Here's Seasick Steve on Jules Holland with Led Zepp's John Paul Jones on base.
10 September 2011
9 September 2011
7 September 2011
Single Scots police force moves closer
One of the consequences of an SNP majority at Holyrood was they would persist with plans to create a single police force north of the border. And indeed it (and the parallel creation of single fire brigade) is one of 16 bills outlined by Alex Salmond in an otherwise pretty uninspiring Scots legislative programme.
This blog's view is that it will prove to be an expensive, bureaucratic and ultimately damaging change. But now they have a majority, the SNP will have no excuses when Scots voters find out just how foolish this idea is.
This blog's view is that it will prove to be an expensive, bureaucratic and ultimately damaging change. But now they have a majority, the SNP will have no excuses when Scots voters find out just how foolish this idea is.
Loopy Lorna's closure mystery
The beeb reports that Edinburgh's (if not the UK's) finest tearoom has closed suddenly in somewhat mysterious circumstances.
Loopy Lorna's was always a highight of our visits to Edinburgh.
Loopy Lorna's was always a highight of our visits to Edinburgh.
4 September 2011
Labour's Libya links revealed
If today's Mail on Sunday is to be believed, documents found by the new regime in Tripoli make for extremely embarrassing reading for Labour.
It seems Mr Blair embraced more than just Colonel Gaddafi.
It seems Mr Blair embraced more than just Colonel Gaddafi.
The ultimate gay kissing watershed barchart
With thanks to Stephen Glenn's blog I am delighted to report a YouGov survey shows Lib Dem supporters really don't care care who snogs who on the tellybox.
However Conservatives seem rather more keen on girl on girl action than a bit of man love, whereas the less said about Labour supporters' social attitudes the better...
However Conservatives seem rather more keen on girl on girl action than a bit of man love, whereas the less said about Labour supporters' social attitudes the better...
3 September 2011
Lembit loses it in defeat
London Lib Dems have sent Lembit Opik a clear message. In coming last in the selection for the unenviable job of Lib Dem Mayoral candidate - on top of his humilation in the party's Presidential election - it is clear that ordinary Lib Dem members do not want him to represent them at any level.
And it's not difficult to see why: a constant stream of mid life crises played out in their full tacky technicolour in disreputable rags have made Lembit a minor celebrity but shredded his reputation as a serious political player.
And at the end of the day being an MP or Mayoral candidate (or indeed President of the Liberal Democrats) is a serious political job and one that Lembit's antics have now made him quite unsuited for.
His article in the Evening Standard on Friday shows quite how deluded he has become.
He is quoted as saying, "Ever since I was first enticed into entering the fray as a potential candidate, I've experienced a remarkable degree of antagonism and aggression from certain Lib Dems.
Most of it has occurred in the strange and self-styled environment of the 'blogosphere' - a parallel universe where some people who've never been elected to public office feel qualified to pronounce on those who have.
When one meets these people for real, their courage on the internet seems to desert them, replaced by excuses and a quick exit at the first opportunity."
As one of the 'self styled bloggers' who have been highly critical of his vanity candidature I wear his latest ramblings as a badge of pride. It's not bloggers, journalists or other commentators' fault that Lembit is seen as a joke - it's his fault - and the sooner he realises that the better.
PS - And the conceit of his quote comparing himself to the struggle of Nelson Mandela is just jaw-droppingly wrong.
And it's not difficult to see why: a constant stream of mid life crises played out in their full tacky technicolour in disreputable rags have made Lembit a minor celebrity but shredded his reputation as a serious political player.
And at the end of the day being an MP or Mayoral candidate (or indeed President of the Liberal Democrats) is a serious political job and one that Lembit's antics have now made him quite unsuited for.
His article in the Evening Standard on Friday shows quite how deluded he has become.
He is quoted as saying, "Ever since I was first enticed into entering the fray as a potential candidate, I've experienced a remarkable degree of antagonism and aggression from certain Lib Dems.
Most of it has occurred in the strange and self-styled environment of the 'blogosphere' - a parallel universe where some people who've never been elected to public office feel qualified to pronounce on those who have.
When one meets these people for real, their courage on the internet seems to desert them, replaced by excuses and a quick exit at the first opportunity."
As one of the 'self styled bloggers' who have been highly critical of his vanity candidature I wear his latest ramblings as a badge of pride. It's not bloggers, journalists or other commentators' fault that Lembit is seen as a joke - it's his fault - and the sooner he realises that the better.
PS - And the conceit of his quote comparing himself to the struggle of Nelson Mandela is just jaw-droppingly wrong.
Friday favourite 22
In celebration of the decision by the elders of Old Reekie to progress with the tram system, here's the (almost) official video:
PS - I have to say I hadn't ever realised how Soviet the National Gallery can look...
PS - I have to say I hadn't ever realised how Soviet the National Gallery can look...
2 September 2011
Overblown hyperbole of the day 2
In the big news story today about salt in bread an organisation called 'Consensus Action on Salt and Health' - conveniently contrived/shortened to Cash were quoted in almost all media.
Their campaign director Katharine Jenner said: "Most people wouldn't realise that bread contains so much salt, as it doesn't taste salty. It is scandalous that there is no labelling on fresh bread. Without it, how are we supposed to know where salt is hidden and cut our intake to less than 6g a day?"
No it's not scandalous, it's at most inconvenient.
Their campaign director Katharine Jenner said: "Most people wouldn't realise that bread contains so much salt, as it doesn't taste salty. It is scandalous that there is no labelling on fresh bread. Without it, how are we supposed to know where salt is hidden and cut our intake to less than 6g a day?"
No it's not scandalous, it's at most inconvenient.
Some Edinburgh councillors see sense on trams
A u-turn today by Labour and SNP councillors in Edinburgh sees the city's tram project given the go ahead to the city centre.
Only Tory councillors continued with their posturing - despite being unable to explain who would foot the £160 million bill to tear up the existing contract - their preferred view.
Report here.
Delivering a sensible solution to the trams debacle - inherited from the previous administration - is a huge achievement for the Lib Dem led council. The outcry from Edinburgh people over last week's decision to cut the line short shows how badly the other parties got it wrong. Hopefully this will be reflected in how the Lib Dems are perceived when voters in Scotland's capital elect a new council next May.
Only Tory councillors continued with their posturing - despite being unable to explain who would foot the £160 million bill to tear up the existing contract - their preferred view.
Report here.
Delivering a sensible solution to the trams debacle - inherited from the previous administration - is a huge achievement for the Lib Dem led council. The outcry from Edinburgh people over last week's decision to cut the line short shows how badly the other parties got it wrong. Hopefully this will be reflected in how the Lib Dems are perceived when voters in Scotland's capital elect a new council next May.
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