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Former Liberal Democrat leader criticises Salmond over Washington visit

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Published Date: 13 March 2009
First Minister Alex Salmond was criticised by Menzies Campbell over his recent visit to the United States.
The former Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell said he was surprised to see Mr Salmond pictured with US secretary of state Hillary Clinton, and added: "This is no time for a novice."

He also recalled that Mr Salmond had called the 1999 Nato bombing of Serbia "unpardonable folly".

The criticism, made at the Scottish Liberal Democrats' conference in Perth, came during a session on international affairs in which Sir Menzies set out his views on the new US presidency, the Middle East, and Iraq.

Warning that a "cloudy" outlook is ahead in foreign affairs, he told the conference: "Against that background, I was somewhat surprised to see the enthusiasm which our First Minister rushed across the Atlantic to shake the hands of Hillary Clinton.

"To borrow some language from another time: in foreign affairs at the moment, this is no time for a novice," said Sir Menzies.

"The risk about novices in foreign affairs is that they commit mistakes.

"They behave in ways that are wholly inappropriate.

"Indeed the risk about novices is that they can be guilty of unpardonable folly – an expression you may remember from some time ago.

"These are difficult times, they require experience and sophistication –and its best to leave it to those who have both these qualities."

A spokesman for the First Minister hit back at Sir Menzies criticism of Mr Salmond, stating: "Menzies Campbell sounds like a pompous ass.

"He has never been in office in his life, and was so bad as Liberal leader that he wasn't even allowed to fight a general election.

"For the few dozen Liberal delegates who were there to hear him, this was less Ming the Merciless, more Ming the Meaningless – the Liberals are in such a bad way they can't even think of their own silly jibes anymore."

He said Mr Salmond had had an "excellent meeting" with Hillary Clinton and added: "Anyone would think Menzies Campbell would welcome that.

"His daft and negative remarks indicate exactly why the Liberals are in such a parlous state in Scotland, struggling to get into double figures in the polls."

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1

A Scott,

Glasgow 13/03/2009 14:28:15
Honestly no wonder the North Briton is going down the toilet with headlines like this..............
2

The Sprucer,

13/03/2009 14:38:42
Agreed. This paper must be getting pretty desparate conjuring this rubbish. Who cares what Menzies Campbell has to say anyway. Wasn't he sacked as the leader of the LibDems - a non party if ever anyone cared. What have they done for Scotland?
3

Reekin' Lum,

13/03/2009 14:39:00
I think Menzies Campbell was talking about Hillary Clinton. She is definitely the novice here and would do well to take some advice from a seasoned politician.
4

Ronald Penman,

Glasgow 13/03/2009 14:47:41
The Lib-Dems; the angst of the middle classes !!
5

RufusT-Firefly,

13/03/2009 14:49:16
Well said Menzies Campbell.

Salmond is nothing but a freeloader at the taxpayers expense

Why he would want to go to Washington and lecture Americans about Scotland becoming independent is anyones guess.

Does he really think the Americans are interested?

Barely anybody in Scotland is interested in independence never mind the Americans.
6

RufusT-Firefly,

13/03/2009 14:55:33
I am stilll waiting to read any quotes from Mrs Clinton from the meeting.

I wonder if she even remembers it.
7

Darien,

Panama 13/03/2009 14:55:33
'Sir' Ming is nothing more than a British Nationalist Fundamentalist arrogant snob. When he refers to 'sophistication' he means a toff like himself (is sophisticated), but not a man of the people like the Scots FM. Oh yes, we stiff upper lip Brits need the sophisticated old Etonian Guards type to walk on the world stage. Get real, that's precisely why GB foreign policy is always a mess! And to say "behave in ways that are wholly inappropriate" is so condescending towards the FM. So snobbish. So sad. But that's the Fib Dums for ye - a sad bunch of snobbish condescending British Nationalists.

8

RufusT-Firefly,

13/03/2009 15:01:41
7 Darien,Panama 13/03/2009 14:55:33
"a man of the people like the Scots FM."
===================================================

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
9

David Ban,

04620 Vera 13/03/2009 15:04:56
It was Alex Salmond who acquired the opprobrium of the politicians at the start of the Iraq War by saying everything would turn to ashes. He was prophetic and right. Rather more than can be said for Labour and the Liberals!
10

Stan Butler,

13/03/2009 15:06:47
#7 Darien

Although Campbell has patrician airs and graces he is from a middle class Glaswegian background.

He's obviously the wrong sort of Scot for you gnats (like so many of us are).

He's spot on about Fat N'Eck Salmond though.

11

Stan Butler,

13/03/2009 15:09:07
#9 David Ban

What was the Lib Dem line on the invasion of Iraq?

12

Thomas79,

Ayrshire 13/03/2009 15:12:55
Barack Obama was considered a novice especially on foreign affairs throughout the campaign.

John McCain was seen as the man with in-depth knowledge and experience on foreign affairs.

The American people still picked Obama, and I suspect in 2011 the Scottish people will still pick Salmond, regardless of what Menzies Campbell thinks.
13

Colkitto,

River Clyde 13/03/2009 15:18:54
It's about time this dottery old buffoon retired.
Because of Ming and his hatred for the SNP, his party are now almost irrelevant here in Scotland, and heading the same way in the rest of the UK.
If the Lib-Dem activists at their conference are happy with their parties performance then they are easily pleased or easily fooled...probably both come to think of it !
14

Pilrig.,

Livingston 13/03/2009 15:21:27
11 - their then leader Charlie Kennedy sat on the fence for so long that he got splinters on his backside
15

Vivas,

Edinburgh 13/03/2009 15:30:41
Poor old Ming. Has he been overdosing on Ovaltine again ? Alex Salmonds visit was about weeks and weeks ago.

Not so much Ming having his finger on the pulse, more a case of has Ming got a pulse ?
16

Kenny,,

Glasgow 13/03/2009 15:35:30
What a pile of cr*p!
17

Alasdair mac Alasdair Mór Mac an Righ,,

13/03/2009 15:43:30
My Grandad talks rubbish some times too. It seems people that age get a little bit confused. Ming the Confused should just retire.

Ming is so clever that he cannot even hold onto the position of Lib Dem Leader.

Salmond is far from a novice. What did he do that was unsophisticated?

Just another day and another Unionist talking down Scotland's elected First Minister.
18

Wisnaeme,

13/03/2009 15:53:27


Ah yes, the Mingin one and his dislikes.

Dislikes that have resonance and therefore a sympathetic clutter of nodding heads at the 'Hootsmon' is in order. Ah mean to say, how could the 'Hootsmon' possibly exist without a list of dislikes in the order of their importance.

Hence the dislikes of Mingin the back stabber are newsworthy and worthy of print. According to some folk's perceptions of what has meaningful importance to themselves, anyways.

To be sure, Sir Mingin of Westmidden is an apt description of a establishment creature.

...and all his utterances are to be taken with a lang spoon as with regard to credibility. As are the clutter of nodding heads at the 'Hootsmon'.

Is it not a great pity some folk prefer another country, another place and another establishment's viewpoint before their ain folk's needs and concerns.

Whatever Mingin proposes to be, Westmidden has precedence therefore the words 'liberal' and 'democratic' seems a misnomer when used as a descriptive adjective of himself.

.



19

BillyC,

Paisley 13/03/2009 16:03:04
The cheek of the man. A Scottish Westminster MP that is getting paid to do nothing but interfere in English matters. This waster, like all the other Scottish MP's, is actually getting paid to do nothing when there are so many people struggling to survive or losing their jobs in this country. Full time wage for what is not even a part-time job what a brass neck of a man. www.paisleyexpressions.blogspot.com
20

Thomas79,

Ayrshire 13/03/2009 16:04:43
25 Rab The Ranter™

have you taken your medication yet?

You would call Alex Salmond 'scum' whatever he did and we both know it.

