn't</a>) we can't image <a href="http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2014/07/air-force-research-how-to-use-social-media-to-control-people-like-drones/" target="_blank">anything that would be done</a>. Therefore <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/gchqs-spy-toolkit-leaked-documents-reveal-how-uk-manipulates-information-online-9606043.html" target="_blank">nothing is happening</a> and <a href="http://voin.co/the-nsa-and-britains-gchq-are-engaged-in-mass-online-thought-control-really/" target="_blank">every link here</a> is absolutely and totally wrong.</div>
<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/AVvXsEgcIqmnRNR-5w6m2GSe8bMVktxgBl52E49Y3UwsudnA3W7LT3Ucd8BzQnrO1zkoSU_rpzJmL7oYxLifaYDWN31k2XUigt8bAgtXm6A7YHHNKlJM0KO5V6HgdiI04ZV2FGUlLoIkar008F4/s1600/jRq6XVrbvSw7F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcIqmnRNR-5w6m2GSe8bMVktxgBl52E49Y3UwsudnA3W7LT3Ucd8BzQnrO1zkoSU_rpzJmL7oYxLifaYDWN31k2XUigt8bAgtXm6A7YHHNKlJM0KO5V6HgdiI04ZV2FGUlLoIkar008F4/s1600/jRq6XVrbvSw7F.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>These people do not exist and have never existed, ever.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There are no hints that <a href="http://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2014/07/17/suppose-no-one-really-reads-this-at-all/" target="_blank">website posts</a> or news broadcasts are being censored, and no belief that Westminster is using its vast resources to <a href="http://sainscot.wordpress.com/2014/06/25/westminsters-psychological-warfare-on-scotland/" target="_blank">manipulate public opinion</a>. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWq8DWkYDTkT1ilNSH3pwDTh58OyG81DGrG7xzJt5x2-fk62HPoqQy9w3MTc5HR36SR1IOcuKG5bcAQQ8qkrMoVwxl87-bqESQtRJWXkflYKX-VeV4xcdWwIwZ8tKVqNPzW60msy2YHk/s1600/Max+Keiser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWq8DWkYDTkT1ilNSH3pwDTh58OyG81DGrG7xzJt5x2-fk62HPoqQy9w3MTc5HR36SR1IOcuKG5bcAQQ8qkrMoVwxl87-bqESQtRJWXkflYKX-VeV4xcdWwIwZ8tKVqNPzW60msy2YHk/s1600/Max+Keiser.jpg" height="230" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And because there is nothing going on (not that there is anything that could go on) we know that our intelligence services <a href="http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2013/06/how-much-does-all-that-spying-cost-gchq/" target="_blank">provide value for money</a> and will make no further comment.</div>
<br />
<b>Just some of the reasons why I (and many others) don't like BBC management</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We've already covered <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/bbc-special.html" target="_blank">some of the evidence of BBC bias during 2014</a>, yet they keep adding more and more. So instead of detailing the most recent examples one by one, I though it would be better to put the latest stories into a single list.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-opinion/9477-the-bbc-stick-it-up-your-juncker" target="_blank">The BBC? Stick it up your Juncker!</a> (a report by Newsnet Scotland at how the BBC knowingly misrepresented a statement made by EU President Jean Claude Juncker to encourage people to vote no).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://order-order.com/2014/07/18/bbc-justifies-telly-poll-tax-by-claiming-poor-watch-more-tv/" target="_blank">BBC Justifies Telly Poll Tax By Claiming Poor Watch More TV</a> (the order-order website highlights the public statements made by the BBC's Director of Policy, <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc/insidethebbc/managementstructure/biographies/heath_james.html" target="_blank">James Heath</a>).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQSrKu67wUI" target="_blank">Protest BBC Bias...with The Indy Kitteh</a> (a video by McV looking at recent and past examples of BBC bias and why it is important that we expose their lack of impartiality).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/uk_news/scotland/article1436728.ece" target="_blank">Better Together 'tipped off' on BBC debates</a> (a Sunday Times article about how the BBC informs the official no campaign in advance of filming programmes such as Question Time so that they can fill the audiance with anti-independence campaigners.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/bbc-told-to-rethink-its-news-output-in-scotland.24818576" target="_blank">BBC Scotland told to rethink news output amid questions over indy balance</a> (a Herald report looking at the reasons why trust in the BBC in Scotland is low)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9492-snp-calls-on-bbc-to-address-serious-concerns-after-report-questions-news-coverage" target="_blank">SNP calls on BBC to address 'serious concerns' after report questions news coverage</a> (analysis from Newsnet Scotland on an Audience Council Scotland report which highlighted recent examples of BBC bias)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/the-bbc-home-of-the-facts/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-bbc-home-of-the-facts" target="_blank">The BBC, home of the facts</a> (a look at how the BBC quietly changed its figures regarding the effect of Scottish Independence on UK GDP) </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The BBC is impartial in the sense that they don't care if you are lied to or just mislead. As long as they receive their 30 pieces of licence fee silver from Westminster then they are happy.</div>
<br />
<b>The sad passing of Gerallt Lloyd Owen</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We were saddened to learn of the passing of Welsh poet Gerallt Lloyd Owen. His family kindly asked people who wished to make a donation to send them to the Yes Scotland campaign. It is a really kind gesture and one that is very much appreciated across Scotland.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0MqXPlBx60AdpMEeiEemNXXJUp7Er4ZJ_1lbNikT7Khq7JNTLftZ5WbKJCdJgzErYHs35u2-PBQ4JnRHBKPjMts2u-FnnlSNVybfjnUugWiDrrgmrY5_r2mMlq3jKhD8f0ZMhWcqI8E/s1600/Bs71plbCYAA9gXg.jpg+large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0MqXPlBx60AdpMEeiEemNXXJUp7Er4ZJ_1lbNikT7Khq7JNTLftZ5WbKJCdJgzErYHs35u2-PBQ4JnRHBKPjMts2u-FnnlSNVybfjnUugWiDrrgmrY5_r2mMlq3jKhD8f0ZMhWcqI8E/s1600/Bs71plbCYAA9gXg.jpg+large.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Spine, brain and heart transplant needed</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://metro.co.uk/2013/10/31/gordon-brown-forgets-hes-still-an-mp-after-claiming-im-an-ex-politician-4168207/" target="_blank">Former politician</a> Gordon Brown, who still receives £66,000 per year to represent his constituency of Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath, made the claim that patients in Scotland were '<a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9484-gordon-brown-targets-chronically-ill-in-latest-attack-on-independence" target="_blank">at risk</a>' of not receiving organ donations if we make decisions for ourselves.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The story <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9484-gordon-brown-targets-chronically-ill-in-latest-attack-on-independence" target="_blank">didn't make any sense</a> and was quickly proved to be false following <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/oh-wait-you-wont-die/" target="_blank">confirmation from the NHSBT Donor Line</a>:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"I can confirm that Scottish independence will not affect organ donation and the system will continue as it does currently." <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/oh-wait-you-wont-die/" target="_blank">Tom Kempster, ODR Assistant</a> (in answer to a question from Reverend Stuart Campbell) </blockquote>
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbwM1M9dbnw9yKqcXiZm1A08IiHjgGEbjINMfEmvtUxI5QnNdL60Ts0iToIsIc4tN-w-x3XgyEA63BYvYsvKkWQliZcIZnCZW4W12fYxADwcP9gEfyiPGhfRAVKX12QgtXZq21kf-whQ/s1600/Scottish+Media.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbwM1M9dbnw9yKqcXiZm1A08IiHjgGEbjINMfEmvtUxI5QnNdL60Ts0iToIsIc4tN-w-x3XgyEA63BYvYsvKkWQliZcIZnCZW4W12fYxADwcP9gEfyiPGhfRAVKX12QgtXZq21kf-whQ/s1600/Scottish+Media.jpg" height="192" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The sad part of this story is the slavish reporting of the lie from Mr Brown by <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/well-thats-odd/" target="_blank">the Scotsman, the Courier and STV</a>. They lacked the spine to challenge the former Prime Minister, they lacked the brains to find out the facts, and they <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9490-anger-at-media-refusal-to-correct-gordon-brown-transplant-a-transfusion-misinformation" target="_blank">didn't have enough heart to admit that they were wrong</a>. Fortunately, as we can confirm, these parts will still be available in an independent Scotland.</div>
<br />
<b>Let the games begin!</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The start of the Commonwealth Games took place in July, but the <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/the-secretary-of-state-for-portsmouth/" target="_blank">Secretary of State for Portsmouth</a>, Alistair Carmichael, had important words of warning. It is wrong for this international event to be used in an attempt to influence the outcome of the referendum...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRKRaQl_xOgcAqiSJd-yWHmjewVVOfGH-ts_FArvN36aCgM3cp7iEEdieMqy41dqTaX8v5ruqCUQMvhFcujTzZqVWqwWBvQGfIutEjHFHUs9srRUSXJB6r7W5HVU-If2XBcpXzVi3TXYk/s1600/Standards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRKRaQl_xOgcAqiSJd-yWHmjewVVOfGH-ts_FArvN36aCgM3cp7iEEdieMqy41dqTaX8v5ruqCUQMvhFcujTzZqVWqwWBvQGfIutEjHFHUs9srRUSXJB6r7W5HVU-If2XBcpXzVi3TXYk/s1600/Standards.jpg" height="232" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
...that was what the London Olympics were for!<br />
<br />
<b>Blinded by the light!</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Whilst we do have a full section above looking at various BBC related stories (7 in total, all from just the past 2 weeks), we thought we had to include this story separately. Staff at BBC Scotland "headquarters" at Pacific Quay have to phone an office in Redditch, Worcestershire, <a href="https://archive.today/k1iIu" target="_blank">if they want to open their own window blinds</a>. This, rather pathetically, is not a spoof. Staff at the BBC in Scotland can't even control how much light comes in through their windows.</div>
<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/AVvXsEio5b6_ljNCK35s_Dq2yRUgXUaPFK-4ZEJpwexlyHmLM1Vx7fRIh-_jvGKs-W5gD2a6w2NgvrpqZGw5jPce0S9PLgQ7s0EQVGE1PJpN9Qj7rqlDVBEYnjVrZLtKYBM0hFbHtbPiQh_HzKU/s1600/190758657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5b6_ljNCK35s_Dq2yRUgXUaPFK-4ZEJpwexlyHmLM1Vx7fRIh-_jvGKs-W5gD2a6w2NgvrpqZGw5jPce0S9PLgQ7s0EQVGE1PJpN9Qj7rqlDVBEYnjVrZLtKYBM0hFbHtbPiQh_HzKU/s1600/190758657.jpg" height="226" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>An example of what BBC staff would see if they were allowed to look out of the window</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm sure it won't matter for much longer. Regardless the outcome of the referendum it will be curtains for the BBC in Scotland!</div>
<br />
<b>The Wind Rises</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Not in the news in July was the story that wind farms are the cheapest method of energy generation in Denmark.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
According to '<a href="http://tcktcktck.org/2014/07/wind-declared-cheapest-energy-source-denmark/63626?utm_content=buffer60340&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer" target="_blank">tck tck tck</a>', onshore wind energy now provides over 50% of Denmark's power needs and is cheaper than even coal or natural gas:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"New analysis shows that onshore wind plants due online in 2016 will cost half the price of coal and natural gas plants, coming in at around 4 cent euro (3 UK pence) per kilowatt hour.<br />
<br />
Countries strong on renewables are also winning the global energy efficiency race." <a href="http://tcktcktck.org/2014/07/wind-declared-cheapest-energy-source-denmark/63626?utm_content=buffer60340&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer" target="_blank">tck tck tck, 21st of July 2014</a></blockquote>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The report also looks at the investment in clean technology by Germany, which has been ranked as <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jul/18/germany-is-most-energy-efficient-major-economy-study-finds?utm_source=Daily+Carbon+Briefing&utm_campaign=42032023d1-DAILY_BRIEFING&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_876aab4fd7-42032023d1-303421477" target="_blank">the most energy efficient major economy in the world</a> by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jul/18/germany-is-most-energy-efficient-major-economy-study-finds?utm_source=Daily+Carbon+Briefing&utm_campaign=42032023d1-DAILY_BRIEFING&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_876aab4fd7-42032023d1-303421477" target="_blank">China's rapid advancement</a> was also noted.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHHvtrLHOuKSkkZgCXAHPaKGwBNoYm1z9-1UVs9t8SahafvVPuev8aSq-GK03UXvim3Mq48R5PXQ3lKSWQDxePfmnofN7GDXfWfboqZ0z2NInqAduh8V_hQ0o3lR3aoFF0Llt6-9CSbU/s1600/thewindrises.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHHvtrLHOuKSkkZgCXAHPaKGwBNoYm1z9-1UVs9t8SahafvVPuev8aSq-GK03UXvim3Mq48R5PXQ3lKSWQDxePfmnofN7GDXfWfboqZ0z2NInqAduh8V_hQ0o3lR3aoFF0Llt6-9CSbU/s1600/thewindrises.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The controlled media in the UK didn't report this story, with the Telegraph screaming: "<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/energy/10987274/Stop-building-offshore-wind-farms-says-Centrica.html" target="_blank">Stop building offshore wind farms, says Centrica</a>". But what did they not report...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Centrica are the owners of British Gas, who favour nuclear power plants such as the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/oct/30/hinkley-point-nuclear-power-plant-uk-government-edf-underwrite" target="_blank">disasterous project at Hinkley Point</a>. They claim that giving more public money to projects by themeslves and the rest of the big 6, <a href="http://www.theecologist.org/News/news_analysis/1261670/are_the_big_six_energy_companies_blocking_renewables_in_the_uk.html" target="_blank">instead of to smaller energy companies</a>, will provide the cheapest fuel prices. This, however, goes against the evidence we have so far:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"[Energy Secretary Ed] Davey agreed a minimum price of £92.50 for every megawatt hour (MWh) of
energy Hinkley Point generates – almost twice the current wholesale cost
of electricity. The price is also index-linked to inflation, meaning
EDF can expect revenue of about £121 per MWh by 2023, the analysts
calculated. That means the price of gas will need to increase by at
least 130% to make the government's agreement pay by making nuclear
power more attractive than gas." <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/oct/30/hinkley-point-nuclear-power-plant-uk-government-edf-underwrite" target="_blank">Guardian newspaper, October 2013</a></blockquote>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvruGv85oahOc9GXwTQZGt5abwZNOaaxPyREMFig6mytRGhk9jgiayPDY06xLHyQScRNOa-2HA9vg0EeKJTWUdYviUPO3xsq9y0NMa68p3WHcY8QJYa9pG_ZFljvMEX2du7gHzsZutcI/s1600/nuclear-power-cartoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvruGv85oahOc9GXwTQZGt5abwZNOaaxPyREMFig6mytRGhk9jgiayPDY06xLHyQScRNOa-2HA9vg0EeKJTWUdYviUPO3xsq9y0NMa68p3WHcY8QJYa9pG_ZFljvMEX2du7gHzsZutcI/s1600/nuclear-power-cartoon.jpg" height="400" width="341" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Still, you can't expect the newspapers to highlight to the public <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/the-unlikeliest-places/" target="_blank">the same truths that they tell to investment groups</a>.</div>
<div id="stcpDiv" style="left: -1988px; position: absolute; top: -1999px;">
New
analysis shows that onshore wind plants due online in 2016 will cost
half the price of coal and natural gas plants, coming in at around 4
cent euro (3 UK pence) per kilowatt hour. - See more at:
http://tcktcktck.org/2014/07/wind-declared-cheapest-energy-source-denmark/63626?utm_content=buffer60340&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer#sthash.q95cHvSN.dpuf</div>
<div id="stcpDiv" style="left: -1988px; position: absolute; top: -1999px;">
New
analysis shows that onshore wind plants due online in 2016 will cost
half the price of coal and natural gas plants, coming in at around 4
cent euro (3 UK pence) per kilowatt hour. - See more at:
http://tcktcktck.org/2014/07/wind-declared-cheapest-energy-source-denmark/63626?utm_content=buffer60340&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer#sthash.q95cHvSN.dpuf</div>
<br />
<div id="stcpDiv" style="left: -1988px; position: absolute; top: -1999px;">
New
analysis shows that onshore wind plants due online in 2016 will cost
half the price of coal and natural gas plants, coming in at around 4
cent euro (3 UK pence) per kilowatt hour. - See more at:
http://tcktcktck.org/2014/07/wind-declared-cheapest-energy-source-denmark/63626?utm_content=buffer60340&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer#sthash.q95cHvSN.dpuf</div>
<div id="stcpDiv" style="left: -1988px; position: absolute; top: -1999px;">
New
analysis shows that onshore wind plants due online in 2016 will cost
half the price of coal and natural gas plants, coming in at around 4
cent euro (3 UK pence) per kilowatt hour. - See more at:
http://tcktcktck.org/2014/07/wind-declared-cheapest-energy-source-denmark/63626?utm_content=buffer60340&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer#sthash.q95cHvSN.dpuf</div>
Join us again in the middle of August for our next look at what's 'not in the news'! <br />
Drew<br />
<br />
If you like this blog, then please consider visiting our other sites:<br />
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<a href="https://twitter.com/Sign4Scotland" target="_blank">Twitter - Sign4Scotland</a> Sign for Scotlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16057474693059978339noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968036878657352398.post-73473710632387623052014-07-20T08:35:00.002+01:002014-07-20T08:35:36.697+01:00The World at War<div style="text-align: justify;">
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</xml><![endif]-->On the 28<sup>th</sup> of July 1914 the world witnessed the
start of the First World War.</div>
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The horror of this conflict remains with us to this
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A conservative estimate counts the
loss of life to have been over 16 million, with a further 20 million wounded.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaii-wSt01V2gpCm6-V4OqSq2D9m9G7Jm5fSErlsEKXfheQsQhce92hALKKhyphenhyphen3Ij723B7MvWDZPInNzzcGraILUp_fbZ5g8PK_pOZb1Xj2baXgLpiuI2RtuBBdpCi2t4JlRK5-CrAZjT0/s1600/lions-led-by-donkeys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaii-wSt01V2gpCm6-V4OqSq2D9m9G7Jm5fSErlsEKXfheQsQhce92hALKKhyphenhyphen3Ij723B7MvWDZPInNzzcGraILUp_fbZ5g8PK_pOZb1Xj2baXgLpiuI2RtuBBdpCi2t4JlRK5-CrAZjT0/s320/lions-led-by-donkeys.jpg" height="220" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
The civilian dead made up approximately 7 million of this
total although this disregards those who were conscripted, and those who
volunteered under false pretences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These
numbers mean little until we consider that every one of them was a human life,
with family, friends and loved ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These were people who were sent into a nightmare and never returned
home.<br />
</div>
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This was a war which hit Scotland hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scots suffered more than 25% of total British
casualties, a number far greater than our share of the population.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Indeed the tremendous cost we paid inspired
the American Government in 1927 to gift a memorial specifically to recognise
the tremendous sacrifice of Scottish Regiments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You can still see ‘The Call’ in the west end of Princes Street Gardens
in Edinburgh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has a simple
inscription which states:</div>
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“If it be life that waits, I shall live forever
unconquered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If death, I shall die at
last, strong in my pride and free.”</blockquote>
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3Ckn1eNWYM1NSRaJxNIFzI7g2UqZJmXjZWYcT_B_zQsKKJVl62O7hWAaBaMjDqa3BhBgI1BXCHtmKO2iOCdnbYv3Lw2vzu4m7RzMpegF0j25YkHzDExPRHsHELd7yliWolDHaGUjlx0/s1600/4934982282_920dce3c73_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3Ckn1eNWYM1NSRaJxNIFzI7g2UqZJmXjZWYcT_B_zQsKKJVl62O7hWAaBaMjDqa3BhBgI1BXCHtmKO2iOCdnbYv3Lw2vzu4m7RzMpegF0j25YkHzDExPRHsHELd7yliWolDHaGUjlx0/s320/4934982282_920dce3c73_z.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
It’s a shame that the Government in Westminster <a href="http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/scotland/article3411321.ece" target="_blank">didn't hold the same value to our regiments</a>.</div>
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Prime Minister David Cameron wants to mark the hundredth
anniversary of Britain’s formal entry into the war with “a commemoration that,
like the Diamond Jubilee celebrations this year (2012), says something about
who are as a people.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want to
commemorate the beginning of the Great War ‘like the Diamond Jubilee
celebrations’.<br />
</div>
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David Cameron wants to mark the anniversaries of certain
battles, such as the Somme and Gallipoli, and his intention is to spend part of
his £50 million ‘commemoration’ budget in educational programmes for school
pupils in England to learn about the “sheer scale of sacrifice.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t see much focus on the reasons for
this violent and senseless conflict, or thoughts on what could have been achieved if this war had never taken place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The estimated financial cost of $186,333,637,000 alone could have
achieved so much.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPw3kHbaFR9Yq7uxA-K11qvV2KEpGqu2kS1orwd3YKiHRKd7m1jupv-vL8dRQwbJyeV9bw6QK0A1ASV3XZpDAVh6JXOzXnhczx9zV75ADVZtyC_b7xvm6S6JuUgZMDMpRhwIqaHRWkhKM/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPw3kHbaFR9Yq7uxA-K11qvV2KEpGqu2kS1orwd3YKiHRKd7m1jupv-vL8dRQwbJyeV9bw6QK0A1ASV3XZpDAVh6JXOzXnhczx9zV75ADVZtyC_b7xvm6S6JuUgZMDMpRhwIqaHRWkhKM/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
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Last November we ran our serialisation of General Smedley Butler's brilliant book '<a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/there-are-only-two-things-we-should.html" target="_blank">War is a Racket</a>'. It examined how war <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/who-makes-profits-part-2-of-5.html" target="_blank">generates obscene profits for a handful of people</a> and offered ways to prevent most conflicts from starting or escalating. The themes explored in '<a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/there-are-only-two-things-we-should.html" target="_blank">War is a Racket</a>' and other titles should form the basis of any study of the First World War, and the <a href="http://scraptrident.org/britain-at-war-the-never-ending-story/" target="_blank">136 other conflicts</a> Scotland has been involved in under Westminster rule, yet they are ignored <a href="http://www.medialens.org/index.php/alerts/alert-archive/2009/565-protesting-war-an-exchange-with-the-bbcs-diplomatic-editor-mark-urban.html" target="_blank">in favour of war advocates</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW_CLj3WeS2v8jXppXD49sA2u9nKId0eKb7eYKCXvjAcH5mIzAY4Wlw8Oxk278nxPtUyogA8fqGi1-w6mmUzKeOljjnXl9SGV5IvMWGZ9dzM13djDe5VMTftwjA8h9o5ah3i9e0rcmP7E/s1600/12642268975_a29c1c8b90_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW_CLj3WeS2v8jXppXD49sA2u9nKId0eKb7eYKCXvjAcH5mIzAY4Wlw8Oxk278nxPtUyogA8fqGi1-w6mmUzKeOljjnXl9SGV5IvMWGZ9dzM13djDe5VMTftwjA8h9o5ah3i9e0rcmP7E/s1600/12642268975_a29c1c8b90_o.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It is the end of a war that should be remembered and I hope that amongst the pomp and ceremony that is
certain to dominate these commemorations that we’ll remember those who lost
their lives in this needless and senseless conflict and aspire to keep our
youth from experiencing such horrors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
hope none of us sees another ‘Great War’, but that will be difficult when our
leaders don’t understand the first.</div>
Drew<br />
<br />
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Sign for Scotlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16057474693059978339noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968036878657352398.post-20028444154693751402014-07-15T08:58:00.003+01:002014-07-15T08:58:34.985+01:00Not in the News - Early July Edition<div style="text-align: justify;">
Welcome to the eighth of our <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Not%20in%20the%20News" target="_blank">bi-monthly series</a> looking back at the stories
which the main stream media in Scotland didn't offer much attention to,
and comparing them to those that hit the front pages. Our last edition covering late June can be found <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/not-in-news-late-june-edition.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidE-MRmbK1_vGBIR1rsX3W-cHCwbjiihWXRqq-Mh5bQzBSD7wyTr6cMD7kCQ4AyWZlMrfFJ0NKKq9GIm7fC5xygawLDAcqPHKpIVtC1xAwm8KJBFRMppeJDZ0RqS04utyvbi8kfu2GGLg/s1600/Dinosaur+press.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidE-MRmbK1_vGBIR1rsX3W-cHCwbjiihWXRqq-Mh5bQzBSD7wyTr6cMD7kCQ4AyWZlMrfFJ0NKKq9GIm7fC5xygawLDAcqPHKpIVtC1xAwm8KJBFRMppeJDZ0RqS04utyvbi8kfu2GGLg/s1600/Dinosaur+press.jpg" height="246" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>Electoral Commission and the CBI - better together?</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
That reliable source of comedy, the Confederation of British Industry, was making more headlines (online - the controlled media aren't very interested in mocking them). It was revealed that before they attempted to register as an official partner of the no campaign (alongside such groups as the far right <a href="http://www.searchlightmagazine.com/blogs/searchlight-blog/britannica-party-fields-four-candidates" target="_blank">Britannica</a>) they had shared private conversations with the Electoral Commission.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This was at odds with statements made by CBI Director General John Cridland, who claimed he had no knowledge that his organisation would be making an application.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"In his submission to the Electoral Commission, Cridland insisted the CBI
had received no legal advice prior to the application form being
signed. However days earlier in a BBC interview the CBI Director
General claimed his organisation had indeed received advice." <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9379-cbi-held-private-discussions-with-electoral-commission-twice-before-application" target="_blank">Newsnet Scotland, 27th of June</a></blockquote>
</div>
<b>Will there be a Scottish Parliament on the 19th of September?</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In an unusual outbreak of frankness, Liberal Democrat and no campaigner Willie Rennie MSP, confirmed that Westminster can close the Scottish Parliament down at any time unless we vote for independence. He confirmed that it is a temporary institution and went on to say:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"They [the Westminster Parliament] can legislate on anything to do with the Scottish Parliament at any time." <a href="http://yes2014.net/2014/06/27/willie-rennie-westminster-could-abolish-scottish-parliament-tomorrow/" target="_blank">Willie Rennie MSP, June 2014</a></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Of course, if a second question had been added to the ballot paper offering more powers and guaranteeing the Scottish Parliament's existence, then this wouldn't be an issue. <a href="http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/joan-mcalpine-willie-rennie-was-too-quick-1271639" target="_blank">But that option was opposed by...Willie Rennie</a>. Great to see how much he values our parliament.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lKnSVZrpF3aCtevM6gdxdcZvhCBsvDI90FgyEd5ITctCY_dZCzqaqmGEMVmzss_pbz5aDw7i4X5lhnqWyZj5X725cVOHLwfXDyP78E9uW0DewtrVL2UPFHfVEzvFBi0BEDcPqQK2JDs/s1600/one-size-fits-all1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lKnSVZrpF3aCtevM6gdxdcZvhCBsvDI90FgyEd5ITctCY_dZCzqaqmGEMVmzss_pbz5aDw7i4X5lhnqWyZj5X725cVOHLwfXDyP78E9uW0DewtrVL2UPFHfVEzvFBi0BEDcPqQK2JDs/s1600/one-size-fits-all1.jpg" height="297" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Dun telling the truth</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The BBC and the Daily Record both posted dramatic images and headlines: "Costs of setting up separate Scottish state could top £2bn" cried the Daily Record.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9oFGETKTH_hOC_Ywq6I8Y6vST2oRNZDyY77HiVpa0Uy77wo_j-oNCV22-uJMhTdA7Le_3O4CfGyP0aMWHFxPp2IxthKYLR4CkXDa8kbWdy3axTFjJuKts2zssI9Brv6WflbrbtdS7VjQ/s1600/dd7c80aa8effbf688bdbd4766a72e0905bd9637d_260x183.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9oFGETKTH_hOC_Ywq6I8Y6vST2oRNZDyY77HiVpa0Uy77wo_j-oNCV22-uJMhTdA7Le_3O4CfGyP0aMWHFxPp2IxthKYLR4CkXDa8kbWdy3axTFjJuKts2zssI9Brv6WflbrbtdS7VjQ/s1600/dd7c80aa8effbf688bdbd4766a72e0905bd9637d_260x183.png" height="281" width="400" /></a></div>
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The story's are allegedly based on a report by Professor Dunleavy. Unfortunately for the BBC and the Daily Record, <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9383-dunleavy-p15bn-indy-startup-cost-not-a-figure-i-accept" target="_blank">Newsnet Scotland</a> and <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/lies-packed-tight/" target="_blank">Wings over Scotland</a> have been checking their bleak interpretations.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Professor Patrick Dunleavy has said the £1.5bn figure, touted by newspapers and the BBC is, "not a figure I accept"." <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9383-dunleavy-p15bn-indy-startup-cost-not-a-figure-i-accept" target="_blank">Newsnet Scotland, 28th of June </a></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Professor Dunleavy explained that he believed the likely set-up costs (the cost of returning jobs to Scotland and setting up IT systems) would be £200m. He added that over a 10 year period the maximum charge would be an additional £400m. To put these in perspective, the cost of the UK pulling its military forces from Afghanistan <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-25848662" target="_blank">is going to be £300m</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2Bd6ZT5KRMYJqHwITMPX-enZ4t6ugomQn3O5f_ZbCr50Rm8s9o8KXTISFYMcF3J2CqgSphF8FyJApKecethkpt8Xo6eDYS2xymsw2icXZi5tJ950lvvD15-6Z6PMgKxfWmXoeSCLM40/s1600/howtolie.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2Bd6ZT5KRMYJqHwITMPX-enZ4t6ugomQn3O5f_ZbCr50Rm8s9o8KXTISFYMcF3J2CqgSphF8FyJApKecethkpt8Xo6eDYS2xymsw2icXZi5tJ950lvvD15-6Z6PMgKxfWmXoeSCLM40/s1600/howtolie.png" height="203" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So the BBC has been caught exaggerating by 700% (or, if they simply don't understand the difference between start-up and transition costs, by 250%). The Daily Record was even worse. Wings over Scotland <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/lies-packed-tight/" target="_blank">highlighted 4 separate lies in its 5 sentence report</a>. They need to try harder to make every sentence a lie.</div>
<br />
<b>Can't count, won't count</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It was great fun attending the BBC Bias protest on Sunday, the 29th of June. There were so many people and so much excitement. <a href="http://en.ria.ru/world/20140630/190758757/ANALYSIS-Scottish-Independence-Supporters-Campaign-Against-BBC.html" target="_blank">Over 2,000 people were present</a> to show their discontent at the anti-independence bias <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/bbc-special.html" target="_blank">which the BBC in Scotland produces</a>.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The BBC, which stated that everything they have produced has been <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-28079812" target="_blank">"fair and accurate"</a> (we presume that they are including <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/bbc-special.html" target="_blank">each of the 35+ stories here</a> in their 'fair and accurate' assessment), claimed there were only 350 protesters. Check out <a href="http://moridura.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/bbc-anti-bias-demopacific-quay29th-june.html" target="_blank">sources from these blogs,</a> <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/referendum/9389-over-2000-attend-anti-bias-protest-outside-bbc-scotland-hq">domestic news</a> and <a href="http://en.ria.ru/world/20140630/190758757/ANALYSIS-Scottish-Independence-Supporters-Campaign-Against-BBC.html">international news sites</a> and below and judge which report is more accurate.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGxX7FeiyHl0q0WEmssBzfF9WyC7zWxF1ykI9mBbXrVAWk9ktzAZq8NlK5XNfXcvAe16gcS88z-470hyphenhyphen6ypS-D00kCEY8DKGp9pPS-c1GuUhZwNe0Z31hZJ_4xLEXz3xsR8nMSewEMEA/s1600/BrTfsyFIQAAvGsG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGxX7FeiyHl0q0WEmssBzfF9WyC7zWxF1ykI9mBbXrVAWk9ktzAZq8NlK5XNfXcvAe16gcS88z-470hyphenhyphen6ypS-D00kCEY8DKGp9pPS-c1GuUhZwNe0Z31hZJ_4xLEXz3xsR8nMSewEMEA/s1600/BrTfsyFIQAAvGsG.jpg" height="127" width="400" /></a></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/AOevCwvchwU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieUStmsTz1YqZ4n-EFHsc6soAUMmeNlZZQqVhk3bv-W_1JqKcQln29lvVd-t2nsdWAEoajt_g2LZZtWX4lw2x5rE1iBDDSwI6m9YUynm0ucc8z704RQd63UC_KEfjZGeIa9Ucp1F3BJmQ/s1600/BrTQwAfCcAEjjhr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieUStmsTz1YqZ4n-EFHsc6soAUMmeNlZZQqVhk3bv-W_1JqKcQln29lvVd-t2nsdWAEoajt_g2LZZtWX4lw2x5rE1iBDDSwI6m9YUynm0ucc8z704RQd63UC_KEfjZGeIa9Ucp1F3BJmQ/s1600/BrTQwAfCcAEjjhr.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The reason we were protesting the BBC is the same reason they claimed that only 350 people were present...those at the top of the organisation are biased.</div>
