Rab Bruce’s Spider

https://mastodon.scot/@RabBrucesSpider1

Supporter of Scotland becoming a normal, self-governing country. Occasional blogger & writer of articles for iScot magazine on tech aids for visually impaired. Blind user of social media.

If at first you don’t secede, try, try again.

Blogs at: rabbrucesspider.blogspot.com

Public Key

npub1xqx2z3scgme9eyhqzve5a0qvankwvwy0gp97stqd2l5xqgt5emgqs9qlpk

NIP-05 Address

rabbrucesspider1_at_mastodon.scot@momostr.pink

Profile Code

nprofile1qqsrqr9pgcvydujujtspxv6whsxwem8x8z85qjlg9sx406rqy96va5qprpmhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumt0d4hhxarj9ecxjmntxn8mfl

Publishing to

relay.momostr.pink

Author Public Key

npub1xqx2z3scgme9eyhqzve5a0qvankwvwy0gp97stqd2l5xqgt5emgqs9qlpk

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Last Notes

2026-03-27 20:45:50 UTC

The UK media in #Scotland, spearheaded by #BBC Scotland, seem to have ramped up the #SNPBad rhetoric. Is there an election coming soon or something?
#Politics #Media #BritNats

2026-03-15 08:07:06 UTC

Social media for the blind:
Bluesky, hardly any Alt Text. To understand an image, you must open the post, tap on the image and hope your screen reader can describe it, or spend a minute or so scanning it.
X, hardly any image descriptions. The built-in AI will try to describe the images which is a major improvement, but you need to wait until the screen reader finishes reading all the info about the post.
Mastodon, loads of image descriptions. What a pleasure it is to browse my timeline here.

2026-03-09 16:39:08 UTC

Contrary to what politicians & the media would have you believe, social security spending is not spiralling out of control. Who says so? The OBR. Funny that this has been largely overlooked. It’s almost as if politicians want an excuse to hammer claimants.
#Politics
New official figures disprove claims that social security spending is ‘spiralling out of control’ https://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/new-official-figures-disprove-claims-that-social-security-spending-is-spiralling-out-of-control/

2026-03-07 11:22:48 UTC

And the FIFA prize for projection goes to …
https://media.mastodon.scot/media_attachments/files/116/187/631/932/368/187/original/67faf1b38fecfa92.png

2026-02-27 11:48:59 UTC

Seeing how Nigel Farage reacted to defeat in the by-election is a good indicator of how he’ll treat democracy when he becomes PM.
#Politics
'Stop looking back in anger, Nige. Manchester didn’t want to put their life in Trump's hands.' https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/stop-looking-back-anger-nige-36789256

2025-10-14 16:16:12 UTC

I can’t say I’m enthused by John Swinney’s plan for IndyRef2. The #Holyrood voting system is designed to prevent any party winning an absolute majority, so the plan seems bound to fail. I’d normally not consider giving the #SNP my List vote as I’d prefer an overall pro-Yes majority. But with the rise of Reform & the advent of Corbyn’s new party, could the pro-Union vote be split so much that SNP 1&2 might actually produce a majority?
#Politics #Scotland

2025-09-05 06:47:03 UTC

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Is that the BBC effect? If the media keep platforming Farage, those ideas are going to find support from the hard of thinking.

2025-08-10 07:45:30 UTC

This.
https://media.mastodon.scot/media_attachments/files/115/003/354/640/745/145/original/0a38b0b0016d61b0.jpeg

2025-07-31 05:44:09 UTC

Scotlan’d ferry services are dreadful. We know this because the media keeps telling us so. But what if they aren’t bothering to provide any context? Prof Robertson gives a different perspective which suggests the media may have some sort of agenda.
#Politics #Scotland #Ferries #Media
The slavering feeding frenzy on Scotland’s west coast ferry system is a ‘never-ending storm of deception’ https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2025/07/30/91447/

2025-07-15 06:38:22 UTC

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Trickle down? Seriously? Does anyone have any evidence for that actually working? And if not, why is she clinging to it as a model for growth?

