24/02/2007, 24/02/2007
In preparation for returning to Castle Park we are up here trying out some new technology. As you know our Internet server ceased to exist. This left us with a bit of a problem so we are trying 3G.
We don't actually get coverage here but it does work as GPRS which is a bit slower.....but as I said it does work!! so it is better then nothing and keeps us in touch with the world. We can also use it on the move.
We may still have to rely on our friends for web work but maybe it's a good thing for us to be limited then we won't spend so much time before a screen and thus will switch of from politics!! and just chill out!!
Today it is my turn to have the bug!!, so I came up here and went straight to bed!!
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( 3 / 96 )23/02/2007, 23/02/2007
Just to clear a few things up about regional lists, in particular the one for Highlands & Islands.
Jim Fry is the man at the top and it will be him I and others will supporting.
In regional lists you vote for a party not necessarily a person, however as I learned on Wednesday anyone on the list could potentially become a MSP!!....it would just take the first person to become ill or step down for some other reason and the one below would be offered the post. In one region at the moment it is number 6 on the list who has actually become the MSP, three years into the parliamentary session!!! There are no by-elections in regions.
That is why there has to be a minimum of 4 to 6 on each list before it will be accepted. Most people on the list are there just to make up numbers.....as far as the SSCUP is concerned they put people on the list and prioritise them according to experience, ability and their own wishes which means you can move up and down the list at any given time until it is submitted.
This safeguards the party from people who just have their own agendas.....and there are a few.....like any other party! All this works fine as long as there are enough on the list you would be prepared to stand in the breach if required to do so.
My prayer is Jim Fry will be successful and he will become an MSP for this region and stay as one!!!
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( 3 / 91 )22/02/2007, 22/02/2007
I seem to be on a very steep learning curve at the moment and further surfing on the net this morning showed me that getting a SSCUP candidate elected in the Highland & Islands Region is actually do-able!! Considering that in the 2003 election the 7th regional MSP in this area got in with less that 10,000 votes{SNP}....but I must admit I am not into all this number crunching, so at a guess I reckon one would need at least 15,000 votes to be in with a chance....but then it is a huge area!
We were very impressed with Holyrood yesterday, but then one should be as the final cost of it is announced!.....lunch was most acceptable to!! We got the green light for the website to go ahead ..... the business of continually updating it now begins......things will quieten down after the election.
I must confess we were absolutely shattered by the time we got home.....we did WALK to Holyrood and back to the station, plus a complete tour of the building itself including areas off limits to the general public....so that plus all the mental activity took it's toll.
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( 3 / 94 )20/02/2007, 20/02/2007
We had a visiting ship on the Gareloch yesterday....not usually seen in these parts.
Closely monitored by police, marines and the Police OCU Van!!! Not sure how far up the loch they got as we headed off for Dumbarton.
This is democracy at it's finest, whether you agree with the protest or not. In some parts of the world they would be blown out of the water.
Tomorrow we will witness another side of democracy as we visit the Scottish Parliament. For us it means an early start to be there for the appointed time. Unfortunately the other side of democracy is....you can say what you want.....but we won't necessarily listen!!......I wonder if Labour will dare to go ahead with their Road Pricing policy especially in Scotland. Before anything like this could happen efficient transport strategies must be put in place......and Labour are not very good at doing 'efficient'
Even as our leader declared his policy on gun crime he forgot laws had already been passed, just no-one seems to be enforcing them!......so he wants youths who carry guns to automatically get a prison sentence......I agree..BUT and here's the big BUT.....just where is he going to put them?
In this country you can be sent to jail for stealing a packet of biscuits but get probation if you carry a gun or attack someone, the whole system needs an overhaul.
An 80yr old can go to jail for not paying her Council Tax but a big Corporate Body can have their tax debts written off!
If a person gets knocked over by a bus and killed the family gets massive compensation....if that person is 75 or over their family get zilch.....nice to know the value of an elderly person isn't it!
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( 3 / 104 )19/02/2007, 19/02/2007
I had one of those experiences on Saturday that sent a cold shiver down my spine. I was walking through the shopping mall at Clydebank with Dougal on lead, so I was unable to go in any shops. Ray saw some seats up at the top of the mall and suggested I sit with Dougal while she hunted down some more wool......good idea.....not quite!
Fortunately my antenna were working!!.....I became aware of several people handing out tracts....usually this doesn't bother me but as I got nearer the seats I realized it was a case of sit at your peril! .....next to the seats was a huge banner with the word 'HEALING' on it! I decided I would not bother sitting!!!! but stood near enough out of curiosity to listen and watch!!!.....coward!!! It's good having a dog on tow....no-one bothers you.....saved by the dog!....forgive the pun!!
Watching and listening can be fascinating at times...so what was on offer? One lady said to a young girl with a small child, " Come and have a seat, I will pray for her and Jesus will heal her".....Wow!....that was some statement to make I thought. The girl incidentally took cold feet when she realized this was going to be done in front of all the crowds.....don't blame her!
To me this was religion at it's tackiest!....but then I have become quite sceptical when it comes to public performances like these. The more I looked the more I became aware of how carefully they chose their victims!!!.....no men for a start off!......that's interesting I thought!.....who needs the healing then?
As I said I am a cynic!..not about healing but about the way this was offered.....it seemed to me this was all about them and how good they were....where was dignity?
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