<br />
<b>Can't count, will estimate</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The BBC bias protest was not the only event taking place on the last weekend in June. Armed Forces Day was held in Sterling on Saturday, the 28th. The BBC used <a href="http://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2014/06/what-2000-people-look-like/" target="_blank">the MOD's (ridiculous) attendance figure</a> of 35,000 when reporting the event, however you can see <a href="http://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2014/06/what-2000-people-look-like/" target="_blank">here</a> (and <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/conflicting-reports/" target="_blank">here</a>) that this is very detached from reality.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaf840b05Qx2LRyARj-3hyphenhyphenU6Xng-zYVUkCpN6pVUv6_d_oPgvTo_VZInbfl7U4MdT-tVUhfwE7p4LwRR9hyq4vHJsEnYiyEk0URSsJ-0BJPMQpmXbfZK7OdUG8yU6iWKA2h3Dm5zmjqso/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaf840b05Qx2LRyARj-3hyphenhyphenU6Xng-zYVUkCpN6pVUv6_d_oPgvTo_VZInbfl7U4MdT-tVUhfwE7p4LwRR9hyq4vHJsEnYiyEk0URSsJ-0BJPMQpmXbfZK7OdUG8yU6iWKA2h3Dm5zmjqso/s1600/images.jpg" height="280" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/bbc-special.html" target="_blank">We know that the BBC is biased</a> and would be keen to underplay the attendance of the protests against itself, but why give a false and inflated impression of Armed Forces Day?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"The Armed Forces Day events are supposed to be in honour of those who
served or have served in the armed forces. It honours and remembers
those who fought and died and sacrificed. At least that’s what it’s
supposed to be.<br />
<br />
But choosing to hold the event in Stirling on the
anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn was a shamefully transparent
attempt to politicise what ought to have been a solemn and non-political
event in order to use it as a stick with which to beat the Scottish
political opponents of the Westminster parties. That’s a perversion of
the stated purpose of Armed Forces Day. If you honestly believe that it
was sheer coincidence that the event was held where it was and when it
was, I have a Stirling Bridge to sell you." <a href="http://weegingerdug.wordpress.com/2014/06/29/a-tale-of-two-events/" target="_blank">Wee Ginger Dug, A tale of two events</a></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's clear that many working for a no vote <a href="http://athousandflowers.net/2013/10/01/enough-of-this-scary-militarism/" target="_blank">view militarism as a method for gaining support</a>, but the reasoning goes beyond this. The UK Parliament is looking increasingly likely to pass <a href="http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/david-cameron-pm-stop-the-national-service-bill-2013-14" target="_blank">a National Service Bill</a>, which will make military service (or community service, something which <a href="http://sentencingcouncil.judiciary.gov.uk/sentencing/community-sentences.htm" target="_blank">Westminster views as a punishment</a>) very likely for <a href="http://www.ppu.org.uk/militarism/ref1.html" target="_blank">those who will be voting for the first time</a>. It is this <a href="http://www.medialens.org/index.php/alerts/alert-archive/2014/753-propaganda-the-dominant-grand-narrative-of-our-time.html" target="_blank">link between the state broadcaster and the state interests</a> which causes so much concern.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"[T]he demonstration rated a few seconds at the end of the BBC
Scotland evening news broadcast, and attendance was described as
“hundreds of people”. Interesting is it not that one event’s attendance
was inflated to 35000, while the other was reported as a vague low
estimate. The protest did not rate three film crews and live coverage
throughout the duration of the event followed by endless analysis and
discussion afterwards. A demonstration against BBC bias itself
demonstrates the bias that the demonstration seeks to highlight. BBC
management don’t do irony." <a href="http://weegingerdug.wordpress.com/2014/06/29/a-tale-of-two-events/" target="_blank">Wee Ginger Dug, A tale of two events</a></blockquote>
</div>
<b>The YouGuff Surveys</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Survey Group YouGov has come under criticism from online analysts for how it records support for independence amongst SNP voters.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxFl6ONmDJlHi-fGp_pAV4gyoWDujQ6mzKJ_d2sFN0EwCMWRgIsO4blSvPClFOFKBAeVaHTJEFJNDu1IEYeP9QkjkJxlNdjzu4rvILopaJmWCeD8BxiR-3rTiX3itG1PEpsXWieSrUxRM/s1600/3232369-full-alphabet-made-of-color-twisted-balloons-a--numbers-and-punctuation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxFl6ONmDJlHi-fGp_pAV4gyoWDujQ6mzKJ_d2sFN0EwCMWRgIsO4blSvPClFOFKBAeVaHTJEFJNDu1IEYeP9QkjkJxlNdjzu4rvILopaJmWCeD8BxiR-3rTiX3itG1PEpsXWieSrUxRM/s1600/3232369-full-alphabet-made-of-color-twisted-balloons-a--numbers-and-punctuation.jpg" height="357" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
The group, which now gives the <a href="http://scotgoespop.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/yougovs-mask-slips-as-angry-laurence.html" target="_blank">lowest figures of support for a Yes vote</a> and had stated as early as 2011 that a Yes vote was <a href="http://scotgoespop.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/ok-yougov-your-self-imposed-purdah.html" target="_blank">'literally impossible'</a>, have so far refused to explain it's unusual methodology of splitting SNP supporters into two groups when weighting support. They have also <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-opinion/9406-yougovs-great-wall-of-secrecy-bluster-and-evasion" target="_blank">failed to justify their position</a> of not offering the base numbers in their datasets.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Laurence Janta-Lipinski, an employee of YouGov, stated on Twitter during an exchange with Scot Goes Pop:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"no, you will not get breakdown (of the hidden SNP datasets). Why? Why should you? We don't put up 1000s of potential xtabs at behest of bloggers" <a href="http://scotgoespop.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/yougovs-mask-slips-as-angry-laurence.html" target="_blank">Laurence Janta-Lipinski</a></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://survation.com/response-to-yesterdays-times-yougov-articles-and-yougovs-published-research-about-survations-scottish-independence-methodology/" target="_blank">Survation</a> and Scot Goes Pop, whose <a href="http://scotgoespop.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/scot-goes-pop-crowdfunding-appeal.html" target="_blank">successful crowdfunding appeal raised £3,475</a> earlier this year, highlighted the flaw in the YouGov defence:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"(YouGov) specifically cites the eccentric practice of splitting SNP voters into two distinct groups as a reason for thinking YouGov are right and others are wrong. I'm not quite sure where that leaves Mr Janta-Lipinski's claim that it's OK to be ultra-secretive about that part of the methodology because it's just one trivial detail out of 'thousands'!" <a href="http://scotgoespop.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/ok-yougov-your-self-imposed-purdah.html" target="_blank">Scot Goes Pop, 2nd of July 2014</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQiPbM9hCO5wU6VQ1g47PdGXZaWWXWECbsDUv2SPPMHxxgmvPQCiuOz-fCpU3Ekdeufc83vHF6gmFabC3gvL3OPQe_QKIRX208yFpKlq7ooovC6h8oRguaFNmvZGFZF5uFP_BZV0_T_U/s1600/Research10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQiPbM9hCO5wU6VQ1g47PdGXZaWWXWECbsDUv2SPPMHxxgmvPQCiuOz-fCpU3Ekdeufc83vHF6gmFabC3gvL3OPQe_QKIRX208yFpKlq7ooovC6h8oRguaFNmvZGFZF5uFP_BZV0_T_U/s1600/Research10.jpg" height="282" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
We have written before regarding how opinion polls can influence elections (see: <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/its-great-to-be-different.html" target="_blank">'It's Great to be Different'</a>) but experts appearing on the controlled media are not highlighting when polling agencies artificially lower Yes support in their figures. Thankfully, the controlled media is a dinosaur, and it is soon to be extinct!</div>
<br />
<b>Labour MPs helping David Cameron?</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On Wednesday the 2nd of July, Jim Sheridan MP had a chance to challenge David Cameron during Prime Minister's Questions. What question would be the best to ask on behalf of his constituents in Paisley and Renfewshire North? Would he ask about <a href="http://rt.com/uk/169968-million-uk-adults-poverty/" target="_blank">widespread increases in poverty</a> during a supposed recovery?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Does the Prime Minister agree with me that there is a moral responsibility on employers to inform their employees what the consequencies of any separation of Scotland from the UK in order they can make an 'informed' choice prior to the referendum?" <a href="http://moridura.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/phoney-war-is-over-uk-in-full-onslaught.html" target="_blank">Jim Sheridan MP, 2nd of July 2014</a> </blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.jimsheridanmp.org.uk/aboutjim.htm" target="_blank">Former Trade Union Convener</a> Jim Sheridan thought the best way to represent his constituents was to ask a planted question to a Tory Prime Minister asking managers to tell their employees how to vote. Just read that line a few times again so that it sinks in. A Labour MP, a former Trade Union Convener, is helping David Cameron by asking a soft question encouraging bosses to be able to influence how their workers vote.</div>
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<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/AVvXsEgBiVMoyTBhxTJrbNyS-mLdDLWOIMcV3VWrdiWkFCofXJiqdJPFLau4I7s1_JPUbapUE6AlP6hYaM6CICKc-uMcr-C8ydToIxX0Sb5QPC4g4A71qlfQciFqvHa0ifAtNhd9TpXDjN8ze1Y/s1600/Release+the+hounds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBiVMoyTBhxTJrbNyS-mLdDLWOIMcV3VWrdiWkFCofXJiqdJPFLau4I7s1_JPUbapUE6AlP6hYaM6CICKc-uMcr-C8ydToIxX0Sb5QPC4g4A71qlfQciFqvHa0ifAtNhd9TpXDjN8ze1Y/s1600/Release+the+hounds.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mr Burns, a hero of Labour MP Jim Sheridan (probably)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Of course, this tactic of having large corporations coercing their employees to vote a certain way isn't new. Jim Sheridan is calling on the UK Government to take <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/oct/26/can-company-fire-you-for-way-you-vote" target="_blank">the same approach</a> that failed US Presidential candidate <a href="http://www.msnbc.com/the-last-word/tape-romney-urges-bosses-tell-their-wo" target="_blank">Mitt Romney encouraged in 2012</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But is there any economic justification for this approach? Earlier, Mr Sheridan claimed that companies were withholding investment in Scotland due to the referendum. This is at odds with reality as Scotland has seen <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-23431486" target="_blank">a dramatic increase in investment</a> since the referendum was announced. Good to see that he is aiding a Conservative Prime Minister for ideological rather than practical reasons!</div>
<br />
<b>Don't offer an opinion!</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It was revealed that international news broadcaster Russia Today was warned against discussing the Scottish Independence referendum on their most popular show 'The Keiser Report'.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRoSU8AvznhvRjZ7aoYZgLWxZWPP52jdbg8xdPHLxkWtyuLm-Xjs02BVRrItVXCKG2Pv0DLoAKl7dGrIRj_B_NIK51k2syFn_NMZ7OlNAJwEtm1lXm8uoKqnWCla04rmXlc5bBWzZU0RQ/s1600/392933_524602814245747_213995981_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRoSU8AvznhvRjZ7aoYZgLWxZWPP52jdbg8xdPHLxkWtyuLm-Xjs02BVRrItVXCKG2Pv0DLoAKl7dGrIRj_B_NIK51k2syFn_NMZ7OlNAJwEtm1lXm8uoKqnWCla04rmXlc5bBWzZU0RQ/s1600/392933_524602814245747_213995981_n.jpg" height="205" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-OZr6LvlvUGYMPvQi8lmXsqGaGFLzonJA4jAA6fvsNTP1LLEUSUFd_fqfAjRlekMz2DbiRTQllL5h6Gy8EAYYQk6BJzKBo-MWWGGbUz0bEFSkz2ywkiUVz8jJd_d24ipcWRffc-eUZLE/s1600/10366233_246168068905433_6494626570749688952_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-OZr6LvlvUGYMPvQi8lmXsqGaGFLzonJA4jAA6fvsNTP1LLEUSUFd_fqfAjRlekMz2DbiRTQllL5h6Gy8EAYYQk6BJzKBo-MWWGGbUz0bEFSkz2ywkiUVz8jJd_d24ipcWRffc-eUZLE/s1600/10366233_246168068905433_6494626570749688952_n.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The show's host, <a href="http://www.maxkeiser.com/" target="_blank">Max Keiser</a>, tweeted that he was not allowed to offer any opinion on-air at the risk of the channel losing their licence on Freeview. A petition to uncover who at OFCOM issued this warning to an outspoken supporter of a Yes vote and to allow Russia Today to report freely again has been started <a href="https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/max-keiser-of-the-keiser-report-on-rt-russia-television-looking-for-a-petition-of-rt-who-say-they-have-been-warned-off-by-the-regulator-about-covering-anything-to-do-with-politics-of-the-scottish-referendum-and-the-bbcbias-against-the-yes-campaign" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
<br />
<b>A super big rally (with 220 people)</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Prime Minister David Cameron was the star attraction at the super-mega important Rally for the Union. <a href="http://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2014/07/220-people-atten-david-cameron-rally-for-the-union/" target="_blank">Just 220 people attended</a>. Cough. That isn't even enough to <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2198063/Worlds-largest-bus-AutoTram-Extra-Grand-trialled-Dresden-Germany.html" target="_blank">fill a large passenger bus</a> or even <a href="http://www.boeing.com/boeing/commercial/747family/pf/pf_seating_charts.page" target="_blank">the economy seats on a 747</a> (not that <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/election/article-1280554/The-coalition-millionaires-23-29-member-new-cabinet-worth-1m--Lib-Dems-just-wealthy-Tories.html" target="_blank">David Cameron or his pals would ever need to travel economy!</a>)</div>
<br />
<b>I'll give you £15 million a year for just £270 million (Deal or no Deal)</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
That is the offer Prime Minister David Cameron offered Scots in early July. This is a terrible deal which <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/as-casual-as-you-like/" target="_blank">no amount of spin from the Daily Express</a> can hide for long. Rather than reporting the reality that Glasgow will receive a paltry 6% of the cuts in welfare payments back, they instead claim that money being invested by the Scottish Government is also Cameron's (although if <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2133064/David-Camerons-family-fortune-tax-dodging-offshore-investment-funds.html" target="_blank">his family had paid tax in the UK</a> it would <a href="http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/220435/David-Cameron-left-300k-tax-free-from-father" target="_blank">probably equal this amount</a>!).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKySW43H3mBS12y95NHGoMBEaKDSTh8vIFnVL5h4IWFNjidVRQxf6X-ZuWva2hyvFF-ZleivKUYisnELD7nF5msBz9QVXKxNmR6XS87PoSUtWrID_vru4brCangDf690fLugCLlItbBJo/s1600/BjC4WDEIAAEzUjr.jpg+medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKySW43H3mBS12y95NHGoMBEaKDSTh8vIFnVL5h4IWFNjidVRQxf6X-ZuWva2hyvFF-ZleivKUYisnELD7nF5msBz9QVXKxNmR6XS87PoSUtWrID_vru4brCangDf690fLugCLlItbBJo/s1600/BjC4WDEIAAEzUjr.jpg+medium.jpg" height="275" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Nurse, Nurse!</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Earlier this year Sir Paul Nurse, a senior UK scientist, claimed that <a href="http://news.stv.tv/scotland-decides/278312-sir-paul-nurse-says-cancer-research-could-be-harmed-by-yes-vote/" target="_blank">cancer research could be harmed by a Yes vote</a>. Despite <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/the-soot-covered-cockerel/" target="_blank">having obvious flaws</a>, this statement was given blanket coverage throughout the controlled media.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZXhUtZkalm5j3TaoDeQVar_nXXjk2hPXAJoh0hRVHXJ8m0jWYH1SWxLcYdJEUDjkStAG7ROC4owRyKqsgmdbYuonEx6mEp__ezFfzRuTUZC9EHjcRxga2_lMkzfm1eBnHKrbh9LrSdI8/s1600/research_cartoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZXhUtZkalm5j3TaoDeQVar_nXXjk2hPXAJoh0hRVHXJ8m0jWYH1SWxLcYdJEUDjkStAG7ROC4owRyKqsgmdbYuonEx6mEp__ezFfzRuTUZC9EHjcRxga2_lMkzfm1eBnHKrbh9LrSdI8/s1600/research_cartoon.jpg" height="292" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In early July, Professor Anne Glover, Chief Scientific Adviser to outgoing EU president Jose Manuel Barroso, refuted the assertion that a Yes vote would negatively affect research in Scotland.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"On the 19th of September I don't see that changing because if I am in
China or in North America, I want to work with the best and if the best
are in Scotland, I'm still going to work with the best." <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9417-yes-vote-will-not-threaten-research-funding-says-top-scientific-advisor" target="_blank">Professor Anne Glover, Holyrood Magazine</a></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Professor Glover has no titles to gain speaking positively or negatively regarding the referendum. So how does the BBC report this important (and independent) assessment? <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-28174633" target="_blank">"Scottish Independence: Academics say 'Yes' vote could harm scientific research"</a>. You know BBC, writing headlines like this which are the opposite of reality is why <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/bbc-special.html" target="_blank">so many people turned up to the 'anti-BBC bias' rally</a> last month!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Then again, perhaps all of this could have been prevent if <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/paul-nurse-we-have-to-stop-mixing-science-and-politics-6261931.html" target="_blank">people stopped mixing science with politics</a>! Nurse!!</div>
<br />
<b>Nurse, Nurse (2)!</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We view <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/sara-sheridan/bbc-bias_b_5546493.html?utm_hp_ref=tw" target="_blank">the online version of the Huffington Post</a> quite a lot. However <a href="https://archive.today/eDRa8" target="_blank">this post from the 4th of July</a> was read purely for its comedic value.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Dr Nicholas M Almond, who states that he is 'a quarter Scottish', made so many mistakes that it could be the most ill-informed piece of writing regarding the referendum. Thankfully, Reverend Stuart Campbell at Wings over Scotland <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/this-could-be-a-record/" target="_blank">made a full review of them</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"So that’s 16 flat-out major factual blunders, and a whole bunch of
screaming batshit madness on top, squeezed into just 914 words. That’s
one serious mistake every 57 words. (This paragraph has 65.) God alone
knows how many it would have been if he <i>hadn’t</i> been a quarter Scottish. The bar’s certainly been set high for Johann Lamont’s next speech, that’s all we can say." <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/this-could-be-a-record/" target="_blank">Rev Stuart Campbell, Wings over Scotland</a></blockquote>
</div>
<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/AVvXsEjwI8NekrE8xclJvldf0E8W6ocekd98ugTSIJO-0bDQ59FkYncnkp_dHlDMafZiGCPeDFrPBz8JaH4nWbZ_RZtZrZ9t61yf8VsHvzdJ0VRbhjIKK-OPcFf_DZdCnCQbvnllPnTozt0NJtU/s1600/11250-4485.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwI8NekrE8xclJvldf0E8W6ocekd98ugTSIJO-0bDQ59FkYncnkp_dHlDMafZiGCPeDFrPBz8JaH4nWbZ_RZtZrZ9t61yf8VsHvzdJ0VRbhjIKK-OPcFf_DZdCnCQbvnllPnTozt0NJtU/s1600/11250-4485.gif" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"Whatever it is, I'm against it!" Dr Almond (probably) [note: not actual photo!]</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I think we would get more sense from Dr Hackenbush!<br />
<br />
<b>Oil, oil everywhere (except in the Scottish newspapers!)</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On Sunday, the 6th of July, Professor Donald Mackay, board member of right wing think tank Reform Scotland, declared that the UK government's projections for an independent Scotland's oil revenues was woefully undervalued and <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/danny-alexanders-broken-calculator/" target="_blank">half of what it should be</a> (resulting in an extra £8,000,000,000 of revenue every year).</div>
<br />
On Monday, the 7th of July, <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/when-day-doesnt-follow-night/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=when-day-doesnt-follow-night" target="_blank">the following media outlets said nothing</a>:<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxiv0jv-ZeOpe7o1EIl_Ns41WwsJz4vUjIzC_BGzQR-Fcuc5Zi291XkJzJUQFtsOE7AQWvj3AKWc7uPXpHuYJ3U6FLeaW2QA8Krf8FlembzzzkMHCBMBWI8krpn8PWogPc0ZTrc8LOJr8/s1600/Truth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxiv0jv-ZeOpe7o1EIl_Ns41WwsJz4vUjIzC_BGzQR-Fcuc5Zi291XkJzJUQFtsOE7AQWvj3AKWc7uPXpHuYJ3U6FLeaW2QA8Krf8FlembzzzkMHCBMBWI8krpn8PWogPc0ZTrc8LOJr8/s1600/Truth.jpg" height="241" width="320" /></a>Daily Record<br />
Scottish Sun<br />
The Scotsman<br />
The Herald<br />
Scottish Daily Express<br />
Scottish Daily Mail<br />
Guardian<br />
Courier<br />
Press & Journal<br />
BBC Website<br />
STV website <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Only the Sunday Mail ran with the story. What was even more ironic, was <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/referendum/9449-just-who-exactly-are-the-obr-and-are-their-forecasts-on-oil-believable" target="_blank">the response of the OBR</a> (Office of Budget Responsibility). Upon their predictions being described as absurdly pessimistic, they further reduced their expectations for oil revenues. <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/scottish-media-rediscovers-voice/" target="_blank">This aspect of the story</a> was covered by the Times, Telegraph, Scotsman, Herald, Independent, Scottish Sun, Daily Record, Courier, Guardian, Press & Journal, Daily Mail, Financial Times, BBC and STV.</div>
<br />
Many thanks to <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/when-day-doesnt-follow-night/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=when-day-doesnt-follow-night" target="_blank">Wings over Scotland</a> for spotting and covering the story.<br />
<br />
<b>Europa Un-Universalis</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Professor Sionaidh Douglas-Scott of Oxford University produced a study in an independent Scotland's membership of the EU following a Yes vote. You can <a href="http://gallery.mailchimp.com/3d8f589fda4fb7526a70254d4/files/e3c82843-2a9f-41af-a4e3-de3eeec55737.pdf" target="_blank">read it here</a>. It highlighted that it was in the interests of other EU states to support Scotland's continued membership. Derek Bateman stated:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"[The report] lends an unimpeachable voice to the only sane solution on the EU, the
one with least hurdles for existing members and the course already laid
out by the Scottish Government. Her calm exposition reads like
straightforward common sense when compared to the childishly hysterical
screams of alarm from Unionist MEPs and commentators who don’t know any
better." <a href="http://derekbateman.co.uk/2014/07/08/slay-your-dragons/" target="_blank">Derek Bateman, 8th of July 2014</a></blockquote>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1tr6_jFZnTKhSsi4-KtZSu2TKk__asnXxDzdFCPfDP2JBUEQZcHl9sBF2MxqHZ7H-JeSMUefQ-HA0McEq6rXKzkdvlkdgYmRrsPuLPUUxSKHoj_-BDvcCeW_eQ-GsNiSk7ubGpCV_7aw/s1600/map-separate-scotland.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1tr6_jFZnTKhSsi4-KtZSu2TKk__asnXxDzdFCPfDP2JBUEQZcHl9sBF2MxqHZ7H-JeSMUefQ-HA0McEq6rXKzkdvlkdgYmRrsPuLPUUxSKHoj_-BDvcCeW_eQ-GsNiSk7ubGpCV_7aw/s1600/map-separate-scotland.png" height="400" width="397" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
That's pretty clear. And we received <a href="http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/italy-neutral-on-independence-as-it-takes-over-eu-presidency.24697756" target="_blank">statements from Italy</a> (who will hold the presidency of the EU till the end of the year) and <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/referendum/9436-new-ec-president-will-respect-scottish-referendum-result" target="_blank">the new president of the European Commission</a> stating that the wishes of the people of Scotland <a href="http://weegingerdug.wordpress.com/2014/07/09/eu-certainty-heres-a-certainty-we-cant-be-expelled/" target="_blank">will be respected</a>. How many of the newspapers will highlight this?..</div>
<br />
<b>I wanna hold your hand</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Our favourite story from early July involved Tory MP Rory Stewart. His 'hands across the border' (not actually taking place at the border) was designed to show how much people in the UK oppose decisions affecting Scotland being made in Scotland. However for '<a href="http://scotgoespop.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/believe-me-when-i-say-to-you-i-hope.html" target="_blank">logistical</a>' reasons, this has been called off.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"I wonder if those "logistical" problems might conceivably include - a) not enough people, and b) the wrong border?" <a href="http://scotgoespop.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/believe-me-when-i-say-to-you-i-hope.html" target="_blank">SCOT goes POP!, 9th of July 2014</a></blockquote>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitoZrh1GKGCLBXVc6_wn9FwaHhDfuHSOoKxqisu-Wlr29RAsbwgXyBZrupgs4w0UAWnkW0wNne5443daPbjLWIz-tqrmTTEMmpYUrj3TjO31nKmV9HASFKUP2l2WLLFTnkDQ2RkeWL58Q/s1600/dFkZ213725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitoZrh1GKGCLBXVc6_wn9FwaHhDfuHSOoKxqisu-Wlr29RAsbwgXyBZrupgs4w0UAWnkW0wNne5443daPbjLWIz-tqrmTTEMmpYUrj3TjO31nKmV9HASFKUP2l2WLLFTnkDQ2RkeWL58Q/s1600/dFkZ213725.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I think that Scot goes Pop is wrong in this instance. The only problem must be that those about to take part just didn't know how to hold hands so, for the benefit of the no campaign and their leaders in Westminster, we have linked to this '<a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Hold-Hands" target="_blank">How to Hold Hands: 10 Steps</a>' by wikiHow. Now that the real logistical problem has been solved, 'hands across the border' can take place...or maybe not.</div>
<br />
<b>What side would you like to be on?</b><br />
This is a question those in the main stream media should be asking themselves (but so far aren't): <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRfNg4uA727fT6dI4hTWzIi6SaTLRAX05CoXMH2zc37R7UP8vDu2g7n-V4Sw5cHp0QxcUCx9_72Wuq2ItMh9RKfV2ANcBysAZwjmK01dkwePQQvjCiMUsDsPpNywZENaU6IOiWi8aBLwU/s1600/10464142_829489763728602_1155200064727884083_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRfNg4uA727fT6dI4hTWzIi6SaTLRAX05CoXMH2zc37R7UP8vDu2g7n-V4Sw5cHp0QxcUCx9_72Wuq2ItMh9RKfV2ANcBysAZwjmK01dkwePQQvjCiMUsDsPpNywZENaU6IOiWi8aBLwU/s1600/10464142_829489763728602_1155200064727884083_n.png" height="320" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>The BBC - A guide to how to mess up referendum coverage</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The UK state broadcaster has made <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/bbc-special.html" target="_blank">a number of unusual editorial decisions</a> (unusual until you understand that it is <a href="http://www.medialens.org/index.php/alerts/alert-archive/2014/753-propaganda-the-dominant-grand-narrative-of-our-time.html" target="_blank">merely an extension of Westminster</a> that will do anything to maintain a status quo) but its latest spending choice is probably its biggest blunder of the campaign so far. </div>
<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/AVvXsEjZZ3jS9uGVGLoTVrDrboK3DoLIACB9EKRxk-s5gbw-m2D8quOoZ-CsJuZtj1pEbMl74VEivWbXFcRTHJBosoE0BRauRzMpmaYp9-ka44C8e2sgYzbZ3OTPJf5PnPQ6DFH1YHWlP2sCRTE/s1600/article-0-084AED21000005DC-260_468x327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZ3jS9uGVGLoTVrDrboK3DoLIACB9EKRxk-s5gbw-m2D8quOoZ-CsJuZtj1pEbMl74VEivWbXFcRTHJBosoE0BRauRzMpmaYp9-ka44C8e2sgYzbZ3OTPJf5PnPQ6DFH1YHWlP2sCRTE/s1600/article-0-084AED21000005DC-260_468x327.jpg" height="278" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>It's good to know that the state broadcaster always respects our licence fee</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The BBC wants to host a debate in Glasgow regarding the referendum one week before the vote. This is fine, however they then <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-opinion/9433-a-new-scotland-a-new-media" target="_blank">proceeded to pay £100,000</a> so that a live audience of 12,000 people where maybe 0.0015% of them would be able to even ask a question (just <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/OTUS/presidential-debate-full-transcript/story?id=17538888&page=24" target="_blank">17 questions were asked in the 3rd US Presidential Debate</a> which was 90 minutes long). If that was a stupid idea, then allowing the budget to <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-opinion/9433-a-new-scotland-a-new-media" target="_blank">spiral out of control to £500,000</a> is even worse.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzBdf5_b1EwXsTm6DYK6lLMLH5E_bY5nqTEyESPu_7G3SGI-HmCF1nmh5vgsKVVHvqXQ-v3-RNz7X0q-cuhU3tqdWptgJPDjYEs5EfyemdQ04pr4gZEQfsQdpmuKtIoP-6B1ff02e1j9o/s1600/What+were+they+thinking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzBdf5_b1EwXsTm6DYK6lLMLH5E_bY5nqTEyESPu_7G3SGI-HmCF1nmh5vgsKVVHvqXQ-v3-RNz7X0q-cuhU3tqdWptgJPDjYEs5EfyemdQ04pr4gZEQfsQdpmuKtIoP-6B1ff02e1j9o/s1600/What+were+they+thinking.jpg" height="272" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
What were they thinking?!<br />
<br />
<b>You've got mail (but don't worry, we deleted it)</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Communications between the Electoral Commission and the CBI that led to a
meeting to discuss the independence referendum, have been deleted the
electoral watchdog has told Newsnet Scotland." <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9451-cbi-emails-were-deleted-says-electoral-commission-as-questions-remain-over-cancelled-registration" target="_blank">Newsnet Scotland, 12th of July 2014</a></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Is this how the impartial, accountable and professional Electoral Commission is supposed to behave? Is it right that they don't appear bothered by <a href="http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/questions-over-better-togethers-registration-for-referendum-role.24741622" target="_blank">errors in the official no campaign registration</a> or have much interest in the <a href="http://lallandspeatworrier.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/regulating-protestant-mardi-gras.html" target="_blank">spending and actions</a> of the no campaigning Orange Order? We will leave these questions up to you readers.</div>
<br />
<b>I would cycle 500 miles</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A number of the Sign for Scotland team managed to meet <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rometohome" target="_blank">Indy Cyclist Mark Coburn</a> on his 500 miles fundraiser. The campaign, which was generating funds for 10 local yes groups as well as Maryhill food bank, started on Thursday, the 10th of July and <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/500-miles-in-5-days" target="_blank">easily surpassed the initial goal of £5,000</a>. The fundraiser officially ends on Friday the 18th so if you haven't donated yet then please consider doing so.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofBNrKute9Z4eehMv36Uryo7tKBCJB9NLZODH8Zp9xmxFLyBFu6Xwx_OBWZBb0xX_Pa9zpO6ukwap0EXyZpSCm8NlL44FuV_bbPB_1uLf-SIQeuI0oiVmpiTcAS3UEFN4cnYmM3q6LSA/s1600/PICT0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofBNrKute9Z4eehMv36Uryo7tKBCJB9NLZODH8Zp9xmxFLyBFu6Xwx_OBWZBb0xX_Pa9zpO6ukwap0EXyZpSCm8NlL44FuV_bbPB_1uLf-SIQeuI0oiVmpiTcAS3UEFN4cnYmM3q6LSA/s1600/PICT0001.JPG" height="336" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wsE5q4fdZ12a-W7tWbcwgSjrwh28TSYU2WrX9KMUAFWi-8KILfoAhf_xsjxn0wRKelxC0TBLh-HVFnJj_9BCbkBhh13ACRNMCT_vD7BW5L7nTYoBip3qQ_rWtmcOyOOFMaFJuBIIVnU/s1600/PICT0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wsE5q4fdZ12a-W7tWbcwgSjrwh28TSYU2WrX9KMUAFWi-8KILfoAhf_xsjxn0wRKelxC0TBLh-HVFnJj_9BCbkBhh13ACRNMCT_vD7BW5L7nTYoBip3qQ_rWtmcOyOOFMaFJuBIIVnU/s1600/PICT0005.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
Well done Mark!<br />
<br />
<b>Checking your purse before your pulse</b><br />
This is one of the most important reasons for supporting a Yes vote:<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"But there is a further threat facing the NHS. The Transatlantic Trade
and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is the fruit of long-running
negotiations between the EU and the US over trade liberalisation. One of
its fundamental principles is that services, including state services,
should be open to private competition from American multinationals.
