Author Archives: davidsberry

About davidsberry

Local ex-councillor, tour guide and database designer. Keen on wildlife, history, boats and music. Retired in 2017.

The Road to Scindy II—Cunning Plan, or Planning Con?

Posted on November 21, 2021 by davidsberry

“A high quality planning system is essential to create quality places with the homes, infrastructure and investment that people need. We are improving Scotland’s planning system, to strengthen the contribution planning can make to inclusive growth, to delivering housing and … Continue reading →

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Fake News Is Nothing New

Posted on November 16, 2021 by davidsberry

Propaganda as a means to persuade people has a long history. But it really only came into its own with the spread of newspapers and radio in the 20th century. The first to exploit mass media’s ability to spread falsehood … Continue reading →

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The Road to Scindy I—Hug a Sassenach

Posted on November 12, 2021 by davidsberry

There is a case for Scotland being a normal, independent nation that is at least as strong as the argument for it remaining within the United Kingdom. Unfortunately, in the seven years since 2014, the SNP, whose job this should … Continue reading →

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Videotracks of Our Lives

Posted on November 7, 2021 by davidsberry

Given the myriad of channels through which it is now delivered, the very dame “film” has become a misnomer, verging on the archaic. But for a century, it has been the prime means of mass communication around the globe, surviving … Continue reading →

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Is It a Fair COP?

Posted on November 2, 2021 by davidsberry

“Humanity has long since run down the clock on climate change, It is one minute to midnight to prevent catastrophe.” —Boris Johnson at COP26, November 2021 Intensifying media blanket coverage means most of us were fed up with “last-chance-saloon” mood … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Politics | Leave a comment

Those Who Walk on Water: III—Boris Johnson

Posted on October 30, 2021 by davidsberry

“This Budget will deliver a stronger economy for the whole of the UK. We’re building back better from the pandemic with a more innovative, high skill and high wage economy that will level up across the country.” —Tweet from Boris … Continue reading →

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Those Who Walk on Water: II—Donald J. Trump

Posted on October 28, 2021 by davidsberry

“Well, if I ever ran for office, I’d do better as a Democrat than as a Republican – and that’s not because I’d be more liberal, because I’m conservative. But the working guy would elect me. He likes me. When … Continue reading →

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Those Who Walk on Water: I—Blair & Obama

Posted on October 26, 2021 by davidsberry

“We all have to believe in something. I believe I’ll have another drink.” —W.C. Fields It was entertaining to watch Boris Johnson’s speech wind up the Conservative Conference in Manchester last month (the double-entendre is deliberate). Because this was unlike … Continue reading →

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Letter to the Editor

Posted on October 17, 2021 by davidsberry

BACKGROUND: On Friday, October 15th, Member of the UK Parliament, Sir David Ames was holding his regular surgery (opportunity to bring cases to their MP by the public) in Leigh-on-Sea, within his Southend West constituency when he was stabbed and … Continue reading →

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Gas-umped!

Posted on October 10, 2021 by davidsberry

Today (Sunday, October 10th) Business Secretary Kwarsi Kwarteng was doing the rounds of the politics talk shows, trying to pour renewables (rather than oil) on the troubled waters of the badly overheated natural gas market. Wholesale prices, which started at … Continue reading →

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