2025-07-05 08:49:01 UTC

It’s July in #Scotland, and the UK media keep telling us we’re experiencing a heatwave. My heating came on this morning. Still, at least all the renewable energy Scotland produces means our energy bills are kept low.
No, hang on. We pay among the highest prices in Europe.
#Energy

2025-05-03 16:30:20 UTC

Have I got this right? In response to Trump’s fascism, Canada votes for an anti-Trump Party, Australia votes for an anti-Trump Party, wile England embraces a pro-Trump, pro-fascist Party?
.#Scotland needs to escape this madness.
#Politics

2024-12-30 13:04:50 UTC

This is how desperate the #BBC are to portray #Scotland in a negative light. Their obsession with #Ferries is driving them to make ludicrous comparisons. It’s rather pathetic, really.
#Media #BBCBias
First pupils who don’t sit maths fail it, now bigger ferry to help with summer demand emits more than smaller one which islanders moaned about – BBC Scotland News goes full steam up a creek https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2024/12/30/first-pupils-who-dont-sit-maths-fail-it-now-bigger-ferry-to-help-with-summer-demand-emits-more-than-smaller-one-which-islanders-moaned-about-bbc-scotland-news-goes-full-steam-up-a-creek/

2024-12-29 10:39:19 UTC

The BBC are in raptures over the latest bad news about a ferry needing to reduce passenger numbers due to failing a safety check.
But here’s Prof Robertson explaining why this isn’t actually as bad as the #BBC would have you believe.
Who could have guessed?
CalMac ferries so generously subsidised and over-sized that tiny winter island traffic is unaffected by a temporary safety limit https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2024/12/29/calmac-ferries-so-generously-subsidised-and-over-sized-that-tiny-winter-island-traffic-is-unaffected-by-a-temporary-safety-limit/

2024-12-29 07:35:17 UTC

President Musk isn’t in power yet, but it looks as if he’s already split the MAGA support. His Trump puppet has joined him in turning against those who want a total immigration ban.
Not that this is cause to celebrate. Musk still supports Nazis, but he wants to exploit foreign workers in order to enrich himself further.
When will US voters see through these charlatans?
#Politics
Trump sides with Musk on support for H-1B visas for foreign tech workers https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/28/trump-musk-h1b-visas

2024-12-28 07:41:09 UTC

Scottish pupils are rubbish at Maths? Only if you pauchle the figures to create BBC headlines.
Prof Robertson again pointing out the facts.
#Education
Rt Hon Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale’s ‘doublethinktank’ reveals high failure rate amongst pupils not actually sitting exams https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2024/12/27/rt-hon-lord-mcconnell-of-glenscorrodales-doublethinktank-reveals-high-failure-rate-amongst-pupils-not-actually-sitting-exams/

2024-12-27 20:58:45 UTC

When I heard that the Telegraph was advocating that the UK should become the 51st State of the US, I thought it was a spoof. Apparently not.
Perhaps I misunderstood what the Brexiteers were on about when they said we had to gtake back control. Still, I bet President Musk will be all for this idea.
#Politics #Brexit

2024-12-26 11:31:11 UTC

After KC3 praising NHS staff yesterday, the UK media in Scotland is going all out in their attack on #NHS #Scotland. So here’s Prof Robertson once again pointing out the things that our politicised #media won’t tell you.
Leading European expert says Scotland is ‘at the very top pillar with regards to patient safety’ since 2007, but on Boxing Day, BBC Scotland tries to compare us unfavourably with England https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2024/12/26/leading-european-expert-says-scotland-is-at-the-very-top-pillar-with-regards-to-patient-safety-since-2007-but-on-boxing-day-bbc-scotland-tries-to-compare-us-unfavourably-with-england/

2024-12-24 18:41:25 UTC

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I must admit it bothers me that, when they speak about Scotland on some rare occasion, they are so far off the mark. It makes me wonder how on the ball they are with other areas.

2024-12-24 17:43:38 UTC

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You’re a lot more patient than me, then. I’ve always had my doubts about that lot & their knowledge of Scotland. They’ve just confirmed my suspicions.
I still remember their sheer hostility when interviewing Stephen Flynn some months ago. Their questioning was aggressive, & they kept interrupting him. You expect that from the BBC, but I thought they were better than that. Clearly, they’re not.