According to Garcia Bercero, the EU Commission official with
responsibility for TTIP, health services in Europe will be opened to
private competition, but only where privatisation is already
established.<br />
<br />
In other words, where there is an existing state monopoly,
foreign companies cannot sue the government in question for unfair
competition.<br />
<br />
But the UK Health and Social Care Act opened the UK system to TTIP
because it explicitly introduces a private market in health provision in
England. After a No vote, private providers and insurance companies may
argue that, since Scotland is not a sovereign state but a region of the
UK, it cannot be exempted from competition for health provision. We are
a long way from that being tested in law, but what is beyond doubt is
that the UK has made the NHS in England TTIP compliant. It seems highly
likely that the Scottish system will be seen as an unacceptable
anachronism in a unitary state." <a href="http://www.heraldscotland.com/comment/columnists/forget-the-latest-scare-story-the-real-threat-to-our-health-service-is-a-no-vote.24735142" target="_blank">Sunday Herald, 13th of July 2014</a></blockquote>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFTO-yIxtTt0QyUoYi8K1ak8GLAGpfvEb5xf7mGYwOqUW219yjazzDbpV6rlwjEsLMnxOByY6tNruzZCqfUH-XdtmGJTK9MkTSy9wL922_CWPzD5cnU55WFVvLIS5OYjOuNX0adRXJzM/s1600/Nice+guy+Dr.+Nick_10ad06_4697658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFTO-yIxtTt0QyUoYi8K1ak8GLAGpfvEb5xf7mGYwOqUW219yjazzDbpV6rlwjEsLMnxOByY6tNruzZCqfUH-XdtmGJTK9MkTSy9wL922_CWPzD5cnU55WFVvLIS5OYjOuNX0adRXJzM/s1600/Nice+guy+Dr.+Nick_10ad06_4697658.jpg" height="337" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Independent nations are capable of defending and representing themselves. Even if you believe that health care should be privatised, it is wrong for that view to be forced upon the people against their wishes. If you believe it, then you should have the courage of your convictions, start campaigning and win debates, not wait for an uncontrollable Westminster to force it through (especially since many of the House of Lords <a href="http://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/2012/04/24/a-fifth-of-the-lords-that-voted-on-health-bill-had-conflicted-interests/" target="_blank">stand to gain financially</a> if <a href="http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?69867-Big-Pharma-profiteering-gone-wild-1-000-a-pill-Hepatitis-drug-in-USA-sells-for-less-than-10-in-Egypt" target="_blank">health care profiteering</a> <a href="https://www.healthinsurancedaily.com/health-insurance/product-area/pmi/article440710.ece" target="_blank">takes place</a>).</div>
<br />
Join us again near the end of July for our next look at what's 'not in the news'! <br />
Drew<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://twitter.com/Sign4Scotland" target="_blank">Twitter - Sign4Scotland</a>Sign for Scotlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16057474693059978339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968036878657352398.post-82412258763827020052014-07-13T09:11:00.000+01:002014-07-13T09:11:23.315+01:00Eyes wide shut<div style="text-align: justify;">
The referendum is, at its core, a debate around which parliamentary system is better suited to Scotland's needs.</div>
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A Yes vote is placing faith in <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/why-democracy-will-be-stronger-in.html" target="_blank">a more proportionate parliament</a> where <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/vote-to-make-your-vote-matter.html" target="_blank">everyone's vote matters</a> and no party is assured power (meaning special interest groups have to influence more than just two parties to get their way). Yes also supports limiting the power of politicians by creating and introducing a new written constitution which will guarantee the rights of every citizen.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIl9UR44uDOfrriN05_G1fHGTHObj8VOQSB-DKYIJjZWLzpn-6NNwtu1niIQd-pwj5T22oL5Pk-D375h7GjbiyZZGEQp6w0LZW0Z066HiBGT1g5F0hPS5pjBVFZTRibE1GeQhoBVEZwTQ/s1600/I+agree+with+him+-+to+be+uploaded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIl9UR44uDOfrriN05_G1fHGTHObj8VOQSB-DKYIJjZWLzpn-6NNwtu1niIQd-pwj5T22oL5Pk-D375h7GjbiyZZGEQp6w0LZW0Z066HiBGT1g5F0hPS5pjBVFZTRibE1GeQhoBVEZwTQ/s1600/I+agree+with+him+-+to+be+uploaded.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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A no vote is leaving power at Westminster. This article will look at why that is a bad idea.</div>
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Many of the politicians in Westminster do their jobs with their eyes wide shut. Firstly, they protect the House of Lords, which has many appointed members who have a financial interest in the laws they are supposed to be scrutinising. Here are a few examples:</div>
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David John Maclean, also known as Baron Blencathra and Lord Blencathra, is <a href="http://www.parliament.uk/biographies/lords/lord-blencathra/497" target="_blank">a Conservative Party life peer</a>. He joined the House of Lords in February 2011 following numerous years as an MP. During a press conference in April 2012 he stated:</div>
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"I work for the Cayman islands government in London not for the UK Government in Cayman." <a href="http://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/2012/04/17/lord-blencathra-in-his-own-words/" target="_blank">Lord Blencathra, 5th of April 2012</a></blockquote>
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The reason this is important is because Lord Blencathra is a lobbyist for the Cayman Islands government <a href="http://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/2012/10/02/foreign-office-approved-peers-role-as-tax-haven-lobbyist/" target="_blank">receiving £14,000 per month from 'Two Lions' for his services</a>, who was hired to 'get the message across' to UK government officials, and is <a href="http://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/2012/10/02/foreign-office-approved-peers-role-as-tax-haven-lobbyist/" target="_blank">entitled to vote on legislation</a> affecting the tax treatment of money that is transferred between the UK and the Cayman Islands.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZ5muOtTEq2VH0g3TJ0_RpxovedE1G4T1Tsjx4PmRxByxRsyF70t8UrcKPg0ra80M-M3BqHQzOG7N1260E0LCVk0ecAQNoJdZX-_9uIi8jsHVnDyNYk81pr1g3eakNDdov7giAQrdMeQ/s1600/url4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZ5muOtTEq2VH0g3TJ0_RpxovedE1G4T1Tsjx4PmRxByxRsyF70t8UrcKPg0ra80M-M3BqHQzOG7N1260E0LCVk0ecAQNoJdZX-_9uIi8jsHVnDyNYk81pr1g3eakNDdov7giAQrdMeQ/s1600/url4.jpg" height="371" width="400" /></a></div>
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You may say that this is illegal however this arrangement was <a href="http://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/2012/10/02/foreign-office-approved-peers-role-as-tax-haven-lobbyist/" target="_blank">approved by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office</a>. </div>
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"The FCO told the Bureau in April, following our<a href="http://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/2012/04/17/conservative-peer-hired-as-tax-haven-lobbyist/"> investigation</a>, that it had played ‘no role’ in the appointment.<br />
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However correspondence released under Freedom of Information shows
the Minister for Overseas Territories, Henry Bellingham, approved Lord
Bencathra taking the job despite looking at the potential for conflicts
of interest arising from his role in the House of Lords." <a href="http://The FCO told the Bureau in April, following our investigation, that it had played ‘no role’ in the appointment. However correspondence released under Freedom of Information shows the Minister for Overseas Territories, Henry Bellingham, approved Lord Bencathra taking the job despite looking at the potential for conflicts of interest arising from his role in the House of Lords." target="_blank">The Bureau Investigates, 2nd of October 2012</a></blockquote>
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As a side note, when still an MP Lord Blencathra led the campaign to prevent MPs' expenses. We are certain this had nothing to do with the <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5336359/David-Maclean-expense-claims-of-MP-who-led-fight-to-keep-payouts-secret.html" target="_blank">£20,902 he received in second home allowances</a> for a property that was subsequently sold as his main residence (thus avoiding Capital Gains Tax).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjHOth2Wc7e9_VTKlgQZOjOuch7wHl2Umf6eKU0u3TknB6Y2AHKMOmPaBrpDbHdDzte9RaSlftBvIezwTa780KlR8UcqoihekTqc1-eX4vzdbNcEAyJZ-5p5fSTRaYZWGQ7Xnp0wLlLg/s1600/tMTpr5kKSVy1G-8ajFhQSA.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjHOth2Wc7e9_VTKlgQZOjOuch7wHl2Umf6eKU0u3TknB6Y2AHKMOmPaBrpDbHdDzte9RaSlftBvIezwTa780KlR8UcqoihekTqc1-eX4vzdbNcEAyJZ-5p5fSTRaYZWGQ7Xnp0wLlLg/s1600/tMTpr5kKSVy1G-8ajFhQSA.jpeg" height="282" width="400" /></a></div>
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But it is not just former MPs that hold outside interests in the House of Lords. It is estimated that <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2011/nov/08/house-of-lords-passholders-lobbying" target="_blank">1 in 5 staff pass holders</a> have links to lobby groups. Some may argue that this is fine as long as it is declared (<a href="http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/standards-and-interests/register-of-lords-interests/" target="_blank">the current list can be viewed here</a>) but that isn't always the case.</div>
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"<a href="http://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/2012/06/21/undeclared-interests-peers-fail-to-register-business-roles/" target="_blank">Undeclared interests: Peers fail to register business roles</a>" was a headline from the Bureau Investigates from June 2012. It detailed failure to record interests from <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/the-murky-world-of-interests-peers-dont-think-you-need-to-see-7866759.html" target="_blank">Lord Plumb and Lord St John of Bletso</a>, as well as incomplete entries from other Lords.</div>
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But even declaring an interest doesn't prevent the Lords from voting on legislation that they have a financial stake in. 1 in 5 of those who voted on the UK Government's Health Bill <a href="http://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/2012/04/24/a-fifth-of-the-lords-that-voted-on-health-bill-had-conflicted-interests/" target="_blank">had conflicted interests</a>. This isn't restricted just to health. <a href="http://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/2012/07/10/house-of-bankers-16-of-lords-are-paid-by-city-firms/" target="_blank">16% of all Lords are paid by City firms</a> with one, Lord Brittan, <a href="http://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/2012/07/10/lord-brittan-the-lobbyist-who-wrote-a-white-paper/" target="_blank">writing a white paper</a> for David Cameron advocating the policies of a financial lobby group that he is a member of.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEELPVzX7nM7RNUSWFWdDCChFTVpL6C437ZRS0GOFHRrrb72oq3xLdkc__1PDMqyQinLTh-MGTi1fKnFurTL_wsLoSYc-E_vRxnuUYbFpLVIy0o2M6JXxkVdCMnp6EfG-vovqP8KGbcLo/s1600/26515444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEELPVzX7nM7RNUSWFWdDCChFTVpL6C437ZRS0GOFHRrrb72oq3xLdkc__1PDMqyQinLTh-MGTi1fKnFurTL_wsLoSYc-E_vRxnuUYbFpLVIy0o2M6JXxkVdCMnp6EfG-vovqP8KGbcLo/s1600/26515444.jpg" height="281" width="400" /></a></div>
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Whilst it is impossible to say whether the potential for profit altered the actions of any of those who voted, the mere fact that such an opportunity presents itself shows how vulnerable the Westminster system is to corruption. Yet the corruption is not just financial. The threatening of <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/3517-campaign-group-condemns-labour-mps-remarks-as-sign-of-westminsters-sexist-political-culture.html" target="_blank">a female SNP MP</a>, the widespread <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9141-westminster-mps-coercing-assistants-into-having-sex-claims-labour-mp" target="_blank">abuse of assistants by MPs</a>, the loss of files on <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/09/files-uk-role-cia-rendition-destroyed-diego-garcia-water-damage" target="_blank">renditioning flights through Diego Garcia</a>, and most worrying the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-27047442" target="_blank">paedophile ring</a> operating out of Westminster involving <a href="http://rt.com/uk/170672-uk-politicians-pedophile-ring/" target="_blank">at least 40 politicians</a> have each required whistle blowers and individuals to speak out. That shouldn't be the case.</div>
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[Note: You can read more about how the paedophile ring is being treated <a href="http://tompride.wordpress.com/2014/06/26/how-mi5-vetted-savile-and-decided-paedophilia-was-nothing-to-worry-about/" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://tompride.wordpress.com/2014/07/02/google-searches-for-leon-brittan-and-pie-censored-after-cease-and-desist-notice/" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://tompride.wordpress.com/2014/07/03/meet-the-man-leon-brittan-handed-the-lost-vip-paedophile-dossier-to/" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://tompride.wordpress.com/2014/07/09/head-of-paedophile-inquirys-own-brother-accused-of-protecting-vip-paedophiles/" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://tompride.wordpress.com/2014/07/10/awkward-butler-sloss-once-said-leaders-have-sovereign-right-to-immunity-and-anonymity/" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="https://tompride.wordpress.com/2014/07/11/8-powerful-reasons-why-butler-sloss-cannot-head-the-vip-child-abuse-inquiry/" target="_blank">here</a>]. </div>
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When corruption and wrong doing has taken place, too many within the Westminster system watch with their eyes wide shut. It is a system that doesn't deserve protecting. A Yes vote in September gives us the chance to enhance and control a much better, more democratic approach. We don't need unelected Lords influencing laws that they have financial interests in. <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/the-three-poverties-of-westminster.html" target="_blank">We don't need a cosy club where everyone shields everyone else</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzbHEUvn9ys7S4KQjxSMNHgzDN3fdt8BbA6V92NCF0b0ipTrO3oLY1ahCEI3-DRYmj-e863GbKEG02yLGlEOFWSd1aTSiyKxrUYB9iIgb7P0bb8imZSfyYb1_rYz5ZPUr9XFG2U4fw1eU/s1600/bbc_david_cameron_tory_poodle_political_cartoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzbHEUvn9ys7S4KQjxSMNHgzDN3fdt8BbA6V92NCF0b0ipTrO3oLY1ahCEI3-DRYmj-e863GbKEG02yLGlEOFWSd1aTSiyKxrUYB9iIgb7P0bb8imZSfyYb1_rYz5ZPUr9XFG2U4fw1eU/s1600/bbc_david_cameron_tory_poodle_political_cartoon.jpg" height="282" width="400" /></a></div>
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When you go to the polling station on the 18th of September, do so with your eyes wide open. Vote Yes and lets tackle the rampant corruption that is holding back our country.</div>
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Drew</div>
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Sign for Scotlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16057474693059978339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968036878657352398.post-35533284781746087432014-07-06T08:37:00.000+01:002014-07-06T08:37:24.941+01:00Scotland - The Next Generation<div style="text-align: justify;">
There are some who support independence because of our past. It’s easy to see why.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Scotland has many long and proud traditions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have contributed so much to the modern world from the pedal bicycle,
to logarithms, to the kaleidoscope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Saltire is one of the oldest and most recognisable flags of Europe and our
myths and legends attract tourists from every corner of the globe.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjhmRdOcfP0KOTqCz44gwhRgKbj9KsXgwkjyVnxsTI8c0jIsu9Ax2oziEtYCfegr3biWBOYdTVmoJv3kTs87IGDwL89w38ElVRPvUpB0sNBj-uk0wA6E6PWpEZK6mecjmkTXFqBCoiVU/s1600/I_Love_Scotland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sign for Scotland" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjhmRdOcfP0KOTqCz44gwhRgKbj9KsXgwkjyVnxsTI8c0jIsu9Ax2oziEtYCfegr3biWBOYdTVmoJv3kTs87IGDwL89w38ElVRPvUpB0sNBj-uk0wA6E6PWpEZK6mecjmkTXFqBCoiVU/s320/I_Love_Scotland.jpg" height="219" title="Yes Scotland" width="320" /></a></div>
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But the reason why I support independence is our future, and
what more we can contribute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
doubtless that somewhere in one of our schools there is the next David
Livingstone, Mary Somerville or William Ramsay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if we want that talent to flourish, we need to make some choices.</div>
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Scotland <a href="http://www.businessforscotland.co.uk/revealed-the-accounting-trick-that-hides-scotlands-wealth/" target="_blank">cannot keep subsidising Westminster</a> and maintain
the highest proportion of world class universities to population in the
world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We cannot store and subsidise weapons
of mass destruction and have a healthcare system based upon need and not
ability to pay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We cannot subsidise a
military designed to attack other countries and have a defence force capable of
defending our shores.</div>
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Voting ‘Yes’ in the referendum means that <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/why-democracy-will-be-stronger-in.html" target="_blank">we will decidewhat’s most important</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only we can
guarantee the things we perhaps take for granted are available to the next
generation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only we can make sure that
we have governments which respond to and reflect the wishes of the people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only we can ensure that our values and
principles are enacted, both at home and abroad.</div>
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<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/AVvXsEjgwUZTygxe5KQ_vvwObIY_cZtJrlFRpppC_7ckQ4eTEO2wvpwBk5KhysFQ1XxOoO9ylCp66oVRdE0ida0jmQd1Vy6f-NjYu02w57WFoVkbucTa7lbNROXOPoPJLEl-iogVHTCZJpV5lZk/s1600/Picard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwUZTygxe5KQ_vvwObIY_cZtJrlFRpppC_7ckQ4eTEO2wvpwBk5KhysFQ1XxOoO9ylCp66oVRdE0ida0jmQd1Vy6f-NjYu02w57WFoVkbucTa7lbNROXOPoPJLEl-iogVHTCZJpV5lZk/s320/Picard.jpg" height="243" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Captain Jean Luc Picard's message to the people of Scotland</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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And if we vote ‘Yes’ we will be giving ourselves the power
to decide our future, and ensuring that every generation that follows does
too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What greater vote of confidence can
we give our children than to trust them with self determination?</div>
</div>
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Drew</div>
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</div>
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Sign for Scotlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16057474693059978339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968036878657352398.post-17687276635726880682014-06-28T07:50:00.001+01:002014-06-28T07:50:22.532+01:00BBC special<div style="text-align: justify;">
The BBC is biased against Scottish Independence. We have <a href="http://newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/8598-broadcasters-favouring-no-campaign-according-to-new-academic-study" target="_blank">academic studies</a> (and <a href="http://newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9232-academic-study-reveals-good-morning-scotland-favouring-no-campaign" target="_blank">here</a>) which confirm this, we have motive in the form of <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/the-price-of-the-bbc/" target="_blank">the net payments it receives from Scotland</a> and its dependence upon <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2658343/BBC-licence-fee-slashed-Government-review-year-Culture-Secretary-Sajid-Javid-reveals.html" target="_blank">Westminster MPs for its licence fee</a>.<br />
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Because of this I am going to the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/409655642510468/" target="_blank">BBC Bias Peaceful Protest</a> in Glasgow tomorrow.</div>
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Although there may be scientific proof of impartiality from the UK state broadcaster, my main reason for protesting is because I have been compiling articles for our '<a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Not%20in%20the%20News" target="_blank">not in the news</a>' series over the past few months and time and again I have come across how the BBC has distorted and surpressed the news. So, to save you <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Not%20in%20the%20News" target="_blank">checking back through every one of them</a> (although you are more than welcome to do so!), here is our 'not in the news' BBC special.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLF2N9IXruKmBRm5bvZpMslHknFaTzeC12IoVAy8ovpc9Jt11M_V2lyS-3JearHtu20a4eC_zSrICqKJKBjOfblXH9QvK8iElCcvx_qLc6SMwAdoujsCfskJHJYokIfFRYUFjNZ2zgLl0/s1600/1013723_555341281171900_1209725418_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLF2N9IXruKmBRm5bvZpMslHknFaTzeC12IoVAy8ovpc9Jt11M_V2lyS-3JearHtu20a4eC_zSrICqKJKBjOfblXH9QvK8iElCcvx_qLc6SMwAdoujsCfskJHJYokIfFRYUFjNZ2zgLl0/s1600/1013723_555341281171900_1209725418_n.jpg" height="293" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>January</b><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Other stories which didn't make it</b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Quantifiable proof that the British State Broadcaster has been biased in
its referendum coverage came to light following research from the
University of the West of Scotland. STV was also found to be favouring
the 'no' campaign, but not quite to the same extent. We first came
across this story on <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/8598-broadcasters-favouring-no-campaign-according-to-new-academic-study" target="_blank">Newsnet Scotland</a> which was once again ahead of the mainstream media.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The research proves that the BBC broke <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/editorialguidelines/page/guidelines-editorial-values-charter/" target="_blank">article 1.3.2</a> of its own charter and it follows the revelation that BBC Scotland was <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/affairs-scotland/8501-independence-and-the-eu-how-bbc-scotland-were-caught-misleading-the-public-part-one" target="_blank">found guilty of breaching editorial guidelines on accuracy</a> by the BBC Trust, completing a miserable month for Pacific Quay.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: medium;">Glance over the BBC</span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
While the story of Labour voting against their own policies (extra
childcare provision and hot meals for young children) was taking place,
another, vastly most important issue, was dominating the BBC News
website.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://action4equalityscotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/lordly-intervention.html" target="_blank">Scottish Independence: Call for 'truce' during Glasgow 2014</a>
was the big headline. The 'story' was about the sincere hope of Lord
Jack McConnell, Baron McConnell of Glenscorrodale, that athletes won't
be used for political gain during the upcoming Commonwealth Games. The
story became embarrassing for the Peer when Westminster's Secretary of
State for Scotland, Alistair Carmichael, <a href="http://newsnetscotland.com/index.php/referendum/8571-carmichaels-top-reason-for-no-vote-overtaken-by-events-say-snp" target="_blank">made the following statement</a> just a few days later:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Whether that's the British Lions [sic], or next month's Winter
Olympics, or of course, our astonishing achievements in the London 2012
Olympic Games. At those Games, the UK won 29 gold medals. And over the
Games, as
the tally went higher, so did our collective sense of national pride.
Chris Hoy, Jessica Ennis, Andy Murray, Mo Farah, Katherine Granger.
Those outstanding athletes weren't cheered on by parts of the UK, but by
all of us. They were our representatives. They worked together, they
competed
together – many had trained together at facilities across the UK. Their
success fed our pride."</blockquote>
</div>
<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/AVvXsEhx86h_m2dvmnXBf_8rcZS1WtX2uDWI4dw-cFLOfKCKRiaNCtscIZQwkKSDwz-ozDvIa2_-vfCZzyXxU1Xqa9A6gBwgKW4psYrYmQ3khrlRKvcavl7eTw7oXMyYKoHYiuasCpSAX4Z4AqQ/s1600/Jack+McConnell.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx86h_m2dvmnXBf_8rcZS1WtX2uDWI4dw-cFLOfKCKRiaNCtscIZQwkKSDwz-ozDvIa2_-vfCZzyXxU1Xqa9A6gBwgKW4psYrYmQ3khrlRKvcavl7eTw7oXMyYKoHYiuasCpSAX4Z4AqQ/s1600/Jack+McConnell.jpg" height="280" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Lord Jack McConnell, previously using athletes for political gain</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Although the Commonwealth Games will be a fantastic sporting event, we
don't believe that the referendum debate should be put on hold (and
we're not going to be influenced by 'Peer' pressure).</div>
</div>
<br />
<b>February</b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://archive.is/vcQ78" target="_blank">Scotland would be 11% better off immediately following independence</a></span></b><br />
Stories regarding Scotland's economic strength have featured prominently
online throughout the referendum campaign (with Business for Scotland
achieving <a href="http://www.businessforscotland.co.uk/business-for-scotlands-10-most-popular-articles-of-2013/" target="_blank">over 100,000 unique visitors and one story being shared 23,000 times!</a>)
however these tend to be dismissed and ignored by our Main Stream
Media. Now we have confirmation that it isn't the medium but the message
that the BBC, STV and the newspapers are opposed to.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Financial Times released <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/unleashing-a-firestorm/#more-49089" target="_blank">a bombshell story</a>
on Sunday, the 2nd of February which confirmed that Scotland would be
far stronger economically following independence, even if we continued
Westminster's wasteful expenditure.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 20px;">
<i>"If its
geographic share of UK oil and gas output is taken into account,
Scotland’s GDP per head is bigger than that of France. Even excluding
the North Sea’s hydrocarbon bounty, per capita GDP is higher than that
of Italy. Oil, whisky and a broad range of manufactured goods mean an
independent Scotland would be one of
the world’s top 35 exporters.</i>
</div>
<i>
An independent Scotland could also expect to start with healthier state
finances than the rest of the UK." Financial Times, 2nd of February 2014</i></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Even this may be underestimating the economic strength of an independent
Scotland, with the full value of corporation tax and VAT being
potentially understated.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"Neither do the figures account for companies operating in Scotland who
currently pay taxes via head offices in England – taxes like Corporation
Tax or VAT for example. After independence these companies would have
to pay taxes on their Scottish operations to the Scottish government,
not the UK Treasury as they do at the moment. It's very difficult to
quantify just how much extra this would bring in, but it's certainly a
substantial amount." <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-opinion/8683-bbc-scotland-guilty-of-bias-by-ommission" target="_blank">Newsnet Scotland, Guilty of bias by ommission</a></i></blockquote>
</div>
It's almost as if the <a href="http://derekbateman1.wordpress.com/2014/02/02/bbc-blasted-in-uws-response/" target="_blank">BBC in Scotland is biased</a>...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTaEETl2N43j63OTnmnjnFOSSHwvT-j0LoMKhrFRxnQuBH8oqUIKMI39y4XtjE5Gfnfp_HDGotiVOeuYQfqN7mYvYvDIPBHQpjuuf5QTUbpKtYaT9o2zAATOaTLWvwLW4JgDpqrEDgjk/s1600/outside+broadcast+-+to+be+uploaded.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTaEETl2N43j63OTnmnjnFOSSHwvT-j0LoMKhrFRxnQuBH8oqUIKMI39y4XtjE5Gfnfp_HDGotiVOeuYQfqN7mYvYvDIPBHQpjuuf5QTUbpKtYaT9o2zAATOaTLWvwLW4JgDpqrEDgjk/s1600/outside+broadcast+-+to+be+uploaded.jpg" height="333" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: medium;">Glance over the BBC</span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The BBC took the unusual step of blocking their own news broadcasts from being viewed this month. The reason - well, <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/the-news-is-not-news/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-news-is-not-news" target="_blank">Reverend Stu at Wings over Scotland</a> has the full story.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>No ch-ch-changes</b><br />
Also this month, the BBC had to pick which stories to cover. Whilst
happily cheering the news that David Bowie is against independence
(although he sent someone else to say this at a pop music award event in
London), the story regarding former Prime Minister <a href="http://www.maxkeiser.com/2014/02/tony-blair-advised-rebekah-brooks-to-set-up-hutton-style-inquiry-which-would-clear-her/" target="_blank">Tony Blair's 'advice'</a> to Rebekah Brooks, which broke the day before, was deemed to be less important. <br />
<div id="r1PostCPBlock" style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; left: -99999px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
He
said the inquiry would be “Hutton style” – a reference to Lord Hutton’s
inquiry into the death of David Kelly – and would “clear” her, but
warned that “shortcomings” would have to be accepted as a result of the
report.<br />
Read more at <a href="http://www.maxkeiser.com/2014/02/tony-blair-advised-rebekah-brooks-to-set-up-hutton-style-inquiry-which-would-clear-her/#xe2hcBmkCQL32qki.99" style="color: #003399;">http://www.maxkeiser.com/2014/02/tony-blair-advised-rebekah-brooks-to-set-up-hutton-style-inquiry-which-would-clear-her/#xe2hcBmkCQL32qki.99</a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
He said the inquiry would be "Hutton style" - a reference to Lord
Hutton's inquiry into the death of David Kelly - and would "clear" her,
but warned that "shortcomings" would have to be accepted as a result of
the report. - <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/feb/19/tony-blair-rebekah-brooks-phone-hacking" target="_blank">Guardian Newspaper 19th of February</a></blockquote>
<div id="r1PostCPBlock" style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; left: -99999px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
He
said the inquiry would be “Hutton style” – a reference to Lord Hutton’s
inquiry into the death of David Kelly – and would “clear” her, but
warned that “shortcomings” would have to be accepted as a result of the
report.<br />
Read more at <a href="http://www.maxkeiser.com/2014/02/tony-blair-advised-rebekah-brooks-to-set-up-hutton-style-inquiry-which-would-clear-her/#xe2hcBmkCQL32qki.99" style="color: #003399;">http://www.maxkeiser.com/2014/02/tony-blair-advised-rebekah-brooks-to-set-up-hutton-style-inquiry-which-would-clear-her/#xe2hcBmkCQL32qki.99</a></div>
</div>
<div id="r1PostCPBlock" style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; left: -99999px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
He
said the inquiry would be “Hutton style” – a reference to Lord Hutton’s
inquiry into the death of David Kelly – and would “clear” her, but
warned that “shortcomings” would have to be accepted as a result of the
report.<br />
Read more at <a href="http://www.maxkeiser.com/2014/02/tony-blair-advised-rebekah-brooks-to-set-up-hutton-style-inquiry-which-would-clear-her/#xe2hcBmkCQL32qki.99" style="color: #003399;">http://www.maxkeiser.com/2014/02/tony-blair-advised-rebekah-brooks-to-set-up-hutton-style-inquiry-which-would-clear-her/#xe2hcBmkCQL32qki.99</a></div>
<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/AVvXsEimjftU0gA7uojmvxAeW0XYhJg_DiaYkPSNyHzi-rIr6EJ9m-U96DZFY-ma8O6cbjfGf-hZI4JyqWM1hy2Gb7pPmLakeu2o6X1sOwcIxH2Mgu7viZlRYxYUT6rhO0eW9GuoW1EwwJSq1gY/s1600/tony-blair-selfie.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimjftU0gA7uojmvxAeW0XYhJg_DiaYkPSNyHzi-rIr6EJ9m-U96DZFY-ma8O6cbjfGf-hZI4JyqWM1hy2Gb7pPmLakeu2o6X1sOwcIxH2Mgu7viZlRYxYUT6rhO0eW9GuoW1EwwJSq1gY/s1600/tony-blair-selfie.jpg" height="290" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"Britain could benefit from a Fascist leader," David Bowie (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Bowie#cite_ref-Buckley_pp.289.E2.80.9391_62-0" target="_blank">but he didn't mean it!</a>)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-size: medium;">And now something that was in the papers!</span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/what-you-wont-read-today/" target="_blank">Just not the ones in Scotland</a>.