So we can write off your comments as unreasonable and biased straight away.
21

Westfield Bairns,

Falkirk 13/03/2009 16:14:04
Lib Dems, well they've got nothing better to offer than some old Britnat mouthing of the usual Unionist mince.
3rd Division leader managing a 4th Division side.
I'll give the Scotsman their dues, must be hard to get any headlines from these bunch of nonentities
22

Brian M,

13/03/2009 16:15:52
"The criticism, made at the Scottish Liberal Democrats' conference in Perth, came during a session on international affairs".

Why are the 'Scottish' LibDums discussing international affairs. As they are unionists and don't want any Scottish involvement in international affairs they should leave such matters to their Wasteminster colleagues and their GB Lib Dem conference
23

Peeablo,

Back to the 70's 13/03/2009 16:17:39
And today's 'Undermine the SNP Government' story is...

Sad, really sad Hootsman
24

Observer,,

Glasgow 13/03/2009 16:22:45
I am sad to see Ming descend to this. He used to appear to have principles and a good handle on foreign policy, that was a long time ago.

And the NATO action was ''unpardonable folly'' - with consequences still to come.
25

Baillie Guthrie,

13/03/2009 16:23:24
poor novice trolls can't get any attention any more
26

The west awake,

Argyll 13/03/2009 16:23:26
Imagine the brazen cheek of this auld clown calling anyone a novice!

He couldn't even keep the leadership of that most unimportant of parties, the Lib Dems, for long. He is obviously forgetting that in poll afer poll, the Scottish people place their trust and faith in Salmond way, way, before any other political leader in Scotland. But then, like most Unionist lickspittles, he never did think in terms of Scotland, it was always Blighty, and in his case those "experts" in New Labour.

Campbell couldn't lace Salmond's boots. Anyone who thinks different is not of this world.
27

bully wee alba,

Edinburgh 13/03/2009 16:29:00
Maybe one of the remaining Fib Dums can remind us of the list of high political offices held by Mr Campbell?

I can’t think of any offhand.

A bit of a novice really.
28

,

13/03/2009 16:40:29
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,

13/03/2009 16:41:45
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30

Luigiana,

Aberdeen 13/03/2009 16:42:11
Another non-story from the North-Briton newspaper.

Ming the Merciless should do himself and us all a favour and pack up and return to Planet Mungo..

and take Flash Gordon with him.
31

,

13/03/2009 16:43:28
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32

Los Angeles,

13/03/2009 16:44:20
Is this the same Menzies Campbell that with the prime minister of the UK Government was asked to plot how to overthrow the elected government of Scotland? The same one briefly leader of his party soon dumped because he was ineffectual?

What trust can we place in his political acumen?
33

arc of insolvency,

13/03/2009 16:48:04
If the SNP and their supporters had their way our press freedoms would be the same a China.

Any story that shows Alex Salmond for the plonker he is and they are all up in arms. What a paranoid pathetic bunch they are.
34

Observer,,

Glasgow 13/03/2009 16:53:37
41 Mince from a tube.
35

,

13/03/2009 16:56:53
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36

Los Angeles,

13/03/2009 16:57:12
"If the SNP and their supporters had their way our press freedoms would be the same a China." (Arc Of Insolvency)

Do mean crushed under the iron tread of an army tank? Scotland doesn't have an army it controls, or newspapers.

Have you found a Fringe venue for your stand up comedy routine?
37

Brian M,

13/03/2009 16:58:05
Ming is yet another example of a unionist Scottish politician from the over-superannuated innefective Wasteminster self-interest group
38

Astonished,

Inverclyde 13/03/2009 16:58:19
37 Traquair - Thanks for that. Onward and upwards for Scotland's party.

41 arc of insolvency(based in London) : I feel your pain and can smell your fear. You are obviously aware that labour lies aren't working.Still that doesn't excuse the puerile rubbish your are writing.


Ming(ing) Campbell a complete and utter failure as party leader, aspires to be an aristocrat, a total unionist, yesterday's mince. I would be considerably more worried if he had a good word for anybody in the SNP.
39

Arfur,

13/03/2009 17:03:41
I doubt many folk will listen to this old fool.

Looking at the picture of him above he looks like the baddy in the 3rd indiana jones film - half way thru his face melting off.
40

bully wee alba,

Edinburgh 13/03/2009 17:05:46
Well done to the Fib Dums for their performance in the Dundee Council by-election.

In percentage terms they managed to get into double figures, scoring 11% of the popular vote.

Mr Campbell and his wee band of curiously reversed named fellow travellers are now returning to their constituencies, are preparing.................an evening meal.
41

,

13/03/2009 17:10:05
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42

Jock Tamson,

Scotland, Caledonia, Alba 13/03/2009 17:18:30
Perhaps Campbell should check the authenticity of Salmond's "unpardonable folly" statement with Ashdown before he mentions it again. Ashdown served in the forces.

The unpardonable folly was the tactic of indiscriminate air bombing without having sufficient ground troops as back-up or to effectively control air strikes.

As for the rest of the attack on Salmond - Campbell would have made more of a positive impact if he had actually had something positive to say about himself and his party.

He might well have done that but this paper only seems to want to print negative things about the SNP.
43

Jock Tamson,

Scotland, Caledonia, Alba 13/03/2009 17:23:33
Re 52. As far as I can recall, Salmond was proved correct. Not that the media gave any recognition of the fact. They just reported the happenings as they occurred.
44

AJ Fife,

13/03/2009 17:23:46
What a nasty jealous old man Ming is!

I suppose he's a bit sore at picking the laughable Libdems as vehicle for his mickey mouse political ambitions.

On a positive note, at least he was able to marvel at big Cyril Smith's giant trousers at close quarters!
45

Newton_Invented_Gravity,

13/03/2009 17:24:00
wow! I never realised Menzies Campbell was such a bitter man!
There is absolutely no substance to his speech whatsoever other than spite and hatred.
46

Rasco,

13/03/2009 18:00:49
This is the same Ming who was willing to do a deal with Broon to keep the SNP out and Nicol not to have anything to do with SNP,as a leader at Westminster he was hopeless I remember him at PMQ.Rubbish.
47

Concerned local,

Edinburgh 13/03/2009 18:03:06
Well, Sir Minging is so obviously not a novice and such an expert on whom the US Secretary of State should and should not meet (and of course she and her staff are incapable of making these decisions for themselves), I think he should aim for a promotion from his job as Maggie Broon's compliant mouthpiece and apply for a job as Hillary Clinton's diary secretary. That's the level he operates at....
48

Stan Butler,

13/03/2009 18:03:07

Gosh, aren't the cyber gnats upset.

49

pehman,

sussex 13/03/2009 18:04:32
I've just heard that the SNP gained another seat from slab in Dundee last night, but I don't know the count figures, can anyone help please ?
50

bully wee alba,

Edinburgh 13/03/2009 18:07:12
Whatever happened to the “Brown Bounce”?

Anyone know how many postal votes there were in the Dundee Maryfield ward?

A recent opinion poll suggested that the SNP had the support of 46% of the voting electorate and how the unionistas laughed.

Of course the cringers were correct, the small sample poll was entirely wrong.

The SNP actually achieved 48% of the first preference votes in Dundee.
51

bully wee alba,

Edinburgh 13/03/2009 18:08:24
#60 Dundee peh man :)

The results of the first preference votes were:
SNP 1550 48%
Labour 1013 31%
LibDem 354 11%
Tory 224 7%
SSP 52 2%
Independent 35 1%
Independent 28 1%
52

,

13/03/2009 18:09:39
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53

pehman,

sussex 13/03/2009 18:16:01
62 Bullywee, 63 Traquir,

GO YOU FBEAUTY, CHEERS GUYS Thats got the W/E off to a flyer
54

Shorthouse,

13/03/2009 18:17:23
#59 They know not what they do. I'm quite well disposed to the Scottish Government until I come on these boards and see some of the nut-jobs who support them. Bet I'm not the only one...
55

brownlie,

13/03/2009 18:19:03
59 Stan Butler

Congratulations! Hilarious post!
56

brownlie,

13/03/2009 18:20:24
65 Shorthouse,

You're correct - you're not the only nut-job.
57

Desmo,

Lumphinnans 13/03/2009 18:27:35
You`d think ,what with all that "experience and sophistication", that he`d have come out of the huff before now

I still can`t forgive him for insisting that Blair "acted in good faith" on WMD in Iraq.