2024-12-24 17:20:56 UTC

Dear God! I had to stop listening to The Newsagents podcast on “What if Scotland had voted Yes?”
Such an Anglo-sentric view, with no knowledge that Scots Law is not the same as English law, and they firmly believe the Spanish Veto on EU membership line which was debunked years ago.
And apparently Yessers would now be regretting the decision and wanting to rejoin the UK.
Do yourself a favour & don’t bother listening to it.
#Politics

2024-12-24 07:46:32 UTC

Once again, Prof Robertson doing the work BBC Scotland should have done. Nearly 2 thirds of the Scotrail delays they were crowing about are caused by UK-controlled Network Rail.
#Media #Railways #Transport
#BBCBias
Update to BBC Scotland and Alex Cole-Hamilton – Nearly two-thirds of delays are due to UK Network Rail which then compensates ScotRail to enable it to pay passengers less than 1p per on average from its own funds https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2024/12/23/update-to-bbc-scotland-and-alex-cole-hamilton-nearly-two-thirds-of-delays-are-due-to-uk-network-rail-which-then-compensates-scotrail-to-enable-it-to-pay-passengers-less-than-1p-per-on-average-from-i/

2024-12-22 10:13:43 UTC

There’s much wailing about President Musk funding Reform, but all the major parties accept massive dodgy donations from wealthy foreigners. The real reason Reform will win the next UK election is the media platform Farage will be given by the newspapers & the BBC.
#Politics

2024-12-22 08:05:32 UTC

It would be great if Scots could watch their own team free on TV instead of being restricted to watching England matches, but in light of the Governor-General’s change of heart over supporting WASPI Women, I’m not sure there’s much point in asking him to support this campaign.
#Politics #Football #TV #Scotland
Ian Murray urged to back campaign for Scotland games to be broadcast free https://www.thenational.scot/news/24812328.ian-murray-urged-back-campaign-free-to-air-scotland-games/?ref=rss

2024-12-21 20:52:00 UTC

Of course they do. Remember the Quadrature donation to Labour from the Caymans earlier this year? They’re all in it for the money, and they don’t much care where it comes from. If they blocked Musk, they’d also cut off their own dodgy funding sources. https://mastodon.scot/@Fife4Europe/113692555756763270

2024-12-20 14:48:29 UTC

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How dare they vote in opposition to the wishes of President-elect Musk?

2024-12-20 08:07:24 UTC

I’ve seen some media articles which say that the UK, 1 of the world’s wealthiest sovereign states, is strapped for cash. None of them mention that the reason is an adherence to artificial, self-imposed rules created by the Tories to justify Austerity. If you have a central bank, you cannot run out of money. Yes, you can ruin your economy if you create money and spend foolishly, but if you invest in infrastructure & social policies, you can improve things. That’s how the NHS was created.

2024-12-18 07:34:48 UTC

Prof Robertson pointing out that BBC Scotland are, as many predicted, protecting Anas Sarwar from the public backlash over yesterday’s decision by his London Masters not to compensate the Waspi Women.
#Politics #Media #Scotland #BBCBias
Labour letting the Waspi women die in poverty is just business for the BBC and, of course, BBC Scotland, as they shield Sarwar https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2024/12/17/labour-letting-the-waspi-women-die-in-poverty-is-just-business-for-the-bbc-and-of-course-bbc-scotland-as-they-shield-sarwar/

2024-12-18 07:24:31 UTC

Another day; another attempt by Anas Sarwar to gaslight the people of Scotland. His brass neck is probably visible from space.
#Politics
SNP slam 'seriously misleading' Anas Sarwar letter sent to voters https://www.thenational.scot/news/24802340.snp-slam-seriously-misleading-anas-sarwar-letter/?ref=rss

2024-12-17 14:23:27 UTC

Oh, look! Scottish Labour MSPs once again put in their place by their London masters, making a mockery of their previous promises.
Who could have guessed this sort of thing would happen?
#Politics
'Shame': Anas Sarwar slammed as Waspi women denied compensation https://www.thenational.scot/news/24801269.anas-sarwar-slammed-waspi-women-denied-compensation/?ref=rss

2024-12-17 11:06:22 UTC

An excellent parody song has shown the scale of the public backlash against the UK Government’s decision to cut pensioners’ Winter Fuel Payments. New blog post on how Labour got into this mess.
#Politics
Freezing This Christmas https://rabbrucesspider.blogspot.com/2024/12/freezing-this-christmas.html

2024-12-16 11:54:10 UTC

Nigel Farage obviously thinks he has nothing to learn when it comes to bullying, misogyny & harassment. Read into that what you like.
#Politics Nigel Farage refuses to take ‘woke’ anti-bullying training for MPs https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/farage-reform-mp-bullying-tories-b2664927.html

2024-12-12 12:17:08 UTC

Here’s a good piece on childcare provision in Scotland. I know some people who work in this sector, and I can confirm that the most vulnerable children can receive free childcare from the age of 2.
As ever, don’t fall for the BBC spin.
Childcare – BBC Scotland’s attempts to hide SNP achievements while praising Labour ambitions https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2024/12/12/childcare-bbc-scotlands-attempts-to-hide-snp-achievements-while-praising-labour-ambitions/

2024-12-10 15:39:46 UTC

What’s the betting that, if a second poll shows significant lead for Yes to Scottish independence, there will be some sort of announcement about Operation Branchform?

