How Will The Unionists Cope With The Commonwealth Games?

Argh!

The PM arrived, the FM greeted him on the doorstep of St Andrew's House, the deal was duly signed and the press acted according to plan by photographing every stage-managed move.

All is well with the progress of the independence referendum and if one commentator is correct (I think it was Brian Taylor), then Mr Salmond will have control over the details of the various campaigning parties.

Last night I had a telephone call from an English friend who has lived in Scotland for nearly 50 years. One of her interests is politics and for the past few years we've discussed the pros and cons of independence during our regular chats.  Last time we met she was still dithering - floating is the political term I believe - and wanted much more information about the financial structure of an independent Scotland.

However, the conversation started with her in full scunnered mode, which can only be described as full volumed assertiveness: "That's it. I'm voting yes and I will not change my mind."  Had she been reading something which gave  information about the financial aspect or had my persuasive skills finally won her round?  No to the first point and laughter to the second was the answer. Patiently I waited for the reason and I didn't wait more than a couple of seconds. "Did you see David Cameron on television at teatime?" (I didn't get a chance to answer before she continued), "Britishness, Britain, I'm British London politicians keep telling me.  No, I'm not, I'm English and proud of it.  I'm sick of being told I'm British and did you hear a politician on radio this morning correcting himself by initially saying English then speedily changing to British?"

She has a point. My Norwegian friends and my Swedish ex-sister-in-law would never describe themselves as Scandinavian and my German and Swiss friends would never call themselves European if they were asked their nationality. Why does London insist on calling everyone in the UK British and ignoring the national identities?

It's done in an attempt to cement the idea that Britishness is what holds the UK together but my friend's decision shows it's having a detrimental effect.

The constant referral to the Olympics and what Team GB achieved is part of the brain-washing strategy.  Anyone with an iota of common sense realises those who participated in team GB had no option - there wasn't the choice to be part of a Team Wales, a Team Northern Ireland, a Team Scotland or a Team England.

The 2014 Commonwealth Games will give the four countries of the UK the opportunity to participate in the name of their own country and feel just as proud as they did when they took part in London 2012.  But I wonder how the unionists will cope once the Commonwealth Games come to Scotland. Will they continue to call all UK participants British or will they have to face up to the fact that a vast majority of the UK's inhabitants prefer to refer to themselves as Welsh, Northern Irish, Scottish or English?

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A Gold Post Box For Lossiemouth

Helen Stanning and her rowing partner Helen Glover were the first British female rowers to win an Olympic title yesterday and walked off with a Gold.

Ms Stanning is a captain in the Army and they gave her 18 months leave to practice for the event.  In the past the Army have supported many of our top sports men and women including Dame Kelly Holmes.

However, what prompted this post was the last two paragraphs of an article on the BBC's website.  Ms Stanning is a Scot, born in Lossiemouth.

Meanwhile, Royal Mail said a special stamp to celebrate the win would be available by Thursday lunchtime.

Royal Mail will also paint one of its red post boxes gold in Lossiemouth.

Have you ever seen a gold post box?

On the subject of sport I must include Michael Jamieson's breathtaking performance in the mens 200m breaststroke yesterday.

Does this mean the Royal Mail will issue a stamp for him and also paint a Glasgow post box silver?  I do hope so.

It's a busy day today for the Dunblane laddie.  His next appearance is at noon followed by the mixed doubles around 6pm. Another tension-filled afternoon no doubt.

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A National Disaster

Soldiers rest under camouflage covers and tarpaulin

 as they guard the tow path of the Rover Lea near 

the Olympic stadium and Olympic site in Stratford.

'Winning' the Olympic Games will be recorded as a great national disaster in history.

Why?  We have reduced the country to a state of paranoia and the terrorists have already won.

The media continue to do their best to show enthusiasm for the event but they're paid to do so.  Here, in the far north, there is less excitement and even less interest.

David Starkey, for all his faults, expressed the feelings of many:

I am fed up of this national act of everybody get together, jump up and down and pretend they’re at a school camp for the Olympics. I hate forced celebration, I hate turning my capital city into a theme park. I hate Zil limousine lanes. I hate the Olympic emblem which has become a kind of plague curse on the entire city, distorting it, perverting it ...




Yesterday we heard that the military, who have been drafted in at exceptionally short notice, will not be paid any bonus.  Other public service workers will be paid extra for working at the games, but not the Army.  The Home Office has stated that any military personnel who have had to cancel paid for holidays will have any cancellation costs refunded.  Ask anyone belonging to the military about claiming the cost of a rail or air fare and you will be told "It's not worth the hassle". The Home Office will know from MoD sources that few will attempt to recoup loses.

Many soldiers, just back from spending 6 or more months in Afghanistan have arranged a holiday with their families.

The police are now saying they're in charge and more have been brought into London.  All will be paid overtime and will not be living in this type of accommodation. However, the Army will get on with the job without complaint.  It's the only public service we can completely rely on when our safety could be at risk.