He restated this view recently and I couldn`t believe that, after all that`s been exposed between then and now, he still believes this. Must be senile.

We`ve had the Labour conference, where policy ideas and proposals took up a distant second place to badmouthing Alex Salmond.

Now, so too, do the Lib-dems appear fixated on the FM

Wonder whose name will appear most often when the Tories get together ?
58

,

13/03/2009 18:33:42
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59

Wisnaeme,

13/03/2009 18:41:03

and so oor Eck rushed across the pond to congratulate Hillary's accession to high office, amongst other things.
Not quiet propar, was it Mingin? Or was it a case that Westmidden's nose was put out of joint. An affront to Westmidden's dignity and seniority, no doubt.

But correct me if ah'm wrong, did not the Broon nosed one display unseemly haste in wanting to have the one upmanship of being first 'leader' in the queue to personally congratulate the newly elected president.

Can you imagine it, "congratulations, Mr President, Sur."

"Why thankyou, Mr Broon."

...and congratulations on your elect... erm non election. I'd like you to meet my speech writer, Mr Broon.

How kind of you, Thank you Mr President.Just what I needed.

.
60

Wisnaeme,

13/03/2009 18:56:57

...and the FibDem party political broadcast by Tavish, just shown on Beeb wan was mince, by ra way.

.

61

Florence,

Edinburgh 13/03/2009 19:16:51
My God, Ming's got some cheek. Pompous ass and back-stabber par excellence. Charles Kennedy got it right between the shoulder blades and wasn't there some skullduggery at the time of the 2007 Scottish election? Secret meeting with Gordon Brown? Can't remember the details but it was something to do with keeping Alex Salmond or the SNP out of governement. Anyway, he's a failed party leader, a has-been politician who never attained government, albeit he grovelled to sit at Labour's high table. The only way he and his irrelevent party could get office was by hanging on to the coat tails of Scottish Labour.
Have just seen Tavish's p.p. broadcast expounding on what they will do for the economy. Dream on, no hopers, you're a busted flush.
62

Linoleum Blownapart,

13/03/2009 19:16:57
What a non story!
63

,

13/03/2009 19:20:41
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64

Florence,

Edinburgh 13/03/2009 19:22:35
Re 72 - oops "government"
65

Florence,

Edinburgh 13/03/2009 19:24:47
74 TRAQUAIR: I watched it and wept.
66

Linoleum Blownapart,

13/03/2009 19:26:08
Whoever it was who put the Diomahir as a seed, I'd like to offer my thanks. Another 4 seeds are leeching just now. Ten leeched yesterday.
67

Stan Butler,

13/03/2009 19:32:20


That response from the SNP shows them up for what they are. Petty, tin pot no marks.

And it looks like Fat N'Eck's skin is as thin as his neck is fat.
68

TheUnionisBritish,

13/03/2009 19:32:32
The LibDems should learn how to campaign - here in Dundee for this by-election we were getting fed up having a different leaflet nearly every day for 2 weeks from them going on about pavements and graffiti and you don't win elections putting out a new leaflet at 2pm on election day. I had one put through my door and thought -wast of time. Pointless, you might do better if you actually put out leaflets about things that are effecting people such at the economy. A lot of people got scunnered by the amount of rubbish being put out by them. Their campaign backfired.
69

Linoleum Blownapart,

13/03/2009 19:38:46
Stanley Butler

You're not a very gracious type are you?

"Alex Salmond pulled off a diplomatic coup yesterday when he met Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State, during his two-day visit to Washington." Times Online

Was he the first "First Minister" of Scotland to meet a Secretary of State for America? I think so.

Impressive stuff unless you're a dyed-in-the-wool unionist. Ho hum.

70

Observer,,

Glasgow 13/03/2009 19:42:43
78 Having a bad day Stan ? When you have to resort to personal attack on the size of someone's neck you have lost it. Both your cool, and the argument.
71

FerryPort,

13/03/2009 19:43:04
Well done Craig Melville. 48%, that's showing them.

Campbell has really done himself an injustice here.
In a politician's twilight years we have come to expect statesman like behaviour demanding respect from all sides. But this cheap slagging couched in some dated quotes is certainly folly and totally inappropriate. He is the one who has committed a terrible mistake. I can only imagine the gathered faithful’s collective cringe.
72

Observer,,

Glasgow 13/03/2009 19:48:22
82 That's Ming's tragedy. Up until a few years ago he WAS thought of as something of an elder statesman when it came to foreign policy. Now he's just like Terry Malloy in ''On the Waterfront'' I coulda been a contender.....
73

govanite,

glasgow 13/03/2009 19:48:24
I saw this on the telly and how ridiculous it all seemed. Ancient Ming the Muddled, failed politician, criticising Salmond. Unbelievable. If memory serves, they both got elected firstly in 1987 and how their paths have diverged. Ming leading the LibDums into the wilderness and out of Government in Scotland, Salmond leading the SNP to their greatest triumph yet.
I laughed and laughed.
74

Observer,,

Glasgow 13/03/2009 19:52:17
I think he deserves all the opprobrium heaped on him because he has let his ego get in the way of his ability. and nothing showed that more clearly than when he knifed Charlie Kennedy in the back. Sod off Ming, your time is over (and no one likes you).
75

Florence,

Edinburgh 13/03/2009 19:58:10
77 - LINOLEUM B. I don't understand your post but then I'm completely ignorant of internetspeak. Can you explain? Thanks
76

Observer,,

Glasgow 13/03/2009 19:59:24
86 Fake numpty.

Can I suggest you look fascist up in a dictionary (I'm assuming you can read) as you semem unaware of it's meaning.
77

,

13/03/2009 20:04:04
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78

,

13/03/2009 20:10:00
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79

Florence,

Edinburgh 13/03/2009 20:11:01
91 and 92 You're not witty or amusing, merely offensive.
80

,

13/03/2009 20:11:55
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81

,

13/03/2009 20:13:19
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82

Los Angeles,

13/03/2009 20:15:53
The Wit and Wisdom of An Internet Buffoon

SNP 455h0le.
Feuhrer Eck ist der fudd
Ken whit yooz aw ur. NAZZIIS

Friday night is alcoholic psycho night.
83

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13/03/2009 20:19:17
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84

Tris,

13/03/2009 20:25:14
#37. Congratulations to Craig Melville in Dundee. He ran a first rate campaign with great support to get his message across. And he did with fantastic results. He beat the pants off his Labour rival taking a seat which had been held by a good and hardworking Labour councillor until recently.

Let's hope that the independent councillor sees which way the people of Dundee are thinking, and refuses to take the side of the unholy alliance of Labour and Tory and Liberal. (Let's also hope that in future the people who voted Tory, and got a Labour council will see the folly of that move in Dundee.)

Again, congratulations and good luck to Craig, a good man and a potentially great councillor.

*************************

As for Ming.... well, yesterday's man or what! The guy that was booted out by his own party leadership for his lacklustre performances... Please!

Mr Salmond did a fine job in America; at least he wasn't ashamed to call himslef a Scot. And it seems from tv reports there that he and Secretary Clinton got on famously.