2024-12-04 11:27:35 UTC

For anyone who bothers to read my musings and rantings, I think I’ve found an alternative blogging platform which is accessible. Here’s a short note explaining the background to the switch.
New Blog Site https://rabbrucesspider.blogspot.com/2024/12/new-blog-site.html

2024-12-04 11:24:05 UTC

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For info, I’ve found an accessible blogging platform. Blogger.com was so simple compared to the others. It may look horrible visually, but I can post text which is the main thing.
https://rabbrucesspider.blogspot.com/2024/12/what-we-want.html

2024-12-04 11:20:18 UTC

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They’ve also got together in several Scottish Councils. Co-operating against the SNP seems fine with them.

2024-12-04 07:32:01 UTC

The headline is encouraging, but the number of MPs who actually voted was pretty low. Quite frankly, I can’t see an autocrat like Keir Starmer ever supporting PR. Perhaps the threat of Farage as PM might persuade him, but the FPTP system suits the 2 Party arrangement.
#Politics
https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/mps-back-proportional-representation-in-uk-elections-386707/

2024-12-03 16:21:46 UTC

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Yeah. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Postach.io get their act together, but it’s not looking good.

2024-12-03 13:01:15 UTC

Looks like I may need to give up blogging on Scottish politics. My Postach.io site still isn’t working, and I haven’t found an alternative which is accessible with a screen reader. Disappointing to say the least.
I may need to post long threads here when I want to rant.

2024-12-02 06:54:08 UTC

Notice how the #BBC focus on perceived failings by the Scottish Govt in comparisons with England. No mention that being an independent country would allow more money to be spent on childcare.
And the parents complaining make no mention of the other benefits of living in Scotland like free prescriptions etc.
#Media #Politics
Why do I get less free childcare for my two-year-old than in England? https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr7nyxvy50ro

2024-11-30 22:07:54 UTC

I see The Guardian has an article about Dark Money influencing UK politics.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but weren’t alternative media outlets reporting this as far back as the #Brexit referendum?
Still, better late than never, I suppose.
#Politics #DarkMoney #Corruption

2024-11-29 14:51:40 UTC

The Brits really don’t like foreigners. What petty bureaucracy to use a minor mistake on a form to deny schoolchildren a holiday.
UK border guards 'block 100 French schoolchildren on trip to Scottish Highlands' https://www.thenational.scot/news/24760238.uk-border-guards-block-100-french-schoolchildren-highlands-trip/?ref=rss

2024-11-27 08:08:36 UTC

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He was elected on a slogan of Change (without ever explaining what it meant), but has simply continued the pro-Brexit, pro-Israel,, pro-Austerity policies of the Tories. Scrapping Winter Fuel Payments, focusing on Benefits and refusing to increase taxes on the wealthy even slightly haven’t really suggested any sort of fundamental change, and the rows over gifts just made him look as greedy as any Tory even if the scale was not comparable.

2024-11-24 14:39:08 UTC

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A bit wasted on me, although I do recall hearing something about it some time ago.

2024-11-24 08:51:19 UTC

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Ah, thanks. I get that, and it’s a clever distraction. In my case, though, my scan picked up the feet first, then confused me by mentioning all the other things in the background. It makes a nice change for the AI to be less easily fooled than the human eye.

2024-11-24 08:26:35 UTC

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Can you help visually impaired people understand the joke? I’ve run a few scans on the photo and it says there are feet on the tray. OK, that’s weird, but my AI says that other highlighted areas are light fittings and a person sitting in the background. It claims there is nothing unusual about any of them. Given the oddity of the feet, I’m curious about the other aspects. Thanks.

2024-11-22 12:13:56 UTC

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Yes, and he did claim he was performing his own form of art. Taking the piss, more like, and quite right too.

