Category Archives: Commerce

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 →

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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

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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Dead Fish Swim with the Stream

Posted on July 18, 2011 by davidsberry

Ever since I overcame my mother’s Blitz-begotten mistrust of the Germans, I have been a Europhile. But sometimes, they really don’t make it easy. Their latest unpalatable tranche of Eurotrash was served up this week by Maria Damanaki in her role … Continue reading →

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The Press—Trusted;Investigative;Profitable: Pick Two

Posted on July 14, 2011 by davidsberry

A boatload of pious claptrap has been written and broadcast over the last few weeks as the rest of the media has been circling the wounded News Corp like sharks homing in on an enfeebled killer whale. I am no … Continue reading →

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Christie Eleison IV

Posted on July 2, 2011 by davidsberry

In earlier segments of this huge topic I highlighted approaching problems in public services and suggested how the NHS half of expenditure might start addressing them. But pivotal across all public services are staff, whose engagement and motivation will be … Continue reading →

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US Kids European Golf

Posted on June 3, 2011 by davidsberry

Hundreds of the world’s best junior golfers returned to East Lothian this week for the U.S. Kids Golf European Championship—a four-day competition that brought the next generation champions from all over the world to play Gullane 1 & 2, Luffness, … Continue reading →

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Part of the Team

Posted on May 15, 2011 by davidsberry

With the first weekend since the election divided between various celebrations and a sleep recovery programme, I have now had a week to take stock and the bouyant mood it has put me in surprises me some, especially as I … Continue reading →

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Medieval Management

Posted on May 12, 2011 by davidsberry

Among the laudable intentions of the newly minted SNP Government is to tackle an institution that controls over half of Scotland—the Crown Estate. The half that they control is one that people have paid little attention to until recently: the … Continue reading →

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