Mrs Clinton may be a novice Ming, but she's making a better job of being in high office, than you made of being the leader of the third party in England!
85

,

13/03/2009 20:25:25
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86

Observer,,

Glasgow 13/03/2009 20:26:50
98 Los Angeles - are you the same LA that posts on the Herald ?
87

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13/03/2009 20:30:41
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88

morris,

edinburgh 13/03/2009 20:42:06
What I found hilarious about the Lib Dems conference was the broadcast which went out outlining what they would do (except that they would require power at Westmonster to enact a single syllable), andwould still have more chance of winning the lottery when they dont even buy a ticket.
It is said that you can promise the earth when in opposition,because you dont have to deliver.The Lib Dems can make promises until the end of this century,and not have to deliver as much as a U turn.They only exist because of the incompetence of the other two Unionist parties !

Menzies Campbell made a criticism but I have yet to hear what exactly the basis of critcism was.Maybe Ming is still trying to work that out also.
I suspect his objection is that Scotland might recognise that at long last, they have a First Minister worthy of the name, instead of the internationally embarrasssing fashion guru/muppets we have experienced previously!

Does anybody know what the current Scottish Secretary did before he became a politician?
The resemblance between the guy playing Lurch in the Adams family film and Jim Murphy is uncanny!


89

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13/03/2009 20:46:47
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90

Linoleum Blownapart,

13/03/2009 21:01:20
Florence

It's a method of exchanging information between computers. This information (P2P or peer to peer) allows music or film etc to be sent from one (or many) computer to another. You'll need to download what is called a Torrent (I prefer BitTorrent) then key in what you are looking for. You then download this preferably overnight as it takes a while. You ca then watch this on your computer.

If you wish to make a CD or DVD for watching on your DVD player you'll need another few programmes. You'll find that a lot of torrents come as an AVI file. You'll need to convert this to DVD. I use "AVI2DVD" but there are others. I find this the simplest.

Once you've done this you'll need to burn it (I assume you've done this before) onto a DVD. There are many free programmes on the internet but the simplest is (IMHO) "BurnAwarefree."

Failing that - just watch it on YouTube.
91

Linoleum Blownapart,

13/03/2009 21:13:59
The person faking Traquir is our own resident idiot sam, greenock (sic). He is currently serving in an open prison but is "tagged" at the week-end. You'll find him mainly from Friday evening till Sunday when Scotland on Sunday comes online. His posts usually last until Monday morning when they're all zapped.

I suggest you don't respond but use the "report" button. He is obviously deranged.
92

Brian Hill,

13/03/2009 21:18:13
#37 Traquir says: Breaking News
"The SNP has gained a seat from Labour on Dundee City council in the Maryfield by-election.

That was at 16.41pm. It's now 20.47 and even the Courier doesn't have this on its site, nor of course does the Scotsman.

Amazingly the BBC had it on its website around 6.30pm but not of course on its TV news, nor did STV have it on their news.

Liberals were down at 11% in the by election and their conference leaders including Ming only attracting a few dozen people on day 1 we can see how 'powerful' and 'meaningful' Mings attack on AS actually was(NOT).
93

Linoleum Blownapart,

13/03/2009 21:18:40
Off to download some films that will be appearing at a cinema near you in the very near future.

Saor Alba
94

Yok Finney,

Ross-shire 13/03/2009 21:28:47
The Liberals have seen better days - about 100 years ago - when they were a party with an AGENDA that had POLICY and while not representing the common man, at least had CONCERN for him.

The tie-up with Labour in the Scottish Parliament has only worsened their condition.

I think it's time they packed in: Their silly game of Westminster politics (never did them any good), for few people are interested and even these will no longer vote for them.
95

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13/03/2009 21:43:47
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96

The Answer,

Glasgow 13/03/2009 21:55:05

"124 Traquir , Alba,13/03/2009 21:43:47 "

Links and source for you to get off on!


For each Westminister Parlimentary Seat!

A massive:

650 New Fulltime Undergraduates are produced in England

yet

A pathetic:

498 New Fulltime Undergraduates are produced in Scotland



For each Westminister Parlimentary Seat!

A tiny sum of

8 England domiciles elect to study at a Scottish university.

yet

A massive sum of

30 Scotland domiciles elect to study at an English university.


UCAS WebSite 15-Jan-2009
Table 6

tinyurl.com/cvuzer
97

Brian Hill,

13/03/2009 22:05:10
This non statement of Mings is yet another sign that unionists have nothing positive to say in their defence of the union.

This Lib Dem Spring Conference should be a platform for their new ideas, a springboard for new policies. We are facing the worst recession since the 30s and all Ming can come up with is that AS has been grandstanding.

Unionists are tired old men with nothing to say because they have all run out of ideas, even the youngish ones.

Time to move over guys, history has caught up with you.
98

All Politicians are the same,

Scotland 13/03/2009 22:19:54
Personally I look forward to living in an independent scotttish state with salmomd being as apologetic about foreign terrorism as Adams was about the recent shootings in NI
99

The Answer,

Glasgow 13/03/2009 22:24:18

"124 Traquir , Alba,13/03/2009 21:43:47 "

Another link and source for you to get off on!


For each Westminister Parlimentary Seat!

A massive:

£339 million of exports are produced in England

yet

only a pathetic:

£242 million of exports are produced in Scotland

Source HMRC 12-March-2009

tinyurl.com/dfv3kw
100

Jock Tamson,

Scotland, Caledonia, Alba 13/03/2009 22:27:12
Slàinte mhor a h-uile là a chi 's nach fhaic

Traquir, Alba. Could you explain that phrase to me as it's not in the Gaelic online phrasebook?

Cha d’fhuaireadh facal Beurla mar “Slàinte mhor a h-uile là a chi 's nach fhaic *” sa Stòr-dàta Briathrachais Gàidhlig

http://tinyurl.com/djtvz4

Thanks.
101

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13/03/2009 22:27:19
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13/03/2009 22:31:31
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13/03/2009 22:35:11
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13/03/2009 22:36:38
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Jock Tamson,

Scotland, Caledonia, Alba 13/03/2009 22:45:30
133, Traquir.

Thank you for that translation. My younger son is 14 and has had a Gaelic medium schooling for 11 years. Yet he could not translate it.

He was telling me what the words were but he could not understand the ethos behind it.

Hmmmm? What a wonderful language it is.

As for the Brit Nats - well we all speak British.
106

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13/03/2009 22:51:25
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13/03/2009 23:03:58
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13/03/2009 23:12:08
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109

Gussie Fink-Nottle,

13/03/2009 23:18:51
Has Ming ever held office...anywhere?
110

Jock Tamson,

Scotland, Caledonia, Alba 13/03/2009 23:25:02
Cha d’fhuaireadh facal Beurla mar “Am fear nach éisd ris na ‘s olc leis, cha’n fhaic e na ‘s ait leis*” sa Stòr-dàta Briathrachais Gàidhlig

Hang on there, Traquir.

I'm not saying that the translation website is the the equivalent of the moderator on here but.....

Next time my son's here and you're online I'll pass him over to you.

111

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13/03/2009 23:31:51
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RufusT-Firefly,

13/03/2009 23:32:02
141 Jock Tamson,Scotland, Caledonia, Alba 13/03/2009
Hang on there, Traquir.
Next time my son's here and you're online I'll pass him over to you.
======================================================

I think there may be a law against that.
113

RufusT-Firefly,

13/03/2009 23:34:43
what a great forum.

All the Heuchter Teuchters are passing Gaelic tips onto each other.

Pòg mo thòin
114

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13/03/2009 23:39:50
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115

Jock Tamson,

Scotland, Caledonia, Alba 13/03/2009 23:43:05
140, SCAREDANAEBDY,Renfrew but leaving soon........

I'm sure Hillary Clinton remembers well the hand of friendship extended by Monica Lewinsky towards her husband in an act of fôreplay.

Still reckon that the Whitehouse curtains had the DNA evidence as that was the best place to wipe the offending traces.