The most glaring example were reports that a Scottish Pound linked to
Sterling was viewed as sensible by Deutsche Bank. Our newspapers, the
BBC and STV didn't believe this was worth mentioning (which was a bit
careless of our journalists, wasn't it?) It's almost as if they didn't
want to report the facts. <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/the-governors-of-opinion/" target="_blank">We can only speculate as to why... </a></div>
<br />
<b>March</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>The Media Standard is Poor </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Whilst <a href="http://www.businessforscotland.co.uk/standard-life-deserve-common-sense-discussions/" target="_blank">another 'Standard'</a>
was making the headlines, Credit Rating Agency Standard and Poor were
giving their assessment on the credit worthiness of an independent
Scotland. Their conclusion:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="http://worldofstuart.excellentcontent.com/repository/StandardAndPoorsKeyConsiderations.pdf"><i>"Even
excluding North Sea output and calculating per capita GDP only by
looking at onshore income, Scotland would qualify for our highest
economic assessment.
Higher GDP per capita, in our view, gives a country a broader potential
tax and funding base to draw from, which supports creditworthiness."</i></a></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The BBC, alongside the rest of the print media, didn't consider this to
be very relevant, and offered minimal coverage. This lack of attention
couldn't be because it <a href="http://newsnetscotland.com/index.php/referendum/8806-credit-agency-confirms-indy-scotland-set-for-triple-a-credit-rating" target="_blank">directly contradicted Westminster MP Danny Alexander's claim</a> in January that Scots would face a £5,200 hike in mortgages due to higher borrowing costs, could it?</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNn5ccFNQ539cYpp6msFMASjfxhv3UdiHji3pTRSAyn_anmevCfFafIduuBzsntkGRMeMJ9TbtCyqy6aYREbRMXoaDN-9j6bxwkGGxYTSnwhvomJoGOaOTN7ZbZkUS-JPCaW6gU9n3vc/s1600/When+I+am+supposed+to+care.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNn5ccFNQ539cYpp6msFMASjfxhv3UdiHji3pTRSAyn_anmevCfFafIduuBzsntkGRMeMJ9TbtCyqy6aYREbRMXoaDN-9j6bxwkGGxYTSnwhvomJoGOaOTN7ZbZkUS-JPCaW6gU9n3vc/s1600/When+I+am+supposed+to+care.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Budget Analysis </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Finally, the funding of the Scottish Parliament was <a href="https://www.facebook.com/YesDundee2014/photos/a.677554698962598.1073741830.440378819346855/712043805513687/?type=1" target="_blank">cut in the budget</a>. So of course, the main headline in on the BBC Scotland website was: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-26647466" target="_blank">Chancellor freezes duty of Scotch whisky</a>. Sigh...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76tGohyphenhyphenpjLgSYg0_jzkOga4wUzxxDGE2AunQWPP0VBJO3QRsEds0cM2Unwjbm5UixoseXltyhYWSYrwPJj-jude5CaUO4E4TccFaBGjnHsTX9Rxn5DM-vtvTHzxmFaPBI8_851hwci2A/s1600/1920133_712043805513687_104277353_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76tGohyphenhyphenpjLgSYg0_jzkOga4wUzxxDGE2AunQWPP0VBJO3QRsEds0cM2Unwjbm5UixoseXltyhYWSYrwPJj-jude5CaUO4E4TccFaBGjnHsTX9Rxn5DM-vtvTHzxmFaPBI8_851hwci2A/s1600/1920133_712043805513687_104277353_n.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: medium;">Glance over the BBC</span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The third largest party in Scotland <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/surging-out-of-convalescence/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=surging-out-of-convalescence" target="_blank">held it's annual conference</a>.
It's guest speaker was the UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, and it was
given massive coverage on the BBC and other Main Stream Media outlets.
However, throughout March, there were other large gatherings taking
place. Radical Independence <a href="https://www.facebook.com/radicalindependence/photos/pb.566948540013005.-2207520000.1395674817./683736738334184/?type=3&src=https%3A%2F%2Ffbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net%2Fhphotos-ak-ash3%2Ft1.0-9%2F537135_683736738334184_1466956190_n.png&size=529%2C659&fbid=683736738334184" target="_blank">attracted a huge crowd</a> to protest outside the Tory Party (Scotlandshire branch) conference and encouraged <a href="https://www.facebook.com/radicalindependence/photos/pb.566948540013005.-2207520000.1395674817./687425631298628/?type=3&src=https%3A%2F%2Fscontent-b-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-prn2%2Ft1.0-9%2F1920308_687425631298628_477721193_n.png&size=785%2C529&fbid=687425631298628" target="_blank">over 80 people to their second mass canvassing event</a> in Drumchapel. For some reason, the BBC didn't want to offer the same degree of coverage to these.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The BBC <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-26558087" target="_blank">did manage to cover town hall meetings</a> accross Scotland although...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I asked people as they filed out the door if the [Yes] meeting had helped.<br />
"No, not really," came the reply from one man. "It was good
to hear other people's point of view, but it was basically a propaganda
meeting. It would be good if the 'No' and the 'Yes' campaigns could get on the same platform and come to towns."</blockquote>
</div>
But what the reporter didn't explain was why the two campaigns aren't having more public debates:<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: maroon;"><span style="color: black;">"I don’t think that there is a gaping hole
in the debate market that we need to fill. I don’t really see the need
for us to have a specific debate organised by the campaigns when there
are so many debates organised by third parties which both campaigns are
participating in." Rob Shorthouse, no campaign director of communications <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/failure-to-engage/" target="_blank">in response to a proposed debate in Glasgow with Yes Scotland</a>.</span></span></blockquote>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP5lsL0HpEzox5G49kdCN-RtZRypvBw8EyDOt_2_YIjCvFhUwoftYU_ahXPTjmFTkyKES8ak_f8magLpzJzJ2_m_PQv_uerLhYrwYvQTCp72Bsf6bqQPdkbae1rfKN29M4ME4kn_qWjU8/s1600/debate.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP5lsL0HpEzox5G49kdCN-RtZRypvBw8EyDOt_2_YIjCvFhUwoftYU_ahXPTjmFTkyKES8ak_f8magLpzJzJ2_m_PQv_uerLhYrwYvQTCp72Bsf6bqQPdkbae1rfKN29M4ME4kn_qWjU8/s1600/debate.jpg" height="245" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The impression given by the BBC was that there were many meetings being
held by both sides, with Yes perhaps offering more, yet this is to
massively undersell the chasm between the two camps. Wings over Scotland
has provided numerous articles which show <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/the-easiest-job-in-scotland/" target="_blank">the number of Yes and no activists</a>, as well as <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/the-lonely-hours/" target="_blank">the reality of no campaign events</a>.</div>
<br />
<b>Got Impartiality?</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Finally (for this month) we had the hard hitting and vitally important <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/in-brief/8930-constitution-less-important-than-cows-and-dogs-according-to-bbc-scotland" target="_blank">"Cows connected to web to boost milk"</a>
story featuring on the BBC Scotland News website. We know this was
important because it was placed above "Scots constitution to be
published". It even got it's own picture!</div>
<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/AVvXsEh3MeE1Wk5XSK2zVm59wwxqAZ_LKBnyR-yI0o95NUG3dWQW3d3jCPQQgleLYulQ12iGRNoSrGliKARkb9C-8EHlsBKf8O4WMvcasqSvBj3RB8OyY00nfnSyjKoMUS7DagDsivoiKWhhXRM/s1600/Got+Impartiality.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3MeE1Wk5XSK2zVm59wwxqAZ_LKBnyR-yI0o95NUG3dWQW3d3jCPQQgleLYulQ12iGRNoSrGliKARkb9C-8EHlsBKf8O4WMvcasqSvBj3RB8OyY00nfnSyjKoMUS7DagDsivoiKWhhXRM/s1600/Got+Impartiality.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Got Impartiality? - note this was not the picture the BBC used</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On an entirely separate note, we're sure that the news coverage offered
the BBC has not, in any way, shape or form, been influenced by the fact
that a 'Yes' vote is <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/the-price-of-the-bbc/" target="_blank">likely to cost the BBC £193 million</a> every year.</div>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: medium;">The Press In-Action</span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This is a new section which looks at some of our favourite stories
on-line which look at media bias in Scotland. If you know any good blogs
that look at media bias, then please leave a comment and we'll check
them out!</div>
<br />
Munguin's Republic - <a href="http://munguinsrepublic.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/in-most-countries-press-would-brag.html" target="_blank">In most countries, the press would brag about this...</a><br />
Newsnet Scotland - <a href="http://munguinsrepublic.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/in-most-countries-press-would-brag.html" target="_blank">Will the real No campaign please stand up?</a><br />
<a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/8891-bbc-presenter-andrew-marr-accused-of-breaking-guidelines-on-referendum-coverage" target="_blank">BBC presenter Andrew Marr accused of breaking guidelines on referendum coverage</a><br />
<a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/affairs-scotland/8861-a-week-in-the-life-of-reporting-scotland" target="_blank">A week in the life of Reporting Scotland</a> <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-opinion/8937-fairness-in-february" target="_blank">Fairness in February</a> and <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/affairs-scotland/8932-the-dirty-dozen-the-case-against-bbc-scotland-part-1" target="_blank">The Dirty Dozen - The case against BBC Scotland</a><br />
Wings over Scotland - <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/double-standards/" target="_blank">Double Standards</a> and <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/what-you-didnt-read-this-week/" target="_blank">What you didn't read this week</a><br />
Business for Scotland - <a href="http://www.businessforscotland.co.uk/11-good-news-stories-for-the-yes-the-tide-has-turned/" target="_blank">11 good news stories for Yes</a><br />
<br />
<b>April</b><br />
<b>Letter from America</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There were two speeches made in the United States of America in early April: one was by a <a href="http://news.scotland.gov.uk/Speeches-Briefings/Alex-Salmond-in-New-York-Glasgow-Caledonian-University-speech-April-7-2014-b45.aspx" target="_blank">democratically elected politician</a> who was acting in his capacity as head of a national parliament, the <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-opinion/9024-a-rocket-for-the-former-nato-head" target="_blank">other by an unelected lord</a>
who has as much significance and relevance to Scotland as a turnip.
Which do you believe received the most coverage from STV, the BBC and
the papers?</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDczN4oeku68f_W3fp74zuD4wxyC4MJUPFlCIQJXYMUjVVBC3EYgRnrwN0QZ7v-UvOZ6pd7ss1NfgZTDCfjllFeg-7g4g3ctxp41JLWhnNM4Hzz6HtbXNLU-UVA4Zuzn5gBQlqiZpHi5k/s1600/1457580_627362740636420_1866391847_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDczN4oeku68f_W3fp74zuD4wxyC4MJUPFlCIQJXYMUjVVBC3EYgRnrwN0QZ7v-UvOZ6pd7ss1NfgZTDCfjllFeg-7g4g3ctxp41JLWhnNM4Hzz6HtbXNLU-UVA4Zuzn5gBQlqiZpHi5k/s1600/1457580_627362740636420_1866391847_n.jpg" height="341" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>The Confederation of British Flip-Floppers!</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Daily Express managed to take our comedy award for the month (see
above), but they were pushed hard for the title by the CBI and the BBC.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The story began with the CBI (a group consisting of around <a href="http://www.businessforscotland.co.uk/is-the-cbi-being-honest-new-revelations-in-cbi-crisis/" target="_blank">70 businesses and other organisations in Scotland</a>)
declaring it's support for a 'no' vote in the referendum. This
triggered an outflow of members who wished to remain neutral in the
debate. This included a number of <a href="http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/cbi-in-crisis-as-three-more-members-quit-over-better-together-support.24006272" target="_blank">universities, Scottish Enterprise and STV</a> (the BBC eventually stated that they would remain in the 'no' campaign body <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9096-under-pressure-bbc-to-suspend-cbi-membership-but-not-until-may-30th" target="_blank">until a few weeks before the vote</a>, with the intention of rejoining immediately afterwords).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Since announcing its backing for the No campaign, the CBI has been hit
with a mass exodus of organisations in Scotland. Broadcaster STV
resigned immediately, claiming that the decision had compromised its own
neutrality in the independence referendum." <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9103-cbi-descends-into-farce-as-organisation-tries-to-reverse-no-campaign-support-move" target="_blank">Newsnet Scotland, 26th of April</a></blockquote>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0OsGGXcIOwXappMTG_DynCaGlOCXgtVjcEtd_PoBfit3PLo3Utm6GXizsD4VU89xTE6vutpEtaKn6w63Orcj1rw7K7S0d7-qPwm03013YTHUG4lWj6ytr6MQNWj_dWauBYfOubeD7L0o/s1600/10153763_698724470166913_3059990582150940013_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0OsGGXcIOwXappMTG_DynCaGlOCXgtVjcEtd_PoBfit3PLo3Utm6GXizsD4VU89xTE6vutpEtaKn6w63Orcj1rw7K7S0d7-qPwm03013YTHUG4lWj6ytr6MQNWj_dWauBYfOubeD7L0o/s1600/10153763_698724470166913_3059990582150940013_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Just one week later, the CBI announced that they were withdrawing their
application to the Electoral Commission to be officially part of the
'no' campaign.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span">“When the Sunday
Herald contacted CBI Scotland director Iain McMillan, he directed all
enquiries on the matter to the UK press office. Asked if the decision to
register with the Electoral Commission was made after discussions with
Scottish or UK members, a CBI spokesman said: “We have talked to members
regularly in Scotland and across the UK at CBI events and via our
system of committees and councils.”, He added that the “final position”
was signed off by CBI Scotland’s council – its membership
decision-making body.” <a href="http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/cbi-in-crisis-as-three-more-members-quit-over-better-together-support.24006272" target="_blank">Herald Scotland, 20th of April</a></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span">"Following a
review by the CBI board and in the light of legal advice from its
lawyers and Queen’s Counsel it has emerged that the application should
not have been made: it did not have approval under the CBI’s normal
corporate governance procedures and was not signed by an authorised
signatory." <a href="http://www.businessforscotland.co.uk/cbi-between-rock-and-a-hard-place-on-indyref-stance/" target="_blank">CBI Press Release, 25th of April</a></span></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In just 1 week, the Confederation of Business Industry has gone from
claiming it had consulted its members to ascertain their views (<a href="http://www.businessforscotland.co.uk/victory-for-business-for-scotland-as-cbi-is-forced-to-register-as-part-of-the-no-campaign/" target="_blank">which they didn't</a>)
and that it's council in Scotland had signed off on the decision to
join the 'no' campaign, to saying that the application was made by a
'unauthorised signatory'. It seems these people don't understand how to
run an organisation!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuuJejijwk7NglKsJ23lUgyE_Eb_40eLX6ftzcM9YRzcdZJS5IMqlu9kO5hPAIYPEHG8dc6XPNCeRr8HOV3geR5pYMPQFkmEanzowz51Ebj1jojYuRkwir-LocVraWyeI4xZ5ywVb6JXY/s1600/1013723_555341281171900_1209725418_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuuJejijwk7NglKsJ23lUgyE_Eb_40eLX6ftzcM9YRzcdZJS5IMqlu9kO5hPAIYPEHG8dc6XPNCeRr8HOV3geR5pYMPQFkmEanzowz51Ebj1jojYuRkwir-LocVraWyeI4xZ5ywVb6JXY/s1600/1013723_555341281171900_1209725418_n.jpg" height="293" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But even more pressure may fall upon the BBC. The list of 25 questions from <a href="http://trevorchaplin.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/25-questions-for-bbc-on-its-cbi.html" target="_blank">The Alderman Wotisname Memorial Playing Fields</a>
cover the vast majority of these, including 'why is the BBC a member of
the CBI?', 'where does the BBC publish and publicise its membership of
the CBI?', and 'during the time the BBC was aware of the CBI’s stance,
how many times did it quote the CBI on the issue of independence?'<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And perhaps most important of all, '<a href="http://www.opendemocracy.net/ourkingdom/john-robertson/bbc-bias-and-scots-referendum-new-report" target="_blank">how will the BBC rebuild trust in its integrity?</a>'</div>
<br />
<b>BBC and Big Business Chums!</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On Tuesday, the BBC announced that they had been members of
anti-independence group the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) for
'at least 10 years'. But investigative work from BBC reporter James Cook
found that 'at least 10 years' was is reality at least 34.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhiGyRBpjzU4hvCHWCfjQXV-Srin9FQUSk-jQO5BRo4aplohzzuKi8U3qHjOuBJvuFydz3qvM3thMhvVHfRCnSaLm8MSkjotwQWuvzzhBqQhNWNAgxl00C7CA9tpXQhAdquK6uXGRzJU/s1600/BBC.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhiGyRBpjzU4hvCHWCfjQXV-Srin9FQUSk-jQO5BRo4aplohzzuKi8U3qHjOuBJvuFydz3qvM3thMhvVHfRCnSaLm8MSkjotwQWuvzzhBqQhNWNAgxl00C7CA9tpXQhAdquK6uXGRzJU/s1600/BBC.jpg" height="175" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Perhaps this long standing relationship explains headlines such as "<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-27166807" target="_blank">Scottish Independence: CBI U-turn 'not due to pressure'</a>" <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08hxfrlPyD8q2LFNVd6cjNmSz8aAgI1JGYFarW7uV_KoPuDaqXZ-UdiQo-uoboQFgh-c7oW8svGOzYqE-nBXqaICthJAsox82PWtFBtjk3y1sKMosBVvxZCtorakbaWmF314h9cUGbVI/s1600/BBC+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08hxfrlPyD8q2LFNVd6cjNmSz8aAgI1JGYFarW7uV_KoPuDaqXZ-UdiQo-uoboQFgh-c7oW8svGOzYqE-nBXqaICthJAsox82PWtFBtjk3y1sKMosBVvxZCtorakbaWmF314h9cUGbVI/s1600/BBC+2.jpg" height="165" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The BBC hand over £22,191.94 of our money per year for membership of the
officially anti-independence CBI however no reason has been forthcoming
as to why the UK state broadcaster is a member at all. <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9113-cbi-membership-is-undermining-bbcs-impartiality-says-nuj" target="_blank">The National Union of Journalists</a>
expressed their concerns by stating that their impartiality "is
entirely undermined by the BBC retaining a link with an organisation
allied to one side of the independence debate." Even when the CBI
announced that their members were backing a no vote, the British
Broadcasting Corporation stood side by side with their Big Business
Chums. We can only speculate as to why.</div>
<br />
(A little side note: although £22,191.94 looks like a lot of money, it is small change compared to the <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/the-price-of-the-bbc/" target="_blank">£193 million per year</a> the BBC stands to lose with a Yes vote!).<br />
<br />
<b>May </b><br />
<b>The 'no' campaign's well fertilized grass roots</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The organisation 'vote no borders' was highlighted by the BBC as <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-27228971" target="_blank">"A new grassroots pro-Union group</a>. A report in the excellent <a href="http://www.craigmurray.org.uk/" target="_blank">Craig Murray blog</a> describes in detail just how far the British State Broadcaster is willing to stoop to shore up a 'no' vote.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"The registered office of Vote No Borders, a private limited company,<a href="http://companycheck.co.uk/company/08945687"> is at </a>24
Chiswell Street, London, EC2Y 4YX . Which is perhaps surprising for a
“Scottish grassroots campaign”. The directors are Malcolm Offord and
Fiona Gilmore.<br />
<br />
Now pay close attention: Fiona Gilmore is chief executive of <a href="http://www.acanchi.com/default.asp">Acanchi </a>a
PR Consultany which specializes in “Country Branding”. Its clients
include Israel, Dubai, Bahrain and “England”. Yes, it actually
specifies “England” on the company website. Acanchi also works for DFID
– in short, it gets UK taxpayers’ money, plus Israeli and Gulf Arab
money. Are you familiar with the word fungibility?<br />
<br />
Malcolm Offord, it turns out, has donated over 120,000 pounds to the
Conservative Party plus made personal donations to Michael Gove. He is
the author of the report “<a href="http://conservativehome.blogs.com/torydiary/files/BankruptBritain10.pdf">Bankrupt Britain</a>”
on the Conservative Home website. In his paper Offord suggests that
further cuts in UK public spending should continue to be made<b> even after the present debt crisis has been passed</b> and urges government to:<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote>
<div>
“Reform the bloated benefits system of this country to
reduce the burden on the state and, just as importantly, boost the
growth rate of the country”</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
And the wee retired care home nurse Elizabeth Bashir? Well, she’s not quite as “grassroots” as shown by the BBC either..." <a href="http://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2014/05/bbc-propaganda-hits-new-all-time-low/" target="_blank">Craig Murray, 2nd of May 2014</a></blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlxG9UNbgoRw0hWy9eW0FpRK9bgrfA7FUrv0_7X7MQugQhvsY7CNBS_WO_UoqjGepV0XkmL3KcLLqJcTEbnspFIonLZpO7BA0si_6_Ub8lucjrBhXdaJMswIPxNOb62RD5bVPOzRH2JI/s1600/BBC+Masks.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlxG9UNbgoRw0hWy9eW0FpRK9bgrfA7FUrv0_7X7MQugQhvsY7CNBS_WO_UoqjGepV0XkmL3KcLLqJcTEbnspFIonLZpO7BA0si_6_Ub8lucjrBhXdaJMswIPxNOb62RD5bVPOzRH2JI/s1600/BBC+Masks.jpg" height="400" width="382" /></a></div>
<br />
Investigative work by Douglas Daniel of Wings over Scotland also highlighted the very un-grassroot origins of the entity itself.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Vote No Borders registered as a permitted participant [by the Electoral Commission] on the 19th March
2014 – 43 days before the launch of their website. If that seems odd, No
Borders only <a href="http://www.companiesintheuk.co.uk/ltd/no-borders-campaign">registered with Companies House on the 18th March 2014</a>. It became a permitted participant the day after forming.<br />
<br />
...within 44 days of forming, this “grassroots” campaign has already managed to amass funding totalling a whopping <b>£150,000</b>, despite having absolutely no public profile. Wow, even <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/this-is-not-an-april-fool/">we’re</a> a little jealous." <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/while-were-investigating/" target="_blank">Wings over Scotland, 'While we're investigating'</a></blockquote>
The BBC talked about the gathering momentum behind 'Vote No Borders' <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/watch-closely-students/" target="_blank">just one day after it's public launch</a> (with a feature recorded on the day of its launch). <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/the-head-and-the-heart/" target="_blank">It's almost as though the BBC and the 'no' campaign were trying to give people a false impression</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2s5eVWEKydUYnl-_DiRNwapFlbczFXqPmhY4GzmJItvm4e6ZNb2JUNVrhWIQvnnjFl6Eo5UI0iQA_kAsr4b83c5UHPsjXlYL0PMqc_QKCA7TMCPwS4WCqQqJ8mcLdT9Erd2XYW-cntAo/s1600/Miracle+No.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2s5eVWEKydUYnl-_DiRNwapFlbczFXqPmhY4GzmJItvm4e6ZNb2JUNVrhWIQvnnjFl6Eo5UI0iQA_kAsr4b83c5UHPsjXlYL0PMqc_QKCA7TMCPwS4WCqQqJ8mcLdT9Erd2XYW-cntAo/s1600/Miracle+No.jpg" height="371" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>If I could turn back time...</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The BBC, in it's usual impartial way (see: <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/not-in-paper-review-january-edition.html" target="_blank">January</a>, <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/not-in-paper-review-february.html" target="_blank">February</a>, <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/not-in-paper-review-march.html" target="_blank">March</a>, <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/not-in-paper-review-april.html" target="_blank">April</a> and <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/second-not-in-news-for-april.html" target="_blank">April Part 2</a> editions of 'Not in the News'), ran with the headline "<a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/nothing-to-see-here/" target="_blank">Lord Trimble: Scottish independence vote 'threat to NI peace'</a>"
on Friday, the 2nd of May. The very next day, Lord Trimble spoke on the
BBC's 'Good Morning Scotland' radio programme and stated his actual
views.</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"I want to correct what you [BBC] said...[BBC website] reported me as
saying that [independence] would threaten the peace process. I did not
say that, that is not my view.<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Actually, a Yes vote in Scotland would reinforce the argument against
violence, because it's a demonstration of how you can achieve major
change through the political democratic process." <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/an-easy-mistake-to-make/" target="_blank">David Trimble, 3rd of May 2014</a></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFTwvILIXWzVDw1og_w9wTDHKRHGSaVzgS_lIjZ7X8Z6qBnJGx490sSxArU52YkIMQda5PPsUu2A5z8Y1Qp0owUI3SL1ZerV9JR76U2RT5veAVS_ScCPHetZSwV45aS25Skry5rYbRSHM/s1600/nothingtosee.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFTwvILIXWzVDw1og_w9wTDHKRHGSaVzgS_lIjZ7X8Z6qBnJGx490sSxArU52YkIMQda5PPsUu2A5z8Y1Qp0owUI3SL1ZerV9JR76U2RT5veAVS_ScCPHetZSwV45aS25Skry5rYbRSHM/s1600/nothingtosee.jpg" height="251" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This in and of itself would probably have been enough to be entered into
this blog, however the story took two unusual twists. Firstly, the BBC
did not change their website story until the 5th of May (<a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/nothing-to-see-here/" target="_blank">two days after being told by the individual themselves</a> on their own programme that they were wrong).<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The second twist was how the story was changed. Quite often news
agencies will post alterations to their existing online output. This is
done to fix spelling errors, allow a right of reply or to make a story
more readable. However the BBC used this system to change a major aspect
of their story (it's title and main argument) instead of issuing a
public correction. They then chose to suggest that the change took place
on the 2nd of May (thus make future analysis and review more
difficult).</div>
<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/AVvXsEhYn1QmDbYLS_6WPj1vFX28YVEO8-yRGSrsE-bQ8AJoj7ewk3lwrWnyjXOTxtPn_6l1FzgGLtxxguaTjFXFg8XGyW7gJfAPBwa2hs5A4C2yKhJXPj4vhotcmxOdTkURpG-7-Bsmy81l08s/s1600/8.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYn1QmDbYLS_6WPj1vFX28YVEO8-yRGSrsE-bQ8AJoj7ewk3lwrWnyjXOTxtPn_6l1FzgGLtxxguaTjFXFg8XGyW7gJfAPBwa2hs5A4C2yKhJXPj4vhotcmxOdTkURpG-7-Bsmy81l08s/s1600/8.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"I wonder if we can also go back and stop Jeremy Clarkson learning any nursery rhymes?" BBC Executives [probably]</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Unfortunately for the BBC these things can be tracked via websites such as '<a href="http://newsdiffs.org/" target="_blank">NewsDiffs</a>', and as long as we have sites including <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/" target="_blank">Wings over Scotland</a>, <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/" target="_blank">Newsnet Scotland</a> and <a href="http://bellacaledonia.org.uk/" target="_blank">Bella Caledonia</a> (<a href="http://michaelgreenwell.wordpress.com/2014/05/06/on-what-the-bbc-considers-balance/" target="_blank">amongst others</a>) they'll always be caught out. <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-opinion/9147-its-a-no-to-the-bbcs-referendum-coverage" target="_blank">Perhaps BBC executives just don't care anymore</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>Anothing thing about pensions that you don't need to know (according to the Main Stream Media)</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/look-away-now/" target="_blank">Wings over Scotland</a> came up with another fantastic article regarding media bias regarding pensions. It has been <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/a-scare-daypensions-edition.html" target="_blank">well known for quite some time</a>
that state pensions will be unaffected by Independence, yet the 'no'
campaign has continued to use murmur and smear in its poster campaigns
to suggest otherwise, but on Tuesday, the 6th of May, there was even
more conclusive proof:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"That sounds pretty darned definitive, right? A named UK government
pensions minister speaking on the record in Parliament making clear that
pensions were NOT at risk. So we looked forward to the big news being
all over the media this morning." <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/look-away-now/" target="_blank">Reverend Stuart Campbell, Wings over Scotland</a></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Not%20in%20the%20News" target="_blank">We weren't surprised</a>
that this story was restricted to a mention in the inside pages of the
Herald and the Press & Journal. The BBC website, STV website, Good
Morning Scotland radio programme, Daily Record, Scottish Sun, The Times,
The Telegraph, Scottish Daily Express and the Scottish Daily Mail all
thought that the intervention by Pensions Minister Steve Webb MP wasn't
worth your attention.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisKLDXP6XCIdEK1U0vwYD8sPQdJT9JAlzAlEKnht8L38NqmmYSphzo9WoCNj2DI2ZFFK9qIS5IcEjHs3qE1M9bIN3fMWhojnqU3viKLYzhc99F4gVz-J6pefteopeLLjs2DglxxBJ5_LI/s1600/Pension+News.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisKLDXP6XCIdEK1U0vwYD8sPQdJT9JAlzAlEKnht8L38NqmmYSphzo9WoCNj2DI2ZFFK9qIS5IcEjHs3qE1M9bIN3fMWhojnqU3viKLYzhc99F4gVz-J6pefteopeLLjs2DglxxBJ5_LI/s1600/Pension+News.jpg" height="400" width="282" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A lot of the Scottish Media is acting on a 'need-to-know' basis - if it helps the Yes campaign, then you don't need to know!<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>While you wait</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Waiting time figures for Accident & Emergency patients were released
this month. 93.5% of people were seen within 4 hours of arrival, which
was below the Scottish Government's target of 95% (an earlier target was
98%). The BBC declared <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-opinion/9163-the-latest-nhs-waiting-time-crisis-i-smell-a-rat" target="_blank">'Three times as many A&E patients waiting over four hours'</a>. But is that the full story...<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well no. The BBC, in their impartial wisdom, came up with their 'three
times as many patients waiting' quote by comparing the latest sets of
figures (December 2013) not with the previous year (which were 90.3% -
showing a significant improvement) but <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-opinion/9163-the-latest-nhs-waiting-time-crisis-i-smell-a-rat" target="_blank">with December 2009</a>.
