SUBROSA

Today's Non-Story

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:45:00 +0000

So Fred the Shred is no longer the possessor of an ermine cloak and has been returned to the masses with the simple title of Mr.

Although the MSM has been making much of his fall from grace, it matters not a jot whether he has a title or not. It's completely irrelevant, although politicians will be hoping this action somehow penalises the worst banker in British history.

What does matter is that, along with his cohorts, he still has his ill-gotten gains in his bank account and gains £2,000 a day in pension rights.

What also matters is that he has the financial clout to insist that text criticising his lack of experience in banking was removed from the FSA's 450 page report last month.

The British honours system is no longer a suitable platform on which to recognise those who make remarkable contributions to society . The nominations are mainly political and reflect little about the real heroes who keep the wheels of society oiled with their hard work. For some years I've worked for various voluntary charities, only to notice grassroots workers are ignored while the charity bosses receive the plaudits. Few people volunteer in order to receive thanks, but when they see the credits going to the people at the top, it can be irritating.

What would have been news today is that somehow Mr Goodwin had been forced to forfeit part or all of his vast pension. Wouldn't it?

Edinburgh Lurches Into The 21st Century

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:20:00 +0000

For nearly a 150 years any visitor to Edinburgh who arrives by rail has had the nightmare of dragging their luggage up the 72 Waverley Steps to escape the station. Some (including myself) have taken their lives in their hands using the taxi ramp, but neither choice was pleasant and I know of no other main line railway station in the UK which is so inaccessible.

When I lived in Edinburgh back in the early 70s, the 'top of the Waverley Steps' was a popular place to meet friends. The merest breeze turned into a hurricane as the Steps were a notorious wind tunnel.

Although 5 years behind the original schedule, yesterday marked a new lease of life for the famous Steps. Finally one of Edinburgh council's projects was completed and the Steps have been remodelled into eight shorter flights but half their original width. The other half now boasts three banks of adjacent escalators for the 40ft ascent and a glass roof. In summer two 16-person lifts will be completed to whisk travellers up to Princes Street.

Forty per cent of station users - 14,000 people - daily take the Steps and with this long-awaited lurch into the 21st century no doubt the new facility will attract many more. One user is impressed.

Update: I have been sent the following email by a Mr Cohen:

Your comment about taking your life in your hands by using the taxi ramp makes no sense; please correct it. Both the In and Out ramps have pedestrian pavements/sidewalks.

Mr reply was as follows:

I will amend it of course. It's some years since I attempted to exit via the ramp and all it had then was one very narrow pavement on one side. It was quite unsuitable for an older person to pull a large wheeled suitcase.

The SNP And The SDA

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:16:00 +0000

For some time I've been impressed by the work of the Scottish Democratic Alliance (SDA). Those involved seem attuned to what's being said in living rooms and pubs and they have had, for some time, comprehensive policies on the EU and defence - being just two - publicly available online. They have always been open to communications with the SNP because their aim is also independence.

The SDA, along with the more astute political watchers, realise that Scotland will never be the same from last Wednesday, when Alex Salmond launched the referendum consultation. Last Wednesday changed the future of Scotland forever.

The launch itself didn't make much change to the political atmosphere in Scotland, but David Cameron's statement, a couple of days later, did. His message spelt out, clearly and distinctly, that if the people didn't vote Yes, Scotland would be put in mothballs for the foreseeable future.

Now the stakes have changed. David Cameron's statement is more concerning because he's creating a problem, so early in the debate, which could eventually have resolved itself in the next two and a half years. The problem is that the union is finished. His remark this weekend only goes to show he knows it too, but if the referendum produces a No vote, then Scotland will suffer directly from London rule. That's the nature of the beast - the winner takes it all.

Back to the SDA. Last week they announced that one of their members would be standing as a candidate for Leith in the May local elections. Immediately some SNP supporters accused them of 'splitting the vote'. Such narrow-mindedness is upsetting. I see the SDA as a group of knowledgeable people with a clear vision of how an independent Scotland could achieve both social and financial stability. Their vision may not be everyone's favourite breakfast, but to insult their efforts is contemptible, particularly when so many haven't made any effort to understand their aims.