Now, what did Lord Watson set fire to in his hotel room?
116

Jock Tamson,

Scotland, Caledonia, Alba 13/03/2009 23:46:14
Ah, Groucho@143.

What are doing making a Votse of yourself at this time of the night?

Are you awaiting the news for tomorrow?
117

Mìcheal a Eilean Rùim,

Richmond 13/03/2009 23:48:46
Jock Thomson re Gaelic translation:
It may amuse you to know that there is a district on the Isle of Lewis called Achmore which is the only part of Lewis with no access to the sea. Thus, a useless fellow is often called called an Achmore sailor.
or in Gaelic, Seòladair an Ach Mhòir". (Say SHAW-letter an ach VORE). There seems to be quite a few Achmore sailors wading around these parts...
118

Mìcheal a Eilean Rùim,

Richmond 13/03/2009 23:59:53
A thought for Rufus. Why would you not want to live in the richest country in Europe, whose oil deposits are larger than those of Kuwait? Your English friends would be gritting their teeth with jealousy. Surely your ambitions are not bound by Tollcross and Leith?
119

Jock Tamson,

14/03/2009 00:03:42
149, Mìcheal a Eilean Rùim, Richmond.

Thank you. I will pass that onto my son.

In fact you should do more to promote Gaelic phrases like the Achmore sailor into our everyday speak. It helps to keep the awareness going.

120

RufusT-Firefly,

14/03/2009 00:05:04
150 Mìcheal a Eilean Rùim,Richmond

Good Point.

Even better, Aberdeen should declare independence.

It could then become the Monaco of the north.
121

RufusT-Firefly,

14/03/2009 00:06:16
It's Jock Tamson's son I feel sorry for.

He is going to bored out of his mind.
122

RufusT-Firefly,

14/03/2009 00:07:29
Traquir you Leam-leat.
123

Jock Tamson,

Scotland, Caledonia, Alba 14/03/2009 00:16:46
zzzzzz Swat. Oot ae ma ears.

Sorry Groucho - not really.

124

Fro,

14/03/2009 00:18:37
Is there any greater advert for independance than the inane ramblings of RufusT-Firefly?

Keep up the good work son!
125

Jock Tamson,

14/03/2009 00:29:18
156, SCAREDANAEBDY, Renfrew......

If you consider satire mixed with a bit of adult humour lowering the tone then the best of luck to you.

There are other websites where you may tread without the need to feel that you are taking umbrage with every reply.

Google them.
126

Florence,

Edinburgh 14/03/2009 01:01:07
109 MORRIS: He's never had a proper job. He's only ever been in politics.
127

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14/03/2009 01:01:59
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14/03/2009 01:02:37
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Florence,

Edinburgh 14/03/2009 01:05:21
115 LINOLEUM B: Thank you for your help. It's all double Dutch to me but my son will be able to help.
130

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14/03/2009 01:05:23
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14/03/2009 01:08:29
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14/03/2009 01:09:14
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BIG EYE,

Paisley 14/03/2009 01:09:15
I am no Liberal but I must admit I find it quite sad that a honourable party which has existed for a long ime and which has contributed positively in the past should find itself so irrelevant in Scotland.

The marriage with Labour was a disater that rendered them irrelevant. Nicol Stephen was a disgrace and Tavish is a walking disaster (just watch this week's Politics Now programme on STV).

They have cornered themselves into a impossible situation where they oppose the Claim of Right that David Steel was one of the main architects and are now rivalling both the Labour and Tory Party for the title of the most anti Scottish Party.

This basically flies against the views of most Liberals I have met which makes me think it's long overdue for the ordinary members to snatch back control from aa leadership which is heading rapidly for oblivion!
135

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14/03/2009 01:16:30
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14/03/2009 01:17:00
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Charles Linskaill,

Edinburgh 14/03/2009 02:34:41

Funny!, It is now 2.36 in the morning, and the Scotsman News, have not updated their site, makes one wonder, if they want to get-rid of the midnight posters?, who are actually the best, comical, and tell it from the Heart!

Or Has the Scotsman News, got technical issues this-morning?



138

Edward,

14/03/2009 02:46:30
Ming the nonentity speaks
and surprise its a load of guff!
either he is desperate for attention or this paper is desperate for something to write about!
14 months to go, the voters of Fife know what to do, give Ming the nonscensical retirement he justly deserves. Scotland does not really need people like him
139

r1niceboy,

Nebraska, via Polworth 14/03/2009 03:24:01
173 - Considering the drivel that's usually fired back and forth between the Labour and SNP "gnats," I wouldn't blame the paper for shutting down the site altogether. The sad was strong in these comments as we had some about war crimes and foreign policy as well.
140

Unelectedbythepeople,

Edinburgh 14/03/2009 04:04:10
Menzies Campbell - Oh I thought he had passed away!
141

Letters From Muscat,

Oman 14/03/2009 06:13:28
Think I've gone right off Scottish Politics....a bunch of argumentative types, with nothing to say about the current situation. What about those who are losing their jobs? How are they going to manage? what positive solutions can you offer? What's the latest on the printing of money? have all the heads of state agreed? Ann Leslie of the Daily MAIL was commenting on yesterday's daily politics show.......What if Brown's ideas fall flat and they all fall flat? what then? Come on you Scots , where is your inventiveness?
142

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14/03/2009 06:23:22
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143

NBJT,

North Berwick 14/03/2009 06:58:53
Good luck Mr Salmond.

Another antui SNP headline from the english owned Scotsman. It is now a competition to add up all the anti SNP articles the Scotsman can fill their pages with.

It is now a pathetic paper not reflectinng the views of the people living in Scotland.

Still the SNP vote is holding up despite the Scotsmans campaign!

144

bully wee alba,

Edinburgh 14/03/2009 07:00:39
No online Hootsmon today?

I note that the Lib Dem vote in Dundee Maryfield has dropped since the May 2007 election from 13.06% to 10.87%.

I see over in the Herald that a Labour spokesman is wearing blinkers.
“A Labour spokesman said: "We are pleased that Labour increased our share of the vote in what the SNP were convinced was a very safe council seat for them.
"More and more people are joining us in rejecting the SNP broken promises and their failure to do enough to help Scots through this difficult time."

He is correct to the extent that the Labour share of the vote did increase, (by 0.48%), but as the SNP share of the vote increased by nearly seven times that figure, his apparent pleasure reeks of self-delusion.

Mind you his statement does sum up the mindset of the Labourites rather well.

“Pleased to come a distant second in what effectively was a two horse race.”
145

tassiestag,

rosebery 14/03/2009 07:01:34
i think rufus t firefly is realy a maggot spreading bluebottle
146

NBJT,

North Berwick 14/03/2009 07:13:23
* It is a small drop!

Not too bad for a party in mid term!

The SNP are not just fighting their opponents but also the english controlled media who constantly place BAD spin on everything they do!

However, the SNP vote will always hold up because their will always be at least a third of the population who want Independence!!! Yes there is a third who wish to remain in the Union, and hang on to the coat tails of the english, but there is also a third who are waiting to be convinced that now is the time for Independence. In time it will come!
147

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14/03/2009 07:26:23
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14/03/2009 07:32:03
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bully wee alba,

Edinburgh 14/03/2009 07:32:07
182
NBJT,North Berwick 14/03/2009 07:13:23

“* It is a small drop!”

For the avoidance of any doubt, the SNP share of the vote increased from 44.36% to 47.6%.
150

Liberal for life,

Dunblane 14/03/2009 07:33:22
Right for starters, having witnessed the discussion, Ming Campbell used the Salmond meeting (photo-shot opportunity) with Hilary as an EXAMPLE of what can be a highly inflamatory intervention by "such a novice" when it comes to foreign affairs. The associated history in any of these "powder keg" situations such as in Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan, the Congo etc etc demostrates why its best left to those who have been involved in the political understanding of these situations for years, rather than to some pugnacious wee mannie who hardly knows the road to London let alone the Lebanon.

