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.
Posted on September 20, 2012 by davidsberry | Leave a comment

‘Cos!

Posted on September 20, 2012 by davidsberry

I was reminded of an endearing trait of a former partner who was plenty intelligent/educated and would hold her own in any discussion but who, when pressed to discuss and not in the mood would simultaneously declare the discussion over … Continue reading →

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Trooble at t’Toon Hoose

Posted on September 19, 2012 by davidsberry

Cheery as this blog tries to be, those seeking their ritual giggle (some at the style, some at the content), should stop reading now and switch to Oor Wullie. Get yer tin hat on—we’re in Sturm und Drang mode today. … Continue reading →

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Qually Folly

Posted on September 18, 2012 by davidsberry

Michael Gove has set the cat amongst the educational pigeons in England. By scrapping GCSEs and replacing them with a Baccalureat more common in Europe. Known in France colloquially as le bac, it is an academic qualification which French and international students … Continue reading →

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Looking Through a Glass Union (Again)

Posted on September 17, 2012 by davidsberry

A year ago, this blog welcomed the One Dynamic Nation website to the debate on Scotland’s future, especially its relationship with England. Obviously a reasonably professional effort, in the intervening time, it has been fleshed out with a number of … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Tagged | 2 Comments

Scottish Enterprise: The Problem, not the Solution

Posted on September 16, 2012 by davidsberry

Whatever kind of recession we’re in, pretty much everyone now agrees that we’re in one. What everyone does not agree on in how to get out of it. In fact, there is a significant proportion of the population—quite often those … Continue reading →

Posted in Commerce, Community | Tagged | 3 Comments

Leader of the Free World? Baggie Not

Posted on September 15, 2012 by davidsberry

American politics is something that rarely interests Europeans, not least because of its simplistic tenets and absolute belief in itself. But as long as its 300m people constitute the biggest consumer market and source of innovation on the planet, who … Continue reading →

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If It’s About Money, You’re in the Wrong Job

Posted on September 13, 2012 by davidsberry

For six years as community councillor and thirteen as a local authority councillor, most of which I served on a SEPA board, I have earned a grand total of around £149,000. Put another way, that works out at £3.50 per … Continue reading →

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The Sillars Season

Posted on September 12, 2012 by davidsberry

Jim Sillars has been a weel kent face in Scottish politics since before he won the Govan by-election for the SNP in 1988 and repeated the wet-fish-in-the-puss-for-Labour act his irrepressible wife Margo MacDonald had achieved 15 years prior. As a … Continue reading →

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Costly Lessons

Posted on September 10, 2012 by davidsberry

Just back from a week wandering Appin, Morvern and Mull, I make no apology for having silenced this blog for a whole week. We all need a break but watching sea eagles bringing sudden death to the fish of Loch … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | Tagged | 1 Comment