A member of the SDA gave his response on Facebook to those who are unable to realise that the SNP is not the only game in town aiming for independence. I do hope those who negatively objected to them nominating a candidate for the May council elections will take note and before they make foolish comments in future, take the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the SDA's policies. It disappoints me to think that so many believe Alex Salmond alone can deliver a Yes note in the autumn of 2014. As a supporter of independence I believe we need all the help we can get to achieve it.

The SDA have no intentions of splitting the independence vote. Like it or not there are many Scots who would support independence but for a variety of reasons will not support the SNP. A single candidate in a local authority will not detract from the support received by the SNP but it will provide a public awareness that will demonstrate that the SNP are not alone in the drive for independence. The awareness that there are other players who are developing policies for an independent Scotland will reassure voters and help swing them over to vote Yes in the referendum. Over a third of the voters are undecided and to win some of them over they need to be told what independence will mean for them. At present they don't know and the SNP do not appear to be in a position to tell them. We have made every policy and discussion paper we have researched available to the SNP and have not even received an acknowledgement. There are multiple unionist parties who will slowly get their acts together and the SNP will require help from the Greens, the SDA and others to win the referendum vote.

Robert Ingram (Facebook link)

Note: I am not a member of the SDA or any political party but I support Scotland being an independent nation.

Juke Box Gems

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 09:34:00 +0000

A wee bit fun for a Sunday morning. Click on a year and a new juke box window opens with a choice of 20 songs from your selected year.

Music Time Machine

Take Your Pick

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 19:52:00 +0000

Carloway "eviscerated"?

Independence and Broadcasting

Ian Hudghton MEP on Scotland and Europe's future

How the Guardian newspaper has betrayed the poor

Hootsmon Headlines

How Much Did This Cost?

Scotland and Northern Ireland

Coup d'Etat

Ah, That Frisson Of Anticipation!

Short Thoughts (Martin Durkin)

Greens to sceptics: show us the money!

ESM Treaty pushed through on the quiet by EU Finance Ministers

Afghanistan

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 09:32:00 +0000

A member of the British army was shot in Afghanistan yesterday. He was from 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment and was fatally wounded in an insurgent patrol in the Khar Nikah area of Helmand.

His death brings the number of our military lost in this war to 397.

Four French troops were killed by an Afghan soldier last week and Sarkozy immediately halted operations in the country, but after talks with Karzia, it was decided that they will resume training Afghan soldiers today, but France will pull out most of its 3,600 troops by the end of 2013.

Sarkozy's main opponent in this year's French presidential elections has pledged to bring troops home this year if elected. A survey, published on Thursday, stated 84% of French people supported the full withdrawal of troops by the end of this year.

Anyone with an interest in military matters will know that the majority of the medics present in war zones these days are reservists because we no longer have military hospitals and therefore few full-time medical staff. Lt. Col. Sharon Stewart is one of them and she is to be presented with one of nursing's top honours.

Congratulations to her and her colleagues. Without them the suffering of our wounded would be even more horrific.

Proof (If Needed) That An MP's Job Is Only Part-time

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:24:00 +0000

Phillip Lee (pictured) is the Conservative MP for Bracknell where his electorate are very content. Why?

As well as being their political representative Mr Lee is also a GP. That may not be an unusual qualification for MPs to hold, but Mr Lee is a practicing GP. He manages his medical commitments alongside his political ones and also finds time to criticise his Westminster friends.

Truly radical policies and, hence, genuine change are avoided. The goal was to secure votes and attain office, rather than govern boldly with a coherent plan. Instead of fostering a better Britain, a ‘public-opinion’ industry was created, the essential component of the risk-reduction process.
Detached, professional politicians had cleverly outsourced the gathering of knowledge. The problem was, though, that polls and surveys rarely raised new issues or introduced new information.

His remarks aren't surprising because most people, with the slightest interest in politics, know that these days MPs have little to do, as so many of our laws are now made in Brussels.