Why a seemingly random date as December 2009? Because they were the
best recorded figures that had ever been achieved in Scotland.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But the BBC has a history of selective figures in this regard. Last year <a href="http://newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-opinion/7481-worst-waiting-times-ever-if-youve-complained-to-the-bbc" target="_blank">Newsnet Scotland exposed the BBC's claim</a>
that the figures for A&E waiting times were the 'worst since
monitoring began'. There have been plenty of years where the number of
patients seen within four hours was lower than 90.3% - including in
2005:</div>
<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/AVvXsEizFWNzIxibdUIohgSRv2xe4UMSDRbO0UxlX-hCOvW29lcfoxK3D0Vqxw-IQPuFpaMhqCAxny7OVeHIx5ygucKBA5YFvoJBTGqyYKpgKi3th-mXHWp2lDLo2D-cpRZUVmQ6S6UyzxvBhio/s1600/88+per+cent+bbc.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFWNzIxibdUIohgSRv2xe4UMSDRbO0UxlX-hCOvW29lcfoxK3D0Vqxw-IQPuFpaMhqCAxny7OVeHIx5ygucKBA5YFvoJBTGqyYKpgKi3th-mXHWp2lDLo2D-cpRZUVmQ6S6UyzxvBhio/s1600/88+per+cent+bbc.png" height="223" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>We're pretty sure a 90.3% success rate is better than 88%</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We're sure that <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-politics/9162-lamont-called-on-to-withdraw-worst-ever-nhs-waiting-time-accusation" target="_blank">Johann Lamont will be astonished</a>!</div>
<br />
<b>We like Unicorns!</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Alderman Wotisname Memorial Playing Fields had another great blog, this time looking at the <a href="http://trevorchaplin.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/the-inferiorisation-of-scottish.html" target="_blank">BBC's dismissive attitude towards Scotland</a>.
The story began with Professor Gavin McCrone suggesting that an
independent Scotland would be better off having it's own currency which
is linked to the pound Sterling rather than through a formal currency
union. The BBC put its own interpretation on this:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"The title of the piece is “How many unicorns do you earn?”, and below
that is a large fantasy fiction style picture of the mythical beast.
After asking “How many unicorns would it take to do your weekly
shopping?”, the piece begins: “This sounds like the start of a bad
joke”." <a href="http://trevorchaplin.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/the-inferiorisation-of-scottish.html" target="_blank">Trevor Chaplin, 7th of May 2014</a></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Instead of offering serious consideration to what was <a href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2013/11/9348/7" target="_blank">one of the four options listed</a> in the Scottish Government's White Paper on Independence, the BBC made a jokey headline mocking any potential new currency. </div>
<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/AVvXsEjYVW-9BHYEeD6eJeVuqH-ZOE_7lpNz_xVX5IiI5R8L34A29i0xYIw_NR3MyZHoah8Qrc960EvPwHjcwLAEJyHdAxXJein0hjU9XuAuNRzXNZawD1z281iXxEwE7EyGkEgl1reY-tpHMMM/s1600/Twilight.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVW-9BHYEeD6eJeVuqH-ZOE_7lpNz_xVX5IiI5R8L34A29i0xYIw_NR3MyZHoah8Qrc960EvPwHjcwLAEJyHdAxXJein0hjU9XuAuNRzXNZawD1z281iXxEwE7EyGkEgl1reY-tpHMMM/s1600/Twilight.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Member of 'Unicorns for Independence'</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The first name used was the Unicorn, which was a gold coin that was used
in Scotland in 1484 to 1525 and named after the heraldic symbol on one
side. Second was Groat, which was a coin worth around 4 pence and was used
throughout the UK (it was never an Scottish currency). This was
followed by the 'Penny' (see 'Groat' above) and Merk (which ironically
is the name I'd like for a Scottish currency).<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The purpose of this piece by the BBC was to associate Scottish money
with things that are worthless or fantasy. It is dismissive in tone and
substance and does the flagging BBC no favours.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"People pretend they think a Scots currency would be called the Groat to
belittle and ridicule the idea, and make the notion of a Scottish
economy seem antiquated and obsolete. It's just a cheap shot by people
who want to suggest an independent Scotland would be backwards, and a
Scottish currency crude and naive. <br />
<br />
The Unicorn was introduced to the story not by McCrone, but by BBC
reporter Jamie Ross. The imagery is clear enough: the idea of having our
own currency is a fantasy, and – as the opening remark tells us – “a
bad joke”. This is all very familiar to those who have read Frantz
Fanon; Jamie Ross is telling us that once left to our own devices by our
Westminster saviours, Scotland “would at once fall back into barbarism,
degradation and bestiality” (p169, Fanon, 1967, "The Wretched of the
Earth"). Is he doing it on purpose? Possibly, but more likely he just
knew what sort of thing would go down well: a jokey, fatuous, and
patronising piece. The sort of thing no BBC reporter would ever turn in
on Sterling." <a href="http://trevorchaplin.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/the-inferiorisation-of-scottish.html" target="_blank">Trevor Chaplin, 7th of May 2014</a></blockquote>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_pedXQJSlHpllmB0TgTndBjNZ_-obJO_pQNNJm6_AjvGWdWBsdnIBG5seh8dHMFjV627UAr9flV6mKnEi-V13ttm-SoUfaTmHUMkG9dh8sDSnoXbvGg9b2VkgZUWURo5fLdxCZA3fV2g/s1600/BBC+Trust.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_pedXQJSlHpllmB0TgTndBjNZ_-obJO_pQNNJm6_AjvGWdWBsdnIBG5seh8dHMFjV627UAr9flV6mKnEi-V13ttm-SoUfaTmHUMkG9dh8sDSnoXbvGg9b2VkgZUWURo5fLdxCZA3fV2g/s1600/BBC+Trust.jpg" height="307" width="400" /> </a></div>
<br />
<b>And finally...</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Finally, we would like to point people towards a fantastic article on Newsnet Scotland '<a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-opinion/9173-post-referendum-reconciliation-will-not-be-possible-unless-we-address-the-poison-now" target="_blank">post referendum reconciliation will not be possible unless we address the poison now</a>'. It provides a great summary of the referendum coverage offered by the BBC, STV and the main stream media in general.</div>
<br />
<b>U Know I'm Petrified! (of consistency!)</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If you watch BBC coverage then 1) <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Not%20in%20the%20News" target="_blank">you have our sympathies</a> and 2) you will be familiar with the name Sanya-Jeet Thandi. Ms Thandi was a prominent member of the UKIP youth wing who <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-27399841" target="_blank">left the party</a>
prior to the European elections. She stated on her blog that the party
was running an "anti-immigrant campaign" and trying to "exploit the
ignorance in British society". This was the lead political story on the
BBC on Wednesday, the 14th of May.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAd2BCizebnQm9cf9n5Iva7MH3LKtX3ZzYaZN2ayLNdHLvR_kM_2OSb5LxB6-b5bXBUAcbSX9SIl_WFt0cqDy9PldoRoFBI4gAzf299EbodIrY931wRmFa4nnZ7jCEVAN-DrDfnVO8Bzs/s1600/o-ukip-world-map-900.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAd2BCizebnQm9cf9n5Iva7MH3LKtX3ZzYaZN2ayLNdHLvR_kM_2OSb5LxB6-b5bXBUAcbSX9SIl_WFt0cqDy9PldoRoFBI4gAzf299EbodIrY931wRmFa4nnZ7jCEVAN-DrDfnVO8Bzs/s1600/o-ukip-world-map-900.jpg" height="295" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But if you watch BBC coverage, then you will be less familiar with the name <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/quoted-for-truth-extra/" target="_blank">Gary Wilson</a>,
a Labour Party member who was the no campaign co-ordinator within the
Edinburgh East Labour Party. Mr Wilson stepped down from this position
and joined pro-independence group <a href="http://www.labourforindy.com/" target="_blank">Labour for Independence</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"I had to step down from my role as I gradually realised that we are not
in fact 'better together'. I have listened to all of the arguments
whether economic, social or emotional and I am now convinced that
independence is the right thing for Scotland." <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/quoted-for-truth-extra/" target="_blank">Gary Wilson, Labour for Independence</a></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Why was one of these people highlighted by the BBC and the other ignored? <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Not%20in%20the%20News" target="_blank">We couldn't possibility say</a>!<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Oil Well that ends Well</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.newssniffer.co.uk/articles/780999/diff/3/4" target="_blank">"UK's oil, coal and gas 'gone in five years'"</a>
was the headline on the BBC on the 16th of May. It follows from
countless other stories from 'no' supporting media outlets which have
for decades been telling us that North Sea oil is about to run out (you
can see links to 29 of them on the Wings over Scotland blog entitled '<a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/the-oil-debate-for-busy-people/" target="_blank">The oil debate for busy people</a>').</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7-Qtmb3dd7kR_AvhN1fJG2tIw2UNq8qUaqy-8q89UQMDZWSAvhhs6xwFlFyTZsNdvVLi9CD-AMWIbuoVhQeYVR014HmiwqQUQilfXxb0jmopHT2tJvckR-UZLwK2PALuRpEKUHozBzQ/s1600/economist+and+oil3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7-Qtmb3dd7kR_AvhN1fJG2tIw2UNq8qUaqy-8q89UQMDZWSAvhhs6xwFlFyTZsNdvVLi9CD-AMWIbuoVhQeYVR014HmiwqQUQilfXxb0jmopHT2tJvckR-UZLwK2PALuRpEKUHozBzQ/s1600/economist+and+oil3.jpg" height="640" width="419" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We've been <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/7408-labour-party-lied-over-true-worth-of-north-sea-oil-admits-former-chancellor" target="_blank">lied to repeatedly</a> by politicians and London centric media outlets for decades whilst Westminster has <a href="http://newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-economy/9114-industry-experts-condemn-westminster-handling-of-oil-and-gas-sector" target="_blank">wasted our natural resources</a>.
What is worst is that many people are left unaware of the real
situation. Every journalist in Scotland should be ashamed whenever
blatently wrong statements such as "<a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/low-information-voter-of-the-day/" target="_blank">we don’t have the resources – like oil and gas – we’d need to keep Scotland afloat</a>" are made.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQeucTHbVwHJL0dJ6ogE2VbgoNNaO7q1g2kXFZj8AOLpfg4WRRXl7UXfb37aaG-RC0viURy8667YyceZec95GIDLcZ-l_Oqdq7iMw275CykLD-LxwvZs_eL6EGYWkRN1gE37X-sFQntBM/s1600/JockOil2+-+to+be+uploaded.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQeucTHbVwHJL0dJ6ogE2VbgoNNaO7q1g2kXFZj8AOLpfg4WRRXl7UXfb37aaG-RC0viURy8667YyceZec95GIDLcZ-l_Oqdq7iMw275CykLD-LxwvZs_eL6EGYWkRN1gE37X-sFQntBM/s1600/JockOil2+-+to+be+uploaded.jpeg" height="328" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Of course, this latest scare goes against numerous reports of <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-11-29/u-k-awards-record-number-of-oil-licenses-in-27th-round.html" target="_blank">record investment in the North Sea oil industry</a> as well as the <a href="http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Energy-Resources/2014/02/24/Britain-aims-to-revitalize-North-Sea-energy/UPI-10631393246901/" target="_blank">UK Government's own internal expections of future revenue</a>. This story has been <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/this-is-not-a-spoof/" target="_blank">lampooned</a> <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/later-than-you-think/" target="_blank">repeatedly</a> and shows that the only thing drying up are the excuses coming from the Westminster Defence League.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>How valued are journalists?</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At the tail end of April, the National Union of Journalists <a href="http://newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9113-cbi-membership-is-undermining-bbcs-impartiality-says-nuj" target="_blank">wrote a little to the BBC's Director General</a>,
Tony Hall, requesting that the broadcaster resign from
anti-independence group the Confederation of British Industry. They
stated that the temporary suspension of membership during the official
referendum campaigning period wasn't enough. The BBC Scotland members of
the NUJ voted to back the following motion:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"This Chapel is concerned by the damage being done to the work of its
members, and to the reputation of BBC journalism, by the Corporation's
membership of the CBI.<br />
<br />
We note that the CBI is seeking to de-register with the electoral
commission as a non-party campaigner for the Union. But the damage of
assocation remains.<br />
<br />
Please, Director General, back your Scottish journalists, allow us to do
our jobs, re-assert our impartiality, and immediately resign from the
CBI." <a href="http://newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9113-cbi-membership-is-undermining-bbcs-impartiality-says-nuj" target="_blank">National Union of Journalists letter to Tony Hall</a></blockquote>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Z2nTwDS8DtEUyy0bSDMPu4R7rec2bdE-HJlQINDFMhpf0HN3mgfiBW7Dm9LxYpnap1QhUS3_Wey0uSxb-NnnBavs_PKVqjCfgg4hrQUSSpCCPczVm0v6pXYbIZItUEdyZ_Y-SIg8NvI/s1600/574457_511746778864684_529718084_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Z2nTwDS8DtEUyy0bSDMPu4R7rec2bdE-HJlQINDFMhpf0HN3mgfiBW7Dm9LxYpnap1QhUS3_Wey0uSxb-NnnBavs_PKVqjCfgg4hrQUSSpCCPczVm0v6pXYbIZItUEdyZ_Y-SIg8NvI/s1600/574457_511746778864684_529718084_n.jpg" height="296" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
And the respose from the BBC? To not even suspend membership as previously promised:<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"As the CBI is no longer registered with the Electoral Commission as
part of the Scottish Referendum Act, the BBC believes that it is no
longer necessary to suspend its membership." <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9192-bbc-u-turns-on-cbi-membership-suspension" target="_blank">BBC Statement, Thursday, 15th of May</a></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
With disrespectful actions such as this, it is no surprise that internal surveys are showing an <a href="http://newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9198-leaked-internal-survey-reveals-lack-of-faith-in-bbc-scotland-management" target="_blank">increasing disillusionment</a> within the British State Broadcaster's Scottish division.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"When asked if "Communication at the BBC is open and honest" only 10 per cent at BBC Scotland NCA agreed." <a href="http://newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9198-leaked-internal-survey-reveals-lack-of-faith-in-bbc-scotland-management" target="_blank">Newsnet Scotland, reporting on the findings of the BBC's latest internal survey</a>, Sunday 18th of May</blockquote>
</div>
Unfortunately, it isn't just the BBC who are ignoring the NUJ:<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
In the communications, one senior union official expresses his
frustration at the refusal of the Scottish newspapers to cover the story
saying: "the papers have - once again - ignored us. And largely ignored
the story..." <a href="http://newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9220-nuj-to-up-pressure-on-bbc-over-broadcasters-cbi-membership" target="_blank">Newsnet Scotland, 20th of May 2014</a></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Still, it was hilarious to find that the CBI's <a href="http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/benrileysmith/100269087/john-cridland-explains-the-cbis-scottish-u-turn-in-full/" target="_blank">'junior' member of staff</a> who signed the application to officially make the organisation part of the 'no' campaign turned out to be <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9231-doubts-cast-over-cbi-junior-official-claims-as-electoral-commission-publishes-registration-document" target="_blank">CBI Senior Campaign Advisor Jon Harrison and Senior Political Adviser Richard Maughan</a>. But that is of little comfort to the NUJ, who have to do their best in very difficult circumstances.<br />
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>The story is...Sign for Scotland?</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sign for Scotland received it's first mention on the BBC (although this
certainly isn't their first mention on our website...see <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/not-in-paper-review-february.html" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/not-in-paper-review-march.html" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/not-in-paper-review-april.html" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/second-not-in-news-for-april.html" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/not-in-news-early-may.html" target="_blank">here</a> above and below for just a few examples!). The headline '<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-27327187" target="_blank">Scottish independence: Deaf voters critical of referendum campaigners</a>'
with the first line reading 'Scottish independence referendum
campaigners have neglected the needs of deaf voters, it has been
claimed'. This article was <a href="http://limpingchicken.com/2014/05/21/deaf-news-are-deaf-people-being-left-out-of-the-scottish-independence-debate/" target="_blank">also mentioned on the Limping Chicken</a> and through the <a href="https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=723575704361171&id=171824429536304" target="_blank">BBC's See Hear Facebook page</a>.</div>
<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/AVvXsEgJWD-a2b3KFSfvLfHoTIspmPEw3QF9xFxsw6BO4iomviCCEPiDkzyMpUt0Lk6qHY2aUn98epQpclSf7HMtTyp8_Iz__Y7xvKTMLCUwomZ_ZtfbsjkFsfexpbnbjzXEbZt7EOXYv100O4Y/s1600/Yes+Scotland+BSL.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJWD-a2b3KFSfvLfHoTIspmPEw3QF9xFxsw6BO4iomviCCEPiDkzyMpUt0Lk6qHY2aUn98epQpclSf7HMtTyp8_Iz__Y7xvKTMLCUwomZ_ZtfbsjkFsfexpbnbjzXEbZt7EOXYv100O4Y/s1600/Yes+Scotland+BSL.jpg" height="190" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Kirsty, at Yes Scotland HQ last year</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The story is about the number of Sign Language DVDs of the White Paper
has been issued (29). They spoke to John Denerley of Deaf Connections
who said "it's ridiculous, shocking, and frankly embarrassing only 29
copies have been ordered." This comment matched the theme of the piece
with the article almost entirely focused on the Scottish Government and
Yes Scotland, with no direct criticism of the 'no' campaign. The mention
of Sign for Scotland came as part of the response from 'Yes Scotland'
(neither ourselves nor Scottish Deaf Independence were approached by the
BBC).<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtNrKCWQBzfhI7Pko2YbKt5plr6ik38R7BbFAm5o1_bUQhdgwe1e4VvNfCtA2xIDSrk6v6KsHjNl4G00C7dEl2lK8GhMesV-zrNVqlNfFqCI_OUg1djI7AtaqWpws64RFFCAWnQpXQnc/s1600/Scott+Minto+Tweet.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtNrKCWQBzfhI7Pko2YbKt5plr6ik38R7BbFAm5o1_bUQhdgwe1e4VvNfCtA2xIDSrk6v6KsHjNl4G00C7dEl2lK8GhMesV-zrNVqlNfFqCI_OUg1djI7AtaqWpws64RFFCAWnQpXQnc/s1600/Scott+Minto+Tweet.jpg" height="351" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="userContent"> </span><br />
<span class="userContent">As we noted in our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=713985858640774&id=499368123435883&comment_id=714080901964603&offset=0&total_comments=8&notif_t=share_comment" target="_blank">Facebook response</a>, the BBC report failed to mention the BSL version of the Scottish Government's White Paper (which you can view here: <a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fvimeo.com%2F81532918&h=xAQFkNhuJ&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://vimeo.com/81532918</a>
and had received over 500 views by the time of the article being
published) the size of our group which now has over 1,000 likes and more
than 1,600 followers on Twitter (<a href="https://twitter.com/Sign4Scotland" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/Sign4Scotland</a>) or our friends at Scottish Deaf Independence (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ScottishDeafIndy?fref=tshttp%3A%2F%2F" rel="nofollow">https://www.facebook.com/ScottishDeafIndy?fref=tshttp%3A%2F%2F</a>).</span><br />
<span class="userContent"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="userContent">The BBC found this information through a
freedom of information request. As far as we know, no such request was
made on UK government produced anti-independence documents.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4u6H3fL2l_t7f_c72LB5CIdxsNw5BpLyjpLMWQ6M67J6amsRXhDOg0WudDjPGEdSTIW4-g5_bOWj7Gl8mOpkEptT48hYVDWMWG47Wa7w-b7xOfzATzLb338B5vDv9G1qt40hrihQW-7c/s1600/Sign+for+Scotland+twitter.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4u6H3fL2l_t7f_c72LB5CIdxsNw5BpLyjpLMWQ6M67J6amsRXhDOg0WudDjPGEdSTIW4-g5_bOWj7Gl8mOpkEptT48hYVDWMWG47Wa7w-b7xOfzATzLb338B5vDv9G1qt40hrihQW-7c/s1600/Sign+for+Scotland+twitter.jpg" height="351" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="userContent"> </span> <br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/Sign4Scotland/playlists" target="_blank">We have produced over 20 videos</a>
and Scottish Deaf Independence have made even more. Perhaps if the
British State Broadcaster did research beyond 'no' campaign press
releases they would know that!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
P.S. We'd like to say thank you to Newsnet Scotland for <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/referendum/9218-campaign-group-challenges-bbc-scotland-claims-of-lack-of-indyref-material-for-deaf" target="_blank">posting an article about this story</a>. </div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Good morning Scotlandshire!</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Back in March, Newsnet Scotland <a href="http://newsnetscotland.com/index.php/affairs-scotland/8953-our-latest-appeal-academic-research-into-bbc-scotlands-referendum-coverage" target="_blank">started a public fundraiser</a> for the producing an academic study to review an aspect of BBC output. The ambitious goal of £6,500 was <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/academic-analysis-of-bbc-scotland-referendum-output?show_todos=true" target="_blank">reached and exceeded</a> with 259 donors giving an average of nearly £30 each reaching a final total of £7,065.</div>
<br />
Newsnet Scotland decided to monitor Good Morning Scotland and <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9232-academic-study-reveals-good-morning-scotland-favouring-no-campaign" target="_blank">the results were startling</a>:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbp94NDc1oky820fWbnM3ZxyUisHA1qhid7MbXqV84NAcjtgmQlI0hQJ8uPnsJIVtmFKz3fhEx-Q9Qh6RUj4ry5Ks4-jhObsULixEe_Uu1v4obex0mwp1H9MtZf02XkIUAv0ozsuSo3XY/s1600/5a4Gi.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbp94NDc1oky820fWbnM3ZxyUisHA1qhid7MbXqV84NAcjtgmQlI0hQJ8uPnsJIVtmFKz3fhEx-Q9Qh6RUj4ry5Ks4-jhObsULixEe_Uu1v4obex0mwp1H9MtZf02XkIUAv0ozsuSo3XY/s1600/5a4Gi.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The research team (headed by Professor John Robertson) made several key findings:<br />
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li>Broadcasts were balanced, in crude numerical terms, but, in every
other respect, unfair to the Yes campaign and favouring the Better
Together (no) campaign.</li>
<li>Broadcasts began too often with bad news for Yes and, too often,
featured heavy repetition of such messages over several hours in a
manner conducive to unconscious absorption of warnings.</li>
<li>Statements, from the Yes perspective, were often reactive while those favouring BT were commonly initiating.</li>
<li>Interviewers intended, too often, to adopt aggressive techniques
with Yes supporters while only doing so on two occasions with BT
supporters.</li>
<li>There was a selection and use of expert witness of dubious
credibility and of evidence from partisan sources, the broadcasts were
clearly unfair to the Yes campaign.</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-izCF-dsndbAVHBB2z2FLovNAvcpveXIZIzjH-JUMMVsof1C_CVDftXkLuZZPDlZO8nwPwFiX3_D-CEvJXVpHTsUawlbxS4GkSSMRAPgAKTILPYJW9UFyhHOQ5wLAozLrHNWq757Ke54/s1600/persona-2-convo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-izCF-dsndbAVHBB2z2FLovNAvcpveXIZIzjH-JUMMVsof1C_CVDftXkLuZZPDlZO8nwPwFiX3_D-CEvJXVpHTsUawlbxS4GkSSMRAPgAKTILPYJW9UFyhHOQ5wLAozLrHNWq757Ke54/s1600/persona-2-convo.jpg" height="226" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Certain quotes from the report were disturbing to read:<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"A further piece of evidence emerging from these broadcast transcripts
which seems clearly to favour BT was the tendency of interviewers and
interviewees to interrupt, almost interrupt and to cut in quickly to
break flow of statements in support of the Yes campaign. The totals give
a ratio of almost exactly 3:1 in favour of BT." <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9232-academic-study-reveals-good-morning-scotland-favouring-no-campaign" target="_blank">Academic Study, May 2014</a><br />
<br />
"The repeated treatment of Sturgeon with multiple interruptions and
irritable tones is notable and worthy of reflection. No accusation of
deliberate discriminatory practise is suggested but this form of
aggressive interviewing directed at a confident and articulate woman and
not matched with male equivalents such as Lord Robertson or the former
Pentagon adviser is unsettling." <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9232-academic-study-reveals-good-morning-scotland-favouring-no-campaign" target="_blank">Professor John Robertson, May 2014</a></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This report is very similar to one <a href="http://newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/8598-broadcasters-favouring-no-campaign-according-to-new-academic-study" target="_blank">produced in January</a> which found <a href="http://newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/8598-broadcasters-favouring-no-campaign-according-to-new-academic-study" target="_blank">longstanding bias in BBC and STV news programmes</a>. Will the British State Broadcaster react to this analysis? We can think of <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/the-price-of-the-bbc/" target="_blank">193 million reasons</a> why they might not.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>June</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>BBC and UKIP (better together?)</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The European Elections in May saw good results for the two standing
pro-independence parties (the SNP won the popular vote and the <a href="http://www.scottishgreens.org.uk/uncategorized/scottish-greens-hail-record-performance-in-european-election/" target="_blank">Scottish Green Party saw their best ever results</a>, albeit just shy of recording their first seat), however the most striking result was for the UK Independence Party. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh35IFEN_9KFWHYR34LqlQ1itqxFo_-JBxCipJ2D9wV4tNdG6sFK165nxQrmtdQk9EJzr_QAIA3dXLoHd6XqsEf3tH_CGLrWfrUaJPui_2JWUV7DnE1aZbEnCsmUUro_nvvhKpuOJx1tmw/s1600/1390758080899.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh35IFEN_9KFWHYR34LqlQ1itqxFo_-JBxCipJ2D9wV4tNdG6sFK165nxQrmtdQk9EJzr_QAIA3dXLoHd6XqsEf3tH_CGLrWfrUaJPui_2JWUV7DnE1aZbEnCsmUUro_nvvhKpuOJx1tmw/s1600/1390758080899.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But what helped UKIP, which has no MPs, MSPs, Councillors, electoral
success or large numbers of grassroots members in Scotland, narrowly
achieve this outcome? Well the revelation that in the month leading up
to the vote, BBC Scotland had offered ".<a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9243-lib-dems-lose-sole-scottish-eu-seat-as-ukip-secures-first-scottish-mep" target="_blank">..four times the coverage for UKIP as for Scotland's party of government [SNP]</a>," may have something to do with it. The BBC has, as yet, offered no explanation for this editorial choice in Scotland.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There are legitimate reasons for not wanting Scotland to be part of the EU (indeed we wrote about them in our blog: <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/eu-or-not-eu-well-gain-either-way-with.html" target="_blank">EU or not EU, we'll gain either way with a Yes</a> and the <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/why-sda.html" target="_blank">Scottish Democratic Alliance</a> have stated that they want to offer people in an independent Scotland <a href="http://scottishdemocraticalliance.org/222-european-parliamentary-election-earthquake-what-does-it-mean-for-scotland-s-independence-referendum" target="_blank">a referendum on the issue</a>) but UKIP's <a href="http://tompride.wordpress.com/2014/05/20/ukip-reported-to-police-for-shockingly-racist-leaflet/" target="_blank">far right messages</a> and attitude towards <a href="http://tompride.co.uk/ukip-candidate-notting-hill-carnival-should-be-banned-and-pregnancy-at-work-a-disaster" target="_blank">women in the workplace</a>, <a href="http://tompride.wordpress.com/2014/05/09/ukip-deputy-leader-calls-for-end-of-nhs/" target="_blank">the NHS</a> and <a href="http://www.opendemocracy.net/ourkingdom/gerry-hassan/ukip-policy-nigel-farage-doesn%E2%80%99t-want-to-talk-about" target="_blank">the Scottish Parliament</a>
are hard to justify. And yet, if we don't vote Yes to independence on
the 18th of September, they will be the party setting the agenda where
power over Scotland lies (more people voted UKIP in the European
election than the entire size of the Scottish electorate combined). And
the BBC is going to ensure that you and everyone else receives their
message.<br />
</div>
</div>
<b>The difference between a country and a region</b><br />
Brian Taylor, the BBC's political editor in Scotland, described the EU results as follows:<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"They (the SNP) had set out to win three seats and, concomitantly, to
deprive UKIP of an electoral stake in Scotland. They did
neither...supporters of the Union would - on balance, just, all things
considered - prefer UKIP to take a seat if the alternative is a
discernible SNP advance." <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-27575276" target="_blank">BBC website, 26th of May 2014</a></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But how would the results have looked if Scotland wasn't a region, but a
nation? Let's start by looking at how these two things are different
within the European parliament.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As a region, Scotland is limited to just 6 representatives. Every country with a population over 5 million has 13 (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apportionment_in_the_European_Parliament" target="_blank">Finland, Slovakia and Denmark, who have populations nearly identical to ours, are each entitled to 13 seats</a>). So how would the seats have broken down:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIW-fQL2Ss5iwbK9nERmaFlOapKoFaRdb1x2WkPWg41Ui6xnwrNgt9c1x2iaQ7y7ACBTiAw7rRDhSF-9TgC9iXb2Rk9AaBqwAdpdn77Ov7_Mbgx_ldZIsTzOqQJWYeenNP_UXTUAbLj68/s1600/Representation.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIW-fQL2Ss5iwbK9nERmaFlOapKoFaRdb1x2WkPWg41Ui6xnwrNgt9c1x2iaQ7y7ACBTiAw7rRDhSF-9TgC9iXb2Rk9AaBqwAdpdn77Ov7_Mbgx_ldZIsTzOqQJWYeenNP_UXTUAbLj68/s1600/Representation.jpg" height="293" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"> This was worked out by applying the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%27Hondt_method" target="_blank">D'Hondt method</a> (which is how European election seats are currently allocated) to the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/eu-regions/S15000001" target="_blank">actual election results</a>.</span></span><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"> It shows that there would be more representation for the SNP, <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/back-to-future.html" target="_blank">Labour</a>, the <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/why-conservatives-in-scotland-should.html" target="_blank">Conservatives</a>, the <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/a-fairer-greener-scotland.html" target="_blank">Scottish Green Party</a> and the <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/why-lib-dems-should-support-independence.html" target="_blank">Liberal Democrats</a>
(something supporters of each of these parties should be welcoming).
Even though it only took us 5 minutes to work out (it took longer to
apply different colours to each bar) we haven't seen a graphic like this
on the BBC or STV...we can only guess as to why this information isn't
in the news.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">No borders = No limits?</span></span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"><a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/not-in-news-early-may.html" target="_blank">Controversial 'no' campaign group</a> 'vote no borders' found itself in the centre of <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/liars-plague-our-land/" target="_blank">another mis-information claim</a>.