Further, Ming Campbell resigned as leader of the LibDems due to a media campaign that reeked of AGEISM. Whenever he was to be interviewed, the discussion returned over and over again to qustions about his age in comparison to the likes of Cameron as the opinion polls showed the start of a now faltering Tory revival. Ming felt it was going to better for the Party that they ought select a younger leader and take the debate onto the things that matter more to people. He made the sacrifice on behalf of the Party he still serves with great distinction so cut the sniping for someone who rose to the heights frae a tenement in Glesgae due to his intellectual ability and not his birth right.

In truth I felt he was wrong to do so but even he could not have predicted the economic disaster around the corner. And who should nowemerge as the man talking sense at this time on the economy and how we should go about takling it - one Dr Vince Cable - no spring chicken himlelf but somebody that people genuinely trust (as they do with Ming on Foreign Affairs). And in comparison to wee Doddie Osbourne (yes I know - who's he?) the LibDems are the party with the credibility on the rise in the run up to the next election.

And then we have to ask, where exactly does wee Aikie Salmon fit in to all this debate - hanging onto the coat-tails of yet another discredited banker, thats all his contribution
151

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14/03/2009 07:35:11
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Queen D,

Glasgow 14/03/2009 07:40:31
So, we have the Labour Party discussing the SNP at their conference and the Liberal Party discussing the SNP at their conference.
Do either of these parties think this might NOT be the reason for a conference , that they should be discussing how they as a party can put in place policies which would improve the lives of all in Scotland and NOT just sniping at the SNP?
Do they realise how foolish and ineffectual they appear?
Are the consevatives going to have a conference to discuss the SNP?
Ming should shut up , he has outlived his usefulness to his party and to the Labour Party.
153

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14/03/2009 07:42:52
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bully wee alba,

Edinburgh 14/03/2009 07:46:06
186 Liberal for life,

“the LibDems are the party with the credibility on the rise in the run up to the next election”

That will be why the SNP majority over the Fib Dums in Dundee Maryfield increased from 31% in May 2007 to 36.7% in March 2009.
155

RufusT-Firefly,

14/03/2009 07:47:11
189 Queen D,Glasgow 14/03/2009 07:40:31
So, we have the Labour Party discussing the SNP at their conference and the Liberal Party discussing the SNP at their conference.
Do either of these parties think this might NOT be the reason for a conference , that they should be discussing how they as a party can put in place policies which
=======================================================

And the SNP continually discussed Labour at their party conference at Perth.

So whats your point again?
156

RufusT-Firefly,

14/03/2009 07:49:55
180 bully wee alba,Edinburgh 14/03/2009 07:00:39
No online Hootsmon today?
======================================================

The Online Scotsman is up and running.

Seems to be a 'page refresh' problem.

If you keep pressing PF5 after signing in, eventually it loads.
157

karin.m,

14/03/2009 07:53:11
so ming thinks its no time for a novice but he resigned as leader because he wasnt young enough or novice enough to lead his party?

what we have in scotland is someone with new ideas and new ways of doing things.

thats what scotland needs
not the same old same old of ming cambell and his buddy gordon brown or dave camerons tories.

who can forget how brown and ming attempted to stop the snp coming to power by doing a dirty deal behind the door to keep labour and the lib dems in power in the scottish parliament.
158

Mr. Lachie Todd,

Edinburgh 14/03/2009 07:53:17
Many might well consider that, perpetual lightweight Sir Menzies Campbell, whose brief leadership was treated with utter contempt by members of his own party, is in good company at the Scottish Lib-Dem Conference!
159

RufusT-Firefly,

14/03/2009 08:03:07
Good Morning Spook.

That Feedjit thing you have is very interesting.
160

brownlie,

14/03/2009 08:06:41
186 Liberal

Quite right, you need experienced politicians like Blair and Bush to solve international problems by bombing Iraq with just a little "collateral damage".

Incidentally, what party were protesting against the invasion and showed it by continuing, in Scotland, to prop up the party responsible for the invasion?
161

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14/03/2009 08:15:03
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162

Linda,

Edinburgh 14/03/2009 08:16:36
Where is the Scotsmamn's coverage of SNP gaining Council Seat in Dundee from Labour which may result in Labour losing control of Dundee City Council.

Even the Unionist Daily Telegraph covered this story this morning

"Labour has ruled the local authority in Dundee for 35 years, but its reign appears to be over after the Scottish Nationalists convincingly won a by-election yesterday.

The result is embarrassing for the Prime Minister, who last week boasted about Labour's control of the city in his keynote speech to the Scottish party conference, hosted in Dundee.
The results of the first preference votes were:

SNP 1550 48%
Labour 1013 31%
LibDem 354 11%
Tory 224 7%
SSP 52 2%
Independent 35 1%
Independent 28 1%

163

karin.m,

14/03/2009 08:17:28
how does ming explain how the economy has went into meltdown on the watch of gordon brown who had plenty of experience as chancellor
164

karin.m,

14/03/2009 08:18:41
the people of scotland are not going to be fooled anymore by ming cambells or gordon browns or any party that doesnt put scotlands interests first.
165

M8 Traveller,

Newington 14/03/2009 08:28:51
Another mingin report from the Scotsman. No wonder its circulation figures are going down the toilet.
166

noswod,

Honestas 14/03/2009 08:41:58
Did Ecky visit the IMF while in Washington? as practice for when Scotland is independent. Why didn't Ecky visit China tae ask for a bail oot of oor banks ?
WHy did Ecky visit the USA anyway? what in it frae us ?? All real linkages between Scotland and the USA died out about 100 years ago, the Americans don't recognise the Scot's contribution to their National building i.e no Scots no America and often get the Scots mixed up with the Irish.
167

bully wee alba,

Edinburgh 14/03/2009 08:52:01
From “The Times” 14/03/09

A spokesman for the First Minister responded by accusing the former Lib Dem leader of sounding like a “pompous ass”.

He added: “He has never been in office in his life, and was so bad as Liberal leader that he wasn't even allowed to fight a general election. For the few dozen Liberal delegates who were there to hear him, this was less Ming the Merciless, more Ming the Meaningless - the Liberals are in such a bad way they can't even think of their own silly jibes any more.”

168

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14/03/2009 08:54:28
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169

Linoleum Blownapart,

14/03/2009 09:08:46
I'm stumped. Can't find any new articles. Problems? Have they gone bust?
170

Keir Hardie,

Inverness 14/03/2009 09:18:50
I'm more concerned about the spokesman quoted - what nursery school does he go to? He could do some real damage some day, get rid of him and get a grown-up.
171

Jnyren,

Cambridge,MA 14/03/2009 09:20:54
This once Jo Grimond supporter is beginning to see why Scotland ought not suffer longer under emaciated 'libs' , worn out Blairite labs, let alone snob ridden tories. A centralized UK was no good for anybody, Blair was a great phony, and poor Gordon (I kennt his father, a man of stature) will never live down the English xenophobia about race and lesser breeds without (their) law. Hail Caledonia. The best is yet ahead !
172

bully wee alba,

Edinburgh 14/03/2009 09:47:12
Would this report from The Independent have any bearing on today’s lack of on-line content?

Johnston Press struggles as ad sales plunge faster than ever

Uncertainty over refinancing raises doubts about group's future

By Sarah Arnott
Thursday, 12 March 2009

Johnston Press raised questions about its future as a going concern yesterday as it unveiled annual losses of £429m in 2008, compared with profits of £125m the year before.

Despite a net cash inflow of £51m, the local newspaper group's £477m debt pile, alongside impairment charges and goodwill writedowns of £418m, dragged the group into the red. Revenue also fell by 12.4 per cent to £532m as recession-hit advertising sales plummeted at the fastest rate in the company's history and revenues from the sale of newspapers also dropped by 1 per cent.

