Category Archives: Uncategorized

R.A.S. Puttin

The first anniversary of Putin’s “Special Military Operation” to envelop Ukraine back in the arms of Mother Russia has been the focus of much media attention. However, most of it has focussed on plucky and resolute Ukraine and the unexpected … Continue reading

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In Truss We God—2

No’ Sae Green As We’re Cabbage-Lookin’ “I have never seen the shine come off a new government as quickly as it has here.” —Channel 4 Political Editor at the Tory Conference, Oct. 3rd 2022 As a measure of the fiscal … Continue reading

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Ivan to Go Home—V

“The Russian Army is a boxer who has a great right hook and a glass jaw.” —Phillips O’Brien, Prof. of Strategic Studies, St Andrews University The Ukrainian offensive that began around Kherson in the South at the end of August … Continue reading

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This Fratricidal War

After three weeks of the most brutal and extensive war we have witnessed since World War 2, Western media has been reporting extensively on human tragedies behind the lines in Ukraine and Russian state media has been spinning fake news … Continue reading

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The Road to Scindy III—Councils As Partners

On Thursday, December 9th, Finance Secretary Kate Forbes will present a budget to the Scottish Parliament. A couple of goodies have been trailed in Nicola Sturgeon’s speech to the SNP Conference in November, including a doubling of child benefit from … Continue reading

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Videotracks of Our Lives

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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Those Who Walk on Water: III—Boris Johnson

“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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The Other Sceptr’d Isle V

The Future? (Part 5 of 5) t takes a brass neck and a boatload of optimism to predict what might occur in Ulster over the next decade. But one thing is clear: to continue the peace process and a prosperous … Continue reading

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Sturgeon’s Stavka

After being re-elected by the Scottish Parliament the previous day, on May 19th, Nicola Sturgeon announced the Cabinet Secretaries in her slimmed-down Cabinet tram. She likes to run a tight ship, but has realised, as many such leaders do, that … Continue reading

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Channeling George III

Three days after the polls opened, results are in for the 2021 elections to the Scottish Parliament. Unlike previous elections when a diversity of policies brought in a variety of parties, this result—and the tactical voting that led to it—split … Continue reading

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