This time, they received a rebuttal from Great Ormand Street Hospital
for children regarding the wording of a cinema advert they produced. You
can see the response below: </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/nobgosh.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://wingsoverscotland.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/nobgosh.jpg" height="287" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">The <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/unrestricted-warfare/" target="_blank">Wings over Scotland article on this topic</a> also has links to when the <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/lying-liars-tell-more-lies/" target="_blank">Joseph Rowntree Trust</a>, the <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/turning-the-truth-upside-down/" target="_blank">Economic and Social Research Council</a> and the <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/the-news-less-fit-to-print/" target="_blank">London School of Economics</a> was mis-represented by the 'no' campaign. Still, you're not going to see the <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9270-bbc-sought-no-info-from-electoral-commission-over-cbi-registration-debacle" target="_blank">BBC make a freedom of information request</a> to find out about something that might hurt the 'no' campaign. Perhaps that is why their <a href="http://munguinsrepublic.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/biased-broadcasting-corporation-does-it.html" target="_blank">political viewing figures are plummeting</a>.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"></span></span><b><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">Who what when where and why, CBI?</span></span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">The Confederation of British Industry, of which the <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/second-not-in-news-for-april.html" target="_blank">BBC is a member and pays substantial amounts of money to every year</a>, got themselves into <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/not-in-paper-review-april.html" target="_blank">another muddle</a> at the tail end of May at is was revealed that <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9265-cbi-silent-after-documents-reveal-inconsistencies-in-cridland-submission-to-electoral-commission" target="_blank">further inconsistencies</a> with regards to their application to officially campaign for a no vote were revealed.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTqHpuft_4NXXGLpsDLs-l9moHjQQAhKt7wCT8_utzHYiSr1aesE8z-wcm-AOXYep7z9g-ilLGiKUwKEUv4_flwtejELk5h8bXOFRb9PT95EMbTSSGT-qXdUjQRIJqQrXJcgZo9QDp6sY/s1600/BmKUT9oIgAAdpql.jpg+medium.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTqHpuft_4NXXGLpsDLs-l9moHjQQAhKt7wCT8_utzHYiSr1aesE8z-wcm-AOXYep7z9g-ilLGiKUwKEUv4_flwtejELk5h8bXOFRb9PT95EMbTSSGT-qXdUjQRIJqQrXJcgZo9QDp6sY/s1600/BmKUT9oIgAAdpql.jpg+medium.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"> </span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">Whether or not
they received legal advice first, how senior the figures who signed the
application where, when individuals knew about the application and even
why they gave certain responses during interviews with media outlets <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9265-cbi-silent-after-documents-reveal-inconsistencies-in-cridland-submission-to-electoral-commission" target="_blank">are now subject of debate</a>. Perhaps the CBI will one day find some people who know how to run an organisation.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"><b><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">'Cause I'm the Pax-man!</span></span></b><br />
</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">Jeremy Paxman,
a long standing presenter of various programmes at the British State
Broadcaster, made a number of statements during an interview on BBC
Radio 4 on Saturday, the 31st of May:</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"It's interesting, isn't it, that in this union of supposed equals only
one side gets to vote on whether the union should continue or not." Jeremy Paxman, BBC Presenter, 31st of May 2014 </blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The argument regarding allowing people resident outside of Scotland to
vote in the Scottish independence referendum has very little logical
basis. Firstly, England could host a referendum on ending the union.
People living in Scotland would have no right to interfere. The example
of a husband and wife having an equal say on whether they should get a
divorce was used by <a href="http://scotgoespop.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/weighing-up-how-union-of-equals-would.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+ScotGoesPop+%28SCOT+goes+POP%21%29" target="_blank">Scot goes Pop</a>.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I must say, I am looking forward to Mr Paxman arguing that voters in
France, Romania and Italy should be allowed to take part in the EU
referendum that is due to take place in the UK in 2017! </div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivE8FH-7hSM8ir7ODVoB7ctcfs5qKoTGFT8gG0eFVqc7U14KD7qLnfvfpBB9KTOEWiopwmW-Czr-PfJycfzPQzBCKCspShhtnfuLMrSN2xInarR3n64tLAZzA-t0GWMXSfDr_qPod_5Ds/s1600/Paxman.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivE8FH-7hSM8ir7ODVoB7ctcfs5qKoTGFT8gG0eFVqc7U14KD7qLnfvfpBB9KTOEWiopwmW-Czr-PfJycfzPQzBCKCspShhtnfuLMrSN2xInarR3n64tLAZzA-t0GWMXSfDr_qPod_5Ds/s1600/Paxman.jpg" height="400" width="335" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"...since there's such a head of steam building in ... Scotland for hating
the English, I find myself describing myself as English when in fact I'm
a quarter Scottish." </div>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This argument from Mr Paxman <a href="http://newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-politics/7870-bbc-presenter-attacks-toxic-anti-english-snp" target="_blank">echoes that used by Andrew Marr</a>
last year. In both instances, neither provides evidence or sources,
and, as far as I am aware, neither has received even a reprimand from
their employer. Indeed, official figures have been produced which show
that the low amount of <a href="http://newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/6445-media-anti-english-racism-claims-wrong-and-irresponsible-says-scottish-government" target="_blank">anti-English racism in Scotland has decreased</a> since the referendum was announced. Mr Paxman and Mr Marr are <a href="http://newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-opinion/8674-quick-before-its-too-late" target="_blank">not the only ones to use this argument</a>
(which suggests that anyone wanting Scotland to have the governments
it's people vote for is fundamentally racist), but how can they pretend
to be impartial and professional when they publicly state these views?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You could understand if these were isolated incidents, however they are not (see <a href="http://newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-politics/4195-bbc-defends-paxman-mugabe-slur-after-viewers-complain" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here for Mr Paxman</a> and <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/mar/16/bbc-justify-andrew-marr-remarks-scotland-right-join-eu" target="_blank">here for Mr Marr</a>) and they do lend weight to the theory that <a href="http://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2012/07/10/is-an-anti-scottish-bandwagon-gathering-cultural-momentum-among-english-middle-classes/" target="_blank">the culture at the BBC</a> does not support the diversity we have in Scotland.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
To be fair to Mr Paxman, towards the end of the interview, after being prompted by the programme's host, he added: </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Hate is too overstated and I expect I overstated it, and I do
apologise. But it is to do with a detestation of being ruled from
London." </blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The story was covered in the Sunday Herald, which looked at the most controversial claims regarding a <a href="http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/paxman-a-head-of-steam-in-scotland-for-hating-english.24373517" target="_blank">'head of steam in Scotland for hating English'</a>. The headline in the Daily Mail was '<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2645215/Jeremy-Paxman-risks-wrath-Scottish-nationalists-claiming-kilt-invented-ENGLISH.html" target="_blank">Jeremy Paxman risks the wrath of Scottish nationalists - by claiming the kilt was invented by ENGLISH</a>'. I always thought the kilt <a href="http://s93583130.onlinehome.us/kiltedlife/history.html" target="_blank">originated from France</a>, or perhaps even <a href="http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/its-mcmummy-chinese-unearth-4000-year-old-1095669" target="_blank">China</a>...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Russia Today</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There was a protest outside Pacific Quay, the headquarters of the BBC in
Scotland. There wasn't much coverage offered by the British State
Broadcaster even though it attracted international attention. You can
watch the footage from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7ycN4GJQHY" target="_blank">Russia Today here</a> as well as a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoPqRSXAfv8&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">video from the event itself</a>. We've also added a few photos from the event:</div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKq_9oWS1DjemGcDLpYuDNLETa6ysjby8fkySnvLFXBg2wnIzXL7bKRFX3muNXcqiYOyk-nzSn4rg_At6vrigv0boDv63_YSnwCH05f1IGgAdiMXfLB1j8cKwBHT5tWWhEDZsGV4vHio/s1600/10294404_10152470902561310_3973845651030441977_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKq_9oWS1DjemGcDLpYuDNLETa6ysjby8fkySnvLFXBg2wnIzXL7bKRFX3muNXcqiYOyk-nzSn4rg_At6vrigv0boDv63_YSnwCH05f1IGgAdiMXfLB1j8cKwBHT5tWWhEDZsGV4vHio/s1600/10294404_10152470902561310_3973845651030441977_n.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3qbiJS46KAfN23JrEsNn7g8JFmyorJr6Ey_fNGWFJP5XXOnjvQPpV-UR1i5dTZAb09Lfr0mdzlzJ0FItP8NEmKe2zIyhDpb4uiP7Ss4ZqcD7wXrQ1XeVMC0VLP6EtRQ27muCFoNTgLI/s1600/10366233_246168068905433_6494626570749688952_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3qbiJS46KAfN23JrEsNn7g8JFmyorJr6Ey_fNGWFJP5XXOnjvQPpV-UR1i5dTZAb09Lfr0mdzlzJ0FItP8NEmKe2zIyhDpb4uiP7Ss4ZqcD7wXrQ1XeVMC0VLP6EtRQ27muCFoNTgLI/s1600/10366233_246168068905433_6494626570749688952_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYxvzTzwmSXA3oV7QKq7np_wWYDy13gmtDDRYjtAewjg5b2wiF6PTWxALxVQaS4r67vUHpNyYvz7k8Hz1B5tQKWnilOATPOTU_GpWohnr5m10JdX9busaUMjpBNdwWvFmPss4scCRt4T4/s1600/10373852_1440692686189363_3842491595985097698_n.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYxvzTzwmSXA3oV7QKq7np_wWYDy13gmtDDRYjtAewjg5b2wiF6PTWxALxVQaS4r67vUHpNyYvz7k8Hz1B5tQKWnilOATPOTU_GpWohnr5m10JdX9busaUMjpBNdwWvFmPss4scCRt4T4/s1600/10373852_1440692686189363_3842491595985097698_n.png" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
It's almost as if the <a href="http://weegingerdug.wordpress.com/2014/06/01/more-news-the-bbc-doesnt-want-to-report/" target="_blank">BBC don't want you to know</a>...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
P.S. A second protest will be taking place on Sunday, the 29th of June
between 2pm and 3:30pm. You can find out more information about this
protest on this <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/409655642510468/" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Yes You Can (but my mate Dave would prefer if you didn't!)</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
US President Barack Obama made a comment in June that the United States would recognise Scottish Independence and <a href="http://nationalcollective.com/2014/06/05/yes-we-can/" target="_blank">his personal view</a> was that, "<a href="http://weegingerdug.wordpress.com/2014/06/06/obamaniacs/" target="_blank">from the outside</a>",
he would prefer decisions regarding Scottish welfare, defence and
economy were made at Westminster. However, the story is a little more
interesting than that.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The White House was approached by the UK foreign office (<a href="http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/foreign-office-briefs-russia-and-the-world-against-indy.23704580" target="_blank">which has been pleading with other nations and world leaders</a>)
to make a statement against Scottish Independence. After some
compromise, President Obama agreed to make a comment in a personal
capacity if he was asked by a journalist. It is at this point that
Downing Street <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-opinion/9292-colonial-and-corrupt-times-up-for-bbc-scotland" target="_blank">spoke to the BBC and told them to ask the question</a>.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSUG0-dHfzIwOYg9r9jhbQGFlQeBLpkFnpXq3AFgqozhj79DsW2dXdd35DToR1iFwlLVv01pX2Wzkl0qPz3J_-F517YRPLiXIB0etTSDIDoNWRbAuswUGoYvCfknFgRuGiwr0f_2uUQw/s1600/BpYj527IMAALQAZ.jpg+large.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSUG0-dHfzIwOYg9r9jhbQGFlQeBLpkFnpXq3AFgqozhj79DsW2dXdd35DToR1iFwlLVv01pX2Wzkl0qPz3J_-F517YRPLiXIB0etTSDIDoNWRbAuswUGoYvCfknFgRuGiwr0f_2uUQw/s1600/BpYj527IMAALQAZ.jpg+large.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
That same day, leaflets with 'NOPE' written on them were being produced
by the no campaign, with one featuring on flagship BBC in Scotland news
programme 'Reporting Scotland'. In the words of Newsnet Scotland
correspondent G.A Ponsonby:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"There was a wonderful moment on Reporting Scotland when the political
editor Brian Taylor flourished a Better Together campaign leaflet in
front of the camera. It depicted Barack Obama with the word 'NOPE'
emblazoned beneath – a corruption of Obama's famous campaign slogan
'HOPE'. The metaphor, lost on Taylor and the Better Together campaign,
was that a No vote kills hope.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
With so few foot-soldiers able to deliver its leaflets, Taylor's
leaflet stunt was probably worth a million quid in free promotion to the
Better Together campaign." <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-opinion/9292-colonial-and-corrupt-times-up-for-bbc-scotland" target="_blank">Newsnet Scotland, 5th of June 2014</a></blockquote>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<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/AVvXsEjKfYBnQkWiN9W_HGqiCCLa7eNqv7vdKRMrkbcPUfBBp-V8T7IbTrd9UJY0QV9IfEXWwKl_WTUf4GmiMORO5wvaBWrymHOmdKjz8euFINWi1DqGk0Y0iFlprLP8wI3CLF2NIVUifDo5h04/s1600/Daffy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfYBnQkWiN9W_HGqiCCLa7eNqv7vdKRMrkbcPUfBBp-V8T7IbTrd9UJY0QV9IfEXWwKl_WTUf4GmiMORO5wvaBWrymHOmdKjz8euFINWi1DqGk0Y0iFlprLP8wI3CLF2NIVUifDo5h04/s1600/Daffy.jpg" height="640" width="408" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Check out more 'daffy' BBC in Scotland moments <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9298-second-bias-protest-earmarked-for-bbc-scotland-hq" target="_blank">here</a>!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But the statement from President Obama is very different from that of his predecessors:<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"National aspirations must be respected: people may now be dominated and
governed only by their own consent. Self determination is not a mere
phrase; it is an imperative principle of action..." <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-determination" target="_blank">President Woodrow Wilson, 8th of January 1918</a></blockquote>
</div>
Still, it was a good distraction from our next story...[note: this leads onto '<a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/not-in-news-early-june-edition.html" target="_blank">Another thing Alistair Darling is wrong about</a>']</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Lights, camera, action!</b><br />
The much ridicled 'no' campaign cinema adverts <a href="http://munguinsrepublic.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/youd-have-job-making-this-stuff-up.html" target="_blank">were recorded at Pacific Quay</a>, the headquarters for the BBC in Scotland. Impartiality from the British State Broadcaster...not a chance!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOtg7aYkBvNEPeAowMfxV27HWHtnko2FYvWfFg8-jM-MEF_cBdpn4Db37womcSG5ftgaP7kD-ErfzQNSOiGNYcyDFUATLUHDdm10AHOtsYspiAY81Qf4pXV8wxWmjuC2uLzdxDSisHrwY/s1600/cartoon-puppet-media-600.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOtg7aYkBvNEPeAowMfxV27HWHtnko2FYvWfFg8-jM-MEF_cBdpn4Db37womcSG5ftgaP7kD-ErfzQNSOiGNYcyDFUATLUHDdm10AHOtsYspiAY81Qf4pXV8wxWmjuC2uLzdxDSisHrwY/s1600/cartoon-puppet-media-600.jpg" height="341" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<b>BBC Strangelove (or how I learned to stop thinking and love the bomb)</b><br />
Oh
the BBC. They are, by far, the most frequent contributor to our 'not in
the news' series. Without them we wouldn't receive our near daily laugh
at how ridiculous our media currently is or how, time after time, they
consistently miss the point or completely ignore reality. On this
occasion, they were discussing the results of the annual British Social
Attitudes survey.<br />
<br />
Here are the results of people's
attitudes to the question: 'Are you in favour or against Britain having
its own nuclear weapons?'<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQj2eH5R96nXfPCpU4_R9hTYntMg-Pa5NVaXDrl1qi_Sd8J90BvWOGo-DobwZ815TAf5jQtmOGaVFtFPZ_BWJ7lspXMrjCKesFbn8LHMUmiWj9rLj9-bOuzwpMQZKasa42mLNIzzMDVY/s1600/BqXTUxmIQAAhNPc.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQj2eH5R96nXfPCpU4_R9hTYntMg-Pa5NVaXDrl1qi_Sd8J90BvWOGo-DobwZ815TAf5jQtmOGaVFtFPZ_BWJ7lspXMrjCKesFbn8LHMUmiWj9rLj9-bOuzwpMQZKasa42mLNIzzMDVY/s1600/BqXTUxmIQAAhNPc.jpg" height="261" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This question does not consider independence or our opportunity to <a href="http://www.banthebomb.org/ne/images/stories/pdfs/disarmingtrident.pdf" target="_blank">remove Trident</a> and other non-conventional weapons from Scotland, only the <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/the-folly-of-trident.html" target="_blank">principle of whether Britain should host Atomic Bombs</a>.
As you can see, the attitude in Scotland is very different from that in
England and Wales. So how will this be reported on the BBC in Scotland?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXtlbXCD2AUaPXJ5WFB6dZnb0t0V4IWXeeKHYu5KSQir7L0ASRZWAyVn34RW12AIgDK6eBsxXiOytx8i9iXsKw_HMFCa_vl71IQtrjlbqPcP0xL3jh9VdcC4vA0LxdU_l5_sHff_-ojg/s1600/84f88873c05529c85bfc8adf430ccb694136c9c2_260x151.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXtlbXCD2AUaPXJ5WFB6dZnb0t0V4IWXeeKHYu5KSQir7L0ASRZWAyVn34RW12AIgDK6eBsxXiOytx8i9iXsKw_HMFCa_vl71IQtrjlbqPcP0xL3jh9VdcC4vA0LxdU_l5_sHff_-ojg/s1600/84f88873c05529c85bfc8adf430ccb694136c9c2_260x151.png" height="232" width="400" /></a></div>
Oh <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9341-scots-trident-support-poll-challenged-by-anti-nuke-campaigners" target="_blank">BBC in Scotland</a>. Shall we list the problems with this graphic? Thankfully, <a href="http://scotgoespop.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/no-andrew-neil-this-new-poll-does-not.html" target="_blank">Scot Goes Pop has already done this</a>:<br />
<ol>
<li>The overall survey shows that the Scottish Public are against
Britain having nuclear weapons, so it is ridiculous to argue that people
want Trident to stay in Scotland when they are against the weapons in
principle.</li>
<li>Most respondents are therefore looking at the practical situation
based on the assumption that these weapons will remain (essentially
because they have already been asked if they want Atomic bombs or not).</li>
<li>This is a sub-sample poll, which means that the margin of error is
larger than normal. The 9% lead for the UK scrapping Trident is much
more robust than the 4% lead for these weapons staying on the Clyde on
the basis that they will remain in the UK arsenal.</li>
</ol>
There is also a fourth issue: the question asked to people in
Scotland was different to those in England and Wales. Despite the BBC
reporting that the question was '"do you think that the United Kingdom
should be required to remove its weapons in an independent Scotland,"
the real question asked was:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"How much do you agree or disagree with the following statement? If
Scotland becomes an independent country, Britain's nuclear weapons
submarines should continue to be based in Scotland." <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9343-trident-poll-scots-were-asked-about-submarines-and-not-weapons" target="_blank">Social Attitudes Survey Question</a></blockquote>
The
Vanguard-class submarines are capable of using alternative munitions,
meaning that this question doesn't address the central issue. Of course,
the only reason someone would ask such an awkwardly worded question is
if they wanted to show artificial support for nuclear weapons in
Scotland.<br />
<br />
The BBC, providing comedy instead of news for
just £145.50 a year (perhaps we are being unfair - if they did start
reporting news then the Westminster MPs who control their funding <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2658343/BBC-licence-fee-slashed-Government-review-year-Culture-Secretary-Sajid-Javid-reveals.html" target="_blank">may act upon their threats</a>. It's much safer to stay in their good books, isn't it?).</div>
</div>
<b>Cupcakes (a subject close to my heart) </b><br />
The licence fee
is expensive, isn't it? £145.50 for colour TVs. Imagine what you could
buy with that money in your pocket. Enough for cupcakes for an entire
production crew with change left over! We know this because one BBC
executive did just that!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLb8ZXJpNC83p6lpRNBRaAg0zeZmTZ9CnbJQglRP0IhNFRsi0Qz9mrI8cqwjt8hQsMGFN40gSuue_1_3G3sbzJNZhAgHz_DlENM-ONniyBW19wSilMnjW07tLyFYd08MBNhBWv0aTdBI/s1600/Ugly+cupcake.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLb8ZXJpNC83p6lpRNBRaAg0zeZmTZ9CnbJQglRP0IhNFRsi0Qz9mrI8cqwjt8hQsMGFN40gSuue_1_3G3sbzJNZhAgHz_DlENM-ONniyBW19wSilMnjW07tLyFYd08MBNhBWv0aTdBI/s1600/Ugly+cupcake.jpg" height="336" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Shane
Allen, comedy commissioning controller (which I am sure is an
absolutely vital job), thought it would be a nice gesture to buy
cupcakes for staff involved in the making of two programmes he was
involved with. He then thought it would be even nicer if he <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/jun/17/bbc-editor-claims-120-pounds-cupcakes" target="_blank">passed on the £120.00 bill to us</a>. Thank you Shane. I'm glad that I could contribute to the cupcake bill at the BBC!<br />
<br />
But what other food and drink costs do the BBC pass on to licence fee payers? Well someone did make <a href="https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/bbc_food_drinks_and_refreshment_2" target="_blank">a freedom of information request</a> but the British State Broadcaster is a little slow in responding...<br />
<br />
<b>Money, Money, Money</b><br />
The BBC (yet again) got its facts wrong.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8c8O_ygwtRgwRE5M3vQjZ3_DuECcArrLe4W0j2rBgDBr-a7xeosHmhYB5_joGrjziShO72TLkBjOiJECqSyYA44JNTeILwOQYXxBajOizymGZtPrFT0FUeoHgKvwYvCFLXXLn4kf-0r4/s1600/BqW5xg8CAAA9S-E.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8c8O_ygwtRgwRE5M3vQjZ3_DuECcArrLe4W0j2rBgDBr-a7xeosHmhYB5_joGrjziShO72TLkBjOiJECqSyYA44JNTeILwOQYXxBajOizymGZtPrFT0FUeoHgKvwYvCFLXXLn4kf-0r4/s1600/BqW5xg8CAAA9S-E.png" height="222" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In
the original report regarding the first days of the Republic of
Ireland, the BBC wrongly claimed that the Pound ceased to be used and
that the state created its own currency from day one. In the corrected
version they finally acknowledged that this wasn't true. The Pound was
used for 7 years without any issues. We have already explained why this
would be the case in our blog '<a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/so-who-else-cant-use-pound.html" target="_blank">so who else can't use the pound</a>?'</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Protest? What protest?</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The protest against austerity in London was recorded in much of <a href="http://rt.com/news/167532-uk-anti-austerity-march/" target="_blank">the international press</a> in June. An estimated <a href="http://tompride.wordpress.com/2014/06/21/bbc-and-press-ignore-massive-demonstration-against-austerity-in-london/" target="_blank">50,000 people</a> were present making it a pretty significant story. But the BBC and other controlled media outlets <a href="http://tompride.wordpress.com/2014/06/21/bbc-and-press-ignore-massive-demonstration-against-austerity-in-london/" target="_blank">barely offered a mention</a>.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkAoaK4wTDXq6o1n8U6MjEBzUx0O2N9gDEx9JOa2yLyZu20B9YnDuNbeIKZEu-DYMF2yphSztk6WMm3nLJ-_HeMtWPRqTZQnvWjN_BMxFd84VnytPll40wwzCoh8cNwCnBEAR0buKRRUI/s1600/bbc-british-brainwashing-channel.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkAoaK4wTDXq6o1n8U6MjEBzUx0O2N9gDEx9JOa2yLyZu20B9YnDuNbeIKZEu-DYMF2yphSztk6WMm3nLJ-_HeMtWPRqTZQnvWjN_BMxFd84VnytPll40wwzCoh8cNwCnBEAR0buKRRUI/s1600/bbc-british-brainwashing-channel.jpg" height="283" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The BBC had time to cover a much smaller protest by <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-27783218" target="_blank">some London Taxi drivers</a>, and to track down a Scot who was <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-27939845" target="_blank">cheering on Uruguay</a> at the World Cup, but not this? It's almost as if they were simply there to <a href="http://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2014/06/bbc-lawbreaking/" target="_blank">protect and advance the interests of the British State</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Other media outlets in Scotland are free to exercise any bias they like. They don't bother me because I'm free to ignore and ridicule them. But with the BBC we are compelled to pay a poll tax every year if we want to watch any television program. So that's why <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/409655642510468/" target="_blank">I am going to protest on Sunday, the 29th of June</a>. If you can make it to the BBC in Scotland headquarters in Glasgow then please come along, and if you can't, remember that you can help by sharing stories which highlight the inherit bias the BBC has.<br />
<br />
<b>Dun telling the truth</b><br />
The BBC and the Daily Record both
posted dramatic images and headlines: "Costs of setting up separate
Scottish state could top £2bn" cried the Daily Record.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9oFGETKTH_hOC_Ywq6I8Y6vST2oRNZDyY77HiVpa0Uy77wo_j-oNCV22-uJMhTdA7Le_3O4CfGyP0aMWHFxPp2IxthKYLR4CkXDa8kbWdy3axTFjJuKts2zssI9Brv6WflbrbtdS7VjQ/s1600/dd7c80aa8effbf688bdbd4766a72e0905bd9637d_260x183.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9oFGETKTH_hOC_Ywq6I8Y6vST2oRNZDyY77HiVpa0Uy77wo_j-oNCV22-uJMhTdA7Le_3O4CfGyP0aMWHFxPp2IxthKYLR4CkXDa8kbWdy3axTFjJuKts2zssI9Brv6WflbrbtdS7VjQ/s1600/dd7c80aa8effbf688bdbd4766a72e0905bd9637d_260x183.png" height="281" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The story's are allegedly based on a report by Professor Dunleavy. Unfortunately for the BBC and the Daily Record, <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9383-dunleavy-p15bn-indy-startup-cost-not-a-figure-i-accept" target="_blank">Newsnet Scotland</a> and <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/lies-packed-tight/" target="_blank">Wings over Scotland</a> have been checking their bleak interpretations.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Professor Patrick Dunleavy has said the £1.5bn figure, touted by newspapers and the BBC is, "not a figure I accept"." <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9383-dunleavy-p15bn-indy-startup-cost-not-a-figure-i-accept" target="_blank">Newsnet Scotland, 28th of June </a></blockquote>
Professor
Dunleavy explained that he believed the likely set-up costs (the cost
of returning jobs to Scotland and setting up IT systems) would be £200m.