Mr Lee is certainly not naive, yet when he states: 'It is ironic that having had this article published, it feels as if I've taken a risk', he's missed the real irony. Accepting his full MP's salary for a job which is so obviously part time is the real irony.

Get Involved In The CIB Film Festival

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:29:00 +0000

Thanks to Edward Spalton.

A Debate On Scotland's Constitution

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:52:00 +0000

A guest post by John Souter.

Having first read then listened to the presentation of the Hugo Young lecture I think its fair to say it's one of the few speeches that come over better through the personality and commitment of the speaker than it does as two dimensional script.

One major point in its favour was, while the knee jerk comments from proponents for protecting their positions within the status quo were referred to, they were given the value and rejection they deserve as the equivalent to water off a duck's back.

Of late, and probably for the foreseeable future, we are going to be snowed under by these vacuous fictions claiming to be and paraded as facts. Unfortunately one of the downsides of this is the knee jerk reaction to make equally fatuous retorts. Both are wearisome to an extent they can create parallel negative reactions. The Hugo Young speech shows how we should react by sticking to purpose and conviction rather than the mince of rhetorical hyperbole.

That said and, while it's understandable that for the present the process of the referendum should claim priority, there are still major issues such as EU membership etc., being the democratic choice for an independent Scotland and the form of Constitution adopted by Scotland to maintain, protect and empower the sovereignty of its people. In fact so interlaced are the two issues the decision on the EU cannot be legitimately made until the constitutional model is finalised.

I've struggle with this for sometime and as a consequence of being as intellectually lazy and politically naive as the next man, it slowly dawned on me that I was also constitutionally illiterate. That I knew what I didn't want, which was the model of democracy as practised by Westminster should not be the model adopted by Scotland.

But what form should the new constitution take? And, given the wedges driven into the American Declaration of Independence by its Supreme Court, political hegemonies and corporate hijackers, was any constitution binding enough to be impregnable by short term interests in the power game?

The last question is still open, but - and here I have to declare my intent, though I have neither direct nor indirect interest in the books success - while the wearisome Machiavellian machinations of Earls and political mandarins have been rolling on, I've been reading Elliot Bulmer's "A Model Constitution For Scotland."*

While it doesn't claim to be the definitive version, it does serve as a foundation for debate and analysis on the objectives, construct and purpose a constitution should serve. In truth I found it empowering and a clear indication of just how positively comprehensive and radically democratic an independent Scotland could be.

I look forward to the debate. And in case it’s considered I'm completely uncritical of the book, it doesn't quite cover the Lobbying aspects nor the wedges being allowed to drive cracks in the American version. But that was drawn up two hundred years ago and times do change; perhaps we should incorporate in Scotland's a re-affirmation by referendum every two or three parliamentary terms?

* Elliot Bulmer 'A Model Constitution for Scotland' - ISBN is 1-908373-13-X Published by Luath Press. £10.99 inc pp.

The Defence Of Scotland

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:24:00 +0000

The Scottish government had a good week last week considering Alex Salmond's declaration that he would take the Scottish regiments from HM Forces should Scotland vote for independence. He managed to escape too much criticism, which is unfortunate because without a professional defence force no nation survives.

I agree with Angus Robertson when he said: '...normal countries decide whether they are going to maintain the military in a format they feel appropriate' but one naval base, one air base and one mobile armed brigade of around 6,000 isn't a format, it's a skeleton.

The SNP has always been weak in military policy, understandably so and they are no better or worse than the other Scottish political parties in this regard. Until the last few years they had no need to develop one, but now they do need to come up with a detailed policy.

What needs to be decided is the type of defence force Scotland needs. We could look to Finland for an example but you will note, as with some other western countries, it relies heavily on conscription. I cannot see Scots agreeing to conscription even though I can see the benefits it could provide both economically and socially. Therefore a Scottish defence force will most probably have to rely heavily on reservists.