The local newspaper publisher has scrapped its final dividend as part of plans to focus on debt repayment in a difficult trading environment. But uncertainty over the publisher's debt refinancing negotiations and the sale of its two Irish businesses "may cast significant doubt on the group's ability to continue as a going concern", Johnston's financial report said.

173

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14/03/2009 09:52:03
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14/03/2009 09:53:17
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14/03/2009 09:55:01
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A Crofter,

Arce of Prosperity 14/03/2009 09:57:39
#202 Karin M - And is it in "scotlands interests" [sic] to turn over our protected natural heritage to illiterate greedmongers like Trump?

Did your clinically obese Fat Messiah collect his bonus during this pointless, polluting junket?

Remember, they're all just clueless, minging politicians.
177

eamon,

14/03/2009 10:07:04
Whats going on with the Scotsman. I can only seem to find 1 new story. Pity if it goes down the tubes, would miss the contributions of rufus. works wonders with the constipation. 1 comment from him has same effect as 10 pints of guinness.
178

RufusT-Firefly,

14/03/2009 10:07:21
213 The Spook in Leith,14/03/2009 09:37:07
#197 RufusT-Firefly,14/03/2009 08:03:07
It flung up this when you visited my blog.
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff303/rhysaustin1992/Fat.jpg
=======================================================

Spook, your software needs updated.

That is an old picture of me.

Here is a more recent picture of me taking a taxi.

http://www.troodi.com/files/5f348f4f5f34.jpg
179

Linoleum Blownapart,

14/03/2009 10:07:55
This is no time for a codpiece.
180

RufusT-Firefly,

14/03/2009 10:09:07
219 eamon,14/03/2009 10:07:04

The new edition is all there.

You need to sign in and then press PF5 a few times. Either that or delete your cookies in Internet Explorer.

The page is not refreshing correctly.
181

Linoleum Blownapart,

14/03/2009 10:11:02
Here's my picture

http://rookery2.viary.com/storagev12/936000/936174_7963_625x1000.jpg
182

Linoleum Blownapart,

14/03/2009 10:11:46
What is PF5? Are they keystrokes or is it a code?
183

Linoleum Blownapart,

14/03/2009 10:12:20
I mean is it PF5 or P F5 (function) or possibly a wind-up?
184

RufusT-Firefly,

14/03/2009 10:13:23
F5 - Refresh Button

(sometimes called PF5 - Program Function 5)
185

Grahamski,

Falkirk 14/03/2009 10:13:29
What on earth is going on? That obnoxious personal attack on Mr Campbell came from an employee whose salary is paid by all of us. We all know just how personal and downright nasty nationalist politics are but it is a matter of some concern that employees of the state are now being infected and seem to think snide personal attacks are acceptable from people who are paid by the public.
It's time for the nats to have a right good look at themselves....
186

Observer,,

Glasgow 14/03/2009 10:17:41
What on earth are you banging on about now Grahamski and where is today's paper ?

ps Ecks's spokesman won't have been a civil servant - you really are plummeting new depths.
187

,

14/03/2009 10:19:45
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188

Grahamski,

Falkirk 14/03/2009 10:22:11
228
Observer,
Who do you think pays Mr Salmond's staff?
189

Observer,,

Glasgow 14/03/2009 10:24:29
Right Rufus I pressed F5 and everything just vanished.

Grhamski you are a laugh. ''Menzies Campbell sounds like a pompous ass''. The only civil servant who would say that is one who just won a fortune on the lottery or the gee gees and is experimenting with how long it would take then to get sacked.
190

Observer,,

Glasgow 14/03/2009 10:26:52
230 Grahamski as you clearly know there are delineating lines between whether someone is paid for by the party or the public, and whether activity is Parliamentry/Ministerial, or political. And never the twain shall meet. So calm down dear, you didn't pay anyone to call Ming a pompous ass. Personally I would say he is an egotistical pompous ass.
191

Grahamski,

Falkirk 14/03/2009 10:27:58
231
I totally agree. Mr Salmond's spokesperson here is Kevin Pringle who is Senior Special Adviser to First Minister Alex Salmond, focusing on media relations and external communications.
That is a job which is funded by the public.
The SNP really need to sort this out.....
192

RufusT-Firefly,

14/03/2009 10:28:22
Observer

Internet Explorer

Tools/Internet Options/

General Tab (should be displayed)

Delete Cookies
193

Linoleum Blownapart,

14/03/2009 10:29:30
Rufus

F5. Well I've learned something new today. F5 does the same as "refresh page". Thanks for that!
194

Munguin,

Broughty Ferry 14/03/2009 10:29:56
Whats going on with the Scotsman today? I am not a huge fan of this paper but at least it allows us to post without censorship. But I can't understand why they have nothing regarding the Maryfield by-election result here in Dundee on their blogs!

The printed editon has it in the news section on the front page with a larger, and to be fair unbiased, larger article on page 6. I understand that it needs to sell the paper edition but it's now after 10 so why not let us have a blog on it? Come on Johnson Press get the finger out and let us have our say on this as you describe it "major blow to Labour and Gordon Brown". Nobody gives a hoot about the Lib Dems in Perth! Or what this silly old fool has to say!

I get the impression that he wont be standing again for north east fife and he is trying to max the sales of his autobiography! Just the sort of book to give to people you don't like I would have thought.
195

,

14/03/2009 10:30:52
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
196

Observer,,

Glasgow 14/03/2009 10:32:30
234 thanks Rufus.

233 Oh come on Grahamski, stop splitting hairs. You were trying to kid on that the spokesperson was acting in an unethical way. It's not a job which is required to be politically objective, as well you know.
197

Linoleum Blownapart,

14/03/2009 10:34:18
Grahamski

Let's see if I've got this right. You say "a personal attack on Mr Campbell came from an employee whose salary is paid by all of us."

Are you saying that anyone who is paid by "all of us" shouldn't make personal attacks? MPs, MSPs are paid by all of us and they make personal attacks on a daily basis. Actually just about everyone is paid by all of us. People who buy this rag are in effect paying the salaries of the journalists. They make personal attacks on MSPs (mainly SNP MSPs) on a daily basis.

I don't really get your point.
198

Linoleum Blownapart,

14/03/2009 10:38:20
F5 - it's all so simple really. I wonder what the other buttons do ....
199

brownlie,

14/03/2009 10:38:40
229 Union is Better

Quite right, it is a well-known fact that Alastair was not paid out of public money but from Cherie's earnings from charities.
200

Faux Cul,

14/03/2009 10:39:02
Oh dear form Ming another attack that displays all the hallmarks of an increasing distancing from reality.

The other Scots Collossus who bestrides the Globe says it like it is!

All this done in the Cauldron that is the Scottish Libdums Annual cream bun and tea soiree.

Ming needs to ride off into the sunset and let what is left of his "party" try to gain a soupçon if credibility in Scotland.

Remind me someone, how many Ospreys do we have in Scotland and how many Liberals were in Perth?

Well, we protect Ospreys but, the Scottish Libdums seen too far gone and about to be erased from the endangered species list.
201

Linoleum Blownapart,

14/03/2009 10:40:20
[img]http://rookery2.viary.com/storagev12/936000/936174_7963_625x1000.jpg[/]
202

Linoleum Blownapart,

14/03/2009 10:40:40
Nope.
203

Grahamski,

Falkirk 14/03/2009 10:41:16
238
I was suggesting that people who we paid to advise the first minister should refrain from character assassination. Do you really think that it's ok for unelected SNP government spokespeople, paid for by the taxpayer, to personally insult their political opponents with impunity?
And just as an aside to Mr Pringle's snide point about Menzies Campbell experience of being in office; he has fought and won five general elections as MP for North East Fife . Mr Pringle on the other hand hasn't been personally elected to anything.....
204

,

14/03/2009 10:42:17
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
205

Linoleum Blownapart,

14/03/2009 10:44:00
tinyurl.com/b5swt9
206

Faux Cul,

14/03/2009 10:45:02
Ming a heavyweight?