2024-11-22 11:53:56 UTC

Shock & surprise as Unionist newspaper awards Unionist MSP Politician of the Year.
#Politics #Media
Anas Sarwar gets ‘Herald Scottish Politician of the Year’ despite his favourability rating falling 20 points to well below John Swinney and after taking Labour down 14 points to below the SNP https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2024/11/22/anas-sarwar-gets-herald-scottish-politician-of-the-year-despite-his-favourability-rating-falling-20-points-to-well-below-john-swinney-and-after-taking-labour-down-14-points-to-below-the-snp/

2024-11-22 07:28:06 UTC

Some people clearly have more money than sense. That applies as much to the crowds who came to see this ridiculous exhibit as it does to the person who paid so much for a banana.
Banana duct-taped to wall sells for almost £5m at art auction https://news.stv.tv/world/banana-duct-taped-to-wall-sells-for-almost-5m-at-art-auction

2024-11-22 07:21:56 UTC

This article makes the usual mistaken assumption that the UK is a country, & it ignores Scotland’s leading role in the production of renewable energy, but it is still a very good critique of the UK’s broken energy pricing model even if it does assume the continuing use of Scotland’s resources to power the rest of the UK.
#Energy
Inflation is a wake-up call: We need energy sovereignty now https://www.cityam.com/inflation-is-a-wake-up-call-we-need-energy-sovereignty-now/

2024-11-21 17:05:05 UTC

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You are spot on as usual. Sadly, the SNP has been guilty of similar performative politics in recent years. They used to make sure they kept their promises, but that seems a thing of the past. All political parties now seem to have adopted this way of operating. It’s rahter depressing.

2024-11-21 07:17:45 UTC

Is anyone else starting to think that all the pre-election hype about GB Energy was just that - hype?
Here’s another rollback on earlier claims.
#Politics #Energy
Stephen Flynn calls out GB Energy boss after estimated job numbers tumble https://www.thenational.scot/news/24739615.snp-stephen-flynn-calls-gb-energy-boss-job-numbers-fall/?ref=rss

2024-11-18 16:34:31 UTC

Something doesn’t ring true here. If the Grangemouth refinery is so unprofitable, you’d think the owners would be happy for someone to take it off their hands. It’s almost as if they are determined to close the place down.
Grangemouth owner turns down new buyout offer https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2e7vnyd4npo

2024-11-13 16:57:06 UTC

Bad news for workers at Grangemouth. Given the scale of losses, that’s inevitable. What’s not clear is why the losses are so huge. Do other refineries run at this scale of losses? Is it because it is old & has not been properly maintained/upgraded?
Whatever the cause, this deals a real blow to #Scotland. An oil-producing country with no refining capacity sounds plain daft.
No prospect of saving Grangemouth as plant loses £385,000 every day, say bosses https://news.stv.tv/scotland/no-prospect-of-saving-grangemouth-as-plant-loses-385000-every-day-say-bosses

2024-11-07 12:24:56 UTC

New blog post on the main lesson our politicians need to learn after the US election.
#Politics #Scotland
Winners & Losers https://rbs.postach.io/post/winners-losers

2024-11-05 16:06:26 UTC

Wee Ginger Dug on the greed of the British Royal family and the media response to the recent revelations about just how much money the King & his elder son are squeezing out of our public services.
Counting the cost of royal greed https://weegingerdug.wordpress.com/2024/11/05/counting-the-cost-of-royal-greed/

2024-11-05 15:58:19 UTC

The #BBC is not biased. Or so they keep telling us. Yet, as this piece shows, their reporting certainly doesn’t seem impartial.
#BBCBias #Scotland #Media
Just a complaint, no charges but Alex Salmond has been the top story on the Politics page of BBC Scotland website since 3 November while the Labour council leader actually charges fades within hours https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2024/11/05/just-a-complaint-no-charges-but-alex-salmond-has-been-the-top-story-on-the-politics-page-of-bbc-scotland-website-since-3-november-while-the-labour-council-leader-actually-charges/

2024-11-04 20:43:06 UTC

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I’ve been using Meta AI on my Meta Rayban glasses. As a blind person, I find the speed & convenience of this a wonderful help in daily life.
But it isn’t always accurate. This can be a minor inconvenience for me if it gets something wrong, but if it gets something wrong in a national defence system, I suspect it would be more than an inconvenience for the world.

2024-11-04 07:05:38 UTC

Scotland’s ferry service must be the worst in the world. We know this because the media keep saying so.
But wait! How does it compare with others around the world?
Turns out it’s not so bad after all.
Funny that. It’s almost as if our media has some sort of agenda.
Herald writer’s cringing ignorance of the best equipped ferry service in the world – ours https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2024/11/03/herald-writers-cringing-ignorance-of-the-best-equipped-ferry-service-in-the-world-ours/

2024-11-03 21:24:49 UTC

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I do hope the Scottish Government does pay pensioners some sort of Winter Fuel allowance. That will really show the Scots who voted Labour which Government really cares about Scotland.