We may have the infrastructure in place, but the power of a defence force lies with its personnel and the recruitment of personnel could prove to be a difficult and lengthy process. Not every Scot serving in HM Forces will want to rush back home to join a Scottish defence force. Although Alex Salmond accused Richard Dannatt of 'talking Scotland down' Dannatt had a point when he says that most British military interventions have been opposed by the SNP, so what would would they do? Many join up for adventure and salary comes well behind.

However I disagree with critics who say that not being a member of NATO will restrict a defence force from joining with others in military deployments. Finland manages fine - it has an excellent reputation - and does not belong to NATO, which I feel is well past its sell-by date and should be disbanded.

Once a firm structure is decided the system of recruitment has to be considered. In recent days I've heard some talk about difficulties recruiting support services such as communications, intelligence, logistics, special services - the backbone of any defence force. In today's world many countries share specific services but they also strongly support their own. Modern militaries are are not composed of 'hired killers running around with guns' (as I have oft heard said) but staffed by people highly skilled in their specific areas and the difficulty arises in attracting Scots from the larger HM Forces.

One way to do this would be to 'grow our own'. That would take time, but it would be worthwhile. There are already buildings which could be transformed into a military academy that does not necessarily need to be confined to officer training. We could also, very easily, provide a military college for educational training and liaise with industry as happens at present. Cranfield has taken years to achieve its present status and I see no problem in a Scottish military college/university achieving similar results. Such a centre of excellence may help curtail the present brain drain, when our best brains move because of a lack of opportunity and poor conditions of employment.

"What about the immediate term?" some ask. My response is that I would expect the London government to respect the wish of the Scots if the answer is Yes in the referendum and make allowances while we build our own defence force. Another question asked is, "Do we need defence?" Of course we do. Every country has to defend its people and its assets. Scotland has many assets, some of which are poorly defended at present - such as our coastlines - because of ill-advised cuts from a series of Westminster governments.

When the Scandinavian countries became independent one by one they managed to form their own excellent armed services. We too can do that but it is important the best key personnel are recruited. The recent UK defence cuts have disillusioned many highly skilled HM Forces personnel and more than a few are considering their positions because they know they could receive far greater financial rewards in civilian life. Some of them may consider joining a Scottish defence force if they are offered a suitable package.

The question of packages is one for defence economists to undertake. That and equipping a military forces are subjects for another time. In the meantime our politicians must ensure they receive the best advice available and from people who want the best for Scotland and not those with hidden agendas.

The Story Of Burns

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:19:00 +0000

A braw bedtime story for the bairns.

Birdsong

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:31:00 +0000

A post from Tedious Tandrums.

The BBC have been heavily advertising their new shiny two-episode Birdsong programme based on the book by Sebastian Faulkes. The adverts showed a few scenes and looked interesting but I wasn’t convinced. I’d hoped that Spielberg might have picked it up or Saul Zaentz the producer of films like The English Patient, One Flew over the Cuckoos Nest, The unbearable lightness of being etc.

Zaentz could produce a film, heavy on the romantic side and treated with respect and care. Spielberg could have brought the realism to it as he previously did in “Saving Private Ryan”. If that film was about anything it was about the true horror of war rather than the censored versions we’ve been spoon-fed.

I just wasn’t sure I should watch it. What if it was a poor reflection of the book? What if the story was diluted? What if, what if, what if? It’s one of my top ten favourite books and I have the greatest of respect for the men who fought and were slaughtered in action during the First World War.

I decided to watch it. I thought I could stop if it wasn’t to my liking. However, I was pleasantly surprised, it wasn’t bad. Not as “real’ and the romantic part wasn’t overdone. So far so good.

Having the Great War brought back to the fore as it were, has reminded me of two things; the poetry created by the likes of Wilfred Owen, Siegfried Sassoon and Rupert Brook to name but three. I really must go and visit the War Poets Collection at the Craiglockhart Campus of Napier University. Owen and Sassoon were there during the war when it was a hospital.

