In the poem “New Colossus” Emma Lazarus penned lines which have become to so many the very epitome of what the USA stands for. Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, With conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame. “Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning toRead More →

This week should have been about condemning David Mundell and his hyperbolic claim that the Scotland Bill has fulfilled the Smith Commission recommendations, which was the vehicle to turn the much-vaunted Vow into practical terms. Sadly events in Paris changed this.   Instead my story starts on Friday 6 November as I set off for a long weekend in the Tarn, a rural area of North Midi-Pyrenees not unlike the rich farmlands of Strathmore. I have been here twice before and love the tranquility of my friend’s family hideaway. Arriving in Toulouse, I was struck by the presence of armed police patrolling the railway station.Read More →

Some days I’m just Fed up biting my tongue, so I’m just going to say my bit and be done with it. Irrespective of what others may say or others may think, I refuse to believe there is no good left in this world. To be honest, I can’t pretend to understand the atrocities committed each and every day by people who think they can hide behind faith or religion as an excuse for their actions. I know there are good people of all religious persuations and also good people with no religion at all. There’s lots of voices out there trying to reminding us,Read More →

I seem to remember the word ‘respect’ being thrown around by the unionists in the past couple of years, whenever they wanted to win. RESPECT :-  consideration; deference or esteem (esteem – high regard) How much of the definition of respect have we seen in the past six months? We have had E.V.E.L. (English votes for English laws). Were they too impatient to follow procedure to create a devolved English parliament or did they know they would not succeed? Instead they took the UK parliament, a treaty of the unions of the parliaments of Scotland and England (and later Ireland), and decided that the electedRead More →

Labour’s Shadow Defence Secretary, Maria Eagle MP, has said the decision “does not change” the UK Labour party policy, which will be set at a UK level. Ms Eagle also made clear that the party remains in favour of Trident renewal.   As widely anticipated, the Labour Party in Scotland Conference, held in Perth this year, decided on Halloween that they were against Trident.  What makes life difficult for them is the fact that they do not actually exist.  Now I know we all think that the SNP has virtually wiped them off the electoral map, but I am not referring to that.   WhatRead More →