2024-11-03 11:11:25 UTC

This is one of the many reasons Westminster will never voluntarily let Scotland become a normal, self-governing country. They need our resources too much. If they had to pay for them instead of just taking them, they’d be in real trouble.
#Politics #Energy
As ‘Britain’ imports record amounts of electricity from Europe, England gets as much from Scotland as it buys from France https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2024/11/03/as-britain-imports-record-amounts-of-electricity-from-europe-england-gets-as-much-from-scotland-as-it-buys-from-france/

2024-11-02 20:52:27 UTC

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The royals exploiting the public for their own financial gain? Who’d have thought it?

2024-10-26 08:38:46 UTC

OMG! The right wing media really is a weird place. Scrolling my RSS newsfeed this morning, I saw headline bemoaning the crisis facing Non Doms. Will nobody think of the wealthy?
And yesterday there was another saying there can’t be a cost of living crisis because M&S’s food sales were up, so plenty of people are doing just fine, thank you very much.
I despair.

2024-10-26 07:40:11 UTC

I bet the #BBC will be all over this.
#Politics #Polls #Yes
Yes leads in first Scottish independence poll since Alex Salmond's death https://www.thenational.scot/news/24679265.poll-support-scottish-independence-52-per-cent/?ref=rss

2024-10-25 06:09:27 UTC

I’m surprised people still bother to watch Question Time, but those who do are exposed to misinformation which the pro-Union Chair rarely bothers to correct. Here, Prof Robertson does some AI searching to debunk the latest lies about Scottish water quality.
#Politics #BBC #Media #Water
Question Time lies don’t hold water…..Scotland does not have the same water pollution issues as England factchecked by AI https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2024/10/25/question-time-lies-dont-hold-water-scotland-does-not-have-the-same-water-pollution-issues-as-england-factchecked-by-ai/

2024-10-24 06:51:20 UTC

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Naw, we’d be permanently blootered if we did that.
Then again, that’s probably the only way to put up with their reporting.

2024-10-22 07:55:22 UTC

DWP to get power to lift money from bank accounts. It seems Labour are adopting the Tory view that all Benefit claimants are scroungers out to defraud the state. Will they apply similar rules to tax dodgers?
Given the DWP’s track record on dealing with disabled people, I’d say the chances of these new powers being abused and misused are pretty high.
Change?
#DWP #Politics #SocialSecurity
https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/dwp-able-access-your-bank-9648736

2024-10-21 12:59:15 UTC

This is a significant announcement from the Scottish Government. I’m sure it’s down to a glitch in my RSS feed, but the BBC don’t seem to have mentioned it. I probably just missed it, no doubt. It would be a public service announcement, so they cant have ignored it, can they? Please tell me I’m wrong.
#Politics #BBC
Applications open for new pension age benefit in Scotland https://www.thenational.scot/news/24666106.applications-open-new-pension-age-benefit-scotland/?ref=rss

2024-10-15 06:18:34 UTC

Scotland’s ferries are a national disgrace, right? We know because the #Media, especially the #BBC, constantly tell us so.
But wait a moment. Take a look at some comparisons on pricing, age of fleet, reliability & public subsidies. Read this piece & you might start to think the media are being very economical with the truth.
#Transport #Scotland #Ferries
CalMac ferry fares to increase to only a fraction of those for Isle of Wight. https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2024/10/14/calmac-ferry-fares-to-increase-to-only-a-fraction-of-those-for-isle-of-wight/

2024-10-15 06:06:18 UTC

A powerful and cautionary piece by Robin McAlpine. I must say I agree with him about the calibre of political leaders who could step up to the challenge. I don’t see them either.
#Politics #Scotland
An orphaned movement http://robinmcalpine.org/an-orphaned-movement/

2024-10-14 05:49:19 UTC

This is exactly what you’d expect a Tory PM to say. Ripping up red tape to allow private investors to help growth.
Change? There doesn’t seem to be much change in economic policies.
#Politics
Starmer vows to rip up the red tape at investment summit https://www.cityam.com/starmer-vows-to-rip-up-the-red-tape-at-investment-summit/

2024-10-12 21:06:56 UTC

This says it all.
Alex Salmond R.I.P. https://weegingerdug.wordpress.com/2024/10/12/alex-salmond-r-i-p/

2024-10-12 18:34:53 UTC

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I’ve been trying to ignore the media output. It’s a sad enough time as it is without reading their skewed perspective.