The other thing it has reminded me of is that for all the cost in human terms that “the war to end all wars” was supposed to be we just haven’t learned the lesson. Here we are almost a hundred years down the road and there has rarely been a gap between conflicts. The recent Iraq and Afghanistan actions reinforced the incompetence of the MOD and the failings in the services procurement system. Soldiers lives have been lost as a consequence. Vehicles were inadequate in the protection they were supposed to provide, costing young men their lives. Body armour being shared rather than being available to all, again cost lives. The Americans do things slightly differently. They aim to send their forces out with the weapons and kit significantly better than the enemy. They’ve just started rolling out a gun which fires a grenade accurately over long distances and can then be detonated at a point chosen by the person firing it. They can now hit targets hiding behind walls barricades etc. A game changer apparently although war is only a game if it’s played on a Playstation or X-box.

Unfortunately our sabre-rattling politicians are lining up the next conflict. Iran. Like we need another conflict.

Men and women sign up to join the forces. When they join up and take the Queens shilling they can expect to see action but they should also be protected and only put in danger if it is the last resort. Even then they should have the best kit, if they don’t have the best kit or even appropriate kit for the job they should not be put in danger.

Most incriminating of all of our various governments over the years however, is that if our forces are injured they should get the best treatment possible and if their injury means they need care and support for the rest of their lives the state should pay, ending the reliance on charity which is an insulting way to treat our service men and women. The state should also provide a reasonable level of financial support to the partner and children left behind if a life is lost and this should continue as long as it is needed.

War, conflict or whatever name people wish to call it is disgusting and inhumane, the way our forces and their dependents are treated should never be disgusting and inhumane. When planning the Scotttish Defence Force Alex could do well to bear that in mind.

I don’t think the Scottish people want our forces involved in any conflicts, perhaps Alex should seek a mandate from the people. It’s far too important a decision for him or his government to take on their own.

BBC Biased? You Bet!

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:49:00 +0000

The much 'treasured' BBC Scotland - on the command of their London superiors no doubt - has decided to terminate the broadcasting of Newsweek Scotland after more than 30 years on air.

The unbiased presenter, Derek Bateman, announced this on his blog the other day and I hope he will receive much support against the decisions of his masters but I would think he is loyal enough to realise that if his programme is to be taken off the air, then what voice does BBC Scotland have, other than BBC Alba.

For those of you who cannot access Facebook (or have no wish to do so) Derek Bateman suggests the following is the best option for complaints:

Phone the BBC on 03700100222. Option 1 then 3 (I assume he means the keypad business) then complain. Vital to your complaint is asking for a written reply.

The BBC has a blatant objection to providing a balanced debate concerning Scottish independence and regardless of political affiliations, people should abhor their strategy.

If that wasn't enough evidence then Lesley Riddoch's latest tweet says it all:

LesleyRiddoch Lesley Riddoch

Update. Newsnight Referendum Special 10.35pm BBC1 25th Jan & R Scotland MW & online. N Sturgeon (not Lec) M.Moore, J. Lamont & me #indyref

I presume she is chairing the event, she doesn't say and although she admits to being against independence for Scotland, as a chairperson she is always impartial. However, for the BBC to broadcast a programme about the referendum without having some person - or more - from the 'undecided' to be on her list, shows the BBC's contempt for Scotland.

My phone call wasn't well received - in fact the telephonist was surly and that's being polite. But don't let that deter you, phone them and don't forget to ask for a written reply. If my experience is anything to go by you may have to repeat your address several times (something with which I seldom have problems) but I don't be put off. I know you wasn't!

Update: Lesley says she's on the panel so it's a 4 to 1 debate. How insulting to Scotland.

The Welfare Bill

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:31:00 +0000

There was uproar in the Commons yesterday when MPs heard the Lords had voted against the Coalition's Welfare Bill to cap benefits at £26,000 per annum. Labour peers said they supported the principle of a cap but along with others they voted to change the legislation to exclude child benefit.

Listening to the debate over the weekend I was surprised to hear Iain Duncan Smith say:

‘The public thinks that homelessness is about not having any reasonable accommodation to go to.

‘That is not the definition. The definition inside government and places like Shelter is that children have to share rooms.

‘For most people who are working, their children share rooms. They would find that a strange definition.’

Shelter insist that is not the definition and it uses the same definition of homelessness as set out in the Housing Act 1996.