He added that over a 10 year period the maximum charge would be an
additional £400m. To put these in perspective, the cost of the UK
pulling its military forces from Afghanistan <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-25848662" target="_blank">is going to be £300m</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2Bd6ZT5KRMYJqHwITMPX-enZ4t6ugomQn3O5f_ZbCr50Rm8s9o8KXTISFYMcF3J2CqgSphF8FyJApKecethkpt8Xo6eDYS2xymsw2icXZi5tJ950lvvD15-6Z6PMgKxfWmXoeSCLM40/s1600/howtolie.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2Bd6ZT5KRMYJqHwITMPX-enZ4t6ugomQn3O5f_ZbCr50Rm8s9o8KXTISFYMcF3J2CqgSphF8FyJApKecethkpt8Xo6eDYS2xymsw2icXZi5tJ950lvvD15-6Z6PMgKxfWmXoeSCLM40/s1600/howtolie.png" height="203" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
So
the BBC has been caught exaggerating by 700% (or, if they simply don't
understand the difference between start-up and transition costs, by
250%). The Daily Record was even worse. Wings over Scotland <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/lies-packed-tight/" target="_blank">highlighted 4 separate lies in its 5 sentence report</a>. They need to try harder to make every sentence a lie.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The British State Broadcaster prides itself on its perception of fairness. Let's shine the light of reality onto this lie.</div>
Sign for Scotlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16057474693059978339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968036878657352398.post-61101735839263807342014-06-25T08:58:00.000+01:002014-06-25T09:28:21.384+01:00Not in the News - Late June edition<div style="text-align: justify;">
Welcome to the seventh of our <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Not%20in%20the%20News" target="_blank">bi-monthly series</a> looking back at the stories
which the main stream media in Scotland didn't offer much attention to,
and comparing them to those that hit the front pages. Our last edition covering early June can be found <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/not-in-news-early-june-edition.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLg9MGdohF28SfncDsugHmUE4xI3xRPUQtgni9Q4_J3bsuQOoq-VN-Dq2Rtz2ZjRy31TE8clx_11wmkao4a8gdlemYos30Phge93vGk-tXbys6vK93KeYkOwwI1YMHQ6YsRpzZ7R0yCo/s1600/Time+Travel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLg9MGdohF28SfncDsugHmUE4xI3xRPUQtgni9Q4_J3bsuQOoq-VN-Dq2Rtz2ZjRy31TE8clx_11wmkao4a8gdlemYos30Phge93vGk-tXbys6vK93KeYkOwwI1YMHQ6YsRpzZ7R0yCo/s1600/Time+Travel.jpg" height="342" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Westminster's £140,000 questions (that we aren't supposed to know the answers to)</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It turns out that Westminster has spent £140,000 of taxpayers money on examining Scottish attitudes to independence.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitYF_P_R9Mums91eA8x_K3CLXIXH8AyqPrXOU4-Q3hPFaWfr5hXA_rgJlorn6v4m_qciWBD6JzbYwbPtbsFfuYnkFioaEi8CuM4Ps5eXcu6fkFZveJRJ91rZXXVQ7QZJnv5QT_GKTHCc0/s1600/10356133_10152541817014078_6111869775032319029_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitYF_P_R9Mums91eA8x_K3CLXIXH8AyqPrXOU4-Q3hPFaWfr5hXA_rgJlorn6v4m_qciWBD6JzbYwbPtbsFfuYnkFioaEi8CuM4Ps5eXcu6fkFZveJRJ91rZXXVQ7QZJnv5QT_GKTHCc0/s1600/10356133_10152541817014078_6111869775032319029_n.jpg" height="93" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Whilst they are entitled to this, they would not be entitled to share this information with one side of the debate and not formally declare this spending with the Electoral Commission as it offers a distinct and unearned advantage. This was point of a recent freedom of information request made by <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/in-the-public-interest/" target="_blank">Reverend Stuart Campbell at Wings over Scotland</a>.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwHWSrOjXjYVQoC-ScGPY3wpkEqab6cqb7ks7lVl0_idQjz_-1FLfukiP-tgQiwpFUV0md_39QqXYUXcQLTZnJTnBhcsMXsa14XYzZZ2GHAT7G6R09xsG6IIRtb3dzIlhrKOPEc204oI/s1600/Tim+Reid+Tweet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwHWSrOjXjYVQoC-ScGPY3wpkEqab6cqb7ks7lVl0_idQjz_-1FLfukiP-tgQiwpFUV0md_39QqXYUXcQLTZnJTnBhcsMXsa14XYzZZ2GHAT7G6R09xsG6IIRtb3dzIlhrKOPEc204oI/s1600/Tim+Reid+Tweet.jpg" height="318" width="400" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Westminster's £720,000 <a href="http://michaelgreenwell.wordpress.com/2014/06/19/what-it-apparently-means/" target="_blank">no campaign leaflets</a> (that the Electoral Commission isn't counting)</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The BBC's Tim Reid highlighted a story in June that the UK Government was planning on spending £720,000 of taxpayers money on posting anti-independence leaflets to almost every house in Scotland. This will not be counted against the official no campaign expenditure limit.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdVJMVdS5NvhYYUWlUjJ-LW1AdhAp5ZFmupwZ25K-XLGbKdZb_jLHC2xO53j5YImZuPJfsixJgHonwCJDSZhFaDIui-R2AIbPZC6vxkdAFZyohZfKIAyMwGFYLxMArnFJMjvUz1gwgNM/s1600/BqE5rqdCAAAlWha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdVJMVdS5NvhYYUWlUjJ-LW1AdhAp5ZFmupwZ25K-XLGbKdZb_jLHC2xO53j5YImZuPJfsixJgHonwCJDSZhFaDIui-R2AIbPZC6vxkdAFZyohZfKIAyMwGFYLxMArnFJMjvUz1gwgNM/s1600/BqE5rqdCAAAlWha.jpg" height="400" width="378" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9PvNBoyDhO2gVLroj-2i2r9IdWQ6w5YGP5i2AbzZxbX1k56DDbS6Y11bANZIcZ-ULUiGM0rX1eottKnQ_Y-AMALzTCfgG-s9ydt269RrMLzSaBTpz_CavyuVKnm3IhWDVxAH2797Y-U/s1600/10463010_729602870431534_3441739903347428622_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9PvNBoyDhO2gVLroj-2i2r9IdWQ6w5YGP5i2AbzZxbX1k56DDbS6Y11bANZIcZ-ULUiGM0rX1eottKnQ_Y-AMALzTCfgG-s9ydt269RrMLzSaBTpz_CavyuVKnm3IhWDVxAH2797Y-U/s1600/10463010_729602870431534_3441739903347428622_n.png" height="223" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This isn't particularly surprising. Voters in Quebec will be familiar of state government interventions in referendums and how important they can be. Just see <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/no-side-illegally-spent-539k-in-quebec-referendum-report-1.671841" target="_blank">this story from CBC News from 2007</a>. What is surprising is that voters in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/plaid-accuses-uk-government-wasting-7267617" target="_blank">willing to have their taxes spent in this manner</a> (unless this becomes classified under '<a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/spending-20-to-save-a-tenner/" target="_blank">Scottish Expenditure</a>').</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b>A desperate smear and a regular smear</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
With 100 days to go the no campaign held a rally. This was how it was described by the Times newspaper:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote>
<span style="color: black;">“[Alistair
Darling] was the only politician to speak at the Better Together rally
in Glasgow. All the others were ordinary men and women who had
volunteered to talk about why they were campaigning to keep Scotland in
the United Kingdom. </span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<div>
<span style="color: black;">They
were led by Claire Lally, a mother from Clydebank, with a child with
serious health problems.” <a href="http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/scotland/article4114084.ece" target="_blank">Times newspaper, 10th of June 2014</a></span></div>
</blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It was later revealed that this wasn't necessarily accurate, as Ms Lally is in fact <a href="http://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2014/06/12/spin-and-smear/" target="_blank">a member of Labour's shadow cabinet</a> in Scotland and has been for some time. You can see this screenshot from Jackie Baillie MSP's website welcoming her. And STV highlighted Ms Lally introducing and launching Johann Lamont’s Scottish Labour leadership bid <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/the-unacceptable-face-of-politics/" target="_blank">in November 2011</a>.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVAXKUM-I8YFKEr8bGtQCJVhSJH0DGgrGE6-FflJtTC52AblhyY4z1PcNeWEmWSE47oyceMTA5Lrhwl7zVX7_PB0_dt6Mz2sJAkT6qA_gUB9Cequ3reNYp37iKzFomUgLsn_TW4xWknc/s1600/Bp3vpzHCUAA99ig.jpg+large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVAXKUM-I8YFKEr8bGtQCJVhSJH0DGgrGE6-FflJtTC52AblhyY4z1PcNeWEmWSE47oyceMTA5Lrhwl7zVX7_PB0_dt6Mz2sJAkT6qA_gUB9Cequ3reNYp37iKzFomUgLsn_TW4xWknc/s1600/Bp3vpzHCUAA99ig.jpg+large.jpg" height="288" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There is nothing wrong with Ms Lally declaring her support for a no vote, however <a href="http://derekbateman.co.uk/2014/06/16/meanwhile-in-lilliput/" target="_blank">it is mis-leading to suggest that she is not involved in politics</a>. This prompted an advisor to the First Minister, Campbell Gunn, to contact a newspaper to highlight this point.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The issue came when Mr Gunn (wrongly) said that she was also the daughter-in-law of former Lord Provost of Glasgow Pat Lally (who shares the same name). This was incorrect and <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-27795389" target="_blank">the advisor issued a public apology</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This created the following headlines: "Claire Lally row: First Minister under pressure to fire special adviser" (The Courier), "The dark side has lured Gunn across the line" (Telegraph) and "Make no mistake, Alex Salmond approves of abusive tactics" (Express).</div>
<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/AVvXsEi5k5Jz5LhRa1czmwSxrNyyKrS4F54RFHIvFUKsEuLvmc2w_V9Z-iHiOfJQSoOPNLF_vZ_ISsOHmTgElgvkbNX1u5zVuoWLuHrhml03le3oxxolvWfzAILHnnS09iomAPPlF_4U5Qt2t00/s1600/Fair+Game.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5k5Jz5LhRa1czmwSxrNyyKrS4F54RFHIvFUKsEuLvmc2w_V9Z-iHiOfJQSoOPNLF_vZ_ISsOHmTgElgvkbNX1u5zVuoWLuHrhml03le3oxxolvWfzAILHnnS09iomAPPlF_4U5Qt2t00/s1600/Fair+Game.jpg" height="640" width="324" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"Only Yes supporters make abusive comments," MSM (probably)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The independence campaign has been bitter at times. Last year, on "Scottish Labour for Scotland" Facebook page, a person named 'Daniel Kelly' made this remark following the announcement that Alex Salmond's aunt had passed away:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/317056/Labour-web-row-I-wish-Salmond-s-father-would-die" target="_blank">"Don't you wish his dear old dad did the same."</a> </blockquote>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When faced with criticism that many senior members of the Labour Party were both members of the group and friends with Daniel Kelly, the official Labour Party response at the time was:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"This desperate smear campaign falls at the first hurdle
because this Facebook page is not owned, managed, or operated by
Scottish Labour, and it will not detract from the rantings and ravings
of SNP candidates - sacked or otherwise - online."</blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Despite the <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-opinion/9344-one-rule-for-yes-and-none-for-no" target="_blank">ill-tempered language</a>, the independence movement in Scotland has been one of the most peaceful in history. It is an inspiration around the world and should be praised. To ensure this remains the case we would prefer if the media stopped presenting the campaign as one side attacking the other (especially when many of the alleged perpretrators have been the <a href="http://newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/7314-call-for-positive-debate-as-anti-snp-death-threats-highlighted?format=pdf" target="_blank">victims of death threats</a>).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6mCZbc3Ix58r0rdGikEfDx5TJk0Bn60qX2ENpc3EegnVo1tfzil0jHK1sQ9RVuSovkqSTfgt-PgQfNb46XAE_2v4ZyFKDSdVOYCop9T4-dI2VXySVti-HvNWZnFztwQI3XgsWjdGUzB8/s1600/Cybernat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6mCZbc3Ix58r0rdGikEfDx5TJk0Bn60qX2ENpc3EegnVo1tfzil0jHK1sQ9RVuSovkqSTfgt-PgQfNb46XAE_2v4ZyFKDSdVOYCop9T4-dI2VXySVti-HvNWZnFztwQI3XgsWjdGUzB8/s1600/Cybernat.jpg" height="400" width="308" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
How much hurt Ms Lally experienced from the mistaken identity of her father will never be known (although we suspect it was less than that <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-opinion/9309-labour-and-the-smear-gone-wrong" target="_blank">suffered by David Ferguson in 2010</a>). Hopefully the media will recognise that using terms such as 'attack' and 'vile' are not accurate or helpful, and that blame should be placed upon the few morons who do commit actual abuse, instead of against everyone with a computer who supports independence.</div>
<br />
<b>Oh dear, Scotsman "newspaper"...</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The referendum campaign has been terrible for the Scotsman newspaper. A <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-26366464" target="_blank">massive fall in sales</a>, coupled with the disastrous <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/i-read-it-in-paper.html" target="_blank">'Klan Alba' headline</a> which had suggested that anyone considering voting Yes could be Klu Klux Klan and Nazi sympathisers, the tabloid has struggled badly, and in June they took another step towards oblivion with the posting of <a href="http://munguinsrepublic.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/insults-and-threats-more-likely-to-be.html" target="_blank">an untrue statement</a> against Reverend Stu of Wings over Scotland.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8WzRjP-w_gPGvF3slgVgg9ynOF560k9q8YGuck3XavHJOlSK5dJGrEmkQkN6OT-eygua3vaG8d_NbYNyC5KoPL5hVtEh_8t4I3x_E0Rdi6Slt3z8rsIyNXzXMr__RJxqdm_h9BQGcKY/s1600/Hootsmon+HQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8WzRjP-w_gPGvF3slgVgg9ynOF560k9q8YGuck3XavHJOlSK5dJGrEmkQkN6OT-eygua3vaG8d_NbYNyC5KoPL5hVtEh_8t4I3x_E0Rdi6Slt3z8rsIyNXzXMr__RJxqdm_h9BQGcKY/s1600/Hootsmon+HQ.jpg" height="277" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Scotsman edition from <a href="https://archive.today/rQFvG" target="_blank">Friday the 13th of June</a> claimed that he had 'used the site [Wings over Scotland] to call on nationalist campaigners to photograph their opponents so that they can be publically identified." This wasn't true as <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/to-the-editor-of-the-scotsman/#more-56879" target="_blank">the response from Revened Stu explains</a>. The newspaper <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9319-newspaper-forced-to-withdraw-article-after-levelling-false-claims-against-pro-yes-campaigner" target="_blank">pulled the article</a> from their website, but <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/becoming-the-story/" target="_blank">no correction or apology</a> was issued <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/the-missing-questions/" target="_blank">until the 19th</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We don't believe that the Scotsman has much of a future whether Scotland votes Yes or no. The paper appears to have lost any sense of professionalism and will only be remembered as an example of the controlled media at its very worst.</div>
<br />
<b>Lights, camera, action!</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The much ridicled 'no' campaign cinema adverts <a href="http://munguinsrepublic.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/youd-have-job-making-this-stuff-up.html" target="_blank">were recorded at Pacific Quay</a>, the headquarters for the BBC in Scotland. Impartiality from the British State Broadcaster...not a chance!</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOtg7aYkBvNEPeAowMfxV27HWHtnko2FYvWfFg8-jM-MEF_cBdpn4Db37womcSG5ftgaP7kD-ErfzQNSOiGNYcyDFUATLUHDdm10AHOtsYspiAY81Qf4pXV8wxWmjuC2uLzdxDSisHrwY/s1600/cartoon-puppet-media-600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOtg7aYkBvNEPeAowMfxV27HWHtnko2FYvWfFg8-jM-MEF_cBdpn4Db37womcSG5ftgaP7kD-ErfzQNSOiGNYcyDFUATLUHDdm10AHOtsYspiAY81Qf4pXV8wxWmjuC2uLzdxDSisHrwY/s1600/cartoon-puppet-media-600.jpg" height="341" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>We don't need no education (another Brown in the Westminster wall)</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Amongst the <a href="http://www.government-world.com/carmichael-admits-no-guarantee-on-more-powers/" target="_blank">promises of more powers</a> (also <a href="https://twitter.com/cad_11/status/478952866787627008/photo/1" target="_blank">see here</a>) for the Scottish parliament, there was hints as to what powers the UK Government is looking to take from Scotland. Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown spoke of his desire for education (which has always been in Scottish hands) <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9337-gordon-brown-calls-for-end-to-scotlands-distinct-education-system" target="_blank">to be controlled by Westminster</a>.</div>
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<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/AVvXsEhaKdysaIzWmsMmEQa3CdnTc2QrdFcFctDRkdAptbAbH53dYPnIvQ_LJ6S0GnLAup5a_vz6a_AHzhVY18-RxOTEAfK5ywRkdl5j6It42pRV6WF6uQ7dwDiww3WbwilL9JczQlvjDSG7Qus/s1600/0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKdysaIzWmsMmEQa3CdnTc2QrdFcFctDRkdAptbAbH53dYPnIvQ_LJ6S0GnLAup5a_vz6a_AHzhVY18-RxOTEAfK5ywRkdl5j6It42pRV6WF6uQ7dwDiww3WbwilL9JczQlvjDSG7Qus/s1600/0.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Gordon Brown's school days</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This 'one nation' approach to education is likely to see £9,000 per year tuition fees, and <a href="http://kipmcgrathtutorsscotland.wordpress.com/2012/08/27/english-education-v-scottish-education-which-is-better/" target="_blank">more privatisation of education services</a>. Control over education, health and our legal system can all be lost if we vote no. Only independence guarantees that the wishes of the people of Scotland always matter.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Of course, you could trust Westminster's promises (<a href="http://lallandspeatworrier.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/24-carat-poppycock.html" target="_blank">just don't trust their memory</a>).</div>
<br />
<b>BBC Strangelove (or how I learned to stop thinking and love the bomb)</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Oh the BBC. They are, by far, the most frequent contributor to our 'not in the news' series. Without them we wouldn't receive our near daily laugh at how ridiculous our media currently is or how, time after time, they consistently miss the point or completely ignore reality. On this occasion, they were discussing the results of the annual British Social Attitudes survey.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Here are the results of people's attitudes to the question: 'Are you in favour or against Britain having its own nuclear weapons?'</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQj2eH5R96nXfPCpU4_R9hTYntMg-Pa5NVaXDrl1qi_Sd8J90BvWOGo-DobwZ815TAf5jQtmOGaVFtFPZ_BWJ7lspXMrjCKesFbn8LHMUmiWj9rLj9-bOuzwpMQZKasa42mLNIzzMDVY/s1600/BqXTUxmIQAAhNPc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQj2eH5R96nXfPCpU4_R9hTYntMg-Pa5NVaXDrl1qi_Sd8J90BvWOGo-DobwZ815TAf5jQtmOGaVFtFPZ_BWJ7lspXMrjCKesFbn8LHMUmiWj9rLj9-bOuzwpMQZKasa42mLNIzzMDVY/s1600/BqXTUxmIQAAhNPc.jpg" height="261" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This question does not consider independence or our opportunity to <a href="http://www.banthebomb.org/ne/images/stories/pdfs/disarmingtrident.pdf" target="_blank">remove Trident</a> and other non-conventional weapons from Scotland, only the <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/the-folly-of-trident.html" target="_blank">principle of whether Britain should host Atomic Bombs</a>. As you can see, the attitude in Scotland is very different from that in England and Wales. So how will this be reported on the BBC in Scotland?</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXtlbXCD2AUaPXJ5WFB6dZnb0t0V4IWXeeKHYu5KSQir7L0ASRZWAyVn34RW12AIgDK6eBsxXiOytx8i9iXsKw_HMFCa_vl71IQtrjlbqPcP0xL3jh9VdcC4vA0LxdU_l5_sHff_-ojg/s1600/84f88873c05529c85bfc8adf430ccb694136c9c2_260x151.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXtlbXCD2AUaPXJ5WFB6dZnb0t0V4IWXeeKHYu5KSQir7L0ASRZWAyVn34RW12AIgDK6eBsxXiOytx8i9iXsKw_HMFCa_vl71IQtrjlbqPcP0xL3jh9VdcC4vA0LxdU_l5_sHff_-ojg/s1600/84f88873c05529c85bfc8adf430ccb694136c9c2_260x151.png" height="232" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Oh <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9341-scots-trident-support-poll-challenged-by-anti-nuke-campaigners" target="_blank">BBC in Scotland</a>. Shall we list the problems with this graphic? Thankfully, <a href="http://scotgoespop.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/no-andrew-neil-this-new-poll-does-not.html" target="_blank">Scot Goes Pop has already done this</a>:</div>
<ol>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The overall survey shows that the Scottish Public are against Britain having nuclear weapons, so it is ridiculous to argue that people want Trident to stay in Scotland when they are against the weapons in principle.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Most respondents are therefore looking at the practical situation based on the assumption that these weapons will remain (essentially because they have already been asked if they want Atomic bombs or not).</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">This is a sub-sample poll, which means that the margin of error is larger than normal. The 9% lead for the UK scrapping Trident is much more robust than the 4% lead for these weapons staying on the Clyde on the basis that they will remain in the UK arsenal.</li>
</ol>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There is also a fourth issue: the question asked to people in Scotland was different to those in England and Wales. Despite the BBC reporting that the question was '"do you think that the United Kingdom should be required to remove its weapons in an independent Scotland," the real question asked was:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"How much do you agree or disagree with the following statement? If
Scotland becomes an independent country, Britain's nuclear weapons
submarines should continue to be based in Scotland." <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9343-trident-poll-scots-were-asked-about-submarines-and-not-weapons" target="_blank">Social Attitudes Survey Question</a></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Vanguard-class submarines are capable of using alternative munitions, meaning that this question doesn't address the central issue. Of course, the only reason someone would ask such an awkwardly worded question is if they wanted to show artificial support for nuclear weapons in Scotland.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The BBC, providing comedy instead of news for just £145.50 a year (perhaps we are being unfair - if they did start reporting news then the Westminster MPs who control their funding <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2658343/BBC-licence-fee-slashed-Government-review-year-Culture-Secretary-Sajid-Javid-reveals.html" target="_blank">may act upon their threats</a>. It's much safer to stay in their good books, isn't it?).</div>
<br />
<b>Everyone hates you</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We've mentioned before that the most cynical aspect of the no campaign is <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/nobody-wants-you-so-please-stay-with-us.html" target="_blank">its attempts to portray Scotland as having no value</a>. The international version of this has came back in recent days, with David Cameron asking the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang stating, <a href="http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ce7f8328-f157-11e3-9fb0-00144feabdc0.html#axzz354TFVvwu" target="_blank">unsurprisingly</a>, that large centralised states should remain large centralised states.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLEhsE_utnn0AUxN2EpfQX9ocza37T-nTHPzFUt7QUswxMHRNQn-0X3I3vxLqNDts4SprdPd5VReOqjBf6_Mxy8udmXEiPGtp_XU1e8SJZ9uIBPv_Y3NOMMKamC7EEiHsH4wu_i4hYtkM/s1600/bttianenmen.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLEhsE_utnn0AUxN2EpfQX9ocza37T-nTHPzFUt7QUswxMHRNQn-0X3I3vxLqNDts4SprdPd5VReOqjBf6_Mxy8udmXEiPGtp_XU1e8SJZ9uIBPv_Y3NOMMKamC7EEiHsH4wu_i4hYtkM/s1600/bttianenmen.jpg" height="400" width="380" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But around the same time, China was making other anouncements, including one <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/falklandislands/10907986/China-backs-Argentinas-position-on-Falkland-Islands.html" target="_blank">confirming support for Argentina's claim over the Falkland Islands</a> (also known as 'Las Malvinas'). Westminster politicians seem happy to support attacks on Scottish sovereignty, but less enthusiastic regarding their control.</div>
<br />
<b>Cupcakes (a subject close to my heart) </b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The licence fee is expensive, isn't it? £145.50 for colour TVs. Imagine what you could buy with that money in your pocket. Enough for cupcakes for an entire production crew with change left over! We know this because one BBC executive did just that!</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLb8ZXJpNC83p6lpRNBRaAg0zeZmTZ9CnbJQglRP0IhNFRsi0Qz9mrI8cqwjt8hQsMGFN40gSuue_1_3G3sbzJNZhAgHz_DlENM-ONniyBW19wSilMnjW07tLyFYd08MBNhBWv0aTdBI/s1600/Ugly+cupcake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLb8ZXJpNC83p6lpRNBRaAg0zeZmTZ9CnbJQglRP0IhNFRsi0Qz9mrI8cqwjt8hQsMGFN40gSuue_1_3G3sbzJNZhAgHz_DlENM-ONniyBW19wSilMnjW07tLyFYd08MBNhBWv0aTdBI/s1600/Ugly+cupcake.jpg" height="336" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Shane Allen, comedy commissioning controller (which I am sure is an absolutely vital job), thought it would be a nice gesture to buy cupcakes for staff involved in the making of two programmes he was involved with. He then thought it would be even nicer if he <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/jun/17/bbc-editor-claims-120-pounds-cupcakes" target="_blank">passed on the £120.00 bill to us</a>. Thank you Shane. I'm glad that I could contribute to the cupcake bill at the BBC!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But what other food and drink costs do the BBC pass on to licence fee payers? Well someone did make <a href="https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/bbc_food_drinks_and_refreshment_2" target="_blank">a freedom of information request</a> but the British State Broadcaster is a little slow in responding...</div>
<br />
<b>Money, Money, Money</b><br />
The BBC (yet again) got its facts wrong.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8c8O_ygwtRgwRE5M3vQjZ3_DuECcArrLe4W0j2rBgDBr-a7xeosHmhYB5_joGrjziShO72TLkBjOiJECqSyYA44JNTeILwOQYXxBajOizymGZtPrFT0FUeoHgKvwYvCFLXXLn4kf-0r4/s1600/BqW5xg8CAAA9S-E.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8c8O_ygwtRgwRE5M3vQjZ3_DuECcArrLe4W0j2rBgDBr-a7xeosHmhYB5_joGrjziShO72TLkBjOiJECqSyYA44JNTeILwOQYXxBajOizymGZtPrFT0FUeoHgKvwYvCFLXXLn4kf-0r4/s1600/BqW5xg8CAAA9S-E.png" height="222" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In the original report regarding the first days of the Republic of Ireland, the BBC wrongly claimed that the Pound ceased to be used and that the state created its own currency from day one. In the corrected version they finally acknowledged that this wasn't true. The Pound was used for 7 years without any issues. We have already explained why this would be the case in our blog '<a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/so-who-else-cant-use-pound.html" target="_blank">so who else can't use the pound</a>?'</div>
<br />
<b>Money, Money, Money (2)</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Sun newspaper was the latest to show that it doesn't understand how currencies work. In June, they produced the headline <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/good-faith-and-bad-practice/" target="_blank">SCOTS CURRENCY 'BEING PLANNED'</a>, which unfortunately for the Sun, wasn't true.</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"The lie that an independent Scotland
couldn’t use the pound is the most brazen and indisputable falsehood of
the entire referendum debate. Even though there’s no chance in any sane
reality of Scotland being kicked out of the EU or NATO even temporarily,
it’s nevertheless not possible to state as an absolute 100% certainty
that neither thing would happen.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But currency is different. It’s an
unarguable fact that Scotland could keep using Sterling with or without
an official currency union. Everybody knows it. If you put it directly
to any No-camp politician (as <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/an-open-letter-to-james-naughtie/">almost no journalist ever does</a>),
they’ll harrumph and grump and say why it’s a bad idea and try to
change the subject, but eventually they’ll admit that yes, it’s true –
Scotland COULD keep the pound.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And then they’ll put out another leaflet maintaining the lie that it couldn’t." <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/good-faith-and-bad-practice/" target="_blank">Wings over Scotland, 20th of June</a></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Are you on the list?</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
During June, Mike Dailly from Govan Law Centre made an announcement on Twitter that he was "working on publishing a list for the national media of who supports @RevStu on social media". <a href="https://twitter.com/RevStu" target="_blank">@RevStu</a> is the personal twitter account for Wings over Scotland founder Reverend Stuart Campbell.</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Ironically for a self-professed
socialist and trade union fan, Dailly appeared to be suggesting that he
was engaged in creating some sort of a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHbfZiE1D50">blacklist</a> to be circulated to the media, in which anyone who followed me would be incriminated by association.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
That this is perhaps a somewhat inconsistent policy for someone who <a href="https://twitter.com/mikedailly/following">follows</a> the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2001/feb/27/uk.race">Holocaust-denying</a> ex-UKIPper and present-day loony <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/daillymcconnachie.jpg">Alistair McConnachie</a> (see <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/peeking-behind-the-curtain/">here</a>), and extremist Loyalist nutcases <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/daillyskinner.jpg">Andrew Skinner</a> and <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/daillyunited.jpg">“Stronger United”</a>, among lesser trolls, seems to have gone over Mike’s head somewhat." <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/dont-tell-them-your-name-pike/" target="_blank">Reverend Stuart Campbell, Wings over Scotland</a></div>
</blockquote>
And the outcome of this action from Mike Dailly? The number of followers for @RevStu increased <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/dont-tell-them-your-name-pike/" target="_blank">by over a third within 24 hours</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWcPbmIP6WYbFEldtPNu2qURHCnW-oeZ1nHMA_nLiag9dJTd4JykO9wmhp-y6kz75HQmz0fSIN3NAEm-IZ9w9SzFlO5fogTwN_RdUxe_LlU-uS8MkvncOLtwvhck-H1hLKeVCJgHXAyA/s1600/shirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWcPbmIP6WYbFEldtPNu2qURHCnW-oeZ1nHMA_nLiag9dJTd4JykO9wmhp-y6kz75HQmz0fSIN3NAEm-IZ9w9SzFlO5fogTwN_RdUxe_LlU-uS8MkvncOLtwvhck-H1hLKeVCJgHXAyA/s1600/shirt.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
You can also buy <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/wingsoverscotlandmegastore/11342800" target="_blank">"I'm on the list" items</a> at the Wings over Scotland store!<br />
<br />
<b>What you can't (but we can) say</b><br />
Newsnet Scotland released an episode of Duggy Dug entitled <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/referendum/9350-the-nightmare-after-no" target="_blank">'the no nightmare'</a> in June. The cartoon showed a possible future for Scotland based on statements and policy aims made by the UK Labour and Conservative Parties (the only parties who can form the government at Westminster).<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/AVvXsEhikAYZ0hFzk904zyRHDwgW0xtoT1trWAxxFCi_vQYpqCfywbBNcocbawQ40mDeWKNp8CKBkouyUyvBYeQsWtsAVI8xFzMQTalVxQAGBRDlJVgO3zsNlAHz5jkaiZM4DRjgXqxsfNCqsXs/s1600/_68360780_duggydug.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikAYZ0hFzk904zyRHDwgW0xtoT1trWAxxFCi_vQYpqCfywbBNcocbawQ40mDeWKNp8CKBkouyUyvBYeQsWtsAVI8xFzMQTalVxQAGBRDlJVgO3zsNlAHz5jkaiZM4DRjgXqxsfNCqsXs/s1600/_68360780_duggydug.png" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Duggy Dug, the latest evil and dangerous Cybernat!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The video included a cartoon of Johann Lamont MSP dressed in a House of Lords robe with a badge entitled 'Vermin in Ermine'. This was to symbolise that her opposition to independence could be motivated by a potential reward from the British state. The phrase 'Vermin in Ermine' was heavily criticised by certain figures and the official no campaign:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"This is yet another absolutely disgraceful attack on a woman by a nationalist group. We hope that Newsnet do the decent thing, take down the film and apologise. Calling someone 'vermin' because you happen to disagree with them is just not on." <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9352-better-together-attack-on-animation-backfires-after-it-emerges-offensive-term-was-coined-by-labour-mp" target="_blank">Better Together (no) spokesperson.</a> </blockquote>
However, the term 'Vermin in Ermine' was originally coined by <a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/working-class-hero-john-prescott-234245" target="_blank">former deputy Prime Minister Lord John Prescott</a>. In a statement, a Newsnet Scotland spokesperson said:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"We used John Prescott's 'vermin in ermine' term in order to illustrate the hypocrisy that surrounds Labour politicians when it comes to the House of Lords'. <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9352-better-together-attack-on-animation-backfires-after-it-emerges-offensive-term-was-coined-by-labour-mp" target="_blank">Newsnet Scotland, 21st of June</a></blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqELdq_m7J8iTRZifoydajJBuItYjpVokTgWcDhpmooJa_ZrBo5e2ZJqJItQXD3XjQEznrPQlzQ6SmmvqqyP8N9VQiQYgttyQ1cXVQOyemhbKokO7rW0I-jOiyfoG1a0fRwx51J0r3hz0/s1600/peerage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqELdq_m7J8iTRZifoydajJBuItYjpVokTgWcDhpmooJa_ZrBo5e2ZJqJItQXD3XjQEznrPQlzQ6SmmvqqyP8N9VQiQYgttyQ1cXVQOyemhbKokO7rW0I-jOiyfoG1a0fRwx51J0r3hz0/s1600/peerage.jpg" height="251" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Newsnet also highlighted that claims the video was against women were mis-guided as the animator behind the Duggy Dug cartoons is herself female. We're sure that the newspapers will highlight this double standard and that the no campaign will apologise for their mistake and see the funny side of this parody (or maybe not).<br />
<br />
<b>Protest? What protest?</b><br />