2024-10-11 06:45:57 UTC

This is brilliant from Lesley Riddoch on the farcical Council of Nations & Regions.
#Politics
https://www.thenational.scot/politics/24642142.lesley-riddoch-nations-regions-meeting-exposes-labours-prioritie/

2024-10-09 19:56:33 UTC

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And you’re all welcome. Thanks for choosing to help our nation grow.

2024-10-09 13:37:48 UTC

Scotland is allegedly the highest taxed part of the UK and this will drive people away. London’s Deputy Mayor must have missed the news about more people moving to Scotland, but letting facts get in the way of an anti-Scotland story never bothers our London masters.
#Politics #Taxation
London Deputy Mayor comes up to repeat urban myth of job flight to south as 12 500 flee north to fairer Scotland in just last year https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2024/10/09/london-deputy-mayor-comes-up-to-repeat-urban-myth-of-job-flight-to-south-as-12-500-flee-north-to-fairer-scotland-in-just-last-year/

2024-10-08 19:30:35 UTC

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It’s possible they will if they take enough of Scotland’s renewable energy.

2024-10-08 15:24:05 UTC

Nobody puts the boot in like Wee Ginger Dug. This is brilliant on Labour’s colonial attitude.
#Politics
Starmer’s colonial office mentality https://weegingerdug.wordpress.com/2024/10/08/starmers-colonial-office-mentality/

2024-10-08 15:13:57 UTC

What? But Keir Starmer promised GB Energy would bring down bills. Could he have been lying?
#Politics #Energy
GB Energy chief squirms as Stephen Flynn questions bills scheme https://www.thenational.scot/news/24637857.gb-energy-chief-grilled-company-will-bring-bills/?ref=rss

2024-10-08 14:57:47 UTC

This sounds like it would be a step in the right direction - so I expect it won’t happen.
#Politics #Budget2024
Reeves urged to make simple fiscal rule change to unlock £57 billion at Budget https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/labour-budget-reeves-fiscal-lock-prediction-b2625781.html

2024-10-08 12:55:46 UTC

New blog post on the UK Government’s remarkable ability to fund controversial CCS schemes while unable to keep pensioners & children out of poverty.
#Politics
The Pensioners, The Kids & The Black, Black Oil https://rbs.postach.io/post/the-pensioners-the-kids-the-black-black-oil

2024-10-08 12:51:49 UTC

A problem with ferries that the #BBC seem reluctant to cover. Why? Because it shows a small, independent nation can succeed where #Brexit Britain fails #Scotland.
#Politics #Media
Is it still Ireland 44 Scotland 0? The other ferry fiasco story not being covered https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2024/10/08/is-it-still-ireland-44-scotland-0-the-other-ferry-fiasco-story-not-being-covered/

2024-10-04 12:40:34 UTC

Apparently, John Swinney hasn’t ruled out calling a snap election if the Scottish Govt budget isn’t passed. I believe that, if this happens, the 2026 election must still be held to maintain the cycle, so any Government elected in a snap election would have less than 2 years in power. I’m tempted to say it might be worth having a Labour/Tory coalition for that length of time just to show people how bad that would be.
Thoughts?
#Politics #Scotland #Holyrood

2024-10-03 07:14:03 UTC

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Whether it was a genuine accident or not, it says a great deal about Kuenssberg’s reputation that so many of us are questioning her claim. It’s been obvious for years that she is a strong supporter of the Tories in general & Johnson in particular.

2024-10-03 06:04:39 UTC

I can’t help thinking this was a very convenient accident. It means she can’t embarrassBojo the Clown by asking difficult questions.
Of course, the simplest way for her to avoid embarrassing him would be for her to accidentally forget to ask any awkward questins her researchers had come up with.
Still, it shows Kuenssberg’s reputation that I’m even thinking this.
BBC cancels Boris Johnson interview after Laura Kuenssberg mistakenly sends him her briefing notes https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/oct/03/bbc-cancels-boris-johnson-interview-laura-kuenssberg-briefing-notes

2024-10-01 19:04:04 UTC

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That seems to work out at a whopping $1 or less for each password.