Officials later said that a house could be seen as 'overcrowded' if a girl and a boy, both older than ten, were sharing a room. Overcrowding can be a reason for giving a family a new home.

I support the benefits cap because I know families where the income is below £35,000 and they manage without claiming from the state. Benefits should be there to ensure those who fall on hard times do not suffer unduly, but work should always be more rewarding. There will always be the vulnerable in our society who require continual help and they must be given every assistance possible, but for those who don't work there has to be a limit to how much the taxpayer can provide.

People are correct when they say that the cap may price benefit recipients out of certain areas, but working people are priced out of those areas too. The state has a responsibility to ensure that people in need are housed, fed and clothed, but they don't have the right to live wherever they want.

If the Coalition is serious about helping people into work, upping the personal allowance for those at the lower end of the salary scale would help those currently in work and encourage others to enter the workplace. So often I hear 'there are no jobs' and there are those who think it's the government's responsibility to provide them with a job, but that is unrealistic. If thousands of economic migrants can find work then it is available. The work may be low paid but then it's usually unskilled.

In the UK there are plenty further education institutions that offer skill training and we also have the Open University which provides free courses to those on benefits. There's no reason why many long-term benefit claimants, who are fit for work, cannot upgrade their skills.

My sympathies at the moment are with those hard working families in which a parent has lost their job because of the continuing recession. Family income has been halved, or in one case I know reduced to a third, and because he is highly skilled in a specific area, there is little hope of him gaining similar employment in the near future. However he refuses to be defeated and recently purchased a trailer for his car because he intends to become a jobbing gardener until he can find a position within his own industry. Knowing how the weather can affect this type of work, he has registered for an OU course in order to show future employees he hasn't been idle. This family may well have to move house to a cheaper area but they're not complaining. "We have our health and that's what matters most," I was told.

Because of the unlimited benefits available here for so long, too many people have lost the ability of taking responsibility for themselves. We have a benefits culture, of that there is no doubt, and there have to be changes. Capping the system at £26,000 - with allowances for those who have complex needs - is a start. Raising the threshold of the personal tax allowance should be next in line.

Scottish Independence Is Being Watched

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:54:00 +0000

Good to know, so early in the debate, that international news agencies are paying attention.

Another One Joins The Club

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:11:00 +0000

Yesterday the people of Croatia - to be more accurate 44% of eligible voters - voted to join the European Union next year. The Yes campaign managed 66% and the Prime Minister, Zoran Milanovic, called it 'a historic moment'.

The journalist who wrote this piece for Reuters says:

The slow pace of reform in the rest of the western Balkans, and waning enthusiasm within the EU for further enlargement, mean other countries in Croatia's neighbourhood - such as Serbia, Bosnia and Albania - will wait years before they too can join. Tiny Montenegro on the Adriatic coast is next in line.

I'm not at all sure he's correct or should I say he's expressing the government's view with regard to Serbia. Read Rodney Atkinson's eloquent article and decide for yourself.

A Light-hearted Look At The Case For Scottish Independence

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 09:44:00 +0000

Thankfully Scots are quite good at laughing at themselves. Maybe it's our way of handling the inferior complex we have inherited from previous generations. Now the debate is underway it's good to have a little humour involved to lift the mood.

Precious Few Heroes explores many of the myths and misconceptions that surround the debate.

The film was written by Jack Foster and Alan Hunter, also examines the history of the movement, from the very foundations of the Union in 1707, to the North Sea oil discoveries of the 70s, to devolution, exports, inventions and economics.

But remember, this film is past history. We need to start planning our future history.

Keep positive!

Take Your Pick

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 19:35:00 +0000

Supply in short supply

Science fail from the Daily Mail

Home grown failures

Abortion Adverts on UK TV

Alex Salmond, little Englander

Boom and Bust - the definitive explanation

Consequences

A referendum on the referendum

The Red Hand of Rockall?

Germany's Energy Problems

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 09:17:00 +0000

We are not alone in our protest of green taxes on our energy bills - The Germans also have the problem.

