Scottish Politics: Douglas Ross' Magic Roundabout

[Jumblegraws]

Oh, you!

I agree that Murray is "guilty", of a bizarre inflated charge that is impossible to defend, that might make Kafka go "fair play lads". I agree that handing out a harsh sentence is a stupid move, not as in "the silly judiciary have overplayed their hand and now the defendant's followers will think that he's been persecuted", but more that there is a "stupid", cruel and downright sinister form of legal injustice at play.

I was being sarcastic, you see! I actually think this whole thing is bullshit! But then I have no real stake in proceedings, there's nothing any of us can do, it's not like I didn't know the state was capable of this sort of thing, and I'd be lying if I said it really affected me one way or the other. Hey ho.

The hum identified it as selective prosecution. That entails "sinister form of illegal injustice" without the need for a sarcasm-laden attempt to prove you're the most politically shrewd guy in the room. The only substantial difference is that the hum is less cynical about whether or not the protection of complainer anonymity was at risk. 

[Rizla]

The hum identified it as selective prosecution. That entails "sinister form of illegal injustice" without the need for a sarcasm-laden attempt to prove you're the most politically shrewd guy in the room. The only substantial difference is that the hum is less cynical about whether or not the protection of complainer anonymity was at risk.

The insults, again! Have you no manners?

It's true, my no-nonsense straight-from-the-streets polemic does tend to send the average centrist melt running to the refuge of the ad-hominem attack, simply the burden a werking-klass hero like myself must bear.

[the hum]

Mate

[ProvanFan]

Former diplomat, current sex symbol

[the hum]

I agree that Murray is "guilty", of a bizarre inflated charge that is impossible to defend, that might make Kafka go "fair play lads". I agree that handing out a harsh sentence is a stupid move, not as in "the silly judiciary have overplayed their hand and now the defendant's followers will think that he's been persecuted", but more that there is a "stupid", cruel and downright sinister form of legal injustice at play.

Yes it was so sinister that he was repeatedly asked to take the blogs in question down because they risked compromising the trial, thus ensuring he would not face prosecution. But no "I'm Scotland's most read political journalist don't you know, fuck off, the truth is out there!"

And all for what? The apex of all this is a neo-liberal leaning political has-been with, to put it mildly, some questionable attitudes towards women had a legal case to answer. He was cleared. Yet for the tartan truthers out there everything surrounding it amounts to the greatest miscarriage of justice in Scottish legal history. Get some fucking perspective.

On the "centrist melt" thing, I'm not cynical about Contercast because they're radical lefties - that ought to be a good thing. I'm cynical about them because I think they're a bunch of cranks. Class reductionism and brocialism writ large. Transphobia? Intersectionality? Liberal shibboleths mate. Let's get those tremendous known lefty altruists McEleney and MacAskill on the show. That'll learn the elite. Yer Jamieson guy reckons Mhairi Black was tasked with undermining RISE. Such insight, such truth spoken to power. Jesus wept.

[canadagoose]

Yes it was so sinister that he was repeatedly asked to take the blogs in question down because they risked compromising the trial, thus ensuring he would not face prosecution. But no "I'm Scotland's most read political journalist don't you know, fuck off, the truth is out there!"

And all for what? The apex of all this is a neo-liberal leaning political has-been with, to put it mildly, some questionable attitudes towards women had a legal case to answer. He was cleared. Yet for the tartan truthers out there everything surrounding it amounts to the greatest miscarriage of justice in Scottish legal history. Get some fucking perspective.

On the "centrist melt" thing, I'm not cynical about Contercast because they're radical lefties - that ought to be a good thing. I'm cynical about them because I think they're a bunch of cranks. Class reductionism and brocialism writ large. Transphobia? Intersectionality? Liberal shibboleths mate. Let's get those tremendous known lefty altruists McEleney and MacAskill on the show. That'll learn the elite. Yer Jamieson guy reckons Mhairi Black was tasked with undermining RISE. Such insight, such truth spoken to power. Jesus wept.

Contercast is also a supremely irritating podcast. I'd recommend the Angry Scotland podcast instead, which does generally veer left.

[the hum]

And lo, Gorgeous has spoken on the matter https://twitter.com/georgegalloway/status/1392163926587105282

[the hum]

Contercast is also a supremely irritating podcast. I'd recommend the Angry Scotland podcast instead, which does generally veer left.

I shall need to check it out. I used to listen to Lesley Riddoch's one regularly, but she's gone a bit terfy apologist lately. It's especially jarring as she's otherwise not known for skating around any given issue.

[canadagoose]

I shall need to check it out. I used to listen to Lesley Riddoch's one regularly, but she's gone a bit terfy apologist lately. It's especially jarring as she's otherwise not known for skating around any given issue.

I've not been a particular fan of Riddoch lately, but I think I used to be in 2014. The number of "grassroots Yessers" I've gone off is astronomical.

[the hum]

I've not been a particular fan of Riddoch lately, but I think I used to be in 2014. The number of "grassroots Yessers" I've gone off is astronomical.

Heh yup, now you mention it. Big exception though would be Bella Caledonia. Been around for over a decade, and if anything has got even better recently. I contributed to their recent crowdfunder and was dead chuffed they hit their target.

[Jumblegraws]

And lo, Gorgeous has spoken on the matter https://twitter.com/georgegalloway/status/1392163926587105282

George Galloway has become an anti-prophet for every cause he champions. If he said the Sun was going to rise tomorrow, I'd probably say a tearful goodbye to my loved ones.

[the hum]

George Galloway has become an anti-prophet for every cause he champions. If he said the Sun was going to rise tomorrow, I'd probably say a tearful goodbye to my loved ones.

Although if he was writing for the Sun tomorrow it wouldn't even be worthy of raising an eyebrow.

