Author Archives: davidsberry

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About davidsberry

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

America’s Higher Education Brought Low

Posted on December 2, 2015 by davidsberry

Rarely accused of being conservative (big or small ‘c’), reading George Will is not my natural territory. Being in agreement with him is even more of a stretch. But being in the Land of the FGree just now, I found … Continue reading →

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La Marseillaise

Posted on November 17, 2015 by davidsberry

As the crowds streamed out of the Stade de France after the bloodthirsty events of Friday, they began singing the French national anthem; the crowds gathered to hear Hollande’s speech from Versailles did the same. Anyone who has witnessed even … Continue reading →

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You Know You’ve Been Quangoed

Posted on November 13, 2015 by davidsberry

Last week, we outlined the largely unaccountable role of quangos in running Scotland and the unconscoinable salaries that their senior managers pull down. This week, we give the details. If they all took a 10% cut in salary, they would all … Continue reading →

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In Remembrance

Posted on November 11, 2015 by davidsberry

There has been a flood of commentary on social media about Remembrance Day and poppies being worn to honour it. Not all are favourable and some, indeed, highly critical. These latter appear to come from a number of positions, including: … Continue reading →

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Angels or Vampires?

Posted on November 6, 2015 by davidsberry

According to SCVO there are over 45,000 Third-Sector organisations (i.e. charities) in Scotland, employing a total of 138,000 people with a turnover totalling just under £5bn each year—getting on for 10% of our GDP. Many of them do sterling work … Continue reading →

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Millionaires Only

Posted on October 28, 2015 by davidsberry

Anyone who has visited this blog more than cursorily will have twigged that I love where I live. North Berwick is not the perfect place. But having been round the world and lived abroad for a quarter-century in six different … Continue reading →

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It’s the Unity, Stupid!

Posted on October 18, 2015 by davidsberry

This blog was to be all about this weekend’s SNP Conference at the AECC. I had several key points (I thought) all lined up, ready to be expounded: SNP Conferences have become bland as other major parties: little controversial is … Continue reading →

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Rewilding Highland Ecology

Posted on October 14, 2015 by davidsberry

As a Scot descended in part from Appin Stuarts, I get emotional crossing the Highland Line, feeling the huge flanks of the mountains close around me like a herd of giant cattle and suffusing me with subtle feelings between awe … Continue reading →

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Misogyny? It Costs Us All

Posted on October 7, 2015 by davidsberry

Gender equality has been a hot topic for a long time, especially in business. And, despite laws designed to ensure equal pay for equal work between men and women, the pay gap persists and hiring practices continue to discriminate, especially … Continue reading →

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We Need To Talk About: Budget Underspends

Posted on October 5, 2015 by davidsberry

Originally posted on The Common Green:
Q. When is a surplus not a surplus? A. When someone is talking down the Scottish Government. Today the Auditor General published its annual report detailing an independent opinion on how well the Scottish…

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