Angela Merkel decided last year that nuclear would no longer be Germany's main supplier of power and renewables were the future. German has promoted solar power for many years. but now it's inefficiency has caught up with it. It seems 56% of all green energy subsidies go to their solar systems which produce only 21% of subsidized energy.

The relationship is just the reverse for their wind energy projects and they're not doing so well either. For the same cost, wind supplies at least five times as much electricity as solar and even biomass plants are three times more efficient.

For a while it seemed that at least the German solar industry was benefiting from the generous subsidy rates, but the green economic miracle has, in the case of the solar industry, turned out to be a subsidy bubble.

In a country with a similar climate to Scotland, in the north at least, solar was never going to stand alone and would always need propped up by government money. I'm sure the Scottish government is taking note of Germany's renewables problem and if not, why not?

Why I Hate The Sixties

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:17:00 +0000

A guest post from Edward Spalton.

I rather share this jaundiced view of the Sixties- a trashy decade. It was a time of full employment yet I can remember Roy Jenkins praising the contribution which the "voluntary unemployed" were making to society!

Editor's contribution: Now that I have the magical talent of hindsight,ably expanded by age, the 60s was a time when the population started consumerism training, ably encouraged by politicians.Those same politicians were responsible for destroying our heritage. Dundee is a good example of zealous 60s town councillors whose poor judgement contributed to the loss of much of the city centre, in which today the 'outstanding' feature is the north egress and access to a road bridge over the Tay.

In the next few years the V & A will be built within yards of the roadbridge. At last Dundee will have a positive claim to fame.

German Label At Risk

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:16:00 +0000

The Germans aren't happy with the European Union.

An EU Commissioner, Algirdas Semeta, plans to restrict the sought after 'Made In Germany' label to products where at least 45% of the value content comes from Germany.

Until now, EU rules defined the country of origin as the place where 'the last substantial, economically justified processing' took place. Under that rule, products labelled 'Made In Germany' today can be almost completely produced abroad but given their finishing touches in a German factory.

The stricter definition plan has angered Germany's industry lobby and the President of the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) stated:"If in the future the origin and value of materials are considered crucial, many products will no longer be considered German." He predicted the changes would inflict 'immense damage' on the German economy. He's probably correct.

The final decision on the controversial amendment to product origin rules has yet to be taken. The move must first be approved by member country governments before taking effect.

Will Britain approve it? It shouldn't matter much because the UK no longer manufactures much. The Germans will put up a strong fight though - they have so much more to lose.

source

Vote Britain - Essential Viewing For Those Interested In Scottish Independence

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:23:00 +0000

Courtesy of the Scottish writer of the year 2011. (He kindly supplies the narrative on his blog).

Doom And Gloom

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:26:00 +0000

A post from Tedious Tantrums

Well that’s it then. Another BBC News at 6:00 and then BBC Scotland News. What fun.

Inflation is down. Comments were directed at it still being too high and the historical editorial was that interest rates should be put up. No sign of any cheer then, that inflation was going down. Not a glimmer. Good news? Not for the BBC apparently.

Then there was that happy soul and interesting character Ed Moribund. Ed thinks it’s a good idea that public sector pay rises are kept at 1%. His pals in the unions think this is an appalling idea. They would though because that’s their job. Ed reckons that a 1% increase means more people will be kept in work. He may well have a point, however; his party have spent the last few months rubbishing even the notion of a 1% pay restriction. Now he is agreeing with Call me Dave and Boy George Osborne. He’s also agreed with them about the union and they will jointly oppose the SNP notion that Scotland should leave the UK. That’s a lot of agreement between the government and the opposition. Not much cheer in this article on the BBC news either.

Oh well maybe the Scottish News will be chock-a-block with chuckles? Then again, perhaps not. Highland Council voted to oppose a wind farm in the Cairngorms. This isn’t good apparently. No real mention of how 31 wind turbines 360 feet high might be detrimental to the environment. Unsightly? Damaging to birds? Expensive to erect and run and producing the most expensive electricity possible.