So spend a minute or two in gratitude and also remember, many of those latest military Olympic security recruits were issued with their P45 recently, yet they won't find work once they leave the services - although most have been highly trained in skills needed in the country.  Is it any wonder our country is rapidly falling into social and economic decline?

Photo courtesy of the Daily Mail.

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The Reason Why G4S Was Called Into The Home Office

Ben Fellows is an investigative journalist specialising in undercover work.  He went undercover to follow his 'Olympic dream', as G4S likes to call it, to become a member of the security team.

As well as talking to the UK Column, Mr Fellows has also managed to publicise his experiences on the Louise Collins Road Show, Tony Gosling's Bristol based radio show and Alex Jones.

Since he made his allegations G4S has been called into the Home Office and we now know the Army will be providing a further 3,500 troops to aid security.

The list of Mr Fellows' allegations is here.

I have no interest in the Olympics so will be content to be over 500 miles from London when the event takes place. However, for those who intend to visit London Mr Fellows' disclosures will unsettle them.  It's no wonder G4S are doing their best to have Mr Fellows silenced, particularly when 75% of Daily Mail readers say they have no confidence in the security measures.

Thankfully the Army are now involved and will do their utmost to ensure  everyone's safety, but who will be in charge?  Will the Army look after themselves or will G4S be dictating to them?

If Mr Fellows' allegations are correct - and I have no reason to doubt him - then  the Army should be given control of all security, even although it is very late in the day,

But is security OTT for the games?  I tend to agree with Iain Martin.

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When Is A National Flag Too Big?

(A health warning to my reader JRB - this post may be bad for you.)

Alyn Smith, an SNP member of the European Parliament, has complained to Seb Coe, the wunderkind chairman of the London 2012 organising committee, about the ban on the Saltire being flown over Scotland's national stadium during the Olympic games.

Under Olympic rules, Scottish athletes represent Great Britain, meaning only the Union flag should be officially flown at venues.

The rule hit the headlines during the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics Games in 2002 when skier, Alain Baxter from Aviemore, was ordered to cover up a blue and white Saltire he had dyed into his hair before competing.

Terms and conditions on tickets for the 2012 Games state there should be no flags of countries that are not participating.

The rule means that the Saltire can't fly over Hampden a spokesman for the organising committee confirmed. "Common sense would be applied for fans, as long as there was no 'political statement' linked to the flag or emblem" they said.

Another response from the committee is 'that people have always been allowed to bring in flags and wave them provided they are not too big or on poles'.

I see two problems with the organising committee's responses.  Firstly, what is its definition of 'common sense'?  It's certainly very different to mine.

Secondly, I've searched in vain to find the definition of 'too big'.  I have a couple of Saltires which I use for a variety of purposes. Both are 5ft by 3ft - a handy size for anything from a table covering to flying from a flagpole.  But would one be too big for the Olympic flag-checking mafia?  Who knows.

If anyone attending a Game's event wants to take along their emblem to show national pride, forget a flag and consider a windsock. If money is no object how about a Saltire mohair throw to keep your shoulders warm?

I would suggest that anyone taking either of these items also remembers to carry the invoice with them just in case the flag-checking mafia don't know the difference between a saltire, a windsock and a throw. It's all down to common sense isn't it?

source

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Man's Best Friend

Even if you're not a 'doggie' person, the intelligence of some breeds must be applauded.

We all know about Guide Dogs for the Blind and the recent innovative project of Hearing Dogs for the Deaf, but now these clever animals are being trained to help care for people suffering from dementia live independently for longer.

The breeds currently involved are the reliable retrievers and labradors.

The government has given £52,000 to the project but Dementia Dogs requires to raise a further £130,00 to launch a pilot scheme later this year.

That sum of money is quite probably what the government-funded Olympic committee may pay to entertain just one of their VIP's entertainment during the London Games.

We're told the Olympics will benefit the whole country. Lies, lies and more damned lies.

Update:  Maybe the canines should be rewarded like American pooches.

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European Olympics Anyone?

The European Union want to get on the Olympics gravy train and intend to introduce their own version of the Games by 2015.

We already have the Commonwealth Games which Scotland is hosting in 2014, but will the EU's latest decision dilute the standard of international sports?

The unelected have decided already they will go ahead.

source

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It's All About Balance

Balance and muscle control I'm told. Those of us of a certain age couldn't have helped being in awe of the young Romanian athlete Nadia Comaneci's performance in the 1976 Olympics.  A perfect 10 all round.  She took my breath away, not only for her performance but her interpretation of the music.

Will this young lady, Angelova Boyanka from Bulgaria, be the next to gain the perfect score?



The London Olympic prices for this event will be beyond my means and I don't think I could tolerate the travel arrangements, but it's one event I may watch on television.

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