Ming a lightweight?

Ming a makeweight?

Ming a paperweight.
207

Linoleum Blownapart,

14/03/2009 10:45:49
Regarding unelected - how about Broon? He wasn't elected PM. You're right Grahamski. He should shut up.
208

Observer,,

Glasgow 14/03/2009 10:46:19
239 Special advisors have a specific role, as they addd a political dimension to the advice and assistance available to Ministers while reinforcing the political impartiality of the permanent civil service by distinguishing the source of political advice and support.

They are employed to help Ministers on matters where it would be inappropriate for permenent civil servants to get involved. They are an operational resource who can comment from a standpoint that is politically committed.

They are temporary civil servants, governed by a code of conduct, and Kevin Pringle has done nothing outwith that code.

Grahamski knows this, he's just at it before the football comes on.
209

Linoleum Blownapart,

14/03/2009 10:46:22
This is dull. I'm fur goin' oot. Bye.
210

Grahamski,

Falkirk 14/03/2009 10:48:57
250
Escuse me but Man Utd V Liverpool?...that's a lot more than football...
211

Observer,,

Glasgow 14/03/2009 10:49:06
I can't find the specific code for Scottish special advisers but the Cabinet Office one is here:

http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/propriety_and_ethics/special_advisers/code/code.aspx
212

Observer,,

Glasgow 14/03/2009 10:50:52
253 Men kicking a wee ball about.
213

,

14/03/2009 10:51:03
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
214

Observer,,

Glasgow 14/03/2009 10:53:41
This site is impossible I'm off bye.
215

Grahamski,

Falkirk 14/03/2009 10:59:52
bye
216

Tarchin,

Lothian 14/03/2009 11:01:42
The SNP won a council election with 48% of votes cast. What was the percentage turnout?
In 2007 at the Holyrood election only 52% of eligible voters actually voted. The SNP received ~27% of the votes cast and Labour ~26% so SNP received less than 15% and Labour about 14% of the total vote the big winner on the night was apathy.
When are the politicians going to wake up and do something about improving voter turnout. Preferably before an independence referendum.
217

Faux Cul,

14/03/2009 11:07:18
From Guido Fawkes

Posted by a
Tachybaptus

O beautiful City of Dundee beside the silv'ry Tay,
Where once the Labour Party o'er the Council held sway,
A Town once fam'd for Jute brought from far Bengal,
Which could be made into sacks both large and small,
Not forgetting Linoleum, and the famous Marmalade,
And the finest Fruitcake that ever was made.
The sacks are now made of the clear Polythene
Through which their contents may readily be seen,
The fine Marmalade we used to call our own
Is now made in the Shenzhen Industrial Zone,
And the Fruitcake, 'gainst sorrow so effective
Condemn'd as high-fat by the Health and Safety Executive.
But alack! More sorrow has befallen the Town
Following a visit by the ill-fam'd Gordon Brown.
Never was there such a lamentable day,
E'en when the Storm-Fiend broke the Bridge of Tay.
At Texol and NCR many were thrown out of work
And are sustained only by the charity of the kirk.
But worse was to come in the local Bye-Elections,
For when the good folk came to make their selections,
The tellers declared that Labour had lost control,
A verdict that sear'd the Party to its very soul.
O beautiful City of Dundee beside the silv'ry Tay,
I very much fear Jonah Brown has taken away
All that your town was fam'd for in prose and rhyme,
Which shall be remembered for a very long time.
218

Ham Mei Si,

Hong Kong 14/03/2009 11:07:20
Take a look at this for a shock
http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docid=8756795263359807776
219

karin.m,

14/03/2009 11:14:52
was sir ming perhaps having a dig at barak obama.

i mean he is a new guy (novice)
220

Geomac 1,

Scotland 14/03/2009 11:18:31
I am not by nature a political person but I am a Scot and I am appalled at the words used by a paid official, namely:
A spokesman for the First Minister hit back at Sir Menzies criticism of Mr Salmond, stating: "Menzies Campbell sounds like a pompous ass.

"He has never been in office in his life, and was so bad as Liberal leader that he wasn't even allowed to fight a general election.

"For the few dozen Liberal delegates who were there to hear him, this was less Ming the Merciless, more Ming the Meaningless – the Liberals are in such a bad way they can't even think of their own silly jibes anymore."
This sort of language is undignified and crass - and only serves to demean the Scottish government in the eyes of the world - shame on you Mr Salmond for allowing such personal vilification to be issued in your name!!
221

pehman,

sussex 14/03/2009 11:18:40
261 Faux cul,

Priceless absolutly priceless.

Mcgonagal lives
222

bully wee alba,

Edinburgh 14/03/2009 11:47:09
259 Tarchin,Lothian 14/03/2009 11:01:42
“The SNP won a council election with 48% of votes cast. What was the percentage turnout?”

The turnout was 29% (source Dundee Courier), down from 44% in May 2007.

Whereas I actually agree that this is a rather lamentable figure, particularly in view of the fact that this particular by-election had the potential of bringing down the current, (and for the last 35 years), Labour-led council administration in Dundee, I still see no reason to refer to the apathetic non-voters as being of any significance.

If you don’t vote you have no right to comment or complain.
223

bully wee alba,

Edinburgh 14/03/2009 11:53:59
266 Geomac 1

“A spokesman for the First Minister hit back at Sir Menzies criticism of Mr Salmond, stating: "Menzies Campbell sounds like a pompous ass.

"He has never been in office in his life, and was so bad as Liberal leader that he wasn't even allowed to fight a general election.”

The statement above appears to me factually correct, why do you have a problem with the truth?
224

Faux Cul,

14/03/2009 12:01:55
Interesting that The Ranting Penguin has a peculiar take on the Dundee vote.

He ascribes the Labour loss to the Royal Mail privatisation plans and the fact that the píssed off Unionised Posties didn't deliver the postal votes for SLab.
225

Geomac 1,

Scotland 14/03/2009 12:54:57
269 bully wee alba
It's really very simple why I have a problem with the wrods of the spokesman! Campbell made his remarks at a party political conference whilst The First Minister's spokesman made his comments as a taxpayer funded spokesman on behalf of the First Minister!! In case you were not aware, the position of First Minister is an office of state and not a party political position. Hence we should expect and get sensible and not personally insulting remarks from such a person (unless, of course, this had been issued on behalf of Alex Salmond in a personal capacity!!
QED
226

livilion,

livingston 14/03/2009 13:38:04
271 Geomac 1
And how much taxpayers' expence exactly do you imagine it took for a'First Minister's spokesman' to cross the street to the North Britain's office and deliver this rejoinder?

btw If even card carrying Lib-Dem voters couldn't be a*s*d to turn up to hear Ming the Irrelevant deliver his encyclical, why should anyone else give a monkey's what any of them has to say?
227

Florence,

Edinburgh 14/03/2009 15:04:56
266, 271 GEOMAC: Your comments are just ridiculous. Who do you think paid Alastair Campbell, Blairs spokesman, or any politician's spokesman? Try not to make such a fool of yourself.
228

ecosseman,

facts not propaganda 14/03/2009 20:09:43
WHAT A WASTE OF SPACE-AULD MING IS JUST JEALOUS,OR HE HAS GONE MAD!JUST LIKE ALL THE STUPID MINDED LABOUR BLOGGERS.
KEEP UP THE FANTASTIC WORK ALEX&CO
.ALL THE OPPOSTION ARE LOSSING THE PLOT.

THEY CAN NOT TIE YOUR LACES THEY ARE ALL TO FAT AND STUPID.

ROLL ON THE ELECTION!

 

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