The very next item , and this is hard to believe, covered Big Power Week. We have the power? No, but we have incredibly expensive electricity and gas. Big Power Week is being carried out by the Citizens Advise Bureau. They have advisors all over Scotland this week providing advice to the public so they can reduce their gas and electricity bills. Good idea.

There’s one bit of advice they could provide to people, well certain people who work in government like a Mr A Salmond, a Mr D Cameron, a Mr C Huhne and a Ms C Lucas amongst others. Remove the renewables levy from electricity bills saving everyone 20% on their bills immediately. That would ease household budgets and reduce inflation.

At least the Scottish News has a saving grace - the weather ladies. Thon wee Cubie lassie and Judith Ralston do a good job of presenting the weather news.

Which brings me to my final gripe. Who trains the BBC presenters in hand waving? Do they go to classes and learn how to develop waving and personalise the waving, gesturing and general wafting to match their personality? Just give us the news wave free please and try to keep it within balanced bounds. I know that is a big ask but we can only try eh?

What's Not To Like?

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:26:00 +0000

The New Yacht

click to enlarge

Last October the Daily Tail launched a campaign for a new Royal Yacht. The inspiration came from the need to have a boat, flying the Union flag, ruling the world's oceans once again.

Quietly in the background, a consortium - called the University of Oceans - of prominent maritime, scientific and educational figures has already developed a fabulous plan for a 650ft ship (image). Maldwin Drummond, a marine author and co-founder of the project said: "This would unite the nation and business and serve an educational purpose for all ages right up to PhD students."

There wasn't much enthusiasm for the Mail's idea last year, so they've decided to give it another go and enthusiastically report it is also being privately 'supported' by Prince Charles and Princess Anne. There's no mention the two royals will be sticking their hands in their pockets, but I'm sure they'd be delighted to be photographed aboard the new all-singing-all dancing vessel. Often.

The ship is now being marketed as a 'privately funded royal yacht to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee' and the public are assured (several times) that it won't cost the taxpayer a penny, as it will be funded by private donors and personal donations.

To substantiate building this floating palace/science lab/exhibition centre, the PR experts realised they must somehow mention a benefit to children in their marketing package and they have succeeded. They managed a quote from Michael Gove, who is said to support the idea of a new yacht because there is no public funding involved. Being Education Secretary he was bound to mention children and he duly did: "I support that project because it would provide opportunities for disadvantaged youth from across the country to learn new skills and to take part in exciting new adventures."

The end product will cost £80 million (and the rest- ed) and tomorrow morning a bunch of officials from Buck House, the Westminster government and Boris HQ will unveil the plans for what is being hailed as 'one of the great spectacles not just of 2012 but of modern times'.

What's not to like? Surely only hearts of steel could refuse the Queen a new floating home. She's reigned over us for 60 years and deserves a wee gift.

Come to think of it - didn't she cry when her old one was snatched by Tony Blair and dumped in the waters of Leith?

I, for one, would be delighted to formally return the boat to which she was so emotionally attached. In fact, I'd go as far as transporting myself to the Leith dockside, equipped with a new lace-trimmed white linen hankie, with which to wave my farewell on its sail south. It has been given several refurbs and is currently undergoing another, but I'm told the paint will be dry long before it's needed to whisk Her Majesty and her courtiers along the Thames for the occasion of her 60th anniversary.

David Cameron could organise for it to be open to visitors and business groups when royalty don't require it for official duties, (personal royal shindigs should be classed as business events), and the income could be used for running costs.

What's not to like?

The Royal Yacht Britannica

in dock at Leith

Scotsman Typo

noreply@blogger.com (subrosa) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 08:03:00 +0000

click to enlarge

Trust the Scotsman to milk a Scottish independence referendum headline!

Does someone in the Scotsman's offices think Mr Sheridan would be moo-dy if he took an active part in the referendum campaign?

Update: The error was amended shortly after 7am.

1940	1950	1960	1970	1980	1990
1941	1951	1961	1971	1981	1991
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1943	1953	1963	1973	1983	1993
1944	1954	1964	1974	1984	1994
1945	1955	1965	1975	1985	1995
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