The protest against austerity in London was recorded in much of <a href="http://rt.com/news/167532-uk-anti-austerity-march/" target="_blank">the international press</a> in June. An estimated <a href="http://tompride.wordpress.com/2014/06/21/bbc-and-press-ignore-massive-demonstration-against-austerity-in-london/" target="_blank">50,000 people</a> were present making it a pretty significant story. But the BBC and other controlled media outlets <a href="http://tompride.wordpress.com/2014/06/21/bbc-and-press-ignore-massive-demonstration-against-austerity-in-london/" target="_blank">barely offered a mention</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkAoaK4wTDXq6o1n8U6MjEBzUx0O2N9gDEx9JOa2yLyZu20B9YnDuNbeIKZEu-DYMF2yphSztk6WMm3nLJ-_HeMtWPRqTZQnvWjN_BMxFd84VnytPll40wwzCoh8cNwCnBEAR0buKRRUI/s1600/bbc-british-brainwashing-channel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkAoaK4wTDXq6o1n8U6MjEBzUx0O2N9gDEx9JOa2yLyZu20B9YnDuNbeIKZEu-DYMF2yphSztk6WMm3nLJ-_HeMtWPRqTZQnvWjN_BMxFd84VnytPll40wwzCoh8cNwCnBEAR0buKRRUI/s1600/bbc-british-brainwashing-channel.jpg" height="283" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The BBC had time to cover a much smaller protest by <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-27783218" target="_blank">some London Taxi drivers</a>, and to track down a Scot who was <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-27939845" target="_blank">cheering on Uruguay</a> at the World Cup, but not this? It's almost as if they were simply there to <a href="http://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2014/06/bbc-lawbreaking/" target="_blank">protect and advance the interests of the British State</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>Any time, just not then...</b><br />
On Sunday, the 22nd of June, we met by the news that <a href="http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/salmond-ill-debate-with-darling-on-tv.24556490" target="_blank">there would be a debate</a> between First Minister Alex Salmond [Yes] and Alistair Darling MP [no] on STV. On Tuesday, 24th of June, we were told that this wasn't going to take place. The reason...the no campaign didn't like the proposed date.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_iW73FQ1G2Blpf_e0udGrqpGdzKafl2G9nlEeHotUgS8BvEC-6O1NiOaqNY_3c_P0PAE8_HG9sALyiTlIMCXAA3Xzx6wVrIOQ3sBga4x6oCuFgAHgfwGYXH67Lm-c7nJTE_whlPtv-Yk/s1600/Hypocrites.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_iW73FQ1G2Blpf_e0udGrqpGdzKafl2G9nlEeHotUgS8BvEC-6O1NiOaqNY_3c_P0PAE8_HG9sALyiTlIMCXAA3Xzx6wVrIOQ3sBga4x6oCuFgAHgfwGYXH67Lm-c7nJTE_whlPtv-Yk/s1600/Hypocrites.jpg" height="362" width="400" /></a></div>
Yes, the same no campaign which cried, "if he [First Minister Alex Salmond] wants a debate, Alistair Darling...is ready to have one <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-26086100" target="_blank">any time, any place, any where</a>," pulled out of the debate because of its timing. Although this has caused much laughter amongst the online community (see <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/unsolvable-paradox-solved/" target="_blank">here</a>) it does prevent voters in Scotland from receiving both sides of the argument and thus hurts our democracy.<br />
<br />
The decision by the no campaign to withdraw follows similar approaches taken by various no campaigners across Scotland. They have <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/the-spokesman-who-wont-speak/" target="_blank">refused to have a debate</a> between Alistair Darling and Dennis Canavan (the chair of the no and Yes campaigns respectively), <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/frightened-rabbits/" target="_blank">refused to have a debate</a> hosted by the Electoral Reform Society between Yes and no campaigners in Glasgow (<a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/failure-to-engage/" target="_blank">or to help jointly arrange a meeting with Yes activits</a>) and even told <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/9201-no-campaign-accused-of-pulling-speakers-from-debates" target="_blank">a unionist MSP not attend a debate</a> by 'better together bosses'.<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/AVvXsEijHyYPp06X-dP-BDq9mSS04FpOgifsvd2t6hZ16D2Fv2r9dDXIrTr_icqBQddXO6oL-isw1ik_-vqHp9blGOPxh45Qjv99G_Tl_Dok_uNR66zmQfPSFu8q2U2T3qeJcJhZ5kFiGXzu8lw/s1600/Courage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHyYPp06X-dP-BDq9mSS04FpOgifsvd2t6hZ16D2Fv2r9dDXIrTr_icqBQddXO6oL-isw1ik_-vqHp9blGOPxh45Qjv99G_Tl_Dok_uNR66zmQfPSFu8q2U2T3qeJcJhZ5kFiGXzu8lw/s1600/Courage.jpg" height="400" width="347" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"I would debate, if only I had a little courage," Alistair Darling (probably)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Whilst there has and will be coverage of this attempt to scupper a debate, the controlled media will not highlight all the other instances where voters have been denied a chance to challenge both sides. Of course, <a href="http://www.businessforscotland.co.uk/yes-winning-63-to-33-after-three-post-debate-polls/" target="_blank">there is a reason</a> why those desperate for a no <a href="http://www.yesscotland.net/news/support-yes-rises-voters-become-more-informed-about-independence" target="_blank">don't want you to see the arguments</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>Does David Cameron know where the UK is?</b><br />
The twitter account UK Prime Minister (@Number10gov) issued <a href="https://tompride.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/iom-and-uk-spat-1.png" target="_blank">a tweet on the 23rd of June</a> stating "By staying united we have much more to share and much more to gain. #UNITEDKingdom" along with a picture of what Mr Cameron's staff must have thought was the UK. There was <a href="https://tompride.wordpress.com/2014/06/24/extraordinary-online-spat-between-uk-and-isle-of-man-governments-over-independence/" target="_blank">just one large problem</a>.<br />
<br />
The Isle of Man Government issued <a href="https://tompride.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/iom-and-uk-spat-2.png" target="_blank">the following reply</a>:<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrn5eQ41hyPAlqKQ6nfpd5kGpcfjsIlrV8bZZfWwtKSOerLxphQaiXLa6TMGgXYnIJVelIi8eIU8Zd1-QuBT0bX1bM7K3IiHZnQwra0yT1Im3_-SmMBDHoDDAt_xMYOk84VNBGk48LPKU/s1600/iom-and-uk-spat-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrn5eQ41hyPAlqKQ6nfpd5kGpcfjsIlrV8bZZfWwtKSOerLxphQaiXLa6TMGgXYnIJVelIi8eIU8Zd1-QuBT0bX1bM7K3IiHZnQwra0yT1Im3_-SmMBDHoDDAt_xMYOk84VNBGk48LPKU/s1600/iom-and-uk-spat-2.png" height="217" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
In the <a href="https://tompride.wordpress.com/2014/06/24/extraordinary-online-spat-between-uk-and-isle-of-man-governments-over-independence/" target="_blank">words of Pride's Purge</a>: "[I]s it only me finds the levels of amateurishness emanating from Cameron’s office truly embarrassing? <br />
<br />
Join us again in the middle of July for our next look at what's 'not in the news'! <br />
Drew<br />
<br />
If you like this blog, then please consider visiting our other sites:<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/Sign4Scotland/videos" target="_blank">YouTube - Sign4Scotland</a><br />
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Sign for Scotlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16057474693059978339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968036878657352398.post-26082618220707306632014-06-22T08:49:00.004+01:002014-06-22T08:49:45.011+01:00A Scare A Day - NATO edition<div style="text-align: justify;">
Would Scotland be a part of NATO post independence?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The short answer is ‘Yes’, but the various
scare stories issued by ‘no’ campaigners that have been promoted by newspapers and the
British State Broadcaster are trying to suggest otherwise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We at Sign for Scotland are going to do our
best to explain why there is only one circumstance where Scotland would be
outside the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<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/AVvXsEhzFFpGRetJO-0chNNKK2Hr_womquDNDCBvFiovvhvfdwqbZJEy8hWFYuH8ddlNrzNneLcRwsNHhyphenhypheng6RHR9w-fQGOmF6cWoH-eQtheFoBAqiNwyxv3MzbGMgT6mqdBeShnY3OHIKrOco2w/s1600/Kent%252520panic.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzFFpGRetJO-0chNNKK2Hr_womquDNDCBvFiovvhvfdwqbZJEy8hWFYuH8ddlNrzNneLcRwsNHhyphenhypheng6RHR9w-fQGOmF6cWoH-eQtheFoBAqiNwyxv3MzbGMgT6mqdBeShnY3OHIKrOco2w/s320/Kent%252520panic.gif" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>BBC Scotlandshire report</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Let’s start by looking at the scare and its purpose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘No’ campaigners are claiming that an independent Scotland
would need to keep Trident at Faslane in order to be accepted into NATO.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They hope that by implying that the people of
Scotland are powerless to enact change whether they vote for independence or not will drive
them to the conclusion that voting Yes is pointless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But let’s look at the reasons why this scare
isn’t realistic.</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>1 – The UK’s nuclear deterrent isn’t very significant to
NATO</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The UK hosts <a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/the-twist-in-the-tale/">less than 2% of NATO's entire stockpile</a> of nuclear weapons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There would still be plenty left to return
most nations on Earth back to the Stone Age even if Trident were scrapped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is just one of the reasons why the US has repeatedly suggested that Trident be dropped in
order to fund more conventional forces.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/us-urges-britain-to-ditch-trident-1573764.html">http://www.independent.co.uk/news/us-urges-britain-to-ditch-trident-1573764.html</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2013/may/ditch-trident-former-un-weapons-inspector-urges-uk">http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2013/may/ditch-trident-former-un-weapons-inspector-urges-uk</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/alex-massie/2013/04/do-the-americans-want-britain-to-renew-trident/">http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/alex-massie/2013/04/do-the-americans-want-britain-to-renew-trident/</a><br />
<a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/the-keepers-of-the-gate/" target="_blank">http://wingsoverscotland.com/the-keepers-of-the-gate/</a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<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/AVvXsEiiGBcms78FVqn-syOYdwizPH6rl-86QEKwZ6Ksm_ZIkL2XWO-FCGYbxj22gEV5dNcYegH6hnZUaCDQzxspYjwiny4t7rdTN6lM6NM-IIkwXc2xDNDoMmVialRE_YmhjLYXX7xsMq4ORbE/s1600/fear-facial-expression.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGBcms78FVqn-syOYdwizPH6rl-86QEKwZ6Ksm_ZIkL2XWO-FCGYbxj22gEV5dNcYegH6hnZUaCDQzxspYjwiny4t7rdTN6lM6NM-IIkwXc2xDNDoMmVialRE_YmhjLYXX7xsMq4ORbE/s320/fear-facial-expression.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"Treaty ratifications?! Only Westminster can do them!" said by no-one</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>2 – Spain’s historical precedence</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Nuclear warheads, which had been stored in a joint
Spanish-US naval base near Cádiz, were removed in 1979, just three years before
Spain formally joined NATO (<a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/7868-nato-unionist-nuclear-attacks-undermined-by-spanish-precedent" target="_blank">see: http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/7868-nato-unionist-nuclear-attacks-undermined-by-spanish-precedent</a>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The current Scottish Government intends to
take a similar approach to Trident and there has been no specific reason
offered as to how our circumstance is different.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>3 – Existing members want us to join without nuclear
weapons</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Iceland, Denmark and Norway have a strategic interest in
co-operating with an independent Scotland, and the easiest way to do that is if
we are all members of NATO (<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-22087115" target="_blank">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-22087115</a>).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
If Scotland were refused entry into NATO on the grounds that
we won’t host nuclear weapons, then would the alliance demand bases in other,
non-nuclear states?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is hard to
believe that Norway, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-dear/norway-calls-the-world-to_b_2862919.html" target="_blank">which hosted a two-day conference to ban all nuclear weapons</a>,
or Denmark, <a href="http://thecommune.co.uk/2013/05/21/nuclear-weapons-and-scottish-independence/" target="_blank">which publically stated that it does not want nuclear weapons deployed in its territory</a>,
would accept these weapons being imposed upon them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And as we saw in point 2, there is already an example of a
nation banishing nuclear weapons from its territory and being welcomed into
NATO, so the notion that NATO needs to take a hardline approach against Scotland to prevent anti-nuclear movements in other member states is both wrong and very much against the spirit of democracy.</div>
<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/AVvXsEjCVl-qhU6jrJdY8yz6PRi-ID0gj656eFdqpVOuzHajUGrLrSKukTWztvC-uEPuWvVWJf3gvuBwcQjXfjne7dB3m3Dz4RplHV6woi2W7yypsRDkrjUz6Lku8jSdvpXNbniPokCbcLGVe_0/s1600/44d07169610394572ee62efb016483fd6a040a94.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVl-qhU6jrJdY8yz6PRi-ID0gj656eFdqpVOuzHajUGrLrSKukTWztvC-uEPuWvVWJf3gvuBwcQjXfjne7dB3m3Dz4RplHV6woi2W7yypsRDkrjUz6Lku8jSdvpXNbniPokCbcLGVe_0/s320/44d07169610394572ee62efb016483fd6a040a94.jpg" height="279" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"You don't want self determination. BAD things might happen to you if I don't make all the decisions" Better Together statement (probably)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>4 – The alternative</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Scotland is not located in a strategically important
position in terms of deploying nuclear weapons against potentially hostile
states (primarily because there aren’t any near us), however we are becoming
increasing important in terms of trade routes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
‘China begins using Arctic shipping route that could change
the face of world trade’ <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/china-begins-using-arctic-shipping-route-that-could-change-the-face-of-world-trade-2013-8" target="_blank">was the headline from Business Insider from August 16th, 2013</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The route passes by the East coast of
Scotland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is extremely significant
because instead of being at the fringes of Europe, Scotland can become its
gateway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s estimated that between 5
and 15% of China’s international trade could be using this passage by 2020,
offering huge opportunities.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
If Scotland were to be shunned by NATO over weapons that
don’t matter and wouldn’t be forced onto other members, then having closer
relations with China and Russia would be very lucrative for us, and worrying
for America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The best solution for the
United States would be to have us in the club instead of engaging in a bidding war for our co-operation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>5 – The legality of hosting Trident</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
We’ll have to make this a two part answer because we’re not
sure which scare the ‘no’ campaign is using at the moment (see: <a href="http://newsnetscotland.com/index.php/referendum/7365-independent-scotland-could-be-debt-free-if-westminster-maintains-current-stance" target="_blank">http://newsnetscotland.com/index.php/referendum/7365-independent-scotland-could-be-debt-free-if-westminster-maintains-current-stance</a>
and <a href="http://newsnetscotland.com/index.php/referendum/6604-scotland-and-ruk-both-successor-states-after-independence-says-academic" target="_blank">http://newsnetscotland.com/index.php/referendum/6604-scotland-and-ruk-both-successor-states-after-independence-says-academic</a>),
but if Scotland is a brand new nation (with no debts or treaty obligations)
then, <a href="http://www.un.org/en/conf/npt/2010/npttext.shtml" target="_blank">under international law</a>, we are not permitted to host nuclear weapons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no rational reason to refuse a
Scottish application to join NATO on the basis that we aren’t breaking the
Non-Proliferation Treaty, especially when there are lots of positive reasons
amongst various existing members for us to be included.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And if we are a successor nation (with our share of assets
and with equal status with rUK), then we will already be members of NATO, and
thus there is no debate.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfT83yXdxgWvTenKIRWjHRGsitJfhPfVg-P-uL88pb_iF2ytwxgNkqUu0CMu6qfitYFh7ACop3hi8IjPs8sTdkh9yAdtbAAIZa-66OMkrfPyC6wF6WLx6x7POMWLvExkAFs7l66xa2Is/s1600/image.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfT83yXdxgWvTenKIRWjHRGsitJfhPfVg-P-uL88pb_iF2ytwxgNkqUu0CMu6qfitYFh7ACop3hi8IjPs8sTdkh9yAdtbAAIZa-66OMkrfPyC6wF6WLx6x7POMWLvExkAFs7l66xa2Is/s320/image.png" height="272" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
We said at the beginning of this blog that there was one circumstance
where Scotland would not be a member of NATO.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><a href="http://wingsoverscotland.com/an-actual-letter-from-america/" target="_blank">That is if we don’t want to be</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After independence, we will decide the important issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we want to be a member of NATO, then we’ll
be a member, if we want to join Partnership for Peace, then we’ll join Partnership
for Peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyone who suggests otherwise
needs to provide an answer to each of the five points listed above.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Otherwise, this is <a href="http://sign4scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/a-scare-daypensions-edition.html" target="_blank">just another scare</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Drew</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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Sign for Scotlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16057474693059978339noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968036878657352398.post-17214902371748435532014-06-17T14:46:00.002+01:002014-06-17T14:49:25.553+01:00The folly of Trident<div style="text-align: justify;">
Nuclear weapons have no military use. They <a href="http://www.fas.org/programs/ssp/nukes/new%20nuclear%20weapons/bnkrbstrrprt.html" target="_blank">can't destroy every target</a>, they can't be used anywhere near your own troops and their expense draws funds away from conventional forces, including personnel, equipment and technology. They are utterly worthless against terrorism and always run the risk of being detonated by accident.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Even arguments that they prevent war only apply to superpowers like America and Russia, and even then it is debatable.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Nuclear weapons have one purpose, destroying mass civilian areas. Mutually Assured Destruction was based on the principle that neither side of the cold war would launch a full scale attack as the retaliation would result in the slaughter of their own citizens in every town and city. And yet this still didn't stop military personnel from suggesting that they should <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_Integrated_Operational_Plan#Prevention_versus_preemption" target="_blank">go ahead and do it anyway</a>.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Let's look at the effects of what they were contemplating:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh97JD0-mvRZyPe5RjN8JNB1TYhZELEwXIlAdxqCceqqgwucXboePm2Iw9YYPKG_GbCnM3Yyh8JZ00VnZQQs_64yZ13sQT_jRVKY5OmILovg3LQ3KxoKpvufQYMuOGxYhqMae2b_y0hF0/s1600/h29_19773763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh97JD0-mvRZyPe5RjN8JNB1TYhZELEwXIlAdxqCceqqgwucXboePm2Iw9YYPKG_GbCnM3Yyh8JZ00VnZQQs_64yZ13sQT_jRVKY5OmILovg3LQ3KxoKpvufQYMuOGxYhqMae2b_y0hF0/s1600/h29_19773763.jpg" height="276" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKShvifapM9kahZ9U1crCJ1ZUOMcwpSCkqhidxEsIdQfFoZHj-sHZNmUMau3UNH4rYte_5PcOYJ_1y8WRnvdOcw7PDtDZUEQzo6YvebOmGabFsrucOx26NExoed1bIvYas9R9Jkhf830/s1600/Bombings-Of-Hiroshima-And-Nagasaki-Effects-On-Society.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKShvifapM9kahZ9U1crCJ1ZUOMcwpSCkqhidxEsIdQfFoZHj-sHZNmUMau3UNH4rYte_5PcOYJ_1y8WRnvdOcw7PDtDZUEQzo6YvebOmGabFsrucOx26NExoed1bIvYas9R9Jkhf830/s1600/Bombings-Of-Hiroshima-And-Nagasaki-Effects-On-Society.jpg" height="288" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Look at how it destroys people's lives:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitySS-D1ob8CV-p8M1O8ENfZPcqleyuzd83FB-1_KMhKOA-dcWiwj8fvnFvrBj9TKXbWPB_Vg_1bvhcnlm3frmY0kk-7-xsJBFfwXD_ZFSz7XrcCvj8QVn-1_DCpAntsOe6TiZDWzzceU/s1600/The_patient's_skin_is_burned_in_a_pattern_corresponding_to_the_dark_portions_of_a_kimono_-_NARA_-_519686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitySS-D1ob8CV-p8M1O8ENfZPcqleyuzd83FB-1_KMhKOA-dcWiwj8fvnFvrBj9TKXbWPB_Vg_1bvhcnlm3frmY0kk-7-xsJBFfwXD_ZFSz7XrcCvj8QVn-1_DCpAntsOe6TiZDWzzceU/s1600/The_patient's_skin_is_burned_in_a_pattern_corresponding_to_the_dark_portions_of_a_kimono_-_NARA_-_519686.jpg" height="400" width="318" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBnlpsnhsonh9NUbjp0gVIImh0m1zTI1SzkP-awELQUHRQdcEtMdGa2_CFt9K8HK6cNJ2sdoacM2Dd-XkptJNCHDOJJ6lgmmx8mGA3draxkLHbJQOGpO7nCAdb9zCRkhe7A44g4QVfZwU/s1600/Hiroshima_mon_amour-3._Hiroshima_im_Film.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBnlpsnhsonh9NUbjp0gVIImh0m1zTI1SzkP-awELQUHRQdcEtMdGa2_CFt9K8HK6cNJ2sdoacM2Dd-XkptJNCHDOJJ6lgmmx8mGA3draxkLHbJQOGpO7nCAdb9zCRkhe7A44g4QVfZwU/s1600/Hiroshima_mon_amour-3._Hiroshima_im_Film.jpg" height="317" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Look at the devestation it creates:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIGTJ3mN9rYemev3bNMGFj8KFzPMPSgURMAFu2wIzpicmHGdx-ItpdKrsodBR3xZkstGJf11RRHYXUbdtwdp7IL9dr2fPlsYzSxvyQ7SyEV7E-l4uXIcsF-cl_MC4x9sichksbEZ6eHo/s1600/547px-Nagasaki_1945_-_Before_and_after_(adjusted).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIGTJ3mN9rYemev3bNMGFj8KFzPMPSgURMAFu2wIzpicmHGdx-ItpdKrsodBR3xZkstGJf11RRHYXUbdtwdp7IL9dr2fPlsYzSxvyQ7SyEV7E-l4uXIcsF-cl_MC4x9sichksbEZ6eHo/s1600/547px-Nagasaki_1945_-_Before_and_after_(adjusted).jpg" height="400" width="365" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The effects of an nuclear attack can be classed into <a href="http://www.cnduk.org/campaigns/global-abolition/effects-of-nuclear-weapons" target="_blank">four categories</a>: Instantaneous, Near-immediate, Short term and Long term.</div>
<br />
Instantaneous<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"The heart of a nuclear explosion reaches a temperature of several
million degrees centigrade. Over a wide area the resulting heat flash
literally vaporises all human tissue. At Hiroshima, within a radius of
half a mile, the only remains of most of the people caught in the open
were their shadows burnt into stone." <a href="http://www.cnduk.org/campaigns/global-abolition/effects-of-nuclear-weapons" target="_blank">CND UK</a></blockquote>
</div>
Near-immediate<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"People inside buildings or otherwise shielded will be indirectly
killed by the blast and heat effects as buildings collapse and all
inflammable materials burst into flames. The immediate death rate will
be over 90%. Various individual fires will combine to produce a fire
storm as all the oxygen is consumed. As the heat rises, air is drawn in
from the periphery at or near ground level. This results in lethal,
hurricane force winds as well as perpetuating the fire as the fresh
oxygen is burnt. Such fire storms have also been produced by intense,
large scale conventional bombing in cities such as Hamburg and Tokyo.<br />
<br />
People in underground shelters who survive the initial heat flash will die as all the oxygen is sucked out of the atmosphere.<br />
<br />
Outside the area of total destruction there will be a gradually
increasing percentage of immediate survivors. However most of these will
suffer from fatal burns, will be blinded, bleeding from glass splinters
and will have suffered massive internal injuries. Many will be trapped
in collapsed and burning buildings. The death rate will be higher than
in a normal disaster since most emergency services will be incapable of
responding due to their equipment being destroyed and staff killed. The
sheer scale of the casualties would overwhelm any country's medical
resources. The International Red Cross has concluded that the use of a
single nuclear weapon in or near a populated area is likely to result in
a humanitarian disaster that will be "difficult to address". There is
currently no international plan in place to deliver humanitarian
assistance to survivors in the case of a nuclear attack. Most casualties
would receive at best minimal, palliative treatment. The best they
could hope for would be to die in as little pain as possible." <a href="http://www.cnduk.org/campaigns/global-abolition/effects-of-nuclear-weapons" target="_blank">CND UK</a></blockquote>
</div>
Short Term<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Survivors will be affected within a matter of days by radioactive
fall-out. The extent of the fall-out will vary according to whether the
nuclear bomb detonates in the air (as at Hiroshima) or upon impact on
the ground. While the former will entail more blast impact, the latter
will throw up much larger quantities of radioactive debris into the
atmosphere.<br />
<br />
The effects of exposure to high levels of radioactive fall-out
include hair loss, bleeding from the mouth and gums, internal bleeding
and haemorrhagic diarrhoea, gangrenous ulcers, vomiting, fever, delirium
and terminal coma. There is no effective treatment and death follows in
a matter of days.<br />
<br />
At lower levels of exposure, while there is an increased chance of at
least short term survival, the death rate remains high. Those who do
survive face many complications. Pregnant women are likely to miscarry
or give birth to babies with a range of disabilities. Healing from
injuries is often slow, leaving distinctive scar tissue. Damage to the
immune system is probable." <a href="http://www.cnduk.org/campaigns/global-abolition/effects-of-nuclear-weapons" target="_blank">CND UK</a></blockquote>
</div>
Long Term<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Radiation-induced cancers will affect many, often over twenty years
later. Certain cancers such as thyroid cancer in children are
particularly associated with exposure to radiation. The children of
those exposed to radiation are statistically more likely to be born with
abnormalities and suffer from leukaemia. Because of the long period
between exposure and the onset of cancer, it is difficult to attribute a
particular cancer to a particular cause. The correlation is described
as epidemiological, rather as the connection between smoking and lung
cancer was statistically established before the medical links had been
uncovered.<br />
<br />
Nuclear weapons cause severe damage to the climate and environment on a scale incomparable to any other weapon." <a href="http://www.cnduk.org/campaigns/global-abolition/effects-of-nuclear-weapons" target="_blank">CND UK</a></blockquote>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Tq3rst1Y9D9pA7V7j9ZUgvT70c3DPyPrIOZQFJsjfmsXjbNcFAJE9LZRCbdT8XR1GKYLI6zmjWJNTnr6T9OGqSdyScZb2SomvR2ca0D5oqQLQrMDzLThJkjuPad_e-hWPfQLqEvJi6o/s1600/hiroshima+and+nagasaki.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Tq3rst1Y9D9pA7V7j9ZUgvT70c3DPyPrIOZQFJsjfmsXjbNcFAJE9LZRCbdT8XR1GKYLI6zmjWJNTnr6T9OGqSdyScZb2SomvR2ca0D5oqQLQrMDzLThJkjuPad_e-hWPfQLqEvJi6o/s1600/hiroshima+and+nagasaki.jpeg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The question to ask is: who are willing to use these £100,000,000,000 weapons against? Since Britain first gained access to atomic bombs in October 1952, we have been involved in the following countries and conflicts:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Korea (<i>Korean War</i>), Kenya (<i>Mau Mau Uprising</i>), Cyprus (<i>Cyprus Emergency</i>), Egypt (<i>Suez Crisis</i>), Ireland (<i>Border Campaign</i>), Brunei (<i>Brunei Revolt</i>), Indonesia and Malaysia (<i>Indonesia-Malaysia Conflict</i>), Oman (<i>Dhofar Rebellion</i>), Yemen (<i>Aden Emergency</i>), Argentina (<i>Falklands War</i>), Iraq (<i>Gulf Wars</i>), Serbia (<i>Bosnian and Kosovo Wars</i>), Afghanistan (<i>Fourth Anglo-Afghan War</i>), Sierra Leone (<i>Sierra Leone Civil War</i>) and Libya (<i>Libyan Intervention</i>).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Which cities should we have destroyed? Should we have slaughtered the 516,000 people who lived in Pyongyang in the early 1950s? Maybe killing the 2,991,000 people in Cairo during the Suez Crisis would have helped? Perhaps levelling Buenos Aires and its 9,920,000 inhabitants would have ended the Falklands conflict quicker? The answer is none: but then what is the point of a deterrent if it is never used?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The money that was wasted on nuclear weapons could have been spent in other aspects of the military (or on improving the lives and economy of people at home), so what was the point of them? Did Soviet Premier Konstantin Chernenko say "we launch an attack tod- wait, Britain has a 520 atomic bombs and we only have 45,000, we need to call the whole thing off!"?</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIuc5mszr1ZdKTrQHXMe99uRt89wSJH5JTxTk6w47o0E0K5t2XoHO4wDnBbUL_GlWwReKJI8Nkcn4-SJt-pVdlUBsJcyQ5DLbE9d0OcKhgROnLuOGGNj3YqefEorC55CCkyE4-T6t7Oew/s1600/burnt-shadows-001.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIuc5mszr1ZdKTrQHXMe99uRt89wSJH5JTxTk6w47o0E0K5t2XoHO4wDnBbUL_GlWwReKJI8Nkcn4-SJt-pVdlUBsJcyQ5DLbE9d0OcKhgROnLuOGGNj3YqefEorC55CCkyE4-T6t7Oew/s1600/burnt-shadows-001.png" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And then there is the risk of accidents (and there have been lots of very close calls). Here are a few examples:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.rense.com/general45/drop.htm" target="_blank">US Dropped Four H-Bombs on Spain in 1966</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A B52 bomber and a KC-135 tacker aircraft collided over Palomares village in south east Spain. The B-52's four hydrogen bombs (each 100 times more powerful than that dropped on Hiroshima) fell from the craft. Two remained intact whilst the others leaked radiation into the surrounding farmland and coast. Despite other munitions onboard exploding, none of the atomic bombs detonated.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Nuclear weapons damage at RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk, 1956</div>
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A US airforce B-47 crashed into a storage facility and leaked burning fuel over 3 Mark 6 atomic bombs. Here is the comment from the official report:</div>
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"Preliminary exam by bomb disposal officer says a miracle that one Mark six with exposed detonators sheared didn't go."</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4v1cd6vkH3dyBTXnM5xH9h3cQ1ZxA9GERXMCV2swT72Zcj3y-fLzRHck6yQIg520TmswwGuZyyTfyK-1tmWtzL128X4-_cWMgXqPPW2G1UZdr6g2gIE2NXkC9rY_72x280hSR2lTEDLo/s1600/nh4_1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4v1cd6vkH3dyBTXnM5xH9h3cQ1ZxA9GERXMCV2swT72Zcj3y-fLzRHck6yQIg520TmswwGuZyyTfyK-1tmWtzL128X4-_cWMgXqPPW2G1UZdr6g2gIE2NXkC9rY_72x280hSR2lTEDLo/s1600/nh4_1.gif" height="400" width="303" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://rt.com/news/royal-navy-torpedo-accident-966/" target="_blank">UK Navy ships fires torpedo at nuclear sub dockyard, 2014</a></div>
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This story was widely covered in the international press.</div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"HMS Argyll fired a torpedo by mistake during a training drill at the
Devonport dockyard in Plymouth south west England, where nuclear
submarines are also docked.<br />
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The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon, during the Navy’s
Flag Officer Training.<br />
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Workers were shocked to see a 2.6-meter long torpedo shoot
out of the side of a ship, fly 200 meters through the air, blast
a hole through a security fence and then slam into a metal
storage container." <a href="http://rt.com/news/royal-navy-torpedo-accident-966/" target="_blank">Russia Today, 14th of March 2014</a></blockquote>
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These stories (<a href="http://nsarchive.wordpress.com/2013/10/09/document-friday-narrative-summaries-of-accidents-involving-nuclear-weapons/" target="_blank">and the many others like them</a>) don't tend to get discussed by the pro-war lobbyists at Westminster. Despite the <a href="http://www.banthebomb.org/archives/trisaf/ch5.htm" target="_blank">effects of an accident</a> being <a href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-news/6510-mod-says-trident-submarines-cannot-be-moved-to-plymouth" target="_blank">partly understood</a>, it is safest to not have these weapons in our territory at all, and to encourage others to do the same.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOPSgTz2nIxKoNhOS_KO1V3W1HeMzJTBl5bTfGFGfYk34PUdcj-XpobKFSk4Ub-2h8O3_kQBztXKyRMCvXR7BNiURNbx3bKVSf0IuUJcIihgXSeyjUWgVYotZpTO7-8YUFFv3qzRNu0w/s1600/ExgQT9O.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOPSgTz2nIxKoNhOS_KO1V3W1HeMzJTBl5bTfGFGfYk34PUdcj-XpobKFSk4Ub-2h8O3_kQBztXKyRMCvXR7BNiURNbx3bKVSf0IuUJcIihgXSeyjUWgVYotZpTO7-8YUFFv3qzRNu0w/s1600/ExgQT9O.png" height="250" width="400" /></a></div>
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The images we used above are pretty graphic, but they are nothing compared to what you will find with a simple google search. Nuclear weapons have no strategic value. They are a relic of the cold war and are far more trouble than they are worth. Scotland should not have these weapons. Scotland should not be threatening others with industrial slaughter.<br />
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Our military spending should be focused on the things that actually keep us safe, our military personnel and their equipment. We should look towards offering the world something positive, not violent obsenities. With independence we can rid nuclear, chemical and biological weapons from our shores and legitimately push for disarmament through our example.</div>
Drew<br />
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