2024-10-01 11:08:27 UTC

You’ll have had your democracy?
Now the Tories say they won’t even discuss Scottish independence. That’s because they’re terrified of Scotland becoming a normal country.
And what’s the betting they still mention it more than any other Party at Holyrood?
#Politics #Scotland
Scottish Tories will try to block debates on independence, says Russell Findlay https://www.thenational.scot/news/24620780.russell-findlay-scottish-tories-will-block-debates-independence/?ref=rss

2024-10-01 10:49:50 UTC

A new head of BBC Scotland. I notice she didn’t mention rebuilding trust like one of her predecessors did. Maybe they’ve given up on that.
Will she make a difference? I’m not holding my breath.
#Media
Hayley Valentine named as new director of BBC Scotland https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y3j5dvzwdo

2024-09-29 05:41:18 UTC

A lesson in language by Wee Ginger Dug, explaining why Andrew Marr was so wrong.
Why do British nationalists feel so threatened by anyone who speaks a different language? It’s embarrassing.
#Scotland #Gaelic #Language
Andrew Marr, Gaelic and Scots https://weegingerdug.wordpress.com/2024/09/28/andrew-marr-gaelic-and-scots/

2024-09-28 10:11:44 UTC

In my iScot Magazine articles, I often extol the virtues of the wonderful Be My Eyes app. And it just keeps getting better. Now they’ve announced that, within a few months, blind people will be able to contact a sighted volunteer by voice via Meta Rayban glasses, and the volunteer will be able to see through the glasses’ camera. That means you can get help hands free which is a major bit of progress. Juggling a phone while trying to complete some tasks is very difficult.
#Accessibility

2024-09-28 08:37:44 UTC

Scrolling through my news feed this morning was more than a little depressing. The world is in a mess, and there are a lot of really nasty people out there.
And yet, out and about in my community, I usually experience nothing but friendliness.
Most people are nice, so I can only conclude that we’ve let the nasty people get into positions of power & influence so they control what is happening in the wider world.

2024-09-26 06:45:50 UTC

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Interestingly, Richard J Murphy is making the same points.
https://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2024/09/26/freeports-should-be-abolished/

2024-09-26 06:28:40 UTC

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I must admit I’m surprised to hear that stat. Freeports provide unscrupulous employers with all sorts of ways to ignore rules which apply elsewhere. I’d have thought more would have jumped at the chance. But if take-up is so poor, perhaps the UK Government will decide to do away with them.
Or perhaps not since it’s a Tory policy, and Labour do seem enthralled by those.

2024-09-25 15:16:59 UTC

What could possibly go wrong? Given the DWP’s appalling record when it comes to people with disabilities, often resulting in unnecessary deaths, I can have no confidence that they will not abuse these new powers. As for Labour, they do love those Tory policies, don’t they? Targeting the poorest but letting the richest off seems to be their main focus.
#Politics #DWP #SocialSecurity
DWP to be given powers to ‘spy’ on bank accounts as Labour revives Tory benefits policy https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/dwp-bank-account-checks-benefits-uc-pip-b2618730.html

2024-09-25 13:01:22 UTC

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He’s right. It’s a phenomenon which has a name I can’t recall at the moment. Something like baseline perception. It can be applied to all aspects of our environment. It’s the reason so many Scots think that the natural state of our highlands is miles and miles of heather grouse moors.

2024-09-24 19:15:57 UTC

This is an excellent piece by Marina Hyde.
As a man, I must say I am often dismayed at how far too many men behave. And it seems that men who accumulate wealth and/or power are particularly susceptible to developing these cruel behaviour patterns. As for those who cover it up on their behalf, I have nothing but disgust.
Behind every Al Fayed or Diddy, there is a small army of enablers: this column is dedicated to them | Marina Hyde https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/sep/24/al-fayed-diddy-enablers-entourage

2024-09-24 18:42:40 UTC

Wow! This week’s Lesley Riddoch Podcast is an absolute belter. Do yourself a favour and listen to it. I’ve rarely heard Lesley so animated and pure bilin’.
#Politics #Podcasts #ScottishIndependence

2024-09-24 13:12:03 UTC

If there are so many wealth creators in the UK, where is all the wealth?
Latest blog post.
#Politics
Where Is The Wealth? https://rbs.postach.io/post/where-is-the-wealth

2024-09-23 13:10:57 UTC

Latest blog. What has changed since Labour took power?
#Politics
Some Things Never Change https://rbs.postach.io/post/some-things-never-change