[Jumblegraws]

Contercast is also a supremely irritating podcast. I'd recommend the Angry Scotland podcast instead, which does generally veer left.

I'm not a podcast person but I do dip into Angry Scotland from time to time, I think it's the chemistry between the folk behind it that appeals to me more than anything.

[Sherman Krank]

Willie Rennie has just announced that the Scottish Lib-Dems are rebranding as The Willie Rennie Party (Starring Willie Rennie).

[the hum]

Willie Rennie has just announced that the Scottish Lib-Dems are rebranding as The Willie Rennie Party (Starring Willie Rennie).

Apparently by falling below five seats they've lost a slew of parliamentary privileges, including the automatic right to a question during first minister's questions. Bless 'im.

[canadagoose]

I'm not a podcast person but I do dip into Angry Scotland from time to time, I think it's the chemistry between the folk behind it that appeals to me more than anything.

That really makes it IMO. The Chart Music of ScotPol.

[Rizla]

Yes it was so sinister that he was repeatedly asked to take the blogs in question down because they risked compromising the trial, thus ensuring he would not face prosecution.

You're right I suppose, he should have done as he was told. Only throwing bad journalists in jail is, if anything, proof that scotland is a fairer, more egalitarian, progressive nation than ever.  Look!  I hope they're in charge forever!

And lo, Gorgeous has spoken on the matter https://twitter.com/georgegalloway/status/1392163926587105282

Case closed!!!!!

[the hum]

You're right I suppose, he should have done as he was told. Only throwing bad journalists in jail is, if anything, proof that scotland is a fairer, more egalitarian, progressive nation than ever.  Look!  I hope they're in charge forever!
Case closed!!!!!

How does this compare with other injustices in the Scottish legal system? Terrible, awful injustices where the defendant was cleared, but where a pal of the defendant acted like an intransigent wank 'cos, y'know, symbiosis with his fanbase.

[Zetetic]

Stuart "over" Campbell has surrendered.

[canadagoose]

Stuart "over" Campbell has surrendered.

Ha! That's a plus. I bet he'll swivel to becoming a full-time Glinner though. What will he call his next blog, Wings over Gender?

[the hum]

Meh I suspect he'll make a comeback "reluctantly, but due to popular demand" or something along those lines in a few months, once he's spunked the last of the previous funds and discovered he's incapable of doing anything else with his miserable existence.

Oh and cheers canadagoose for the Angry Scotland recommendation. The recent Salmond episode was compelling: https://angryscotland.com/2021/04/24/alex-salmond-angry-scotland-podcast-41

[Blinder Data]

I do wonder about the future of ALBA. I'm assuming they'll stand in next year's council elections and gain a few seats.

Otherwise, if the clown car doesn't fall apart by 2026, they could bide their time till the next Holyrood election. If there has been zero substantive progress made towards indyref2 before then, which I think is quite likely, perhaps more independence supporters would be willing to give them support...?

They could become Scottish independence's version of UKIP: a protest vote for an egotistical "outsider" leading a bunch of headbangers. Only problem is few voters seem to like Salmond anymore.

[stonkers]

In addition to his being hugely unpopular, Alex Salmond making it to 2026 is a big assumption.

[the hum]

I do wonder about the future of ALBA. I'm assuming they'll stand in next year's council elections and gain a few seats.

Otherwise, if the clown car doesn't fall apart by 2026, they could bide their time till the next Holyrood election. If there has been zero substantive progress made towards indyref2 before then, which I think is quite likely, perhaps more independence supporters would be willing to give them support...?

They could become Scottish independence's version of UKIP: a protest vote for an egotistical "outsider" leading a bunch of headbangers. Only problem is few voters seem to like Salmond anymore.

Given Alba's main protagonists are just extremely online malcontents with no stomach for real activism, they almost certainly won't hold together organically. However, Salmond will likely maintain his alt media presence, and that and a dark money injection from somewhere might keep it going.

[canadagoose]

Meh I suspect he'll make a comeback "reluctantly, but due to popular demand" or something along those lines in a few months, once he's spunked the last of the previous funds and discovered he's incapable of doing anything else with his miserable existence.

Oh and cheers canadagoose for the Angry Scotland recommendation. The recent Salmond episode was compelling: https://angryscotland.com/2021/04/24/alex-salmond-angry-scotland-podcast-41

Glad you enjoyed it - it was an interesting episode.

[the hum]

Oh just fucking fuck the fuck off https://twitter.com/PerthshireMags/status/1399395447039475715?s=09

[Blinder Data]

Oh just fucking fuck the fuck off https://twitter.com/PerthshireMags/status/1399395447039475715?s=09

Resigning from the NEC - pfffffft. Cherry wants to leave the SNP but knows it's still her best chance of staying relevant.

[canadagoose]

Oh just fucking fuck the fuck off https://twitter.com/PerthshireMags/status/1399395447039475715?s=09

Ha, at least she's buggered off from something. All her pals are in Abla now so she'll be a bit isolated.

[the hum]

Also noticing now her repeated habit of signing off her tweets with something like "I won't say any more at this stage" to build up the impression she is in possession of some important info but is being silenced in her attempts to reveal it. Well and truly at it.

[dissolute ocelot]

Resigning from the NEC - pfffffft. Cherry wants to leave the SNP but knows it's still her best chance of staying relevant.

I think being at Westminster she'll get all lonely if none of the SNPers talk to her, plus being in with the SNP will give her the chance of getting on a lot of committees and trips and stuff. Without that she's just a sad person getting the train on her own every Monday morning to Evil London.

Plus she's presumably realised that the Alba party are going nowhere, Scotland doesn't want TERFs, and she picked the wrong side in the SNP Civil War. What does an old SNPer do once they're no longer relevant, other than write a column for the Scotsman?