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.

Standard & Poor Says: Standards Are Poor

Posted on August 6, 2011 by davidsberry

As a amateur observer of things economic, it’s hard to feel bad when you’re proved right but I derive no pleasure in having predicted the present fiscal tumble in which stock markets have lost 10% in value and the mighty … Continue reading →

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Are We Nuts Overpaying Monkeys?

Posted on August 2, 2011 by davidsberry

There has been considerable agitation by public service unions on both sides of the border that workers are being hit severely by Westminster’s austerity programme, whether by pay freeze/cut or benefit loss (especially pension) or even loss of their job … Continue reading →

Posted in Commerce, Politics | Tagged | 1 Comment

The Lion in Us All

Posted on August 1, 2011 by davidsberry

After the eternal navel-gazing of Hackgate, I was delighted to find a real discussion kicked off by Pete Wishart’s article on Britishness in Newsnet Scotland. His open queries came immediately under sustained attack from people whose position seems more like … Continue reading →

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Crime and Punishment

Posted on July 28, 2011 by davidsberry
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Welcome to Scotland: Now Go Home

Posted on July 27, 2011 by davidsberry

I have taken some flak down the years for having been a regular reader of the Economist. But far from being another tub-thumping, jingoistic right-wing rag à la Torygraph, it has always provided me with a more balanced international perspective … Continue reading →

Posted in Commerce, Education | Tagged | 1 Comment

Nomenklatura O’ the Clachan

Posted on July 25, 2011 by davidsberry

“Nomenklatura” referred to the Communist party’s authority to make appointments to key positions throughout the governmental system.  —Wikipedia You have to hand it to Burdzeyeview. While often disagreeing with the line she takes, it is always cogently argued and this … Continue reading →

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We Are ALL Norwegians

Posted on July 24, 2011 by davidsberry

My little blog is no place to rehearse the details of this weekend’s tragedy in and around Oslo that killed 93 innocent people, mostly teenagers, and wounded another 100. Even after Anders Breivik goes on trial for what he did, … Continue reading →

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Real News vs. Scandal Fixation

Posted on July 21, 2011 by davidsberry

I am normally a fan of Newsnicht. Gordon Brewer, Isabel Fraser, Glenn Campbell et al hold incisive discussions relevant to Scotland without resorting to the Paxman sneer. But last night, the four MPs asked to comment on the latest twists … Continue reading →

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Hall of Shame

Posted on July 19, 2011 by davidsberry

Research for my previous post (Oxter Award) exposed some pretty dubious council fauna in dark corners, especially in and around wur Dear Green Place. The broad range of accusations makes some form of ranking necessary and so I have awarded … Continue reading →

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This Month’s Oxter Award

Posted on July 18, 2011 by davidsberry

Such has the scale of disconnect between the public and their elected representatives become that it is time to acknowledge those in service of the public who have clearly lost sight of that basic fact with an award. This month’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Tagged | 1 Comment